Thinking of a TVR as a 2nd car...
Discussion
For my good lady!... 
I've very briefly driven a Chimera down our private road (about half a mile) and passengered in the same car on some quite fun roads.
I wondered if there is a way to lighten the clutch and steering a bit so the car is a bit more "every day". (Yes, I'm an eleven-stone-weakling really
)
Is it possible, and would it considered sacrilege?
I'm quite a reasonable DIY mechanic - I regularly service a small fleet of 3 cars and occasionally I get presented with mildly sick Imprezas to tinker with... Is servicing a TVR a realistic proposition - eg. getting parts. Where I live is quite isolated, so there's no dealers/specialists in easy reach.
Are there any majors to watch when buying, other than the usual?
Just going to have a read of the TVR tech forums now...
Thanks!
David
I've very briefly driven a Chimera down our private road (about half a mile) and passengered in the same car on some quite fun roads.
I wondered if there is a way to lighten the clutch and steering a bit so the car is a bit more "every day". (Yes, I'm an eleven-stone-weakling really
) Is it possible, and would it considered sacrilege?
I'm quite a reasonable DIY mechanic - I regularly service a small fleet of 3 cars and occasionally I get presented with mildly sick Imprezas to tinker with... Is servicing a TVR a realistic proposition - eg. getting parts. Where I live is quite isolated, so there's no dealers/specialists in easy reach.
Are there any majors to watch when buying, other than the usual?
Just going to have a read of the TVR tech forums now...
Thanks!
David
Hi there!
The clutch is unchangable AFAIK, but you can get cars with PAS.
As far as servicing goes, you can do an awful lot yourself - a chap called Steve Heath publishes the 'Bible' a servicing guide for Chims/Griffs. However, foregoing reputable dealer/specialist stamps every 6k will cane your resale value. That said, pick up a early car (e.g. '94) for £10k and that won't be such an issue. The engines are pretty old tech, the mechanicals straightforward - no worries if you're competent I guess.
as for buying guides, there's a whole list of things to look for - i'm sure someone will post the appropriate threads very shortly.
Good luck!
The clutch is unchangable AFAIK, but you can get cars with PAS.
As far as servicing goes, you can do an awful lot yourself - a chap called Steve Heath publishes the 'Bible' a servicing guide for Chims/Griffs. However, foregoing reputable dealer/specialist stamps every 6k will cane your resale value. That said, pick up a early car (e.g. '94) for £10k and that won't be such an issue. The engines are pretty old tech, the mechanicals straightforward - no worries if you're competent I guess.
as for buying guides, there's a whole list of things to look for - i'm sure someone will post the appropriate threads very shortly.
Good luck!
Agree with Julian... clutch is a given, steering can be PAS for a start. You tend to get used to all the little TVR eccentricities like that, anyway, and start thinking every other car is "wrong" before long.
If you get an old one, servicing yourself isn't too much of an issue, especially with a Chim/Griff that's running a Rover engine. If it were a Tuscan/Cerb then it's a different story.
If you do a search on "buying", "chimaera", "common", "issues", etc. you'll no doubt turn up a hundred things.
Apologies for the drunken posting... -JS
If you get an old one, servicing yourself isn't too much of an issue, especially with a Chim/Griff that's running a Rover engine. If it were a Tuscan/Cerb then it's a different story.
If you do a search on "buying", "chimaera", "common", "issues", etc. you'll no doubt turn up a hundred things.
Apologies for the drunken posting... -JS
Hi and welcome. You may buy it as a second car but after about 30 seconds it will be your main car and there will be no looking back.
I notice you are on the IOW, there are loads of us around the mainland side and it would be nice to have an overseas visit one day.
As far as parts go, like others have said mostly Rover stuff so shouldn't be a problem, but if you need anything tricky I'm sure one of us could pick it up and bung it on the hovercraft for you.
I notice you are on the IOW, there are loads of us around the mainland side and it would be nice to have an overseas visit one day.
As far as parts go, like others have said mostly Rover stuff so shouldn't be a problem, but if you need anything tricky I'm sure one of us could pick it up and bung it on the hovercraft for you.
As the Nike ad says,
'Just do it'
I run a Griff as a second car and fabulous it is too.
there are quite a few ladies who have Chims and Griffs.
When I was looking to buy a Griff some kind person sent me a list of things to look out for so I will mail it to you.
Eli
this is the famous Griffy Grin
'Just do it'
I run a Griff as a second car and fabulous it is too.
there are quite a few ladies who have Chims and Griffs.
When I was looking to buy a Griff some kind person sent me a list of things to look out for so I will mail it to you.
Eli
this is the famous Griffy GrinThanks for the warm welcome
It's a second car as you'll find it hard to tempt me out of owning a slightly tuned AWD car with a turbo
I think it's a very sensible & practical car for the island, given the roads we have here.
I was looking in the 10k bracket, so not too worried about resale - I look at it as follows: "Do you spend the money now and hope to get it back come selling, or do you save it now?" It seems to have worked so far with the Scoob.
The TVR & Scoob would be shared between us for going to work, plus the weekend antics & events. Nic. quite likes the look and styling of the TVR, but is worried she won't be able to drive it. PAS would help, but it's just the heavy clutch... I suppose the answer is for her to drive one and see what happens. Maybe some experimenting with different master & slave cylinders would solve this.
It's well worth solving the little (& perceived) problems to not be saddled with an MG. Not that there is anything wrong with the MG... I just don't like it!
As for an IOW visit - it's a marvelous idea. The Impreza people have had a weekend here for about 3 years now. Usually in September when the tourists start to disappear, but while it's still warm enough to play. If all goes to plan, we should be able to put in some appearances on the mainland events too.
It's a second car as you'll find it hard to tempt me out of owning a slightly tuned AWD car with a turbo
I think it's a very sensible & practical car for the island, given the roads we have here.
I was looking in the 10k bracket, so not too worried about resale - I look at it as follows: "Do you spend the money now and hope to get it back come selling, or do you save it now?" It seems to have worked so far with the Scoob.
The TVR & Scoob would be shared between us for going to work, plus the weekend antics & events. Nic. quite likes the look and styling of the TVR, but is worried she won't be able to drive it. PAS would help, but it's just the heavy clutch... I suppose the answer is for her to drive one and see what happens. Maybe some experimenting with different master & slave cylinders would solve this.
It's well worth solving the little (& perceived) problems to not be saddled with an MG.
Not that there is anything wrong with the MG... I just don't like it! As for an IOW visit - it's a marvelous idea. The Impreza people have had a weekend here for about 3 years now. Usually in September when the tourists start to disappear, but while it's still warm enough to play. If all goes to plan, we should be able to put in some appearances on the mainland events too.
Hi David,
Just like to say what excellant tastes you have.
My everyday car is a Scooby, backed up (after years of drooling) with a 4.0 Chim for (even) more fun.
Both great performance cars, both completely different!
More smiles per mile in the TVR though
All the best in your search.
Simon
Just like to say what excellant tastes you have.
My everyday car is a Scooby, backed up (after years of drooling) with a 4.0 Chim for (even) more fun.
Both great performance cars, both completely different!
More smiles per mile in the TVR though
All the best in your search.
Simon
dnb said:
Nic. quite likes the look and styling of the TVR, but is worried she won't be able to drive it.
We have a fair few lady owners in Hants and Sarah has driven my S (heavy clutch, no PAS) a few times.
dnb said:
If all goes to plan, we should be able to put in some appearances on the mainland events too.
Be good to see you, I'm sure ellejay and tammy02 will convince her. Also try the dealers - do the Fernhurst/Blyth/RacingGreen run!
dnb said:
I was looking in the 10k bracket,
Guys, will you get PAS on an early (£10K) car?
Gents
My Chimaera had PAS, but my Griff doesn't. I was thinking at first that I might retrofit PAS to it, but tbh I prefer the feedback that I get without it, the only difficulty being small-space manoeuvring (which is a tiny proportion of driving time, so not worth worrying about). The clutch isn't a problem if you get the right driving position, unless you're going to be in crawling traffic a lot. I assume that on the IOW that won't be the case.
My Chimaera had PAS, but my Griff doesn't. I was thinking at first that I might retrofit PAS to it, but tbh I prefer the feedback that I get without it, the only difficulty being small-space manoeuvring (which is a tiny proportion of driving time, so not worth worrying about). The clutch isn't a problem if you get the right driving position, unless you're going to be in crawling traffic a lot. I assume that on the IOW that won't be the case.
tvrgaas said:
Guys, will you get PAS on an early (£10K) car?
The £10k chims I looked at were ropey as hell and didnt have PAS. I wouldnt have thought you could get one with PAS for that. I would also be surprised if you could get anything tidy for that money, but out of season who knows.
As others have said, she may want to try a non-PAS car in any event. Most of my female mates that have tried my S and Chim have said they couldnt live with it, but none of those are driving enthusiasts. As Rude Girl says, she gets on ok with it. If its an everyday car and sat in traffic it might be a bit heavy for a lady. I am 15 stone/6' 3" and dont particularly enjoy the heaviness of the chim in heavy traffic and would rather be in my mondeo for those sort of journies.
BTW - if you want to drive the car rather than be driven, you may change your view as to the number 1 car in the household
sgrimshaw said:It's a winning combination - there seem to be a few of us around with the Scooby/Chim mix
Just like to say what excellant tastes you have.
My everyday car is a Scooby, backed up (after years of drooling) with a 4.0 Chim for (even) more fun.
More smiles per mile in the TVR though
I'll echo sgrimshaw's comments about the TVR grin factor though.
simpo two said:
If she hasn't driven one yet, perhaps you are worrying prematurely about the clutch and steering? My g/f was a petite 5'1" and loved driving the Griff 500 (no PAS).
And yes, we'll see which car you take out on a sunny day!!!
My Wife hates driving the griff 4.0 (not a problem though i can even have a drink free night if i know the griff is waiting)
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