Picking up tamora tomorrow
Discussion
I have done it. The plunge is taken and i have bought a Tamora, or at least i will have by tomorrow. I need to drive it back approx 160 miles and bearing in mind this will be my first trip in the relatively unknown car any advice? Especially in re to tools i should take. The chap selling it has a spare 100 amp fuse but no idea how i would fit it if required. So what would you take to throw in the boot.
mini me said:
I have done it. The plunge is taken and i have bought a Tamora, or at least i will have by tomorrow. I need to drive it back approx 160 miles and bearing in mind this will be my first trip in the relatively unknown car any advice? Especially in re to tools i should take. The chap selling it has a spare 100 amp fuse but no idea how i would fit it if required. So what would you take to throw in the boot.
The 100amp fuse lives under the airbox in the black fuse holder or in the passanger foot well behind the carpet panel (there are two). Its a common spare to carry but it does not mean it is going to fail. (in 2.5 yrs I have never had a fuse fail) to change it you would need a small socket set that has 8-12mm sockets in itand a pair of cutters to remove any cable clips you find.My advise would be take it easy, don't drive it like a plank, learn how the car responds (your Cooper S is quick but not TVR quick!). Treat it with mechanical sympathy until the oil is up to temp 60deg+. Most of all enjoy it, if the sun is out take the roof off its the law!
Edited by shep1001 on Friday 11th March 09:09
Congratulations! Which one have you purchased?
The only problem I had during my 120 mile drive home in my was that neither remote would lock the car, so we had to take it in turns when stopping at the services for a comfort break! This was just down to the previous owner not having or needing to lock the car during the previous two years. Opening up the remote and adjusting the contacts fixed it the next day in seconds.
I still need to put together a basic toolkit for the summer so would be interested in advice as well. I currently have jump leads, tyre inflator, wheel nut wrench, fuses, small screwdriver, snips and RAC Cover
The only problem I had during my 120 mile drive home in my was that neither remote would lock the car, so we had to take it in turns when stopping at the services for a comfort break! This was just down to the previous owner not having or needing to lock the car during the previous two years. Opening up the remote and adjusting the contacts fixed it the next day in seconds.
I still need to put together a basic toolkit for the summer so would be interested in advice as well. I currently have jump leads, tyre inflator, wheel nut wrench, fuses, small screwdriver, snips and RAC Cover
Also make sure you keep a spare throttle cable in the car. I've never needed to use mine but IIRC they have an extra crimped bit on them not found on standard throttle cables so an AA man will not be able to get a boggo one from the van to get you going again.
Just take it easy though. The throttle travel is very long and theres little torque below 3000rpm so theres little chance of you getting into trouble. Above all - enjoy it!
Just take it easy though. The throttle travel is very long and theres little torque below 3000rpm so theres little chance of you getting into trouble. Above all - enjoy it!
If you want to carry a tool kit, I carry the following
1 litre of oil
1 litre of water
Jump Leads (anderson type)
Spare 125A fuse (never needed)
Spare throttle cable (never needed)
Small 1/4 inch socket set
wire cutters, pliers, screw driver
Cable ties & tape
Tyre foam, inflator & 19mm wheel brace.
I have just added a fire extinguisher just for peace of mind. I drove back from Newcastle to Gloucester and wish I'd had one. I was fine, just took a little to get used to as it was pouring down.
Couple of screwdrivers, zip ties in a range of sizes (Once lost an exhaust mounting), WD40 (Had a stuck window). Check the fluids before you leave and half way (again for peace of mind, make sure you know the routine as the engines are dry sumped so not like normal engines), I take an adjustable as well as a socket set.
Might be worth asking for some numbers of people on the way just in case you are worried about anything.
Couple of screwdrivers, zip ties in a range of sizes (Once lost an exhaust mounting), WD40 (Had a stuck window). Check the fluids before you leave and half way (again for peace of mind, make sure you know the routine as the engines are dry sumped so not like normal engines), I take an adjustable as well as a socket set.
Might be worth asking for some numbers of people on the way just in case you are worried about anything.
Thanks all very usefull advice. Fingers crossed for a dry day. Gaffer tape and cable ties is great idea i hadnt thought of. Dont suppose i will be able to get a throttle cable for tomorrow so just have to hope. I do have breakdown cover with insurance just hope i dont need it. Only other thing i need is something to protect me from the wife now.
Just take it easy at first and warm up really well.
I did 250 miles (inc the Dartford tunnel) partly in the rain when I collected mine. Only problem was wondering why two separate motorbikes wheelied past me.
Almost 7 years on, and 70000+ miles I still haven't needed a spare 100A fuse. If it makes you happier carry a spare. Despite what people say you will probably survive and there is a possibility that you won't break down.
I did 250 miles (inc the Dartford tunnel) partly in the rain when I collected mine. Only problem was wondering why two separate motorbikes wheelied past me.
Almost 7 years on, and 70000+ miles I still haven't needed a spare 100A fuse. If it makes you happier carry a spare. Despite what people say you will probably survive and there is a possibility that you won't break down.
madbadger said:
Just take it easy at first and warm up really well.
I did 250 miles (inc the Dartford tunnel) partly in the rain when I collected mine. Only problem was wondering why two separate motorbikes wheelied past me.
Almost 7 years on, and 70000+ miles I still haven't needed a spare 100A fuse. If it makes you happier carry a spare. Despite what people say you will probably survive and there is a possibility that you won't break down.
Totally agree.....I did 250 miles (inc the Dartford tunnel) partly in the rain when I collected mine. Only problem was wondering why two separate motorbikes wheelied past me.
Almost 7 years on, and 70000+ miles I still haven't needed a spare 100A fuse. If it makes you happier carry a spare. Despite what people say you will probably survive and there is a possibility that you won't break down.
If you have AA etc cover, you can relax and enjoy the drive! I had a mate give me a lift to collect my T350 in his 911. The first 15 minutes of the two hour drive home were quite frustrating for him (I warned him that I'd be slow whilst I got used to everything!) but after that we really enjoyed the journey as would be expected in such cars! Probably the longest he's ever had a TVR in his rear view mirror! 
Be excited, but don't be stressed!
I collected mine a month ago and only took a daughter, a mobile phone and a wallet with my AA membership card in - it never entered my head that it might breakdown, confident or naive, probably both.
I believe i bought the car you were trying to view (owned by SP6Rich in Wooley), but i think you were scuppered by the weather which was my great fortune, if you get a car half as good as mine you'll be a happy man - enjoy
I collected mine a month ago and only took a daughter, a mobile phone and a wallet with my AA membership card in - it never entered my head that it might breakdown, confident or naive, probably both.
I believe i bought the car you were trying to view (owned by SP6Rich in Wooley), but i think you were scuppered by the weather which was my great fortune, if you get a car half as good as mine you'll be a happy man - enjoy
Lucky man - I know how I felt the day before I collected my Griff. Couldn't sleep! I had a 200 mile trip home and was blown away by the performance, even though my previous TVR was a 350i - the Griff was in a totally diffferent league.
Use the 160 miles to familiarise yourself with the way it drives and not the out and out performance. And stop worrying.
Hope you enjoy the experience.
Use the 160 miles to familiarise yourself with the way it drives and not the out and out performance. And stop worrying.
Hope you enjoy the experience.
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