new tam on it's way

[lawtoni]

Hi All,

I am just about to go nuts (calculated nuts!) and buy my first TVR.
A 2002 Tamora with 45k miles and a TVR power rebuild at 30something.

I have a couple of questions (which aren't the usual engine rebuild ones!)

The car will mostly be stored outside. Do I need a cover in your opinion?

My work is only 3 miles away. Does it cause long term damage to do lots of short journeys in a speed 6, even if you keep to the rules and use low revs. Or should I drive the missus' car to work?

Tax is £200and something I believe, is that correct?

Many thanks guys and great forum.

Cheers,
Paul

[GlennT]

Yes, I would put a cover on it. And no I wouldn't drive 3 miles to work, that won't do most cars any good, let alone a Tamora!

I hope you enjoy the Tamora, they really are great cars, but seriously think of something else for the commute to work!

[rico23]

lawtoni said:

Hi All,

I am just about to go nuts (calculated nuts!) and buy my first TVR.
A 2002 Tamora with 45k miles and a TVR power rebuild at 30something.

I have a couple of questions (which aren't the usual engine rebuild ones!)

The car will mostly be stored outside. Do I need a cover in your opinion?

My work is only 3 miles away. Does it cause long term damage to do lots of short journeys in a speed 6, even if you keep to the rules and use low revs. Or should I drive the missus' car to work?

Tax is £200and something I believe, is that correct?

Many thanks guys and great forum.

Cheers,
Paul

Yes i'd get a cover for it or at least a car cap as they can leak and the rubber seals at the edges of the roof can come away.

I would not use it the 3 miles to work, it is not enough and will not do the engine any good.

Tax is/was £205 for 12 months but is likely to have gone up a bit as it does every year This is i think because TVR did not make enough cars to qualify for co2 emission tests but i might be wrong... Certainly cheaper than my S2000 which would now be £425 for 12 months!

[Getsis]

It doesn't matter how far you travel as long as you keep to the required rev range for the oil temp. It's cold engine starts that's the killer and everyone has to start their car to go to work and come home.

Put it this way if I travel 10 miles to work it will still travel 3 miles like yours will do plus 7 extra!!, the 7 extra won't repair the cold starting!. As long as in the week you do a longer run at some point and do regular oil changes no problem. Just enjoy the car and don't worry too much it will spoil the enjoyment of owning a TVR. Drive and smile :-)

[lawtoni]

Thanks very much Getsis, (and thanks to all!)
that was my logic! All journeys start cold, even they end cold as well!

I have the dealer calling me up asking if I'm going to go ahead! I have my BMW m3 going part-ex + a few k.

Yikes! big decision to make!!

[Getsis]

Which car is it? send a link :-)

[lawtoni]

It's the blue 2002 at stephen james motors

[aubrey9160]

Ive driven that car, very nice and ive dealt with Steve for a while now you wont have any problems with him hes a genuine bloke.

[Geoff Ashcroft]

Get an oil heater pad on the dry sump tank to take the chill off the oil for those regular cold starts, then leave for work earlier and come home later, having found yourself some better (longer, twistier, emptier) routes for your daily commute, which will allow you to enjoy the car when warmed up properly.
And enjoy!

[garreth64]

I've had mine 7 months and haven't driven it to work yet, but might do soon on the odd day we have nice weather.

My commute is about 15 miles and I would say it needs 10 or so of those to warm up properly, Driving it for 3 miles you will have to keep the revs down whilst cold, so I would say find some nice roads and make your commute a bit longer and more enjoyable!

Congrats by the way, that looks like a nice Tam

[Ironballs]

I'll be amazed if you get it warm enough to give it the beans in 3 miles so you'll be driving like a nun all the time. I used to live about 3 miles from work and had a Civic at the time (shut it) and it killed the exhaust over 9 months or so, never warmed through and burned off the condensation so rotted from the inside out. Front, mid and back section all went

[Pursyluv]

Currently takes mine 10-15 minutes to reach 60 degrees, with a starting temperature of about 10 degrees, you could also get a pre-oiler fitted to go with the heating pad, it's not cheap, but cheaper than an engine rebuild, and they are fantastic cars

[simonrockman]

3 miles? Get a bicycle.

Simon

[nightSpirit]

In 3 miles you won't get the engine warm at all, especially in the colder months so I wouldn't use it. Keep it for the weekends when you can make up any excuse to get in it and go for a drive

[extremekiter]

nightSpirit said:

In 3 miles you won't get the engine warm at all, especially in the colder months so I wouldn't use it. Keep it for the weekends when you can make up any excuse to get in it and go for a drive

Agreed

Justyn

[K12AN]

I had a Tamora and kept it outdoors a lot of the time...even over winter.
I had a outdoor weather cover on it made specifically for Tams…very tight fit.
It was EXCELLENT…I would take it off even after a long time and the car looked like it’d never been rained on.

With regards to lots of short journeys…don’t do it. The costs of replacing parts due to the wear and tear you’re giving it will outweigh the benefits.
Buy a cheap and economical car to drive to work…then you can insure your Tam as a second car at MSM insurance (highly rated) and the combined insurance actually works out cheaper than insuring the Tam alone!! Strange but true (for me anyway). And you look forward to driving your Tamora even more!

Can’t say enough about the pistonheads forum – people here are genuine enthusiasts and have fantastic knowledge .
when something goes a bit wrong with the car and you start panicking, their experienced input is very reassuring.

Enjoy the Tamora!!

[madbadger]

simonrockman said:

3 miles? Get a bicycle.

Simon

This. Alternate between the bike and going the long way to work.

Have you got it yet?