TVR Living Outside?
Discussion
Hello PH Members
Long term reader but new member here. Hoping to tap into the PH hive mind.
I have been out today and had a good look round a TVR Chimaera for sale in my local area.
It seems like a nice car overall, but I am not sure it is the right fit for me. This is because it will be my only car it will also be kept outside as I don't have garage unfortunately.
I wondered if anyone on here has any thoughts or advice?
Long term reader but new member here. Hoping to tap into the PH hive mind.
I have been out today and had a good look round a TVR Chimaera for sale in my local area.
It seems like a nice car overall, but I am not sure it is the right fit for me. This is because it will be my only car it will also be kept outside as I don't have garage unfortunately.
I wondered if anyone on here has any thoughts or advice?
Probably not the most suitable for living outdoors, covers are not recommended for fibreglass cars as they often cause blistering (osmosis)
My chim sat outdoors for 2- 3 weeks when i first had it, whilst i was re-arranging my garage. Unfortunately this coincided with some biblical rain and all the (newly fitted ) carpets were soaked.
My chim sat outdoors for 2- 3 weeks when i first had it, whilst i was re-arranging my garage. Unfortunately this coincided with some biblical rain and all the (newly fitted ) carpets were soaked.
I wouldn’t keep one outside if I were you. It’ll speed up its deterioration- they’re not particularly well sealed from the elements at the best of times and have quite a few places where water can get in a cause mischief either electronically or from a chassis rotting perspective.
Maybe I’m just paranoid though! Daily running wouldn’t concern me although it might do more if it was my only car and there wasn’t a plan B!
Maybe I’m just paranoid though! Daily running wouldn’t concern me although it might do more if it was my only car and there wasn’t a plan B!
Mine lives outside. I take the footwell carpets out when I’m not using it and it has a half cover. I have also been around the engine bay sealing up the usual leaky areas (brake fluid reservoir, cable grommets etc) and it stays pretty dry. I may put it in storage over the winter but didn’t last year and it was fine. My previous 2 Chims also lived outside.
I think more important than keeping it dry is keeping the battery on a conditioner (CTEK MXS5 or similar) and using it regularly.
I think more important than keeping it dry is keeping the battery on a conditioner (CTEK MXS5 or similar) and using it regularly.
miniman said:
Mine lives outside. I take the footwell carpets out when I’m not using it and it has a half cover. I have also been around the engine bay sealing up the usual leaky areas (brake fluid reservoir, cable grommets etc) and it stays pretty dry. I may put it in storage over the winter but didn’t last year and it was fine. My previous 2 Chims also lived outside.
I think more important than keeping it dry is keeping the battery on a conditioner (CTEK MXS5 or similar) and using it regularly.
This, mine lives outside, I just pull the carpets out if it is going to rain (because I haven't fixed the leaky bit yet) and if it is biblical rain I put a car cap over it to minimise the water and remove as soon as the rain stops.I think more important than keeping it dry is keeping the battery on a conditioner (CTEK MXS5 or similar) and using it regularly.
Battery conditioner is more important.
Thanks everyone for taking the time to share.
With a little more thought the TVR is not the right car for me at the moment sadly.
I know I would start with good intentions to prepare against the rain but after a few months I would end up forgetting or not bothering, I also can't think of a practical solution for getting a conditioner plugged in either.
The fact I am already worried about it sitting outside is probably not a good sign either, so I think I will look for something else for now and leave the TVR on the bucket list
With a little more thought the TVR is not the right car for me at the moment sadly.
I know I would start with good intentions to prepare against the rain but after a few months I would end up forgetting or not bothering, I also can't think of a practical solution for getting a conditioner plugged in either.
The fact I am already worried about it sitting outside is probably not a good sign either, so I think I will look for something else for now and leave the TVR on the bucket list
I paid to have all the usual suspect areas sealed up by a TVR specialist on my Griff, it lives outside. Using a half cover when I first got it made it worse because it concentrated the water run off areas I reckon!
The first time grommets etc were sealed, it reduced it to a trickle but got a bit worse. Once the brake fluid reservoir was re-sealed as well, it stays dry, even in biblical rain. I've had 5 TVRs and the worst leaker, bizarrely was a Cerbera! Now the boot is different.
If I park it facing up the drive it stays dry but not if facing down. It's very minor but annoting, either the light cluster or the badge I expect.
The first time grommets etc were sealed, it reduced it to a trickle but got a bit worse. Once the brake fluid reservoir was re-sealed as well, it stays dry, even in biblical rain. I've had 5 TVRs and the worst leaker, bizarrely was a Cerbera! Now the boot is different.
If I park it facing up the drive it stays dry but not if facing down. It's very minor but annoting, either the light cluster or the badge I expect.I've used a number of TVR's as daily's that had to live outside all year round in the UK, Germany and Switzerland.
I occasionally used half covers and full covers.
All of them let water in to varying degrees without the half cover.
When I started to have extended business trips to North America, I bought a Carcoon.
That deflated on the first trip and lay on the car for about three weeks before I got home.
I believe that caused blistering on the A-posts which wasn't there before I left.
We currently have a rat problem due to green field building nearby and so my Tuscan Convertible has lived outside all through the winter.
I've found that as long as the car is getting used daily, a bit of rain ingress is not an issue.
I occasionally used half covers and full covers.
All of them let water in to varying degrees without the half cover.
When I started to have extended business trips to North America, I bought a Carcoon.
That deflated on the first trip and lay on the car for about three weeks before I got home.
I believe that caused blistering on the A-posts which wasn't there before I left.
We currently have a rat problem due to green field building nearby and so my Tuscan Convertible has lived outside all through the winter.
I've found that as long as the car is getting used daily, a bit of rain ingress is not an issue.
I cannot speak with Chimaera experience but both my TVRs (early Grantura and T350c) are not best to park outside in rainy weather for a longer period.
The Grantura‘s cabin is not water tight at door seals and door window seals, so there enters water into the cabin.
Though the T350’s cabin stays dry the bonnet openings let water in which collects in the drivers side on the airbox and then slowly runs down… passengers side it drips onto the spark plug cover and the manifold… and at the front it runs down the bonnet onto the fans and their (now waterproof) wiring…
The Grantura‘s cabin is not water tight at door seals and door window seals, so there enters water into the cabin.
Though the T350’s cabin stays dry the bonnet openings let water in which collects in the drivers side on the airbox and then slowly runs down… passengers side it drips onto the spark plug cover and the manifold… and at the front it runs down the bonnet onto the fans and their (now waterproof) wiring…
so called said:
I've used a number of TVR's as daily's that had to live outside all year round in the UK, Germany and Switzerland.
I occasionally used half covers and full covers.
All of them let water in to varying degrees without the half cover.
When I started to have extended business trips to North America, I bought a Carcoon.
That deflated on the first trip and lay on the car for about three weeks before I got home.
I believe that caused blistering on the A-posts which wasn't there before I left.
We currently have a rat problem due to green field building nearby and so my Tuscan Convertible has lived outside all through the winter.
I've found that as long as the car is getting used daily, a bit of rain ingress is not an issue.
That last sentence are the words of actual experience and is absolutely correct. I occasionally used half covers and full covers.
All of them let water in to varying degrees without the half cover.
When I started to have extended business trips to North America, I bought a Carcoon.
That deflated on the first trip and lay on the car for about three weeks before I got home.
I believe that caused blistering on the A-posts which wasn't there before I left.
We currently have a rat problem due to green field building nearby and so my Tuscan Convertible has lived outside all through the winter.
I've found that as long as the car is getting used daily, a bit of rain ingress is not an issue.
Experience tells me, as long as the cars used daily and fully warmed up it indeed can be used as a daily.
Some water leaks can be resolved quite easily ( pedal box bolts ) just need a small amount of mastic over the threads before fitting etc etc which is one source of water ingress.
If the car is left standing for a number of days or longer a good old Leven cover keeps interior dry.
Maintenance will be required to keep engine bay parts looking clean and spraying WD40 over exhaust manifolds etc helps if cars left outside for prolonged periods but if a few basic leaks are sorted the car can be fairly water tight.
Seat belt retaining bolts that go through the floor are very poorly sealed from manufacture and often cause wet carpets behind and under the seats which in turn rusts the seat base metalwork.
These areas need re sealing with a strong bonding mastic both from within the car and ideally from underneath on the outside of the car where they locate in the chassis.
More mastic and sealing in this way would have been an almost permanent seal if TVR had bothered to do it properly using a high grade mastic and a damn sight more of it.
Convertible TVRs kept outside:
My experience has shown it is feasible, but not ideal.
A Leven fully waterproof tailored half cover is the best solution, but unfortunately they are no longer made.
A full cover is a bad idea because it causes blistering and also chafing in high winds.
Salt pack de-humidifiers are an essential to keep the interior free of damp and mould, but need regular attention to drain off the fluid collector trays and replenish the calcium salt packs.
Strategically placed large Silica gel packs are a good idea, and can be regenerated by microwaving every week or so.
Regular washing and waxing of the bodywork is a must.
Important note: If your TVR has a veneer dash, this can be ruined if the car is kept covered during a heatwave, because of extreme cockpit temperatures, as I found to my cost after the record 40°C heat we encountered in July 2022.
But a garage or a rented lock-up is by far the best weather protection.
Or get an MX-5...
My experience has shown it is feasible, but not ideal.
A Leven fully waterproof tailored half cover is the best solution, but unfortunately they are no longer made.
A full cover is a bad idea because it causes blistering and also chafing in high winds.
Salt pack de-humidifiers are an essential to keep the interior free of damp and mould, but need regular attention to drain off the fluid collector trays and replenish the calcium salt packs.
Strategically placed large Silica gel packs are a good idea, and can be regenerated by microwaving every week or so.
Regular washing and waxing of the bodywork is a must.
Important note: If your TVR has a veneer dash, this can be ruined if the car is kept covered during a heatwave, because of extreme cockpit temperatures, as I found to my cost after the record 40°C heat we encountered in July 2022.
But a garage or a rented lock-up is by far the best weather protection.
Or get an MX-5...
Edited by glenrobbo on Monday 24th July 21:22
My best hack has been to make a little 5mm gap in the rubber seal at the bottom of the door.
This way the drip that would otherwise come in through the little gaps at the top corners of the glass and run down the inside edge of the door can return to the outside, rather than fill and then spill into the footwell carpet. Never had a wet carpet since
This way the drip that would otherwise come in through the little gaps at the top corners of the glass and run down the inside edge of the door can return to the outside, rather than fill and then spill into the footwell carpet. Never had a wet carpet since
I bought a 996 10 years ago as I wanted a Griff but didn't have a garage, and felt a TVR would slowly fill with water and disolve if left outside. Still want a Griff and now have a garage.Had a modded ford anglia a few years ago that leaked like a sieve, I never found where the water got in, but both footwells were regularly full of water.Eventually I just drilled a couple of holes in each footwell to allow the water to drain out.Worked a treat.
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