Third party attitudes...

[Pupp]

Been driving a Chim for a week or so now. Nice 4yr example in dark blue metallic with only 15k on it. Am getting horrendous attitude from work mates, neighbours and other road users who all seem to think I''ve either robbed a bank or been dating the kind old Mum of the local drugs baron... Sneery comments such as "''spect you''ll have one of those poncy private plates next...", or "you joined the aristocracy then?", and any number of "road rage" incidents ranging from cut-ups to things thrown out of cars/vans. Add this to the (developing) fear about leaving the thing anywhere and I''m beginning to wonder whether I should have just followed sheep-like and bought a new Mondeo for similar money...well I''m not really but am I the only one to experience this? V8??...just four TL1000s zip-tied together, innit!?

[jmorgan]

No. You have a beast, go for it and ignore the rest, bunch of whatsits Edited by jmorgan on Saturday 1st September 22:46

[Pigemeister]

I must be lucky, I seem to have had the opposite......... people have a good look and asked for a ride but nothing nasty. As to worrying about leaving it places just park it next to somthing more expensive

[worf]

In my experience, people including the idiots leave 'good old British things' - like TVR - alone. A couple of years ago I took my new girl friend on hols. Gt Yarmouth was full of people and so parked on single yellow. She said "You'll get booked!" "No" said I. "It's a TVR". On returning to car met by two bobbys. "Told you" says she. "Afternoon", said Policeman. "Is this a Griffith?" "No, an S2." A few minutes of car talk later, Bobbies bid us a good holiday and there you go.

[Jason F]

I have only experienced good things with my Chimaera too.. I get let out of junctions pretty quickly, and let into traffic queues quite easily. People do stare at you as you go past, but it seems to be admiring glances to me..I have had traffic Police say 'nice car' as I rumble past, and the same comments from complete strangers I also try and park next to an expensive car, as much so they won`t hit my doors when they get in.. However, there are a few people at my car club who say they are constantly cut up and shouted at, so I guess it does happen a lot. Shame really..

[Dave_H]

I've owned an 1990 S3 for three weeks, and in about 500 miles I've only experienced one time where turning right out of a side road I've thought "That's odd" as in my MGB I would have been let straight out. Most people seem to admire it, and have the same attitude as mentioned below about it being nice to see a true Brit sports car on the road. I wouldnt let it worry you, In my small TVR ownership so far, I've had quite a few smiley nods from Chimp/Griff owners that tells me we're enjoying driving more than most people

[macca]

The only time I've had a negative response was driving past a BMW garage and somebody shouted "****er" - didn't bother me in the slightest. Most people stare in admiration - you've got to say, TVR make beautiful cars. As for neighbours, give 'em a quick blast - they'll love it and have nothing but good things to say.

[JNA]

I am afraid I have had bad experiances as well, ranging from someone throwing a cup of coffee (and cup) over my chim to some one spitting at the car with the roof down quite pathetic, I live about 30 miles outside London and both events happened in london, I msut say fortunatly I have never risen to the bait yet !!!

[Saturn 5]

I had a jealous chap shout at me "Flash bastard ina very angry manner" whilst in my Griff. I was quite jealous of him as he had a lovely RS Turbo. I can only dream about such a deseriable motor. Basically their jealous, this country is full of jealous people all trying to better their fellow man. Just ignore them and enjoy the fact of what you own causes great upset. Be careful where you leave it and have fun.

[ATG]

I keep a Chimp in north London. It gets a bit of attention, but not so much as there are loads of flash cars around. An example:- lost in a dodgey bit of north east London at 11:30pm with roof down filling car up at petrol station where the teller is barricaded inside wearing flack jacket (probably), I got a bit of banter from a local yoof followed by "no seriously mate, lovely motor. And give it a bit as you pull out if you please. Let's hear the engine!" Only real problem I find is a few tw@ BMW/VW drivers tailgating on the motorway when there are at least 15 more cars in front of me, holding me up too, and over whom I can exert no magical control ... unless there is another hidden switch under the dash.

[Don]

I'm afraid you will get the odd bit of bad behaviour around your car. Its just envy. Thank goodness its countered by the fair number of people who have something nice to say...which does happen too. Trust me: a TVR gets less s**t than a Porsche..I say this from experience.

[mel]

quote:I am afraid I have had bad experiances as well, ranging from someone throwing a cup of coffee (and cup) over my chim to some one spitting at the car with the roof down quite pathetic, I live about 30 miles outside London and both events happened in london, I msut say fortunatly I have never risen to the bait yet !!!

Thats why I keep a police issue telescopic batten in the glove box !!!! Just in case you'll understand they are fully legal to possess and only £25 from www.weapons-galore.com well worth it should be avaliable as an option.

[manek]

Go on go on go on... -Manek-

[chimpboy]

New to TVR ownership I've owned my Chimaera for about 3 months now. I've had my share of admiration and abuse. Lots of people stare at it in the street where I park it, two guys yesterday stood around it and chatted for about 5-10 minutes, this sometimes makes me nervous about their intensions. On the opposite side of the coin a neighbour threatened to spray brake fluid all over it and key the bodywork. This was sparked off by me telling his teenage son not to break glass in the road (nice family Also a van driver signalled for me to slow down (by waving his arm out of the window) as I overtook him. It was a 40 limit and he was doing 20 or less, there was no apparant reason driving that slow, I'm pretty sure he was doing it on purpose. So I overtook and didn't break the speed limit, I didn't have to he was going so slow. At the next juntion he was right up my arse shouting obscenities. I gave him the finger and a blast from the exhausts Full throttle 2nd gear acceleration to be exact... So I think any owner has to accept that you'll get both good and bad attention.

[gervaised]

worst i've had is a minibus full of road workers (nothing against them, i've done the job myself) accusing me and my mate of being 'gay' in docklands traffic. a witty and incisive comment, i think you'll agree.

[deanb]

I've owned a V8S, a Griff and now a Tuscan. All have been parked on the street in central London without mishap. I'd say 95% of the comments I get are favourable. I get let out of side turnings by taxi drivers, yoofs in R5 Turbos, bus drivers etc; I get innumerable tourists risking life & limb standing in the traffic to take pictures, I get motorbike riders complimenting me & asking me to give it some welly etc. I've had quite a few people ask for lifts I once had a skinhead outside a pub shout w*****, but then his mate said "Nah, that's English that is, made in Blackpool" & the first one nodded an apology! ...and I'm pretty sure that members of HM Constabulary have been more lenient on a couple of occasions because I was driving an English "enthusiasts'" car rather than a "more money than individuality" German alternative.