Getting my first TVR (and first car !)

[ScottyC]

Hi all,

I would very much like to get myself a TVR before xmas.

Despite having my drivers license for 14 years I've never owned a car before and I've got minimal driving experience.

I want to ask the forum if you think I am being realistic planning to have a TVR as a first car or do you think I should be looking for a starter car first and then move onto a TVR?

I will start to read the forum posts to get a better idea of what I should be looking for but can I go far wrong turning up at a good dealer (like the TVR centre in London for instance) and making a purchase there?

Thanks,
ScottyC

[Big Al.]

Big welcome to the Forum. OH

OK couple of questions from you might help us help you!

Will it be your daily driver?

What sort of money do you intend spending.

What othe rcars have you driven?

That's a start.

[ScottyC]

Hi Big Al,

Thanks for the welcome !

I am going to use the car for fun at the weekends. I live and work in central london so don't need a daily run around.

I am thinking of spending £15-25k.

Other than 1000 miles of driving in a Golf last summer, driving experience is virtually nil.

Thanks,
Scotty

Edited by ScottyC on Friday 16th November 19:11

[The Hood]

ScottyC said:

Other than 1000 miles of driving in a Golf last summer, driving is virtually nil.

Hardly any driving experience and you want to go straight for a TVR.

TBH with you i'm quite sure you may have problems getting insurance for a TVR in the first place.

Glyn.

[grumbledoak]

I don't think I would recommend this. They can be a handfull, and you seem to have no RWD experience at all. I, too, think you'll have trouble getting insurance - insurers do tend to check your history when you want a quote in group 20.

Are you sure you don't want the dreaded MX-5 for a couple of years first ? I promise not to mention curling tongs!

[tobeee]

Welcome! You've come to the right place, and want the right car, but to be honest I think it would be a dangerous game to have one now with such limited driving experience. Driving in London traffic with little driving experience might be a strain on your clutch too. Also, as mentioned above, getting insurance would be very difficult! Go for a BMW or other lesser powered rear-wheel-drive, and swap it for a tiv this time next year. Then I'll be along to recommend a T350!

[lee.]

tobeee said:

Welcome! You've come to the right place, and want the right car, but to be honest I think it would be a dangerous game to have one now with such limited driving experience. Driving in London traffic with little driving experience might be a strain on your clutch too. Also, as mentioned above, getting insurance would be very difficult! Go for a BMW or other lesser powered rear-wheel-drive, and swap it for a tiv this time next year. Then I'll be along to recommend a CERBERA!

[Hoover.]

Go for it......

TVRBOB did!!!!!

His first car was a V8S, and then a Cerbera.....

Go on an airfield day with tuition for day, they will teach the cars characteristics, and teach handling... all of which will give you confidence in driving the beast.

Hoover

[ScottyC]

hi guys,

I'm a little disappointed to hear that advice as I had got the tvr bug. But I guess I'll listen to the your experience. Now I'll have to get an M3 !

Cheers,
SCott

[ncs]

ScottyC said:

hi guys,

I'm a little disappointed to hear that advice as I had got the tvr bug. But I guess I'll listen to the your experience. Now I'll have to get an M3 !

Cheers,
SCott

Dont let them put you off, if you want a Tiv then go for it - but be prepared to pay a fortune to insure the thing.

Its only a car, it works the same way as any other (usually) & it only goes as fast as your right foot tells it to. I would however advise you to get a driving refresher course & take it very easy in the early days because these cars certainly are a handfull.

Whilst your looking why not rent something for a little while to get the feel of being behind the wheel again?

Good luck

Nick

[ceejay]

TBH although TVRs are fast, powerful and rear wheel drive there won't be anyone else in the car pressing your right foot hard down on the throttle. Buy the car, learn how to drive it at your own pace, do a few track days, get some tuition and have fun.

My only other advice would be wait till the spring when the roads will be better but prices a little higher.

ceejay

[Graham]

In some ways I'd have thought going straight into a powerfull rwd car and giving it the respect it deserves, is probably better than bumbling around in a fwd shopping car, thinking your a driving god and jumping into a tiv and wrapping round the first tree.


GO for it, BUT respect the fact you've got limited experience and get some trg and take things carefully.


I spent my early years of driving mostly sideways ;-)

Cheers

G

[jmorgan]

OK, I had a lot of driving experience but in things like saloons but stepped up to a 350 and was careful with the loud pedal and managed not to stuff it. Just got on with learning what the car could do. 1992 ish and still loving it.

[JamieG]

Go for it Scotty! (I'd just echo the advice mentioned here regarding treating the loud pedal with BIG respect!!)

Edited by JamieG on Friday 16th November 20:49

[350Matt]

Go on and get one if you start down the range and work your way up then you can gradually raise your game. Also Something like a 4 ltr Chimera isn't as hairy as some people would have you believe treat it with respect and all will be well. All tvrs handle well and generally do what you tell them to do. The main thing is that they will do EXACTLY what you tell them to do so if you are a bit slapdash behind the wheel the car will be all over the road.

If its wet then this goes double

best of luck

Matt

[Simpo Two]

ScottyC said:

I'm a little disappointed to hear that advice as I had got the tvr bug. But I guess I'll listen to the your experience.

They're right - you will be at much higher risk than someone in a normal car, or someone with experience of a powerful RWD car. That said, insurance aside, you can still do it if you're careful. IMHO the main difference is that in a normal car you can put the boot down and it will go faster. In a TVR if you put your boot down at the wrong time or wrong place, you'll lose the back end and either get a nasty fright or have an accident.

A TVR does not have a will of its own, it will only go as fast as you tell it. What you have to remember is that your right foot is not a simple ON/OFF switch but a progressive tool calibrated in percent. If you judge the road conditions correctly and adjust your right foot to suit, then you should be fine.

My first TVR was an S3 and you may wish to consider that to start with - less power and so less chance to mess itup. It may be that you're dazzled by the looks and in actual fact find that you can't live with it, so an 'S' is a good 'trainer' for a Griff.

Edited by Simpo Two on Friday 16th November 21:37

[The Hood]

ScottyC said:

hi guys,

I'm a little disappointed to hear that advice as I had got the tvr bug. But I guess I'll listen to the your experience. Now I'll have to get an M3 !

Cheers,
SCott

Hi Scott.

A little explanation from me here seeing as i was the first person on here to question as to whether you were doing (or thinking of doing) the right thing.

1. I had been driving for 18 years when i bought my Chimaera.
2. The previous years before buying my Chimaera i was driving a company van so had no NCB (one insurance company actually laughed at me when i told them that)
3. I live in Croydon (probably a similar insurance band to London)
4. I had no previous experience of a RWD car (you WILL get asked this by insurance company)
5. Several insurance companies i spoke to at the time told me that they would only insure someone with a years experience driving a TVR.
6. The CHEAPEST quote i had for the Chimaera was WELL in excess of £1000.

Glyn.

[Bensonv8]

I would love to say "do it"
but in all honesty i would have to say "don't" - not yet anyway.
i've had my chim for a couple of years now and it still wants to "play" when i'm not expecting it.
and i'm really not looking forward to driving it in the snow,..........
i don't mean to sound patronising or condescending (or any other long words)
but, i think you need more experience
before you have the "tvr" experience.
but when you do you'll love it
an mx-5 as a stepping stone sounds like a good idea.
(it might even be better for driving in london !!!!,......)
oh yes, then there's the insurance

Edited by Bensonv8 on Friday 16th November 23:33

[Far Eastender]

I would suggest that you test drive one first. I went from a Porsche to a TVR and it came as something of a shock. Raw power is probably a fair description.

[Hoover.]

[quote=The Hood
6. The CHEAPEST quote i had for the Chimaera was WELL in excess of £1000.

Glyn.
[/quote]

on my first Tiv the most expensive I got was £5k....... insured for £550 in the end... with no no claims, and a drink drive conviction........ I must admit I spent two days of company time on the phone ringing around. Internet quotes a complete waste of time.