What reaction do you get?

[Benjaminpalma]

Hello, chaps.

I currently drive a TVR Chimaera 450. The reaction I get from people (other drivers, pedestrians, plod, etc) is, always, fantastic - even here in Spain where they have no idea what a TVR is.

I'm wondering whether you, as RR or Bentley drivers, get a positive reaction from others or a negative one? Do you ever get any "who does he think he is" or "why isn't his chauffeur driving that?" types of reaction?

I'm not overly sensitive about such matters, but I've got so used to the smiles and waves that the TVR provides, that I think I'd miss that kind of reaction.

I bought the TVR as publicity vehicle for my company, but I could with something that can take more than one client. I may part-ex the TVR for an RR or Bentley if anyone's interested (value of mine about 10k).

Thanks.

Benjamin

[AyBee]

I once got a "posh wkers" shouted from the pavement when passengering in a RR Phantom Drophead with the roof down in December

[tonys]

Interesting question - reaction (if any) when in the TVR (also a Chimaera) is always positive, and it does normally generate some comment, especially when parking up or refuelling. Also have a Rolls (Shadow 11), which also attracts comment, although not to the same degree as the TVR. Having said that, I tend to be more wary where I park the Rolls, just a feeling that not all may appreciate it - not something I consciously think about with the TVR.

Maybe the fact that it (Rolls)is an old classic car means that some take a different view of it than if it was a new one?? Also, I'm in a more rural area, which probably makes a difference.

[Benjaminpalma]

tonys said:

Interesting question - reaction (if any) when in the TVR (also a Chimaera) is always positive, and it does normally generate some comment, especially when parking up or refuelling. Also have a Rolls (Shadow 11), which also attracts comment, although not to the same degree as the TVR. Having said that, I tend to be more wary where I park the Rolls, just a feeling that not all may appreciate it - not something I consciously think about with the TVR.

Maybe the fact that it (Rolls)is an old classic car means that some take a different view of it than if it was a new one?? Also, I'm in a more rural area, which probably makes a difference.

Thanks. My heart says go for a classic, as I've had all sorts of old cars before and the reaction is always positive. My head says get a car from the 1990's, so it's going to look fairly new...

[rbolesworth]

I have just got a flying spur and even though it is not a proper proper bentley like the arnage I was shocked to discover the public still treat it as a proper bentley and it is almost as well noticed as some of the ferraris ive had which was very suprising.

I bought it as i wanted a big car with loads of room and power and the bentley fitted the bill perfectly and i did not think it would make a huge "statement" but when i got it people give it lots of attention and curiously enough i am in beverly hills at the moment and I have never seen so many bentleys of ALL kinds and i mean ALL kinds.
They should call it bentley hills!

[2woody]

it polarises opinion.

I'd say 98% love it, whilst the remaining 2% loathe it.

[Benjaminpalma]

rbolesworth said:

I have just got a flying spur and even though it is not a proper proper bentley like the arnage

Isn't it...?! I thought I knew something about Bentleys. I was even at their factory the other day - in fact, it was seeing the amount of sheer love and skill that goes into their production that made me want one.

[d3hno]

Benjaminpalma said:

Hello, chaps.

I currently drive a TVR Chimaera 450. The reaction I get from people (other drivers, pedestrians, plod, etc) is, always, fantastic - even here in Spain where they have no idea what a TVR is.

I'm wondering whether you, as RR or Bentley drivers, get a positive reaction from others or a negative one? Do you ever get any "who does he think he is" or "why isn't his chauffeur driving that?" types of reaction?

I'm not overly sensitive about such matters, but I've got so used to the smiles and waves that the TVR provides, that I think I'd miss that kind of reaction.

I bought the TVR as publicity vehicle for my company, but I could with something that can take more than one client. I may part-ex the TVR for an RR or Bentley if anyone's interested (value of mine about 10k).

Thanks.

Benjamin

I have recently purchased a Bentley Continental GT, I am pleasantly suprised with the reaction from people, I would certainly say it is mostly positive, of course, as with any top car, you will get the odd jealous person say a snide remark or give you the "stare" but that will always happen, but certainly much more positive than some sportier type of cars I have owned in the past.

Hope this helps!

Edited by d3hno on Monday 16th November 16:18

[Balmoral Green]

Benjaminpalma said:

rbolesworth said:

I have just got a flying spur and even though it is not a proper proper bentley like the arnage

Isn't it...?! I thought I knew something about Bentleys. I was even at their factory the other day - in fact, it was seeing the amount of sheer love and skill that goes into their production that made me want one.

Flying Spur is built on a newer and much more up to date shared VAG platform, whereas the Arnage is an ancient Rolls Royce platform. rbolesworth could just have easily said not a proper proper Rolls Royce like the Arnage, it would have meant much the same thing, although to many saying it that way would not make any sense.

Currently there are 14 models in the Bentley line up, 6 of them are Rolls Royce chassis/drivetrain and 8 are VAG chassis/drivetrain. Prior to the split between Rolls Royce and Bentley, the cars were pretty much all the same under the skin, the differences being down to simply branding. With the newer cars though the differences are more marked as there are significant engineering differences underneath. The new Mulsanne for example is old school Rolls Royce, as was the recent Brooklands Coupe.

Of course, strictly speaking, proper Bentleys were 1919 to 1931, my old Turbo R isn't a proper Bentley, it's a Royce

Edited by Balmoral Green on Monday 16th November 16:40

[Benjaminpalma]

d3hno said:

Benjaminpalma said:

Hello, chaps.

I currently drive a TVR Chimaera 450. The reaction I get from people (other drivers, pedestrians, plod, etc) is, always, fantastic - even here in Spain where they have no idea what a TVR is.

I'm wondering whether you, as RR or Bentley drivers, get a positive reaction from others or a negative one? Do you ever get any "who does he think he is" or "why isn't his chauffeur driving that?" types of reaction?

I'm not overly sensitive about such matters, but I've got so used to the smiles and waves that the TVR provides, that I think I'd miss that kind of reaction.

I bought the TVR as publicity vehicle for my company, but I could with something that can take more than one client. I may part-ex the TVR for an RR or Bentley if anyone's interested (value of mine about 10k).

Thanks.

Benjamin

I have recently purchased a Bentley Continental GT, I am pleasantly suprised with the reaction from people, I would certainly say it is mostly positive, of course, as with any top car, you will get the odd jealous person say a snide remark or give you the "stare" but that will always happen, but certainly much more positive than some sportier type of cars I have owned in the past.

Hope this helps!

Edited by d3hno on Monday 16th November 16:18

I'm not sure the Continental could offend anyone - it's a very chic car. And, importantly, a driver's car.

Not having the money for a Continental, I was thinking about an early 1990's saloon. It's quite a tank, and somehow there's more of it to offend the offendable if you see what I mean...

[stain]

I own (amongst other things) a Turbo RL, Flying Spur and a TVR Griffith so feel able to give the OP the benefit of my experience.

Yes, you're right, the TVR elicits a warm response wherever it goes. People smile at you, give you the thumbs up, and let you out in front of them so they can hear the racket as you roar off. The RL gets much the same treatment. People often have a chat at filling stations and their opening line is normally 'cor, I bet you have a lot of tiger tokens'. People do respect the car on the road and I don't get any aggro. The Flying Spur is much the same actually. People are slightly in awe of the car and the brand and generally give respect. If you are worried then buy a chauffeurs hat and people will leave you alone completely. The car which seems to truly divide opinion is the Phantom. Some give you the thumbs up and camera phone treatment, and others, if my lip reading skills are up to date, are less than enthusiastic.

The overriding factor in all of this is really more to do with where you live and travel to. Down here in Surrey you trip over fancy cars all the time and no-one takes any notice. They all just think I am a footballer.

[Bluebottle911]

My Turbo R frequently attracts positive comment, usually from the older generation, and on several occasions has been the key to being let out from side roads, or into a parking place - one afternoon a nice old boy running the car park at a National Trust property directed me to a favoured spot and on another occasion, at Bovey Castle, I was waved over by the doorman to park by the front door and asked if I would like it washed while I was having lunch. However, that is nothing to the reaction to my 4.25, which gets all sorts of smiles, waves and comments from people of all ages. When it's on my driveway, people often come in off the street to look at it. Waiting at traffic lights in Exeter once, a five year old girl stopped in the middle of crossing the road in front of me and stared open-mouthed, before breaking into a beautiful smile and telling her mother to look at "the car with the great big eyes". On another occcasion a couple of teenage boys came over to look at it and pronounced it to be "wicked". I had much the same response when I owned my Phantom (Derby, not Goodwood), which alwasy drew a crowd wherever it was parked and on returning to my S1 Continental parked in a village in France, I found a note tucked under the windscreen wiper inviting me to lunch at a nearby Chateau. I often get positive comments about my 911 from teenage boys, too, and my E-type always used to get lots of compliments when I had that.

[Ron Fellows]

Bluebottle911 said:

My Turbo R frequently attracts positive comment, usually from the older generation, and on several occasions has been the key to being let out from side roads, or into a parking place - one afternoon a nice old boy running the car park at a National Trust property directed me to a favoured spot and on another occasion, at Bovey Castle, I was waved over by the doorman to park by the front door and asked if I would like it washed while I was having lunch. However, that is nothing to the reaction to my 4.25, which gets all sorts of smiles, waves and comments from people of all ages. When it's on my driveway, people often come in off the street to look at it. Waiting at traffic lights in Exeter once, a five year old girl stopped in the middle of crossing the road in front of me and stared open-mouthed, before breaking into a beautiful smile and telling her mother to look at "the car with the great big eyes". On another occcasion a couple of teenage boys came over to look at it and pronounced it to be "wicked". I had much the same response when I owned my Phantom (Derby, not Goodwood), which alwasy drew a crowd wherever it was parked and on returning to my S1 Continental parked in a village in France, I found a note tucked under the windscreen wiper inviting me to lunch at a nearby Chateau. I often get positive comments about my 911 from teenage boys, too, and my E-type always used to get lots of compliments when I had that.

I've just looked on your website with your 4.25......WOW! Its not just the little girl with her mouth wide open I've just been the same LOL

[Benjaminpalma]

Ron Fellows said:

Bluebottle911 said:

My Turbo R frequently attracts positive comment, usually from the older generation, and on several occasions has been the key to being let out from side roads, or into a parking place - one afternoon a nice old boy running the car park at a National Trust property directed me to a favoured spot and on another occasion, at Bovey Castle, I was waved over by the doorman to park by the front door and asked if I would like it washed while I was having lunch. However, that is nothing to the reaction to my 4.25, which gets all sorts of smiles, waves and comments from people of all ages. When it's on my driveway, people often come in off the street to look at it. Waiting at traffic lights in Exeter once, a five year old girl stopped in the middle of crossing the road in front of me and stared open-mouthed, before breaking into a beautiful smile and telling her mother to look at "the car with the great big eyes". On another occcasion a couple of teenage boys came over to look at it and pronounced it to be "wicked". I had much the same response when I owned my Phantom (Derby, not Goodwood), which alwasy drew a crowd wherever it was parked and on returning to my S1 Continental parked in a village in France, I found a note tucked under the windscreen wiper inviting me to lunch at a nearby Chateau. I often get positive comments about my 911 from teenage boys, too, and my E-type always used to get lots of compliments when I had that.

I've just looked on your website with your 4.25......WOW! Its not just the little girl with her mouth wide open I've just been the same LOL

+1

[Cooky]

I have been hankering for a Bentley for a couple of years now, BG can tell you I have pondered upon Turbo R's RT's Continental R's and even Conti GT's. But I know it would mean culling the current fleet and certainly having to let the XJS and TVR go....I think I would eventually get over the loss of both but being disowned by the off-springs would be too high a price....well for now anyway

As for the reaction from anyone I didn't know/like....'balls to them' life's too short to worry about some jealous non-entities opinion of what you want to enjoy driving.

[Bluebottle911]

Cooky said:

I have been hankering for a Bentley for a couple of years now, BG can tell you I have pondered upon Turbo R's RT's Continental R's and even Conti GT's. But I know it would mean culling the current fleet and certainly having to let the XJS and TVR go....I think I would eventually get over the loss of both but being disowned by the off-springs would be too high a price....well for now anyway

Surely the car to replace with a Bentley would be your XJR. You could get shot of that minibus, too, of course.

[Cooky]

I agree about the XJR albeit for one small problem, SHMBO has errr.... decided it's hers. She refuses to consider other options as her everyday pootle and hell will freeze before I let her drive my beloved Cerb or have the XJS given the usual car park manicure.

My 'minibus' is probably the guardian of my sanity as it is used for my escape to the hills along with fishing gear, trail bike or both and the accompaniment of my only household allie 12st of Wolfhound that is not best suited for travel in anything that has more than a rubber mat for an interior, front or rear

Seriously the though the Landy must stay with/without purchase of said Bentley.



I have however come across a fine example, which in moments of bravery, I consider to hell with wifebeast and offspring before the realisation of living with THE MENTAL and it's corresponding trout-faced pout is better than having to do my own cooking, cleaning, ironing etc etc.


Warren, if you're still following this thread 'Stand-to Sir', we may be off on a little trip, only to view....of course

[Balmoral Green]

Cooky said:

Warren, if you're still following this thread 'Stand-to Sir', we may be off on a little trip, only to view....of course.

Ready when you are, my fee is a pie and a pint

[2708420018]

Benjaminpalma said:

Hello, chaps.

I currently drive a TVR Chimaera 450. The reaction I get from people (other drivers, pedestrians, plod, etc) is, always, fantastic - even here in Spain where they have no idea what a TVR is.

I'm wondering whether you, as RR or Bentley drivers, get a positive reaction from others or a negative one? Do you ever get any "who does he think he is" or "why isn't his chauffeur driving that?" types of reaction?

I'm not overly sensitive about such matters, but I've got so used to the smiles and waves that the TVR provides, that I think I'd miss that kind of reaction.

I bought the TVR as publicity vehicle for my company, but I could with something that can take more than one client. I may part-ex the TVR for an RR or Bentley if anyone's interested (value of mine about 10k).

Thanks.

Benjamin

The acid test of this is where you would leave the car parked unattended. You rarely see them parked in pubs or Tesco. The reason is that there are a minority of nutters who will take pleasure in running a key along the side. I never park my Mulliner Continental R in a public car park. I have never had negative reactions from anyone when driving or parked with the car.In the Palais in Biarritz the concierge parked it in pole position outside the front door but at the Hotel De Paris in Monte Carlo they whipped it straight off to the undergroung car park. No match for three Phantoms a Bugatti Veyron and an Enzo.Everything is relative.

The publicity angle is interesting. I never took any exotic cars to work on the basis that clients would think I was doing so well I didn't need the business!! One thing is sure a Bentley or RR will get you noticed.

[Bluebottle911]

Cooky said:

My 'minibus' is probably the guardian of my sanity as it is used for my escape to the hills along with fishing gear, trail bike or both and the accompaniment of my only household allie 12st of Wolfhound that is not best suited for travel in anything that has more than a rubber mat for an interior, front or rear

Seriously the though the Landy must stay with/without purchase of said Bentley.

Confused. Didn't see a Land-Rover in your garage. I was referrring to the Galaxy. Land-Rover differrent matter entirely - quite understand why must stay. I have one, too, though a few years older than yours, I dare say.