Potential Tamora Convert, Advice Please

[PJP]

I'm hoping that I can tap into the collective wisdom of the Tamora fraternity. Currently I'm seriously considering trading in my Elise and moving on/up to a Tamora, however, I have a few niggling concerns in the back of my mind that I hope you can help me with.

The Tamora will be used a couple of days a week for my daily commute (6-7 miles round trip). This trip was long enough to get the Lotus warmed up but how about the Tamora? If not, any advice on engine management?
Also we don't have a garage so the car will be kept on the drive, how waterproof are they and can you get outside car covers?
Given the money I have I'm looking at a 2/3 year old car which will be out of the TVR engine warranty can anyone recommend a warranty company (just in case of any unseen engine problems)?

Thanks in advance.

Phil

[madbadger]

Hi Phil.

I traded up from an MX5 to a Tamora and use it daily on about a 12 mile commute. You'll notice a huge jump in practicality!

She's normally warmed up to 40 in about 10 mins / 4 miles then fully up to temp about half way, so your 6/7 miles is about on the money. You will probably want to go the long way home though. It won't be a problem.

The cabin is pretty good for waterproofing, but I sometimes get a bit of water in the boot if it is particularly damp. Keep a sponge handy!

You can get a waterproof cover. I think the TVRCC or Leven will have one. Probably others.

Go for it, mate.

[macdeb]

In three words, YES, YES, YES! [do it]

[maddog-uk]

Awesome! Yes my feeling is you can live with one, given the fact you are tading up, but you may want to go the extra few miles for a quick warm up. Also because you asked, and we deliver, I just generated a category here www.tvrtamora.com/resources.cfm which covers Car Covers!

They are truly awesome!

Happy TVRing

Simon

[the pits]

The car is awesome. Goes and sounds much better than an elise. I also think the handling is nicely balanced given how much power you are putting down. Of course it can be lively in the wet but frankly that's part of the fun of a powerful rear wheel drive car. Steering is very precise but the elise's is reckoned to be probably the best in the world so don't expect quite as much feel. Tam's are lower than you'd expect in the flesh and are about as low as an elise but easier to get into without the lotus's sill.

I think though, especially at this time of year you won't be properly warm in the engine dept. in under 10 miles unless, that is, you live in london or somewhere the traffic sucks. The tam's 3.6 litres take noticeably longer to warm up than other smaller engined cars but it's well worth it. The power is ballistic and very addictive. You need quite a lot of nerve and lots of space to rev one right out to 8000! 3rd gear is well over 100 if you do! Fantastic cars and a much better hood design in my opinion.

[AlexRWD]

the pits said:

You need quite a lot of nerve and lots of space to rev one right out to 8000!

Is that the rev limit? And I thought it was 7,500 - have I been missing out on 500rpm of top end action?

[jasperj]

PJP.. go for it, I traded up from a Z3 and now after 6k miles wish I had done it years ago.. you will not look back.

On the short journey question - I sometimes just drive to the train station, temp in this weather gets to about 45 - but given I never go over 3k revs I don't really see the problem... unless I'm missing the point?? Anyone??

[K.K.]

macdeb said:

In three words, YES, YES, YES! [do it]

I agree totally with this. Mine warms up to 60c, on a very cold day, after about 3 miles (15 mins in central London). If the car hasn't warmed up by the time I arrive at my destination I ALWAYS drive around until it gets to at least 65-70c before stopping - but the car is such fun to drive that it's no real chore!

If you liked your Lotus, I think you will go crazy for the Tam! Go for it.

KK

[Ffirg 005]

Phil,

I'll be emigrating in June (back to NZ) and so planning to put my Dec'02 reg Tamora up for sale in the next month or so. Drop me a mail through my profile if you think you might be interested.

Cheers
Don

[ceecee]

Definetly go for it.

I got mine in December 04 and only have a 2 mile commute (through heavy traffic) so have to take it pretty steady, but like everyonre else has said (take it the long way home).

It is also parked on the driveway and I don't get any significant problems with water leaks (only slight leaks around the driver side window seal).

You can get covers, Fernhurst gave me a free one when I bought it. Think it was originally for a Griff but it fits fine and isn't too much of a hassle to got on/off after a bit of practice.

You'll never regret it.