Discussion
Hi guys, looking for a Tamora at the moment, and imterested whether any of you have opinions on two things.
Wheels - any advantage in 18" wheels over the 16"s? I have driven a MX5 for quite a few years (don't laugh - fantastic handling, great body and wheel control on back roads, OK ride) and have only driven a T350 on 18"s so far. Ultimate grip not really a priority, just handling and to a lesser extent ride as it would be an everyday car.
Aircon - again, worth having? I put the top down whenever possible, so I know that you can fry in the sun in a convertible at low speed, especially if the heat soak is substantial. A pool of cold air top down would be nice. Basically I am asking whether there is a lot of heat soak from the engine into the cockpit?
Any other tips and hints welcome.
Thanks
Richard
Wheels - any advantage in 18" wheels over the 16"s? I have driven a MX5 for quite a few years (don't laugh - fantastic handling, great body and wheel control on back roads, OK ride) and have only driven a T350 on 18"s so far. Ultimate grip not really a priority, just handling and to a lesser extent ride as it would be an everyday car.
Aircon - again, worth having? I put the top down whenever possible, so I know that you can fry in the sun in a convertible at low speed, especially if the heat soak is substantial. A pool of cold air top down would be nice. Basically I am asking whether there is a lot of heat soak from the engine into the cockpit?
Any other tips and hints welcome.
Thanks
Richard
Wheels - I swapped from 16's to 18's on the Cerbera and to be honest, the difference on the road isn't that noticable. 18's crash a bit more over potholes, but it's not very detrimental to ride. 18's look (a lot) better on the car and will feel much better on the track, but I don't think you'll be able to tell the difference in handling on the road.
Air Con. Head soak is an issue, but TVR air-con isn't brilliant at the best of times. You can also just drop the roof! However, air-con will affect resale, I'd personally insist on it unless you can get a good price without. There was a thread earlier in the week about a dealer offering an insulting amount on a P/X Tamora specifically because it did not have air-con.
DJ
Air Con. Head soak is an issue, but TVR air-con isn't brilliant at the best of times. You can also just drop the roof! However, air-con will affect resale, I'd personally insist on it unless you can get a good price without. There was a thread earlier in the week about a dealer offering an insulting amount on a P/X Tamora specifically because it did not have air-con.
DJ
Your profile doesn't say where you are in the UK, but we are in London would say air-con is a must! We had it retro-fitted and have never regretted it. On the wheels, I have never been in a car with 16' wheels so cannot comment, but the ride on the 18' wheels is perfect.
>> Edited by tam girl on Saturday 3rd April 14:01
>> Edited by tam girl on Saturday 3rd April 14:01
Thanks for the opinions, very useful. I live in South London, and having driven a convertible for 8 years, there are times crawling along in traffic, sun blazing, that a bit of cool air would be great. And that is with the heat soak of an MX5 1.8 not a 3.6 TVR lump half way into the cabin. OK without aircon on any trip where speed gives a bit of airflow, but even then, cool air sinks so there seems to me no reason why it wouldn't be useful and create a pool of cool air to drive in even top down.
Sounds to me like 18"s and aircon is the ideal spec.
Sounds to me like 18"s and aircon is the ideal spec.
Richard
Don't slag the '5, great handling car just short of a few ponies.
Although mine was supercharged & tweaked a bit...
Go for the 18's, they look better & virtually not much difference in ride unless you can't avoid potholes or just dive on track....
Chris
ps The Tam is a like a '5 on steroids
Don't slag the '5, great handling car just short of a few ponies.
Although mine was supercharged & tweaked a bit...
Go for the 18's, they look better & virtually not much difference in ride unless you can't avoid potholes or just dive on track....
Chris
ps The Tam is a like a '5 on steroids
nickfb1 said:
Dont know if you had heard the rumour that the tamora is about to get a revised rear end. Ive heard this from a reliable source. So resale values of the old style could be hit hard
Who is your "reliable" source? You know that the TVR rumour mill is the finest and most used piece of machinery that the factory own, and it never ceases to be in production!
I do not agree with Jigs comments re flip flop paint. I had to get a scratch/crack on the front valance re-done. Bodyshop said it was the easiest colour he had ever had to work with, and the job looks perfect. The 'ever changing' aspect of flip-flop paint seems to make it easier. But I have reflex green, lighter colours may be different.
I drove Tams with 16" and 18" rims and the 18" were much better for handling.
Air-con, this old chestnut. I have never had it (in an opentop sports-car) and never felt that I needed it, save a few days each year (even last year). I accept that London travellers might need it if they stand in traffic regularly for long periods.
regards
Steven
I drove Tams with 16" and 18" rims and the 18" were much better for handling.
Air-con, this old chestnut. I have never had it (in an opentop sports-car) and never felt that I needed it, save a few days each year (even last year). I accept that London travellers might need it if they stand in traffic regularly for long periods.
regards
Steven
alt said:
Aircon is definitely a must. i test drove one 2 weeks ago and the outside temp was only about 12 degrees altho' sunny and after driving for ten minutes was getting really uncomfortable, the thing was unbearable.
Personal choice!
How many coats did you have on?
Just a work shirt and tie, as you said its a personal choice and as asked i gave MHO . Sorry to offend as yours obviously doesnt have aircon
Sorry Nick I didn't mean to get shirty but it's just that you said 'air-con is a must' when you've only had a test-drive. Comments like this send out the wrong message and could affect resale values when people look at this site for advice.
Whilst some people spend a lot of time in London traffic (Tam Girl) and clearly benefit from air-con there's a lot of us who drive in different conditions and don't.
Anyway, no offence meant..... Andrew
Whilst some people spend a lot of time in London traffic (Tam Girl) and clearly benefit from air-con there's a lot of us who drive in different conditions and don't.
Anyway, no offence meant..... Andrew
I'm just coming out of my Tamora which has air con, 16" alloys and armourfend. It's at Racing Green as we speak.
16" wheels are the target of abuse from drivers with 18" spiders - however they often have cars with the front spoiler bashed about a bit - particularly on ferry ramps. 16" give a lot more confidence travelling over speed bumps etc.
Aircon seems to be desirable from a resale point but as others comment you simply drop the roof when it gets this warm. At Le Mans last year there was a lot of heat from the engine when stationary in traffic and it builds up quickly.
Armourfend saves a lot of stone chips and worth getting and possibly using around the doors and boot panel.
Be careful with the roof - with a little patience and gentle manouvering it will slide easily into the boot.
16" wheels are the target of abuse from drivers with 18" spiders - however they often have cars with the front spoiler bashed about a bit - particularly on ferry ramps. 16" give a lot more confidence travelling over speed bumps etc.
Aircon seems to be desirable from a resale point but as others comment you simply drop the roof when it gets this warm. At Le Mans last year there was a lot of heat from the engine when stationary in traffic and it builds up quickly.
Armourfend saves a lot of stone chips and worth getting and possibly using around the doors and boot panel.
Be careful with the roof - with a little patience and gentle manouvering it will slide easily into the boot.
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