should i buy a tvr with no garage?
Discussion
Please help , iv been looking and dreaming about having my own CHIMAERA for over a year now. to cut to the chase , Am i living a pipe dream because i have no real off road parking. i would love a nice dry warm garage to keep one in but that just isnt poss at the moment. I was planning on spending about 12k and getting a good cover for it . If this is crazy talk then mabey i will give up looking before its to late! and i buy one and spoil it. What would you people do in my possition?. the road i live down is quiet usualy with not much through traffic. ( and moving isnt a opption! 
thanks.
thanks.Are you looking for the Chimaera to be your only car?
I think most are garaged but I know of a couple of other S owners (can't quote any Chim owners though) who use theirs as a daily driver and they both get parked outside on the road.
If you are really worried try looking for a garage to rent - usually from the local council, where you can keep the Tiv secure and dry and drive an old shed to and from when you want to use it?
I think most are garaged but I know of a couple of other S owners (can't quote any Chim owners though) who use theirs as a daily driver and they both get parked outside on the road.
If you are really worried try looking for a garage to rent - usually from the local council, where you can keep the Tiv secure and dry and drive an old shed to and from when you want to use it?
Edited by dougc on Friday 9th June 21:49
Mine lives outside and has done for 5+ years with no real issues. I sometimes use a Leven cabin cover if the weather forecast is especially foul but I have shied away from even this given some mirror problems recently (the cover straps round the mirrors). A garage would be nice, but to be frank, I doubt the car would ever find its way in... too many other toys without roofs competing for accommodation!
Mine lives outside all the time. It also gets used everyday 7,000 miles in 6 months of trouble free motoring.
Make sure that you get the hood treated while its still summer to reduce the puddles in the winter.
I have a cover buts its not very practical when you bring home a red hot car in the rain, plus i got feed up taking on and off everyday.
Hope you find the one your'e looking for.
Make sure that you get the hood treated while its still summer to reduce the puddles in the winter.
I have a cover buts its not very practical when you bring home a red hot car in the rain, plus i got feed up taking on and off everyday.
Hope you find the one your'e looking for.
Had my Chim 3 years as a daily driver 6-8k miles per year & it lives outside too with no problems so far - I would recommend the Leven hood cover (although I do not use it if the roof is soaking wet) & definitely ensuring that the roof is well waterproofed - I use Thompsons waterseal.
On my third TVR, my second Chimaera (had a Cerbera in between) and they've all lived outside, mainly because I couldn't be bothered putting them away in the garage when I knew I'd be off out again soon... Nary a problem, like the other posters, I have a cover, and rarely use it (I use the car more than the cover!) First Chim did 12k in 12 months, come rain or shine and never missed a beat. Yes she leaked a little bit, but thankfully no mushrooms in the footwell!
Go and do it, you only live once!
Go and do it, you only live once!
Had my Chim for 1.5 years and it lives outside all the time, even over winter.
As long as the hood is proofed (don't splash it on the windows or paint) and you use it, no problems. Touch wood I've not had any water in mine yet, even when I jet wash it, so very pleased.
I normally get bored with a car after 6 months and change it. This is the first car I've ever had that whenever I walk up to it I think WOW, when I sit in it and start it, a huge stupid grin appears on my face and thats nothing compared to when I floor the loud pedal........
As long as the hood is proofed (don't splash it on the windows or paint) and you use it, no problems. Touch wood I've not had any water in mine yet, even when I jet wash it, so very pleased.
I normally get bored with a car after 6 months and change it. This is the first car I've ever had that whenever I walk up to it I think WOW, when I sit in it and start it, a huge stupid grin appears on my face and thats nothing compared to when I floor the loud pedal........
Had both S3 and current Chim - both with Leven Technology car caps - quick/easy to put on/whip off, heavy duty and good quality - don't like idea of putting full car cover over dirty car as may scratch paintwork. Cap only covers leaky bits and is securely fastened under bonnet, mirrors and boot to stop scrotes nicking it if left in street!
Car has not suffered from being left outside and frankly, I'd buy a daily driver left outside over a "always garaged never seen rain" car any day - they are where the unreliability gossips come from. Use 'em every day and they are just as reliable as any other car.
Go for it
(although running costs mount if you do lots of miles with service every 6k/year - so I do: 6k a year!)
Car has not suffered from being left outside and frankly, I'd buy a daily driver left outside over a "always garaged never seen rain" car any day - they are where the unreliability gossips come from. Use 'em every day and they are just as reliable as any other car.
Go for it
(although running costs mount if you do lots of miles with service every 6k/year - so I do: 6k a year!) V8 Kieran said:
Go for it (although running costs mount if you do lots of miles with service every 6k/year - so I do: 6k a year!)
(although running costs mount if you do lots of miles with service every 6k/year - so I do: 6k a year!) Amateur... 1000 miles a month!
Mine lived outside for 18 months (now have underground parking), but it was no worse for wear for it. Needs a bit more TLC, but used a hood cover and it was fine.
Mine sits under a cover too as we have no garage. Its been fine although I have to admit I was mighty pissed off when I took the cover off in the spring to find that the new walnut dash I had fitted into it in the autumn had de-laminated and cracked in two places. 
I have to say though that my car sits on the drive behind the gates, I wouldn't sleep at night if the car was on the road.
Cheers
Matt
I have to say though that my car sits on the drive behind the gates, I wouldn't sleep at night if the car was on the road.
Cheers
Matt
Edited by M@H on Monday 12th June 13:20
I live in a block of flats and whilst the parking is residential and off-street, it's not covered. A friend had a spare garage so I held off getting a cover, but after muckign around for ages, by the time he found his keys (and which garage was actually his), the worst of the winter was over. I will probably get a cover later in the summer, but if you really want one, I'd say go for it.
As others have mentioned you can contact the council to see if they have any for rent but often there a long waiting lists, I know some of the garages left at our flats are now privately owned and rented out, so it may be worthwhile searching in your area to see if there are any available.
In saying that when I have eventually used my friends garage the fit is somewhat tight anyway, and I would expect they'll be more damage from door opening etc in the garage than anyone would impart on the street under cover (and what's insurance for if not peace of mind anyway)
As others have mentioned you can contact the council to see if they have any for rent but often there a long waiting lists, I know some of the garages left at our flats are now privately owned and rented out, so it may be worthwhile searching in your area to see if there are any available.
In saying that when I have eventually used my friends garage the fit is somewhat tight anyway, and I would expect they'll be more damage from door opening etc in the garage than anyone would impart on the street under cover (and what's insurance for if not peace of mind anyway)
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