Want a TVR - but need advice
Discussion
Hi there- been lurking round these parts for well over a year - keeps me occupied at work... but I don't post often. However, I'm looking for my first 'decent' car, and having lusted after TVR's of all shapes for years, I need some advice.
I'm somewhat 'dimensionally unchallenged' if you catch my drift - standing around 6'5 and weighing it at around 120kg often causes promlems with cars of a sporting nature - I can just about manage being a passenger in a series one elise (abosulutly no change of getting in with the roof on- tried many times much to the amusment of my mates). But I can actually drive my brothers' MX-5, head bent and shoes off though. Looking at TVR's they seem a bit cramped, but i've never sat in one. If i had to pick any TVR to try out -which offers the most leg/head/elbow room?
I need closure on the TVR fantasy before I turn to other options because i really really want one, so I'm off to the Hexam Horsless Carraiges this weekend
I'm somewhat 'dimensionally unchallenged' if you catch my drift - standing around 6'5 and weighing it at around 120kg often causes promlems with cars of a sporting nature - I can just about manage being a passenger in a series one elise (abosulutly no change of getting in with the roof on- tried many times much to the amusment of my mates). But I can actually drive my brothers' MX-5, head bent and shoes off though. Looking at TVR's they seem a bit cramped, but i've never sat in one. If i had to pick any TVR to try out -which offers the most leg/head/elbow room?
I need closure on the TVR fantasy before I turn to other options because i really really want one, so I'm off to the Hexam Horsless Carraiges this weekend
jonny_c said:
I need closure on the TVR fantasy before I turn to other options because i really really want one, so I'm off to the Hexam Horsless Carraiges this weekend
Right thing to do, sit in a car or two , go to a local TVRCC meeting there will be more than enough people who will let you sit in their P&J in an attempt to convince you.jonny_c said:
I'm somewhat 'dimensionally unchallenged' if you catch my drift - standing around 6'5 and weighing it at around 120kg
I'm 6'3" and weigh 15 stone 39lbs as of 7.40 this morning. When I sit in my Chim I look out through the windscreen at a couple of inches above the half way point. It's the first sports car I've sat in where I feel at home. It is a little narrow but I can get my nether regions in without problem and, if you indulge in a little verve when cornering, the dimensions become a big advantage.It is comfortable for long distances as well.
Try one. The Griff is similar as are early Tuscans, Tamoras and T350s. I find the Cerb difficult to get into but headroom is ample.
Try one.
Did you sit in the passenger seat of that Land Rover in your profile pic Johnny ?? 
I'm 6'2", a short arse by figures being quoted and a slim 12 1/2 stone (zero percent body fat)
. I am surprised about how neatly I fit into the cockpit, theres not much room either side of me which is good for me but would have thought that others might find it a bit too tight ??
I'm 6'2", a short arse by figures being quoted and a slim 12 1/2 stone (zero percent body fat)
. I am surprised about how neatly I fit into the cockpit, theres not much room either side of me which is good for me but would have thought that others might find it a bit too tight ??
Is pedal adjustment possible in all modern TVR's?
In many cars with shorter leg room it's the gap in between the steering wheel and the door/centre console which wedges my leg and means it's undrivable - If leg room is good then this doesn't matter.
Drove my mates VX220 once - once I was in my legs rubbed on the sterring wheel and i couldn't get it into 4th - never mind 5th, and my line of sight was nicely over the top of the windscreen - I reckon he just wanted to laugh at me...
In many cars with shorter leg room it's the gap in between the steering wheel and the door/centre console which wedges my leg and means it's undrivable - If leg room is good then this doesn't matter.
Drove my mates VX220 once - once I was in my legs rubbed on the sterring wheel and i couldn't get it into 4th - never mind 5th, and my line of sight was nicely over the top of the windscreen - I reckon he just wanted to laugh at me...
jonny_c said:
Is pedal adjustment possible in all modern TVR's?
Tuscans,Tams,T350 & Sagaris can have the peddle box moved to one of three position's have mine set in the 'tall person' position and have no problems at all, and I am 6'3" and quiet heavy 
. The Tuscan is actually one of the most spacious sports cars out there, I have tried other marks and just can't fit in them properly.Just got back from Hexam - they've got some nice cars. Sat in a Cerbera, a Tuscan, a T350 and a Chimaera.
Tuscan was very tight on headroom - and the seat base was out, Cerbera was just about OK but getting required some gymnastics, same with the T350. I found the Chimaera best though - both for head and leg room, with the seats dropped (all the cars had spacers under the seats) and the pedals moved back I reckon it'll be almost roomy.... well relativly speaking.
So i'm on the hunt for a Chimaera - probably for the best as they are more affordable, and although I could break the bank, a Chim would be a good first TVR.
Next question - What do I need to look out for? I'm fairly mechanically minded but chasis rot I guess is the biggest this to watch out for on older cars, it's just knowing where to look.
Spotted this in the Classifieds:
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/212103.htm
It's very local to me, so i'll take a look round it in the next few days
Tuscan was very tight on headroom - and the seat base was out, Cerbera was just about OK but getting required some gymnastics, same with the T350. I found the Chimaera best though - both for head and leg room, with the seats dropped (all the cars had spacers under the seats) and the pedals moved back I reckon it'll be almost roomy.... well relativly speaking.
So i'm on the hunt for a Chimaera - probably for the best as they are more affordable, and although I could break the bank, a Chim would be a good first TVR.
Next question - What do I need to look out for? I'm fairly mechanically minded but chasis rot I guess is the biggest this to watch out for on older cars, it's just knowing where to look.
Spotted this in the Classifieds:
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/212103.htm
It's very local to me, so i'll take a look round it in the next few days
Cerbies have ooooodddlleess of space and Im a former strongman type, weighing in at around 130kgs and 6'3" with a broad build
The V8S is limited on leg room and if you're anything like me the steering wheel will sit between your legs a little bit too much for comfort
Chimaeras are fine, beautifully crafted to allow bigger chaps inside, elbow room is great (again, I have a broad build) leg room is fantastic & head room is fine...lovely car
Wedge's are built to accomodate fat boys, me being one
The only problem I had was in the later SE models with the SEAC dash, the shape of the lower dash, tunnel side, tends to cut a little bit of leg room, but perfectly cosy.
The older Wedges (200-390) are built with plenty of room for head, leg but can be a bit tight on shoulder/elbow room, but I cant see it being to an offputting extent
Tamora seems fine and the Sagaris...well, the Sagaris: You could bloody live in there
The V8S is limited on leg room and if you're anything like me the steering wheel will sit between your legs a little bit too much for comfort
Chimaeras are fine, beautifully crafted to allow bigger chaps inside, elbow room is great (again, I have a broad build) leg room is fantastic & head room is fine...lovely car
Wedge's are built to accomodate fat boys, me being one
The only problem I had was in the later SE models with the SEAC dash, the shape of the lower dash, tunnel side, tends to cut a little bit of leg room, but perfectly cosy.
The older Wedges (200-390) are built with plenty of room for head, leg but can be a bit tight on shoulder/elbow room, but I cant see it being to an offputting extent
Tamora seems fine and the Sagaris...well, the Sagaris: You could bloody live in there
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