Discussion
There seems to be varied feelings about taking TVR's out in the snow,some see no problem others think its crazy,so what is the general consenus ? my own experience is for the last two years i have driven mine in snow and ice and found it very predictable.i got a frozen brake caliper whilst stuck in traffic waiting to get up a hill which gave me a bit of drift angle until it freed itself,i should point out that i was the only car to get up the hill admittedly having picked up some speed on the flat.parked overnight on snow it tends to melt the snow under the tyres and then be a pig to move in the morning.solution use the curb to hoop it out of the rutts.in deeper snow it does tend to push snow down the road.oh and top down driving not advised as i ended up with half a tonne of snow in the car when a lorry,done on purpose i am sure,hit a snow bank on the other side of the motorway.
what are other peoples feelings on the subject ?
what are other peoples feelings on the subject ?
I have owned TVRs as my only cars for 9 years and used them nearly every day. Yesterday, I drove home (north London) during rush hour whilst it was snowing heavily- on top of hardened ice after it had rained during the afternoon.
Yes, the back end stepped out a couple of times (to be expected) but you learn to anticipate this and correct it when it occurs.
My advice is to always set off in second gear-using minimal revs- and to take more care when taking steep (90 degree) turns or coming off roundabouts. Oh, and keep a lot of distance from the vehicle ahead.
Yes, the back end stepped out a couple of times (to be expected) but you learn to anticipate this and correct it when it occurs.
My advice is to always set off in second gear-using minimal revs- and to take more care when taking steep (90 degree) turns or coming off roundabouts. Oh, and keep a lot of distance from the vehicle ahead.
I just drove back from Germany on Saturday and Sunday in my Tuscan and it was the hairiest drive of my life.
It was hanging around -12° for most of the German bit and a lot of the Autobahns were re-frozen, particularly in the truck trackes.
Car would jump sideways every time I hit a bit of ice or slush.
Stayed over night in Gent at the Holiday Inn Expe. Sunday morning and there was about 6" of fresh snow on the ground and it took an hour just to get out of the car park. Car jumping around again.
3 hours late to the Channel Tunnel but they were running well with no real delays.
Decided to stay at another hotel Sunday night before geting home Monday lunch time.
Dont mind the fun and sliding around in the car park etc but when you've got a lot of miles to do and so need a decent average speed on the Autobahn, the Tuscan is not the car. Its scary as hell.
Next will take the Murano.
And yes, same as every time, need to gently ease out my wifes finger nail marks from the leather interior with a liberal application of leather soap.
It was hanging around -12° for most of the German bit and a lot of the Autobahns were re-frozen, particularly in the truck trackes.
Car would jump sideways every time I hit a bit of ice or slush.
Stayed over night in Gent at the Holiday Inn Expe. Sunday morning and there was about 6" of fresh snow on the ground and it took an hour just to get out of the car park. Car jumping around again.
3 hours late to the Channel Tunnel but they were running well with no real delays.
Decided to stay at another hotel Sunday night before geting home Monday lunch time.
Dont mind the fun and sliding around in the car park etc but when you've got a lot of miles to do and so need a decent average speed on the Autobahn, the Tuscan is not the car. Its scary as hell.
Next will take the Murano.
And yes, same as every time, need to gently ease out my wifes finger nail marks from the leather interior with a liberal application of leather soap.
I don't see the point of having a road-going GT/sports car and only using it on sunny days when the temperature is comfortably above 20 degrees C. 
Admittedly my Chim is my only car and I have little choice, but surely you can get in as much trouble in a 2CV or a Landrover if you don't drive according to the conditions?
Admittedly my Chim is my only car and I have little choice, but surely you can get in as much trouble in a 2CV or a Landrover if you don't drive according to the conditions?
s5tuart said:
I don't see the point of having a road-going GT/sports car and only using it on sunny days when the temperature is comfortably above 20 degrees C.
Admittedly my Chim is my only car and I have little choice, but surely you can get in as much trouble in a 2CV or a Landrover if you don't drive according to the conditions?
You cant drive a TVR around here in the current conditions no matter how good you are. The Landie is the only way up and down my hill. Admittedly my Chim is my only car and I have little choice, but surely you can get in as much trouble in a 2CV or a Landrover if you don't drive according to the conditions?
I would say, in fresh snow, no ice, then ok, so long as your careful, however after its been pounded into ice, Big torque, low weight, wide tyres, timid LSD, leave it at home if you can.
Mine got stuck manoeuvring around my drive this morning, its only a Very very slight slope, there is ½ of ice all over, including the road.
If we get lots of this weather every year I might invest in some skinny snow wheels & tyres, as IMO they are well balanced cars, handle well, so would be fun to drive with the aid of some traction and reasonable stopping power
It’s the salt that needs to be washed off ASAP that’s the pain.
Mine got stuck manoeuvring around my drive this morning, its only a Very very slight slope, there is ½ of ice all over, including the road.
If we get lots of this weather every year I might invest in some skinny snow wheels & tyres, as IMO they are well balanced cars, handle well, so would be fun to drive with the aid of some traction and reasonable stopping power
It’s the salt that needs to be washed off ASAP that’s the pain.
It always surprises me the number of people who seem to relish taking the TVR out in snowy & icy conditions. It's not terribly sensible no matter what anyone says. They don't cope well in these conditions, & i'm sure the surface grime/salt/moisture, only reduces their life expectancy.
And lets face it, the number of casualties always increases over this period!
Each to their own, but mine would never go out in this, it seems a pointless exercise to me.
We are obliged to look after them, after all
And lets face it, the number of casualties always increases over this period!
Each to their own, but mine would never go out in this, it seems a pointless exercise to me.
We are obliged to look after them, after all
Hoover. said:
TVR653X said:
On properly frozen, ungritted roads, with snow actually falling at the time of driving? Erm....the word utterly terrifying comes to mind.
nahhh its fun... took mine out to night for a blast, and haven't used it since London Thunder....
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