Tamora in Britin's Best Drivers Car 2002 - Autocar

[d_drinks]

Anyone else seen this? the car gets a very good overall reprot phrases like "The Tamora's charms remained irresistible. Up until this point no one had even asked for the keys to the Boxster" - just a shame that the engine let go after only a few laps

The car (TVR 100) looks like TVR's new hack shame they couldn't sort it before Needell and co got hold of it

>>> Edited by d_drinks on Thursday 29th August 12:27

[Gaffer]

This car was the original red press tamora.
Dad has blatted it up and down the M-way. I have played in it and its been out to the press on numerous occasions with no problems.

I blame Tiff.

>> Edited by Gaffer on Thursday 29th August 12:19

[steve-p]

You blame the driver because the car breaks?

[Gaffer]

Sorry I should have put a after that comment.

No I am not blaming Tiff at all. It must just be coincidence.

[steve-p]

If he had crashed it, then no-one would have been very surprised. I've seen him drive a few times in various series over the years, and I can't actually recall a race where he didn't crash. I especially remember the interesting move on Mansell in the BTCC race at Donington that put Mansell into the bridge and subsequently into hospital, which was very disappointing because he was entered in the Tuscan race that followed

[roop]

Although I loathe the Tiffster and think he's a bit of a to$$er, truth is he didn't touch Mansell in that incident. Nige lost it all of his own accord and Tiff only hit him when he really had nowhere to go. Tiff followed the old adage, aim for where they are and you'll miss them, unfortunately, Mansell tankslapped and came back across Needell's bow. How can I be so sure...? I watched the footage from the on car from Nige and Tiff in the back of the film crew's Espace after the event.

quote:
I especially remember the interesting move on Mansell in the BTCC race at Donington that put Mansell into the bridge and subsequently into hospital, which was very disappointing because he was entered in the Tuscan race that followed

[dans]

quote:
Sorry I should have put a after that comment.

No I am not blaming Tiff at all. It must just be coincidence.

ROFL, no really, you'l be telling us 'they all do that sir next'

[PetrolTed]

Not exactly good PR though is it? These engines need to be bullet proof if they're to salvage any of their reputation. It's no wonder Tuscan residuals are so shocking.

[plotloss]

quote:
It's no wonder Tuscan residuals are so shocking.

I was quite suprised to find that Chims and Tamora's of the same age are depreciating at about the same rate as well, I thought the Tamora's would be more bouyant given its a new model and all.

Matt.

[Gaffer]

quote:
ROFL, no really, you'l be telling us 'they all do that sir next'

Duh...! of course they do.

[ap_smith]

quote:
Not exactly good PR though is it? These engines need to be bullet proof if they're to salvage any of their reputation. It's no wonder Tuscan residuals are so shocking.

Come on Ted, you've played the TVR game for long enough and have closer connections than most to the factory, so you must know that TVR have no intentions of changing the strategy.

The TVR cars do all the PR they need in terms of performance and sound. A TVR purchase is never ever done with the head, and it doesn't appear to have killed their business model to date.

[cutmonster]

Andy,
I think that the oft-expressed concerns over the integrity of the Tamora/Tuscan engines have had a real impact on residuals and sales of these models: I for one would have "upgraded" my Chimaera by now but for major concerns about the new engines.
We all put up with the minor niggles on the electrics, trim side as being part and parcel of TVR ownership(although I have had no problems at all from my Chimaera in over a years ownership) but serious question marks about the engine is a different ball game...we all know the Rover V8 is tried, tested and virtually unburstable and that is very comforting.
Many people I know who are interested in TVR and like the brand and the cars opt instead for the Boxsters of this world because it offers bullet-proof integrity and reliability. They would take a TVR all things being considered but the engine issue is often a "bridge too far" for these people and many others.
And TVR needs these people : more sales means more dosh means more models and better R&D. I think.

David

[Paul V]

I couldn’t believe there are 2-year-old Tuscans in the classifieds for £25000. Hopefully they will sort out their engines, I’ve been very tempted recently be the Cerbera’s but still worried about getting a £6-8k bill for an engine rebuild.

[stig]

Don't sweat it as the engines in press cars bear little relation to the ones you buy anyway.

[tvr_griff_4000]

Would trade the Griff in for a Tamora or Tuscan, but don't know anybody who has not had problems with the Speed 6 engine. Somebody said they cost £13k each to build. God for that you that you could have a Corvette motor with 6 speed box and change left over for a new suit and a fish and chip supper!

Come on TVR either sort out the reliability issues, or buy some in. You may not care, but of the Tiv owning mates I have, one went and bought a Porsche (after having problems with their Tuscan), one had his taken back by the dealer and got a new one, which he is now trying to offload (again unreliable) and one sold his Tuscan for a Ferrari. You are in danger of losing your customer base and unless new owners have an enjoyable ownership experience they are unlikely to repeat it with buying another car of the same brand.

Ask yourself the question. If your washing machine ripped up your clothes each time you used it would you buy another?

God this soap box is tall. Time to get off!

Richard

[PetrolTed]

Well I've done what I hate people doing and that's reopen the reliability thread, but the damn issue won't go away. I thought I'd stop hearing of things going bang over the summer after the famous 'finger followers' thing was supposedly sorted but that's the second engine I've heard of going pop this week.

Never mind. I'm off for a spin in my Ford powered Tiv...

[nubbin]

I know 3 people who have NOT had speed 6 problems so far. Flasher, GB16390, and....me.

My engine feels as bulletproof as any I have driven - it has the same unburstable feel as my 4.0l Chimaera lump had. It sounds thrashy at the top end, but if you stick the valve gear right next to a hole in the bonnet, what can you expect?

My car, and flasher's ran sweet as a nut all day around Donington, despite my trying to blow the cams off with over-revving!! It isn't all gloom and doom, just as it isn't all sweetness and light with German cars.

[dans]

quote:

quote:
Not exactly good PR though is it? These engines need to be bullet proof if they're to salvage any of their reputation. It's no wonder Tuscan residuals are so shocking.

Come on Ted, you've played the TVR game for long enough and have closer connections than most to the factory, so you must know that TVR have no intentions of changing the strategy.

The TVR cars do all the PR they need in terms of performance and sound. A TVR purchase is never ever done with the head, and it doesn't appear to have killed their business model to date.

Errr, it might not have killed the model, but the business is clearly suffering. They are producing a fraction of what they used to. I'd say it was not exactly doing them any good.

[flasher]

quote:
I know 3 people who have NOT had speed 6 problems so far. Flasher, GB16390, and....me.

My engine feels as bulletproof as any I have driven - it has the same unburstable feel as my 4.0l Chimaera lump had. It sounds thrashy at the top end, but if you stick the valve gear right next to a hole in the bonnet, what can you expect?

My car, and flasher's ran sweet as a nut all day around Donington, despite my trying to blow the cams off with over-revving!! It isn't all gloom and doom, just as it isn't all sweetness and light with German cars.

I'll second that. Mine has done over 10K now and had two track days around Donnington. I really haven't had anything serious go yet so fingers crossed it will stay that way.

TVR let themselves down by not supplying a sorted fresh car for this test. As anyone who was at Donnington will testify my car was amazingly quick round there and it had bugger all to do with my ability..

[PetrolTed]

Nubbin, sorry mate - not trying to spoil your fun. It's just that I really want to see this thing nailed once and for all. I'm sick of talking TVR down the pub with people and the main topic being reliability. It was one thing blaming the electrics or saying they leak sometimes, it's another trying to defend the record on engines blowing up. I know it happens with other manufacturers - but they manage it better. I have a friend who's M3 engine went recently. BMW may have a problem there, as I found a number of people who had suffered a similar fate with that model, but with a new engine back in the car within the week, no one is too bothered about whinging about it - in fact they sing the praises of BMW for quality service, which of course is a bit perverse really.

Anyway, back to the grindstone. Got to poke my head above the parapets on this subject now and again before whinging about someone else bringing it up again