Autoexpress / EVO survey
Discussion
On a similar subject. Might be interesting to compare Noble V TVR build quality?
IMO theres no comparison. TVR should be embarassed that Noble build quality is far superior in every way.
My Noble - 1)Blown fuse to window wipers,
2)ECU problem subsequent to dealer service
3)Panel gaps spot on
4) Handling - awesome!
My Griffith 500 -
1)Engine broke free from mount and nearly came thru the bonnet on the only longish journey I undertook!
2)Manifold gaskets continuously blown every few hundred miles. Also spark plug leads would regularly be spat out!
3)Starter motor knackered
4)Heating system -unfathomable!
5) Serious (dangerous) vibration at speeds exceeding 100 mph
6) Handling - frightening!
7) Panel gaps poor etc.etc.............
My Griffith 500 -
1)Engine broke free from mount and nearly came thru the bonnet on the only longish journey I undertook!
7) Panel gaps poor etc.etc.............[/quote]
Kinetic, interesting - in the mid 80s I was travelling at 100mph cross country en route to Le Mans in my old TVR 350i and the bonnet tried to escape - one mounting bolt came away - luckily the second one held. Looking at the enginge screaming (remember the bonnet opened backwards!) and with no view forward at all was a life changing moment!
1)Engine broke free from mount and nearly came thru the bonnet on the only longish journey I undertook!
7) Panel gaps poor etc.etc.............[/quote]
Kinetic, interesting - in the mid 80s I was travelling at 100mph cross country en route to Le Mans in my old TVR 350i and the bonnet tried to escape - one mounting bolt came away - luckily the second one held. Looking at the enginge screaming (remember the bonnet opened backwards!) and with no view forward at all was a life changing moment!
Personally, my Griffith 500 is pretty good.
Build quality for TVR (generally) isn't on a par with Noble (nor is cornering ability) and I don't expect many TVR owners would disagree with you (other than PW!), but taking into consideration my TVR;
- Ride quality is excellent,
- It's only broken down once in 6 years,
- It does go around corners (believe it or not),
- It's HUGELY entertaining to drive,
- It sounds better than a Noble,
- The cabin is a work of art,
- It's comfortable for long journeys,
- It still turns heads,
- You could have one for less than 20k...
An 11-year old design, but it still feels mighty special. In many ways I'm sure I'll prefer it to the 3R, which is why I intend to keep both!
Different cars, different 'soul', but the TVR Griffith 500 is one of the best cars ever made IMHO.
Build quality for TVR (generally) isn't on a par with Noble (nor is cornering ability) and I don't expect many TVR owners would disagree with you (other than PW!), but taking into consideration my TVR;
- Ride quality is excellent,
- It's only broken down once in 6 years,
- It does go around corners (believe it or not),
- It's HUGELY entertaining to drive,
- It sounds better than a Noble,
- The cabin is a work of art,
- It's comfortable for long journeys,
- It still turns heads,
- You could have one for less than 20k...
An 11-year old design, but it still feels mighty special. In many ways I'm sure I'll prefer it to the 3R, which is why I intend to keep both!
Different cars, different 'soul', but the TVR Griffith 500 is one of the best cars ever made IMHO.
kinetic said:Probably because they insist on building every dam component themselves.
I just don't understand why after all these years they cannot puthem together to a reasonable standard.
Jack of all trades, master of non springs to mind.
Ford switchgear may not look the most "sexy" (personally I really don't get modern TVR interiors - give me a Griffith interior anyday over one of these new fangled "brass everywhere" things) but it sure as hell doesn't go wrong. It's the same with the electrics, ECU, brakes, engines (although they are seriously breathed on) etc.
As for the noise - I actually perfer a turbo charged jet engine to a V8 burble - not saying the V8 isn't bad (afterall I am buying a V8 Marcos), just I'm a turbo junkie
J
I also think TVR do far less testing than Noble before releasing a new car... look at how fast they have engineered and launched the T350/Tamora, T440R/Tuscan R, Sirgaris, ... about the same time it has taken Noble to produce the M12, and when you look at the number of subtle changes and refinements that Noble have fed through since launch of the M12 you have to wonder how TVR could possibly apply the same attention to detail, espicially when (as you say) they manufacture everything themselves... The '97+ Griff 500 is a truly well sorted car - it took five years - but at each recent TVR launch evening that I've been to something has 'fallen off'... With the new Sirgaris coming in at around 50k they are starting to tread on highly competitive ground...
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