TVR ownership's a funny thing...
Discussion
I guess maybe some people are jealous of us...?
I own a 390SE wedge. OK, arguably an ugly duckling, and would struggle somewhat when pitted against a Cerbera/Tamora/T350/Sag etc etc.
All the same, its a great car: still faster than most tintops, better noise, rarer, more DIYable.
Why do people slag our cars off, and not slag Porsches etc off??
My only conclusion is that people have a perception that handmade is crap, and that to be "professionally made" (well hey, the people at Bristol Ave WERE professional. they did it for a LIVING), it has to be mass produced by machine. Perhaps all this modern complexity rubbish is what makes Porsches et al "good".
I just dont geddit.
Most people I talk to mention reliability or maintenance within a second or two of me saying I own a Tiv.
Perhaps I should start asking BMW drivers if they ever got the indicators fixed?!?
Ho hum.
Ed.
I own a 390SE wedge. OK, arguably an ugly duckling, and would struggle somewhat when pitted against a Cerbera/Tamora/T350/Sag etc etc.
All the same, its a great car: still faster than most tintops, better noise, rarer, more DIYable.
Why do people slag our cars off, and not slag Porsches etc off??
My only conclusion is that people have a perception that handmade is crap, and that to be "professionally made" (well hey, the people at Bristol Ave WERE professional. they did it for a LIVING), it has to be mass produced by machine. Perhaps all this modern complexity rubbish is what makes Porsches et al "good".
I just dont geddit.
Most people I talk to mention reliability or maintenance within a second or two of me saying I own a Tiv.
Perhaps I should start asking BMW drivers if they ever got the indicators fixed?!?
Ho hum.
Ed.
Edited by ed_crouch on Wednesday 20th June 14:49
I have found that wherever I have been in Europe, either in my Wedge 280i, my Chimaera (now sold) or my beloved Tuscan, the
Swiss, Germans etc are all friendly and saying "wow what a fantastic car".
Particularly now with the Tuscan people in Germany are saying "fantastic, i've heard of TVR but never seen one, wow fantastic.
Then in England "got a plastic car then", "there crap" etc etc.
I just assume, "another SFB" and move on.
Swiss, Germans etc are all friendly and saying "wow what a fantastic car".
Particularly now with the Tuscan people in Germany are saying "fantastic, i've heard of TVR but never seen one, wow fantastic.
Then in England "got a plastic car then", "there crap" etc etc.
I just assume, "another SFB" and move on.
Actually - never been quite sure about the wedges as they look quite dated compared to the more modern ones, but had the opportunity on Sunday to look closely at them. There's some really nice design touches on them, plus you've got a lot of room in them.
You think of them as angular things but there some surprising touches. Quite nice really
You think of them as angular things but there some surprising touches. Quite nice really
garfys v8s said:
when i moved into our street the pensioners across the road came over and said that they absolutely adore my car and what a lovely noise.i was dumb struck, whenever i start her up they come out and give me a wave. 
They are probably hoping for a spin.... go on - make their day!I know what you mean about the wedges (hey, I own one!), They are square and designed with a ruler. Buuuut, if you look down the wings, profile of doors, and over the bonnet, and there are actually some effective curves in there.
They look better with the roof down, but so do most Tivs tbh.
I am 26 (born '81), hence grew up in the late 80s. I guess Im quite young (lucky) to be able to afford a TVR... anyhow, I like the wedges, as they were a la mode in my youth.
I guess it is true that although ppl talk about poor reliability and build quality, I get nothing but praise and admiration over the sound it makes! Due in part to the Richard Thorpe exhaust!
Ed.
They look better with the roof down, but so do most Tivs tbh.
I am 26 (born '81), hence grew up in the late 80s. I guess Im quite young (lucky) to be able to afford a TVR... anyhow, I like the wedges, as they were a la mode in my youth.
I guess it is true that although ppl talk about poor reliability and build quality, I get nothing but praise and admiration over the sound it makes! Due in part to the Richard Thorpe exhaust!
Ed.
Byker28i said:
Actually - never been quite sure about the wedges as they look quite dated compared to the more modern ones, but had the opportunity on Sunday to look closely at them. There's some really nice design touches on them
I thought they looked terrible, then I saw one at a meet; photo's don't do them justice, in the flesh it's a car I'd like to have in the garageI find the people that slag of the Tivs are people driving P reg Mondeos... so not had the experience and are jealous...
the others who own porkers and prancing horces etc is primalier tougue in cheek cos theors cost more and for lesser performance
... real car nuts just dont care as they love petrol fumes ina bundance
the others who own porkers and prancing horces etc is primalier tougue in cheek cos theors cost more and for lesser performance
... real car nuts just dont care as they love petrol fumes ina bundance To be honest I have not experienced much of this;
and that's with the S I had in the eighties, the Chimeara or now the Tuscan. I ususally get positive comments.
The other week was quite funnny, I was leaving a multi story car park (Yes I was making a bit of noise because it sounded great in the underground section) pulled up to the paying point and one of these new blue hatted traffic warden types came up to me. I thought Of what the ?!!! have I done; what did he say.
"Thought i'd come up an say that is one of the most beutiful cars I have ever seen and sounds absolutely wonderful, give me a blip of the throttle!"
That's sort of typical of the comments I get
and that's with the S I had in the eighties, the Chimeara or now the Tuscan. I ususally get positive comments.
The other week was quite funnny, I was leaving a multi story car park (Yes I was making a bit of noise because it sounded great in the underground section) pulled up to the paying point and one of these new blue hatted traffic warden types came up to me. I thought Of what the ?!!! have I done; what did he say.
"Thought i'd come up an say that is one of the most beutiful cars I have ever seen and sounds absolutely wonderful, give me a blip of the throttle!"
That's sort of typical of the comments I get
God i know exactly what you mean Ed.
Last month in PPC magazines listings and comments Will's comments on the Tasmins were "Not worth the bother" "Looks like a cheese wedge and about as durable."
So a Rover V8 engined car with a fiberglass body and Jag/Ford running gear is not durable?
Meanwhile raving about the old Marcos being a "thinking man's TVR"
I love those too but the chassis not a patch on a Tasmins quality - what a cock end!
What percentage of wedges manufactured are still roadworthy? loads of em.
Unlike those rust bucket Capri's he's driving.
Last month in PPC magazines listings and comments Will's comments on the Tasmins were "Not worth the bother" "Looks like a cheese wedge and about as durable."
So a Rover V8 engined car with a fiberglass body and Jag/Ford running gear is not durable?
Meanwhile raving about the old Marcos being a "thinking man's TVR"
I love those too but the chassis not a patch on a Tasmins quality - what a cock end!
What percentage of wedges manufactured are still roadworthy? loads of em.
Unlike those rust bucket Capri's he's driving.
Edited by racingsnake on Thursday 21st June 12:51
Its the endless 'looks great but I bet it breaks down' comments that get me. I guess its just envy from the Vectra owning numpties who normally make this sort of comment 
.
Ive just returned from a 1300 mile round trip to Le Mans in appalling weather which involved sitting in traffic jams for almost 10 hours on the way home. The Chim behaved perfectly, as it always does.
My clutch foot however nearly fell off and I can barely walk but that's more due to my decrepit frame!
. Ive just returned from a 1300 mile round trip to Le Mans in appalling weather which involved sitting in traffic jams for almost 10 hours on the way home. The Chim behaved perfectly, as it always does.
My clutch foot however nearly fell off and I can barely walk but that's more due to my decrepit frame!
Right I take my last comment back. Nipped up to my local garage earlier to get some rear tyres ordered for the S3, so I pull up in said motor and the nice mechanic comes to jot down the tyre size and toddles off to get various prices, oldish chap comes over
Old Chap - Nice motor
Me - Oh, thanks
Old Chap - Broke down has it?
Me - No, need some tyres
Old Chap - You got breakdown cover for it?
Me - Yeh, why?
Old chap - Is that because it breaks down alot
Me - Err, no, it's because I'm a girl and I drive on my own most of the time
Old Chap - You see alot of TVR's broke down on tow trucks, dodgey electrics all of them, you'll have nothing but trouble.
Me - Why's that then?
Old Chap - British built, poor quality.
I thanked him for his insight. And what was he driving? A Rover!!!! (and he had a flat cap) Need I say more.
Old Chap - Nice motor
Me - Oh, thanks
Old Chap - Broke down has it?
Me - No, need some tyres
Old Chap - You got breakdown cover for it?
Me - Yeh, why?
Old chap - Is that because it breaks down alot
Me - Err, no, it's because I'm a girl and I drive on my own most of the time
Old Chap - You see alot of TVR's broke down on tow trucks, dodgey electrics all of them, you'll have nothing but trouble.
Me - Why's that then?
Old Chap - British built, poor quality.
I thanked him for his insight. And what was he driving? A Rover!!!! (and he had a flat cap) Need I say more.
coolcatmaz said:
And what was he driving? A Rover!!!! (and he had a flat cap) Need I say more.
Hmm, fair enough- but two weeks ago I negotiated parking the Chimaera outside a row of shops whilst a bloke, clearly over 70, shuffled past with the aid of a walking cane. As I got out the car, he turned and said "there's nothing like the sound of a V8, is there?"I replied "no sir, there really isn't" as he hobbled on his way..
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