Niggle (definition of)

[jamieduff1981]

Chaps and chapesses,

This is meant more as a light hearted question. The term "niggle" is used in discussions about TVR ownership possibly more than any other car I've come across.

What exactly is the definition of a niggle? When does a niggle become a fault or a problem?

So far, the car I spent months excited about buying has been undriveable pretty much throughout my ownership, and right at this moment it's not possible to secure the car either because the window is stuck down. Both my clutch slave cylinder failure and window problems are described as niggles on here. Sometimes, the indicators all flash of their own accord too. Another niggle?

I'm wondering (in as good humour as I can muster) whether TVR owners either describe faults as niggles to ease the pain that seems to be the reality of TVR ownership, or whether these cars wreck themselves so spectacularly and so often that the owners are genuinely recalibrated into thinking that a car that wont start / can't be driven / can't be locked / comes home via AA truck every time it goes out just has a "niggle" in comparison to last time it didn't work because it blew it's engine up / caught fire etc?

Your thoughts please?

[Mark.]

For me a niggle is something that probably needs looking at but doesn't stop me using the car.

[RUSSELLM]

For me, anything that doesn't stop me from driving it, is a niggle. That goes for everything I drive, I suppose.

Mine's hibernating at the moment, but from memory, the boot isn't always opening off the button... That's a niggle. I've got a feeling my driver's door interior button, isn't working, but there's the emergency pull or the outside button to use, so again, a niggle.

Flat battery that needs replacing. More serious than a niggle, but only an inconvenience.

I will say though, that it gets a hell of a lot of niggles compared to any other vehicle I've ever owned.

[Jhonno]

Mark. said:

For me a niggle is something that probably needs looking at but doesn't stop me using the car.

This.. Some niggles are bigger than others.

[TimJM]

My brake master cylinder failed whilst I was driving my 4.5, coming off a duel carriageway at speed and the brake pedal just fell to the floor.

That was a niggle!

[jamieduff1981]

TimJM said:

My brake master cylinder failed whilst I was driving my 4.5, coming off a duel carriageway at speed and the brake pedal just fell to the floor.

That was a niggle!

I'd liked to have seen "a niggle" as the cause of accident on the insurance claim form

[Tom8]

When I sold my Tuscan at the end of last year the guy buyng it clearly knows TVR, has owned many and viewed many. He was astounded that absolutely everything on mine worked perfectly. I had also had no issues with it, no niggles or even faults whatever they may be. Are they really that bad? Also this made me laugh as all those reading that a Tuscan has to have been rebuilt and those who wouldn't buy mine because of no rebuild would buy a rebuilt engine but all the other faults and failures.

I have had in my time a S3, a Griff, a chim and a Tuscan and the only one that had issues was the Griff the rest were as good as any other car really.

[dempsey]

I've had my 4.5 RR LW for five years now. It's the most reliable car I've
ever owned.

My definition of 'Niggle' is people who keep droning on about TVR reliability
(especially those who haven't actually owned one).

I do concede though that I may have been lucky.

[jamieduff1981]

I'm envious! It seems that the QA/QC was poor at TVR and as a result the cars are extremely inconsistent in their reliability.

[Jhonno]

Jamie.. I got 3 months and 1.2k out of mine before the slave seals went.. It's been sat on stands in increasing levels of disassembly ever since. I feel your pain!

[Gray_101]

I currantly have 2 niggles.

1. The bonnet lock rattles... But I know a man who says he can fix this.

2. After the glourius sun shine at Chatsworth last year. The passenger door mirror button needs a couple of presses before it will work.

Every thing else is a fault ... But I've made a list and I'm crossing them off now very quickly. I should be back on the road come April

[Jhonno]

April is my aim also.. I miss driving the stupid thing.

[jammy_basturd]

I think I have the perfect definition of when a 'niggle' becomes a 'problem'.

A niggle is an odd whining noise coming from the back of the car. You've just put the engine back in the car and re-attached the exhaust, so naturally assume the exhaust is resting on the chassis or body at some point and vibrating against it.

The niggle becomes a problem when the diff breaks at 1xx leptons going down the M20 late one February evening. You suddenly realise that whiny 'niggle' was the diff screaming a slow and painful death.

[PuffsBack]

Ice warning indicator has a life of its own, randomly comes on red and green despite the outside temp. Tried swapping the thermistor etc to no avail!

[FarmyardPants]

IMO A niggle is anything you can laugh off, or more objectively, would make a passenger laugh.

Examples:
Having to press the horn button to start the car
Boot release needs both knees
Ash tray flies out under acceleration
Starter motor problems 10% of the time

Not niggles:
Starter motor problems 90% of the time
Clutch failure
Window won't go down (summer) or up (winter) - this is a seasonal niggle
Requirement to exit through window in front of onlookers
Flat tyre on way to airport, wedding, etc

[ukkid35]

Actual Niggles I've experienced (most of which have been fixed)

Speed sensor failure
Window microswitch failure
Starter Motor Immobiliser Voltage Drop (no start when hot)
Exhaust Rattles
Exhaust Manifold cracks
Seized Brake Bleed Nipples
Bonnet Catch failure (lifting at speed)
Boot Catch failure (opening on track)
Throttle Return Spring failure
Cabin Overheating (due to permanent heater matrix feed)
Clutch Slip/wear
Engine pinking
Temperature Gauge failure
Oil Pressure Gauge failure (oil leaking into cabin)
Ice Sensor failure
Wiper Park Switch failure
Steering rack issues
Leaking shocks
Ineffective handbrake
Coolant pipe corrosion/leaks
Battery Clamp corrosion/disintegration
Rear Diff Bush wear
Coolant tank overflow design
Headlamp control box connector burnout
Rear ARB Drop link failure
Rear ARB Bodywork contact/wear
Door Droop
Door Seal loose fitting


Faults that stopped me driving the car

Engine Overheating
Clutch Slave Seals failure

[ruta87]

FarmyardPants said:

IMO A niggle is anything you can laugh off, or more objectively, would make a passenger laugh.

Examples:
Having to press the horn button to start the car
Boot release needs both knees
Ash tray flies out under acceleration
Starter motor problems 10% of the time

Not niggles:
Starter motor problems 90% of the time
Clutch failure
Window won't go down (summer) or up (winter) - this is a seasonal niggle
Requirement to exit through window in front of onlookers
Flat tyre on way to airport, wedding, etc

Please do tell us that using the horn to start the car is something you have had to do in the past. I think that should be classed as an anti-niggle. Pure comedy!

[grahamn]

I know of at least 2 cars that had to press the horn button to get the wipers to work

[FarmyardPants]

ruta87 said:

Please do tell us that using the horn to start the car is something you have had to do in the past. I think that should be classed as an anti-niggle. Pure comedy!

I'm afraid not but anecdotally it can help in some circumstances

My current problems are sticky throttle pedal and fraying throttle cable. Not niggles by my own definition because its not funny trying to drive it in its current state - it wants to accelerate into the nearest field and beyond.

[TimJM]

jamieduff1981 said:

I'd liked to have seen "a niggle" as the cause of accident on the insurance claim form

Not at all. I dove home a further 12 miles, the engine braking was more than enough to stop and some luck with islands/traffic made it possible. Hence a niggle!