Sagaris comments please (from owners!)
Discussion
Hi Guys,
I recently went for a test drive in a Sagaris and I have a couple of questions which I'd never get a straight answer to if I asked the dealer (you know how it is).
First of all, the test drive got off to a poor start when the passenger door wouldn't open ("oh" the dealer said "this one is sometimes in a bad mood and doesn't let you in"
, and so in the end he had to get into the driver's seat and push the door open from the inside. After a while we swapped places and I really enjoyed the car except I couldn't help feel that the pedals are very close together, which was great fun when we were approaching a junction and I hit the accelerator instead of the brake.
I've read many comments on this forum about TVRs in general and perhaps it gives an unfair bias towards people who report problems looking for solutions, you get the impression that everyone is having nothing but problems!
So, my couple of questions are; was the door problem just a one-off or is it symptomatic of a poorly built car, and secondly is there anyone out there who bought one and wished they hadn't?
I recently went for a test drive in a Sagaris and I have a couple of questions which I'd never get a straight answer to if I asked the dealer (you know how it is).
First of all, the test drive got off to a poor start when the passenger door wouldn't open ("oh" the dealer said "this one is sometimes in a bad mood and doesn't let you in"
, and so in the end he had to get into the driver's seat and push the door open from the inside. After a while we swapped places and I really enjoyed the car except I couldn't help feel that the pedals are very close together, which was great fun when we were approaching a junction and I hit the accelerator instead of the brake. I've read many comments on this forum about TVRs in general and perhaps it gives an unfair bias towards people who report problems looking for solutions, you get the impression that everyone is having nothing but problems!
So, my couple of questions are; was the door problem just a one-off or is it symptomatic of a poorly built car, and secondly is there anyone out there who bought one and wished they hadn't?
Bought one, glad I did.
The grin factor has just gone from great to greater.
Any whinges I might have are minor, and totally superseded by the performance and sheer joy of driving such a great car.
Door stuck - doubt it - there is a moments pause when the door opens, or it latches again. If it is the case, simple to fix - tool for tightening the catch is held by the dealers.
(Presume this was a service and sales dealer - who by the way?)
You are right, this forum does post what seems to be a lot of issues: it is the best feedback and transfer of information I have ever come across with any marque. What more could you want?
There are so many who hush hush their exotic (or sometimes not) car back to the garage/dealer to get both minor and major problems sorted and don't say anything about it to anyone. There is plenty of evidence that other marques have the same quantity/type of problems, but just don't cough it up in public domains.
The grin factor has just gone from great to greater.
Any whinges I might have are minor, and totally superseded by the performance and sheer joy of driving such a great car.
Door stuck - doubt it - there is a moments pause when the door opens, or it latches again. If it is the case, simple to fix - tool for tightening the catch is held by the dealers.
(Presume this was a service and sales dealer - who by the way?)
You are right, this forum does post what seems to be a lot of issues: it is the best feedback and transfer of information I have ever come across with any marque. What more could you want?
There are so many who hush hush their exotic (or sometimes not) car back to the garage/dealer to get both minor and major problems sorted and don't say anything about it to anyone. There is plenty of evidence that other marques have the same quantity/type of problems, but just don't cough it up in public domains.
Door problem will be a one-off, so don't worry about that.
As for the pedals, I assumed coming from a Lotus, that the reason for this would be common sense. Not a problem at all once you're used to it, although as they are metal, it can be somewhat fun driving in shoes (the none rubber sole variety).
I found, whilst mentioning pedals, the worst thing being no place to rest your left foot when not using the clutch. You can just about get it down the side of the cluth, however you do end up with all sort of cr@p down the side of your shoes/trainers.
As for the pedals, I assumed coming from a Lotus, that the reason for this would be common sense. Not a problem at all once you're used to it, although as they are metal, it can be somewhat fun driving in shoes (the none rubber sole variety).
I found, whilst mentioning pedals, the worst thing being no place to rest your left foot when not using the clutch. You can just about get it down the side of the cluth, however you do end up with all sort of cr@p down the side of your shoes/trainers.
the pedals are indeed designed so that you can use two at the same time and with the same shoe!
this is as you'd find in a race car and is a great thing to have in a road car too.
If you're flying towards a corner and changing down at the same time, forcing the lower gear in can cause excessive engine braking which could cause the rear to become unstable and worse put you into a spin. Giving the engine a blip on the throttle at the same time increases the revs to better match the roadspeed, allowing smoother more controllable braking and downshifting. It also sounds really cool. But after you reach a certain point it becomes essential if you want to go faster round a track.
Having owned a Sagaris since April I will say, realistically you will have niggling faults. I will also say that you will enjoy driving it so much you will forgive it minor things. I'll also say that most modern cars have niggles but the average would most likely be higher with a TVR despite the reported increases in build quality.
I actually think the build quality is high. The paint finish and interior fit is significantly better than a Lotus Esprit V8 I bought from new in 1999. I haven't had any squeaks or rattles, my headlights haven't misted up and I've never had a problem with my doors but... my gearknob came loose (easy enough to tighten up) my reversing light came on when I put the car into 4th gear and I've had a water sensor fail and my bonnet rubbers came loose (the car is better off without them and many don't have them from new) and my instrument lights went out a few times. Everything has of course been sorted out under warranty and free of charge by the very efficient boys and girls Gatwick TVR.
Then again it took me from London to Monza (outside Milan) and back, both under and over the alps and was simply magnificent, both on the motorways and even better on the windy roads.... then there were the tunnel sections........ Incidentally, my brother's Porsche 996 turbo had to visit a Porsche dealer before we got to Italy. But then again, at least he had a dealer to go to! His car also has 550bhp (it's been tuned by German tuners Cargraphic) and my mere 400 bhp Blackpool express kept up very well up to silly speeds.
This is my candid account of 9 months of ownership and right now I can't wait to get home, rain or snow and take it out for another mesmerising drive.
The car is brilliant but don't expect it to be perfect. It's entirely possible that nothing serious will go wrong and if it does the warranty's there for you.
this is as you'd find in a race car and is a great thing to have in a road car too.
If you're flying towards a corner and changing down at the same time, forcing the lower gear in can cause excessive engine braking which could cause the rear to become unstable and worse put you into a spin. Giving the engine a blip on the throttle at the same time increases the revs to better match the roadspeed, allowing smoother more controllable braking and downshifting. It also sounds really cool. But after you reach a certain point it becomes essential if you want to go faster round a track.
Having owned a Sagaris since April I will say, realistically you will have niggling faults. I will also say that you will enjoy driving it so much you will forgive it minor things. I'll also say that most modern cars have niggles but the average would most likely be higher with a TVR despite the reported increases in build quality.
I actually think the build quality is high. The paint finish and interior fit is significantly better than a Lotus Esprit V8 I bought from new in 1999. I haven't had any squeaks or rattles, my headlights haven't misted up and I've never had a problem with my doors but... my gearknob came loose (easy enough to tighten up) my reversing light came on when I put the car into 4th gear and I've had a water sensor fail and my bonnet rubbers came loose (the car is better off without them and many don't have them from new) and my instrument lights went out a few times. Everything has of course been sorted out under warranty and free of charge by the very efficient boys and girls Gatwick TVR.
Then again it took me from London to Monza (outside Milan) and back, both under and over the alps and was simply magnificent, both on the motorways and even better on the windy roads.... then there were the tunnel sections........ Incidentally, my brother's Porsche 996 turbo had to visit a Porsche dealer before we got to Italy. But then again, at least he had a dealer to go to! His car also has 550bhp (it's been tuned by German tuners Cargraphic) and my mere 400 bhp Blackpool express kept up very well up to silly speeds.
This is my candid account of 9 months of ownership and right now I can't wait to get home, rain or snow and take it out for another mesmerising drive.
The car is brilliant but don't expect it to be perfect. It's entirely possible that nothing serious will go wrong and if it does the warranty's there for you.
Yes the doors do that. Ive had to go in via the passenger door once to open my door in the garage, before I learnt the easy work around. Just press the button again, fingers in the tdoor crack and pull open as you press the button. The door will pop open then if the button didnt fully work. Dont worry about it.
In 5k miles of everyday driving and touring, Ive had a speed sensor pack up in foul weather on the M1. Sorted in 90 mins by Hexham over lunch when I dropped in unannounced. Er, thats it.
The car gets better everyday.
In 5k miles of everyday driving and touring, Ive had a speed sensor pack up in foul weather on the M1. Sorted in 90 mins by Hexham over lunch when I dropped in unannounced. Er, thats it.
The car gets better everyday.
I've had mine since April and despite one awful incident its been great. It's not used any oil or water and has always started first time. I use it as often as I can and often pop out to Tesco's just for a drive.
I have noticed though the traction control is cutting in quickly these days
but it's to be expected in this weather.
I have noticed though the traction control is cutting in quickly these days
but it's to be expected in this weather. sportie said:
I use it as often as I can and often pop out to Tesco's just for a drive.
You take the Sag to Tesco's and LEAVE it whilst you go in the store!!!!!
Good Lord...only ever been to Tescos twice in ours and that was leaving Ray to go and park somewhere out of the way..... no problem in finding where he's parked when I came out of the store...all I had to do was look out for the crowd
One evening on the way back from a Meet we left it at about 8o/c in the evening in a deserted Tesco's car park whilst we went for a Pizza. The Pizza place overlooked the car park and we could see the car.... ....never again.....
Loads of people making the effort to cross a deserted car park to look......no problem.
It was the groups of youngsters on bikes that were the worry. They were leaning in looking inside without getting off their bikes......
Arrrggghhh... I could just imagine their handle bars scraping our lovely Midas Gold paintwork.
Never eaten a pizza so quickly.....
WhirlingDERVish said:
Ah, well, I've only got a build slot so far but I was thinking along the lines of candy apple red with black leather and red stitching, but of course I've got plenty of time to change my mind!
Sounds good....but you don't sound convinced...
So I bet you end up with something different Lots of great colours out now.....look forward to seeing what you finally choose...
YP
sportie said:
I've had mine since April and despite one awful incident its been great. It's not used any oil or water and has always started first time. I use it as often as I can and often pop out to Tesco's just for a drive.
I have noticed though the traction control is cutting in quickly these days
traction control?????????????????????????
cheeky said:
I've had mine since April and despite one awful incident its been great. It's not used any oil or water and has always started first time. I use it as often as I can and often pop out to Tesco's just for a drive.
I have noticed though the traction control is cutting in quickly these days
traction control?????????????????????????
Perhaps he has the misses sat in the passenger seat. About the only working traction control method I know which works
. Harry
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