Tuscan gets a slagging...

Tuscan gets a slagging...

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Discussion

julianhj

Original Poster:

8,750 posts

263 months

Sunday 2nd February 2003
quotequote all
...in the Driving supplement of the Times today.

Faults include:
Poor immobiliser position
Digital rev counter (can't be read properly)
Brass instrument surround (blinds you when sun hits it)
Petrol cap in the boot (fuel spills on luggage)
Location of emergency boot release (awkward)

Does anyone actually have any of these problems, or is it a case of yet another whinging, nit-picking journo having a pop for the sake of it?

yum

529 posts

274 months

Sunday 2nd February 2003
quotequote all
Tedious. they have missed the point.

If someone comes along and says, "i'm doing an article about silly bits of design" it isn't hard to find faults in almost anything if you look closely enough.

If the article had been about daring designs that make a statement, then the tuscan would also have appeared too.

R

Graham

16,368 posts

285 months

Sunday 2nd February 2003
quotequote all
what a tosser


...in the Driving supplement of the Times today.

Faults include:
Poor immobiliser position --- i've never found one on any car that isnt, except maybe a cerby
Digital rev counter (can't be read properly)--- mmm maybe
Brass instrument surround (blinds you when sun hits it) --- missing the point it looks fantastic, although i do think the 440R version is much better
Petrol cap in the boot (fuel spills on luggage) --- How ?
Location of emergency boot release (awkward) --- erm its an emergency release, your only supposed to use it in an emergency and it needs to be tucked away so you dont catch it by accident DOH...


John A

196 posts

273 months

Sunday 2nd February 2003
quotequote all
"mother lode of rubbish design."
Well, I've never needed to use the immobiliser thingy in 10k miles of ownership - so who cares if it's awkward?
Rev counter - prefer analogue, but change up lights tell you what you really need to know (always supposing you are stone deaf. I can hear my engine )
Dazzling off the dash IS a problem sometimes.
Petrol in the boot? Never had an issue with that.
Oh yes, and thanks for explaining how to access the boot without unlocking the car....

whitey

2,508 posts

285 months

Sunday 2nd February 2003
quotequote all

...in the Driving supplement of the Times today.

Faults include:
Poor immobiliser position = Irrelevant, all TVR owners know to just hold down the button on the key fob for a second until you hear the fuel pump.

Digital rev counter (can't be read properly) = rubbish, that's why they gave you change up lights like a race car.

Brass instrument surround (blinds you when sun hits it) = True, but who cares when it looks that great ? and you can always put the roof on or change the direction you are driving.

Petrol cap in the boot (fuel spills on luggage) = In 2.5 years I have never spilt any. (Numpty alert)

Location of emergency boot release (awkward) = Irrelevant as this is a secret way of getting in if the battery fails. Thanks for telling everyone in a national newspaper how to break into our cars.

Does anyone actually have any of these problems, or is it a case of yet another whinging, nit-picking journo having a pop for the sake of it?


Looks like this particular journo called Gavin Conway is a numpty and probably drives a porker.

apache

39,731 posts

285 months

Sunday 2nd February 2003
quotequote all
letter to the Editor time then chaps

mickrw

237 posts

265 months

Sunday 2nd February 2003
quotequote all
I can understand people having a differing point of view to us, but I fail to understand why this pr.tt needed to tell the whole Times readership how to get into the boot! Just plain stupid!

Agree with the letter to ST editor and email to their driving section address. Mine will be on their way today.

Mick

>> Edited by mickrw on Sunday 2nd February 14:06

alex200mph

510 posts

266 months

Sunday 2nd February 2003
quotequote all
I read it too, and what a load of crap.

This comes to mind:
pick on a tvr because we dont have the imagination or talent to write a proper story concerning cars.

TUS 373

4,537 posts

282 months

Sunday 2nd February 2003
quotequote all
Not read the article - but not impressed if they have printed how to get into the boot. What an absolute toss pot. Please post his email address....I'll be dropping him a line too.

Pinkney

1,010 posts

265 months

Sunday 2nd February 2003
quotequote all
Not read the article either, but I thought this was a 'driving' supplement, not a design one. I think most of the things he mentioned are 'quirky' aspects to the Tuscan which add to its appeal.

hut49

3,544 posts

263 months

Sunday 2nd February 2003
quotequote all
It's worse, the ar$ehole Gavin Conway published it on the paper's website:

"The others will be kicking themselves that I got here first because the TVR Tuscan is the mother lode of rubbish design. It’s everywhere you look.

The frustration begins before you even get the thing started. The immobiliser is in this super-awkward spot in a trough on the dashboard — I found it a two-handed job to get the little prong into its slot and you look exactly as though you’re hot-wiring the car as you do it.

Once it’s running, you’ll notice a big digital rev counter, the numbers flashing up and down crazily as you blip the throttle. You’ll get a migraine trying to keep track of the engine speed, which is a major step backwards from regular old analogue dials.

For its next trick, the Tuscan will attempt to blind you. Take the roof off on a summer’s day and if the sun is behind you the chances are it will strike that polished brass instrument surround. Which is like having your eyeballs seared by a carefully aimed mirror.

Need more petrol? Well, the fuel filler is in the boot, which is terrific for giving your luggage a little eau de 98 octane. Can’t open the boot because the release button has failed? Not to worry, there’s an emergency release cord. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx. Delightful."

Suggest the online editor might need a few emails from Tuscan owners: online.editor@thetimes.co.uk

Hutch

beano500

20,854 posts

276 months

Sunday 2nd February 2003
quotequote all
In case you hadn't read the article, here is the text. I have not included the last section on how to break in - but it's in the public domain now....
From the Sunday Times Driving section:

Edited out - cos you beat us to it, Hutch!!!

These e-mail addresses might be useful:

driving@sunday-times.co.uk
online.editor@thetimes.co.uk



>> Edited by beano500 on Sunday 2nd February 17:43

KormaChameleon

46 posts

256 months

Sunday 2nd February 2003
quotequote all

The immobiliser is in this super-awkward spot in a trough on the dashboard — I found it a two-handed job to get the little prong into its slot and you look exactly as though you’re hot-wiring the car as you do it.

I've never had to do this - I just use the alarm button.


Once it’s running, you’ll notice a big digital rev counter, the numbers flashing up and down crazily as you blip the throttle. You’ll get a migraine trying to keep track of the engine speed, which is a major step backwards from regular old analogue dials.


Yawn...those little coloured changeover lights tend to help - unless you're a myopic, whinging, insecure little journalist.


For its next trick, the Tuscan will attempt to blind you. Take the roof off on a summer’s day and if the sun is behind you the chances are it will strike that polished brass instrument surround. Which is like having your eyeballs seared by a carefully aimed mirror.

Sunglasses?


Need more petrol? Well, the fuel filler is in the boot, which is terrific for giving your luggage a little eau de 98 octane

If you're in the practise of pressing the lever before inserting the hose then I guess you're right.


Disapointing piece of garbage...it's a shame the editor didn't slap the man around the head and say "write something worthwhile, Gollum"

andyvdg

1,536 posts

284 months

Sunday 2nd February 2003
quotequote all

...in the Driving supplement of the Times today.

Faults include:
Poor immobiliser position
Digital rev counter (can't be read properly)
Brass instrument surround (blinds you when sun hits it)
Petrol cap in the boot (fuel spills on luggage)
Location of emergency boot release (awkward)

Does anyone actually have any of these problems, or is it a case of yet another whinging, nit-picking journo having a pop for the sake of it?


This article really annoyed me - it's a load of tosh. You don't use the immobiliser key - just press the button on the car key. Digital rev counter - I was sceptical at first but you do just change gear using the change up lights and the engine noise. I've never ever had trouble with reflections, never had a problem with petrol smell (the cap is not in the boot, but you do have to open the boot to get to it). And wtf, who cares about the emergency boot release - isn't it supposed to be difficult in case anyone reveals the secret and people start trying to get in.

I personally think the Tuscan has excellent ergonomics - and it looks like an expensive custom built design as opposed to some very substandard interiors in cars at the same price level and beyond.

Editted to say, what's wrong with the smell of Optimax anyway ?

>> Edited by andyvdg on Sunday 2nd February 18:00

judas

5,994 posts

260 months

Sunday 2nd February 2003
quotequote all
Gavin Conway...what a complete dickhead. Here's my letter to the editor, unfortunately I'm no Carzee when it come's to biting, satirical commentary:

Just read "Design: Aaargh...they’re designed to drive you absolutely nuts" (Driving section, Sunday Times) What on earth was Gavin Conway prattling on about? The TVR Tuscan's design may be out of the ordinary, but different does not equate with crap as Mr Conway seems to think. Maybe he should stick with something bland, something boring, something German perhaps? He clearly can't cope with anything original. And as if his petulant whining wasn't enough, he decides it's a great idea to tell the whole world how to get into a Tuscan's boot without a key. Nice one Gav! Car thieves throughout the country will be praising your name!

What a complete pillock...

--
Pete Graylish
TVR Tuscan owner

swilly

9,699 posts

275 months

Sunday 2nd February 2003
quotequote all

TUS 373

4,537 posts

282 months

Sunday 2nd February 2003
quotequote all
I've emailed this:

To whom it may concern,

Why on earth did you publish how to access the boot of the TVR Tuscan Speed Six without a key? In a country where car crime is already rife it is highly irresponsible of a national newspaper to reveal security details on a high performance car. This information does not benefit the reader – only compromise security for the owner.

I do hope that details are removed from your website immediately and ask you to be more considerate in future with obviously sensitive information. I, like many Tuscan owners, do not care what you reviewer may think of the vehicles you review – we do however care that they should stop and think of the consequences of what you are putting into print. In future, I hope that you may employ more ‘sensible’ and sensitive journalists and give more careful consideration to such aspects. I do not know what cars your journalists drive, but I doubt that they would like to return to a vehicle that has been broken into as someone has publicised the very method necessary!

Bryan Lister


Absolute tossers! Not t@ssers - but TOSSERS !

Edited to say - I'm really seeting about this - bloody idiots It's too late now. Don't keep anything valuable in your boots chaps.

>> Edited by TUS 373 on Sunday 2nd February 23:51

sixspeed

2,060 posts

273 months

Monday 3rd February 2003
quotequote all
Hmmm...

Faults include:
Poor immobiliser position

.. so cheat, and blip the alarm button on the keyfob to disable the immobiliser.

Digital rev counter (can't be read properly)

.. what's the point in it anyway, except to tell you when you *really* need to change gear. The shift lights work fine (if not better) for me (I find I can see them in my peripheral vision without taking my eyes off the road)


Brass instrument surround (blinds you when sun hits it)

... sun... in this country??? Hmmm, have to say never had this problem. You'd have to have the roof off I reckon to suffer from the sun reflecting off the bronze dials - and when its that hot and that sunny, I've got my sunglasses on thanks-very-much..


Petrol cap in the boot (fuel spills on luggage)

... try putting the nozzle INTO the hole? (ooh-err)


Location of emergency boot release (awkward)

... bloody hell! Picky or what. It *is* only for emergencies!! How often have you had to use it??



Does anyone actually have any of these problems, or is it a case of yet another whinging, nit-picking journo having a pop for the sake of it?


Think you hit the nail on the head.

Now... if they'd listed engine components made from caramel....




-andy-



Mr Freefall

2,323 posts

259 months

Monday 3rd February 2003
quotequote all
I'm about to send a little e-mail off to the ST, but I am also going to CC TVR in Brighton. I'm sure they know about it but this is outrageous of the ST

Mr Freefall

2,323 posts

259 months

Monday 3rd February 2003
quotequote all
Have just sent this off to the ST and TVR HQ.


Dear sirs,

I am writing to complain about your recent article in your newspaper. This is a disgrace, Gavin Conway has published what should be renamed 'How to break into a TVR Tuscan'. Furthermore, I have been informed that this is now on your website for public viewing and all car thieves to read.

What Gavin Conway has effectively done is made sure that anything we have in our boots is now un-secure, thanks to this mindless article in your newspaper.

I have some questions for you, who proof read this article before it went into print, who allowed this article to go into print, and now what are you going to do about it!!!

I'm sure TVR have seen this but I have cc'd TVR the article as part listed below, as our cars are now going to be the onslaught of every have-ago thief or opportunistic thief who thinks it would be a good idea as they have just read about it/heard thought the grapevine how to break to a TVR TUSCAN.

Gavin Conway should be ashamed of himself, this is truly idiotic that a person can write these articles and get away with it. Were TVR asked if writing this article would compromise their cars in anyway, I'm guessing not, because that is effectively what you have done. This also could cost TVR alot of money with remodelling the TVR Tuscan boot release and maybe a recall on Tuscans to have this mod completed.

I'm truly disgusted.

xxx xxxxxx
TVRE Tuscan Owner.