Tuscan gets a slagging...
Discussion
Read the article myself and could not believe they would be so stupid as to do this. The release method described is also one used on previous TVR models and affects them as well.
I hope this mindless idiot gets the size nine for his stupidity alone, I will be writing to the editor when I get home on my own PC tonight to add weight to the discord.
I agree that a redesign may be required for the Tuscan, but how far do you go with other models being affected. Any break ins from now on could be directly attributed to this man/paper, do you think the insurance companies would be interested in knowing his home address
.
Harry
I hope this mindless idiot gets the size nine for his stupidity alone, I will be writing to the editor when I get home on my own PC tonight to add weight to the discord.
I agree that a redesign may be required for the Tuscan, but how far do you go with other models being affected. Any break ins from now on could be directly attributed to this man/paper, do you think the insurance companies would be interested in knowing his home address
. Harry
Not wishing to be contensious, nor defend sloppy journos, but surely every "scroat" worth his salt would know this anyway, and isn't having a "back door" to car security a fundamentally stupid idea?
I would have also thought if they were going to nick something they would have just used a jemmy to open the boot, rather than faff around doing what is in the article (as it sounds rather long winded to me...).
With regards to legal repercussions, it's not really that different to the "tool" that was for sale for quite some time to open all BMW's, but not a lot could be done about that.
Now, why on earth is there a "back door" in the car in the first place? As people in the IT world know "security by obsecurity is a sure fire way to get f***ed".
There is a very famous case of where a programmer found a way of decrypting spreadsheet encrypted files. Upon telling the Spreadsheet manufacturer, rather than fixing the bug he was threated with law suits for massive damages if he even told anyone that it "was" crackable, never mind how he did it. The rational behind this is that if people knew it *was* crackable - they might be inspired to work out how to crack it themselves.
Now - drawing a parrallel, on this website there have been many mentions that you can get into the boot without the key and to "email me for the details". Just the public knowledge that you *can* get in is enough - at that point, in IT security terms, the "game was up".
Suffice to say the spreadsheet company eventually had to totally change how they secured files - a similar approach to "back doors" in car security surely should be used?
I hope people don't think I'm trying to defend the article - I'm merely pointing out that trying to secure stuff by being obsecure will ultimatly, always, fail.
J
I would have also thought if they were going to nick something they would have just used a jemmy to open the boot, rather than faff around doing what is in the article (as it sounds rather long winded to me...).
With regards to legal repercussions, it's not really that different to the "tool" that was for sale for quite some time to open all BMW's, but not a lot could be done about that.
Now, why on earth is there a "back door" in the car in the first place? As people in the IT world know "security by obsecurity is a sure fire way to get f***ed".
There is a very famous case of where a programmer found a way of decrypting spreadsheet encrypted files. Upon telling the Spreadsheet manufacturer, rather than fixing the bug he was threated with law suits for massive damages if he even told anyone that it "was" crackable, never mind how he did it. The rational behind this is that if people knew it *was* crackable - they might be inspired to work out how to crack it themselves.
Now - drawing a parrallel, on this website there have been many mentions that you can get into the boot without the key and to "email me for the details". Just the public knowledge that you *can* get in is enough - at that point, in IT security terms, the "game was up".
Suffice to say the spreadsheet company eventually had to totally change how they secured files - a similar approach to "back doors" in car security surely should be used?
I hope people don't think I'm trying to defend the article - I'm merely pointing out that trying to secure stuff by being obsecure will ultimatly, always, fail.
J
I think there should be a non-electrically operating way of getting into the boot. I think it should be bloody difficult (which is why I think it's stupid Gav thinks it should be easy) as no scrote is going to get on their hands and knees and carefully unscrew anything. If they want in, they'll be quick and dirty about it.
I can't possibly imagine what was going through Gav's brain when he decided to publicise this. Maybe "I can't really think too much bad to say about the Tuscan, but I really need to get my word count up so I get my dosh". Idiot.
Cheers,
Andy.
I can't possibly imagine what was going through Gav's brain when he decided to publicise this. Maybe "I can't really think too much bad to say about the Tuscan, but I really need to get my word count up so I get my dosh". Idiot.
Cheers,
Andy.
MEMS - yep - agree with you.
Andy - you are right about the journalistic content - I think it's pretty poor what he did. With regards to it being there, any mechanical opening should involve at *least* 10 minutes of unscrewing or other, it's well documented that theives give up after 5 minutes (it's one of the Thatcham metrics AFAIK). As for the journo - your summary is probably spot on!
J
Andy - you are right about the journalistic content - I think it's pretty poor what he did. With regards to it being there, any mechanical opening should involve at *least* 10 minutes of unscrewing or other, it's well documented that theives give up after 5 minutes (it's one of the Thatcham metrics AFAIK). As for the journo - your summary is probably spot on!
J
Dont know what you are worrying about the great unwashed dont read the Sunday times... bit silly to print it but then how many car thieves read the broadsheets?
Re the other points he is a bit right on some counts, the petrol filler does risk petrol getting on your luggace, and he is right about the brass dash and the difficult to read rev counter (compared to an analogue instrument).
As earlier though the streamlined body and the unusual dash will perhaps make it a classic in years to come.
bennno
Re the other points he is a bit right on some counts, the petrol filler does risk petrol getting on your luggace, and he is right about the brass dash and the difficult to read rev counter (compared to an analogue instrument).
As earlier though the streamlined body and the unusual dash will perhaps make it a classic in years to come.
bennno
Sent an email to both the ST editor and driving supplement address to share with them my concerns. Also sent a scan of the article to TVR with a suggestion as to what they should do. It's not just the boot issue, which is bad enough, but by getting into the boot you can then easily gain access to the interior of the car and who takes any notice of alarm sounds these days!
Still awaiting any responses.....
Mick
Still awaiting any responses.....
Mick
Rich... Still furious with yesterdays article, have e-mailed the online.editor@thetimes.co.uk. Have also phoned up the times and spoken to a woman regarding the article, her comment was that "if they wanted to break in they would do it anyway" 
Still I have been given an address to write to Mr Conway, Driving, Sunday Times, 1 Pennington St, London, E98 1SJ. Either way if you are a subscriber to the Times the article is still available online !
Regards
Chris
Still I have been given an address to write to Mr Conway, Driving, Sunday Times, 1 Pennington St, London, E98 1SJ. Either way if you are a subscriber to the Times the article is still available online ! Regards
Chris
I've sent this to the Sunday Times, we should all do the same (e-mail an objection that is) address's are:-
driving@sunday-times.co.uk
online.editor@thetimes.co.uk
All of us complaining will only make them laugh, but Mr Conway will feel pretty stupid about his lack of knowledge of the car that he was writing about! I'd be happy if they just remove the security issue from their web site
Dear Motoring section and Gavin Conway,
Well done Gavin, thanks for letting the general public know how to open the boot of a Tuscan!
That's a pretty irresponsible bit of journalism, surely ?
and Gavin It's bloody obvious that you didn't have the Tuscan for more than two minutes, or else you'd know that you simply press the key fob if you want to turn off the immobiliser (you don't muck around with the manual back up which is intended for a battery down state on the key fob!)
Also the idea of the large rev counter is for Trackdays or when your accelerating hard, when your attention is on the road ahead - then you need a big display, and then that's why its switchable - you either have it on, or have another page of the display instead
As to being blinded by the aluminum and brass - presumably you're not blinded by the black plastic on the Skoda!
Do us all a favour and remove the Tuscan security issue on your web site
cheers
Simon Priestman
Cameraman
driving@sunday-times.co.uk
online.editor@thetimes.co.uk
All of us complaining will only make them laugh, but Mr Conway will feel pretty stupid about his lack of knowledge of the car that he was writing about! I'd be happy if they just remove the security issue from their web site
Dear Motoring section and Gavin Conway,
Well done Gavin, thanks for letting the general public know how to open the boot of a Tuscan!
That's a pretty irresponsible bit of journalism, surely ?
and Gavin It's bloody obvious that you didn't have the Tuscan for more than two minutes, or else you'd know that you simply press the key fob if you want to turn off the immobiliser (you don't muck around with the manual back up which is intended for a battery down state on the key fob!)
Also the idea of the large rev counter is for Trackdays or when your accelerating hard, when your attention is on the road ahead - then you need a big display, and then that's why its switchable - you either have it on, or have another page of the display instead
As to being blinded by the aluminum and brass - presumably you're not blinded by the black plastic on the Skoda!
Do us all a favour and remove the Tuscan security issue on your web site
cheers
Simon Priestman
Cameraman
I've just sent the following to the ST...
Dear Gavin Conway,
Thanks Gavin, letting all and sundry know how to open the boot of a TVR Tuscan!
That's a pretty stupid idea, surely, this information isn’t even in the user manual for the car and is supplied to genuine owners by their dealerships in-case of electrical problems due to TVR’s being in many cases a second or third car ?
Perhaps you could remove the Tuscan security issue on your web site as a matter of urgency to limit the damage you have done.
As for your ‘design’ problems they are your opinion but I have to say that you don’t ever need to use the immobiliser unit located on the dash unless your key-fob battery is flat, you simply press you key-fob and then start! Couldn’t be easier!
The Rev-Counter isn’t needed, you have 3 change-up lights and the engine noise.
The petrol filler cap is located in the boot to give the car smooth lines unspoilt by petrol filler caps, it does, as you may have noticed, require a little more care when filling up to ensure that you put the hose INTO the hole BEFORE pulling the trigger! When you’ve finished filling up release the trigger BEFORE pulling the hose out. This works for me!
As for the sun blinding you in my opinion this is no worse than in many other cars, especially hatchbacks where the sun can blind you through the angle of the rear window. Even if this proved to be a major problem at least the design of the interior is a bit different to a lump of black plastic!
Whilst most people can find fault with anything I think you’ve been a bit harsh on a car that is at least designed to be a bit different. These quirks, such as brass and aluminium detailing sometimes give cars their character!!
Iain Smith
This guy was obviously having a bad day or has missed the point!!! Vauxhall Vectra's have been invented for people like him!, which is a problem given his job!!!
Dear Gavin Conway,
Thanks Gavin, letting all and sundry know how to open the boot of a TVR Tuscan!
That's a pretty stupid idea, surely, this information isn’t even in the user manual for the car and is supplied to genuine owners by their dealerships in-case of electrical problems due to TVR’s being in many cases a second or third car ?
Perhaps you could remove the Tuscan security issue on your web site as a matter of urgency to limit the damage you have done.
As for your ‘design’ problems they are your opinion but I have to say that you don’t ever need to use the immobiliser unit located on the dash unless your key-fob battery is flat, you simply press you key-fob and then start! Couldn’t be easier!
The Rev-Counter isn’t needed, you have 3 change-up lights and the engine noise.
The petrol filler cap is located in the boot to give the car smooth lines unspoilt by petrol filler caps, it does, as you may have noticed, require a little more care when filling up to ensure that you put the hose INTO the hole BEFORE pulling the trigger! When you’ve finished filling up release the trigger BEFORE pulling the hose out. This works for me!
As for the sun blinding you in my opinion this is no worse than in many other cars, especially hatchbacks where the sun can blind you through the angle of the rear window. Even if this proved to be a major problem at least the design of the interior is a bit different to a lump of black plastic!
Whilst most people can find fault with anything I think you’ve been a bit harsh on a car that is at least designed to be a bit different. These quirks, such as brass and aluminium detailing sometimes give cars their character!!
Iain Smith
This guy was obviously having a bad day or has missed the point!!! Vauxhall Vectra's have been invented for people like him!, which is a problem given his job!!!
hut49 said: 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.
Methinks he probably needs two hands to get HIS 'little prong' into his wifes/girlfriends slot!
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
Man that Sunday Times guy can go f*** himself. Not only does he insult the car in an immature way, he gets it all wrong too! If i see him I swear I'll knock the crap outta the dickhead 
He obviously doesnt appreciate effective and beautiful work by the people at TVR.
Does Jeremy Clarkson like TVR's?
I stand by the Tuscan all the way...
He obviously doesnt appreciate effective and beautiful work by the people at TVR.
Does Jeremy Clarkson like TVR's?
I stand by the Tuscan all the way...
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