What do you guys think about TVRs?
Discussion
Not at all trying to start any controversy here. Simply, I'd like to know what people who drive what is widely regarded as the finest machinery on the planet, think about Blackpool's finest. At the moment my dream car is a TVR - Tuscan. However, I cannot say what my opinion would be, should I be in a position to afford an Italian stallion, or an Aston Martin for that matter.
So you drivers of Italian cars, what do you think about TVRs in terms of style performance, etc? Do you regard them as a proper supercar or merely a mid-range fast toy. Would you buy one - or rather, what didn't you buy one?
Speak freely, I am biased but I have no vested interest!
Cheers, Roms
>>> Edited by rthierry on Monday 2nd December 11:48
Roms,
I am fortunate enough to own a Ferrari and a TVR. What I am going to say may be controversal but you asked for honesty so here goes.
TVR's have supercar performance, have lots of character, are fun and are arguably stylish ( I think they are anyway ). But they are NOT supercars IMHO. Difficult to describe why I say that, but they just don't have the extra specialness that a Ferrari has for instance. You really need to own and drive both to understand what I mean.
TVR's do not have the quality of finish or attention to detail that the more expensive cars have and thats ok because their price level dictates this. Their hand built nature and the fact that TVR cannot travel the globe testing them before production means that you will likely suffer reliability issues which vary from car to car. For instance I have had 3, a Griff 500, a Cerebera 4.5 and now a Tamora. The Griff was perfect in the 2.5 years of ownership, the last two problematic. My Ferrari's have been trouble free.
Frostie
>> Edited by frostie on Monday 2nd December 13:14
I am fortunate enough to own a Ferrari and a TVR. What I am going to say may be controversal but you asked for honesty so here goes.
TVR's have supercar performance, have lots of character, are fun and are arguably stylish ( I think they are anyway ). But they are NOT supercars IMHO. Difficult to describe why I say that, but they just don't have the extra specialness that a Ferrari has for instance. You really need to own and drive both to understand what I mean.
TVR's do not have the quality of finish or attention to detail that the more expensive cars have and thats ok because their price level dictates this. Their hand built nature and the fact that TVR cannot travel the globe testing them before production means that you will likely suffer reliability issues which vary from car to car. For instance I have had 3, a Griff 500, a Cerebera 4.5 and now a Tamora. The Griff was perfect in the 2.5 years of ownership, the last two problematic. My Ferrari's have been trouble free.
Frostie
>> Edited by frostie on Monday 2nd December 13:14
Roms
While I know you're asking this question out of genuine interest, TVR owners get a bit passionate about their cars, so, like Frostie, I risk being flamed here. I've never owned a TVR, but have been giving it serious consideration of late I must say, largely because of the people on this site.
The plan at the moment is to sell both Ferraris, part ex my Golf for a Porka of some descrption, and use that as my daily car. I did consider a Cerb as an alternative and here is why I am not (yet) ready to go this route:
1) As a daily driver it MUST be reliable; it just doesn't cut it to be late to meetings or not turn up because my car won't start. I don't tolerate this in others, and am even less tolerant if I fail in this area. While there are owners who have little or no trouble, there are too many who have for it to be viable at the moment.
2) Build quality. One of my colleagues at work has a Turscan S, and I'm not impressed (sorry). Though the car was brand new, the paint finish is already deteriorating quite badly (esp. wing mirrors) and as I was chatting to him when he was removing the roof, bits of trim were coming away. He has also had trouble with his throttle jamming open on two occasions, and eventually the engine was sent back to TVR. Being the picky bastard that I am, this would cause me pain.
3) My wife has to be able to drive it too. She hates it when I'm driving and hang the back out, and I'm concerned what might happen if the back stepped out while she was driving the car on her own. Don't think I'm dissing my wife's driving because I'm not- she has more natural ability than I do, but I'm concerned she would panic rather than let instinct take over, and end up hurt. I've suggested we both go on some advanced driving thing, but she's not interested.
On the plus side, I just love the look and sound of these cars. In a sea of nondescrpt metal designed by focus groups, they just shout individuality; "new edge design of mainstream cars"? Purrleees give me a fecking break. My missus likes TVRs; when we are at the last Virginia Waters meeting she thought they were the stars of the show and would be quite happy if I bought one. In terms of design, they are her favourite make by a long way.
This is my honest opinion, for what it's worth.
Kev
While I know you're asking this question out of genuine interest, TVR owners get a bit passionate about their cars, so, like Frostie, I risk being flamed here. I've never owned a TVR, but have been giving it serious consideration of late I must say, largely because of the people on this site.
The plan at the moment is to sell both Ferraris, part ex my Golf for a Porka of some descrption, and use that as my daily car. I did consider a Cerb as an alternative and here is why I am not (yet) ready to go this route:
1) As a daily driver it MUST be reliable; it just doesn't cut it to be late to meetings or not turn up because my car won't start. I don't tolerate this in others, and am even less tolerant if I fail in this area. While there are owners who have little or no trouble, there are too many who have for it to be viable at the moment.
2) Build quality. One of my colleagues at work has a Turscan S, and I'm not impressed (sorry). Though the car was brand new, the paint finish is already deteriorating quite badly (esp. wing mirrors) and as I was chatting to him when he was removing the roof, bits of trim were coming away. He has also had trouble with his throttle jamming open on two occasions, and eventually the engine was sent back to TVR. Being the picky bastard that I am, this would cause me pain.
3) My wife has to be able to drive it too. She hates it when I'm driving and hang the back out, and I'm concerned what might happen if the back stepped out while she was driving the car on her own. Don't think I'm dissing my wife's driving because I'm not- she has more natural ability than I do, but I'm concerned she would panic rather than let instinct take over, and end up hurt. I've suggested we both go on some advanced driving thing, but she's not interested.
On the plus side, I just love the look and sound of these cars. In a sea of nondescrpt metal designed by focus groups, they just shout individuality; "new edge design of mainstream cars"? Purrleees give me a fecking break. My missus likes TVRs; when we are at the last Virginia Waters meeting she thought they were the stars of the show and would be quite happy if I bought one. In terms of design, they are her favourite make by a long way.
This is my honest opinion, for what it's worth.
Kev
I've got a Griff and I have real problem finding anything to replace it with, it's more a Tuscan racer made comfortable for road use, it's raw and totally captivating. I could drive a Ferrari or Porsche and have momentary lapses of being connected or involved, with the Griff you are on the case 100% of the time and that might not be to everyones taste. I've had rides in fast exotica (thanks Benno) and while hugely impressed with the brutal efficiency, felt at times hugely unexcited. A TVR is for emotive raw fun, it's as close as I can get to flying a Griffon engined Spitfire
I have to echo Kevin's words with regards to TVR owners being a little passionate about their cars. But as you have asked to completely honest, thats what I'll be.
In terms of beauty and design, this is something that is very subjective. And even each person's subjectivity is seldom static, and one will perhaps like something more or less or different at a different time. Personally I like the styling of most TVRs. The Chimaera is a good looking car, especially with the newer type rear light clusters. The Griffith, although not particularly well rounded and sometimes looking a little on the roughly styled side, it does look raw and purposeful. The Tuscan is IMO the best looking of the bunch, from the rear anyway. I think the front is a little OTT and could have been blended a hell of a lot better to create what would certainly be one of the best designs on any car ever. Could you imagine a front end as good and smooth, curvy and yummie as the rear? Damn, I think TVR made a mistake with the front to be honest. The rear and side profile makes it still a good looker, just not as amazing as it could have been. The Cerbera is a lovely looking car too, and with some of the mad colour schemes certainly stand out a mile. They all do.
As far as the performance goes, I have this embedded idea that TVRs are straight line cars. Very little can overtake one, but into corners their chassis are somewhat lacking. Having been in a Griffith 500, it certainly accelerates like you are being kicked in the rear, but it feels flimsy and I can't explain the feeling, but the chassis feels "loose" and flexible. Not taut like either my Supra or the Ferrari. Having swapped punches with a couple of Chimaeras in the Supra, they honestly couldn't keep up. And it wasn't for lack of trying
From what I have seen, the chassis are not up there with the best. I know the price is very competitive, but if we are comparing on a standard scale and not for price, or volumn or size of manufacturer, there are others out there that do it much better. The Supra was £43K new, and Boxsters are less than that still, but they all have better handling characteristics than most of the TVRs I have seen. But I haven't seen enough TVRs to be sure that my comments are right, so again I saw it merely my OPINION based on pretty much limited data and heresay.
I think the most worrying thing for me would be the reliability. I know there are many that are reliable, but the Lotus Esprit was plagued with similar problems, which is what stopped me buying one a long time ago. I know you can be lucky and get a good one, but really it should be the other way round: You should be (very) unlucky to get a lemon.
It is mainly for that reason that I would not buy a TVR. That together with the fact that I am not a major fan of GRP, another Esprit fail point for me. I love the way they look, and I love looking at them, but I would not put my money on one. They do not quite cut it next to the Ferrari's IMO. The Ferrari's have a really nice feel to it, as do the Porsches. Honestly, I feel the Porsche and Ferrari are playing in another league when it comes to engineering than the TVR. This is understandable as they are much bigger companies, which have more resources open to them, but it still remains true that they are better engineered.
Personally I think TVR need to develop their cars better before bringing out a newer model. Otherwise they will never address the issues that are in hand, and seem to me to be trying to run before they can walk. This is just an outsiders view, which is what you asked for, and I obviously am not privy to what really goes on, and state only what I think I see.
Also, a couple of times I've beeped my horn and waved at a TVR driver and been ignored! I'll try again a couple of more times before giving up
passionate about their cars. But as you have asked to completely honest, thats what I'll be. In terms of beauty and design, this is something that is very subjective. And even each person's subjectivity is seldom static, and one will perhaps like something more or less or different at a different time. Personally I like the styling of most TVRs. The Chimaera is a good looking car, especially with the newer type rear light clusters. The Griffith, although not particularly well rounded and sometimes looking a little on the roughly styled side, it does look raw and purposeful. The Tuscan is IMO the best looking of the bunch, from the rear anyway. I think the front is a little OTT and could have been blended a hell of a lot better to create what would certainly be one of the best designs on any car ever. Could you imagine a front end as good and smooth, curvy and yummie as the rear? Damn, I think TVR made a mistake with the front to be honest. The rear and side profile makes it still a good looker, just not as amazing as it could have been. The Cerbera is a lovely looking car too, and with some of the mad colour schemes certainly stand out a mile. They all do.
As far as the performance goes, I have this embedded idea that TVRs are straight line cars. Very little can overtake one, but into corners their chassis are somewhat lacking. Having been in a Griffith 500, it certainly accelerates like you are being kicked in the rear, but it feels flimsy and I can't explain the feeling, but the chassis feels "loose" and flexible. Not taut like either my Supra or the Ferrari. Having swapped punches with a couple of Chimaeras in the Supra, they honestly couldn't keep up. And it wasn't for lack of trying
From what I have seen, the chassis are not up there with the best. I know the price is very competitive, but if we are comparing on a standard scale and not for price, or volumn or size of manufacturer, there are others out there that do it much better. The Supra was £43K new, and Boxsters are less than that still, but they all have better handling characteristics than most of the TVRs I have seen. But I haven't seen enough TVRs to be sure that my comments are right, so again I saw it merely my OPINION based on pretty much limited data and heresay.
I think the most worrying thing for me would be the reliability. I know there are many that are reliable, but the Lotus Esprit was plagued with similar problems, which is what stopped me buying one a long time ago. I know you can be lucky and get a good one, but really it should be the other way round: You should be (very) unlucky to get a lemon.
It is mainly for that reason that I would not buy a TVR. That together with the fact that I am not a major fan of GRP, another Esprit fail point for me. I love the way they look, and I love looking at them, but I would not put my money on one. They do not quite cut it next to the Ferrari's IMO. The Ferrari's have a really nice feel to it, as do the Porsches. Honestly, I feel the Porsche and Ferrari are playing in another league when it comes to engineering than the TVR. This is understandable as they are much bigger companies, which have more resources open to them, but it still remains true that they are better engineered.
Personally I think TVR need to develop their cars better before bringing out a newer model. Otherwise they will never address the issues that are in hand, and seem to me to be trying to run before they can walk. This is just an outsiders view, which is what you asked for, and I obviously am not privy to what really goes on, and state only what I think I see.
Also, a couple of times I've beeped my horn and waved at a TVR driver and been ignored! I'll try again a couple of more times before giving up
I love TVR's!
I've had two Chimp 500's, a Griff 500, a Cerbera 4.5 an a Tuscan Red Rose.
They are great cars - fantastic bang per buck.
Regarding handling, Roll Centre offer Suspension and damper upgrades for Cerbs (and others I'm sure) which tranforms the handling.
I suspect the Tuscan R (or is it the T440R?) could show many other great exotics a thing or two - although IMHO it's a bit ugly (please don't flame me...) - can't knock it's chassis or racing pedigree.
I think that we should count ourselves lucky that cars like thase are around.
It wasn't so long ago that Ferraris, Lamborghinis and Maseratis were in the same quality boat as I recall!
Long live outragously powered cars - where the general limitation is NOT the power to weight ratio, but more realistically the driver to skill ratio!
Got to say - though - I love my italian exotica too!
I've had two Chimp 500's, a Griff 500, a Cerbera 4.5 an a Tuscan Red Rose.
They are great cars - fantastic bang per buck.
Regarding handling, Roll Centre offer Suspension and damper upgrades for Cerbs (and others I'm sure) which tranforms the handling.
I suspect the Tuscan R (or is it the T440R?) could show many other great exotics a thing or two - although IMHO it's a bit ugly (please don't flame me...) - can't knock it's chassis or racing pedigree.
I think that we should count ourselves lucky that cars like thase are around.
It wasn't so long ago that Ferraris, Lamborghinis and Maseratis were in the same quality boat as I recall!
Long live outragously powered cars - where the general limitation is NOT the power to weight ratio, but more realistically the driver to skill ratio!
Got to say - though - I love my italian exotica too!
Very interesting views. Thanks for your comments chaps.
The reliability / build quality seems to be a major factor here. I have been lucky enough to be a 360M - thanks Kev) and clearly the build quality is VW like. However, as I pointed out in another thread, I had a bit of shock reading last month's Evo mag. How 'fragile' a 348 can be, or the clutch of the Diablo clutch
! Apparently the more recent models - 355 onwards - seem to be more robust, TVR has been following the same positive trend, i.e. the AJP8 engine has been raced for years and is extremely reliable and the Speed Six seems to have improved a lot over the past couple of years.
So this leads me to this candid question: just how reliable are Ferraris? Somehow have the feeling that people are more inclined to pardon hick-ups to a Ferrari than a TVR. Is it just some misplaced perception of mine? Or are owners simply putting up with the occasional problems to enjoy a unique motoring experience, basically behaving just like the average 'emotional' TVR owner.
It would like to stress that I am not at all questioning the cars here, but simply how comparable issues are perceived in two very different manners.
Cheers, Roms
:noiamnotparanoid:
The reliability / build quality seems to be a major factor here. I have been lucky enough to be a 360M - thanks Kev) and clearly the build quality is VW like. However, as I pointed out in another thread, I had a bit of shock reading last month's Evo mag. How 'fragile' a 348 can be, or the clutch of the Diablo clutch
! Apparently the more recent models - 355 onwards - seem to be more robust, TVR has been following the same positive trend, i.e. the AJP8 engine has been raced for years and is extremely reliable and the Speed Six seems to have improved a lot over the past couple of years. So this leads me to this candid question: just how reliable are Ferraris? Somehow have the feeling that people are more inclined to pardon hick-ups to a Ferrari than a TVR. Is it just some misplaced perception of mine? Or are owners simply putting up with the occasional problems to enjoy a unique motoring experience, basically behaving just like the average 'emotional' TVR owner.
It would like to stress that I am not at all questioning the cars here, but simply how comparable issues are perceived in two very different manners.
Cheers, Roms
:noiamnotparanoid:
ninja_eli said: That together with the fact that I am not a major fan of GRP, another Esprit fail point for me.
Don't various Ferraris use GRP for their bodywork?
I wave for Ferrari drivers
Also, a couple of times I've beeped my horn and waved at a TVR driver and been ignored! I'll try again a couple of more times before giving up
I think historically Ferraris were as (un)reliable as TVRs, but a lot more expensive to maintain (and owners put up with issues for the same reason as TVR drivers - i.e. sheer driving pleasure)
rthierry said:So this leads me to this candid question: just how reliable are Ferraris? Somehow have the feeling that people are more inclined to pardon hick-ups to a Ferrari than a TVR. Is it just some misplaced perception of mine? Or are owners simply putting up with the occasional problems to enjoy a unique motoring experience, basically behaving just like the average 'emotional' TVR owner.
On newer Ferraris, I think they have pulled ahead in terms of reliability, although they are still a lot more expensive to run.
I base these assumptions from living just down the road from a Ferrari garage & talking to a mechanic occasionally.
Hopefully that wasn't too inflammatory - I like Ferraris too!
craigalsop said:
ninja_eli said: That together with the fact that I am not a major fan of GRP, another Esprit fail point for me.
Don't various Ferraris use GRP for their bodywork?
AFAIK only the first 308 were made of plastic - resina. Most other 'rarris use the stuff, which Landrovers are made of: alloy
I'll keep waving! 
Nick, your car looks mad in that colour, have you got any other pics of it? If you can post some up...sad I know but I keep pics of cars that I like on my pc, or an email with a few pics would be very much appreciated.
Rthierry, you may have a point. But in my case, I wouldn't tolerate any crap from the car. I nearly got rid of it due to a bypass valve failing recently. It was not covered by warranty so I had to pay to have it resolved. Apparently it is a regular failing on 355s. But it was sorted for very cheap thanks to Manu and Ajay, so I'm not "that" pissed off anymore. The roof failing to open properly pissed me off a hell of a lot and I nearly considered getting rid of it then too. I've come from a Supra TT, which is very reliable, I'm currently using it everyday for commuting etc, so I find it hard to tolerate any crap from a car. The Ferrari dealer told me that its part of the character. I told them where they can shove that!
BUT these are all powerful, highly tuned vehicles, meaning reliability will be compromised. I'd expect less of the 355 than my Mazda, but so far I have been very impressed. I use the 355 nearly everyday, have done over 6k miles in it, and it feels even stronger(until it blows tomorrow night because I've gone and bad eyed it!). Rain or shine, its been used and coped perfectly well.
I agree with Anjum, only more recently has the quality improved notably. I don't think the 348s are that fragile though, my neighbour uses his very often and its never caused him any problems. He's had his for well over 4 years.
In conclusion I for one would not tolerate crap behaviour from a car, not even coz its a fewawi
Nick, your car looks mad in that colour, have you got any other pics of it? If you can post some up...sad I know but I keep pics of cars that I like on my pc, or an email with a few pics would be very much appreciated.
Rthierry, you may have a point. But in my case, I wouldn't tolerate any crap from the car. I nearly got rid of it due to a bypass valve failing recently. It was not covered by warranty so I had to pay to have it resolved. Apparently it is a regular failing on 355s. But it was sorted for very cheap thanks to Manu and Ajay, so I'm not "that" pissed off anymore. The roof failing to open properly pissed me off a hell of a lot and I nearly considered getting rid of it then too. I've come from a Supra TT, which is very reliable, I'm currently using it everyday for commuting etc, so I find it hard to tolerate any crap from a car. The Ferrari dealer told me that its part of the character. I told them where they can shove that!
BUT these are all powerful, highly tuned vehicles, meaning reliability will be compromised. I'd expect less of the 355 than my Mazda, but so far I have been very impressed. I use the 355 nearly everyday, have done over 6k miles in it, and it feels even stronger(until it blows tomorrow night because I've gone and bad eyed it!). Rain or shine, its been used and coped perfectly well.
I agree with Anjum, only more recently has the quality improved notably. I don't think the 348s are that fragile though, my neighbour uses his very often and its never caused him any problems. He's had his for well over 4 years.
In conclusion I for one would not tolerate crap behaviour from a car, not even coz its a fewawi
Well, I would like to give an opinon from the "other side" as to why I have a TVR and not a piece of italian exotica...
I've been lucky enough to own four TVR's so far. I had serious reliabilty issues with my wedge and it took ages to get right. Build on that was pretty poor, I must say. Then I had a Griff. The build quality on that was excellent.It never, ever let me down in two years and 16,000 miles. The handling however, is shocking on a circuit. If the Griff is based on a Tuscn race car, then I'm not surprised the Tuscan's are such a bloody handful. It really pissed me off to go on trackdays and be urinated on by much cheaper, less powerful cars. Also, a few times I had trouble with stuff like Supras and Nissan Skylines.
That's why I bought the Cerb!! To be honest I blitzed alcomers in the Cerb and never had trpouble with anything. I have driven a cerb round the track and they do go well, but I never got the chance to take mine out on track because 6 months into ownership I had to sell it due to redundancy.
Once I got sorted I looked at several cars in the £40K price bracket and although I would have loved a Ferrari the only one I could seriously look at was a 348tb. I wanted a F355 really but they were all way out of reach. At this point (and after being seriously unimpressed by a Boxter) I headed back the TVR dealer with every intention of getting another cerbera. That's when I had a go in the Tamora... for me it was and still is not a pretty car, but and it's a big but, I was absolutley gobsmacked by the handling, even in the wet. The only things I had driven that was comparable was an Elise Mk1 and a Noble M12. I've been really pleased with it ever since, it's been totally reliable and only had minor dashboard function problems in all the time I've had. It's been on track and apart from sooped up Westfields and a 600bhp Ultima nothing touched it. At last a TVR for track days!!
I still want a 355 though and I'll tell you why. The build quality/paint/trim etc. is vastly superior to TVR's. In general the latest ones are reliable. The only bummer with Ferrari's IMO is the grotesque servicing and cambelt change costs. The 456 that Bennno had was a potential bankrupting machine, as are several of the "older" Ferrari's. I don't accept that modern TVR's are any less reliable than other similar stuff. TVR's problem is letting the speed six on it's customers before it was properly sorted. And they are paying a huge cost for doing it.
As far as I'm concerned a 355 or 360 modena are probably the only cars that could get me out of a TVR. The only other car that could tempt me is an Exige/Elise S2 for track day fun!!
I've been lucky enough to own four TVR's so far. I had serious reliabilty issues with my wedge and it took ages to get right. Build on that was pretty poor, I must say. Then I had a Griff. The build quality on that was excellent.It never, ever let me down in two years and 16,000 miles. The handling however, is shocking on a circuit. If the Griff is based on a Tuscn race car, then I'm not surprised the Tuscan's are such a bloody handful. It really pissed me off to go on trackdays and be urinated on by much cheaper, less powerful cars. Also, a few times I had trouble with stuff like Supras and Nissan Skylines.
That's why I bought the Cerb!! To be honest I blitzed alcomers in the Cerb and never had trpouble with anything. I have driven a cerb round the track and they do go well, but I never got the chance to take mine out on track because 6 months into ownership I had to sell it due to redundancy.
Once I got sorted I looked at several cars in the £40K price bracket and although I would have loved a Ferrari the only one I could seriously look at was a 348tb. I wanted a F355 really but they were all way out of reach. At this point (and after being seriously unimpressed by a Boxter) I headed back the TVR dealer with every intention of getting another cerbera. That's when I had a go in the Tamora... for me it was and still is not a pretty car, but and it's a big but, I was absolutley gobsmacked by the handling, even in the wet. The only things I had driven that was comparable was an Elise Mk1 and a Noble M12. I've been really pleased with it ever since, it's been totally reliable and only had minor dashboard function problems in all the time I've had. It's been on track and apart from sooped up Westfields and a 600bhp Ultima nothing touched it. At last a TVR for track days!!
I still want a 355 though and I'll tell you why. The build quality/paint/trim etc. is vastly superior to TVR's. In general the latest ones are reliable. The only bummer with Ferrari's IMO is the grotesque servicing and cambelt change costs. The 456 that Bennno had was a potential bankrupting machine, as are several of the "older" Ferrari's. I don't accept that modern TVR's are any less reliable than other similar stuff. TVR's problem is letting the speed six on it's customers before it was properly sorted. And they are paying a huge cost for doing it.
As far as I'm concerned a 355 or 360 modena are probably the only cars that could get me out of a TVR. The only other car that could tempt me is an Exige/Elise S2 for track day fun!!
I think that many Ferraris use aluminium or galvanized steel sandwiched within fibreglass for floor & other panels.
Bodo said:
Most other 'rarris use the stuff, which Landrovers are made of: alloy
The Testarossa uses GRP on some of it's panels, along with Kevlar.
Mondial 3.2 & T use GRP on some body panels.
Some Daytonas had aluminium & GRP panels for competition use I guess.
As you've mentioned, the first 308s were GRP bodied (808 of them apparently)
The Ferrari 288 GTO had GRP & composite bodypanels.
OK, I'm gonna stop there, cos I'm bored searching Google now....
Sooo many of the Ferrari owners that I meet have at one stage or another had a TVR....
I don't know why, but it's true - that's to say nothing about any cars relative superiority.... but people often get a TVR, LOVE the performance, sound, presence, and then some time later they get a F355 or something.
No question the modern Ferraris (post 355) are now very reliable - not quite approaching Porsche levels but not miles off. Servicing costs are only high because no-one has come in to shake up the competition ... if independents could offer the same warranties as authorised dealers then GAME ON....!
Mechanically though Ferraris excel - I've never heard of engine-rebuilds in Ferraris or any drivetrain failures... It's the little things that cock-up...little valves, electronics, hoods etc..
Not sure whether this is true of TVRs where I have heard of 6 month old cars getting their 3rd engine rebuild..which is ridiculous.
Read it in a magazine once that Ferraris (when compared to TVRS) somehow manage to evade the law of diminshing marginal returns - great way of putting it and I agree.
Incidentally - ALL of you TVR guys have a real hard-on for the way you want your car to sound - most of you who go on to the Ferrari route end up getting a Tubi.....perhaps something to do with the genuine enthusiast mentality of TVR ownership......
I don't know why, but it's true - that's to say nothing about any cars relative superiority.... but people often get a TVR, LOVE the performance, sound, presence, and then some time later they get a F355 or something.
No question the modern Ferraris (post 355) are now very reliable - not quite approaching Porsche levels but not miles off. Servicing costs are only high because no-one has come in to shake up the competition ... if independents could offer the same warranties as authorised dealers then GAME ON....!
Mechanically though Ferraris excel - I've never heard of engine-rebuilds in Ferraris or any drivetrain failures... It's the little things that cock-up...little valves, electronics, hoods etc..
Not sure whether this is true of TVRs where I have heard of 6 month old cars getting their 3rd engine rebuild..which is ridiculous.
Read it in a magazine once that Ferraris (when compared to TVRS) somehow manage to evade the law of diminshing marginal returns - great way of putting it and I agree.
Incidentally - ALL of you TVR guys have a real hard-on for the way you want your car to sound - most of you who go on to the Ferrari route end up getting a Tubi.....perhaps something to do with the genuine enthusiast mentality of TVR ownership......
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