Being positive about TVR
Discussion
I am not a TVR owner.
I love fast cars ( even more if they are made in Britain ! ) and I have a reasonable disposal income. I am the kind of customer TVR need to convert.
I have flirted with the idea of buying a TVR and have come very close on several occasions, but so far my money has normally gone in the direction of Stuttgart...
The purchase of TVR by someone rich like the Smolensky's is a fantastic result.
Many buyers of expensive goods have a low tolerance of poor quality. I am one of them. What has put me off TVR is the inconsistency of build where it can be a lottery if you get a good one or not, the niggling little problems that are so often a part of TVR ownership, and the all too common situation of glue stains and grubby fingerprints on the lamonta trim.
I, like many, also want to see the option of choosing ABS and TC if we want it.
Smolensky might well turn out to be very shrewd. The TVR brand and image punches well above its weight. The brand has global profile ( recently improved at Le Mans) and there is a lot of potential.
If cars like the T350 can be adapted to include items like ABS and get crash tested, then they would sell like hot cakes in markets like the US. They will also need to drastically improve quality, as consumer laws such the US "lemon laws" would crucify a company offering poor quality products.
But Smolensky and his advisors know this. They also know that if they make the rigth changes and invest the money they could increase sales massively. In doing so, the valuation of the business will grow considerably and they get even richer.
I think we should be optimistic. The changes that are needed to TVR are to be welcomed. if it makes TVR secure, then all owners past and present can relax knowing that their pride and joy is well supported.
And that is good news for everyone. And even I might then buy one !
I love fast cars ( even more if they are made in Britain ! ) and I have a reasonable disposal income. I am the kind of customer TVR need to convert.
I have flirted with the idea of buying a TVR and have come very close on several occasions, but so far my money has normally gone in the direction of Stuttgart...
The purchase of TVR by someone rich like the Smolensky's is a fantastic result.
Many buyers of expensive goods have a low tolerance of poor quality. I am one of them. What has put me off TVR is the inconsistency of build where it can be a lottery if you get a good one or not, the niggling little problems that are so often a part of TVR ownership, and the all too common situation of glue stains and grubby fingerprints on the lamonta trim.
I, like many, also want to see the option of choosing ABS and TC if we want it.
Smolensky might well turn out to be very shrewd. The TVR brand and image punches well above its weight. The brand has global profile ( recently improved at Le Mans) and there is a lot of potential.
If cars like the T350 can be adapted to include items like ABS and get crash tested, then they would sell like hot cakes in markets like the US. They will also need to drastically improve quality, as consumer laws such the US "lemon laws" would crucify a company offering poor quality products.
But Smolensky and his advisors know this. They also know that if they make the rigth changes and invest the money they could increase sales massively. In doing so, the valuation of the business will grow considerably and they get even richer.
I think we should be optimistic. The changes that are needed to TVR are to be welcomed. if it makes TVR secure, then all owners past and present can relax knowing that their pride and joy is well supported.
And that is good news for everyone. And even I might then buy one !
I'm hoping he chucks shedloads of cash at his new venture, gets some decent R&D done, markets the products enthusiastically both here and abroad and thus expands considerably on today's 2,000 p.a. output. i agree too. I think TVR can be a great car. I own a griffith and a few other cars (ferrari 275 gtb, alfa giulia gta). And i think a TVR can be a great car. My griff is a fun car but that is it. If you see how my griff was put together i was really glad i did not buy a TVR with their own engine. Most of the problems occur from desinterest or just lumpy engineering.Like powdercoating, placement of ECU, bad handling, fuse placement and we can go on for ever. So things can only get better.
I love my TVR and I think fresh blood and money into the system could be fantastic.
Only downside I can think of is make them stunning and covitable,by improving the niggles and everyone will want to want one,and then the magic will disappear.
They are a rarity on the road it is always a pleasure to see one.
Imagine if one in Ten cars on the road was a TVR.
The sound would be magic,but I for one wouldnt desire one anymore.
Just my thoughts and I wish the new owner all the best.
Only downside I can think of is make them stunning and covitable,by improving the niggles and everyone will want to want one,and then the magic will disappear.
They are a rarity on the road it is always a pleasure to see one.
Imagine if one in Ten cars on the road was a TVR.
The sound would be magic,but I for one wouldnt desire one anymore.
Just my thoughts and I wish the new owner all the best.
I think Mr.Smolensky is probably already hard at work on improving the product and it's image and will quickly have something to tell us which will be worth hearing.
TVR are a fantasticly emotive car. More than just a vehicle to most owners and admired by most who see them. If he keeps that special something going, then he is on to a winner. I don't think improving the quality and reliability need take too much away from the uniqueness of them.
I just passed a lovely dark blue Cerbera, the sound was awesome, definitely some "non standard tubing" beneath that one. That's passed, as in met it coming the other way, dont think the old Landy is up to TVR racing somehow.
I too would love to own one, and the blue Cerbera would be the one for me, but at present I wouldn't be persuaded to risk parting with my hard earned cash on what may turn out to be a lemon. If that is resolved, then I see the future being very bright for TVR.
Trouble is they will have to go up in price. I see the second hand market getting very keen soon.
TVR are a fantasticly emotive car. More than just a vehicle to most owners and admired by most who see them. If he keeps that special something going, then he is on to a winner. I don't think improving the quality and reliability need take too much away from the uniqueness of them.
I just passed a lovely dark blue Cerbera, the sound was awesome, definitely some "non standard tubing" beneath that one. That's passed, as in met it coming the other way, dont think the old Landy is up to TVR racing somehow.
I too would love to own one, and the blue Cerbera would be the one for me, but at present I wouldn't be persuaded to risk parting with my hard earned cash on what may turn out to be a lemon. If that is resolved, then I see the future being very bright for TVR.
Trouble is they will have to go up in price. I see the second hand market getting very keen soon.
freebies this waytoppstuff said:
I am not a TVR owner.
I love fast cars ( even more if they are made in Britain ! ) and I have a reasonable disposal income. I am the kind of customer TVR need to convert.
I have flirted with the idea of buying a TVR and have come very close on several occasions, but so far my money has normally gone in the direction of Stuttgart...
The purchase of TVR by someone rich like the Smolensky's is a fantastic result.
Many buyers of expensive goods have a low tolerance of poor quality. I am one of them. What has put me off TVR is the inconsistency of build where it can be a lottery if you get a good one or not, the niggling little problems that are so often a part of TVR ownership, and the all too common situation of glue stains and grubby fingerprints on the lamonta trim.
I, like many, also want to see the option of choosing ABS and TC if we want it.
Smolensky might well turn out to be very shrewd. The TVR brand and image punches well above its weight. The brand has global profile ( recently improved at Le Mans) and there is a lot of potential.
If cars like the T350 can be adapted to include items like ABS and get crash tested, then they would sell like hot cakes in markets like the US. They will also need to drastically improve quality, as consumer laws such the US "lemon laws" would crucify a company offering poor quality products.
But Smolensky and his advisors know this. They also know that if they make the rigth changes and invest the money they could increase sales massively. In doing so, the valuation of the business will grow considerably and they get even richer.
I think we should be optimistic. The changes that are needed to TVR are to be welcomed. if it makes TVR secure, then all owners past and present can relax knowing that their pride and joy is well supported.
And that is good news for everyone. And even I might then buy one !
You have a point, but I for one am glad that they are bought by true enthusiasts and that they're rare. If they were more common I wouldn't have one any more and would buy a Marcos.
Snag is, wouldn't it push up the cost to the consumer? And people would still be asking you of your £50,000 Chimaera, 'does it break down a lot?'.
He's better off playing on the high power, good looks and relatively low costs, by perhaps employing Pininfarina (maybe not?), and offering even more powerful cars for the same price range. Maybe a more reliable engine could be found by tweaking a Chevrolet V8...
Just an idea *shrug*
He's better off playing on the high power, good looks and relatively low costs, by perhaps employing Pininfarina (maybe not?), and offering even more powerful cars for the same price range. Maybe a more reliable engine could be found by tweaking a Chevrolet V8...
Just an idea *shrug*
Hopefully a more positive staff concentrating on their jobs better will remove any niggles that get through (and Mr TS, you do seem to go on about that glue'y Tuscan you once had a ride in a lot!! 
)
People go on about the US and V8 engines a lot. Given it cost Lotus "tens of millions" to get the Elise to the US (using someone else's engine), that would be a huge thing for TVR to do and Mr S hasn't got THAT much money. Also going this far with the SP.6 I can't imagine it being ditched, not with the work on supercharging giving them a base for range of power options from 350-580 bhp..
There must be a plan somewhere in TVR HQ for expansion. I'd reckon it will be subtle and gradual. No new 25k base model next year, well unless its a Tamora with a 2.3 Duratec engine in
) People go on about the US and V8 engines a lot. Given it cost Lotus "tens of millions" to get the Elise to the US (using someone else's engine), that would be a huge thing for TVR to do and Mr S hasn't got THAT much money. Also going this far with the SP.6 I can't imagine it being ditched, not with the work on supercharging giving them a base for range of power options from 350-580 bhp..
There must be a plan somewhere in TVR HQ for expansion. I'd reckon it will be subtle and gradual. No new 25k base model next year, well unless its a Tamora with a 2.3 Duratec engine in
I'm afraid as far as I'm concerned it's GOODBYE TVR AS WE KNOW IT!
Yaeh sure, we all know TVR's can be hugely improved - but at what cost to the purchaser?
Let's face it - up to now regular medium bracket income earners (at a push) could own a TVR for all the right reasons - supercar power & performance at a fraction of the cost - hence the almost fanatic following - I own a Chim 500 that will keep up with a Porsche Turbo BUT the Chim I can afford - the Porsche Turbo - NO WAY (not a 2000 model anyway) If the new owner sets out on a quest to bring TVR's up to traditional supercar levels of sophistication then I believe most traditional TVR owners will no longer be able to afford them - which is quite sad.
I wish the new owner and the TVR marque all the success for the future however I really do think this is the end of our beloved cars as we have come to cherish them - warts an' all.
Yaeh sure, we all know TVR's can be hugely improved - but at what cost to the purchaser?
Let's face it - up to now regular medium bracket income earners (at a push) could own a TVR for all the right reasons - supercar power & performance at a fraction of the cost - hence the almost fanatic following - I own a Chim 500 that will keep up with a Porsche Turbo BUT the Chim I can afford - the Porsche Turbo - NO WAY (not a 2000 model anyway) If the new owner sets out on a quest to bring TVR's up to traditional supercar levels of sophistication then I believe most traditional TVR owners will no longer be able to afford them - which is quite sad.
I wish the new owner and the TVR marque all the success for the future however I really do think this is the end of our beloved cars as we have come to cherish them - warts an' all.
julianhj said:
I'd buy that for a dollar
Hmm, point made. I'd see a certain other sports car manufacturer saying how they'd stolen the idea though!
Have reckoned for a while if the Tamora could be made a bit more, ahem economical to save a few grand on the purchase price - it would be a good thing. Maybe a 3.0 Duratec with mild supercharging?
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