Public perception of TVRs ?
Discussion
We all know about the 'unreliable' ones but how about this for being uninformed?
A sent a pic of a nice crystal topaz Cerbera to my partner yesterday to her work email address. One colleague was stood over her shoulder admiring the car (he wants to get one but the misses wants a new kitchen
).
Anyway a second colleague wanders by and says 'What's that, a Jaguar?' to which my partner says 'No, its a TVR Cerbera'
So the numpty says 'Oh TVRs, they're all noise and no go!', to which she rolls her eyes and just looks at the other colleague. He then pipes up and says (in a loud enough voice so everyone can hear)
'Yeah my son loves TVRs because they ARE the fastest'
>>> Edited by SpeedEight on Wednesday 17th July 17:39
A sent a pic of a nice crystal topaz Cerbera to my partner yesterday to her work email address. One colleague was stood over her shoulder admiring the car (he wants to get one but the misses wants a new kitchen
). Anyway a second colleague wanders by and says 'What's that, a Jaguar?' to which my partner says 'No, its a TVR Cerbera'
So the numpty says 'Oh TVRs, they're all noise and no go!', to which she rolls her eyes and just looks at the other colleague. He then pipes up and says (in a loud enough voice so everyone can hear)
'Yeah my son loves TVRs because they ARE the fastest'
>>> Edited by SpeedEight on Wednesday 17th July 17:39
'a second colleague wanders by and says 'What's that, a Jaguar?' to which my partner says 'No, its a TVR Cerbera' So the numpty says 'Oh TVRs, they're all noise and no go!'
So they know all about TVRs but don't actually recognise one when they see it?
And it looks NOTHING like a Jaguar! Suggest colleague reserves opinions for lesser things. Like Eastenders.
So they know all about TVRs but don't actually recognise one when they see it?
And it looks NOTHING like a Jaguar! Suggest colleague reserves opinions for lesser things. Like Eastenders.
Sore point for the TVR-a-phile, this.
I remember being in ze Cerb when not long into ownership, I was lambasted by an Escort 'Cozeh' patrol, who were filtering past some lights at a junction.
In true 'Cozeh' form, the driver was 10 with a head the size of a shrivelled marrowfat pea that could scarce see the world beyong the rim of his furry momo.
I was stunned by this and prayed for a future meet but deliverance was never fulfilled.
Thus, can any other Cerby owners, past or present, fill this psychotic void by regailing me with a tale of Cerberatic supremacy in the battle with Coz-man?
I remember being in ze Cerb when not long into ownership, I was lambasted by an Escort 'Cozeh' patrol, who were filtering past some lights at a junction.
In true 'Cozeh' form, the driver was 10 with a head the size of a shrivelled marrowfat pea that could scarce see the world beyong the rim of his furry momo.
I was stunned by this and prayed for a future meet but deliverance was never fulfilled.
Thus, can any other Cerby owners, past or present, fill this psychotic void by regailing me with a tale of Cerberatic supremacy in the battle with Coz-man?
Still laughing at a conversation I overheard at the bar of the De Vere Hotel at Blackpool 'back home' between two business types....
Bloke 1: Lots of TVR's in the car park today
Bloke 2: Yeah - Owner's club meet - load of anoraks
I was so tempted to ask him if I looked like an anorak in my posh lycra frock but my other half dragged me off before I could open my gob. Probably very wise.
I have been called many things but this was the first time I have ever been called an anorak.
Bloke 1: Lots of TVR's in the car park today
Bloke 2: Yeah - Owner's club meet - load of anoraks
I was so tempted to ask him if I looked like an anorak in my posh lycra frock but my other half dragged me off before I could open my gob. Probably very wise.
I have been called many things but this was the first time I have ever been called an anorak.
My perception of TVR's is great noise, great performance, terrible reputation for build quality (warranted or not)
Most of my friends are petrolheads, and share this view - they would all love to own one, but bought more mainstream cars, except one, who has an Elise. My friends that are not petrolheads, wouldn't recognise a TVR.
Most of my friends are petrolheads, and share this view - they would all love to own one, but bought more mainstream cars, except one, who has an Elise. My friends that are not petrolheads, wouldn't recognise a TVR.
This thread reminds me of some comments made by a couple of young blokes getting into a 306 hatch in the car park of Daytona Karting in Shepherds Bush, just as the City region were gathering with their various TVR's for a redeye event.
1st bloke - lots of flash cars here tonight.
2nd bloke - yeah - but they can't DRIVE fast can they?
Their lap times were still on the screen when we went inside, so I compared them to ours. The outright winner of their event would have qualified 16th on our grid of 18.
Hmmppph.
1st bloke - lots of flash cars here tonight.
2nd bloke - yeah - but they can't DRIVE fast can they?
Their lap times were still on the screen when we went inside, so I compared them to ours. The outright winner of their event would have qualified 16th on our grid of 18.
Hmmppph.
quote:
My perception of TVR's is great noise, great performance, terrible reputation for build quality (warranted or not)
Most of my friends are petrolheads, and share this view - they would all love to own one, but bought more mainstream cars, except one, who has an Elise. My friends that are not petrolheads, wouldn't recognise a TVR.
Funny you should say that, but a few months ago I went to lunch with my agent and a member of HR, both female.
Happened to be talking cars as we walked into the carpark, so I motioned to the Chimaera and said "that's mine, over there".
"What is it?", one said
"A TVR"
"Don't they break down a lot?"
So there we have it - in a recent survey of one person, TVRs are best known for their reliability.
Same here -- petrolhead or not, whomever you speak to, it's reliability (lack of) that people know about.
And to a degree, that opinion IS justified. My Chimaera, as a model, has been the most reliable of all TVRs because they made so many that they couldn't avoid getting good at it.
As an individual car though, even though my Chimaera's only let me down twice (ie dumping me at the roadside) during an ownership period of nearly four years, that's still way more than any of the other cars I've owned over the last ten years. It's also had more than any other car's niggles and things that needed to be fixed, often expensively.
Most of them could have been avoided through better design -- such as not putting heat-sensitive components near two fat, red-hot exhaust pipes under the bonnet. Or, better still, re-routing the pipes in the first place. That said, I think my car's been at least as good as any other Chimaera in terms of reliability.
However, I wouldn't have tolerated this in any other car: only the fact that it's a huge grin-inducer every time I start it has persuaded me that it's worth it. So far...
And to a degree, that opinion IS justified. My Chimaera, as a model, has been the most reliable of all TVRs because they made so many that they couldn't avoid getting good at it.
As an individual car though, even though my Chimaera's only let me down twice (ie dumping me at the roadside) during an ownership period of nearly four years, that's still way more than any of the other cars I've owned over the last ten years. It's also had more than any other car's niggles and things that needed to be fixed, often expensively.
Most of them could have been avoided through better design -- such as not putting heat-sensitive components near two fat, red-hot exhaust pipes under the bonnet. Or, better still, re-routing the pipes in the first place. That said, I think my car's been at least as good as any other Chimaera in terms of reliability.
However, I wouldn't have tolerated this in any other car: only the fact that it's a huge grin-inducer every time I start it has persuaded me that it's worth it. So far...
Many years ago I can remember driving a 280i behind a mercedes SL with two gold medallioned, chest wigged occupants having a pose.As we pulled up at the traffic lights some kids were standing and on seeing the TVR they shouted "Cor a Lamborghini" causing the SL occupants to turn around that quickly they nearly clashed heads! Ruined their pose I Think.
Whilst in a green Cerb loan car recently I had two or three comments:
- it's lovely, looks like a Jag
- is that your Aston Martin in the car park.
With the Griff the comments are usually - nice car, have you had any problems with it?
I used to answer that TVR's need to be looked after carefully, but if you do that they are reliable.
Now I just reply 'Of course I have, its a TVR!'
- it's lovely, looks like a Jag
- is that your Aston Martin in the car park.
With the Griff the comments are usually - nice car, have you had any problems with it?
I used to answer that TVR's need to be looked after carefully, but if you do that they are reliable.
Now I just reply 'Of course I have, its a TVR!'
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