Sagaris v Noble vTuscanS 2
Sagaris v Noble vTuscanS 2
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mdrc

Original Poster:

446 posts

302 months

Monday 25th January 2010
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Trying to decide what to try next...had a couple of Tuscan 1s and found build quality variable! But I was lucky - all my engines have been fine. Been test driving a few Nobles and do like a lot of things about them...haven't yet driven a Sagaris, or are they very Tuscan like?

Any views welcome please from those who have owned/driven all three??

Alpinestars

13,954 posts

273 months

Monday 25th January 2010
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I don't quite fit your criteria of owned/driven all three but I do have Noble and Sag and did have a Tuscan S1. The noble is a very different car to the TVRs. The Tuscan S was not as well put together as the Sag is, was quicker than the Sag, but not as easy to drive. Having said that, I would say there is not that big a difference in the Sag and Tuscan - the TVR DNA is evident in both. However, there is a big difference between the Noble and the TVRs. Probably in all ways other than the fact that both are going to suffer from build/reliability issues more than your average BMW.

The main differences as I see them are:

Power delivery - brutal in the Noble and from relatively low down, ie around 3k revs. You can't beat turbos for subjective acceleration. The Sag is much more sedate until it gets to around 5k revs, but even then never really feels ballistic like the Noble.

Handling - the noble is brilliant, easy to drive and intuative but you need to make sure the suspension and geo is spot on. Otherwise they are plain scary.

Ride - again the Noble is miles ahead. It's damping is the probably the best of any car I have driven, which is amazing given it's an out and out sports car. It just seems to glide over the road where the TVRs will crash around. The ride on the Sag is much better than the Tuscan in my view, but is still very stiff and unforgiving.

Looks - make your own mind up, but you can't beat a Sag.

Build - the Noble suffers from niggly electronic issues but I don't tend to worry about the engine in the same was as I do with the Sag. The Sag feels better built inside. The gear change and pedal feel is much better, the Noble pedal feel and gear change are flimsy in comparison.

Costs - running costs are about the same.

Hope this helps but you should really go and drive all of them and make your own mind up.

Edited by Alpinestars on Monday 25th January 15:50

T450t

414 posts

220 months

Monday 25th January 2010
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Driven All TVR speed six derived cars on track and the noble M400. As the factory built them the Noble is in a different league.


Better built
Better torque through the whole range
Better grip levels

Against for the noble is: Steering not sharp enough,gears to far apart and you need a clowns shoe on your right foot to throttle while braking.





Mark UB

2,312 posts

208 months

Monday 25th January 2010
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T450t said:
Driven All TVR speed six derived cars on track and the noble M400. As the factory built them the Noble is in a different league.


Better built
A very good friend of mine had one for 3 years and yes it's a fantastic car but better built than a TVR, no way.



T450t

414 posts

220 months

Monday 25th January 2010
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Forgot to add, not as well built as mine or quicker. Once you have driven a Noble with the Ford V6 twin Garrett asbo's you then realise how fantastic the naturally aspirated speed six actually is when built to it,s maximum potential.


Don1

16,795 posts

237 months

Monday 25th January 2010
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Quite interesting to read the last two interviews Lee Noble as given - he's still slating TVR on build quality. Sour grapes?

T450t

414 posts

220 months

Monday 25th January 2010
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Don1 said:
Quite interesting to read the last two interviews Lee Noble as given - he's still slating TVR on build quality. Sour grapes?
You have to take your hat off to him though and cant see why he would have sour grapes over a company that does not exist! we'll get over it. This new Fenix is very special. It will need to be for a starting price of £75,000.00 he is now in porker country.




Englishman

2,253 posts

239 months

Monday 25th January 2010
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When I bought the Sag in 2005 is was a close call with the M400. The M400 handles better,has a more compliant ride and hence is probably quicker A to B, BUT the interior trim is ok for a racing car but pretty basic otherwise and there is absolutely no space for luggage of any size. Then there is the styling which I quite like, but many don't.

Overall the Sagaris won at the time and to be honest when you see both now, the Sagaris has stood the passing of time far better in terms of value, reliabilty and looks - all IMHO!



T450t

414 posts

220 months

Monday 25th January 2010
quotequote all
Englishman said:
When I bought the Sag in 2005 is was a close call with the M400. The M400 handles better,has a more compliant ride and hence is probably quicker A to B, BUT the interior trim is ok for a racing car but pretty basic otherwise and there is absolutely no space for luggage of any size. Then there is the styling which I quite like, but many don't.

Overall the Sagaris won at the time and to be honest when you see both now, the Sagaris has stood the passing of time far better in terms of value, reliabilty and looks - all IMHO!
You was swayed by the GT that the TVR offered (plus the looks). They were marketed as I remember:

TVR: A road car you can use on track.

Noble: A track car you can use on the road.

Two completely different cars doing a similar job when it come's to performance.

d18mca

314 posts

226 months

Tuesday 26th January 2010
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Have driven the less powerful Noble not the 400,and have owned a mk1 tuscan and now a Sagaris.
Enjoyed the precise handling of the Noble chassis but was swayed to ths Sag for its luggage carrying capabilities for european trips etc.
The tuscan was a very nervous edgy,drive over anything but smooth surfaces and would tramline and demand full effort at all times.
On track it also was nervous but in a good way ,but once beyond its limits was a handful to correct.
The Sag on road is much more compliant and is an easy car to drive progresively on most roads.
The Sag on track is extemely suerefooted and has plenty of feel and will corner at speeds where the mk1 Tuscan would have spun out.
I find the Sag to be a good all round car which fulfills everything I need it to do.
From what I have read the Mk2 Tuscan will provide a similar drive to the Sag with a bit more effort,but will give you even more luggage space.

Whichever you choose ,enjoy to the full.
Davy


mdrc

Original Poster:

446 posts

302 months

Tuesday 26th January 2010
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All very helpful (as usual!) - many thanks....one small point and irrelvant to many I know...but do all Sags come with aircon??

Don1

16,795 posts

237 months

Tuesday 26th January 2010
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No, not all did - it was an (essential) option.

As for Lee Noble - not knocking the man at all. Seriously talented. Just strange to still be bringing up the words TVR still now.

TVR_owner

3,349 posts

220 months

Tuesday 26th January 2010
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Don1 said:
No, not all did - it was an (essential) option.
It was an 2K option that may or may not be considered as worthwhile depnding on the intended use for you car. I would suggest that is not essential. smile

Buying a used Sag without aircon?? - it should be priced accordingly and the money saved will go a long way towards providing AC should you feel the need - and who knows, an after-market set-up may even perform like aircon. wink

Mark UB

2,312 posts

208 months

Tuesday 26th January 2010
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I might be willing to sell the air con unit on mine for the right price

whistle

geordieexpat

482 posts

221 months

Wednesday 27th January 2010
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Still loving my Sagaris