Are TVR's Quality cars?
Discussion
Some people on these pages genuinely believe that TVRs are a quality hand built thoroughbred, prepare yourself for a shock. TVRs are an enthusiast’s car, one bought by people who don’t mind them being not very reliable and not particularly well put together and do not mind fixing them, I am one such person. I wanted one, have bought it and enjoy it every time I drive it but I know enough about cars to know exactly what it is. The parts that work reliably on the car are not TVR components they are from specialist thoroughbred car builders like Fords, Vauxhall, VW etc. TVR now produce their own engines, needless to say they will be reliable and put the cheapo Rover unit to shame, yeh - and the three bears. Personally I will never run one of the new breed of TVRs, any car with an engine that is mounted on Velcro would not suit my needs. The quality issues with TVRs are very well documented on these pages, in fact you could probably take all the info which is freely available on these pages put it all together and even write a book about the subject.
Has it never occurred to anyone that if these cars were built and designed better they would not need so much “specialist” attention in the first place, any complications running them stems from there. I find some of the stuff on here quite amusing, the “oil pump issue” as it has been called is the current myth. I didn’t realise I drove a car with such a high tech engine that if you answer the phone mid oil change you risk damaging the engine; must get Santa to bring me an answer phone. A V12 Ferrari has twin upright oil filters and yes there is a right way of fitting them but with all due respect it has an oh so slightly more complicated setup than my TVR.
I like my Chim, it’s quick, it gives me something to tinker with and it is a pleasure to drive about in on a nice sunny day and I would not be without it which is why it has a place in my garage. Would I like to tour Europe in the rain without RAC cover – not really. I was lucky enough to buy a good one - is a TVR a good quality car - you tell me?
Ivan
Has it never occurred to anyone that if these cars were built and designed better they would not need so much “specialist” attention in the first place, any complications running them stems from there. I find some of the stuff on here quite amusing, the “oil pump issue” as it has been called is the current myth. I didn’t realise I drove a car with such a high tech engine that if you answer the phone mid oil change you risk damaging the engine; must get Santa to bring me an answer phone. A V12 Ferrari has twin upright oil filters and yes there is a right way of fitting them but with all due respect it has an oh so slightly more complicated setup than my TVR.
I like my Chim, it’s quick, it gives me something to tinker with and it is a pleasure to drive about in on a nice sunny day and I would not be without it which is why it has a place in my garage. Would I like to tour Europe in the rain without RAC cover – not really. I was lucky enough to buy a good one - is a TVR a good quality car - you tell me?
Ivan
2 Sheds said:
ribol said:
2 Sheds said: From an owner of various British sports cars i would say that my 10 year old Griff is a good quality car, for its type. i.e low volume, then 24 grand, 2 seater.
Tim
Would you spend £39/40K on one today?
Ivan
No, but to be fare i didn't buy mine new either. older well kept TVRs offer good value, and seem more reliable than new ones, maybe ??
Tim
Spot on Tim, I am with you on that one, only problem is will people continue to buy the new ones for us to buy used?
Ivan
RichB said: Hang on a minute your new to TVR ownership yet you’re telling us that we are in for a shock? What have you discovered in 2 months that we aren’t aware of after 5, 10 or 15 years ownership… You tell us that TVR are “not too hot on records”. Now forgive me but if you are new to TVR how do you know this? I have been to the factory a number of times and have actually been impressed by the records they do keep, Mike who does the end-of-build test drives was even able to look up his notes on the test for my first TVR a 1992 S3c, not bad eh? People seem all too ready to “slag-off” the factory without any facts so on what basis do you make your judgement?
Also it’s interesting that you say “The parts that work reliably on the car are not TVR components they are from specialist thoroughbred car builders like Fords, Vauxhall, VW” Well you seem to have an issue with having to prime the oil filter yet your argument is self defeating because (as Steve Heath has already pointed out to you) the engine is a Rover (previously Buick) V8 lump. You must have known that, so why contradict your self? p.s. Did you really refer to Vauxhall as a specialist thoroughbred car builder? Oh, what the heck you’re entitled to your opinion!
I must say Ivan, you will be missing out on a wonderful part of TVR ownership if you only use your car on sunny days, leaving it in it’s place in the garage the rest of the time. If you really know so much about TVRs you will also know that the most reliable ones are those that get regularly driven 12 months of the year, do it your way and it will suffer with those niggles that you seem to have resigned yourself to already, get out and drive it and you will own a fantastic British sports that rewards you with reliability and is a pleasure to own. Oh and finally pluck up the courage to stuck a few tools in the boot and go touring in France I can assure you it is far better than taking a boring old 5 series or something and leaving your TVR behind because you believe your own prophesy! Rich…
>> Edited by RichB on Friday 6th December 12:48
Firstly Rich, I feel you may have ruffled your feathers unnecessarily, the point of the post was to start an honest debate and not to slag off TVRs, “Don” spotted that one easily. As you have correctly spotted I am a relatively new TVR owner, if I thought they were rubbish I would not have recently bought one!
As far as technical help goes, I have spoken to the factory on several occasions before and since ownership, they are a cut above the main stream manufactures and I have nothing but praise for them. A friend of mine who works in what I believe to be the oldest TVR dealer in the country has told me countless stories about TVR records over the years. He probably does not know as much about how the factory works as you do, after all he is only on to the phone to them most days. When I told him I was going to ring the factory to look into my car’s history he laughed, undeterred I did it anyway, he was right - waste of time.
I cannot believe you did not understand the point being made about thoroughbred car builders, I can only suggest you read it again in the context of the paragraph.
I do not drive my TVR every day, I drive it several times a week for fun, hopefully I will drive it enough to enjoy it and not enough to destroy it. I have to confess I find it a nicer experience when the sun is shining but then I am new to TVR ownership so that is to be expected. I would not be so bold as to claim to know as much about cars as you, I do not know you, what little bits and pieces I have picked up are from having been in the Motor Trade for 30 odd years. Maybe you could advise me as to what tools to carry with me in case I venture out of my post code? I must also admit to not taking this all too seriously, I feel some people do.
Ivan
RichB said:Hang on Ivan, one minute you say your post was intended to spark an honest debate, and then you tell me you’re not taking it too seriously. You can’t have it both ways or is this another of your many contradictions?
ribol said:...the point of the post was to start an honest debate...
It’s like regarding the factory, you say that you have “nothing but praise” for them, yet in the next line they are a “complete waste of time” so do you actually know what you think? Perhaps not because no matter how many times I re-read your original post it still says that you think Vauxhall are a thoroughbred car manufacturer. Mind you from a “man-in-the-motor-trade” perhaps that’s to be expected, after all we have seen dealers advertising TVRs with ABS, ECC, Traction Control and even electric rear windows!
Oh and sorry to bang on about it but you didn’t answer my point about what you call the “oil-pump issue”. You imply this is a TVR design and build inadequacy, (or are you going to claim this was your attempt at post-modern irony?) yet as you know (now) the engine is a Rover lump. Your original contention was that all the quality parts are non-TVR, you then go and pick the single most important non TVR component i.e. the 5 litre V8 to illustrate your point, confused? You will be…
I’m glad you don’t take it too seriously ‘coz I certainly can’t!Rich…
Rich, easy ones first – you can have an honest debate with taking it all too seriously, most people manage. That is not a contradiction, it’s a matter of opinion, let me assure you I am not taking what you are saying too seriously.
I have nothing but praise for the technical help given to me by the factory, asking them about the history of the car was a “complete waste of time”. The time I spent asking them got me nowhere, so therefore I wasted my time – I hope that has cleared that up for you as you seem to be having a real problem with it?
When I wrote “specialist thoroughbred car builders like Fords, Vauxhall, VW” I meant it as a joke, I did not think anybody would have taken it seriously – I was wrong. I have not at any point commented on what you know or don’t know about cars, you should extend me the same courtesy, there is a possibility no matter how vague that I may even know something you don’t, even if I am “man-in-the-Motor-Trade.” I wonder what area of the Motor Industry you gained your practical knowledge of cars from, should be interesting?
Thank you for letting me know it is a Rover engine, you obviously did not understand that either, it was clearly written in my original post, how much of what is written do you actually take in? I was always taught you start a job; you finish it that also applies to oil changes. It is common garage practice not to leave an engine dry, it is just asking for trouble, if you stick to that there will be no “Oil-Pump-Issue” with any car.
What I like the most about these pages is there are so many people on here you can learn so much from and for that I am truly grateful.
Ivan
michaelrmcdowell said: So what Ribol is saying is that if I want a goodlooking, fast, engaging and reliable sports car don't buy a TVR!
That's realy sad if it's true cause I really wanted to buy a new car made in the UK i.e. a Cerbera S6. But now I'm going to look at second hand 911's!
Sadened,
Michael McDowell
Not entirely true, what RIBOL is saying is there is nothing wrong with the looks of any TVR, although that has to be down to personal taste. They are obviously all fast to a greater or lesser extent and by the nature of the beast must be engaging. However, I think you will find more owners of the “new breed” TVRs that would say they have had reliability problems than you will find that would claim to have had no problems.
If you want a practical well built sportscar the 911 wins easily, if you want something a bit different and with a bit more soul then a TVR makes more sense.
Ivan (happy with his old TVR)
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