Some questions and from a TVR owner
Discussion
Hello,
I purchased a TVR Tuscan S this year. I took delivery of it in the first week of June this year.
Despite my very high standards (for cars anyway) the car has met and even exceeded my expectations. I had some every minor build quality issues, such as the drivers door rattling. These were fixed first time by TVR when it had it's 1000 miles service at Blackpool.
However, I always planned to keep it for about 2 years (a world record for me!). So I plan on replacing it in Spring/Summer 2004.
I will either buy another TVR or a Noble. I’m really not attracted to other “sports” cars. I'm kind of swinging towards the Noble - specifically the M12 GTO-3R for these reasons:
* It is rear (mid?) engined, and I’ve never owned/driven such a car
* I’ve never owned/driven a Noble before either
* It’s very highly rated for it’s handling/driving experience
The reason I’m thinking about this now and not in 2004 is that I believe the waiting list for build is about 12 months, right? So I need to make a decision before March 2003.
But I have a few questions:
1. How does the build quality compare to TVR?
2. How does reliability compare to TVR? Should the Ford sourced engine be more reliable than the TVR Speed 6 engines?
3. How does insurance compare? Despite living in Manchester, I only pay £950 for my Tuscan. Don’t forget it’s a group 20 car. I’m 28 years old with 6 points on my licence (2x SP30). So I think that’s pretty good.
4. Pedals – how do the pedals hinge? Are they floor mounted like the TVR’s or are they a more conventional pedal?
5. Brakes – these are AP Racing I believe? My Tuscan has these and they feel like my foot is directly connected to the discs – excellent feel.
6. Waiting list – is it 12 months like I mentioned above? Not really a problem, but I’ll need to order one in March 2003.
7. Turbos – do the twin turbos produce any noticeable lag? My Tuscan is naturally aspirated and has a nice “linear” acceleration.
8. Servicing – can I have my servicing/build problems done at the Noble factory in Leicestershire, like I do with my TVR?
Cheers fellas. If you have any more points regarding the choice between Noble and TVR, post them here!
Bye for now.
I purchased a TVR Tuscan S this year. I took delivery of it in the first week of June this year.
Despite my very high standards (for cars anyway) the car has met and even exceeded my expectations. I had some every minor build quality issues, such as the drivers door rattling. These were fixed first time by TVR when it had it's 1000 miles service at Blackpool.
However, I always planned to keep it for about 2 years (a world record for me!). So I plan on replacing it in Spring/Summer 2004.
I will either buy another TVR or a Noble. I’m really not attracted to other “sports” cars. I'm kind of swinging towards the Noble - specifically the M12 GTO-3R for these reasons:
* It is rear (mid?) engined, and I’ve never owned/driven such a car
* I’ve never owned/driven a Noble before either
* It’s very highly rated for it’s handling/driving experience
The reason I’m thinking about this now and not in 2004 is that I believe the waiting list for build is about 12 months, right? So I need to make a decision before March 2003.
But I have a few questions:
1. How does the build quality compare to TVR?
2. How does reliability compare to TVR? Should the Ford sourced engine be more reliable than the TVR Speed 6 engines?
3. How does insurance compare? Despite living in Manchester, I only pay £950 for my Tuscan. Don’t forget it’s a group 20 car. I’m 28 years old with 6 points on my licence (2x SP30). So I think that’s pretty good.
4. Pedals – how do the pedals hinge? Are they floor mounted like the TVR’s or are they a more conventional pedal?
5. Brakes – these are AP Racing I believe? My Tuscan has these and they feel like my foot is directly connected to the discs – excellent feel.
6. Waiting list – is it 12 months like I mentioned above? Not really a problem, but I’ll need to order one in March 2003.
7. Turbos – do the twin turbos produce any noticeable lag? My Tuscan is naturally aspirated and has a nice “linear” acceleration.
8. Servicing – can I have my servicing/build problems done at the Noble factory in Leicestershire, like I do with my TVR?
Cheers fellas. If you have any more points regarding the choice between Noble and TVR, post them here!
Bye for now.
Answers from me for what I can with J: before them (saves quoting).
1. How does the build quality compare to TVR?
J: Don't know really - but early TVR's of friends seemed to have problems - later TVR's that friends have seem to have the odd lemon but overall good. The fit and finish of my Noble is very good - and nothings rattled yet. However, as with any car you *can* and almost always do get lemons. Key thing is check the car over very carefully when you first inspect it and then over the first 1000 miles - after that you'll struggle to either get them fixed or reject the car no matter what you buy.
2. How does reliability compare to TVR? Should the Ford sourced engine be more reliable than the TVR Speed 6 engines?
J:It's a ford underneath but it's got two turbos strapped on. Out of about 120+ cars only 2 have had problems, and the resons for those have been identified by Noble and therefore shouldn't happen in the future. The cars have also been around for a year or so and so I would have expected any serious issues to have surfaced.
3. How does insurance compare? Despite living in Manchester, I only pay £950 for my Tuscan. Don’t forget it’s a group 20 car. I’m 28 years old with 6 points on my licence (2x SP30). So I think that’s pretty good.
J: Get a quote - tesco will do you one over the phone as will direct line - you can then directly compare (you don't need the car). I pay just over a grand for 5 years NCB in Surrey. Most will want it garaged though.
4. Pedals – how do the pedals hinge? Are they floor mounted like the TVR’s or are they a more conventional pedal?
J: Normal and very easy to use.
5. Brakes – these are AP Racing I believe? My Tuscan has these and they feel like my foot is directly connected to the discs – excellent feel.
J: One of the best bits - very direct feel and very very quick at stopping you!
6. Waiting list – is it 12 months like I mentioned above? Not really a problem, but I’ll need to order one in March 2003.
J: Yes - but you can find deposits and cars that people have bummed out - ring around if you want it quick - or if you are prepared to wait then just throw your deposit down and wait
7. Turbos – do the twin turbos produce any noticeable lag? My Tuscan is naturally aspirated and has a nice “linear” acceleration.
J: Depends. Under about 3000rpm yes there is lag from throttle to being kicked back - but it's all relative - between about 2000-3300 it will pull very strongly, over 3300 you are in **** me mode Compared to some tubo cars (like my Ur) it's all quite civalised really!
8. Servicing – can I have my servicing/build problems done at the Noble factory in Leicestershire, like I do with my TVR?
J: Yep - you can get them to service it - or get one of the local dealers - they are all "hand" trained and my lot have done a great job so far.
Hope that helps. I chose the Noble over the TVR mainly because of the bangs for buck and I like the shape and interior (I don't really like the bespoke TVR approach - more happy with "normal" switches and plastics) much better than the TVR - but each to their own.
J
>> Edited by joust on Wednesday 11th December 14:51
1. How does the build quality compare to TVR?
J: Don't know really - but early TVR's of friends seemed to have problems - later TVR's that friends have seem to have the odd lemon but overall good. The fit and finish of my Noble is very good - and nothings rattled yet. However, as with any car you *can* and almost always do get lemons. Key thing is check the car over very carefully when you first inspect it and then over the first 1000 miles - after that you'll struggle to either get them fixed or reject the car no matter what you buy.
2. How does reliability compare to TVR? Should the Ford sourced engine be more reliable than the TVR Speed 6 engines?
J:It's a ford underneath but it's got two turbos strapped on. Out of about 120+ cars only 2 have had problems, and the resons for those have been identified by Noble and therefore shouldn't happen in the future. The cars have also been around for a year or so and so I would have expected any serious issues to have surfaced.
3. How does insurance compare? Despite living in Manchester, I only pay £950 for my Tuscan. Don’t forget it’s a group 20 car. I’m 28 years old with 6 points on my licence (2x SP30). So I think that’s pretty good.
J: Get a quote - tesco will do you one over the phone as will direct line - you can then directly compare (you don't need the car). I pay just over a grand for 5 years NCB in Surrey. Most will want it garaged though.
4. Pedals – how do the pedals hinge? Are they floor mounted like the TVR’s or are they a more conventional pedal?
J: Normal and very easy to use.
5. Brakes – these are AP Racing I believe? My Tuscan has these and they feel like my foot is directly connected to the discs – excellent feel.
J: One of the best bits - very direct feel and very very quick at stopping you!
6. Waiting list – is it 12 months like I mentioned above? Not really a problem, but I’ll need to order one in March 2003.
J: Yes - but you can find deposits and cars that people have bummed out - ring around if you want it quick - or if you are prepared to wait then just throw your deposit down and wait
7. Turbos – do the twin turbos produce any noticeable lag? My Tuscan is naturally aspirated and has a nice “linear” acceleration.
J: Depends. Under about 3000rpm yes there is lag from throttle to being kicked back - but it's all relative - between about 2000-3300 it will pull very strongly, over 3300 you are in **** me mode
Compared to some tubo cars (like my Ur) it's all quite civalised really! 8. Servicing – can I have my servicing/build problems done at the Noble factory in Leicestershire, like I do with my TVR?
J: Yep - you can get them to service it - or get one of the local dealers - they are all "hand" trained and my lot have done a great job so far.
Hope that helps. I chose the Noble over the TVR mainly because of the bangs for buck and I like the shape and interior (I don't really like the bespoke TVR approach - more happy with "normal" switches and plastics) much better than the TVR - but each to their own.
J
>> Edited by joust on Wednesday 11th December 14:51
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