Discussion
Typhon,
My way of looking at this issue is not about the fastest. Undoubtedly a TuscanR will be. Whether its a Noble, TVR or anything else you cannot use the top end unless you are on a runway, IMO. (analogy: you don't go to a rugby final JUST to see the winning drop kick in the last minute). Its about getting a consistently high level of enjoyment for the maximum period of driving. Including driving in town.
I have the highest respect for TVR, the fact they've made their own engines and they are a company that challenges convention.
I've twice test driven a TVR (a Tuscan two years ago and a Tuscan S at the same time I test drove the Noble). I'm not an experienced driver at this level of performance so I'm not going to give you an analysis. But I want reliability more than anything else. I am paying for performance and I am hoping for reliability.
The TVR dealer that gave me the first test drive made a comment that we (my mates and I) laughed at on the day. But, it was a telling comment. I loved the car (Tuscan) but when we asked about reliability the response was that unreliability was part and parcel of owning a TVR.
So if the dealer accepts it so must the factory, I thought. IMO this is UNACCEPTABLE. TVR must drive the unreliabilty culture out of their business.
I don't mind that I've got a Ford block behind me. If it was a Skoda engine and it gave 10% more performance along with reliability I would want that. Does anyone question why Zonda haven't made their own engine.
Chris.
My way of looking at this issue is not about the fastest. Undoubtedly a TuscanR will be. Whether its a Noble, TVR or anything else you cannot use the top end unless you are on a runway, IMO. (analogy: you don't go to a rugby final JUST to see the winning drop kick in the last minute). Its about getting a consistently high level of enjoyment for the maximum period of driving. Including driving in town.
I have the highest respect for TVR, the fact they've made their own engines and they are a company that challenges convention.
I've twice test driven a TVR (a Tuscan two years ago and a Tuscan S at the same time I test drove the Noble). I'm not an experienced driver at this level of performance so I'm not going to give you an analysis. But I want reliability more than anything else. I am paying for performance and I am hoping for reliability.
The TVR dealer that gave me the first test drive made a comment that we (my mates and I) laughed at on the day. But, it was a telling comment. I loved the car (Tuscan) but when we asked about reliability the response was that unreliability was part and parcel of owning a TVR.
So if the dealer accepts it so must the factory, I thought. IMO this is UNACCEPTABLE. TVR must drive the unreliabilty culture out of their business.
I don't mind that I've got a Ford block behind me. If it was a Skoda engine and it gave 10% more performance along with reliability I would want that. Does anyone question why Zonda haven't made their own engine.
Chris.
Apparently the Typhon is really a rather good car, certainly faster than the Noble - it's a true "out of the box race car" - but that's the problem, you'll probably need a team of mechanics to keep it sweet (I do worry about the new TVR gearbox...) Noble is a good compromise, but lacks the "soul" of TVR.
Oh, and I don't know what the waiting list on a Typhon is, but I wouldn't expect to take delivery within 12 months of ordering and there's not much of a "used" market at present!
Oh, and I don't know what the waiting list on a Typhon is, but I wouldn't expect to take delivery within 12 months of ordering and there's not much of a "used" market at present!
I ummed and ahh'd for ages on TVR vs Noble. I went noble in the end based on great reviews and exclusivity. TVR's are everywhere but Nobles are much more rare. I think rob's picture of the M12 & ferrari parked next to each other sums up what I'm trying to say pretty well ... not a single bod looking at the prancing horse.
obes said:
I ummed and ahh'd for ages on TVR vs Noble. I went noble in the end based on great reviews and exclusivity. TVR's are everywhere but Nobles are much more rare. I think rob's picture of the M12 & ferrari parked next to each other sums up what I'm trying to say pretty well ... not a single bod looking at the prancing horse.
To add to the 'Noble's are so exclusive' story - last Friday as my M12 was being loaded onto the factory trailor in the street outside my house a woman stopped here car in the middle of the road, got out and asked if she could take a photo for her husband as they have never seen two Nobles together anywhere (obviously not PHers!)! The factory driver (I won't name him as he may prefer anonimity!) said that he has never know a marque that creates such 'stopping interest' as the Noble.
Test drive both......then test drive again.......then go home and come back a few days later to test drive again..............get as much time in the cars under normal and more demanding situations as possible......then fill your Noble....er I mean......Noble/TVR order form in. Either car will have you smiling like mad......which one is upto you and how they fit into your way of life.
For me...after owning both, the Noble had the edge and after a few months and a few thousand miles I've never looked back.
For me...after owning both, the Noble had the edge and after a few months and a few thousand miles I've never looked back.
People, don't forget that we're talking about the TVR TUSCAN R (TYPHON) here, not a standard Tuscan - there is a big, big difference. I.e. you remember the TVR 400R's that were racing at Donnington? Well, that's the one - but with a larger, more powerful engine and sequential gearbox... Oh yes, it will turn heads on Her Majesty's Highway. I believe that only a handful of cars have been delivered to date, so exclusivity is pretty much guaranteed for a good while.
Noble vs Tuscan? No question - Noble.
Noble vs Typhon? Hmmm...
Noble vs Tuscan? No question - Noble.
Noble vs Typhon? Hmmm...
Not sure how relevant this is but had a major blast with a TVR Tuscan(5ltr V8 I think) on Sunday in the Mitsubishi 3000 GTO twin turbo. While I couldn't get past because the roads were so narrow, I was all over it and the rice burner was the faster car, absolutly NO question. I have no doubt in my mind when I say a 3R would anihalate the Mitsubishi. Bit of a left handed comparrison, but interesting none the less. M.
V6GTO said:
Not sure how relevant this is but had a major blast with a TVR Tuscan(5ltr V8 I think) on Sunday in the Mitsubishi 3000 GTO twin turbo. While I couldn't get past because the roads were so narrow, I was all over it and the rice burner was the faster car, absolutly NO question. I have no doubt in my mind when I say a 3R would anihalate the Mitsubishi. Bit of a left handed comparrison, but interesting none the less. M.
The 'Tuscan Racers' have a V8 (old ones = Rover, newer ones = TVR AJP 4.2), but you probably wouldn't have kept pace with one of those
More likely it was a standard road-going Tuscan (or Tuscan S) with the 3.6 (or 4.0) TVR Speed Six engine. It's very revvy, quite low torque, and the Tuscan is a bloody difficult car to drive fast on narrow roads! Not saying that your car isn't faster, but most Tuscan's will be driven well within the limit. amg merc said:Not my personal cup of tea, and I suspect it depends heavily on the colour combination you choose, there are a few pics here:
I bet the Typhon's interior/trim is superb?!
www.sleepy-fish.com/typhon.htm
I suspect TVR have improved it since MPH03, and the concept of leather with carbon fibre is sound - so it will be interesting to see it in the flesh at the motor show.
I see what you mean Marlon, not as nice as some other TVRs, but it pains me to say that the finish and detail beats Noble any day (and I don't want to start a long thread comparing the rationale between the two motors again - just stating an observation!).
And what's that gear-stick all about?!
And what's that gear-stick all about?!
Marlon said:
V6GTO said:
Not sure how relevant this is but had a major blast with a TVR Tuscan(5ltr V8 I think) on Sunday in the Mitsubishi 3000 GTO twin turbo. While I couldn't get past because the roads were so narrow, I was all over it and the rice burner was the faster car, absolutly NO question. I have no doubt in my mind when I say a 3R would anihalate the Mitsubishi. Bit of a left handed comparrison, but interesting none the less. M.
The 'Tuscan Racers' have a V8 (old ones = Rover, newer ones = TVR AJP 4.2), but you probably wouldn't have kept pace with one of those
Marlon, it was definately a V8, no way of mistaking that!..and it was an X-reg. M.
PS- as for his not trying, he stepped the rear end out a few times and he also put wheels on the dirt 3 times, hence the stone chip on my bonnet!
>> Edited by V6GTO on Tuesday 27th April 13:06
TVR TYPHON said:
What i dont like on Noble is the Ford Engine.
Strong, reliable, easy to service, easy to source parts, years of experience and testing, thousands and thousands of units in circulation ...... I believe the ford sourced V6 is a very good way of taking some of the 'worry' out of the sportscar ownership experience. I know that they're not without fault, as many threads on here will show, but having a ford (or any other big manufacturers) engine makes me feel better. I would certainly not count the ford engine as a weak point of the car.
obes said:
What i dont like on Noble is the Ford Engine.
Strong, reliable, easy to service, easy to source parts, years of experience and testing, thousands and thousands of units in circulation ...... I believe the ford sourced V6 is a very good way of taking some of the 'worry' out of the sportscar ownership experience. I know that they're not without fault, as many threads on here will show, but having a ford (or any other big manufacturers) engine makes me feel better. I would certainly not count the ford engine as a weak point of the car.
I quite agree. A Ford V6 may not be so exotic as a TVR Straight six, but I prefer that my engine's reliability isn't exotic either.
Didn't someone say the other day that Pagani's AMG engine never gets a mention like Noble's Ford block... its strange. I mean AMG is just as lowly for a £350,000 supercar as Ford is for a £55,000 one.
Lets not forget, TVR wasn't building its own engines after 5 years either... what does the future hold???
5 litre, Noble V12's?
Sam
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