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Having just returned from the festival of speed yesterday I happily dropped of my car this morning with a growing catalogue of problems that have been building up over the first 1500 miles we've done together.
I know most if not all of these issues have been discussed here but is it only me that thinks that this sort of finishing is poor for a car of this price?
The list so far reads:
1. Leaking roof, due to torn seals
2. Leaking doors (taking on water over the weekend) due to faulty door seals.
3. A newly discovered boot leak resulting in 2 inches of water retention over the weekend. (great for weekend luggage storage)
4. Door that catches the body work on the drivers side near the hinge.
5. Boot lid that catches the body work at the back
6. Passenger door that pops open whilst on the move!
7. Fuel cut out at low RPM in traffic. Which causes severe engine breaking. One to watch out for if your behind a tamora and want to avoid a rear end shunt.
8. Faulty passenger seat belt which has a mind of its own when it comes to the length it wants to dispense or retract
9. Leading edges of the roof are fraying already, due to the highly abrasive carpeting in the boot and the incredibly tight fit.
as I say the list goes on and on....
My point is, after spending the weekend browsing the competition at goodwood its hard to find a car that more poorly put together than a TVR. Don't get me wrong the drive is fantastic, performance and sound second to none. But at the end of the day 38K buys a lot of that from most manufacturers and I question how long they can hide under that as an excuse! I checked out the new Tuscan R which was at the show and (I know its preproduction) but at 70K plus you've got to be kidding if you think that is marketable. Performance or no performance.
I know most if not all of these issues have been discussed here but is it only me that thinks that this sort of finishing is poor for a car of this price?
The list so far reads:
1. Leaking roof, due to torn seals
2. Leaking doors (taking on water over the weekend) due to faulty door seals.
3. A newly discovered boot leak resulting in 2 inches of water retention over the weekend. (great for weekend luggage storage)
4. Door that catches the body work on the drivers side near the hinge.
5. Boot lid that catches the body work at the back
6. Passenger door that pops open whilst on the move!
7. Fuel cut out at low RPM in traffic. Which causes severe engine breaking. One to watch out for if your behind a tamora and want to avoid a rear end shunt.
8. Faulty passenger seat belt which has a mind of its own when it comes to the length it wants to dispense or retract
9. Leading edges of the roof are fraying already, due to the highly abrasive carpeting in the boot and the incredibly tight fit.
as I say the list goes on and on....
My point is, after spending the weekend browsing the competition at goodwood its hard to find a car that more poorly put together than a TVR. Don't get me wrong the drive is fantastic, performance and sound second to none. But at the end of the day 38K buys a lot of that from most manufacturers and I question how long they can hide under that as an excuse! I checked out the new Tuscan R which was at the show and (I know its preproduction) but at 70K plus you've got to be kidding if you think that is marketable. Performance or no performance.
sorry to hear this. If it's any consolation we all had all these faults, and some of us all of them (each). However the dealers have been extremely good at sorting things without question and once fixed they seem to be staying that way. Read the "Common Problems" thread of the last two weeks. To the list I posted I could have added the abrasive boot carpet, etc but they were all I could remember at the time! The boot opening trick helps on this one.
Once you get the car back and can open it up for the first time you'll realise just how fantastic it is, a completely different animal above 4000rpm. If you liked it before you'll love it now. Trust me!!
If you need any help / advice your dealer cant supply just use this forum, we're all here to help and share the experience.
Once you get the car back and can open it up for the first time you'll realise just how fantastic it is, a completely different animal above 4000rpm. If you liked it before you'll love it now. Trust me!!
If you need any help / advice your dealer cant supply just use this forum, we're all here to help and share the experience.
Thanks but my point is really should a car of this value produced by a car company with this history still experience this sort of level of teething problems?
I owned a boxster a couple of years ago (i know before you start....boxster!) but the thing is it cost me 38K and i had absolutely no problem with the car. The performance wasnt there, true, but how much are we actualy paying for it in the long run?
I owned a boxster a couple of years ago (i know before you start....boxster!) but the thing is it cost me 38K and i had absolutely no problem with the car. The performance wasnt there, true, but how much are we actualy paying for it in the long run?
...me again...see you have a 996 C4. Had one of these too and gat FAR more enjoyment out of the Tamora. I know it takes some time to get your head around the annoying quality difference, and it took me a good 3 months, but it'll happen. Stick with it, you'll be thanking me by September.
The thing about TVR's is that, not having any economies of scale, they have a fraction of the money to spend on development compared to the main manufacturers, so they spend most of it on performance and looks which are consequently fantastic and sell the cars. Having said that all of us have had these problems within 2 months of ownership after running costs in just the £00's so why didnt they find them first? The more you think about it the more it annoys, so I've stopped thinking. It just takes that one perfect road trip to change your mind forever.....
The C4s is on a different planet to the TVr in terms of quality and overall usability.....but...... it lacked excitement! I know that sounds really stupid, particularly when your talking about a car of its level of performance. The thing is its just too damn good at everything, it lifts you out of the whole driving experience. Which makes you drive faster and faster in search of the rush. A TVR gives you a buzz at 30mph round town (especially in the rain ;-))
I went into this with my eyes open. I've had nothing but excellent service from Westover sports cars. The decision to buy a TVR was made after experiencing friends cars and hearing all the problems they've had over the years. I think its just one of those Monday things, after a weekend away with the car and having water leaks (from every place possible it seemed) and then getting back into the 911 you start to question your sanity! I even came up with a new theory that TVR's age in dog years not car years. 3 months wear on a TVR seems like 3 years with any other car....
I'm sure your right about thanking you in September....just needed to rant!
I went into this with my eyes open. I've had nothing but excellent service from Westover sports cars. The decision to buy a TVR was made after experiencing friends cars and hearing all the problems they've had over the years. I think its just one of those Monday things, after a weekend away with the car and having water leaks (from every place possible it seemed) and then getting back into the 911 you start to question your sanity! I even came up with a new theory that TVR's age in dog years not car years. 3 months wear on a TVR seems like 3 years with any other car....
I'm sure your right about thanking you in September....just needed to rant!
James,
Must admit I find some of the problems totally frustrating as well. Don't forget however that there is not a robot in site in the TVR factory, the hand built factor probably accounts for most of the issues. Their build times are constanyly being reduced which can't help this.
Of the ones you are getting the door opening on the move is interesting. I have the same with the drivers door but have now figured out its the catch and not the elecronics/switch as first thought. On my way back from Goodwood yesterday it was fine for nearly 4 hours with the roof down and then the moment I hit a cross wind it blew the door open. As I was nearly home I experimented a bit and this definitely seems to be the cause. Having my catch removed and refitted on Saturday so hopefully this one is now put to bed.
>> Edited by frostie on Monday 15th July 17:31
Must admit I find some of the problems totally frustrating as well. Don't forget however that there is not a robot in site in the TVR factory, the hand built factor probably accounts for most of the issues. Their build times are constanyly being reduced which can't help this.
Of the ones you are getting the door opening on the move is interesting. I have the same with the drivers door but have now figured out its the catch and not the elecronics/switch as first thought. On my way back from Goodwood yesterday it was fine for nearly 4 hours with the roof down and then the moment I hit a cross wind it blew the door open. As I was nearly home I experimented a bit and this definitely seems to be the cause. Having my catch removed and refitted on Saturday so hopefully this one is now put to bed.
>> Edited by frostie on Monday 15th July 17:31
Hi James, sorry to hear about your list of problems, it's pretty long!
My car's having its 6000 mile service this week and I've still got a list of items for the dealer to look at. Only difference is that my list is for really minor things not fuel pump problems like you have. My worst problem is water being dragged into the car at the bottom rear of the side windows when doing motorway speeds in heavy rain. So as this doesn't happen much it doesn't really spoil my overall enjoyment. Annoying when it does happen though!
As Lance says stick with it, get the dealer to do his job. Whatever you say about TVR they do seem to rely on the dealers to fix minor things, right or wrong I know? Once you hit 7800rpm in 2nd gear nothing else will be on your mind!
Maybe you're spoilt by also owning a Porsche? The only other car I drive is a 1960 Morris Minor!
Cheers.... Andrew
My car's having its 6000 mile service this week and I've still got a list of items for the dealer to look at. Only difference is that my list is for really minor things not fuel pump problems like you have. My worst problem is water being dragged into the car at the bottom rear of the side windows when doing motorway speeds in heavy rain. So as this doesn't happen much it doesn't really spoil my overall enjoyment. Annoying when it does happen though!
As Lance says stick with it, get the dealer to do his job. Whatever you say about TVR they do seem to rely on the dealers to fix minor things, right or wrong I know? Once you hit 7800rpm in 2nd gear nothing else will be on your mind!
Maybe you're spoilt by also owning a Porsche? The only other car I drive is a 1960 Morris Minor!
Cheers.... Andrew
I still have along list of faults to be sorted and she iiiis due to go to the factory to have the body resprayed due to the amount of defects that I have found. yes it is annoying when the sill comes off the roof when you get it out of the boot, and it's annoying seeing the passenger loosing breath coz the seatbelt has jammed again, but when your moving it's all forgotten. I know when all these faults are sorted there will be others but (touch wood) she is still mechanicaly sound and thats all that matters to me. Stay with it, we all have had niggles and some like me they are still there,but the looks i get at only 10 mph are only a smiggen of what I get at ??? mph!!!!!!!!!!! 
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