Discussion
I was just remembering the time I had an MGRV8, in the press at the time it was compared less than favourably with the TVR Chimaera so I though i'd test drive one and see for myself.
After a wonderful drive in the RV8 across rolling Leicestershire countryside I arrived at the TVR dealership in Melton Mowbray and we went out in a Chimaera. I must admit I was mightily impressed with the meaty steering and fantastic ride quality as well as the performance and brakes, in fact I wasn't relishing the return to the MG after the TVR's cosseting
.
However heading back in the RV8 a funny thing happened.Where the TVR numbed the road surface the MG was reproducing every ripple, the TVR's power steering suddenly felt lifeless compared to the constant chatter from the MG's unservoed livewire helm. Infact the whole car felt alive and challenging to drive. I didn't need the power of the TVR because the MG FELT fast, it's brakes, tyres, suspension and chassis all struggling to contain the V8's power.
I think what I'm trying to say is, impressive as the TVR undoubtably is the MGRV8 is a really FUN
car to drive if you enjoy the challenge, it's minus points to many are plus ones to me - MG beats TVR who'd have thought it!
After a wonderful drive in the RV8 across rolling Leicestershire countryside I arrived at the TVR dealership in Melton Mowbray and we went out in a Chimaera. I must admit I was mightily impressed with the meaty steering and fantastic ride quality as well as the performance and brakes, in fact I wasn't relishing the return to the MG after the TVR's cosseting
. However heading back in the RV8 a funny thing happened.Where the TVR numbed the road surface the MG was reproducing every ripple, the TVR's power steering suddenly felt lifeless compared to the constant chatter from the MG's unservoed livewire helm. Infact the whole car felt alive and challenging to drive. I didn't need the power of the TVR because the MG FELT fast, it's brakes, tyres, suspension and chassis all struggling to contain the V8's power.
I think what I'm trying to say is, impressive as the TVR undoubtably is the MGRV8 is a really FUN
car to drive if you enjoy the challenge, it's minus points to many are plus ones to me - MG beats TVR who'd have thought it! At the Event last weekend I've seen a RV8 again. (been a while, since I've seen one the last time.)
I found some time to chat with the owner and have a sit in it. It is a very beautifuly car! And the torque ... wow ... it revs from 1000 to 2000rpm better then most cars from 4000 to 5000 ... and it sounds good too!
But about handling ... I can not see what you mean. Given I never driven a Chim ... but the steering of the RV8 is very heavy! You have to fight with it to bend it through a corner.
I found some time to chat with the owner and have a sit in it. It is a very beautifuly car! And the torque ... wow ... it revs from 1000 to 2000rpm better then most cars from 4000 to 5000 ... and it sounds good too!
But about handling ... I can not see what you mean. Given I never driven a Chim ... but the steering of the RV8 is very heavy! You have to fight with it to bend it through a corner.
Newromancer said:
At the Event last weekend I've seen a RV8 again. (been a while, since I've seen one the last time.)
I found some time to chat with the owner and have a sit in it. It is a very beautifuly car! And the torque ... wow ... it revs from 1000 to 2000rpm better then most cars from 4000 to 5000 ... and it sounds good too!
But about handling ... I can not see what you mean. Given I never driven a Chim ... but the steering of the RV8 is very heavy! You have to fight with it to bend it through a corner.
Granted both the clutch and the steering are pig heavy although at speed the steering lightens up alot and is quite sharp, I guess it's the price you pay for no power steering. Not ideal for everyday driving and parking's a real pain but get it going some and even the shortest blat makes me grin
Anyway, as I said, I like a challenge, modern cars are too easy to drive fast and it's impossible to safely approach their limits unless on a track. Didn't really mean to criticise the TVR, it's a wonderful car in many ways but just not for me. Having said that I wouldn't refuse a Tuscan thankyou very much.
BTW take a look at the pictures from the Bavarian MG Event, should be some nice RV8 pictures there.
>> Edited by Newromancer on Monday 19th July 20:31
>> Edited by Newromancer on Monday 19th July 20:31
Newromancer said:
BTW take a look at the pictures from the Bavarian MG Event, should be some nice RV8 pictures there.
>> Edited by Newromancer on Monday 19th July 20:31
Cheers for that, looks like a great day out, really should polish up my german and get over there.
Noticed you've got an MGF, what's it like to drive? I drove several MGF Trophy race cars in Aus last year and found it's handling interesting to say the least, probably the most oversteery car I've been in!
*lol* hmmm, interesting, the most people in the MGOC think it oversteers not enough 
The default settings are rubbish. -0.05 in the front, +0.05 in the back. ( Makes it underteer if driven to fast into the corner und oversteer if accelerating too much out from a corner ... lets call it "nanny mode".)
I set it up to +0.00 F and +0.05 B ... other people set the car to +0.05 F and +0.1 B ... which is really very oversteering.
However, I think that you Trophy wasn't maintained correctly, the suspention of the 'F is very good, but needs special care ... I check mine every year. If it is loosing oil, or is set up wrong, the car gets hardly controlable ... and very dangerous.
I think that is the main reason why they changed it with the TF, in favor of a reliable coil-suspention.
---
The F hates the stright line ... and it isn't very fast eighter ... but on curvy roads like the ones on the event, I simply couldn't think of a better car ... (Hmm, maybe the Elise MK2 that joined us ) ... however, the 'F eats this curves, and with the torquie engine (at least for 4 cylinders), you can drive them all day. It was lovely.
I live in Upperaustria, which looks very simular to Bavaria ... and I have the 'F now for over 3 years ... but every time I have an wide open curvy road ahead (without traffic) ... I arrive at home with a big, a very big, simle on my face. - I think that tells more then everything else.
The default settings are rubbish. -0.05 in the front, +0.05 in the back. ( Makes it underteer if driven to fast into the corner und oversteer if accelerating too much out from a corner ... lets call it "nanny mode".)
I set it up to +0.00 F and +0.05 B ... other people set the car to +0.05 F and +0.1 B ... which is really very oversteering.
However, I think that you Trophy wasn't maintained correctly, the suspention of the 'F is very good, but needs special care ... I check mine every year. If it is loosing oil, or is set up wrong, the car gets hardly controlable ... and very dangerous.
I think that is the main reason why they changed it with the TF, in favor of a reliable coil-suspention.
---
The F hates the stright line ... and it isn't very fast eighter ... but on curvy roads like the ones on the event, I simply couldn't think of a better car ... (Hmm, maybe the Elise MK2 that joined us
) ... however, the 'F eats this curves, and with the torquie engine (at least for 4 cylinders), you can drive them all day. It was lovely. I live in Upperaustria, which looks very simular to Bavaria ... and I have the 'F now for over 3 years ... but every time I have an wide open curvy road ahead (without traffic) ... I arrive at home with a big, a very big, simle on my face. - I think that tells more then everything else.
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