Reliability Poll Needed!
Discussion
Right everyone, I've had enough of hearing about TVR reliablity, blah, blah, blah, and I know I'm not alone in this. I'm as concerned as anyone (see previous postings) but the level of whinging is getting ridiculous. I've said before (when we have discussed the idea of a reliability survery, I now think this is probably a bad idea as the survey would be very coomplex) that I do think TVR need to improve in this area, but I still own one and I love it to bits and hope to upgrade soon.
So, Ted, it is possible for you to set up a really simple survey to gauge the real feeling of TVR owners (including past owners) on this site?
I'm thinking a few questions like:
- How do you rate your TVR ownership experience overall on a scale of 1-10?
- Would you recommend a TVR to a friend?
I get the feeling this is the only way we're going to show that we own the cars because we love them, not because it gives us something to whinge about. The average results could then be posted up. I really think that some kind of survey section, perhaps where other surveys could be posted from time to time, would be really useful and genuinely add something of value to the site. FYI: The Motley Fool (www.fool.co.uk) have a survey facility 'built-in' to their message boards.
So, what does everyone think about this? Ted - would you be willing to implement something like this if there is enough interest?
So, Ted, it is possible for you to set up a really simple survey to gauge the real feeling of TVR owners (including past owners) on this site?
I'm thinking a few questions like:
- How do you rate your TVR ownership experience overall on a scale of 1-10?
- Would you recommend a TVR to a friend?
I get the feeling this is the only way we're going to show that we own the cars because we love them, not because it gives us something to whinge about. The average results could then be posted up. I really think that some kind of survey section, perhaps where other surveys could be posted from time to time, would be really useful and genuinely add something of value to the site. FYI: The Motley Fool (www.fool.co.uk) have a survey facility 'built-in' to their message boards.
So, what does everyone think about this? Ted - would you be willing to implement something like this if there is enough interest?
I think the volume of posts here shows the level of enthusiasm for the marque.
I can indeed run a poll. Leave it with me and I'll see if I can come up with something interesting.
As for poll software, Carzee did write such a system but I err... seem to have mislaid it. Could you send it again please mate?
I can indeed run a poll. Leave it with me and I'll see if I can come up with something interesting.
As for poll software, Carzee did write such a system but I err... seem to have mislaid it. Could you send it again please mate?
,it's begining to reflect in the tone of the posts don't you think?
It's got to be remembered that this forum gets the throughput in many ways because of many TVR's 'reliability' reputation.
People are gonna come on and moan if their car breaks down – it's human nature. And 9 times out of 10 they're not gonna post if they've had a day out in the countryside with the top down and no misbehaving from the motor.
I can't say I visit the other forums (Ferrari, Lotus etc) with any regularity at all so can't gauge their percentage of gripes and groans.
I want to hear what is genuinely happening to other people's motors – if nowt's gone wrong, say so. Likewise, if the heads have gone and the clutch is knackered, say so as well.
If people are being perceived as moaning and groaning, I think it's because they're suffering along with the car and we're getting an honest perception of what owners are going through.
People are still buying TVR (both new and used) and are capable of making up their own minds about reliability. If I had deep pockets I'd be in Tuscan/Cerberaland, but I haven't so I'm restricted to Chimaeraville – it's common sense really.
If Ted ran a site with just BMW and Toyota
forums, do you think he'd get the interest or throughput? I think not. Which doesn't help the ad revenue.
People are gonna come on and moan if their car breaks down – it's human nature. And 9 times out of 10 they're not gonna post if they've had a day out in the countryside with the top down and no misbehaving from the motor.
I can't say I visit the other forums (Ferrari, Lotus etc) with any regularity at all so can't gauge their percentage of gripes and groans.
I want to hear what is genuinely happening to other people's motors – if nowt's gone wrong, say so. Likewise, if the heads have gone and the clutch is knackered, say so as well.
If people are being perceived as moaning and groaning, I think it's because they're suffering along with the car and we're getting an honest perception of what owners are going through.
People are still buying TVR (both new and used) and are capable of making up their own minds about reliability. If I had deep pockets I'd be in Tuscan/Cerberaland, but I haven't so I'm restricted to Chimaeraville – it's common sense really.
If Ted ran a site with just BMW and Toyota
forums, do you think he'd get the interest or throughput? I think not. Which doesn't help the ad revenue.Imelda: You're a gem! 
I think it's particularly annoying me because I'm sat in the office with a deadline looming and I'm so hungover from last night (one of our team is leaving so it would have been rude not to have a big night for him) that I have written less than 20 lines of code in 2 hours and 15 minuts. Yes, now I think about it, that's definitely got something to do with it.
To answer my own questions - I rate my ownership experience 9/10 too, and I have recommended them to several of my friends, one of whom is test driving one in the next couple of weeks based on my continuous urging!
Wonder if AutoExpress, AutoCar, etc. would be interested in hearing the results of the survey when they find out that 95% or so of TVR owners actually think the cars are pretty bl00dy amazing? Probably not, doesn't go with the whole 'TVRs are a nightmare to own' bandwagon does it?
I think it's particularly annoying me because I'm sat in the office with a deadline looming and I'm so hungover from last night (one of our team is leaving so it would have been rude not to have a big night for him) that I have written less than 20 lines of code in 2 hours and 15 minuts. Yes, now I think about it, that's definitely got something to do with it.
To answer my own questions - I rate my ownership experience 9/10 too, and I have recommended them to several of my friends, one of whom is test driving one in the next couple of weeks based on my continuous urging!
Wonder if AutoExpress, AutoCar, etc. would be interested in hearing the results of the survey when they find out that 95% or so of TVR owners actually think the cars are pretty bl00dy amazing? Probably not, doesn't go with the whole 'TVRs are a nightmare to own' bandwagon does it?
Is there a dividing line between owners of cars from new and second hand owners?
My Griff was second hand and didn't miss a beat in over a year of ownership. Loved it to bits.
I have a policy of never buying new. I bought a VW Passat (I know...) as a company car and its the only one I've had reliability problems with! And thats after a Alfa 164 and a Capri Mk1! I would not buy a performance car new as, apart from the monsterous depreciation, all new cars go pop so with a performance car when it does go pop it is most likely to be the engine or something equally expensive.
Is this a fair comment?
My Griff was second hand and didn't miss a beat in over a year of ownership. Loved it to bits.
I have a policy of never buying new. I bought a VW Passat (I know...) as a company car and its the only one I've had reliability problems with! And thats after a Alfa 164 and a Capri Mk1! I would not buy a performance car new as, apart from the monsterous depreciation, all new cars go pop so with a performance car when it does go pop it is most likely to be the engine or something equally expensive.
Is this a fair comment?
No fatbutt, it is not a fair comment! I bought my Chimeara new, it is 2 years old and has not so far gone pop. I love it to bits, and it goes like stink.
Even when it had to let me down when a stone went through the radiator (not the car's fault, obviously), it didn't go until I pulled into my own driveway.
And I bought it because my sister took me to France in hers, in the company of several others, and I couldn't resist - didn't want to!
Even when it had to let me down when a stone went through the radiator (not the car's fault, obviously), it didn't go until I pulled into my own driveway.
And I bought it because my sister took me to France in hers, in the company of several others, and I couldn't resist - didn't want to!
I've had five in mine!!!!!
On the original subject 10/10, had a few probs but nothing I couldn't do myself, Have recommended them to everyone and anyone I can!!!!
I think the main prob with reliability on TVR's own engines is the first drivers!!!, If they are not run in properly and thrashed from day one then they are bound to have problems!!, I have friends that have had them from new looked after them will running them in and not had one problem!!!!!
Thats my little rant for the day, I'm happy now weekend is here!!
On the original subject 10/10, had a few probs but nothing I couldn't do myself, Have recommended them to everyone and anyone I can!!!!
I think the main prob with reliability on TVR's own engines is the first drivers!!!, If they are not run in properly and thrashed from day one then they are bound to have problems!!, I have friends that have had them from new looked after them will running them in and not had one problem!!!!!
Thats my little rant for the day, I'm happy now weekend is here!!
New Vs Old! My experiences are:
Old - I had a 4.3 Griff for 4.5 years & no probs at all, lovely car, tremendous fun & a great first experience of TVR ownership. A 2nd car for me though. It's now rolling around NW England so hope current owner enjoying as much as I did.
New - I put my £1K down on the original Tuscan at NEC Motorshow in 1999 (I think)! Took ownership of the only new car I've ever bought in Feb 2001 - a Tuscan Red Rose. Now only done 9K miles (still a 2nd car & I'm a bit of a pussy driver) but marv!! Yes there have been problems, but mainly typical TVR piss poor quality trim fit, elctrics awol, & the anoying things they really should have got right by now. Overall I love the car. Now that's the kiss of death as the fish fingers, sorry finger followers, give up & it's back to the facory for an engine rebuild! Whilst I do give it a good caning (as PW & JR intended) at times, particularly in France, I do plan to keep it for a while. Finger followers crossed!
Would I buy again - yes! I'd probably make the same mistake/decision (you decide). Maybe in a galaxy far far away I might buy German next time, but as for punch for your pounds it's still the DBs & I don't refer to David Brown!
Old - I had a 4.3 Griff for 4.5 years & no probs at all, lovely car, tremendous fun & a great first experience of TVR ownership. A 2nd car for me though. It's now rolling around NW England so hope current owner enjoying as much as I did.
New - I put my £1K down on the original Tuscan at NEC Motorshow in 1999 (I think)! Took ownership of the only new car I've ever bought in Feb 2001 - a Tuscan Red Rose. Now only done 9K miles (still a 2nd car & I'm a bit of a pussy driver) but marv!! Yes there have been problems, but mainly typical TVR piss poor quality trim fit, elctrics awol, & the anoying things they really should have got right by now. Overall I love the car. Now that's the kiss of death as the fish fingers, sorry finger followers, give up & it's back to the facory for an engine rebuild! Whilst I do give it a good caning (as PW & JR intended) at times, particularly in France, I do plan to keep it for a while. Finger followers crossed!
Would I buy again - yes! I'd probably make the same mistake/decision (you decide). Maybe in a galaxy far far away I might buy German next time, but as for punch for your pounds it's still the DBs & I don't refer to David Brown!
I'd go for 11/10 because the Griff does so much more than an ordinary car, so much so that after nearly 2 years of ownership I can't think of anything that could replace it.....oh and BTW I went for a spin last night chasing beemers etc and it didn't miss a beat...never has actually. These things are unique and getting harder to find so just buy one, if you don't like it, check your pulse you are probably dead
Ted
You getting varying use of the facilities - and I can quite understand why some may be totally against putting their details on a public forum. You may have noticed I'm not one of them though!
Can you extract this sort of information from those that want to display it? Even if you could, would it be a representative sample?
After all, it's not representative to compare the running costs of my Griff with someone that's only had their car for a month or two, or someone who only covers 100 miles in a year.
So, and I am not advocating that any survey is a necessity, would not roadsweeper's idea be better?
At the end of the day though, it'll prove nothing about the reliability of the car that anyone chooses as a result - any more than I expect everyone to find a Griff costs 40p/mile to run.
So I don't think it will be helpful - sorry roadsweeper!
You getting varying use of the facilities - and I can quite understand why some may be totally against putting their details on a public forum. You may have noticed I'm not one of them though!
Can you extract this sort of information from those that want to display it? Even if you could, would it be a representative sample?
After all, it's not representative to compare the running costs of my Griff with someone that's only had their car for a month or two, or someone who only covers 100 miles in a year.
So, and I am not advocating that any survey is a necessity, would not roadsweeper's idea be better?
At the end of the day though, it'll prove nothing about the reliability of the car that anyone chooses as a result - any more than I expect everyone to find a Griff costs 40p/mile to run.
So I don't think it will be helpful - sorry roadsweeper!
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