NewNiceMrMe Posted June 30, 2005 Report Share Posted June 30, 2005 I know we have a TVR Forum but no-one is in it most of the time so I'd just like a general opinion on this - so please allow me to leave this here. Earlier this month I said I'd seen one of these whilst Karting in Middlesbrough. It sounded gorgeous, as they do, but I was unsure on the looks. However, it had obviously stuck in my mind enough for me to want to see more. Hence, I had a few hours to kill at lunchtime so I drove up to Hexham Horseless Carriages to see one. Wow. These really are one very very mean looking motor. I'm still not struck on the side pointing exhausts - but there is no denying the presence of the car is something special. The interior was superb. Lovely, lovely, place to sit. Couple that with the noise and throb sat in it....very tasty indeed. Then observe the figures... 4 litre 6 cyclinder (I thought it was 8, but hey, what do I know) 400bhp at 7000rpm Power to weight ratio of 383 bhp per tonne ( M3 = 218) 310ft lbs of torque 0-60 mph = 3.7 secs 0-100 mph = 8.1 secs (WTF!!) Max speed = 195 mph (FFS!!) No ABS ( ) Price, well basically all yours for £50k. Here are a few pics (not from the showroom): Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smudge Posted June 30, 2005 Report Share Posted June 30, 2005 Post deleted by Smudge Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewNiceMrMe Posted June 30, 2005 Author Report Share Posted June 30, 2005 Note TSN-er's, it's in here because I'm interested in a general opinion. Gracious thanks to the mods. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thorburn Posted June 30, 2005 Report Share Posted June 30, 2005 Except in being nice I lost my reply Anyway basic gist was I think the Sagaris looks a bit over the top for a car that isn't really much quicker or more aggresively set up than the 350C its based on, the aerodynamic additions spoil the shape and don't always help the balance of the car e.g. the filled in slashes in the wheel arches, open on the race car, closed on the road car as water comes through them and 'looks ugly' in the rain. If it were my money I and was looking for a TVR I'd take a look at the Tuscan 2 over the Sageris. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smudge Posted June 30, 2005 Report Share Posted June 30, 2005 No!!! Sagaris all the way. The whole point of a TVR (imo) is to be a loud, and thats just what the Sagaris does, with big feck off bells on. So what if it's not quite as fast. I first saw one at Le Mans last year (TVR took what I believe to be a prototype down) which also happened to have two relatively naked young ladies drapped all over it. I still managed to look at the car more! TVR have also just opened up a new showroom just down the road from my office (called TVR London), and although I haven't passed it much, they did have a large selection of Sagari (??) lined up inside the showroom, just like that pic from the factory. They look superb! (I'll try & get a pic of it when I'm next passing). I honestly think the Tuscan looks old, and has been given a quick face lift to bridge a gap. Which doesn't help it. But then I'm no TVR expert sadly, so I could be miles from the reality of it. What would be great is if some cash rich car giant came along, spunked load of cash on them, but gave them free reigns on design. So, same crazy mad cars, but a little bit more reliabilty & build quality. But not too much, then they just wouldn't be TVR enough! Anyone see (I think) JC driving one recently, and at 80mph the windscreen wiper was lifting off the windscreen?!?!?!?! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bazza_g Posted June 30, 2005 Report Share Posted June 30, 2005 This spot at LeMans this year looked flippin ace - I reckon this colour looks a little less 'angled' than the grey version in the pics above - sounds awesome too Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RossG Posted June 30, 2005 Report Share Posted June 30, 2005 I love the Sagaris. I would sell my Gran to get one. And I love my Gran to bits so that's saying something Orange or that goldie yellowie colour Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sayerbloke Posted June 30, 2005 Report Share Posted June 30, 2005 Not keen. I respect it... but that`s about as far as it goes. I don't think it`d be useable on everyday roads and I could name several vehicles I`d rather have as a trackcar. Yet, whenever I see a TVR go by, I don't for one minute think "Why buy that? You could have bought an xyz." I do understand the appeal. If you`re tempted by the sort of car, you`re unlikely to find better elsewhere. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bison1379134007 Posted June 30, 2005 Report Share Posted June 30, 2005 [ QUOTE ] Except in being nice I lost my reply Anyway basic gist was I think the Sagaris looks a bit over the top for a car that isn't really much quicker or more aggresively set up than the 350C its based on, the aerodynamic additions spoil the shape and don't always help the balance of the car e.g. the filled in slashes in the wheel arches, open on the race car, closed on the road car as water comes through them and 'looks ugly' in the rain. If it were my money I and was looking for a TVR I'd take a look at the Tuscan 2 over the Sageris. [/ QUOTE ] I can tell you that the drive from a T350 is way different.... its much more balenced and well planted and the extra power makes it quite a bit quicker. This is coming from someone who owns a T350 and drove it. If that's the result of slashing it up then i welcome it with a big horn. I'll definetley be getting one as soon as i can beg, borrow or steal the 50 large. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bison1379134007 Posted June 30, 2005 Report Share Posted June 30, 2005 [ QUOTE ] Yet, whenever I see a TVR go by, I don't for one minute think "Why buy that? You could have bought an xyz." [/ QUOTE ] Ok i'll bite. What car is xyz? I think TVR is the one of the only models that lets you have super car performance/handling at sub 50K. I bought my T350 for about 38K... what car could i have bought that would have brought the same bang per buck as that? The noble is the only thing that came close. Of course i haven't mentioned the reliabilty that you questionably lose for it being "good value". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewNiceMrMe Posted June 30, 2005 Author Report Share Posted June 30, 2005 [ QUOTE ] Of course i haven't mentioned the reliabilty that you questionably lose for it being "good value". [/ QUOTE ] Ok, so on that very subject, as an owner of a T350....just what IS reliability like? For example - could you use it everyday and if you did is it liable to breakdown or not start? The press make it out to be a downside - so how is it from the ownership side? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smudge Posted July 1, 2005 Report Share Posted July 1, 2005 [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] Yet, whenever I see a TVR go by, I don't for one minute think "Why buy that? You could have bought an xyz." [/ QUOTE ] Ok i'll bite. What car is xyz? I think TVR is the one of the only models that lets you have super car performance/handling at sub 50K. [/ QUOTE ] When I read Sayer's post I thought exactly the same as Bison, but also thought about the reliability. I think it is generally agreed / accepted that you don't buy a TVR for it's reliability. I've certainly heard a TVR salesman calling it a characteristic of TVR's (salesman eh!! ), and that if you do buy one, you know exactly what you could be letting yourself in for. I also remember a few stories from Bison, like the time he showed a Fezza 360 where to go, whilst on Park Lane. But also the time he arrived at a windsor meet, with a pocket full of fuses & a sheet of tarpaulin to cover the windscren as it was raining, and the Trev was going through fuses for the windscreen wipers at a rate of knotts. I'd still have one with out a doubt, a TVR has been on my wanted list ever since I first saw / heard a Griffith rumble by me as a youth. I'd just make sure I had an old banger as my daily motor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaddyDub Posted July 1, 2005 Report Share Posted July 1, 2005 I love the Sagaris, If I had the $ to buy a Sagaris, I cant think of anything I would rather have (including the Noble). BTW I would take one in Orange with the Black wheels! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bison1379134007 Posted July 1, 2005 Report Share Posted July 1, 2005 [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] Of course i haven't mentioned the reliabilty that you questionably lose for it being "good value". [/ QUOTE ] Ok, so on that very subject, as an owner of a T350....just what IS reliability like? For example - could you use it everyday and if you did is it liable to breakdown or not start? The press make it out to be a downside - so how is it from the ownership side? [/ QUOTE ] Well i didn't have any major mechanical problems with my car at all and i did use it for my everyday hooning round london car. Did have a windscreen wiper episode that made me drive my car through a gate in pure rage... but saying that i've owned audi's and VW's that have had their far share of electrical issues so i wouldn't say it was any worse. I would say however that you'd wanna own a "real" car as well as the trevor... it just ain't practical for a lot of applications. But if you can afford the servicing every 6K miles you should be able to afford a backup vechicle! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bison1379134007 Posted July 1, 2005 Report Share Posted July 1, 2005 [ QUOTE ] But also the time he arrived at a windsor meet, with a pocket full of fuses & a sheet of tarpaulin to cover the windscren as it was raining, and the Trev was going through fuses for the windscreen wipers at a rate of knotts. [/ QUOTE ] ahhahah that was miserable! Feck me i got pissed off with it that night... it almost killed me on the m25, 80 in the outside lane with no wipers isn't funny! And then poor mollox had to ambush an AA van to get me a new stash of fuses. I'd still do it all over again though... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theduisbergkid Posted July 1, 2005 Report Share Posted July 1, 2005 Fantastic motors, but not for everyone. I love the idea of TVR just making what they want, how they want, without listening to focus groups and marketing types. All the stories about Peter Wheelers dog biting the model of the Cerbera, "nothing german in my car", 1000bhp speed 12 nonsense. I love it all, true Brit character . It is such a pity that you don't see many on the continent, many car mad Germans I know would love a TVR, but continental dealers and support are thin on the ground. TVR have (I think) been through 3 MD's in about 1 year and I only hope that all the takeover turbulance results in better built cars with more on the road worldwide.... phew, feel better for that little blather ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewNiceMrMe Posted July 1, 2005 Author Report Share Posted July 1, 2005 Right, well here goes. This isn't going to be an ultra long review because my visit to the dealership took a twist as it happened. Anyway, waiting for me when I got there was a fly splattered TVR Sagaris in bright red. I think they could have washed it, but hey, I wasn't going to look at it and there was still the mega-clean grey one in the showroom to look at. First thoughts on actually seeing the car outside (because I think dealership lights always show a car in a different way anyway) are that this is one low and aggressive looking creature. I actually noticed the bonnet slats and centre bonnet 'hole' (which is what I think is the best term for it) much more when it was outside. It looks like a Great White Shark with gaping gills as it prepares to swallow anything in front of it. I'm a big guy but getting into the car was still quite easy. The seat was comfortable and whilst the dash took some getting used to (because of the lack of much of it!) I soon settled in. Hexham is a small town for anyone who doesn't know it and the dealership is entered/exited on a slope right on a junction....so a few revs are needed to pull away. Those few revs result in quite a staggering sound. I did of course forget we don't have traction control in this car and promptly gave a slight spin away from the gates! Oops! The salesman was very nice about it - and laughed. We drove out of Hexham over some fairly bumpy roads and the ride is quite harsh. Harder than I expected (not sure what I expected). Nonetheless, it wasn't backbone breaking. Aw look, sod it. I can't continue this. It's pointless. Why? Well after a 15 minute test drive (all I felt I needed) we returned to the showroom. See, before we went out I'd asked about another car. That's why I can't continue writing about the Sagaris. Because the other car is just on another planet and I have to write about that instead! The Sagaris isn't for me. Power, pace, it has it all. Build was okay. Nothing more. However, the other car decimates it. In every area. Everything. There, that's all your getting. Now I must go make a post on the most astonishing car I have ever driven. Sorry!!!!!! Check the General Cars forum soon and you'll see what I mean. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smudge Posted July 4, 2005 Report Share Posted July 4, 2005 M3me, did you find the hinge on the door of the Trev limiting? I'm not making some comment on your size either! I popped into a Trev dealer on Friday & looked at the Sagaris, opened the door and then felt like I had opened it too much & could have damaged the door & body work. I hadn't, but it did worry me a little. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
klutch_power Posted July 8, 2005 Report Share Posted July 8, 2005 love the sagaris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattR32 Posted July 22, 2005 Report Share Posted July 22, 2005 I wish TVR would stick ABS and maybe at least one airbag in their cars. I know that's not what they are about but it's a big reason I prefer the VX220 over the Elise (111R excepted). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pjf_11 Posted July 26, 2005 Report Share Posted July 26, 2005 [ QUOTE ] I don't think it`d be useable on everyday roads [/ QUOTE ] Hi....new to the forum I use mine on everyday day roads..............no problem Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattR32 Posted July 26, 2005 Report Share Posted July 26, 2005 A real owner at last! Lovely car! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ritey Posted July 26, 2005 Report Share Posted July 26, 2005 Welcome to Tyresmoke, I'm sooooo jealous Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TiSwAs Posted July 26, 2005 Report Share Posted July 26, 2005 Heard it first but saw a silver one today ....LUSH. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pjf_11 Posted July 27, 2005 Report Share Posted July 27, 2005 Thanks for the welcome..... The car is just bloody fantastic. It inspires you to drive 30 miles for a pint of milk even knowing the local corner shop sells it. Stuff TVR reliability....these cars are cheap when you consider the pound to thrill rate.......and they are thrilling to drive...that's for sure. Can't wait to get it on a track. YP Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Please sign in to comment
You will be able to leave a comment after signing in
Sign In Now