I think i have mentioned before i am restoring a TVR Chimaera so am a member if the TVR club. So i am a touch biased but i dont think tainted is fair description, yiu could point the same finger at jaguar landrover, aston martin, and a few others over the years.
As a member we were offered a reduction on the initial deposit on the new car, 2500 down from 5000. You might be surprised to know they have been inundated with deposits. They are now close to closing to book on the Limited Edition first model. It appears to be a well funded and thought out proposal with strong backing and the right people on board. People are prepared to pay for them, look at the last model the sagaris, couple of years back they were around for high 20-30k you wont find one now with change from 50k. Thats a car probably 10-12 years old.
I totally understand about the quality issues with this sort of small run production car lord knows i have seen some of the strange ways they approached their engineering as i have been restoring mine. But fundamentally the cars are a terrific bit of kit and as a devoted petrol head i have always wanted one. For me it is a weekend and nice day out car my daily is a D4 so at the other end of the engineering spectrum
I also own a Triumph Stag 1975 which was another car built badly and riddled with engine problems. Strangely though with todays knowledge and availability of upgrades and my years of working on cars, you can resolve all of these build quality issues and in five years she has never once failed to start or make it back home
for a car thats 40 years old it drives beautifully and makes a lovely open top weekend cruiser with a cracking burble from the tail pipes.
I have built a Westfield and owned loads of performance cars but my TVR and Stag are keepers now
I for one really hope TVR make a go of it and give the current super car fraternity a kick up the jacksie. My TVR is nearly 20 years old but will still do 60 in just over four seconds and makes a sound to make the hairs stand up on the back of your neck
I'll get round to posting up some pictures of her soon as she is now nearly back on the road, just a few more weekends work and i will have the smile back on my face
That the great thing about cars though so much variety and personal choice preference.
Cheers
Glyn