TVR Sagaris review: did Blackpool save the best for last? | PistonHeads
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- Опубликовано: 27 сен 2024
- Don’t let the wild looks fool you; the Sagaris was arguably the most complete TVR. Shame it would also be the last...
To say TVR had a questionable reputation for build quality back in the day would be a bit of an understatement. The fledgling PistonHeads forums were awash with owners searching for solutions to their problems - or at least venting about them. So when TVR came to develop the Sagaris, it challenged itself to fix a leaky ship. The result was probably the most rational TVR to date and quite possibly the best - but it couldn't save the firm at the time. With PistonHeads celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2023, we sent Cam to HPC Classics to get acquainted with the car that oh so nearly turned TVR’s fortunes around.
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The Sagaris featured in the video is for sale on PH here: www.pistonhead...
Our interview with Peter Wheeler from 2004 can be found here: www.pistonhead...
Never seen this presenter before now, he’s good 👍
Did some good work on YesAuto, but that vanished 1-2(?)yrs ago. Good to see him back
Thanks for the kind words! Great to be back on video 🙌🏻
Except he can't pronounce the car's name properly..
Reminds me a bit of Catchpole which in my books is a strong compliment.
Very good
I spoke to Ted a while before he launched Pistonheads (Petrolheads at that time) and he tried to explain the idea of an internet chat group, but I only really got involved later. We, TVR owners, were definitely not all complaining about the cars though, there was a lot more to it than that and a lot of love and respect for the marque, as well as a wealth of knowledge on running and fettling.
Never drove a Sagaris, but it's slightly smaller sibling the T350 was magic. Lovely engine.
I'm a car video guru from Blackpool. That was a fantastic video mate. Well done.👏
Thanks very much! Our videographer Harry did a mega job on this one, I just open my mouth 😅
Sagaris is a great car, raw and timeless to my eyes! And great video and presenter. 👍🏼
Great to see Cam back presenting.
Great to be back, thanks for the comment 👊🏻
Makes you proud to be British.
Lovely little review that. Keep up the good work 👍
Thank you! And I agree, great to be reminded of the British sports car glory days
Everything about this car makes perfect sense. Down to the missing driver aids and airbags. And that exhaust is amazing. And the doorhandle solution is enviably clever. Proper engineering solution. As for the reliability issues of TVR, no other brand is better. Every manufacturer who dares to play with performance, and most of the basic cars as well, brake down eventually. When you try to push them without fully understanding what you are doing, all of them blow up. TVR is a mad scientist car. If you treat it well, it gives back good performance. If you mistreat it, it bites back. That's called character, and you can't get that in a Ford.
The Sagaris and Cerbera are class.
CORRECT :)
I think this highlights the importance of durability in great cars. There was a great recent-ish Autocar piece comparing the Renault GT Turbo saying it was better to drive than the sainted 205 GTi but no one remembers it because most have disappeared.
Always thought the 5 Turbo was far more exciting to drive as good as a 205 was .
The lag was horrible on the GT Turbo
Brilliant video Cam! Lovely production quality too… I've always had a soft spot for these since buying one in Test Drive Unlimited 😂
Thanks Tim! Blimey, that bought back some memories. Also had a T400R in my TDU1 garage, too…
These cars are special, and their importance within the story of British manufacturing and design is somewhat overlooked at the moment in my opinion. For a car that was penned 20yrs ago, it still looks bloody fantastic, fresh, aggressive and what a noise they make.
Yes, it’ll throw the odd wobbly, sensors and dash glitches when it’s cold and damp, and if you buy one you should always have a ‘running fund’ on top of the purchase price, but is that any different to any other 18yr old, 180mph car? Generally anything you do spend on them adds to their saleability and resale value, which is more than can be said for some marques.
They only made around 180 of them, and a fair few of those are no longer with us, having been exported or having taken a trip into a hedge. Once these cars hit 25yrs old, they’ll be off to the USA and Australia, so get one while you can…..
I wish I still had my shedy Chimaera, it did have a few issues but it was an incredible thing that could only be replaced by another TVR. If only!
Piston heads forum was like a baptism of fire into a world car purists. Great car education, nice to see thrive 25 yrs. on.
I have spoken with the engine designers ex-TVR and the reason for the side exit exhaust was to curb drive by noise so it could be type approved. They disconnected the near side on and had all the exhaust through the offside then drove it past the noise test rig without the independent validators realising. It worked so they kept the look.
I never new that 👍
I always remember seeing TVRs on the way down to Le Mans in the 90s and 00s...all parked at the side of the road with their bonnets up.
Porsche owner by chance?
@@BombSponge Caterham.
@@BigDuke6ixx nice!!!
more urban myth bollox
AH, the british viper. Always enjoy seeing it.
This was a great review and that Sagaris is a great car. I will say that the Tuscan Mk II was similarly good in quality compared to past TVRs as it was built around the same time as the Sagaris, the controls are tight, compliant throttle, the engine, good ride etc. However, the key point I learned a little while ago, that the presenter made regarding any TVR was that generally speaking, the quality and reliability of a TVR is down to how well it has been looked after!
I wonder if the designers of the LFA and new Supra took ideas from the Sagaris.
That is a sports car in its purest form!! Perfection!!
Correct!
Sagaris is so rare, I think I have only ever seen 2 on the road, I've seen as many Veyrons and Zonda's as I have Sagaris's.
Sagaris also looks like a lunatic, such a brute.
Nice video but it would have been great to see more of the car itself. Maybe hear that great startup sound you mentioned.
Thanks for the feedback, we’ll take that onboard for the next one
If punk rock was a car, it would be a TVR. I'd have a Sagaris in a chameleon colour and have someone cut-open those arch vents.
Couldn’t agree more! 🙌🏻
noice
Almost. If Punk was a car, it would be a TR7. A style statement underpinned by nothing of substance.
@lux caeca TR7 fan, punk fan or both?
@Lux caeca Straight in with the insults 🙄 what is your point, ultimately? That you disliked my flippant comment, or that you are inherently better than me because you are you?
Top 20 car for me. I've always wanted a TVR.
I love quirky and different from all else. Its the experience of the drive that wakes you up and pumps your blood. Cookie cutters don't do this and TVR has it in spades. Also agree with no airbags. I don't want to be knocked out of the way and off the steering wheel when trying to negotiate the car after an accident. Also would like to breathe the air which is impossible with air bag gasses and powder floating around the cabin that makes people bail out of the car door when finally stopped.
Yeah that's not how airbags work...
@@user-ue6iv2rd1n it was at the wreck I was at, don't know about yours
Great Video of a (sadly) all to rare TVR.
Looks like a monster but actually drives like a push cat.
I was lucky enough to spend a day driving one at Brands Hatch when they were new.
Overtaking a newish Porsche GT3 on track was epic.
this was my fav car in tdu
the sagaris is such a good looking car. probly the only tvr i reli want
I am still believe they should have started from there and bring the basis of the Sagaris to 2010s instead of creating something completely new.
Cracking review I like the t350
There was a time I considered all TVR’s to be a bit ugly & weird but I’m beginning to really appreciate the quirks of the Segaris design language. Perhaps it’s the lack of modern electronics cluttering up the aura of a proper drivers car - aggressive, slightly wacky looks, a great soundtrack & an interior that doesn’t look dated almost 20 years later make it an attractive proposition if you have the money & want something a bit different.
Still one of the best looking cars to date
to be fair, airbags can cause more damage than they prevent... sometimes
rudimentary traction control like the mk5 fiesta st has is dangerous as you enter a t-junction and all your power is taken away as cars are approaching
as for ABS, some old systems could be made in a way that it removes all brake pressure in a racing scenario
so he wasn't lying, but he also wasn't truthing lol
Always wanted one, but unfortunately will never own or drive or even see one for real! (basically they don’t exist where I live.)....”.really cool! Glad to see it get a good RUclips presentation, thanks!
These are going for £80-100k for low mileage example.
I miss my TVR Chimaera so much. Sold it 4 years ago…
The Sag is a work of art. I had a TVR for 8 years with no great problems apart from its maintenance. If we have to drive EVs in many year’s time why can they look like this instead of something your gran drives. Love TVR 👍🏆🇬🇧
My dad was the chief designer for this car. I never ask him about it though lol
Handmade built in my hometown that's what made me to be an engineer 25 yrs on for another British company ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧
Diddn't got to buy one in the early 2000th's. :( - Would like to have.
One of my dream cars this is...
YES...YES...TVR..!!!
You've finally created a properly handling,Car !!!..said Jeremy Clarkson 💙💯👍
War und ist es immer noch!
Ein Traum!
Such a special looking car
have seen her one time, she accelerates like speed light with crazy sound.
This is absolutely a car designed for the sake of driving it and I love that. I would kill to have one of these. But £60k for an 18 year old 90k mile example… it’s a little out of budget
You can get a t350 for half the price and get 99% of the experience
@@LawrenceTimme I'm afraid that's a common misconception. Although a T350 is good, a Sag is on another level when hustling. I would still love to have another TVR right now, thankfully we have 6 in the garage right now! @HPC Classics :)
£60k will seem cheap in 5 years. Late TVR prices have been claiming rapidly for the last few years. Americans love them and when they're 25 years old the restrictions for US imports diminish. Nab one while you can, if you can.
@@BombSponge You're not wrong my friend, I had an offer accepted yesterday and I'm afraid she has already sold! this could well have been THE last chance to buy one for less than 65k!
@@MilesHardy 🥲sad to see a loved car go - but grats :)
I have, and I will always love a TVR. Great styling, loud engines, bonkers interiors and NFG towards driver aids. This is why it's a sniff below 1100kg. Remember the Speed 12? looked like the fucking Batmobile! God, I miss them...
Surprisingly that no modified parts company, design any upgrade parts for TVR, such as carbon fiber body, Titanium exhaust, and other performance parts for the engine.
Your conclusion is correct. If it is well looked after but unfortunately well looked after means chassis and engine refreshes every 5-7 years, so the cost per mile is huge.
20 years in and no engine or chassis refreshes yet, and no indication it needs either... Certainly not every 5 or 7 years. There can be engine issues, but the good rebuilds address the issues and will last
@@sevenmangsb I don’t think this is the norm for any TVR owner.
Mine is 2002 t350 and on the original chassis still. The chassis only rusts if you drive it in the winter when the salt is on the road. Still costs loads to run though. Drinks 99 like a fish and it expensive to maintain.
@@LawrenceTimme A lot more fuel efficient than most supercars! We did a track day in a T350 years back and all day on one tank, the Ferrari lot were off to refuel twice! We only needed fuel to get home. Agree on chassis and top ends, if looked atfer they are fine - the rest are just horror stories from people that have bought / been in crap ones! :) TVR's rule!
@@MilesHardy mines got a powers 4.3l. 😂 it definitely more thirsty once you put the pedal down.
I've seen one not long ago for sale in orange with manuals and left wheel drive. If I'd had the money I'd taken in for sure.
Always loved the sagaris
Yeah, I had one around 18 years ago Drove it for 4 weeks someone crashed into me pulling out of a junction and wrote it off as it's built out of tissue paper, even thou it's " well built " btw the Hyundai Coupe that pulled out was mostly fine.
It was like a rock hitting a milk bottle.
That's the only car I sat and smiled at for hours when I bought it :(.
Oh well.
cap
Great review. Real sports car
What a great car still looks modern by today's standards and very radical and unique 👌🏻👌🏻
This car is GORGEOUS!
I have a Griffith - it is quirky and that is what i like.
Labels on buttons?? No, of course not
Awesome looking car
Great video gents.
Thanks Graham!
What a monster! I adore this unique design. Still, the absense of ABS is totally stupid for any street car.
No it isn't, it's fun! Then you become the driver. Also, the feedback is so much better than a normal road car, you don't really miss it.
@@MilesHardy I happen to own a Mazda 323F without ABS and imho it is ultra important on most surfaces apart from a well paved track. Thank God I haven't crashed because of it but a family member crashed lightly due to the lack of ABS. Tarmac isn't good enough in many countries to rely on the driver's ability or experience.
break feathering = ABS. Learn to drive ;)
@@BombSponge BS! In city traffic with many driving erratically this is a tecnique that pales in comparison to ABS, especially on wet pavement.
@@giorx5 F1 and most other racing drivers manage on slicks in rain without ABS at speeds a little greater than that of city traffic. Maybe not on the pavement tho. Learn to drive, fast. :)
It's on the top of my list. If I ever sell my LHD Griffith 500 .....
I've always wanted a TVR
Beautiful machine. If the engine and transmission finally give out, an LS or Tesla swap should fit nicely with a bit of imagination and effort
Did they make any in left hand drive?
Very few!
Beautiful silver never suited it though not near wild enough of a colour for it
It’s kind of like a guy who built a race car in his garage and had a supra engine laying around.
I wish TVR still made engines. it would be amazing by today’s standards. Brits always struggled with reliable engines though and I feel like now they are on par to be the refined craftsmanship that is on its last leg.
I hope they keep making cars.
Well, adding the airbags and all the drive assisst functions with their gear would've meant prolonged testing, that's extra costs atop the sheer costs of engineering those systems into the vehicle or of those systems themselves or of servicing them or any guarantee/warranties processes, plus with all the extra safety features people would have liked them tested and certified by 3rd party company or agency same as all the other vehicles on road, so even more upfront costs for the manufacturer before it can reap the benefits out of sold production. TVR did not have the funds to take them on themselves, so they would have had to push those costs to the customer, and that would've robbed their cars of their appeal, both by no longer standing 'against the flow' of commercial 4-wheelers and by potentially marring the 'bad boy/dangerous weapon in wrong hands' picture, and by increasing the price above the competition from reputable brands... thus, their niche could have been reduced to TVR fans... So it was kind of financially more secure way for the company to try to keep the formula for their products stupid simple with a hint of bonkers design. However, USA had one similar project from a major manufacturer, the Viper, which also used kind of strong engine plus unique body and no driver assistance tech on board, then Dodge had to start adding them in next revisions/generations until project managers decided a product with all the tech in may lose its customers due to comparative costs or fame/spirit losses and thus pulled the plug, same as TVR had to close the gates... I wonder what would've happened if they had upped their game with new tech added to the picture and their self-made components, the outlandish design intact and performance even more accessible...
Link to the mentioned Peter Wheeler interview?
Oops, thanks for the nudge. We've added it to the description, but you can find it right here: www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=93986
@@PistonHeadsTV Thank you!
When asked about driver aids like ABS etc he once quipped “we only make cars for heterosexuals” top man
"I've never driven a TVR" said while driving a TVR
The only brand that has a 6 cyl engine that I actually enjoy listen to.
I saw one in real life in a beautiful orange and my friend had a tvr he had a cerbera and a Tuscan mk1
Who doesnt love tvr. I wish they were still making cars
This car weights 1078kg / 2377lbs 😲 omg! Mazda mx5 weight
What a mess! Just looking at it makes me feel like I have eaten far too many crème de caramel combined with mousse au chocolat with a heavy dose of Port wine and that is for 1 month in a row
❤❤❤❤great video thanks
I don't like the rear of the car, but this is a cool car
Those glasses look a bit Oliver Peoples
“24 year old Russian businessman.”
That’s a business-boy, lmao.
Sounds great I want one 😎
thumbs up if you know about this car in forza.......it was able to beat everything on the motorway drag, something nuts like 1400hp
ruclips.net/video/JXy8xvwqUQA/видео.html
Sagaris was after Blackpool closed.. Russian owned by the time the Sagaris came out
TVR has changed hands more time than a Ban Koch Who are, in recent years (20). I stopped following the Car industry back then, when we lost our last true inspiration.!!! TBH, I am now a virgin an know nothing as EVERYTHING changed so fast.!!! Does anyone have a pointer video for us oldies to catch up quick.?
My Favourite car ever 👌
Bet its been a complete money pit. You can't really bang on about the milage @94k then follow it up with its had a couple of engine refinements (you mean rebuilds)
Can’t wait til these turn 25yrs so we can import them to the USA
Wouldn't touch a TVR if I had infinite money. 😂😂😂
TVRs are 😘
😍😍😍
beautiful.
Swordfish!
No ABS 💀
Just don't get the love for it's looks. Where it's not over fussy and messy, it's just awkwardly proportioned and ugly. I think perfection would be having the Sagaris mechanical's in a first series Tuscan.
Lovely 😊
Super.
Brutal
V8S sounded best.
Neat
The inhouse engine was a mistake tho. AMG engine or a BMW V8 block
Not a bad video. But clarkson does it better.
Tell me someone has LS swapped this lol
Tis' Bisc Sew Qoreign
mute qlosed qaptionless
November baby ; something something something too me
don't know?!
Sibiris not located on Sibley ; i'm done
They need a designer !