Off Topic

I'm one - anyone else?

Alfa 147 2.0 TSPARK

Poor Alfa, loads of bad press (usually justified) but what a lovely car to drive. I love my Alfa even though sometimes it can get a bit fraught: so what if the clutch pedal creaks. And the heated seat only works in the summer. And the glove-box handle fell off. And the cambelt needs changing every 30,000miles. And it uses oil. I'm always rewarded by its good looks, sporty performance and comfortable seats.

So am I brave or stupid? Neither really, just prepared to forgive a few niggles given the rewards elsewhere.

What you got then?

I got into TVRs by accident.  I was looking for a new VW Corrado VR6 in 1993 when I saw a sign for TVR.  I went for a test drive so that I could say to my brother (a TVR fan), 'Guess what I've just driven.'  Instead, I called him an hour later to say 'Guess what I've just bought.' I've just sold my fourth, a Tuscan, to him.

Like Alfas, TVRs have a reputation for poor reliability.  I think this is unfair.  Mine have been almost perfect, the worst (most expensive) fault/repair being a mouse eating through my Griffith's wiring loom, but that was hardly TVR's fault!  They turn heads, make people wave appreciatively, and one always gets let into traffic unlike Porsche and BMW drivers.  0-60 in 4 secs and trouser-soiling top speeds mean few supercars can keep up.  So brave and stupid!

I got into TVRs by accident.  I was looking for a new VW Corrado VR6 in 1993 when I saw a sign for TVR.  I went for a test drive so that I could say to my brother (a TVR fan), 'Guess what I've just driven.'  Instead, I called him an hour later to say 'Guess what I've just bought.' I've just sold my fourth, a Tuscan, to him.

Like Alfas, TVRs have a reputation for poor reliability.  I think this is unfair.  Mine have been almost perfect, the worst (most expensive) fault/repair being a mouse eating through my Griffith's wiring loom, but that was hardly TVR's fault!  They turn heads, make people wave appreciatively, and one always gets let into traffic unlike Porsche and BMW drivers.  0-60 in 4 secs and trouser-soiling top speeds mean few supercars can keep up.  So brave and stupid!