Advice on a car I am looking at

[Imran_M]

Hi there,

Possibly might be going to see a Tuscan soon but wanting another opinion on its engine if you please.

2003 model, 28K miles, good full service history from very reputable folks... but No engine rebuild (yet).

Should I stay clear of this completely due to the fact its not been rebuilt, or seek out lower price/engine warranty? I am getting conflicting reports from 3 different TVR specialists so thought I ask your opinion. thanks.

[shake n bake]

I didn't think there were many (any?) original, Non rebuilt engines left, especially on one of the earlier cars?
I think the thing to ask is if it did go pop can you budget for a rebuild?

[Englishman]

My personal experience is of one S6 engine out of four needing a rebuild.

Not all older engines need an early rebuild. If possible I would suggest getting to Powers Performance, they will take the cover off inspect the camshafts and finger followers and do various tests to confirm the state of the engine. If ok, they are happy to put their own solid warranty on it, at a cost of course.

[so called]

Hi imran, your profile says your 17.
How much is the insurance going to cost!!!
I won't insult you by saying "start on something a little safer", as you may be as talented as a young Schumacher but you really are jumping in the deep end.

My experience of the speeds is mixed.
My first Tuscan lasted 34 miles before I needed a rebuild.
I didn't take the advice above and bought it blind.
Actually, my wife bought it for me.
That had had a rebuild at the factory at 35k. I bought it at 70k

Now, having said that my current 2006 Tuscan is at 70k no rebuild but the post 2004 engines had better materials and oil distribution.

[BobE]

I have an almost identical spec car - 28K and 2003 - with no engine rebuild. Having bought it I took it to a renowned TVR dealer who said it was one of the best cars they'd seen in years and has a very strong engine. For what it's worth not all cars suffer from the problems of the very early cars where according to one dealer 44 of their first 45 cars sold needed a rebuild under warranty. I would make a couple of points. Firstly if it's an early rebuild it may not have solved the quality issues from the factory. Even with a rebuild to the original spec if the car isn't warmed up properly from cold before giving it high revs you are courting trouble. I guess only a rebuild from one of the two renowned specialists - that also involve design changes as well as quality changes - can reduce the risk. However you still need an owner who is conscientious in warming the engine up carefully - or there could still be problems. As others have said you need funds available to run these cars in case the worst happens and even if it doesn't they still need regular maintenance and tweaking....

[Imran_M]

so called said:

Hi imran, your profile says your 17.
How much is the insurance going to cost!!!
I won't insult you by saying "start on something a little safer", as you may be as talented as a young Schumacher but you really are jumping in the deep end.

My experience of the speeds is mixed.
My first Tuscan lasted 34 miles before I needed a rebuild.
I didn't take the advice above and bought it blind.
Actually, my wife bought it for me.
That had had a rebuild at the factory at 35k. I bought it at 70k

Now, having said that my current 2006 Tuscan is at 70k no rebuild but the post 2004 engines had better materials and oil distribution.

I am 30 years old now, the profile was made when I had my first ever Tuscan passenger ride at age 17, I've not got round to ever changing the profile but might do that now!

Thanks for the advice, a lot of food for thought, I'm thinking it sounds like if it's a Mk1 (which is ideally what I'm after) and it's not had a good rebuild then a warranty is a must. Perhaps one that has had a decent rebuild recently and has a good history otherwise can have more faith I guess?

[mab1]

Depends on the price. If your getting it at the right money, and your able to keep the cash aside for a rebuild "just in case" then it could be a good option.

As someone said above these things can be expensive to run anyway - my car has had a rebuild but by the time I had a 12k service, various wear and tear items replaced, plus a new clutch and associated bits my costs haven't been far off-the cost of a another one this year!