What's owning a Tuscan like?

What's owning a Tuscan like?

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e46m3c

Original Poster:

874 posts

154 months

Thursday 28th January 2016
quotequote all
Hi All,

Ive been on and off wanting a tuscan for a few years.

Ive been running a 550bhp m3 as a daily / alps / track car for a few years so the reliability always made me stay with the m3.

After 6 years of M3 fun, i now have a saab diesel for the commute, and to tow my almost 500bhp/ton race car.

So now im after something which is really special for weekend blasts, tinkering, and my yearly 10day alp trip and sitting on the drive looking cool, and make an awesome noise.

So what is owning a tuscan like? Do they get under your skin and thrill? Is handling acceptable or require significant improvement?

My main problem, is when ive gone to see tvr's they look great in pics but really shabby in real life. Perhaps i have just seen tired examples?

Prices are rising, when i looked a few years ago they were around 16k. Now they appear 20k+ which is really at my limit.

Help me convince myself to buy a fast, unreliable, impractical, needless sports car for a ton of money please.

Anyone got a really nice tuscan in berkshire perhaps i could be taken for a quick blast in?

m3coupe

1,104 posts

203 months

Thursday 28th January 2016
quotequote all
You will get the same answer from everyone on here but in my opinion, buy one.

I went from a M3 to a Tuscan (though my M3 was not tuned to 500Bhp) and I absolutely loved it.

It will get under your skin to the point everything else seems dull in comparison.

You mentioned you wanted it to look cool on the drive - CHECK
You mentioned it had to make a lovely noise - CHECK
You mentioned it needs to be fast - CHECK

Handling can be a bit hit or miss, very fast rack which some complain about but I like it. Mine was on standard shocks so could have been improved but it behaved admirably both on the road and the one track day I had it at.

Some of the interiors can be tatty, poorly put together by the factory but you do have to take into account that they are pushing 16 years old in some models so you aren't going to be getting showroom condition.

As for reliability, mine only broke down once on me and that was the clutch that went. Looking back I was more concerned with engine reliability and rebuilds when I bought so I never asked about the clutch which lasted 5000 miles before it went. Really should of used that as a bargaining tool.

Drive a few, get a feel for them and once you find one that ticks most of your boxes, buy it. You won't be disappointed.

chimyellow

363 posts

258 months

Thursday 28th January 2016
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They are good to tinker with and access to bits is generally good.
Parts are readily available.
Be prepared as they draw lots of attention, especially in Europe. All positive. I even had to ask someone to move away from door who was taking pictures so I could get out just after parking at one point in Belgium!

stevieeg

269 posts

129 months

Thursday 28th January 2016
quotequote all
I think EVO magazine hit the nail on the head when they said it was as involving a car to drive at six tenths as many are at ten.

A MK1 car's twitchy nature can be tempered by good geometry setup and aftermarket suspension bits... and there are mods out there to further improve them.

Can they break down? Yes, absolutely. I think I have had more pain from Tuscans than most over the last 3 years but they are exhilarating on every trip and when all is said and done I don't regret deciding to buy.

As an example of the kind of attention these cars attract - I was once driving through Shoreditch with the roof off when a pretty young lady ran out of a pub, jumped the door, introduced herself and asked where we were going to. It has that kind of effect ;-)

ratboiler

437 posts

190 months

Thursday 28th January 2016
quotequote all
As above.
I bought mine 4 years ago, and take it away on a regular basis, currently its been to Monza, Le Mans a couple of times, Austria, took the wife touring to Spain and Portugal last year and had a ball, off to the Old Timers this year plus a few TVR car club events. No break downs so far (fingers crossed) but replaced the clutch while sorting the slave cylinder, and replaced a weeping radiator.
The attention the car gets is unbelievable
Handling is as already said hit and miss.
I have a VXR220 as well, but it never gets used not while the Tuscan is there as well.
Take a good look around I travelled the country looking at them before buying one, if nobody comes up in your area to take you out and fancy a trip up to Bedford I will do the honours.
The TVR Car club day at Burgley Hall is on the 10/04/2016, that would be a good place to decide which model you want plus a few will be for sale.
Good luck.

e46m3c

Original Poster:

874 posts

154 months

Thursday 28th January 2016
quotequote all
Sounds perfect.

From reading my preference would be Mk 1 S (for the closer ratio box and bigger brakes).

There are very few for sale. They seem to be either 20k or 30k with nothing inbetween.

Id really like an enthusiast owned one, is there a good forum?

Where will by 20k budget likely land me?

e46m3c

Original Poster:

874 posts

154 months

Thursday 28th January 2016
quotequote all
I also love the targa.

Ive only done the alps trips in coupes. the idea of extra scenery and noise and fresh air is appealing.

How water tight are they? It would have to live on the drive until i build a car port next to my garage to keep it out of the rain. Might be 6 months on the drive ish.


mk1fan

10,507 posts

224 months

Thursday 28th January 2016
quotequote all
e46m3c said:
Sounds perfect.

From reading my preference would be Mk 1 S (for the closer ratio box and bigger brakes).

There are very few for sale. They seem to be either 20k or 30k with nothing inbetween.

Id really like an enthusiast owned one, is there a good forum?

Where will by 20k budget likely land me?
Good forum? You're in one. There's good Facecrap pages - both dedicated and regional TVRCC meets.

The vast majority are 'enthusiast' owned. It's just dealers tend to be ready with cash ans commitment when sale time comes round.

As for budget, well you can spend £50k on a TVR and something goes wrong with it the following week. You can spend £10k on one and have no problems.

If you're buying to keep and use - ie it is no form of investment - then consider a CAT D car. These are usually only body damage and when combined with the need for a full respray because of flip flap paint mechanically and structually sound cars get quickly written off.

How handy are you with the spanners? M4TTI did an excellent engine rebuild and modification thread on his Tuscan engine showing that the Speed 6 is a pretty straight forward engine afterall. There's also an excellent head rebuild guide somewhere on line - 100 plus pages!

It isn't going to be BMW. It isn't going to be 100% reliable. There will always be something that needs 'tinkering'. You accept those points then you'll have a car that is fun and exciting to drive on every ocassion, irregardless of speed.

I'd get yourself along to your local TVRCC meets and speak with the members. You may even find a car available if you're serious.

Alps trip? Tamy and the Gredge are going across the USA this year. Plenty of guys head across Europe - Germany, Italy, France, Spain etc.... - there are write ups on here. Plenty of orgainised tours too - S Club Tour had 30-cars last year (although they were mainly the 'S' cars not Tuscans.

Edited by mk1fan on Thursday 28th January 14:04

e46m3c

Original Poster:

874 posts

154 months

Thursday 28th January 2016
quotequote all
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/t...

this looks ideal.

One like this but 10k cheaper please smile

e46m3c

Original Poster:

874 posts

154 months

Thursday 28th January 2016
quotequote all
sounds good mk1 fan.

Happy with the spanners. Not done an engine rebuild yet but i would give it a go for sure.

Car might only be used once a month so i dont mind tinkering being required. Half of the funsmile

mk1fan

10,507 posts

224 months

Thursday 28th January 2016
quotequote all
At the risk of being flamed by those that only see TVRs as investments.

If you want a car to 'use' then these two have been on my radar for a while;

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/t...

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/t...

It is a shame that these two have been stuck over there for so long not being used. Ignore the bhp figures, TVR told more porkies than Jaguar used too.

Also the red one from Motorhub is an avoid avoid avoid. If it were a '6.2' then I would expect the details would be in the ad and shots of the engine bay. Also the location of the dealer has a very well researched and known 'Google' history that forum rules prevent me from repeating.

Macey

1,326 posts

192 months

Thursday 28th January 2016
quotequote all
There are a few Tuscans in the Berkshire region, I have a Std Mk1 which I tend to use all year round, others just on high and dry days. The condition of mine is tatty compared to others. The next Berkshire TVR Meet is on the 16th Feb at the Peacock Farm, Peacock Lane, Bracknell, RG12 8SS. I would suggest you come down from about 7pm and look at the cars and talk to the owners. I'm sure someone would be able to take you up the road in theirs.

mk1fan

10,507 posts

224 months

Thursday 28th January 2016
quotequote all
Sorry, missed the Berks bit.

I can vouch for the friendly and welcoming Berkshire Meet. I've been a few times. Pub does nice food too. There's a good number of Tuscans too.

You might want to try TVR101 to see if any of their customers are thinking of selling.

mk1fan

10,507 posts

224 months

Thursday 28th January 2016
quotequote all
That said, the Surrey Meet is on tonight;

https://www.facebook.com/groups/334875626559911/pe...

7.30pm onwards at The Star, Kingston Rd, Leatherhead, Surrey KT22 0DP

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place/The+Star,+Mald...

Just off the M25.

Speed 3

4,486 posts

118 months

Thursday 28th January 2016
quotequote all
Looking at the way prices have risen over the last year or two I very much doubt you'd get an S for £20k. The ratio of S to non-S sold on the Mk1 was very different to the later Mk2/3 where it was more like 50% (albeit on a much smaller total number for the latter). Dealers are charging £25k-£30k so if a decent one came up under £20k they'd snap it up in a heartbeat (otherwise its an absolute dog). Sounds like you cherish condition as much as pace so if it were me I'd look at a standard Mk 1 and fettle it. The brakes are already good on the standard car and power is only slightly down. They are very different to M3's but if you like the experience when you take a run out you'll be hooked.

Englishman

2,215 posts

209 months

Thursday 28th January 2016
quotequote all
I've owned M3's and M5's and both are great cars. But all TVR's have something extra. Some people find this addictive (like me!) and some just can't put up with the character in the end.

Of the TVR's I've owned, the Mk1 Tuscan is the most bonkers, as much overall as the Sagaris IMHO. I don't mean performance, but the combination of interior styling (most extreme of any TVR), exterior styling and steering/handling. As others have said, the latter can be improved by such things as wheel spacers, slightly narrower tyres, rack spacers etc. etc, but the steering remains very sensitive requiring 100% concentration when pushing on.

Given all TVR's are 10+ years old now and that 400bhp cars are now common place, I personally wouldn't look specifically for an S spec car. What you should look for is the best possible condition (interior, exterior, chassis, engine) that you can afford. You will be amazed at the difference in quality between cars for sale which isn't always reflected in price. Oh, and be careful when someone says they all rattle like that when refering to the engine/suspension/roof - oh no they don't! The best looked-after cars will be the most cost effective in the long run. Buy cheap and you'll spend your first £10K on it very quickly!

e46m3c

Original Poster:

874 posts

154 months

Thursday 28th January 2016
quotequote all
Macey said:
There are a few Tuscans in the Berkshire region, I have a Std Mk1 which I tend to use all year round, others just on high and dry days. The condition of mine is tatty compared to others. The next Berkshire TVR Meet is on the 16th Feb at the Peacock Farm, Peacock Lane, Bracknell, RG12 8SS. I would suggest you come down from about 7pm and look at the cars and talk to the owners. I'm sure someone would be able to take you up the road in theirs.
Brilliant. I live in bracknell so i will meet you there!

e46m3c

Original Poster:

874 posts

154 months

Thursday 28th January 2016
quotequote all
Car will be driven. but also an investment. So no CAT's for me.

e46m3c

Original Poster:

874 posts

154 months

Thursday 28th January 2016
quotequote all
Englishman said:
I've owned M3's and M5's and both are great cars. But all TVR's have something extra. Some people find this addictive (like me!) and some just can't put up with the character in the end.

Of the TVR's I've owned, the Mk1 Tuscan is the most bonkers, as much overall as the Sagaris IMHO. I don't mean performance, but the combination of interior styling (most extreme of any TVR), exterior styling and steering/handling. As others have said, the latter can be improved by such things as wheel spacers, slightly narrower tyres, rack spacers etc. etc, but the steering remains very sensitive requiring 100% concentration when pushing on.

Given all TVR's are 10+ years old now and that 400bhp cars are now common place, I personally wouldn't look specifically for an S spec car. What you should look for is the best possible condition (interior, exterior, chassis, engine) that you can afford. You will be amazed at the difference in quality between cars for sale which isn't always reflected in price. Oh, and be careful when someone says they all rattle like that when refering to the engine/suspension/roof - oh no they don't! The best looked-after cars will be the most cost effective in the long run. Buy cheap and you'll spend your first £10K on it very quickly!
Good advice. Ill keep this in mind.

I would get any potential purchase inspected. I believe racing green are quite near me.

alex_gray255

6,313 posts

204 months

Thursday 28th January 2016
quotequote all
I owned a mk1 before my Sag. Bonkers looking car inside and out. Not the greatest to drive, but still lot of fun.

Very twitchy to drive hard sometimes so need to be careful how you push it as the steering it extremely sensitive.

You tend to get lots of false positives reported by the ecu, but can mostly jus ignore them as they magically cure themselves 80% of the time. The interior can get damp, so make sure plugs are good nick, doors are sealed still and if storing outside use a small dehumidifier pack - 3-4 quid from Halfords and lasts 3 months.

Get power to check out the engine for you and consider one of their warranties. Early mk1s tend to have the chocolate component issues - not all of them, but some.

Mine was 35k on engine when I sold it.