Would you touch this car

[SILICONEKID345HP]

Are the early low mileage cars worth the risk ?

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

[Walford]

yes

[matt-man]

I've been to see it and Dominic there is a really very nice guy.

Its nice but needs some work to get it up to standard but is a great place to start. I don't think it's for me but defo a one off

[SILICONEKID345HP]

What about the early engine .. is it pot luck ?

[m4tti]

SILICONEKID345HP said:

What about the early engine .. is it pot luck ?

Faster than your giant mgb roadster if that's what you want to hear. Plus the engine was designed in the last 20 years not 50

[MartH70]

I dont want to put you off because it looks a very nice car, but what is the handling like on the early cars? And is it much work to fit the later parts? Maybe worth a chat with Dom or Jason?
Those indicators need changing too, but thats an easy job

[matt-man]

Am I the only person who doesn't hate the orange indicators?! On that colour I think they look better!

[Milky400]

Daz, are you thinking of swaying to the dark, I mean FAST, side?

[blueg33]

I would rather buy a high mileage early one (actually I did) that way most of the niggles are sorted.

I reckon a car at 9k miles that has stood will shortly need:

Clutch
possible engine rebuild (mine got to although 42k before it was needed)
heater and window ecu's could have corroded connectors and be irritating
anything rubber like seals, bushes etc could well be perished though lack of use

I bought my G33 when it was 16 years old and had done 5k miles. I had no end of problems with leaky rubber seals, clutch master and slave, brake calipers, split hoses, door seals, gearbox seals, etc

[nawarne]

matt-man said:

Am I the only person who doesn't hate the orange indicators?! On that colour I think they look better!

TBH, I agree! I reckon the orange indicators "stand out" much better in use.
The clear plastic lens/orange lamp is, in my opinion, a bit wishy-washy.

My pet hate is the current VW Passat rear light cluster - the indicator is just not prominent enough IMHO.
Nick

[Milky400]

Same as a lot of modern cars having them on the inside of the main headlights, golf I think springs to mind. I wouldn't not buy a car because it has orange indicators unlike some on here!!!!

[Dischordant]

I'd take a car with 60k miles and an engine rebuild over it myself

[SILICONEKID345HP]

m4tti said:

Faster than your giant mgb roadster if that's what you want to hear. Plus the engine was designed in the last 20 years not 50

I`m not interested which one has more power . The engine is original so it factory,what did companies like Power do to stop engine problems .

I heard stories when they went pop out of the factory after 3000 miles.

Would the original suspension be up to the job ?

[SILICONEKID345HP]

Milky400 said:

Daz, are you thinking of swaying to the dark, I mean FAST, side?

I might put the V8 under a cover next year and try a speed six .

Whats the difference in the suspension etc with the early cars .

Any other Marque would be demanding a very high price with such low mileage .

[glow worm]

Probably on Harvey Bailey springs and dampers, at that age I would guess the first thing to replace. The Speed Six engine is a bit pot luck. I know Heaths at X-works is a "W" reg and had stood for 3-4 years unused and was siezed... but now it's running like a good'un. You need someone who knows Speed Sixes to check it out.
The steering rack is "faster" (gearing) on a MK1 compared to a MK2, I think that's why some people regard them as twitchy.

Edited by glow worm on Saturday 30th August 15:38

[blueg33]

glow worm said:

Probably on Harvey Bailey springs and dampers, at that age I would guess the first thing to replace. The Speed Six engine is a bit pot luck. I know Heaths at X-works is a "W" reg and had stood for 3-4 years unused and was siezed... but now it's running like a good'un. You need someone who knows Speed Sixes to check it out.
The steering rack is "faster" (gearing) on a MK1 compared to a MK2, I think that's why some people regard them as twitchy.

Edited by glow worm on Saturday 30th August 15:38

Wishbones were changed on later cars too, helps reduce bump steer which is quite marked on an early Mk1

You need Dom at Power to check it out. He used to sell an engine warranty after he had checked the car out, could be good for peace of mind.

When Tuscans go wrong, they can be expensive to fix, eg try sourcing a new airbox, steering rack replacement needs lots of labour, dash and instruments are totally bespoke and do go wrong.

Great car though, the wave of power over about 5000 rpm is incredible

[TuscanOwner]

glow worm said:

Probably on Harvey Bailey springs and dampers, at that age I would guess the first thing to replace. The Speed Six engine is a bit pot luck. I know Heaths at X-works is a "W" reg and had stood for 3-4 years unused and was siezed... but now it's running like a good'un. You need someone who knows Speed Sixes to check it out.
The steering rack is "faster" (gearing) on a MK1 compared to a MK2, I think that's why some people regard them as twitchy.

Edited by glow worm on Saturday 30th August 15:38

My 02 model is much more planted than an earlier one I had. Different shocks (not the ubiquitous Nitrons in my case) helped as well. There is a lot of grip in most conditions, trouble is that it is very easy to get the throttle balance wrong when cornering and then they are unforgiving, problems happen and the suspension is blamed. Been there, done that, went away to learn how to drive them properly and got another.

Don't get me wrong, the Tuscan always to be respected. But as long as you do, oh such fun