Tuscan from a Chimaera

[pete275]

Seeking a bit of advice mainly on the engine front here.

Contemplating trading my chim for a tuscan, 2004 at a well known dealer with no rebuild on it, 34,000 miles.

I know the later engines are better, but should I be concerned if its not been rebuilt? I've seen a few on here past 50,000 miles, but don't want to be listening for odd noises all the time I'm driving it. Its top money for a Mk1 in my view as well so another 6k for an engine wouldn't do much for the budget.

I've read the buyers guide and the general view is a rebuild will be needed at some point, should I push for a longer warranty or give it a miss?

any help appreciated

[Englishman]

I was in a similar situation a year ago and ended up buying a very good condition Mk1 without an engine rebuild. Like you, I would have preferred one with an engine rebuild, but part of the deal was a Powers Performance engine warranty and coming up to year and 3000 miles so far, I haven't needed it.

There is a wiki listing Tuscans with and without engine rebuilds, and, as you say, some original engines are still going with 60K+ miles on the clock. Personally, I think if the engine has made it this long, it is likely to be a good one.

[Milky400]

a link through top the advert would help.

rebuilds are a contentious subject as is warranties.

i bought a Tuscan from a so called well respected dealer that had an early rebuild and within 40 miles from collection it was smoking like a chimney. long story short and after countless emails and visits to Powers i got my money back although this car was resold by the dealer, knowing of the engine woes and sonme more serious chassis rot, i would never use this dealer again as he didnt want to know once i made him aware of the issues and was extremely rude claiming i had no knowledge of TVR's and would advice i bought a German car....

the warrany in this example only cover £2K of work per claim even with the dealer offering me £1k "Good Will Gesture" i was still massively out of pocket. What you also have to bear in mind with warranties is that some will not pay out for work/parts you want fitted and will search for the cheapest options and pay you that. I experienced this with my Mondeo, which had an alternator smart charge fault and you must use Ford alternators otherwise the fault will continue, warranty company paid out for the cheapest they could find leaving me somewhat out of pocket.

just because you are buying from a dealer doesnt mean you are safe, there are a number of good dealers out there so choose wisely. But.. dont let this put you off the swap to a Speed Six, as much as i loved the Chimaera and miss the V8 rumble, a good Speed Six is simply devine

Edited by Milky400 on Tuesday 12th April 09:07

[pete275]

thanks for the informative replies, this is the ad (my previous Chim was from him as well)

This is the car

http://www.jamesagger.com/listings/2004-04-reg-tvr...

Warranty is 3 months, I like the idea of the Powers warranty but as the dealer is in the TVR network and Powers aren't I'm not sure how that would work out.

[TV8]

There is a paradise purple Tuscan with lots of work completed for sale on the TVR Car Club website. If you like the colour, it's a lot less than that car. I have no knowledge of it but find myself looking at the Tuscan classifieds at the moment

[Milky400]

Never bought from James Agger, but have spoken on a few accasions over the phone and met at Burghley on Sunday he seems a reasonable chap and the Sag he had at Burghley was in a pretty good prep.

Get it checked by Dom either before or straight after purchase for peace of mind. if theres a problem im Sure James will sort it for you. Speak to him about your concerns and see what he is willing to do temper you fears.. You are the buyer so im sure he will oblige, TVR Network or not he cannot have an issue with you going to Dom.

Edited: Looks as though it may have sold at Burghley!!!! see his website under "latest news" shows the car as sold....

dont know this car, but rebuild and Mat Smith cared by, Mat knows his stuff... http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/t...

Edited by Milky400 on Tuesday 12th April 09:32

[pete275]

The silver car is the other one I was looking at, its older but the engine side might swing it for me to be honest.

I know Matt has a good reputation, St8six service my Chim and no issues with them either.

[so roll me further bitch]

For 25k i would want what that had had a rebuild from a reputable engine builder.

[pete275]

I was starting to think the same thing.. I'd don't mind paying upfront, its just not a cost I want 6 or 12 months down the line

Decision made, I'll wait until something comes up with a known provenance on the engine.

[Dickie Dastardly]

I moved from a sorted Chim to a MK1 2003 Tuscan S in 2012; the Tuscan had 28k on the clock, a slightly sporadic service history, no rebuild and was a private sale. I had followed the classifieds for months looking at cars of that age and many had not had rebuilds, those that had were generally done sub 15k.
The car has since been properly serviced annually and has been very reliable (apart from a small starting blip a couple of weeks ago), it's been to Le Mans and back from Scotland and the mileage is now creeping towards 40k. Without tempting fate it does suggest that if the engines get beyond 15-20k then they can be good for many years.

[Let off some steam Bennett]

The engine on my mk1 tuscan was rebuilt at 29k and is now on 60k, you just never know when the factory engines are going to need a rebuild

[TravelsVeryRapid]

Mine's a 2002, coming up to 40000 miles no rebuild. Runs like a dream, touching wood as I type! Probably the luck of the draw.

[Speed 3]

I bought a 2004 Mk1 from Agger with 50k on it two and a half years ago for a bit less than £20k. Impeccable one-owner history plus Nitrons. Its been what he said it would be so far and the engine is sweet, now on 55k. I figured I would reserve an engine rebuild cost over an expected 5 year ownership term, hoping that it wouldn't need one anyway. Haven't regretted it so far. I think the asking price on this one is a touch rich but all prices are on the up and if mine is a benchmark I wouldn't bet against it being good for several 10's of thousands of miles yet. In my experience he seeks out cars he has a good knowledge of.

Oh, and I too went from Chim to Tuscan, only with a 14 year gap with plenty in between

Edited by Speed 3 on Wednesday 13th April 20:07

[pete275]

Well, I now own a mk1 tuscan as well, I had my previous chimaera from him and he sorted a couple of issues with that no bother

Pick it up next week, the history looks solid enough so I'm hoping I'll have a good few miles trouble free as well. Sorry to see the Chim go, but the Tuscan is much more modern to drive and the noise is unreal

thanks to everyone who contributed, I'll no doubt resurface with lots of Tuscan queries soon

[Milky400]

Link to the ad?

[twold]

The Teal Tuscan at Aggers was mine ,any questions let me know.

[so called]

Milky400 said:

....... so called well respected......
.......a good Speed Six is simply divine.

.......well respected so called ......(corrected that bit). Sorry couldn't resist that.
.......a good Speed Six is simply divine. (totally agree).

I loved my first Chimaera.
Regular drives around Europe etc., with my German colleagues praising the sound of the V8 and the Villagers using it as their alarm clock with, "Tony goes to work, we must go to the bakers".

Changing to the Speed six and my first Tuscan was a wonderful experience (aside from having to get a rebuild very shortly afterwards(I didn't do any homework whatsoever)).
Yes I missed the V8 rumble but the speedsix howling banshee was something else altogether.
I did buy another Chimaera but only kept her for about 9 months and never got very attached.
By then I was lost in my love for my second Tuscan.

Edited by so called on Thursday 14th April 19:58