Looking at purchasing a tuscan or t350c

[adsvx220]

Next year I am possibly looking at getting shot of my Caterham and replacing it with a TVR. I've been looking at the t350c's and Tuscans.

Looking around the classifieds I see a lot of the speed six engines have been rebuilt. Is this a common feature with these.

What are they like to live with as a toy? I will cover no more than 5k a year.

Cheers

Adam

[DJR 7]

Adam I'm sure I'll get chastised for what I'm about to say.
I personally wouldn't buy a Speed six car with an engine that hasn't been rebuilt,
some owners I know have managed 60k+ on their engines, unfortunately mine failed at 22k and a rebuild
Will cost you 7k+
As I mentioned I'm sure these figures will be disputed etc but this is my personal experience and costs.
Once rebuilt it's a great engine to live with.
D

Edited by DJR 7 on Tuesday 26th August 18:46

[monty quick]

Any high performance / highly stressed engine can bite your pocket. This was slightly exacerbated with the early Speed 6 engines due to some questionable material specifications. As already mentioned there are many high mileage SP6 engines around. In a recent post I was amazed to see that there are several with well over 100k miles out there. When I did my background checks before moving from a Chimaera 450 V8 to a T350 Speed 6 the general advice was to try to get a late car (after 2004) when material failings had hopefully been fixed or a car with a rebuild by one of the three or four reputable specialists. I went for a later car and (typing with my fingers crossed) so far so good!
Overall, I think you will enjoy the experience. Still as much fun as a Caterham but with a few more creature comforts. In my opinion the T350 is more 'sports car' and the Tuscan slightly more 'GT' but both fantastic cars.
Good luck.

[darkmark07]

Try and drive some / many - you'll either get it or you won't.

Re the engine rebuild issue; there are countless threads (and indeed a whole sub-forum) dedicated to this very subject.

My take on it: drive it and enjoy it - don't stress about it - if it goes bang, so be it. Ideally have a war chest put by so you can fix it (or put the car to one side until you can afford to).

If you can't live with the uncertainty, find one with a rebuild (and a warranty) which should put your mind at rest.

[TVRCrazyMike]

I have Cerbera AJPv8 and a Tuscan (factory red rose). Previously, I had a MK1 'S' and a MK3. I can honestly say that these cars are fantastic and I have not had a single issue. I would say look for a car that has had a engine upgrade from one of the key players such as TVR Power, Str8tsix etc. Obviously, check the cars carefully and do not go all gaga over pretty flip paint etc…..do your home work, get your hands dirty and find a good one.

I assure you, if you buy a Tuscan, you will have a permanent smile on your face.

Why not join the Tuscan FB page, great bunch of guys here, who will happily give you some great advice etc