Cash, how much exactly..?
Discussion
Hi all, new to this forum.
Question about funding a Tuscan?
I've read many of the threads about "should I buy a Tuscan" etc. and have decided to buy a Tuscan or Cerbie within the next 6 months (need to sell the house first). I will be spending between £20-£25k and will be banking £3k for "repairs", will this be enough for a Tuscan or should I go for a Cerbie instead? Or are they relatively similar risks?
Most of the threads I have read seem to involve some (not all) people laying out large amounts of cash to fix the engine, then they forget the bills (whatever the cost) 'cos it's such a great car. Now I would fall into the bracket where if I got a bill of over say £5k, I would be stuffed, just couldn't afford it, no one else on this forum seems to be in that situation.
Without being crass here, how much do you have to earn/have put by, to comfortably run a Tuscan as an everyday car?
Thanks in advance...
Rob
Question about funding a Tuscan?
I've read many of the threads about "should I buy a Tuscan" etc. and have decided to buy a Tuscan or Cerbie within the next 6 months (need to sell the house first). I will be spending between £20-£25k and will be banking £3k for "repairs", will this be enough for a Tuscan or should I go for a Cerbie instead? Or are they relatively similar risks?
Most of the threads I have read seem to involve some (not all) people laying out large amounts of cash to fix the engine, then they forget the bills (whatever the cost) 'cos it's such a great car. Now I would fall into the bracket where if I got a bill of over say £5k, I would be stuffed, just couldn't afford it, no one else on this forum seems to be in that situation.
Without being crass here, how much do you have to earn/have put by, to comfortably run a Tuscan as an everyday car?
Thanks in advance...
Rob
I remember someone once giving the sagely advice of "If you can't afford two TVRs, then you can't afford one".
However, I run a Tusc as an everyday car, and did the same with my Cerb before it, and I'm certainly not "rich". Both of them were bought in the price bracket you're talking about. The full breakdown of costs is on my profile (minus the latest round of work on the Tusc I'm waiting on the bill for). I was quite lucky with the Cerb in that it was very reliable, and I've been very unlucky with the amount of time the Tuscan's spent off the road (but not overly worse than average in terms of the actual faults it's had - they've just taken ages to get sorted every time).
As long as you've got a good credit rating, and could afford to pay off a few hundred a month tops, the worst case is that a REALLY big bill you REALLY weren't expecting hits, and you have to get a Sainsbury's credit card (12 months interest free at the mo). If you get one in that price bracket that's had a reasonably recent rebuild, I'd say that £3k a year in maintenance costs (i.e. not including fuel + insurance) should see you fine on average. Assuming you're doing 6-12000 miles per annum and are getting services done for a reasonable price.
In terms of "how much do you have to put by"... I'd say "a spare heap of junk hack that's barely passed its MOT" just to be sure. The worst problem is losing it for weeks/months if it's your only car and there's no replacement for one reason or another.
However, I run a Tusc as an everyday car, and did the same with my Cerb before it, and I'm certainly not "rich". Both of them were bought in the price bracket you're talking about. The full breakdown of costs is on my profile (minus the latest round of work on the Tusc I'm waiting on the bill for). I was quite lucky with the Cerb in that it was very reliable, and I've been very unlucky with the amount of time the Tuscan's spent off the road (but not overly worse than average in terms of the actual faults it's had - they've just taken ages to get sorted every time).
As long as you've got a good credit rating, and could afford to pay off a few hundred a month tops, the worst case is that a REALLY big bill you REALLY weren't expecting hits, and you have to get a Sainsbury's credit card (12 months interest free at the mo). If you get one in that price bracket that's had a reasonably recent rebuild, I'd say that £3k a year in maintenance costs (i.e. not including fuel + insurance) should see you fine on average. Assuming you're doing 6-12000 miles per annum and are getting services done for a reasonable price.
In terms of "how much do you have to put by"... I'd say "a spare heap of junk hack that's barely passed its MOT" just to be sure. The worst problem is losing it for weeks/months if it's your only car and there's no replacement for one reason or another.
Welcome Bob
I have owned my 2001 Tuscan since May last year and it is my only car, so far I have done 9,000 miles in it. So far it has cost me approx. £1600 in servicing and small repairs. I try to keep £2000 in reserve for just in case jobs. However, I am fortunate enough to work from home (although I do have a 150 mile round trip commute to the office once a week) and have my husbands car to use as well, so if it came to a job that I couldn't afford the car could stay off the road until I could beg, borrow and steal enough to get it fixed!
Fingers crossed I have not hit this scenario yet but the big stuff that seems to cost lots also seems to take a while to fix so you might have a while to save for the bill as well!
There are loads of people on the forum that have had years of trouble free motoring and then there are some that have been plagued. It seems to be down to luck!
Bottom line is go for it and enjoy
you only live once.
I have owned my 2001 Tuscan since May last year and it is my only car, so far I have done 9,000 miles in it. So far it has cost me approx. £1600 in servicing and small repairs. I try to keep £2000 in reserve for just in case jobs. However, I am fortunate enough to work from home (although I do have a 150 mile round trip commute to the office once a week) and have my husbands car to use as well, so if it came to a job that I couldn't afford the car could stay off the road until I could beg, borrow and steal enough to get it fixed!
Fingers crossed I have not hit this scenario yet but the big stuff that seems to cost lots also seems to take a while to fix so you might have a while to save for the bill as well!
There are loads of people on the forum that have had years of trouble free motoring and then there are some that have been plagued. It seems to be down to luck!
Bottom line is go for it and enjoy
you only live once.Bob_Defly said:
Hi all, new to this forum.
Question about funding a Tuscan?
I've read many of the threads about "should I buy a Tuscan" etc. and have decided to buy a Tuscan or Cerbie within the next 6 months (need to sell the house first). I will be spending between £20-£25k and will be banking £3k for "repairs", will this be enough for a Tuscan or should I go for a Cerbie instead? Or are they relatively similar risks?
Most of the threads I have read seem to involve some (not all) people laying out large amounts of cash to fix the engine, then they forget the bills (whatever the cost) 'cos it's such a great car. Now I would fall into the bracket where if I got a bill of over say £5k, I would be stuffed, just couldn't afford it, no one else on this forum seems to be in that situation.
Without being crass here, how much do you have to earn/have put by, to comfortably run a Tuscan as an everyday car?
Thanks in advance...
Rob
I know what you mean Rob.
Bottom line is it ain't a cheap car to look after. Especially if you need it every day. Mine is a weekend car. I don't rely on it for transport. And it does a lot fewer miles because of that too.
Bottom line is it's gonna cost u a fair bit to run. a 6k service is about 5-600. A 12K service 800-1200.
Then there is the dreaded big bang that may happen.,, could cost 2K-6K+.
And depreciation is pretty crappy too on tuscans compared to all other trevors.
So... it's a decision of the heart and make no financial sense in the slightest.
Me, I live alone and can spunk all my cash of gadgets/cars and bikes. If I had a family I wouldn't have an extravagant life style... it's just less committments.
IMHO: Unless you absolutely MUST have a tuscan. buy something else...a 911, a scooby, whatever.
Still here ? Ok, buy a tuscan.
IMHO using it every day could well be almost as cheap as only using it occasionally. TVR’s like to be driven. Cars left standing for long periods develop problems that well used cars may not, clutch seals, batteries, damp electrics, etc. Mine is used everyday and costs little more than normal servicing. Other owners I know who use theirs infrequently seem to get a new bill every time they drive the car.
Either way it’s still going to be expensive and a £2K+ slush fund is a good idea for emergencies.
Either way it’s still going to be expensive and a £2K+ slush fund is a good idea for emergencies.
Rob,
Everyone on here will tell you something different, but here's my halfpenny's worth.
I have a 2000 tuscan which I have had for 2 yrs and is used as a second car; I have done 10000 miles and one trackday in it and so far (car has now done 20000 miles in total), bills have been £1800 insurance, £400 rear tyres, £2000 servicing (one 6k service, one 12K service), and probably £1000 for road tax, mot's and other electrical bits and bobs I have had done. I therefore make that £2600 per year. Plus, I have had not had any engine trouble yet (touch wood) . So in answer to your question, it will probably cost you about 2-3K per year (or 6000 miles).
Obviously, doing 12k a year and if it were your only car, it will cost you loads more, and hack you off no end if it spends anytime off the road.
I wouldnt of bought a tuscan for an only car, and when I bought mine, the choice was either a porker 993 as an only car, or a runabout (van for windsurfing) and a tuscan . IMHO the best vehicle combination you could possibly want this side of 30 grand.!!!!!
Best of luck finding a good one,
Simon
Everyone on here will tell you something different, but here's my halfpenny's worth.
I have a 2000 tuscan which I have had for 2 yrs and is used as a second car; I have done 10000 miles and one trackday in it and so far (car has now done 20000 miles in total), bills have been £1800 insurance, £400 rear tyres, £2000 servicing (one 6k service, one 12K service), and probably £1000 for road tax, mot's and other electrical bits and bobs I have had done. I therefore make that £2600 per year. Plus, I have had not had any engine trouble yet (touch wood) . So in answer to your question, it will probably cost you about 2-3K per year (or 6000 miles).
Obviously, doing 12k a year and if it were your only car, it will cost you loads more, and hack you off no end if it spends anytime off the road.
I wouldnt of bought a tuscan for an only car, and when I bought mine, the choice was either a porker 993 as an only car, or a runabout (van for windsurfing) and a tuscan . IMHO the best vehicle combination you could possibly want this side of 30 grand.!!!!!
Best of luck finding a good one,
Simon
TSS said:
IMHO using it every day could well be almost as cheap as only using it occasionally.
No it isn't!!!!!!
Seriously, it obviously depends on your annual mileage. Try 30,000 miles per annum, the sums are:
Five services plus bits & pieces
Couple of sets of tyres
1,500 gallons of fuel!!
on top of your depreciation
..and in the case of a Tuscan:
three rebuilds
umpteen hire/loan cars!!
2 Smokin Barrels said:
IMHO using it every day could well be almost as cheap as only using it occasionally.
No it isn't!!!!!!
Seriously, it obviously depends on your annual mileage.
Absolutely... would say that 1000 miles per annum and 6000 miles per annum are probably exactly the same cost. Possibly even cheaper for the latter, CV gaiters, clutches, and any other "perishables" will be in a much better state for having been used. And I doubt that 6,000 -> 12,000 miles is quite a doubling in cost, either. My Tuscan & Cerb never run better or more predictably than when they're taken out twice a day, every day.
Bob_Defly said:
will be banking £3k for "repairs"
I would fall into the bracket where if I got a bill of over say £5k, I would be stuffed
Taking the above comments, I would think very hard about entering into Tuscan ownership, unless you buy a new one with factory warranty, which is evidently outside your budget.
IMHO, you need to put aside approx £1.5k per 6,000 miles (service, tyres, bits and bobs) and hopefully you should see some change from that.
However, I believe you also need an emergency fund (up to £10k from reading some threads) in the event of a major engine rebuild that is not covered by warranty.
Have you thought about a Chimaera / Griff as a way into TVR ownership? It could soften the blow a little!
Of course, if you are feeling brave, and get lucky with a good'un, then you will never look back!
OMG !! Depressing thread. Compromise,compromise, compromise.............is that really what this car is all about ? I'm about to get one and after reading this I think we should storm Blackpool and take it ovet till they sort out engine and reliability issues. Maybe I wont proceed with my purchase after all ..........
fireblade2000 said:
OMG !! Depressing thread. Compromise,compromise, compromise.............is that really what this car is all about ? I'm about to get one and after reading this I think we should storm Blackpool and take it ovet till they sort out engine and reliability issues. Maybe I wont proceed with my purchase after all ..........
I see you have just joined the forum........
I seriously suggest you go into the message archives and read the threads, especially concerning speed six engine reliability, BEFORE you part with your hard earned cash....
As stated previously, there are very many happy Tuscan owners on here, and also many unhappy ones, so as long as you go into ownership with your eyes open and deep pockets
you should be OK.... >> Edited by Wacky Racer on Friday 28th January 14:09
Thanks for all your feedback guys.
I have medium depth pockets, and being realistic (i have to be sometimes) I think running a Tuscan as my only car is just out of my price range, if anything major happened I just couldn't afford it.
P.S. A credit card is still not affording it.
Now I know how you guys hate people slagging off the S6 engine (so thanks for your honesty in this thread), and you are dedicated to the Tuscan, but objectively, would I be better off with a Cerbera if I have the same amount for repairs/running etc.?
I shall keep the Tuscan as an aspirational object, one day....
I have medium depth pockets, and being realistic (i have to be sometimes) I think running a Tuscan as my only car is just out of my price range, if anything major happened I just couldn't afford it.
P.S. A credit card is still not affording it.
Now I know how you guys hate people slagging off the S6 engine (so thanks for your honesty in this thread), and you are dedicated to the Tuscan, but objectively, would I be better off with a Cerbera if I have the same amount for repairs/running etc.?
I shall keep the Tuscan as an aspirational object, one day....
fireblade2000 said:
Maybe I wont proceed with my purchase after all ..........
Do your financial planning, do your research (and then do some more), take your time when buying (TSS does an excellent buying guide, ask him for a copy), then go and find one you like and buy it. You only live once.
I'm repeating myself as I've said this in another post, but anything you buy can/will break. The badge is pretty much irrelevant, there will always be a s**tter out there, and you'll always be as capable as the next person of buying it.
There are no guarantees your intended Tuscan won't break....there are none that it will. Research and patience should help steer you from the bad ones, bad luck which you can't avoid might take you back to one.
Approaching with your eyes open is good advice, but it's applicable to any high perfomance car, surely?! Each have their own quirks and issues, and for the £20-£30k you're looking at, there's nothing to touch it for the combination of looks, individuality and performance.
For more reliability, you'll probably end up going German, paying more for a similarly aged car, with lesser performance (speed wise), and less individuality.
I'm not an owner, I'm in the same position as you, looking to buy. This is what I've worked out, and it's why I'm going to do it as soon as I can.
Hope this helps!
Bob_Defly said:
Now I know how you guys hate people slagging off the S6 engine (so thanks for your honesty in this thread), and you are dedicated to the Tuscan, but objectively, would I be better off with a Cerbera if I have the same amount for repairs/running etc.?
I'd say that if you can't afford a Tuscan, then you can't afford a Cerb either. The only difference between the two is realistically an engine failure. And if you get one that's had a recent rebuild, then that's pretty much cancelled out. Clutch/gearbox/tyres/electrical/fuel consumption/insurance/servicing costs are all pretty much identical beyond that. The only benefit you can have with a Cerb is a lower purchase price to have more of a financial safety net. But that'll mean an earlier car, which is statistically more likely to need work at some point which'll erode that advantage...
My advice re. credit cards wasn't an off-the-cuff statement... (I work for a bank - and we're not talking as a cashier
) The costs in the long-term WILL average out to the region of £3k PA. Your problem is if you get hit with a bigger bill sooner rather than later. The unsecured lending market's in such a good state for buyers (12 months interest free, ability to switch straight out after that, etc.) that you can mitigate that very easily. Personally, I wouldn't do it, as I never buy anything I can't fund immediately in cash, but don't see it as a "bad choice"; it actually makes more financial sense to put all large purchases through interest free credit due to inflation, the ability to have your capital in higher return investments, etc. anyway.
Guys,
I'm back again....
Many valid points made, some not so valid.
Firstly, James, I've spoken to TVR power and looked on their website, and 6K service is best part of £600, and 12K is £800 making 1400. I have got my tappets done at each and every service, making that 1650. Therefore , leaving £350 for the the little bits and bobs done at the time of service, totalling the 2K mentioned. Therefore, not a bad deal really...
Secondly, any of these high performance cars will cost a lot to maintain and keep running, not to mention depreciation, fuel, etc... If that's what people are worried about, then they shouldn't really be looking at getting one. HOwever, the SP6 reliability issue is a problem, and certainly compounds the ownership issue and costs.
That said, from the classifieds, it seems that quite a few cerberas have had rebuilds (4.2 and 4.5 included), and I also know of people who have had bills totalling several grand in the first few months of ownership, so my point is buying a none sp6 TVR certainly doesn't preclude you from monster bills.
I took the plunge 2yrs ago, having test driven a cerbera, chimaera, tuscan, tuscan S,boxster, M3 (E46), porker 996 and 993 and it was immediately obvious which I wanted.
Whatever you buy (of the list above), it will cost you several grand a year to keep running when you look into depreciation, insurance, petrol, tyres, trackdays and servicing.
You pays your money and takes your choice.
Yours,
simon
I'm back again....
Many valid points made, some not so valid.
Firstly, James, I've spoken to TVR power and looked on their website, and 6K service is best part of £600, and 12K is £800 making 1400. I have got my tappets done at each and every service, making that 1650. Therefore , leaving £350 for the the little bits and bobs done at the time of service, totalling the 2K mentioned. Therefore, not a bad deal really...
Secondly, any of these high performance cars will cost a lot to maintain and keep running, not to mention depreciation, fuel, etc... If that's what people are worried about, then they shouldn't really be looking at getting one. HOwever, the SP6 reliability issue is a problem, and certainly compounds the ownership issue and costs.
That said, from the classifieds, it seems that quite a few cerberas have had rebuilds (4.2 and 4.5 included), and I also know of people who have had bills totalling several grand in the first few months of ownership, so my point is buying a none sp6 TVR certainly doesn't preclude you from monster bills.
I took the plunge 2yrs ago, having test driven a cerbera, chimaera, tuscan, tuscan S,boxster, M3 (E46), porker 996 and 993 and it was immediately obvious which I wanted.
Whatever you buy (of the list above), it will cost you several grand a year to keep running when you look into depreciation, insurance, petrol, tyres, trackdays and servicing.
You pays your money and takes your choice.
Yours,
simon
blutusc said:
Many valid points made, some not so valid.
Firstly, James, I've spoken to TVR power and looked on their website, and 6K service is best part of £600, and 12K is £800 making 1400.
From their own site... 6k service - £449.20
12k service - £856.29 (including tappets)
Total: £1305.49. Not that it matters
blutusc said:
leaving £350 for the the little bits and bobs done at the time of service
Erm, but that's not them service costs, is it... When mine last went in for a service, it had an engine rebuild at the same time (with a sizeable resultant bill). I wouldn't class those bits & bobs as my "servicing costs", though.
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