Discussion
i did before i bought my Tuscan 2. IMHO the t350 felt more raw and probably the best suited of the 2 for track days, the tuscan felt a bit more relaxed and more of suited for road use. That said i did give the tuscan full beans about a month after i bought it and almost spun- it's still more than capable of biting! Both cars are excellent- in an ideal world i'd buy both!
I my opinion the Tuscan has more room inside than the T350 and just feels like you are in a better driving position. The Tuscan comes in Targa and Convertible form whereas the T350 comes in coupe or Targa (not full though, just 2 roof panels). MKI Tuscans that have original suspension/dampers tend to be a little more skittish (understatement? 
) than the T350 as I think the T has a better footprint and set-up, out of the box, than the earlier Tuscans. MKII Tuscans are apparently a lot better (more forgiving) set up as standard.
That's about all I can offer, I own a MKI Tusc but have driven a T350,
Andy
) than the T350 as I think the T has a better footprint and set-up, out of the box, than the earlier Tuscans. MKII Tuscans are apparently a lot better (more forgiving) set up as standard.That's about all I can offer, I own a MKI Tusc but have driven a T350,
Andy
I stand to be corrected but I reckon some might say that the T350 is a better drivers car as its geometry is better set-up as standard. As I alluded in my post above, drive a "standard" MKI Tuscan hard and you might well need a change of underwear......I have had upgraded/aftermarket dampers/springs fitted to mine (as have a lot of others) and with a proper Geo set-up, I now have 100% confidence in where the car is going to go when I want it to. They're all capable of biting, but they can vary a lot, even between versions of the same model - drive some and see which suits you best.
Andy
Andy
Same Chassis, same engine.
I suggest that standard they may be different but with geo and suspension looked at they should be basically the same?
Be interetsed to knwo if anyone has driven both with similar suspension set up - eg both on nitrons.
The driving 'experience' may feel the same due to teh different roofs.
I suggest that standard they may be different but with geo and suspension looked at they should be basically the same?
Be interetsed to knwo if anyone has driven both with similar suspension set up - eg both on nitrons.
The driving 'experience' may feel the same due to teh different roofs.
But the tuscan is widely available in 4.0 liter, Very rare in a T350, as they're almost all 3.6's.
Have to admit it's a very hard choice between them though, and believe that the T350 isn't quite as twitchy out of the box. But nothing a well set up Tuscan with gaz golds or similar can't match.
I think it's a personal preference thing, as to which is better, more suitable to the individual.
Both awesome cars and nothing much between them.
Have to admit it's a very hard choice between them though, and believe that the T350 isn't quite as twitchy out of the box. But nothing a well set up Tuscan with gaz golds or similar can't match.
I think it's a personal preference thing, as to which is better, more suitable to the individual.
Both awesome cars and nothing much between them.
I owned a mk1 Tuscan S which was a great car .It feels the bigger car despite the chassis being the same.The cabin is certainly roomier esp on the passenger side where the shape of the dash in the T350 seems to intrude a little more.
As for styling,both are fabulously better than most cars on the road including many exotics.
On driving the Tuscan mk 1 could be tamed to a large degree by tyres and shocks ,but it seems to be totally unforgving once you lose the rear end which happened to me. I blame the driver though. I booted it a fraction to early in wet conditions and that was it.
I now have a T350 which started out much more planted and foregiving that the Tuscan and now with new dampers is even better. The T350 is a very sweet car.It may not have the in your face drama of the Tuscan,which I still miss, but it is much more chuckable car and although the 3.6 is down on torque there are some simple and relatively cheap fixes to that like the diff mod and more expensive ones like the 4.3 litre upgrade from TVR Power etc.( I should get mine back in a couple of weeks)
Having said all that I have also trialed a mk2 Tuscan which did feel a large step on from the mk1 and a much more relaxed drive.
As for styling,both are fabulously better than most cars on the road including many exotics.
On driving the Tuscan mk 1 could be tamed to a large degree by tyres and shocks ,but it seems to be totally unforgving once you lose the rear end which happened to me. I blame the driver though. I booted it a fraction to early in wet conditions and that was it.
I now have a T350 which started out much more planted and foregiving that the Tuscan and now with new dampers is even better. The T350 is a very sweet car.It may not have the in your face drama of the Tuscan,which I still miss, but it is much more chuckable car and although the 3.6 is down on torque there are some simple and relatively cheap fixes to that like the diff mod and more expensive ones like the 4.3 litre upgrade from TVR Power etc.( I should get mine back in a couple of weeks)
Having said all that I have also trialed a mk2 Tuscan which did feel a large step on from the mk1 and a much more relaxed drive.
Depends what you mean by drivers car. My Tuscan S Mk 1 was fab....but a handful....both the T350 and Sagaris, are much more planted as has been said. Sooo if you want a drivers car that keeps you on the 'edge' so to speak....you can't beat a Tuscan Mk 1 IMHO. If you want a more competent drive go for a T350. Both are fab.....a bit like the difference between blonds and brunets really....fab....and ....fab.
Had a Mark1 Tuscan, scary car but great fun. I didn't know much about TVR's at this stage but after an Elise it nearly killed me, however I still drove it every day for over a year!
Then had an early T350 on a 52 plate. This was much better but very scary over 100mph, felt like the front became very light!
Then had Tamora, great car, standard suspension, did European tour with no problems.
Tuscan 2 S was next, mental machine, close ratio box, nearly too fast for the road as it hit 100mph in 2nd gear. Put Gaz Golds on and much improved ride, but could still kill you if your got lazy!
Now have T350 Red Rose, recent Gaz Gold pros, awesome!!!
Much easier drive, fast enough to enjoy, comfy, looks brill.New JP exhaust will go on when the snow disappears, can't wait.
Then had an early T350 on a 52 plate. This was much better but very scary over 100mph, felt like the front became very light!
Then had Tamora, great car, standard suspension, did European tour with no problems.
Tuscan 2 S was next, mental machine, close ratio box, nearly too fast for the road as it hit 100mph in 2nd gear. Put Gaz Golds on and much improved ride, but could still kill you if your got lazy!
Now have T350 Red Rose, recent Gaz Gold pros, awesome!!!
Much easier drive, fast enough to enjoy, comfy, looks brill.New JP exhaust will go on when the snow disappears, can't wait.
What, apart from standard suspension and settings, is the difference then?
Chassis adjustments?
I genuinely thought (and am still suspicious that its true) that the Mk 1 Tuscan, Tamora and T350 were all the same car with different bodykits.
If anything the roof on the Tamora must reduce rigidity compared to Tuscan and T350?
What makes the Mk 1 Tuscan more 'twitchy' apart from original lower spec suspension / settings?
I was under the impression that only the Mk 2 Tuscan and Sagaris had had chassis work done.
Chassis adjustments?
I genuinely thought (and am still suspicious that its true) that the Mk 1 Tuscan, Tamora and T350 were all the same car with different bodykits.
If anything the roof on the Tamora must reduce rigidity compared to Tuscan and T350?
What makes the Mk 1 Tuscan more 'twitchy' apart from original lower spec suspension / settings?
I was under the impression that only the Mk 2 Tuscan and Sagaris had had chassis work done.
da_murphster said:
What, apart from standard suspension and settings, is the difference then?
Chassis adjustments?
I genuinely thought (and am still suspicious that its true) that the Mk 1 Tuscan, Tamora and T350 were all the same car with different bodykits.
If anything the roof on the Tamora must reduce rigidity compared to Tuscan and T350?
What makes the Mk 1 Tuscan more 'twitchy' apart from original lower spec suspension / settings?
I was under the impression that only the Mk 2 Tuscan and Sagaris had had chassis work done.
Cage in a T350 stiffens the car. Tamora is more compliant without.Chassis adjustments?
I genuinely thought (and am still suspicious that its true) that the Mk 1 Tuscan, Tamora and T350 were all the same car with different bodykits.
If anything the roof on the Tamora must reduce rigidity compared to Tuscan and T350?
What makes the Mk 1 Tuscan more 'twitchy' apart from original lower spec suspension / settings?
I was under the impression that only the Mk 2 Tuscan and Sagaris had had chassis work done.
I had a t350 while waiting for the sagaris and I loved it. I still think it's a very good looking car. Possibly tvr's finest. I have a Tuscan II S now and switched mainly because I wanted a convertible. The Tuscan targa feels so much like a full convertible you have to wonder why they did the 'vert'. But that's the biggest single reason to go for a tusc. The later cars like mine do handle and drive exceptionally well, it's certainly comparable to the sagaris which was outstanding round corners. The t350 does feel smaller and the 3.6 is a fine engine but it does lack the thunder and gutsy character of the 4.0S. It counters that by being sweeter and higher revving but it's an easier car to extend. The tusc feels a good bit more aggressive at full throttle. The 3.6 suits the t350 though, the Tuscan is a scarier car whereas the t350 is exciting but more friendly. Don't think it won't spin though if you take the piss. Its got very quick steering but it doesn't have much lock to play with so running out of lock is quite doable as I found out once!
Edited by The Pits on Thursday 5th February 22:44
no it's about suspension geometry. the early tuscans were set up at peter wheeler's request to have near race car responsiveness. That's why no-one ever understeered off in a tuscan! As a result they had lightning quick steering (as all modern TVRs do) and are very sensitive to camber changes in the road. On a smooth track their turn into the corner is superb but it does make them a bit twitchy on bumpy roads with lots of camber changes. That's why you have to drive the earlier cars with both hands on the wheel at all times, making constant corrections and the car doesn't want to track straight - it's been set up to change direction, deliberately unstable like a race car (or fighter plane if you like!). With hindsight the mk1 tuscan set up is now thought to be a bit extreme and the t350 was deliberately given a less aggressive set up. The cars they developed after the t350 took this even further. The Sagaris is amazing round corners on the road and the track, but it's lower ride height means grounding bits of it out a lot. But with bilstein's help they managed a best of both worlds set up. That basic geometry was used when they added the bilstein shocks to the tuscan 2, which is why it handles so well.
The only other car I had which was similar to the mk 1 tuscan geometry the Skyline GTR R34. You had to make constant corrections to keep it going in a straight line as the Vspec cars had a set up that was track biased. It made it very 'restless' on the road but the 4WD and extra weight meant the car was less 'twitchy' than a tuscan. I also had my Caterham 7's suspension retuned for track work and it became undriveable on the road - literally! it was hyperactive, every single bump sending it off towards the bushes. I no longer use it on the road at all but it's a lot quicker round Brands now! But trust me, it was way twitchier than a tuscan mk 1.
Peter Wheeler's experiment really showed the public weren't ready for race car responses on the road but he was a racer at heart and thought otherwise.
The only other car I had which was similar to the mk 1 tuscan geometry the Skyline GTR R34. You had to make constant corrections to keep it going in a straight line as the Vspec cars had a set up that was track biased. It made it very 'restless' on the road but the 4WD and extra weight meant the car was less 'twitchy' than a tuscan. I also had my Caterham 7's suspension retuned for track work and it became undriveable on the road - literally! it was hyperactive, every single bump sending it off towards the bushes. I no longer use it on the road at all but it's a lot quicker round Brands now! But trust me, it was way twitchier than a tuscan mk 1.
Peter Wheeler's experiment really showed the public weren't ready for race car responses on the road but he was a racer at heart and thought otherwise.
The Pits said:
no it's about suspension geometry. the early tuscans were set up at peter wheeler's request to have near race car responsiveness. That's why no-one ever understeered off in a tuscan!
Assuming thats all legit it makes perfect sense to me - Tuscans should be no more 'twitchy' than any other derivation its just that it was set-up (shocks and geo) differently. I'm sure a T350 could be set up to be lary and a Tuscan set-up to be 'safe'.....well make that 'safer'Never seen the Top Gear T350 thing - got a link? Would be goot to have all SP6 cars videos together somewhere (including swordfish!) - if ever anyone is not sure to get a TVR they would convince them!
The Pits said:
no it's about suspension geometry. the early tuscans were set up at peter wheeler's request to have near race car responsiveness. That's why no-one ever understeered off in a tuscan!
Assuming thats all legit it makes perfect sense to me - Tuscans should be no more 'twitchy' than any other derivation its just that it was set-up (shocks and geo) differently. I'm sure a T350 could be set up to be lary and a Tuscan set-up to be 'safe'.....well make that 'safer'Never seen the Top Gear T350 thing - got a link? Would be goot to have all SP6 cars videos together somewhere (including swordfish!) - if ever anyone is not sure to get a TVR they would convince them!
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