00 - 01 Tuscan, am I mad?

[briancorish]

Hello guys,

I'm toying with the idea of buying a Mk1 Tuscan for the summer as I miss the TVR madness.
My Cerbera ran well enough when I had it apart from locking me out quite a bit, constant immobiliser problems, and having to be sent to Blackpool for a rebuild, which is a bit of a pain as I live in Ireland...
My question is how does the Tuscan compare reliability wise? what are the issues to look for, and how available are parts now that the factory is unfortunately no more?
Any help is much appreciated.
Thank you!

[TOV!E]

Parts are easy to get hold of, just buy one with a recent rebuild and you should be o.k, service history is a must though...

[Chewitt]

not mad at all.

service history yes yes but "all Tuscan's must have a rebuild" is doing a dis-service to those that haven't had or needed to. Lets face it if you have had to have a rebuild you tend to moan about it and so the squeaky wheel gets heard. People don't post "my car has been fine all this month" so the view will always be skewed.

Check the owner(s) out if you can - how did they treat their car.

Get someone who knows them to look over it and enjoy. There are a few good guys who know their stuff who will help you pick a good un.

watch the ranting hordes start banging on about rebuilds now!

Vanos BMW issues - kept quiet
Watercooled Flat Six issues - kept quiet


TVR - first thing everyone says......


clutch goes so it SHOULD be unbelievably (for this kind of car)light pedal unless its a raceproved which is slightly more firm. Circa £1000 to replace clutch and slave.
Chassis condition needs a check.
Pod lines/pod issues - fixable but £2-300.
AFAIK every part is available

look on the fab www.mytuscan.co.uk for some more info and post in the Tuscan forum too.

Edited by Chewitt on Wednesday 29th April 09:50

[briancorish]

Thanks for the info guys, would you go for a 3.6 or a 4.0? is there much of a difference reliability/performance wise?

[Daston]

Rumor has it the 3.6 is easier on engine ware and rev's higher. Performace wise there probably isnt very much in it at all in the real world.

[chumleyuk]

There is definitely a noticeable performance difference if comparing similarly maintained 3.6 and 4(S).

I own an 01 Tuscan S that had a rebuild in 03 at Str8 Six with receipts and verifiable service history all it's life. I've had a few niggles that wouldn't surprise any high end sports car owner and an 'interesting' dealer experience but it has proven to be a very resilient car and engine especially.

If you have any worries, go for one with the best provenance you can but I heard all the clichés, still bought it and now know that all they are emotionally generic or ignorant wives tales are after all this time of ownership.

Keep 2k in the bank for rainy days, have a reputable/trusted TVR mechanic, good insurance and perhaps some form of warranty, don't let your left (and/or right) foot take the piss and respect it like a supercar in every way rather than a Honda, which a lot of people forget when they pay Honda prices for them.

You may already know the score but thought I'd confirm from my experience.

Edited by chumleyuk on Wednesday 29th April 22:06

[VerySideways]

Not mad at all - as always buy on condition, but first and foremost get one with a quality rebuild (top end or full) from somewhere like TVR Power, Racing Green, Str8 Six, etc.

DO IT! You won't stop grinning

[da_murphster]

VerySideways said:

Not mad at all - as always buy on condition, but first and foremost get one with a quality rebuild (top end or full) from somewhere like TVR Power, Racing Green, Str8 Six, etc.

DO IT! You won't stop grinning

Or is there is no rebuild mentally factor one into the purchase price - might need one tomorrow.....might never need one. People here have experiences of both.

Squeaky wheel comment is very true - I bought mine off Ebay 18 months ago - only cost has been servicing, tyres, suspension (my choice) and lots and lots of fuel.

Oh, and AA membership, just in case!