Pondering T350 / Tuscan etc?
Discussion
I need help please, probably in more ways than one.
I have a sensible everyday family car - so does the wife.
Under much pressure from both the wife and kids, to give up bikes, I am considering this, but only on the condition of buying a fun car for the summer commute (30 miles) and the odd weekend tour up to Scotland etc.
Always loved the looks and style of TVRs but, and probably wrongly, have been put off by reliability stories - I know sweet FA about engines etc.
So I fancy a fairly reliable or simple to fix, waterproof rag-top or removeable roof type car for mostly fine weather fun with a budget of up to, say £25k. I'd prefer to spend less of course and keep some cash for those little problems that can occur.
I believe that Christopher Neil can service cars up this way but can someone tell me the main differences driving wise between a Tuscan or a Tamora? I prefer the later style of car.
I know that there are probably more sensible choices but I like cars that are different and TVRs really appeal.
At 56, I find Lotus and Noble pretty much out of the game because they are too difficult to get in and out with any dignity!
Any advice appreciated!
I have a sensible everyday family car - so does the wife.
Under much pressure from both the wife and kids, to give up bikes, I am considering this, but only on the condition of buying a fun car for the summer commute (30 miles) and the odd weekend tour up to Scotland etc.
Always loved the looks and style of TVRs but, and probably wrongly, have been put off by reliability stories - I know sweet FA about engines etc.
So I fancy a fairly reliable or simple to fix, waterproof rag-top or removeable roof type car for mostly fine weather fun with a budget of up to, say £25k. I'd prefer to spend less of course and keep some cash for those little problems that can occur.
I believe that Christopher Neil can service cars up this way but can someone tell me the main differences driving wise between a Tuscan or a Tamora? I prefer the later style of car.
I know that there are probably more sensible choices but I like cars that are different and TVRs really appeal.
At 56, I find Lotus and Noble pretty much out of the game because they are too difficult to get in and out with any dignity!
Any advice appreciated!
Hi
In my very humble opinion it is the cheapest way to replicate the bike feeling, and trust me it is greattttt. Keeping your licence is just as difficult though as they are so addictive.
You have to be careful with the engines, but with 25k you could buy a good Tuscan and have enough for a 100000 mile warranty rebuild, most of the problems are well known and can be overcome.
My advice would be to try a Mk1 tuscan, a MkII Tuscan, Tamora, T350 and a couple of S's. Each car is different and suits different people. Take your time and find the right one. I like the Tuscan personally.
N
In my very humble opinion it is the cheapest way to replicate the bike feeling, and trust me it is greattttt. Keeping your licence is just as difficult though as they are so addictive.
You have to be careful with the engines, but with 25k you could buy a good Tuscan and have enough for a 100000 mile warranty rebuild, most of the problems are well known and can be overcome.
My advice would be to try a Mk1 tuscan, a MkII Tuscan, Tamora, T350 and a couple of S's. Each car is different and suits different people. Take your time and find the right one. I like the Tuscan personally.
N
£20k will get you a nice Tuscan,T350,Tamora or Cerb In my opinion 2003 onwards the quality seemed to improve and there are some nice examples out there. Keep some money in reserve as just like bikes you will want to do some upgrades, suspension/exhausts etc. The SP6 engine that is in the Tuscan/T350/Sagaris/Tamora and some Cerbs has had some bad press over the years but most cars should have been sorted now. Test drive some and see what you think, there addictive !!. I had bikes also and now on my second TVR, first one was a Tuscan 2001 and now a 2003 Cerbera both Speed Six engines and both have been FANTASTIC, DO IT......
George
George
so called said:
I live in South Cheshire so I guess not so far away if you wanted to take a look at a mk2 Tuscan.
Not for sale but will get an idea of how good they are.
I'm in the US for another 9 days or so but if your not in a hurry your welcome to check her out.
Tony
Good man Tony Not for sale but will get an idea of how good they are.
I'm in the US for another 9 days or so but if your not in a hurry your welcome to check her out.
Tony
Dave, I had a similar choice to you, wanted to spend about 30k on a fun car for weekends, summer blasts and to use every day. I too was worried about reliability and big engine problems. I bought a very late Tuscan 2 'S' and in nearly 6,000 miles I've done nothing more than top up the oil. From reading on here the Mk2's had the engine pretty much fully sorted and there are lots on 40k+ with no rebuilds. As long as you let them warm up properly you'll be fine.
As written above it is as close to a bike feeling you can get without getting into an Ariel Atom supercharged. Silly license losing speeds come up too fast and the noise......oh the noise!
Woolly said:
Hi Dave,
one of my best mates is a biker and when he's been in the passenger seat of my Tuscan2 he also says it is the closest thing he's known to riding his bike. He loves it.
They even use bike style exhaust cans!one of my best mates is a biker and when he's been in the passenger seat of my Tuscan2 he also says it is the closest thing he's known to riding his bike. He loves it.
Tuscan is a great choice, i am not regretting it yet
edited cos I got threads mixed up doh!
Edited by blueg33 on Friday 15th October 18:13
You've got a very realistic budget to get a decent TVR, AND has a "rainy day" pot for the inevitable large service bill / contingency for when (not if....) something goes pop. For up to £20K you can realistically have a great choice of the later model Cerbera (extremely quick especially with the AJP V8 - very "bike-like" in that it really loves to be caned and revved); the T350; Tuscan or Tamora. If you choose a "T" car wiht the speed 6 engine (sometimes called SP6) then you should ideally look out for one which has had a rebuild by one of the reputable specialists (or leave yourself a pot "just in case").
As a biker - you should make a "better" TVR owner - i.e. should be very sensitive to regularly checking the oil level; a more frequent service schedule, and the need to use a reputable specialist rather than a "normal generalist" garage......
However - be warned, bikes are still MUCH faster than even fast cars..... although looking at your bike history I'd guess you are just as interested in comfort as well as speed ?
But as others say - TVRs are quite bike-like in their experience. They are raw, loud, and demand a competent driver to drive them quickly (no ABS, traction control, EBD etc etc) - you need a real "seat of the pants" connection with the car - and like a bike you need to "read the road" when pressing on as they are a relatively light weight, powerful rear wheel drive sports car. That's part of the attraction really.......
I've been a biker for 20 years - and can vouch for the thrills that both the bikes and the TVR can give you....
However - the REAL answer is..................
............... buy a TVR and keep the bike!!!! You can always justify it!! Just say that you'll be massively reducing the mileage you do on two wheels (therefore much safer etc etc etc), but that you want to save the bike for those essential fine clear days!
I'm sure that you can still find room in your garage for the GS and your new TVR
As a biker - you should make a "better" TVR owner - i.e. should be very sensitive to regularly checking the oil level; a more frequent service schedule, and the need to use a reputable specialist rather than a "normal generalist" garage......
However - be warned, bikes are still MUCH faster than even fast cars..... although looking at your bike history I'd guess you are just as interested in comfort as well as speed ?
But as others say - TVRs are quite bike-like in their experience. They are raw, loud, and demand a competent driver to drive them quickly (no ABS, traction control, EBD etc etc) - you need a real "seat of the pants" connection with the car - and like a bike you need to "read the road" when pressing on as they are a relatively light weight, powerful rear wheel drive sports car. That's part of the attraction really.......
I've been a biker for 20 years - and can vouch for the thrills that both the bikes and the TVR can give you....However - the REAL answer is..................
............... buy a TVR and keep the bike!!!! You can always justify it!! Just say that you'll be massively reducing the mileage you do on two wheels (therefore much safer etc etc etc), but that you want to save the bike for those essential fine clear days!
I'm sure that you can still find room in your garage for the GS and your new TVR
You are right of course and it is the obvious answer.
We don't seem to have a specialist around here who stocks various cars at any one time, to compare them fairly.
I know that I want a TVR but the confusing issue for me is which one.
They are all now affordable with a cash reserve for the problems which can arise.
I wouldn't even think of tinkering with it myself but would leave it to a competent service agent / dealer.
Is the Chim a good start or should I bite the bullet and go Tuscan / T350?
We don't seem to have a specialist around here who stocks various cars at any one time, to compare them fairly.
I know that I want a TVR but the confusing issue for me is which one.
They are all now affordable with a cash reserve for the problems which can arise.
I wouldn't even think of tinkering with it myself but would leave it to a competent service agent / dealer.
Is the Chim a good start or should I bite the bullet and go Tuscan / T350?
Edited by Davel on Saturday 16th October 10:00
I've been biking for a good few years and bought my first tvr early last year. Originally I was after a Tuscan or T350 but in the end I chose a late 450 Chim.
Can't say I regret choosing the Chim for one minute, and I actually prefer the interior to the newer tvr models. I am now considering changing to try a Tuscan/T350.. but that's no because the Chim is bad/slow etc, its almost like i've been bitten by a bug.... so I want to get the whole TVR experience!
I wouldn't say that either of them come that close to the rawness of being on a bike, but they are right up there in excitement, and i've got even more of an emotional attachment to the car than the bike.
I'd follow the recommendations above, drive an S6 car, and a Chim, and the differences soon become apparent. They're both great in their own way, and I doubt many people have been disappointed in buying either of them!
Either way, you're joining one of the most friendly bunch of owners!!
Can't say I regret choosing the Chim for one minute, and I actually prefer the interior to the newer tvr models. I am now considering changing to try a Tuscan/T350.. but that's no because the Chim is bad/slow etc, its almost like i've been bitten by a bug.... so I want to get the whole TVR experience!
I wouldn't say that either of them come that close to the rawness of being on a bike, but they are right up there in excitement, and i've got even more of an emotional attachment to the car than the bike.
I'd follow the recommendations above, drive an S6 car, and a Chim, and the differences soon become apparent. They're both great in their own way, and I doubt many people have been disappointed in buying either of them!
Either way, you're joining one of the most friendly bunch of owners!!
Drove a 4.0l Chim at Chrispoher Neil and loved it, although it is of course quite an old car.
Comfortable, nippy and sounded lovley.
Looked at an Sp 6 Tuscan locally, although not had a ride yet.
I know these cars are very quick but can you drive them sedately if, for instance, you're stuck in traffic or ferrying the kids about?
Of the two, I think that I prefer the more modern Tuscan style but I don't think that I'd even dare open the bonnet.
The owner is only doing about 500 to 1,500 miles per year. I think that I'd really want to use her much more than that.
Comfortable, nippy and sounded lovley.
Looked at an Sp 6 Tuscan locally, although not had a ride yet.
I know these cars are very quick but can you drive them sedately if, for instance, you're stuck in traffic or ferrying the kids about?
Of the two, I think that I prefer the more modern Tuscan style but I don't think that I'd even dare open the bonnet.
The owner is only doing about 500 to 1,500 miles per year. I think that I'd really want to use her much more than that.
Davel,
Don't worry about the Tuscan bonnet - you can't open them without tools. It's designed to keep "tools" from tinkering with them I guess!
I had a Chim 400 until last year - now a Tuscan Mk1. They are very different cars,
If you want to talk about comparing the cars - send me a mail with phone number.
Shame I hadn't seen this earlier - you could have seen a good range of cars at Oulton Park on Sat at the TVR Challenge.
Bob
Don't worry about the Tuscan bonnet - you can't open them without tools. It's designed to keep "tools" from tinkering with them I guess!
I had a Chim 400 until last year - now a Tuscan Mk1. They are very different cars,
If you want to talk about comparing the cars - send me a mail with phone number.
Shame I hadn't seen this earlier - you could have seen a good range of cars at Oulton Park on Sat at the TVR Challenge.
Bob
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