What should I look for?

[orgo]

I own a Chimaera but I am seiously looking at buying a Tuscan. I've read about many peoples experiences, ranging from magnificant to disastrous. My budget is 28k. Basically can I get a good one for this or am I wasting my time. Should I go for low mileage older one or a higher mileage newer one?

Any help and suggestions much appreciated.

[J_S_G]

If you do a search on this forum, this has been covered a number of times before... If you're getting an older one, make sure the engine's been "upgraded". If it hasn't, then you're likely to have a whole heap of pain to deal with. It'll almost certainly need the finger followers sorting out on an early one (these tend to go between 7000-15000 miles), and you may end up with worn valve guides too after a few thousand more miles (but there's no guarantee of that).

Like all TVRs, buy on quality, not age/mileage. Few miles = teething problems still to sort out. High miles = things starting to wear out. Somewhere inbetween might work out best. You should be able to get a really good car for that price - but being able to tell a good one from a bad one from the hour or two you'll see any one that's on sale for is more than a bit hit and miss...

My family's run garages for decades, done motor sport (as have I), I've been through the British sports car thing with the Elise and the Cerbera, neither of which gave me a days trouble, and now the Tuscan's been off the road for 8 weeks of the 3-4 months I've owned it - sometimes you just get one that's in need of sorting out before it's a keeper.

If you can get one of the warranties that covers you for everything including wear and tear (such as Car Care Plan's), then you've got little to worry about other than it being off the road.

[NCE 61]

Have you tried the Tuscan owners group www.egroups.com/group/tuscan-owners there is a good buyers guide in the files section ortherwise e-mail me and I will send you a copy.

I would either go for a earlier car that has had any issues sorted out or a later car, low milage early cars could give much more problems.

[orgo]

Thanks for your advice, I am currently looking a two, both 2000 models one has done 12k and had engine rebuild at 2k, the other has done 20k and I'm still waiting for info on whether its had its re build. Would a 2k rebuild have sorted the finger follower problem

When viewing what should I be looking for, ie are there any tell tale signs of looming problems or am I being too simplistic. Thanks again in advance for any help you may provide.

Robin

PS great forum with a wealth of info

[chim_girl]

orgo said:

Would a 2k rebuild have sorted the finger follower problem

Not necessarily, I'm told (from a very reliable source)that they were still using some of the chocolate finger followers until late 02.

[Chim450]

For a 2000 car you should be spending a lot less than 28K. The best advice I think everyone agrees on is to get the newest one you can afford (taking into account condition etc.....).

I would have thought for 28K you should be able to get a nice 2002 or even 2003 model if you know where to look.

[TSS]

I produce the buying guide mentioned above by NCE 61. I update bits of it fairly regularly so please email me through my profile for the latest version.

[orgo]

chimgirl said:

I would have thought for 28K you should be able to get a nice 2002 or even 2003 model if you know where to look.

Where should I look? I've trawled the web (pistonheads classifieds, Autotrader and dealer web sites) and most seem to offer 2002/3 at prices well over £30k.

I hope I'm not boring you all, by covering old ground but I really want a Tuscan and I don't want a duff one

[Chim450]

orgo said:

chimgirl said: I would have thought for 28K you should be able to get a nice 2002 or even 2003 model if you know where to look.

Um, I said that not chim_girl

orgo said:

Where should I look? I've trawled the web (pistonheads classifieds, Autotrader and dealer web sites) and most seem to offer 2002/3 at prices well over £30k.

Try here for starters.

www.pistonheads.com/sales/detail.asp?i=26301&s=2