Would like to say hi and ask for some advice please.

[bigdan85]

First I would like to say hi to you all. I have been reading and looking on hear for some time now and thought I would get involved now as I am after some help and advice on whether or not to go for a Tuscan s that I have been offered. So a little bit about the car its a 2002 Tuscan s that has been off the road for the last 5 or 6 year. my mate bought it as a cat d and has sins done all the repair work to the front and back, you would never tell from looking at. he now has too many cars and has now offered it to me cheap. cheap because it need a bit of tlc. that is the inside needs a very good clean but no marks, the fuel pump has been hard wired in to run off a switch, the bonnets need fitting, the roof needs relining the nitron shocks need fitting. from looking at it today now very much. I am a mechanic and looking for a project was thinking this could be the one. now to the good bits the car is cheap he just want it to go to a good home and some one he can go out with on the weekends and race lol. the other shock I had today is the chassis is clean very clean same as the engine except for some wires, this is down to the car has only done 6500 miles.
what I wanted to now was what you guys thought about it? also how do I now if it really is an s as its had work on the back end, there is no spoiler but it does have the s badge and the right lights. is there any way of finding out. sorry to go on guys but I am really excited about it as I have wonted a tvr for a long time now. any help or in put would be great thanks Dan

[Basil Brush]

Is it early or late 2002? Although maybe a bit early for FF issues at 6.5k, do you know if it's had any engine work?

Re S or not, you may be able to get a copy of the original build sheet. Apart from the body mods, an S is a fully optioned Tuscan, ie aircon, HID lights, hydratrak etc plus bigger brakes (322 front 298 rear), different springs and dampers, close ratio gearbox (not all had it fitted), bigger bore exhaust, different ecu chip and injectors (iirc).

[bigdan85]

thanks for the reply its an early its a late 51 plate so early 02 really. it has air con and it looked like the bigger brakes.

what should I be looking for problem wise etc.

[Walford]

remove the cam cover

[Basil Brush]

Early 2002 engines were still being built with the dodgy finger followers and valve guides, amongst other problem areas. There's a more than fair chance it will need a rebuild before 20k miles. If you get it cheap enough that you can add c.5k for a rebuild plus clutch plus the other knowns and it's still within values for a cat car then ok.

[Toady1]

I guess it depends how cheap it is? Is it a written off car ie cat D/C? Has it got good history pre storage? As you're a mechanic you are most likely aware anyway but as its been stood still for so long it;d be advisable to check and possibly replace perishables like the fuel hoses, tyres, bushes possibly. How has the car been stored?

[bigdan85]

Toady1 said:

I guess it depends how cheap it is? Is it a written off car ie cat D/C? Has it got good history pre storage? As you're a mechanic you are most likely aware anyway but as its been stood still for so long it;d be advisable to check and possibly replace perishables like the fuel hoses, tyres, bushes possibly. How has the car been stored?

well I have been offered it for lets just say under £6500. yes the cars a cat D. I don't now much about the history my mate is trying to look and find out about it. Yes when or if I get the car it getting a good going over, things like hoses , bushes etc will be replaced. this is some thing iam not going to rush and the day it goes back on the road it will be sorted (well I hope). the car has been stored in dry hard standing unit and hasn't been out side or seen the light of day.

thanks for the help and reply's guys.

[ratboiler]

I have a mark 2 that was standing for 6 years with very little use, it needed a good clean, new battery, good service,water hoses replacing,rubber fuel pipes replacing,and has a weeping clutch slave which I will get round to eventually when I have saved up but that was about it.