Looking to buy a Tuscan S - advice please..

[Billiam]

Hi everyone, my first post in TVR ! And soon i will post as an owner i have no doubt.. so i have been looking for a month now nearly, for what you ask ? (or not) My 'perfect' Tuscan S.. dictated by a number of things..

Milage
Colour
Upgrades/work done
Price

Now after some searching, it seems 20k wont buy much of a Tuscan S these days, at least not from one of the big 3 names on the circuit that seem to be best options.. ie str8six, racing green TVR and power TVR and after some looking it seems power TVR are the guys to go to for, for rebuilds etc. Fairly priced, seemingly good service and they offer a good warranty..

And after looking on their website at engine rebuild costs etc etc all of a sudden i figured i could potentially buy a 'cheap' Tuscan and then spend making it fit for use.. and a couple of days ago, this little beauty comes up for sale..

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...

At first i was a bit amazed at the price but then when i noticed it simply states 'full service history' and not full TVR history.. the list has a severe lack of information when buying what i would class as a very high end sports machine.. theres quite clearly a scuff on them alloys hinting maybe its had a wee brush with a curb or something.. 50k milage is OK as these cars like to be used.. but then the best part... the price !!

I was budgeting 20k region for one and if i bought this, id have near 10k to throw at it but that doesnt mean i want a money pit - IF the basics were good and engine was shot, that would be fine - rebuild with warrany would make me a happy man.. but you guys are the experts - anyone here familiar with the car ? I have email the seller and awaiting a reply but it might have already gone for all i know..

When i find out where it is, i would really appreciate an expert eye to come with me as i have never had a TVR before.. so will post where it is, if still available when i find out.. oh and it doesnt mention but likely the numberplate would be left with the car !! BONUS ! lol

So anyone with any information would me much appreciated.. im aching to buy one but dont want to rush in.. or second prize - anyone know for anyone selling ! haha

Thanks in advance.. and dont go making offers on my potential purchase will ya lads lol

[MPETT]

If is fairly close to northampton, I'd happily come along to view it and give you my opinion. I've just finish a ground up rebuild so hopefully I know enough to be of use in a purchase with plans to renovate.

Drop me a line if you like

[Billiam]

Thank you sir ! From what iv heard the TVR owners are brill with newbies.. it looks a nice car but i have my reservations, im an Alfa man and could tear one apart to drive down the price - but these things i wouldnt know where to start..

Fingers crossed because prices will only rise when the weather breaks !!

[Noisy]

Looks very cheap for an 'S' I would be doing a HPI check to make sure it's not on the register, not that it's a major problem just will affect the price now and when you come to sell on. Servicing can be carried out by a non-specialist but I would be questioning if they have properly checked the valve clearances, changed the gearbox and diff oils as required etc. As these cars are getting older I'd actually prefer to see a well maintained car looked after by an enthusiast owner than a back street garage.

Budgeting for work to be carried out needs to be done with your eyes open, TVR power have an excellent reputation but the work isn't cheap, the car going in for an engine rebuild could easily swallow your whole budget with a few upgrades made along the way.

[billy no brakes]

. As these cars are getting older I'd actually prefer to see a well maintained car looked after by an enthusiast owner than a back street garage.

I would have to agree with you, back street garages are a nightmare even when they don,t do the work right they just ignore you and you have to end up taken them to court so beware

[GrazzerDBazzer]

There are plenty of good garages doing work on cars they don't specialize in but still do a great job and there are also bad ones so it can be pot luck unless you know them. Find out who they are and give them a call. If they take an interest they may even be able to remember the work they have done on it.

My car had a full TVR specialist service history when I bought it and it then needed almost everything doing to get it up to a standard I was happy with. This Included Engine, Gearbox, clutch, suspension etc etc... A lot of the work done by myself with loads help from Noisy above and some by specialists....

Since we have gone over my car it has been reliable and given me many miles of smiles. But if engine or gearbox went wrong I had a guarantee from specialists and the bits I had done myself with Noisy's help are down to me. I would say that my car would be a good buy for someone as I know the work has been done to a high standard in all cases but it is down to you as a buyer to decide if you can trust the seller when they say the same. (Big bills and lots of them are usually a sign that the car has been kept at no expense spared)

Since the nature of these cars things will ware out quicker than expected sometimes and you would have to check that any grantees on previous works are transferable to the new owners (some engine builders don't cover this).

Independent inspections can be handy but most are basic and wont tell you a lot.

Tuscan S is a good choice of car as long as you don't mind the dodgy rear spoiller IMO Spoiler is an apt name! ;-)

[Billiam]

Thanks guys.. some useful input there thank you ! I emailed the guy and give him my private number as to not ring the potential premium line from work and not heard anything back. Maybe its gone, maybe he doesnt check his mail or maybe he is waiting for me to ring.. but either way, bad selling in my book. Although with the cars iv sold over the years, you do get alot of pretenders who ring and email and ask this and that but have no intention to buy.. even once had someone string me along, ringing saying their on their way, stuck in traffic but please wait.. and not turn up ! I mean.. where do these people get off :S

Anyhow.. dont know if i trust the car, maybe i will go for a standard Tuscan as i have to agree, the spoiler on the S is not too pretty - and the light formation is not quite as nice IMHO.. also it means i can buy from somewhere i can trust and hopefully get a nice 100k warranty i could try and make the most of in the meantime !!

[B17NNS]

Is that advert for real?

It's way too cheap.

[MPETT]

He's added more photos and sent me an email. I think the carpets could do with a change and a few bit tidied up. Engines been rebuilt by powers, so assuming the gear box is ok, it could be a bargain. Am tempted myself, but with a new arrival in the family this June...

[Billiam]

MPETT said:

He's added more photos and sent me an email. I think the carpets could do with a change and a few bit tidied up. Engines been rebuilt by powers, so assuming the gear box is ok, it could be a bargain. Am tempted myself, but with a new arrival in the family this June...

Thanks alot for the email ! It does sound encouraging it must be said.. it is a bargain and id have change which is great !! Its that or that 4.3 on here but id like to think that S is only going to go one way in value.. !!

I think im going to have to ring him for a chat

[ratboiler]

Just seen this, it took me 9 months to find the one I wanted, I decided on the model, which was a convertible S and like you started to wonder off what I had started out wanting when I could not find it. My friends kept me focused, which you should do and eventually you will find the one for you. I got mine out of the TVR sprint mag by advertising in the mag for a car. An owner called, I went over loved the car, got it checked out by Rob Ingleby and did the deal, the car never hit Pistonheads.

[Billiam]

That sir, sounds like some good advice.. i can get a bit impetuous at times and so a good grounding post like that reigns me in a bit ! I am going to look at 2 cars on Wed hopefully and if their not right, i will wait.. but this car is actually sounding quite promising, cars had a decent bit of work done and so a sit down and look through all the documents and history will be good..

The only downside.. its 300 miles away :S but it passes the other i posted about so wont harm to have a look.. and my original outset has somewhat changed because im learning more about the cars, im a total TVR novice but il be sure not to rush into anything im not happy with..

[ditchvisitor]

If you need help looking at cars give me a shout, I've had a couple of Tuscans and more than willing to offer advice etc. I'm in Northampton most weekends at my fiancés, drop me an email if it's any use.

[ditchvisitor]

If you need help looking at cars give me a shout, I've had a couple of Tuscans and more than willing to offer advice etc. I'm in Northampton most weekends at my fiancés, drop me an email if it's any use.

[JRH63]

The car is on Teeside. I looked at it at the weekend. Its a genuine sale, the car just needs some TLC. Its a daily user, and certainly not pampered.

[Phil Dicky]

My first thought is chassis...only 5 months ticket left, will it fail on a re-test on corrosion and is that why its so cheap?

[ratboiler]

I travelled the country trying to find what I wanted Newcastle, Warwick, Essex, Oxford, Lake district, it pays to go and have a look to see what you are getting for the money and you will gain knowledge with every one you see.

[Billiam]

JRH63 said:

The car is on Teeside. I looked at it at the weekend. Its a genuine sale, the car just needs some TLC. Its a daily user, and certainly not pampered.

That does fill me with a bit on confidence are you the gentleman on a Griffith search ?? He did mention someone had recently looked at it - and he also said, it just needs a bit of tidying up.. interior looked like it had seen better days but again - not the interior im overly concerned with !!

Did you have a look under it ?? And im far from an expert but from what i heard - better a well used one as these cars dont like to stand.. could i be as bold as to ask you for an honest opinion - is it worth buying ? I want a Mk1 S and at that price, i can do all my tinkering my way - and the plan is to keep for life, so as far as milage goes - that doesnt concern me as id like to put many more on it ! Maybe a few grand on some upgrades and tidy ups and id hope to have a real good Tuscan on my hands..

Phil Dicky said:

My first thought is chassis...only 5 months ticket left, will it fail on a re-test on corrosion and is that why its so cheap?

Hopefully JRH63 can help me with that one until i go look at it myself !! But TVR power offer new chassis for 6k so again combined total is still under 20k..

My only question is the service history, as i dont know specialists etc i didnt know the name he had most the servicing done, so will get him to send it and then ask around on that..

ratboiler said:

I travelled the country trying to find what I wanted Newcastle, Warwick, Essex, Oxford, Lake district, it pays to go and have a look to see what you are getting for the money and you will gain knowledge with every one you see.

This is a good point, i dont want to rush into anything but that S seems like a potentially good buy but il ask around for a guru on here to come see it with me first..

Thanks again all for your input - these forums really are wonderful things, the collective knowledge is priceless..

ditchvisitor said:

If you need help looking at cars give me a shout, I've had a couple of Tuscans and more than willing to offer advice etc. I'm in Northampton most weekends at my fiancés, drop me an email if it's any use.

Sadly not ! lol as mentioned above, way up north east.. 600 mile round trip for me !!

[JRH63]

It had a full engine rebuild 4 years ago (all the bills are there), top and bottom end. It seems to drive well enough, no smoke, but it was a minging day when I was there....
All the carpets are badly faded, and the interior is generally grubby.
Wheels are straight and not kerbed......
Boot is tidy, but had been leaking.

Seats were ok, not badly worn, backs just seemed to have detached.
Car was regularly serviced, but I did not have a detailed look underneath.
The owner had spent a lot of money, on the mechanicals, so I am sure the outriggers would have been done, if needed.
It had a nose paint recently, but was chipped again.

I had looked at quite a few 'pampered' cars, and then this one came up. It was very tempting, mainly because it looks a bargain. In the end, I have bought a Tamora, part exchanging my TT 240 QS. If my budget had been tighter, and I was in the mood for a bit cleaning and pampering, I would have bought it. I procrastinated for quite a while outside his house.....

Edited by JRH63 on Tuesday 18th February 15:09

Edited by JRH63 on Tuesday 18th February 15:14

[Djdan]

Am not convinced its a massive bargain, yeah weve seen plenty for sale at 23-24K plus recently but do they actually sell at this? I Paid not much more than that for my MK1 S in 2012, i love it!