"A year in the life" Final Chapter !!
Discussion
Hi all. Well my car has just had its 1st birthday, so I can now complete my epic. I am not going to go over all the issues individually as they have been well documented month on month. I will try and summarise the last twelve months to give an overview.
Bodywork:
The styling of the Mk2 is obviously down to personal preference, I love the splitter on the "S" but I am still undecided on the lights. The new ones are a great improvement over the Mk1 but I still prefer the original look. The "whale tail" is ridiculous and a pain filling with water all the time, but I love it. The paint finish has been excellant with only a slight crack appearing on the edge of the service bonnet. This also happened on my Mk1 so I recommend you check this area. Easily rectified. My boot lid still isn't the best of fits, but all else is fine. I did have to have the inside of my wheel arches redone as the finish was peeling off, but again easily put right.
Interior:
Overall the finish is better than on my Mk1. Much less glue residue and nothing has come unstuck. Aesthetically, again I am in two minds. I think I prefer a mix of both models with no clear winner. The Mk2 interior grows on you and now the pod problem is fixed I actually do like the sunken design.
Equipment:
Apart from the initial problems I had with the indicator stalk, the overall quality of the fitments would seem to have improved. Personally I have had few if any of the dreaded electrical troubles. Doors and windows have done what they should have, and continue to do so. Yeah there has been occasional glitches but nothing major. Switches, dials and readouts have all been fine. The heater/aircon is a bit of a mystery and has a mind of its own, but hey, nothings perfect.
Mechanics:
Now around 9,000 mls on the clock and the engine purrs(well actually it roars and bellows) but you know what I mean. On my 1st Tuscan I had sensor problems as well as fans and fuses, but this one has been fine. The erratic rev problem I had, has not resurfaced. Handling is better than the Mk1, no "tram-lining", or skipping over uneven surfaces. Whether this is down to the better suspension set up on the "S" or the Goodyear tyres, I cant comment, but I do know this car feels incredibly sure footed at both low and high speeds. The brakes are superb and the car doesnt wander at all under heavy braking, even if you happen to lock the wheels.
Thoughts:
The Mk2 still shares some of the annoying faults as the Mk1. Squeaks and rattles are the same on the roof panel and rear screen. Everything I have used usually only provides a temporary fix, be it velcro, lubricant etc. Over three years I think I have tried every remedy. There are still leaks, mainly around the doors and on the Mk2 the boot.Additional silicone hasn't cured the door leak and I still get ashtrays full of water. The boot leak is still under investigation. Another shared prob for me anyway was the exhaust splitting on both my cars. Coincidence !!!
There are probably a million other things that I could waffle on about, but this started out just to be an impression of twelve months ownership of a new model. I promised to tell it as it is warts and all and feel I have kept to that. Would I buy another?
Unless NS screws up the design, then definately "yes". Would I recommend a Tuscan to anyone contemplating buying one? If you have the money, because they aint cheap to run. And you have patience, because you will get problems, then a resounding "yes". To not have driven/owned a Tuscan, is to have missed out on one of the greatest driving experiences around IMHO.
So over at last. All thats left for me to say is enjoy your Tuscans Mk1 or Mk2, stay very safe, have a great Christmas and a Happy New Year. Roll on the summer!
Di
xx
P.S I LOVE MY CAR
P.P.S. A huge thanks to all at Dream Machines who have held my hand over the last year and worked very hard to solve my various problems. They certainly made ownership a lot easier and less fraught at times.
>> Edited by lady topaz on Tuesday 6th December 14:14
Bodywork:
The styling of the Mk2 is obviously down to personal preference, I love the splitter on the "S" but I am still undecided on the lights. The new ones are a great improvement over the Mk1 but I still prefer the original look. The "whale tail" is ridiculous and a pain filling with water all the time, but I love it. The paint finish has been excellant with only a slight crack appearing on the edge of the service bonnet. This also happened on my Mk1 so I recommend you check this area. Easily rectified. My boot lid still isn't the best of fits, but all else is fine. I did have to have the inside of my wheel arches redone as the finish was peeling off, but again easily put right.
Interior:
Overall the finish is better than on my Mk1. Much less glue residue and nothing has come unstuck. Aesthetically, again I am in two minds. I think I prefer a mix of both models with no clear winner. The Mk2 interior grows on you and now the pod problem is fixed I actually do like the sunken design.
Equipment:
Apart from the initial problems I had with the indicator stalk, the overall quality of the fitments would seem to have improved. Personally I have had few if any of the dreaded electrical troubles. Doors and windows have done what they should have, and continue to do so. Yeah there has been occasional glitches but nothing major. Switches, dials and readouts have all been fine. The heater/aircon is a bit of a mystery and has a mind of its own, but hey, nothings perfect.
Mechanics:
Now around 9,000 mls on the clock and the engine purrs(well actually it roars and bellows) but you know what I mean. On my 1st Tuscan I had sensor problems as well as fans and fuses, but this one has been fine. The erratic rev problem I had, has not resurfaced. Handling is better than the Mk1, no "tram-lining", or skipping over uneven surfaces. Whether this is down to the better suspension set up on the "S" or the Goodyear tyres, I cant comment, but I do know this car feels incredibly sure footed at both low and high speeds. The brakes are superb and the car doesnt wander at all under heavy braking, even if you happen to lock the wheels.
Thoughts:
The Mk2 still shares some of the annoying faults as the Mk1. Squeaks and rattles are the same on the roof panel and rear screen. Everything I have used usually only provides a temporary fix, be it velcro, lubricant etc. Over three years I think I have tried every remedy. There are still leaks, mainly around the doors and on the Mk2 the boot.Additional silicone hasn't cured the door leak and I still get ashtrays full of water. The boot leak is still under investigation. Another shared prob for me anyway was the exhaust splitting on both my cars. Coincidence !!!
There are probably a million other things that I could waffle on about, but this started out just to be an impression of twelve months ownership of a new model. I promised to tell it as it is warts and all and feel I have kept to that. Would I buy another?
Unless NS screws up the design, then definately "yes". Would I recommend a Tuscan to anyone contemplating buying one? If you have the money, because they aint cheap to run. And you have patience, because you will get problems, then a resounding "yes". To not have driven/owned a Tuscan, is to have missed out on one of the greatest driving experiences around IMHO.
So over at last. All thats left for me to say is enjoy your Tuscans Mk1 or Mk2, stay very safe, have a great Christmas and a Happy New Year. Roll on the summer!
Di
xx
P.S I LOVE MY CAR
P.P.S. A huge thanks to all at Dream Machines who have held my hand over the last year and worked very hard to solve my various problems. They certainly made ownership a lot easier and less fraught at times.
>> Edited by lady topaz on Tuesday 6th December 14:14
Great report.
At the risk of being flamed could anyone sum up what the fix for the instrument pod was? Or at least direct me to the relevant thread. I've been wandering around over on the Sagaris forum for too long.
I personally love the pod design along with the rest of the tuscan, both mk 1 and 2. My dream garage would have both. But if I absolutely had to have just the one it would probably be a Mk 2 S but I prefer the standard boot spoiler. My colour choice? Reflex green with anthracite wheels, saddle and black leather interior
At the risk of being flamed could anyone sum up what the fix for the instrument pod was? Or at least direct me to the relevant thread. I've been wandering around over on the Sagaris forum for too long.
I personally love the pod design along with the rest of the tuscan, both mk 1 and 2. My dream garage would have both. But if I absolutely had to have just the one it would probably be a Mk 2 S but I prefer the standard boot spoiler. My colour choice? Reflex green with anthracite wheels, saddle and black leather interior
Thanks. Found that very interesting. Plus I too am a fan of the pod being someone who watched too much sci-fi as a kid.
One thing though, I'm sure you'd get off a speeding fine with the old pod! I'd be inclined not to change mine! I think part of the problem was the screen was polarized, to reduce glare. At certain angles polarized sunglasses cancel out the similar screen on my Sagaris but of course we have analogue instruments as a backup so we tend not to mind as much.
Happy motoring!
One thing though, I'm sure you'd get off a speeding fine with the old pod! I'd be inclined not to change mine! I think part of the problem was the screen was polarized, to reduce glare. At certain angles polarized sunglasses cancel out the similar screen on my Sagaris but of course we have analogue instruments as a backup so we tend not to mind as much.
Happy motoring!
A good (honest) report indeed, and probably fairly representative of a first year of ownership. Not sure I'd be too happy about all those leaks though, and the fact that they're still there.
Apart from general build quality improvements, given that the launch of this car was delayed by six months to correct "quality" issues, are you satisfied with the results?
Apart from general build quality improvements, given that the launch of this car was delayed by six months to correct "quality" issues, are you satisfied with the results?
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