Tuscan S - To buy or not to buy?

[shortlad]

I'm not usually a nervous person but found my pulse racing and heart rate rising when on a test drive in a Tuscan S today...

I then reliased it wasn't nerves it was excitement... So I'm hooked on the Tuscan S

I currently have a Chimaera 4.0HC which is for sale on this site. I'm now certain I want a Tuscan and probably a Tuscan S. I'm worried about a few things like engine life and servicing costs.

The car I've seen has just had a re-build so should I be OK? I know there's a lot of stuff on here about engines and re-builds but my basic question is does the engine re-build mean the replaced parts wont wear as quickly again due to any re-design?

I was wondering how many people go to the independants for SP6 servicing. I use an indie at the moment but appreciate the Tuscan is a very different beast to my Chimaera. What are the likely rough costs for an annual service? I only do a couple of thousand miles each year so would need an annual service.

Cheers people

Edited by shortlad on Saturday 3rd March 18:22

[custardkid]

Indies are the way forwards, read the speed 6 forum, there are some good ones out there.

hopefully a rebuilt engine will last longer, but keep a few £k aside then you'll be prepared if it lets go in a couple of years time.

just do it you only live once

Custard

[optimal noise]

custardkid said:

just do it you only live once

Some of the best fun I've had In ages has been in my Tuscan.

Go for it

[dvs_dave]

shortlad said:

So I'm hooked on the Tuscan S

The car I've seen has just had a re-build so should I be OK? I know there's a lot of stuff on here about engines and re-builds but my basic question is does the engine re-build mean the replaced parts wont wear as quickly again due to any re-design?

I was wondering how many people go to the independants for SP6 servicing. I use an indie at the moment but appreciate the Tuscan is a very different beast to my Chimaera. What are the likely rough costs for an annual service? I only do a couple of thousand miles each year so would need an annual service.

Cheers people

Edited by shortlad on Saturday 3rd March 18:22

Get one. Absolute hoot.

Agree with others about the indies. Some excellent ones out there and every bit as good, and often better than main dealers with their "factory trained" YTS technicians. VERY reliable sources tell me this training consisted of little more than a days observation at the factory!

With regards engine re-builds and wear rates, it depends who did it. Recently (past 12 months) a couple of indies have been offering upgraded, supposedly more durable parts and internal mods with their re-builds. Otherwise they will be the standard factory parts at the time. How, what and the durability of the factory parts over the years is still largely a mystery.

Servicing is fairly reasonable for a Tuscan. Around the 500 quid mark for a 6k service and 700ish for 12k. You're strongly advised to keep a few k spare just in case. The clutch for example is a common failure point (standard clutch every 20k or so) and is about 1200 quid to fix.

[fimbo]

I spent an absolute age reviewing various threads on this site and elsewhere about the speed 6 engine and the car as a whole and still bought one. I don't want to speak out of turn but as much as I love PH it's like a pub - you need to sort fact from opinion. There is no doubt that a lot of people have had problems with the engine - the cause (or at least the main cause) seems to be down to parts that were not hardened properly. Engines built from 2003 onwards seem to be less susceptible to these problems. I think a lot of it has to do with how the owner has treated their car - start it up, drive off immediately and gently warm it up. There are plenty of Tuscans running with 30k+ mileages out there (without engine rebuild or new clutch) - not all of them are PH's and those that are don't, like me, post that the car is fine. I think with any high performance car (and you obviously know from owning the Chim) that they need a little more care than your japanese family saloon. I gave up with a warranty long ago and just stick the money in the bank - if it all goes Pete Tong, I have a slush fund.

Do your research and test drive plenty.

[shortlad]

fimbo said:

Engines built from 2003 onwards seem to be less susceptible to these problems.

Is this engines built as well as re-built?

The car I've seen has just had a re-build.

Cheers for all the advice so far.

[shortlad]

dvs_dave said:

The clutch for example is a common failure point (standard clutch every 20k or so) and is about 1200 quid to fix.

Is this the dealer cost? I had a look at Clever Trevor's web site and the replacement clutch plate kit is £312. Am I missing something on the price?

Cheers

[fimbo]

Phil, there are plenty of people on here better qualified than me to comment on the speed 6 engine. The "speed six" forum is probably a very good place to start your research. As for the clutch, I would imagine most of the £1200 cost is labour + good old VAT. Why not call a few independents local to you and ask for a quote.

[beano500]

I use an indie and also only do a few thousand a year at the moment. I'm paying nowhere near the 6k and 12k prices quoted. But then again I'm relatively lucky that not too much major has needed doing yet.


Have you looked at running costs and blogs on here for some idea? I've kept mine up-to-date as have plenty others I expect....

[shortlad]

beano500 said:

I use an indie and also only do a few thousand a year at the moment. I'm paying nowhere near the 6k and 12k prices quoted. But then again I'm relatively lucky that not too much major has needed doing yet.


Have you looked at running costs and blogs on here for some idea? I've kept mine up-to-date as have plenty others I expect....

Cheers Ron for the info, which indie do you use?

BTW.... Have you been to the Herts & Beds newly re-started meets yet? My work colleague is the RO and he's getting more and more people interested. It's a good meet and the pub does a good Sunday roast as well.

[beano500]

shortlad said:

Cheers Ron for the info, which indie do you use?

David Batty, down near Guildford (known him now for about 15 years, been looking after my TVRs ever since I bought the Griff) - excellent reputation for pragmatic approach to servicing and solving....

shortlad said:

BTW.... Have you been to the Herts & Beds newly re-started meets yet? My work colleague is the RO and he's getting more and more people interested. It's a good meet and the pub does a good Sunday roast as well.

Not yet - need to check out the details and work out when I'm next free.....