To Convert or not Convert, that is the question.

[BISHY]

Dear Fellow Petrolheads,

I have a dilema.

I have the chance to buy one of the few remaining Unregistered Tuscan Covertible's ( S Variety )

The flip side to this however, is that I love the look of the Sagaris, plus I have just replaced one of my other cars, and can't really justify another purchase at the moment.

This raises several questions and problems:

1.) I love to get my top off in the summer, would I miss it?

2.) This could be my last chance to buy a brand new TVR.

3.) My current Tuscan has been so good, it doesn't really deserve / need to be replaced.


Would I regret not experiencing a "brand new" Tuscan Covertible, in years to come when they are no longer available.

Thanks for your advice in advance.

GB

[glow worm]

If you can get it for the right price, go for it. Last year I know a brand new Tuscan Targa 'S' sold for £43k, a real bargain, if your talking £50k I think that's too high....Is it full leather with Sports Pack Option (Air Con etc. ??? What colour is it??? External & Interior

[Whitey]

If you go to halfrauds, you can buy some bolt on bit's for your current Tuscan to turn it into a Saggyarse

[PDtvr]

Didn't realise there were any new 'S' spec convertibles left in dealer stock. I see Racing Green have a new, non-S 'Vert in Estoril Blue and Harrogate have got a new Reflex Charcoal one, again non-S spec. I also didn't realise there were any new Sagaris left until I saw David Gerald's website. Seems he's got one in Spectraflair Silver.

I, too, faced your exact dilemma last year. Loved my Griff, didn't need to sell it, but wanted a change after 10 years. Dithered for ages about new Sag or new Tuscan S, decided I couldn't do without a removeable lid, so bought a new Tuscan. Absolutely love everything about it, particularly its outrageous looks and power, both of which are way superior to the Griff.

[TOV!E]

if you decide against it please let me know as my brother wants one now that he has driving mine..........

[Paul V]

Hard choice really, firstly if you can easily afford it then could be good, what is the history of your old one? engine rebuild? any uprated parts? if you get a new one you'll be starting over again but if your old one is likely to need work soon dues to wear and tear might be as well to get the new one.

Only down side if you buy it and it's trouble you have no factory support.

[Lucozade]

well i picked up one of the last Tuscan S Targas last year and it's been brilliant. Not many issues at all. It was retailed at £54K and I got the dealer down to £43K plus a 3 year warranty from them. They have honoured any warranty work so far without any hassle. It's been very well behaved and has never let me down. I've been very impressed with the build quality.

[BISHY]

Lucozade said:

I've been very impressed with the build quality.

Build quality on the new car is very impressive. I was amazed how much things had improved.

My current Tuscan is in good condition and has been very reliable. New battery and oil sender within first two weeks, but since then no problems.

But if you compare the likely costs of running the new car with the old one, over the next three years, then it starts to make sense

I am wondering what the cost of insurance would be on a car that's double the value though!

[NCE 61]

BISHY said:

Lucozade said:

I've been very impressed with the build quality.

Build quality on the new car is very impressive. I was amazed how much things had improved.

My current Tuscan is in good condition and has been very reliable. New battery and oil sender within first two weeks, but since then no problems.

But if you compare the likely costs of running the new car with the old one, over the next three years, then it starts to make sense

I am wondering what the cost of insurance would be on a car that's double the value though!

Build quality of my July 06 Tuscan S is also very good, as for insurance that actually went down by 10% or so, must be somthing to do with the stats on earlier Tuscans.

[glow worm]

Make sure you take out a policy with an agreed write-off value...If the worst was to happen ,you don't want to get involved with current book values...just look at some of the other threads about selling expensive TVRs that are currently running. My insurance also came down this year with Mannings.

[BISHY]

Thanks to everyone for the advice.

I can now officially confirm I will be the new / first owner of a Tuscan Convertible.

This is part of the stock picked up by David Gerald just before Christmas.

Only slight downer is I keep going into the garage and seeing the casualty of this deal.

A really superb GTS Blue Tuscan which has been an absolute pleasure to own.

Truth be known, I am not looking forward to telling the kids, as they have become really attached to the old girl. It's amazing how they can get under your skin (even if you have only ever been a passenger)

[Paul V]

Excellent stuff, sure the kids will come round when they see the new beasty.

[glow worm]

Well Done Graeme, you'll love it to bits. Pictures please when you get it.

[glow worm]

Graeme, Check your Tax Disc and make sure it says PLG (Private Light Goods) and not PC (Petrol Car). Check your V5C (Log Book) that it says PLG, I had all sorts of trouble 'cos mine was wrong and it nearly cost me the increase in Car Tax. Have you also got the British National Type Approval document Ministers cert for Low Volume cars...specific to your VIN plate???

[BISHY]

Hi Keith,

Thanks for the advice, I will check with David Gerald how it's been done.

I wasn't planning to collect car till Feb 1st, however with the sun shining at the moment I'm kind of regretting that decision.

Still, can't wait to see how much the car has improved over my old one.

Regards

Graeme

[BISHY]

Hi Keith

Popped in to see the chaps at DG this afternoon. They are up to speed with the PLG thing so ok with that. It just seems they are wrapped up in other red tape surrounding DVLA and registering cars they have bought from the receivers.

Seems a damn shame these officials can't sort themselves out. I'm not in any big hurry, but you can imaginge the guys at David Gerald want to sell the cars, and get some of their cash back.

They are hoping to get it all sorted by Feb 1st.

Won't be long before another is released back into the wild.

Bishy

[glow worm]

A lot of TVRs ex factory cars went to Ciceley Continental in Preston, they were there for months , and the Chief Exec told me they couldn't get them registered and they went back to TVR...guess David Geralds' are having similiar problems. As I say just make sure it's PLG otherwise you'll end up with a £400 car tax bill (instead of £180) 'cos the emisions are 405 which puts it in the highest bracket if classed as a Petrol Car(PC).

Edited by glow worm on Friday 25th January 09:38