Tuscan Running costs
Discussion
Hi All.
I'm thinking of getting rid of the Chim 500 and going for a Tuscan
How would a Tuscan compare to a Chim 500 in tearms of acceleration and torque? Has anyone had the pleasure of driving both?
Also, my main concearn is running costs. My previous few TVRs 2 x wedges and 1 x chim have been very reasonable. The have had a few minor niggles which I have been able to resolve myself (I'm a mechanical engineer myself and don't like paying hourly rates for garages if I can help it).
What am I likely to have to fix / replace with a Tuscan? From the limited amount of research I have done so far I would be looking at a car which has had the following work done:
Engine rebuild
New clutch and poss. slave cylinder
chassis geometry recently set up
Tappets recently checked / adjusted
Heater ECU (as I belive they are a coommon fault, although I don't know how much £££
.
What else do I need to look for?
I was put off buying a Cerbera due to the high running costs due to unforseen breakdowns / repairs as necessary. Would this be the same with a Tuscan.
p.s. I was looking to spend somewhere around the £15k mark for something around year 2000.
Any help very much appreciated.
Thanks,
L33.
I'm thinking of getting rid of the Chim 500 and going for a Tuscan
How would a Tuscan compare to a Chim 500 in tearms of acceleration and torque? Has anyone had the pleasure of driving both?
Also, my main concearn is running costs. My previous few TVRs 2 x wedges and 1 x chim have been very reasonable. The have had a few minor niggles which I have been able to resolve myself (I'm a mechanical engineer myself and don't like paying hourly rates for garages if I can help it).
What am I likely to have to fix / replace with a Tuscan? From the limited amount of research I have done so far I would be looking at a car which has had the following work done:
Engine rebuild
New clutch and poss. slave cylinder
chassis geometry recently set up
Tappets recently checked / adjusted
Heater ECU (as I belive they are a coommon fault, although I don't know how much £££
.What else do I need to look for?
I was put off buying a Cerbera due to the high running costs due to unforseen breakdowns / repairs as necessary. Would this be the same with a Tuscan.
p.s. I was looking to spend somewhere around the £15k mark for something around year 2000.
Any help very much appreciated.
Thanks,
L33.
Try and get a 2001 tusacan, better brakes and few upgraded parts. Engine rebuild and recent service from specialist are crucial. Keep £1000 pounds ready for a clutch because you never know when it will go. The rest I think is just luck like any car. Fuel consumption in the tuscan is not to bad my 2.2 omega cost me £17 a week the tuscan costs me £24. Take your time to find the right car its worth it, took me 18 months to find my car, but well worth it. Last thing, do lots of oil changes.
I moved up from a Chim 500 to a 2002 Tusc 4.0. An absolute world of difference in performance terms. My Chim had a mark Adams chip, but no other mods. The Tusc is far and away a faster car (more beautiful etc etc).
However, if you are also looking at costs, then beware, they can eat money. Take a look at my profile, whilst the history on my Chim and Tusc isn't complete, it will give you some idea as to how much money you might need.
I wouldn't worry too much about engine rebuild if the car has a good history and sufficient milage on it. Mine has not had a rebuild and it sitting at about 48000 at the moment (but then I do 450 miles a week in it!). The best ones are the ones that are driven regularly - that goes for any TVR, not just Tuscan's as I'm sure you are aware. less to go wrong if they are being used vs sitting in a garage with weaping seals etc. It's on its 3rd clutch (changed last August) so expect a clutch every 20-25k miles. Tappets should be checked every 12k anyway, some have them done every 6 if the time period is greater. With daily/regular use, the engine wont be a 'starved' of oil on startup hence less initial wear.
Hope this lot helps.
However, if you are also looking at costs, then beware, they can eat money. Take a look at my profile, whilst the history on my Chim and Tusc isn't complete, it will give you some idea as to how much money you might need.
I wouldn't worry too much about engine rebuild if the car has a good history and sufficient milage on it. Mine has not had a rebuild and it sitting at about 48000 at the moment (but then I do 450 miles a week in it!). The best ones are the ones that are driven regularly - that goes for any TVR, not just Tuscan's as I'm sure you are aware. less to go wrong if they are being used vs sitting in a garage with weaping seals etc. It's on its 3rd clutch (changed last August) so expect a clutch every 20-25k miles. Tappets should be checked every 12k anyway, some have them done every 6 if the time period is greater. With daily/regular use, the engine wont be a 'starved' of oil on startup hence less initial wear.
Hope this lot helps.
i think too many people jump on the 'tuscans are expensive to run' band wagon,yes there were the horrendous faults of some early models but that has been almost completely ironed out with rebuilds getting better and a lot of s6 engines approaching the 40/50k mark without a rebuild (mine is 33k fingers crossed).i think if you are a hands on mechanically minded person you will find it fairly easy to look after,leaving you with just the fuel/tyres/pro servicing to look out for.
tvr's were way cheaper than anything else of comparable performance but in the long run if you want the top speeds and th 0-60 times you have to pay for them somewhere along the line.
tvr's were way cheaper than anything else of comparable performance but in the long run if you want the top speeds and th 0-60 times you have to pay for them somewhere along the line.
S6PNJ said:
I was quite pleased with my running costs until i just factored in some depreciation 
wish I hadn't done that 
- my running costs are now sitting at about 10K per year!
Holy s wish I hadn't done that - my running costs are now sitting at about 10K per year! 
t! I must say, that does put me off somewhat.However, if I pay £15k on a 2001 model, I can't see the depreciation being that bad...
I personally think its pointless factoring in the depreciation into running costs, ALL cars depreciate, some more than others but loose 3k per year on a 30k car isnt horrible at all. Im sure a beemer or audi for 30k would loose that (or more) every year!
You can loose a LOT more on other performance stuff, except maybe porsche, but lets not go down that road!
You can loose a LOT more on other performance stuff, except maybe porsche, but lets not go down that road!
Edited by davido140 on Saturday 8th March 21:37
Hi Lee,
Spoke to you today about your chim, I'm looking for one for my mate and yours is very interesting.
As for the difference between the 500 and a standard tuscan, it all depends on what your chim is like, and looking at the mods you've had done, your chim will be quicker.
I have a very good 500 and did'nt notice any difference between the 4ltr tuscan and the chim. You just seem to be changing gear more often in the chim. People will argue but when you look on paper the figures are around the same until you get higher up in the speed stakes.
My advice to you is find a sorted S spec. Theres a definate difference in that and the chim. Changing to 2nd gear at 60 keeps those times down.
Servicing costs have come more into line but if anything goes wrong with the engine it can be costly compared to the V8. The fuel was better on the Tuscan, and to be honest its no more depreciative than any other TVR, it all comes down to how much you initially spend.
Its just a shame ya cant keep the Chim and go out for that long lazy drive on a hot summers day. The Tuscan always makes you wanna go like a train.
Spoke to you today about your chim, I'm looking for one for my mate and yours is very interesting.
As for the difference between the 500 and a standard tuscan, it all depends on what your chim is like, and looking at the mods you've had done, your chim will be quicker.
I have a very good 500 and did'nt notice any difference between the 4ltr tuscan and the chim. You just seem to be changing gear more often in the chim. People will argue but when you look on paper the figures are around the same until you get higher up in the speed stakes.
My advice to you is find a sorted S spec. Theres a definate difference in that and the chim. Changing to 2nd gear at 60 keeps those times down.
Servicing costs have come more into line but if anything goes wrong with the engine it can be costly compared to the V8. The fuel was better on the Tuscan, and to be honest its no more depreciative than any other TVR, it all comes down to how much you initially spend.
Its just a shame ya cant keep the Chim and go out for that long lazy drive on a hot summers day. The Tuscan always makes you wanna go like a train.
tvr5000 said:
I have a very good 500 and did'nt notice any difference between the 4ltr tuscan and the chim.
I am surprised. The Tuscan is leagues ahead of the Chimaera in handling, braking, everything. It is a completely different drive in standard form. By the way, my Chimaera is about to come on the market....tvr5000 said:
Hi Lee,
Spoke to you today about your chim, I'm looking for one for my mate and yours is very interesting....Its just a shame ya cant keep the Chim and go out for that long lazy drive on a hot summers day. The Tuscan always makes you wanna go like a train.
Hi Mick.Spoke to you today about your chim, I'm looking for one for my mate and yours is very interesting....Its just a shame ya cant keep the Chim and go out for that long lazy drive on a hot summers day. The Tuscan always makes you wanna go like a train.
It is a shame I can't keep the Chim but I sold an immaculate 400se wedge (the black one at the classic car show at the NEC last year) to buy a Tuscan... and bought the Chim. Whilst the Chim is a fantastic piece of kit and has everything I could ever wish for in terms of history, condition, extras etc, its not the car I set out to buy when I sold the wedge.
The Chim is an absolute stormer in terms of performance and I'm worried a Tuscan won't be anywhere near as quick not have anywhere the same amount of torque.
Cheers,
Lee.
[quote=L33
The Chim is an absolute stormer in terms of performance and I'm worried a Tuscan won't be anywhere near as quick not have anywhere the same amount of torque.
Cheers,
Lee.
[/quote]
You're right about the torque. Its a totally different experience. you can drive the chim at 1500 revs and give it full throttle no problem, but with the tuscan you are advised to never labour the engine. You have the benefit of giving stick and hitting 5k and it really starts moving.
Like I said, your chim will be quicker than the standard Tuscan so get the S spec. Personally i'd hold out for the full S and not the upgraded version.
Good luck and enjoy the search.
The Chim is an absolute stormer in terms of performance and I'm worried a Tuscan won't be anywhere near as quick not have anywhere the same amount of torque.
Cheers,
Lee.
[/quote]
You're right about the torque. Its a totally different experience. you can drive the chim at 1500 revs and give it full throttle no problem, but with the tuscan you are advised to never labour the engine. You have the benefit of giving stick and hitting 5k and it really starts moving.
Like I said, your chim will be quicker than the standard Tuscan so get the S spec. Personally i'd hold out for the full S and not the upgraded version.
Good luck and enjoy the search.
softtop said:
I am surprised. The Tuscan is leagues ahead of the Chimaera in handling, braking, everything. It is a completely different drive in standard form. By the way, my Chimaera is about to come on the market....
Only better handling once the money has been spent on the suspension, and because of the way TVR likes to make each car individually, they all go different speeds.
I actaully found the Chimaera easier to drive at speed down country lanes as it slides more progressivly than the Tuscan, but given the choice, its gotta be a Tuscan everytime for that TVR impact.
celcius said:
hi lee
im sellimg my wedge and getting a tuscan, time for a change.
I have been looking but having trouble deciding what colour.
good luck with your search let me know if you get yours before me.
I cant wait
greg
No worries Greg.im sellimg my wedge and getting a tuscan, time for a change.
I have been looking but having trouble deciding what colour.
good luck with your search let me know if you get yours before me.
I cant wait
greg
I've even thought about scrapping the idea of a Tuscan and going for your 450se....
and then buying a Porsche 911 C4S for my everyday car
celcius said:
hi lee
im sellimg my wedge and getting a tuscan, time for a change.
I have been looking but having trouble deciding what colour.
good luck with your search let me know if you get yours before me.
I cant wait
greg
Hello, we're after a 450se (or seac) and we have an immaculate 4.0 Red Rose in Purple illusion. interested? Drop me a mail if you like im sellimg my wedge and getting a tuscan, time for a change.
I have been looking but having trouble deciding what colour.
good luck with your search let me know if you get yours before me.
I cant wait
greg
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