So why would I want to move from a Chim to a Tuscan
Discussion
Right, I’m considering the options of whether or not to upgrade my Chim or change model instead, so, to change an oft asked question around a tad – why would I want to move from a Chimaera 400 to a Tuscan?
Given that currently: -
• I do like pootling around country lanes and side roads at 50 or so (with the wife onboard)
• But I still enjoy driving energetically (with the son onboard)
• I really do like to growl of the V8 (primary reason for original purchase – sad, I know)
• I have sufficient power that I can go bike-baiting on the A32 for fun
• I doubt I have the skills to use anywhere near 100% of the Chim’s power
• I do like the styling and ambience of the interior
• The only broken things so far have been a Vauxhall window switch, gaiters, and cracked manifolds
• I have this niggling desire to go ‘more modern’
• I have this niggling desire for ‘more performance’
• I use the car for regularish commuting (and shopping) so the car should be capable of early morning motorway travel without being too demanding on the senses (and carrying a weeks shopping).
• I am unable to hear my wife speak while travelling at any speed above 40 (BONUS)
• Last year I did 13000 miles in the Chimaera so I will use the new one a fair bit as well
• I have no time for home servicing – currently all such work is done by Fernies
I would probably be looking at a purchase price of around £16 - £19k – would this be sufficient to get a good one (with the given that it already has had an engine change)?
Is a Tuscan a good choice?
Thank you for your time gentlemen!
Given that currently: -
• I do like pootling around country lanes and side roads at 50 or so (with the wife onboard)
• But I still enjoy driving energetically (with the son onboard)
• I really do like to growl of the V8 (primary reason for original purchase – sad, I know)
• I have sufficient power that I can go bike-baiting on the A32 for fun
• I doubt I have the skills to use anywhere near 100% of the Chim’s power
• I do like the styling and ambience of the interior
• The only broken things so far have been a Vauxhall window switch, gaiters, and cracked manifolds
• I have this niggling desire to go ‘more modern’
• I have this niggling desire for ‘more performance’
• I use the car for regularish commuting (and shopping) so the car should be capable of early morning motorway travel without being too demanding on the senses (and carrying a weeks shopping).
• I am unable to hear my wife speak while travelling at any speed above 40 (BONUS)
• Last year I did 13000 miles in the Chimaera so I will use the new one a fair bit as well
• I have no time for home servicing – currently all such work is done by Fernies
I would probably be looking at a purchase price of around £16 - £19k – would this be sufficient to get a good one (with the given that it already has had an engine change)?
Is a Tuscan a good choice?
Thank you for your time gentlemen!
I am in the same frame of mind.
I really like my tuned Chimp 400 for all the reasons above, but hanker after a Tuscan - WHY??
I am looking at a Tuscan at Offord tomorrow, while they check out my Chimps bottom (OOOoeer missus) and another one (private sale) on Sunday.
Someone please diagnose the affliction.
I really like my tuned Chimp 400 for all the reasons above, but hanker after a Tuscan - WHY??
I am looking at a Tuscan at Offord tomorrow, while they check out my Chimps bottom (OOOoeer missus) and another one (private sale) on Sunday.
Someone please diagnose the affliction.
I pondered and did the same thing a few years ago and have written an article for Sprint magazine "a year in the life ot the Tuscan" should Mandy give it the OK it should appear shortly.
My advice go on do it, I did and do not regret doing so for one minute.
and chequered Demon, I believe my old Tuscan in midnight Blue is still for sale at Offords, it hasn't had a rebuild but it was a great car for me with lots of history all services , all bills including original build documents .The car was very well looked after indeed pampered probably worth a look if you are in the market for a 51 Tuscan. PM me if you want to know more.
And why have I changed to buy a 2 Convertible of course..........
My advice go on do it, I did and do not regret doing so for one minute.
and chequered Demon, I believe my old Tuscan in midnight Blue is still for sale at Offords, it hasn't had a rebuild but it was a great car for me with lots of history all services , all bills including original build documents .The car was very well looked after indeed pampered probably worth a look if you are in the market for a 51 Tuscan. PM me if you want to know more.
And why have I changed to buy a 2 Convertible of course..........
Edited by H10TVR on Wednesday 16th April 16:32
I sold my Chim 400 and bought a Tuscan 2S convertible. I'm now buying a Chim 450 for knocking about in... The tuscan is a fantastic car (fast, looks, comfortable for long runs) but it not suitable for short runs to the shops or the golf club. I could fit two golf bags (large) and two electric trolleys in the Chim (with the roof in the boot). I'm afraid although good , the Tuscan boot (and loss of Dog Shelf) is not quite as good as the Chim... So the best option is ......HAVE BOTH 
Got to keep the beemer aswell 'cos my 87 year old mother thinks Tivs are bumpy!!!!!
Got to keep the beemer aswell 'cos my 87 year old mother thinks Tivs are bumpy!!!!!
as with any car, if you want to lengthen the lifespan of its engine, you should allow it to warm up before exploring its potential. This appears to be more an absolute rule than best advice with the Tuscan. If you are prepared to follow the warm-up procedure then it should be happy to do the trips and annual mileage you have in mind.
Hi H10TVR
I did see your Tuscan at Ofords today and it did look very nice indeed.
I am afraid however that Offords "salesmanship" totally underwhelmed me and I shall not be purchasing any cars from them.
The good news is my Chimp has an excellent chassis and out-riggers and they thought how well the engine performed and what a nice ride it was - Yipee!
I did see your Tuscan at Ofords today and it did look very nice indeed.
I am afraid however that Offords "salesmanship" totally underwhelmed me and I shall not be purchasing any cars from them.
The good news is my Chimp has an excellent chassis and out-riggers and they thought how well the engine performed and what a nice ride it was - Yipee!
My perception as a customer who had taken a morning off running his company, drawn 2K deposit from the bank, put all the documents in the Chimp and made a 170 mile round trip to see a car that had already been sold (they had my number and could have phoned) is that I was left like a coiled turd in Offords yard for 2 hours.
Apparently "I didn't seem interested enough" in purchasing other stock. Perhaps if they had put the mobile phones down for a minute, talked me through the vehicles and raised my enthusiasm, they might have discovered how interested I really was? Me, the customer had to ask the question "Do you want to talk through a deal"!!
To cut a sorry story short, what really put me off was the lack of warranty on their used vehicles. They only offered me an "insurance" covering 3 months and a maximum of £1000 per claim. I can save 6K on their prices, and get 2K more for my Chimp by buying/selling privately. That leaves me 8K fund for an engine rebuild etc for the same cost. With no full dealer warranty, what value would they be adding to my purchase?
Ask yourselves the same question.
Apparently "I didn't seem interested enough" in purchasing other stock. Perhaps if they had put the mobile phones down for a minute, talked me through the vehicles and raised my enthusiasm, they might have discovered how interested I really was? Me, the customer had to ask the question "Do you want to talk through a deal"!!
To cut a sorry story short, what really put me off was the lack of warranty on their used vehicles. They only offered me an "insurance" covering 3 months and a maximum of £1000 per claim. I can save 6K on their prices, and get 2K more for my Chimp by buying/selling privately. That leaves me 8K fund for an engine rebuild etc for the same cost. With no full dealer warranty, what value would they be adding to my purchase?
Ask yourselves the same question.
Hi,
Probably a bit off the initial topic however I am interested in the comments on Offord's..... I’m aware of the ‘name and shame’ policy hope hopefully my comments are okay. I was interested in a car I saw on the Offord web site, I travel abroad most of the time so I decided to email them for some basic information such as details of the service history and whether the car had AC. No response. I emailed twice more stating that I actively looking for a Tuscan and I would appreciate some basic info on the car I was interested in, still no response.
Now I don’t even consider anything that is being advertised by them.
Probably a bit off the initial topic however I am interested in the comments on Offord's..... I’m aware of the ‘name and shame’ policy hope hopefully my comments are okay. I was interested in a car I saw on the Offord web site, I travel abroad most of the time so I decided to email them for some basic information such as details of the service history and whether the car had AC. No response. I emailed twice more stating that I actively looking for a Tuscan and I would appreciate some basic info on the car I was interested in, still no response.
Now I don’t even consider anything that is being advertised by them. 
Yes, coetzeeh I have.
http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/459536.htm, which I hope to view on Sunday.
and
http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/454949.htm which I was hoping to get details of today but I phoned Glen and apparently now have to wait until Monday??
My philosophy now is to pay top dollar for a good S with engine rebuild and impeccable service history or go cheap as chips and use the balance to do all the necessary work on a non S.
The middle ground was the dealer route, but I have now discounted that as being a waste of time and money.
I really do like a Tuscan in black though, preferably with a black interior.
http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/459536.htm, which I hope to view on Sunday.
and
http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/454949.htm which I was hoping to get details of today but I phoned Glen and apparently now have to wait until Monday??
My philosophy now is to pay top dollar for a good S with engine rebuild and impeccable service history or go cheap as chips and use the balance to do all the necessary work on a non S.
The middle ground was the dealer route, but I have now discounted that as being a waste of time and money.
I really do like a Tuscan in black though, preferably with a black interior.
Chequred Demon said:
Yes, coetzeeh I have.
http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/459536.htm, which I hope to view on Sunday.
and
Be careful with the 'upgraded engine at 9000 miles' as this might be just that and not a full engine rebuild. I would want to see full documentation of the work carried out to assess whether it is quite what you think it is. http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/459536.htm, which I hope to view on Sunday.
and
Phewy - Tuscan in black sure is gorgeous.
The advantage of buying the £10k car is you can have a full rebuild done to your own spec (S), and have some change left to update any neglected body/suspension work. Then you will know what you've got.
I agree, "updated" may not say it all, and I am not sure if the S6 issues were fully resolved by '03..
The advantage of buying the £10k car is you can have a full rebuild done to your own spec (S), and have some change left to update any neglected body/suspension work. Then you will know what you've got.
I agree, "updated" may not say it all, and I am not sure if the S6 issues were fully resolved by '03..
Chequred Demon said:
Yes, coetzeeh I have.
http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/459536.htm, which I hope to view on Sunday.
and
http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/454949.htm which I was hoping to get details of today but I phoned Glen and apparently now have to wait until Monday??
My philosophy now is to pay top dollar for a good S with engine rebuild and impeccable service history or go cheap as chips and use the balance to do all the necessary work on a non S.
The middle ground was the dealer route, but I have now discounted that as being a waste of time and money.
I really do like a Tuscan in black though, preferably with a black interior.
I'm in the process of doing the cat D route and having the engine work done by TVR Power. For me it means getting a rebuilt S engine and respray in the colour I want, with new carpets for a sensible price. The only trouble will be at sale time, however I plan to keep it for some time and think for me it is the best option. http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/459536.htm, which I hope to view on Sunday.
and
http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/454949.htm which I was hoping to get details of today but I phoned Glen and apparently now have to wait until Monday??
My philosophy now is to pay top dollar for a good S with engine rebuild and impeccable service history or go cheap as chips and use the balance to do all the necessary work on a non S.
The middle ground was the dealer route, but I have now discounted that as being a waste of time and money.
I really do like a Tuscan in black though, preferably with a black interior.
You could always have the engine rebuilt to S spec and have a warranty for peace of mind.
Chequred Demon said:
My philosophy now is to pay top dollar for a good S with engine rebuild and impeccable service history or go cheap as chips and use the balance to do all the necessary work on a non S.
Mine was the cheep as chips but I have spent an awful lot on it since. Still love it to bits though.Gassing Station | Tuscan | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff