Boxster /Tuscan- should I go to the dark side?
Discussion
I'm thinking about changing the Boxster S next year and starting to consider the options. I've always loved TVRs but have been put off by the endless reliability issues. However, I've just read the review and seen the pictures of the Tuscan S and I am fairly well smitten! So the question is this - would I be disappointed going from the reliability and ease of a Porsche to the excitement and potential problems with a Tiv? Has the build quality really improved? Have the problems with the engine been sorted? etc. etc. Any opinions (that aren't just Porsche slagging!
) would be much appreciated.
) would be much appreciated. 
Boxster is mass produced with all that entails.
Tuscan is basically hand built with all that entails.
pros and cons to both but bear in mind Porsches aren't always as bullet proof as people say. espec. post 993.
don't think boxster s /tuscan is really a direct comparison.
try and find a copy of David Vivian's review in evo magazine of Boxster S v Tamora v Jenson v Morgan aero 8. that'lll give you an idea of the gulf between a boxster and a tamora. think the Tuscan (espc. the S) is a wee bit of a step up (raw speed at least) over the Tamora.
hope that helps a wee bit
(my vote's for the Tuscan S!)
Tuscan is basically hand built with all that entails.
pros and cons to both but bear in mind Porsches aren't always as bullet proof as people say. espec. post 993.
don't think boxster s /tuscan is really a direct comparison.
try and find a copy of David Vivian's review in evo magazine of Boxster S v Tamora v Jenson v Morgan aero 8. that'lll give you an idea of the gulf between a boxster and a tamora. think the Tuscan (espc. the S) is a wee bit of a step up (raw speed at least) over the Tamora.
hope that helps a wee bit
(my vote's for the Tuscan S!)
)Sounds like you've made youre mind up "darth", i've owned both and enjoyed both but when i sold the boxster S i didnt feel any remorse. but after selling my first tuscan(because it scared the shit out of me) i missed it so much i have just recently bought another one. I cant see myself buying other than TVR again.
I have a Boxster S and a Tuscan and in short the comparison goes like this. Boxster S. Effortless, comfortable to drive, does everything it should, when it should. I bought it new a year ago and have only had to put petrol in it in 12 months. I find it cramped in the interior, and hopeless in the boot storage dept, even to do the shopping in. My wife loves it (it's her car).
The Tuscan ..... ah yes the Tuscan, unbelievable excitement, unbelievable throttle response, here is a car that can be on the one hand totally benign as you trundle through those boring parts of the day and then you stretch your right foot.... and I'm still trying to work out what lights up quicker.... my face or the change up lights. Either way your day changes. It is pure unadulterated emotion and you can't get enough of it. However in the year that I have had the Tuscan it has cost me a certain amount of expense to sort out the niggles, but then I've had classic cars all my life so it would seem normal to me that the car visits the mechanics perhaps a little more often than a mass produced car. My son asked why hand built gives you a better car than one built by robots. Try explaining that one. In short , it doesn't but somehow it imbues the car with soul. Reliability hey I brought one to Australia 12500 miles no rebuilds, no serious problems, I did add a bleed hole on the top of the engine to make sure the cooling system is well and truly bled, could do with some better non warped airboxes, but it's all part of the "Involvement" of owning the car. Buy the Tuscan, ditch the Porsche get a life that thrills you. (guess what the Tuscan is mine)... my wife's not that keen on it.
The Tuscan ..... ah yes the Tuscan, unbelievable excitement, unbelievable throttle response, here is a car that can be on the one hand totally benign as you trundle through those boring parts of the day and then you stretch your right foot.... and I'm still trying to work out what lights up quicker.... my face or the change up lights. Either way your day changes. It is pure unadulterated emotion and you can't get enough of it. However in the year that I have had the Tuscan it has cost me a certain amount of expense to sort out the niggles, but then I've had classic cars all my life so it would seem normal to me that the car visits the mechanics perhaps a little more often than a mass produced car. My son asked why hand built gives you a better car than one built by robots. Try explaining that one. In short , it doesn't but somehow it imbues the car with soul. Reliability hey I brought one to Australia 12500 miles no rebuilds, no serious problems, I did add a bleed hole on the top of the engine to make sure the cooling system is well and truly bled, could do with some better non warped airboxes, but it's all part of the "Involvement" of owning the car. Buy the Tuscan, ditch the Porsche get a life that thrills you. (guess what the Tuscan is mine)... my wife's not that keen on it.
Well as most people who know me on here I'd recommend the Tuscan S, I've had mine from new since March'03 and its been the most amazing experience from upgrading from the Chim. I have a sensible car to (206 GTI) but when you get into the Tuscan you just get a big smile on your face...no other road car can match it.
I have had no probs with mine as have most other new owners...ok you will still get the odd comment on here saying the engine wont go until you get to 10k-ish...but they have changed the engine and they ARE more reliable. FYI I know 2 people who have had new Porsches (same age as mine) and both have had to go back due to engine problems...
Get one, if you can buy new thats the way to go IMO, and once you have sat in one you'd wish you had done it years ago
Alan.
I have had no probs with mine as have most other new owners...ok you will still get the odd comment on here saying the engine wont go until you get to 10k-ish...but they have changed the engine and they ARE more reliable. FYI I know 2 people who have had new Porsches (same age as mine) and both have had to go back due to engine problems...
Get one, if you can buy new thats the way to go IMO, and once you have sat in one you'd wish you had done it years ago
Alan.
Soon your journey to the dark side will be complete young Skywalker!
We have a Tuscan and a "sensible" main car - a TVR Chimeara!
Thing is, life ain't a rehearsal. Get the Tuscan, you don't like it then sell it and get another Porker. At least you will have done it. Just take it easy until you get used to how insane the damn things are and go on some track days and driver training etc to get the most out of it. Then you won't want to ever let it go!
Ace-T
PS the Tuscan still scares the crap out of me sometimes when I am not paying the signals it gives me enough attention. So does the Chimeara to a lesser extent but don't expect the missus to like driving it unless she is a bit of a petrol head like me and the other laydees here on PH.
We have a Tuscan and a "sensible" main car - a TVR Chimeara!
Thing is, life ain't a rehearsal. Get the Tuscan, you don't like it then sell it and get another Porker. At least you will have done it. Just take it easy until you get used to how insane the damn things are and go on some track days and driver training etc to get the most out of it. Then you won't want to ever let it go!
Ace-T
PS the Tuscan still scares the crap out of me sometimes when I am not paying the signals it gives me enough attention. So does the Chimeara to a lesser extent but don't expect the missus to like driving it unless she is a bit of a petrol head like me and the other laydees here on PH.
I've had a Boxster S and I've now got a Tuscan S (since March this year). The Tuscan S delivers! Car built November 01. Purchased in March with 2600 miles on the clock. Now have over 12,000 miles. Couple of very minor niggles. Fantastic Fun!! Buy one then go on a Ride Drive course. Thje Tuscan is nothing like a Porker and you'll never go back IMHO. 
If you are really interested in owning a TVR then I'd say you just have to do it. I have a Boxster S and a Chimaera. When I bought the S it was a choice between it and a Tuscan - the Chimaera is the wife's car.
On the reliability front the Boxster S is fantastic - no niggles whatsoever apart from the THREE times its been on a low loader back to AFN to have exhaust sensors sorted out!
Make of that what you will. The Chim has been and is a total pain in the behind with various minor reliability problems. But it only let us down (low loader trip) once.
I have been told that the handling of later TVRs is transformed from how my Chimaera is. Unless this is the case you will miss the unending sticky grip of the Boxster S - but the sheer grunt of the TVR will certainly provide you with a hugely entertaining driving experience.
I didn't get the Tuscan because I had to rely on the car for business. I bought my second Boxster S because the first one convinced my that although on the surface I had chosen the less entertaining car there were hidden depths to its competence I could spend a long while exploring on track - and still go on business trips in it the following day.
When I test drove and compared the two cars, BTW, I expected the Porsche to spank the Tuscan in terms of interior trim quality and so on - but actually the Tuscans I sat in were *really* nicely made...
Points like servicing a Tuscan happens twice as often, etc, really are irrelevant as is the fact that it will cost you a great deal more to run...if you are worried about that you should definitely not get the car.
But if you don't try one you'll never be sure. The guys on here will, of course, tell you to get one. As a BoxS owner with a Tivver as well : well you have to try Tiv ownership. If it suits you...you'll have such fun..
On the reliability front the Boxster S is fantastic - no niggles whatsoever apart from the THREE times its been on a low loader back to AFN to have exhaust sensors sorted out!
Make of that what you will. The Chim has been and is a total pain in the behind with various minor reliability problems. But it only let us down (low loader trip) once. I have been told that the handling of later TVRs is transformed from how my Chimaera is. Unless this is the case you will miss the unending sticky grip of the Boxster S - but the sheer grunt of the TVR will certainly provide you with a hugely entertaining driving experience.
I didn't get the Tuscan because I had to rely on the car for business. I bought my second Boxster S because the first one convinced my that although on the surface I had chosen the less entertaining car there were hidden depths to its competence I could spend a long while exploring on track - and still go on business trips in it the following day.
When I test drove and compared the two cars, BTW, I expected the Porsche to spank the Tuscan in terms of interior trim quality and so on - but actually the Tuscans I sat in were *really* nicely made...
Points like servicing a Tuscan happens twice as often, etc, really are irrelevant as is the fact that it will cost you a great deal more to run...if you are worried about that you should definitely not get the car.
But if you don't try one you'll never be sure. The guys on here will, of course, tell you to get one. As a BoxS owner with a Tivver as well : well you have to try Tiv ownership. If it suits you...you'll have such fun..
Thank you all very much for the help and advice. As I said in the first post the change of car will not be for a few months yet but I have to say I'm starting to think Tiv! Especially when I got home last night to find the brochure from TVR sitting on the doormat and I haven't been able to put it down yet. So I think I've got enough interest to get out and drive a couple - the only problem being that the nearest dealer is over 100 miles away (which should concentrate their minds if and when it comes to making sure they service it correctly - they'll have to collect and return it each time!). A final question though - how rigid is their pricing? Are they amenable to discounting if I buy new? Thanks again.
Rotaree said:
that the nearest dealer is over 100 miles away
That is not good at all. Is there a specialist nearer you can go to for help from time to time? The car will require fettling regularly. Our Tiv has never made it between services yet without visiting the dealer for something however minor...
Don said:
that the nearest dealer is over 100 miles away
That is not good at all. Is there a specialist nearer you can go to for help from time to time? The car will require fettling regularly. Our Tiv has never made it between services yet without visiting the dealer for something however minor...
I don't think there is; we are in West Cornwall and the nearest dealer is Peninsula in Devon. I don't know of specialist nearby - I can feel a snag coming on.
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