Elise to Tuscan Question

[SeanyD]

Hi Guys

Just browsing autotrader and this has caught my eye.

http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-uk/www/cars/TVR/...

Questions:

1) Reported V Car, would this deter you

2) Maintenance Costs. I know my Elise will on average fleece me of £500-£1000 of my hard earned pennies each year. What would the average
cost of keeping this beasty in healthy order

3) Are there decent warranties that can be taken out that anyone would recommend.

Any advice appreciated, thanks in advance

Sean.

[SeanyD]

Still interested in responses in general, as its something I'm considering, but regarding the specific car above, just spoken to dealer who was less than helpful. No record of previous damage, no documentation, didnt know what the history of the car was, no before and after shots, nothing. Pretty disappointing.

[Barkychoc]

SeanyD said:

Still interested in responses in general, as its something I'm considering, but regarding the specific car above, just spoken to dealer who was less than helpful. No record of previous damage, no documentation, didnt know what the history of the car was, no before and after shots, nothing. Pretty disappointing.

Or he knows the history and its not good!

[s6boy]

'Huge spec'
Well it would have if ABS, Traction control, Heated screen etc were fitted!
If the dealer can't get these things right, doesn't know the history of the car and yet states 'Full service history' he also wont know how these cars need to be treated - especially when cold and demonstrating/moving it around, so I'd steer well clear unless someone on here can vouch for the car.
If still interested go through the paperwork available carefully then get the car thoroughly inspected.

[H10TVR]

mmm agree with the last comment re the "huge spec" be very very wary ...

See if you can check out previous owners(s) check FSH and ring the dealer(s) where serviced looks an interesting and unusual colour mix so the car would I think be known.

[H10TVR]

mmm agree with the last comment re the "huge spec" be very very wary ...

See if you can check out previous owners(s) check FSH and ring the dealer(s) where serviced looks an interesting and unusual colour mix so the car would I think be known.

[H10TVR]

missed your inset comment unless you can find out more avoid it like the swine flu !

[Bob the Planner]

SeanyD said:

Hi Guys

[snip]

Questions:

1) Reported V Car, would this deter you

2) Maintenance Costs. I know my Elise will on average fleece me of £500-£1000 of my hard earned pennies each year. What would the average
cost of keeping this beasty in healthy order

3) Are there decent warranties that can be taken out that anyone would recommend.

Any advice appreciated, thanks in advance

Sean.

1) Probably unless with known history.

2) I think mine is running at about £1.30/mile over 6 years incl depreciation (UK basis - although current selling price and fuel might not be representative of UK market). There is a history on my profile if you are intrested - getting about 23 to the gallon if thats a factor.

3) Yes - I have not done so as I usually reckon the insurer gets the better of the deal. Depends on how lucky you feel and how much you really know about the history of the car and any rebuilds.

[SeanyD]

Thanks for the advice so far, will keep looking, tvr (like lotus) I'd want to know everything about the vehicle, warts and all, since it rolled off the production line, which is sadly not the case with this car.

[glow worm]

I know the DVLA often get the colour wrong, but they think it's SILVER.

The enquiry is complete

The vehicle details for HX03 LWL are:

Date of Liability 01 11 2009
Date of First Registration 29 03 2003
Year of Manufacture 2003
Cylinder Capacity (cc) 3996CC
CO2 Emissions Not Available
Fuel Type Petrol
Export Marker Not Applicable
Vehicle Status Licence Not Due
Vehicle Colour SILVER
Vehicle Type Approval null
This vehicle can be licensed at a DVLA Local Office without the V5C Registration Certificate
The information contained on this page is correct at the time of enquiry.
Vehicle Excise Duty Rate for vehicle
6 Months Rate £104.50
12 Months Rate £190.00

[SeanyD]

Thanks for the check Glow Worm, very helpful. The dealer said it had had a full respray, again adding to uncertainty about its history. On looks alone though, I do personally think it looks stunning, just a shame about everything else.

[da_murphster]

If you are interested then go and look at the history - it might all be there and the dealer might just be a mong.

That said I very nearly put an offer in on a Tuscan but something didn’t quite add up on the history – turns out it had a notoriously bad rebuild – very much talked about on PH.

I did not do this but I recommend getting a specialist inspection (or even use a buying service) – retrospectively I think I was very lucky with my TVR purchase - some aren’t so lucky.

I really did my swatting and knew all about rebuilds etc but there was lots I did not think of – cost of upgraded suspension, S spec engines, trim levels, LSD’s etc etc

[Mark A S]

Personally, i would go and have a look. They do look stunning in white IMO
There appear to be quite a few that have changed colour over the years.
But, do take an "expert" to have a good check over, start it from cold etc etc.
If no expert at hand, use you common sense, and listen to it, dont let your heart take over, as most male hearts when seeing something so beautiful just melt
If your not sure, leave it alone, good luck.
cheers

[Noisy]

That's not an S either, I'd be tempted to steer clear as if it's recorded it should be a good 30% cheaper than other Tuscan's of similar spec and age.

[da_murphster]

BTW I came from a VX220 to Tuscan.

Brace yourself for a very different experience.

I miss the go kart handling and enjoying the ride even at low speeds

I love the noise, acceleration, attention and the boot!

New Nitrons will hopefully make the handling more acceptable....

Love the Tuscan but will probably be looking for an exige next (couldn't afford one this time round)

[T66ORA]

Looks the same as this one, can`t be the same car? Could it?
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[glow worm]

T66ORA said:

Looks the same as this one, can`t be the same car? Could it?
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

No..
i) The interior is different
ii) It wasn't Silver
iii) W9RWE is also registered with DVLA as a White TVR.

[BDM]

da_murphster said:

BTW I came from a VX220 to Tuscan.

Brace yourself for a very different experience.

I miss the go kart handling and enjoying the ride even at low speeds

I love the noise, acceleration, attention and the boot!

New Nitrons will hopefully make the handling more acceptable....

Love the Tuscan but will probably be looking for an exige next (couldn't afford one this time round)

I miss the handling of my old boxster down country lanes... Do like the noise, acceleration, the looks etc of the Tuscan

Currently have Gaz Golds on mine but will try to get a proper set up to see if this makes a difference...

Hows the speed of the Tuscan compared to the VX220? Big difference?

[da_murphster]

BDM said:

da_murphster said:

BTW I came from a VX220 to Tuscan.

Brace yourself for a very different experience.

I miss the go kart handling and enjoying the ride even at low speeds

I love the noise, acceleration, attention and the boot!

New Nitrons will hopefully make the handling more acceptable....

Love the Tuscan but will probably be looking for an exige next (couldn't afford one this time round)

I miss the handling of my old boxster down country lanes... Do like the noise, acceleration, the looks etc of the Tuscan

Currently have Gaz Golds on mine but will try to get a proper set up to see if this makes a difference...

Hows the speed of the Tuscan compared to the VX220? Big difference?

Mine was a non-turbo VX220 - Tuscan utterly blows it away speed wise - great for overtaking.

You could drive the VX220 at 8 tenths pretty much all the time - got to be more careful in the TVR - had a few 'brown trouser' moments when I first got it - snaking down a dual carrageway in the dry when I first put my foot down!!

Problem with a Tuscan is that my next car will probably have to be slower - not much can match it for overtaking etc.

[shapeshifter]

Boy to Man!