TVR rookie convertible question

[RS1234]

Hi folks,

I'm a TVR virgin looking to break my cherry and buy a Tuscan in the very near future. I just have a slight rookie question regarding the targa roof/screen.

How easy is it to go from roof on/screen on to roof-off, screen off? Is it a quick jump out the car and very easy/quick to assemble or is it a 5 minute job of fiddling with getting everything on and in the right place? Obviously in this Great Britain we live in sunny skies don't necessarily mean you're safe driving for a couple of hours with a roof off so I have fears of getting caught in the rain, roof off, and getting very wet looking like a prat on the side of the road.

While I'm aware there's a convertible version they're both quite rare and quite a lot more expensive than the "standard" Tuscan. They're poking at the £30k - £35k budget range while I'm looking more in the £25k budget range.

Any advice (and horror stories) appreciated. Thank you!

[piquet]

roof off, to release the roof, release the catch on the roof in the cabin, get out, open the boot, slide the two levers that release the locking pins, lift out the roof, roof then slides into the boot.
when you first get it it takes a while to get the knack of sliding it in, it kind of goes in at an angle of 30 degrees ad then drops in place, but the first few times will make you swear, but once you've got the hang of it, 60 seconds it's a job you can do with the engine running

taking out the rear window is a little more complex and depends if you have the raceproven metal replacements or not

with the originals when you open the boot, you twist some screws with the spit ring on them 90 degrees, this allows the window to drop down, you then slide it out and put it in the boot before the roof

the raceproven metal replacements need you to use an allen key

basically roof is easy, rear screen can be done, but is something you only do occasionally, at motorway cruising speeds roof off, screen in place and the windows up is pretty pleasant, but if you're at real speeds you'd want the roof on

[nrick]

Where a bouts in the country, I'm sure someone will demonstrate for you.

[blueg33]

Its much quicker to undo the raceproved clips if you keep a flexible shaft screwdriver in the boot. For me its 60 seconds roof and 60 seconds screen to remove, slightly longer to refit the screen.

[tvrtuscans]

RS1234, what Paul said. Also IMHO the 'Targa/Surrey' Top Tuscan, is better looking than the convertable....and there's the security point. When putting the top back on some folks put armourfend around the opening to protect against the danger of chipping if you slightly miscalculate when popping the roof back on. Here is a picture of my old Mk 1 TuscanS....fabulous car

[Allandwf]

This clip, though in "foreign", shows roof and window removal, about 2mins in.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y7Nx-spjTJk&fea...

[RS1234]

Thanks for the help guys, it doesn't seem like a big deal and the video was especially helpful.

While I've got some of you experts here, as a first time buyer of a Tuscan I was wondering about warranties in relation to the engine. I much prefer the look of the Mk1's yet am of the understanding that the Mk2 Tuscan's are more reliable and drive better. How big is this leap in reliability? I would always buy a Tuscan from a known TVR dealer like Racing Green and would aim to get a good warranty but would such a warranty cover the engine going kaputt? I'm aware this will probably be on a per-case basis but I was wondering if anyone had bought a Tuscan that had a warranty that covered the known quibbles that can randomly affect the Tuscans?

Bit of background: I work from home so don't have a commute; I mostly drive around Reading with a trip down to Torquay (M4 west then M5 south) maybe once or twice a month to see family and friends. Ergo I don't need a comfort car and I'm well aware I'm buying this car to put behind my poser ego. Maybe 4,000 miles a year. If you were a first time buyer who preferred the look of the Mk1 would you go with the Mk1 or would you take the Mk2 (which still looks awesome..) due to the improvements? £25k budget.

Thanks again guys; great to have such helpful advice at your finger tips.

[blueg33]

I went for a mk1 withe a tvr power rebuild. It has a 5 year engine warranty. I usemy car on business occasionally and do about 4k miles pa like you.

I prefer the look of the mk1 but the suspension needs sorting with decent coilovers and geo.

Where are you based? Iam in gloucestershire and happy to show you my car

[piquet]

if you're in reading, drop me a line

[Allandwf]

Yes Mk1 with TVR Power rebuild and warranty for me too.

[so called]

tvrtuscans said:

RS1234, what Paul said. Also IMHO the 'Targa/Surrey' Top Tuscan, is better looking than the convertable....and there's the security point.

Personal opinion but I find both equally beautiful.
Dont think theres a great deal of security difference as both have a similar weak point in the rear screen.
The convertible roof is a little quicker to release and so is the fold down rear screen.
You will find a great example Mk2 Tuscan for 25k.

[Gordon Johns]

Having had two partial rebuilds and one full rebuild on my early (2001) Mk1, I would only buy a pre 2003/4 car provided it's had a full TVR Power rebuild with the accompanying warranty. You should be easily able to get a later one in your budget. Also you should bear in mind that the Mk 1s were designed for 16" wheels, but almost everyone put 18" on, resulting in horerible handling. Not a problem with the later models.

[Blues]

I'm in Crowthorne, and have just put my black Mk1 up for sale on PH. It's had the all important TVR Power engine rebuild (and new gearbox) and had the suspension sorted. Give me a shout. Even if you are not interested in mine, I can show you the roof and rear screen removal.

[blueg33]

RM75 said:

I'm not sure that's 100% right. While I've read that the original suspension geometry was designed around 16" wheels, I don't think there is that much difference in reality.

Even a Mk2 with aftermarket (Nitron) suspension will be left behind on a bumpy road by a lot of many more lowly cars. And as long as geometry is correct and nothing is broken or completely worn out on a Mk1, they are not the "widow makers" that some seem to think.

Agreed, although the cars I have driven were improved with after market coil overs. Wrong tyres causes a big problem

[GT TVR]

RM75 said:

I'm not sure that's 100% right. While I've read that the original suspension geometry was designed around 16" wheels, I don't think there is that much difference in reality.

Even a Mk2 with aftermarket (Nitron) suspension will be left behind on a bumpy road by a lot of many more lowly cars. And as long as geometry is correct and nothing is broken or completely worn out on a Mk1, they are not the "widow makers" that some seem to think.

I don't agree.
A MK2 with Nitrons and Eibach springs and the right set up is VERY good, on par with a Sag. It handles bumpy B roads very well. (Standard suspension is way too hard and makes it jump on anything but smooth roads. Also not very stable at high speeds).

So if you can, go for a MK2, preferrable an S: better built, better handling, more reliable engine (but have a leakage test done and get warranty).

Can fully recommend HHC and they have a few nice ones for sale:
http://www.tvr-hhc.co.uk/UsedCars/view/496987
http://www.tvr-hhc.co.uk/UsedCars/view/496985

Edited by GT TVR on Sunday 30th January 08:18

[GT TVR]

Indeed, I've tried several settings and the first thing you do is setting them hard; this was horrible, car launched itself at every bump, it was worse than standard. Then kept setting them softer and softer until I found a setting where the suspension actually works (you feel the springs working) instead of the dampers doing all the work (springs are tougher than standard).
BTW the Sag is softer than a standard S too.
And I think the suspension (triangles? etc) on the MK2 is differrent from the MK1.

Also, 225 (255 standard on the S) on the front really helps.
Sticky rubber (Toyo R1R) is next step ...

Edited by GT TVR on Sunday 30th January 15:26

[so called]

Without wanting to take over the thread I have started a new one regarding the wheel size, suspension etc.

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Edited by so called on Sunday 30th January 16:39