I'm new to Tuscans, not TVR's....Advice please
Discussion
Having owned 2 Griffs i went to view possible my third this weekend, but it felt a bit same old same old, so i've decided to probably buy a Tuscan, ive always admired the road presence they give such a good looking car so if you can spare a few mins please throw me some advise please guys on what to look for or problems, handling etc.....
Many thanks in advance.
Andy Booth.....3O24E
Many thanks in advance.
Andy Booth.....3O24E
Think one of the most important things to understand is that at some point, the engine WILL need rebuilding. The cost of this will be around £7k+ so it's usually safer to go for a rebuilt engine or at least budget for it happening in the future. Modern rebuilds are fantastic though, and as long as treated with respect, the engines are very reliable.
The early mk1's are regarded as having the weaker engines and rather poor handling. As a result the engines have usually been rebuilt by now and the handling can be sorted quite easily. Mine is an early car (2000) and with correct tyre size and front wheel spacers it drives ok but I'm looking to upgrade the shocks soon.
The clutches have a tendency to snap their fingers (mine did) so best find out how old it is. My steering rack is being rebuilt at the moment due to the seals going, so I guess that could be something to be wary of in older cars.
Tappets need checking every 12k or 2 years. Power gave my car a 12k service recently. Cost about £1200 with a few other odds and ends that needed doing (engine mounts etc) and whilst they had the head off they got an idea of the health of the engine.
These are just some of my experiences and I'm sure someone will be along soon to give you some better advice!
The early mk1's are regarded as having the weaker engines and rather poor handling. As a result the engines have usually been rebuilt by now and the handling can be sorted quite easily. Mine is an early car (2000) and with correct tyre size and front wheel spacers it drives ok but I'm looking to upgrade the shocks soon.
The clutches have a tendency to snap their fingers (mine did) so best find out how old it is. My steering rack is being rebuilt at the moment due to the seals going, so I guess that could be something to be wary of in older cars.
Tappets need checking every 12k or 2 years. Power gave my car a 12k service recently. Cost about £1200 with a few other odds and ends that needed doing (engine mounts etc) and whilst they had the head off they got an idea of the health of the engine.
These are just some of my experiences and I'm sure someone will be along soon to give you some better advice!
A bit more! The spider alloys are very soft and tend to buckle quite easily. Not a huge issue as replacements are about £150 but good thing to look out for.
LCD display can be troublesome and expensive if you don't have a good one. Make sure it's not missing any lines from it.
The engines run very hot as standard, and some cars suffer blistering on the bonnet above the manifold. The 2 fans should kick in progressively in the high 90's (oil temp), and whilst driving in traffic this sort of temp is usual. I've never seen my car over 100 though so the fans seem to do their job.
LCD display can be troublesome and expensive if you don't have a good one. Make sure it's not missing any lines from it.
The engines run very hot as standard, and some cars suffer blistering on the bonnet above the manifold. The 2 fans should kick in progressively in the high 90's (oil temp), and whilst driving in traffic this sort of temp is usual. I've never seen my car over 100 though so the fans seem to do their job.
[quote=Cockey]Think one of the most important things to understand is that at some point, the engine WILL need rebuilding.
Probably a tad extreame to say all will definatly need a rebuild
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Probably a tad extreame to say all will definatly need a rebuild
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
I know what you're saying, and if anyone has a car without a rebuild then good on them and I hope it never needs one. However, when buying I think you have to go in with your eyes wide open. If you haven't budgeted for a rebuild when buying a car without one, and the engine suddenly lets go, then you're in a bit of bother.
I just think it's too big a gamble to buy a non rebuilt engine expecting it to last forever.
I just think it's too big a gamble to buy a non rebuilt engine expecting it to last forever.
[quote=Griffithy]Be brave, very brave.
The Tuscan will be a lot of hassle, compared to the Griffith.
It also does not have as usable power as the griff on public
Sorry but you are wrong on both counts, have you ever owned a Tuscan.....
I am not looking for a bun fight but I have
owned both models and the Tuscan is heads and shoulders above the griff
The Tuscan will be a lot of hassle, compared to the Griffith.
It also does not have as usable power as the griff on public
Sorry but you are wrong on both counts, have you ever owned a Tuscan.....
I am not looking for a bun fight but I have
owned both models and the Tuscan is heads and shoulders above the griff
I agree, i think you need to be preparred for a engine rebuild, as they are required in some case's and due to cost of one is worth thinking about
however i dont think rebuilds should be dwelled on, and dont particuarlly think that having a rebuild will prevent you from not needing another later on, as just from that chart they is a couple that have had more than one
however i dont think rebuilds should be dwelled on, and dont particuarlly think that having a rebuild will prevent you from not needing another later on, as just from that chart they is a couple that have had more than one
Being into TVR's, i knew some of the problems about the speed six engine, bronze valve guides finger followers etc etc, but now seem a little shocked about engine rebuilds for £7k????, i thought the problems were just in the head as i mentioned above.....
I cant see myself spending £20k then 30% of the cost on an engine build some time later.....
Will have to do some serious thinking, i dont fancy a chim,wedge,S or a Cerbera
I cant see myself spending £20k then 30% of the cost on an engine build some time later.....
Will have to do some serious thinking, i dont fancy a chim,wedge,S or a Cerbera
By way of a little more contrast, I've owned my late '00 car for 18 months now. So far (touches wood) its had a few minor niggles and routine servicing. For me buy on condition, from an owner that knows what he is talking about/ followed the proper warm up procedure and defo get a proper inspection (Ron Ingleby etc). Also I thought it was rare for engines to go pop, and the bulk of failures were due to wear which is more of a gradual decline, ie excessive oil use etc.
Compared to a chim/griff for me main pros are looks inside and out (Tuscan feels loads more modern), and performance (compared to my 4.0 chim). Negs are servicing costs and warm up procedure can be a pain, esp on with short journeys and in winter.
Compared to a chim/griff for me main pros are looks inside and out (Tuscan feels loads more modern), and performance (compared to my 4.0 chim). Negs are servicing costs and warm up procedure can be a pain, esp on with short journeys and in winter.
They seem hard to live with then, it must be worth it you guys seem very keen.....
I never really had a problem with both of my Griff's the odd niggle perhaps but nothing daft, no real warm up procedures , never heard of an engine failure, early gearboxes the odd diff rebuild but thats it....
I never really had a problem with both of my Griff's the odd niggle perhaps but nothing daft, no real warm up procedures , never heard of an engine failure, early gearboxes the odd diff rebuild but thats it....
3024E said:
I cant see myself spending £20k then 30% of the cost on an engine build some time later.....
20K should get you a newer car with a more reliable engine - I came from a Chim 500 and after a lot of research and decided a 2004 Tuscan was a safe enough bet.Things I love about the Tuscan:
The best looking TVR - Not open for debate - End of story
Amazing sound (When warmed up)
It gets a lot attention - Other drivers discreetly wind down their windows. Kids cheer as you go past.
Less niggles than the Chim
So far, relatively cheap to run
It still scares me
Things I don't like about the Tuscan
The engines sound pants until they are warmed up.
Getting the bonnet off is a hassle.
Warm up procedure
It still scares me
OP I went through the same process as you about a year ago before I bought my Tuscan. I would advise doing a lot of research for yourself including reading a much of the Tuscan forum on here as you can and looking at mytuscan.co.uk.
I won't go into tho dos and donts of buying when they are far better explained there.
They are different to Griffiths and Chimaeras. They sound different and go different. Initially you may think that a Tuscan is worse on both counts. After the torque of the V8, the S6 can seem gutless and unsatisfying. It took me a few drives to realise that there is some pretty scary power higher up the rev range. A feeling that you are going to run out of bottle long before you run out of engine.
I've driven TVRs for years but nothing has got the reaction from complete strangers as the Tuscan has.
I won't go into tho dos and donts of buying when they are far better explained there.
They are different to Griffiths and Chimaeras. They sound different and go different. Initially you may think that a Tuscan is worse on both counts. After the torque of the V8, the S6 can seem gutless and unsatisfying. It took me a few drives to realise that there is some pretty scary power higher up the rev range. A feeling that you are going to run out of bottle long before you run out of engine.
I've driven TVRs for years but nothing has got the reaction from complete strangers as the Tuscan has.
Hi OP
Some good advice posted already, my experience of Tuscan ownership can be summarised as follows:
Bought 2005 Tuscan 2 (3.6) in Dec 2010 with 9500 miles
Just having it's third service in my care (second 12000) and it's averaging less than £2k p/a in maintenance. This includes tyres, niggles (boot solenoid, engine mounts, LCD screen, new roof seals, heavy duty starter motor, power steering relay etc- you get the picture). It will get a suspension refresh over the winter which I'm budgeting for- been advised it'll go throught the summer just fine- I digress. Car now has 19500 miles.
I find it easy to live with, the essential warm up procedure becomes a habit and is part of the character, it happily sits in hot traffic, is faster than I need it do be and gets positive reactions everywhere. It is trusted for any journey, did 2700 miles in a fortnight across Europe last september and it didn't miss a beat. I bought from a dealer and paid a premium but was happy to do so, however I've probably suffered 20% depreciation as a result but this won't continue.
The engine situation I think is well described by Cockey (although the rebuild might not have to cost 7k), the later models do seem to have a better reputation, 04/05 onwards seems to be the improvement period. A rebuild is obviously a benefit, make sure it's a reputable one with transferable warranty- Power/Str8six would be what I'd look for. The alternative is to buy a later model with a strong history or if buying an older model adjust the purchase price accordingly. In the case of buying without a rebuild you can have the engine warranted by Power on annual basis provided it passes their health check and is serviced by them- not a bad thing. As with any performance car evidence of a recent clutch/brake overhaul is good but not essential- some get worn out quicker than others...
As you are rightly doing, get informed and speak to specialists/owners and build your own picture. Best of luck.
Some good advice posted already, my experience of Tuscan ownership can be summarised as follows:
Bought 2005 Tuscan 2 (3.6) in Dec 2010 with 9500 miles
Just having it's third service in my care (second 12000) and it's averaging less than £2k p/a in maintenance. This includes tyres, niggles (boot solenoid, engine mounts, LCD screen, new roof seals, heavy duty starter motor, power steering relay etc- you get the picture). It will get a suspension refresh over the winter which I'm budgeting for- been advised it'll go throught the summer just fine- I digress. Car now has 19500 miles.
I find it easy to live with, the essential warm up procedure becomes a habit and is part of the character, it happily sits in hot traffic, is faster than I need it do be and gets positive reactions everywhere. It is trusted for any journey, did 2700 miles in a fortnight across Europe last september and it didn't miss a beat. I bought from a dealer and paid a premium but was happy to do so, however I've probably suffered 20% depreciation as a result but this won't continue.
The engine situation I think is well described by Cockey (although the rebuild might not have to cost 7k), the later models do seem to have a better reputation, 04/05 onwards seems to be the improvement period. A rebuild is obviously a benefit, make sure it's a reputable one with transferable warranty- Power/Str8six would be what I'd look for. The alternative is to buy a later model with a strong history or if buying an older model adjust the purchase price accordingly. In the case of buying without a rebuild you can have the engine warranted by Power on annual basis provided it passes their health check and is serviced by them- not a bad thing. As with any performance car evidence of a recent clutch/brake overhaul is good but not essential- some get worn out quicker than others...
As you are rightly doing, get informed and speak to specialists/owners and build your own picture. Best of luck.
Edited by truck71 on Thursday 17th May 07:40
Edited by truck71 on Thursday 17th May 07:43
truck71 said:
although the rebuild might not have to cost 7k
Sorry, I probably should have explained a little more....Before I knew any better, I had always budgeted £5k for an engine rebuild. What I later learned was that whilst the engine is in pieces you are strongly encouraged to replace various other worn components, the final cost often being more like £7k. I suppose if the engine was very low mileage you could get away with paying the quoted price (£5,400 with Power).
3024E said:
They seem hard to live with then, it must be worth it you guys seem very keen.....
They are not hard to live with, but they have foibles just as all TVRs do. I went from Chim to Tuscan and the drive is different - the idea that Tuscan's don't have any torque is cobblers, it's just that it doesn't start as low as the V8s - keep it above 2500 (rather than the 1500 of the V8s) and it will keep up with most things without changing gear, it isn't a gutless screamer as often portrayed. Of course, there is a lot more if you rev it - that can become addictive and they are a lot faster in that mode than the Chim/Griff.I bought a one owner 2000 mk1 with 16,000 miles and a very full history - everything standard excpet GG Pro shocks. Power re-built the engine at 20,000 - it only needed head work really because of the valve guides, but did everything whilst it was in - done by choice not necessity. The head work is a lot less than the £5k mentioned - if you are handly with spanners it's between 1 and 2 grand.
Now got 25,000 miles after 2 years of ownership. Le Mans twice (and again this year), daily driver when the tintop is in dry dock or the weather is good as I have business class insurance on it. Never let me down. Starts first time, everytime, takes me where I want to go and then brings me home. Don't care about the weather, 'cos it doesn't leak. Boot is huge which means you can use it for more than just a run out on a summer day. The only potential flaw is the roof. The roof sits across the top of the boot, making access to the boot with roof off harder than with Griff/Chim
Yes they need care (as do all TVRs), yes have your eyes open on the potential engine issues, but these are desirable, fast, comfortable and practical sportscars that are as usable and reliable as anything else you'll find. They are not hard to live with.
OK, glad I got that off my chest, soapbox put away, back to work.
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