Sensible Choice or Mid-life Crisis?
Discussion
Hi,
Have been and will continue to read all the info. on what to look for in a good Tuscan - but I would appreciate any thoughts on how to live with one!
I currently have a MG TF160 (please no flames) bought from new and on a whim - been fun, tweaked, and got me hooked on roofless two seater driving (with 4 kids and no shed its the only place for solitude
but I want more....
I have had my eye on a Tuscan for a while but the query I have is 'are we compatible?'
1. It would be parked outside house all the time - (can I get a cover?) - no garage. Nice area but worried about negative interest ;(
2. I am lucky enough to walk to work so it would be used once or twice a week - would also need to take me 100miles+ on the occasional client meeting. (I will of course be using it weekends and would join local club
3. Servicing/Garages - I live near Brighton on the south coast - haven't tried the local club yet but will do once I find a car! Just wondering if I have to travel for each fix.
4. Looking for a Tuscan S if possible - general thoughts?
5. Don't have the time or setup to get down in the dirt with this one unfortunately (Used to play with Capri's/ Escorts Mexico's etc etc when much younger - but paying the mortgage and keeping the kids in shoes now takes precedent)
6. Roof - I can't seem to find any reference on how the roof and back window come off - is it a big job or 2 mins in the layby - and do I have to keep the eldest kid in the boot to assist on those grey days. (Joking about Kid-assisted roof removal - honest! They can sit in the front)
7. Finally after MG going POP! I still have a hesitation over a car that is not currently in production as it were BUT I know from the enthusiasm here and the support of other Forum/Club members and garages its still possible to keep these cars on the road looking as good as they do!
Just some thoughts for a Friday afternoon!
Any and all feedback appreciated..I look forward to reading more about these great cars here..
Have been and will continue to read all the info. on what to look for in a good Tuscan - but I would appreciate any thoughts on how to live with one!
I currently have a MG TF160 (please no flames) bought from new and on a whim - been fun, tweaked, and got me hooked on roofless two seater driving (with 4 kids and no shed its the only place for solitude
but I want more....I have had my eye on a Tuscan for a while but the query I have is 'are we compatible?'
1. It would be parked outside house all the time - (can I get a cover?) - no garage. Nice area but worried about negative interest ;(
2. I am lucky enough to walk to work so it would be used once or twice a week - would also need to take me 100miles+ on the occasional client meeting. (I will of course be using it weekends and would join local club
3. Servicing/Garages - I live near Brighton on the south coast - haven't tried the local club yet but will do once I find a car! Just wondering if I have to travel for each fix.
4. Looking for a Tuscan S if possible - general thoughts?
5. Don't have the time or setup to get down in the dirt with this one unfortunately (Used to play with Capri's/ Escorts Mexico's etc etc when much younger - but paying the mortgage and keeping the kids in shoes now takes precedent)
6. Roof - I can't seem to find any reference on how the roof and back window come off - is it a big job or 2 mins in the layby - and do I have to keep the eldest kid in the boot to assist on those grey days. (Joking about Kid-assisted roof removal - honest! They can sit in the front)
7. Finally after MG going POP! I still have a hesitation over a car that is not currently in production as it were BUT I know from the enthusiasm here and the support of other Forum/Club members and garages its still possible to keep these cars on the road looking as good as they do!
Just some thoughts for a Friday afternoon!
Any and all feedback appreciated..I look forward to reading more about these great cars here..
Hi
Bought my Tuscan 2 in December and keep it in similar circumstances to what you're proposing. Lives outside in the road no problem and starts happily after being left for 2 to 3 weeks. Never had negative street interest (West London) however the front is v low and people can easily misjudge the distance when parking next to it (I made a fender).
I purchased a Leven technology hood that covers the pod area of the car- well worthwhile for longer periods of non use and v heavy downpours.
100 mile plus trips suit it well and it's surprisingly comfortable if a little noisy above 70 leptons..
Lot of people better qualified than me regards what to look for when buying- I went for the latest model/ lowest mileage one I could afford to minimise any risk of issues. Car has only let me down once outside the house with a power steering relay failure - cheap fix.
Not much there but a start- I'd thoroughly recommend the experience of owning a Tuscan.
Cheers.
Bought my Tuscan 2 in December and keep it in similar circumstances to what you're proposing. Lives outside in the road no problem and starts happily after being left for 2 to 3 weeks. Never had negative street interest (West London) however the front is v low and people can easily misjudge the distance when parking next to it (I made a fender).
I purchased a Leven technology hood that covers the pod area of the car- well worthwhile for longer periods of non use and v heavy downpours.
100 mile plus trips suit it well and it's surprisingly comfortable if a little noisy above 70 leptons..
Lot of people better qualified than me regards what to look for when buying- I went for the latest model/ lowest mileage one I could afford to minimise any risk of issues. Car has only let me down once outside the house with a power steering relay failure - cheap fix.
Not much there but a start- I'd thoroughly recommend the experience of owning a Tuscan.
Cheers.
Tuscan ownership, I would say, this is something that should be in the “50 things to do before you die” category
Personally, I am happier with mine under cover, even though mine does not leak, but I suspect maintenance will be less if kept dry most of the time.
Several on here keep them outside under a cover, so they are better qualified to comment on what to use.
Regular use is good, not small trips, but a decent trip a week will keep it in good health, and yourself!
Not sure about the best Indy nearest to you, but I would recommend not being put off by travelling a bit for a decent one.
S is a personally choice, but I would Deffo buy on condition, not age.
Roof and rear screen are easy to do, 2 min job no problem.
Drive as many as you can, they DO vary quite a bit. A good one, should be not too noisy [ IMO], be comfortable, not too twitchy, and go like stink, if it does not, leave it alone.
Mine is for sale, not an S, but again, IMO, better
http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/1620911.htm
Cheers
Personally, I am happier with mine under cover, even though mine does not leak, but I suspect maintenance will be less if kept dry most of the time.
Several on here keep them outside under a cover, so they are better qualified to comment on what to use.
Regular use is good, not small trips, but a decent trip a week will keep it in good health, and yourself!
Not sure about the best Indy nearest to you, but I would recommend not being put off by travelling a bit for a decent one.
S is a personally choice, but I would Deffo buy on condition, not age.
Roof and rear screen are easy to do, 2 min job no problem.
Drive as many as you can, they DO vary quite a bit. A good one, should be not too noisy [ IMO], be comfortable, not too twitchy, and go like stink, if it does not, leave it alone.
Mine is for sale, not an S, but again, IMO, better
http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/1620911.htm
Cheers
There are a couple of links on this thread for buying advise.
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
I dont think that they are anything to do with mid life crisis.
Good luck and enjoy the search.
Tony (aged 51 and 51 weeks).
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
I dont think that they are anything to do with mid life crisis.
Good luck and enjoy the search.
Tony (aged 51 and 51 weeks).
Edited by so called on Friday 23 July 20:32
Mine lives outside year round and has done for the c.7 years I've had it. No impact on car itself as it's pretty much water tight.
Re keeping it runnning, parts have been easier to get hold of for the last couple of years than they were during the latter part of TVR being in existence. There are also plenty of options for engine rebuilds etc so not an issue AFAIC.
Give it a go. If it doesn't work for you then change.
Re keeping it runnning, parts have been easier to get hold of for the last couple of years than they were during the latter part of TVR being in existence. There are also plenty of options for engine rebuilds etc so not an issue AFAIC.
Give it a go. If it doesn't work for you then change.
Thanks for all the suggestions - not a mid-life crisis then a sensible upgrade to a differant drive (Thats my story and I am sticking to it!)
How often do you need to get the full bonnet off - or is the front panel enough? Always like a visual look around the engine once a week but I see that its a two man job to get the bonnet off - can't see me doing that outside my house.
Look forward to posting more on this great forum...
The hunt is on
(Thats my story and I am sticking to it!)How often do you need to get the full bonnet off - or is the front panel enough? Always like a visual look around the engine once a week but I see that its a two man job to get the bonnet off - can't see me doing that outside my house.
Look forward to posting more on this great forum...
The hunt is on
OK, so the fender- it aint pretty but it's simple/effective. Bought some insulation foam circa 100cm x 30cm x 8cm and some gingham table covering to waterproof it. Wrapped the foam in the gingham as you would an xmas present using decent gaffer tape in place of sellotape.
Once securely wrapped, loop two pieces of decent garden string aroung the parcel, each circa 15cm in from the outer edges of the 100cm length and knot them allowing a slight bit of slack along one 8cm edge of the parcel. Now gaffa tape along the string loops securing them firmly to the parcel leaving the bits of slack free on the one edge.
You then have a rectangular parcel circa the width of the bonnet but tall enough to allow any movement over the bonnet or into the "mouth" and thick enough to absorb any parking impact-the bits of slack now replicate 2 looped string hooks.
Now offer the parcel up against the inspection bonnet/ mouth and loop another piece of the garden string through the two "hooks" and then under the inspection bonnet release rod. You'll need to adjust the length to fit through trial and error so it hangs in the right place and then tie it off.
It should hang freely with a bit of movement but isn't knocked away if another car accidently nudges against it when parking. I chose gingham cover as most people see it clearly and prevents knocks as a result. The whole thing however looks a total b@st@rd! Thing to be wary of is not allowing grit or grime to build up between the fender and paintwork for obvious reasons.
I'll try and expand my sadly limited IT skills and upload a picture later in the week.
HTH.
Once securely wrapped, loop two pieces of decent garden string aroung the parcel, each circa 15cm in from the outer edges of the 100cm length and knot them allowing a slight bit of slack along one 8cm edge of the parcel. Now gaffa tape along the string loops securing them firmly to the parcel leaving the bits of slack free on the one edge.
You then have a rectangular parcel circa the width of the bonnet but tall enough to allow any movement over the bonnet or into the "mouth" and thick enough to absorb any parking impact-the bits of slack now replicate 2 looped string hooks.
Now offer the parcel up against the inspection bonnet/ mouth and loop another piece of the garden string through the two "hooks" and then under the inspection bonnet release rod. You'll need to adjust the length to fit through trial and error so it hangs in the right place and then tie it off.
It should hang freely with a bit of movement but isn't knocked away if another car accidently nudges against it when parking. I chose gingham cover as most people see it clearly and prevents knocks as a result. The whole thing however looks a total b@st@rd! Thing to be wary of is not allowing grit or grime to build up between the fender and paintwork for obvious reasons.
I'll try and expand my sadly limited IT skills and upload a picture later in the week.
HTH.
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