Tuscan Test Drive!
Discussion
I finally got round to taking a Tuscan out for a test drive recently. (My current car is a 99 Chimaera 400 - see profile).
So, what's my opinion? F'cking awesome, that's what! The car was crystal topaz (best colour IMO) and had only done 3000 miles and was hence in perfect condition. If I had wanted to break the speed limit I would probably have taken it to about 115mph, whilst the friend that was with me and had never driven anything faster than a Golf GTi would have done 120mph whilst I was following. If we had broken the speed limit.
The steering was incredibly quick. I knew beforehand that the rack was quick but it has to be experienced to be believed. The pedals were also much lighter than those in the Chimaera, particularly the accelerator which probably accounts for my inability to accelerate at anything less than outrageous pace.
I honestly feel boots are not appropriate for the Tuscan, trainers or thin soled driving shoes are what's needed - any Tuscan owners care to comment on this? Do I just have lead feet after the Chimaera and would I get used to it in time?
The only slight disappointment was the relative lack of urge at low revs, which again I had expected given the different torque characteristics of the AJP6 and Rover V8. However, this was only a minor thing and top end performance made me feel much better about it.
I was also intending to drive a Cerbera but was pushed for time. To be honest, sitting in the Cerbera was a bit claustrophobic compared to the Tuscan, Chimaera or Tamora (the latter was very friendly and comfortable inside). Do they have better low-rev response than the six cylinder Tuscans? Obviously, I wouldn't expect them to have the same urge as the old Rover V8s, particularly the 500.
Given the above I don't think I'll go for a Cerbera now - I had been wavering but I'm just not that impressed with the lack of space in the driver's seat. How do people manage to steer those things, I think my elbow would have been banging the door panel!
OK, gushing prose over, back to work. Just wanted to let you know what I thought.
Actually, one more thing, the guy who had his first drive of a TVR is now in love with them and hopes to buy one next year. I also took the opportunity to take a bloke out for a drive in my Chimaera as he was waiting for a drive in the Tuscan. He was intending to buy a 911 and had test driven one, but he was totally blown away by the TVRs and couldn't thank me enough - a nice guy actually. Hopefully I've managed another conversion there!
roadsweeper.
So, what's my opinion? F'cking awesome, that's what! The car was crystal topaz (best colour IMO) and had only done 3000 miles and was hence in perfect condition. If I had wanted to break the speed limit I would probably have taken it to about 115mph, whilst the friend that was with me and had never driven anything faster than a Golf GTi would have done 120mph whilst I was following. If we had broken the speed limit.
The steering was incredibly quick. I knew beforehand that the rack was quick but it has to be experienced to be believed. The pedals were also much lighter than those in the Chimaera, particularly the accelerator which probably accounts for my inability to accelerate at anything less than outrageous pace.
I honestly feel boots are not appropriate for the Tuscan, trainers or thin soled driving shoes are what's needed - any Tuscan owners care to comment on this? Do I just have lead feet after the Chimaera and would I get used to it in time? The only slight disappointment was the relative lack of urge at low revs, which again I had expected given the different torque characteristics of the AJP6 and Rover V8. However, this was only a minor thing and top end performance made me feel much better about it.
I was also intending to drive a Cerbera but was pushed for time. To be honest, sitting in the Cerbera was a bit claustrophobic compared to the Tuscan, Chimaera or Tamora (the latter was very friendly and comfortable inside). Do they have better low-rev response than the six cylinder Tuscans? Obviously, I wouldn't expect them to have the same urge as the old Rover V8s, particularly the 500.
Given the above I don't think I'll go for a Cerbera now - I had been wavering but I'm just not that impressed with the lack of space in the driver's seat. How do people manage to steer those things, I think my elbow would have been banging the door panel!
OK, gushing prose over, back to work. Just wanted to let you know what I thought.
Actually, one more thing, the guy who had his first drive of a TVR is now in love with them and hopes to buy one next year. I also took the opportunity to take a bloke out for a drive in my Chimaera as he was waiting for a drive in the Tuscan. He was intending to buy a 911 and had test driven one, but he was totally blown away by the TVRs and couldn't thank me enough - a nice guy actually. Hopefully I've managed another conversion there!
roadsweeper.
quote:Good work roadsweeper.
I was also intending to drive a Cerbera but was pushed for time. To be honest, sitting in the Cerbera was a bit claustrophobic compared to the Tuscan....
Given the above I don't think I'll go for a Cerbera now - I had been wavering but I'm just not that impressed with the lack of space in the driver's seat. How do people manage to steer those things, I think my elbow would have been banging the door panel!
Was is a 'post facelift' Cerbera that you sat in? All Cerberas take a little getting used to, but the later models have significantly improved forward visibility to lessen any claustrophobic effects. It also helps if the interior is a light colour (Magnolia works well with Crystal Topaz
). I don't have any problem at all with the space in mine and I'm pretty tall. Clearly they're not a car to try and drive with your elbow on the door sill
, but steering isn't a problem for me. >> Edited by jeremyc on Wednesday 9th October 14:32
Hi Roadsweeper,
Your comments could have been written by me after my test drive in a Tuscan - let me tell you its just as awesome every time you drive it!!
I always wear light soled shoes (deck shoes etc) when driving the Tuscan - anything else and you totally lose the feeling - but even then it still wants to go fast all the time!! The main thing is don`t ever wear leather soled shoes - as the leather against the aluminium pedals is bl***y dangerous!!!
Go for it and enjoy!!
Neal
Your comments could have been written by me after my test drive in a Tuscan - let me tell you its just as awesome every time you drive it!!
I always wear light soled shoes (deck shoes etc) when driving the Tuscan - anything else and you totally lose the feeling - but even then it still wants to go fast all the time!! The main thing is don`t ever wear leather soled shoes - as the leather against the aluminium pedals is bl***y dangerous!!!
Go for it and enjoy!!
Neal
Hi Jeremy
I've just had another look at your Cerbera - makes me doubt whether I've made the right choice all over again!
I think it may have been a pre-facelift model I sat in. I guess I should at least try driving one before I make any final decision.
The Tuscan was just sooooo gorgeous though!
I've just had another look at your Cerbera - makes me doubt whether I've made the right choice all over again!
I think it may have been a pre-facelift model I sat in. I guess I should at least try driving one before I make any final decision.
The Tuscan was just sooooo gorgeous though!
Neal: DON'T EVER POST ON HERE AGAIN! You have both a Chimaera AND a Tuscan - such indulgence should not be allowed! 
I'm going to go home and cry now - may the day come soon when I can own both a Chimaera (500 would be nice) and a Tuscan. Make that a Tuscan S actually while I'm at it. Or an R. Or...
I'm going to go home and cry now - may the day come soon when I can own both a Chimaera (500 would be nice
) and a Tuscan. Make that a Tuscan S actually while I'm at it. Or an R. Or... when i first sat in a cerb(2oo2 model at TMS)i felt like my head was really close to the roof rail above the door,yet when i bought mine i never noticed it.i think i was too busy thinking how much nicer to drive it was than my 390se,by the time i got home i was used to it.sort of miss the charm of the wedge but obviously the cerb's in another league.
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