The road to TVR Tuscan ownership

[MB140]

Andy665 said:

The general rule is to buy on history, lots of Tuscans with big mileages and lots still on original engines despite the horror stories, I certainly think the more often they are used the more reliable they are, know of a few people who still use Tuscans on a daily basis.

As for James Agger, think the service side of his business has a solid reputation, his sales side seems to divide opinion a little more but when I went to view a car he had for sale he seemed fine, I tend to go on what I find rather than what I hear

Thanks for taking the time to to answer. Appreciate it. I agree on condition and history over mileage. Problem is I’m an electronics guy not car/mechanical so would be looking for a reputable dealer and service place.

Although I have a great local mechanic he’s not a TVR specialist.

[Andy665]

MB140 said:

Thanks for taking the time to to answer. Appreciate it. I agree on condition and history over mileage. Problem is I’m an electronics guy not car/mechanical so would be looking for a reputable dealer and service place.

Although I have a great local mechanic he’s not a TVR specialist.

You have two very well regarded specialists within about 50 miles, Powers TVR in Coventry and Sportmotive in Stoke On Trent

[QBee]

Andy665 said:

MB140 said:

Thanks for taking the time to to answer. Appreciate it. I agree on condition and history over mileage. Problem is I’m an electronics guy not car/mechanical so would be looking for a reputable dealer and service place.

Although I have a great local mechanic he’s not a TVR specialist.

You have two very well regarded specialists within about 50 miles, Powers TVR in Coventry and Sportmotive in Stoke On Trent

I live near Newark on Trent, but still take my car to Mat Smith in Downham Market, West Norfolk, where I used to live.
So a bit of a hike for you, but he is one of the best, which is especially important for the major works.

Central TVR are also within striking range for you, MB140, as they are on the north-west side of Birmingham and seem to have a good reputation, but with the proximity of the A50, Stoke is probably the easiest for you to get to.

[MB140]

QBee said:

Andy665 said:

MB140 said:

Thanks for taking the time to to answer. Appreciate it. I agree on condition and history over mileage. Problem is I’m an electronics guy not car/mechanical so would be looking for a reputable dealer and service place.

Although I have a great local mechanic he’s not a TVR specialist.

You have two very well regarded specialists within about 50 miles, Powers TVR in Coventry and Sportmotive in Stoke On Trent

I live near Newark on Trent, but still take my car to Mat Smith in Downham Market, West Norfolk, where I used to live.
So a bit of a hike for you, but he is one of the best, which is especially important for the major works.

Central TVR are also within striking range for you, MB140, as they are on the north-west side of Birmingham and seem to have a good reputation, but with the proximity of the A50, Stoke is probably the easiest for you to get to.

Another fellow Newark on Trent person here (sorry edited my first post to change west to east, I would blame autocorrect but I think I just typed it wrong). You don’t happen to own a Libre GTB(?) kit car as well do you. I have seen one around with a reg plate close to your username. Again thanks for the info. Sorry again OP for hijacking your thread.

Edited by MB140 on Friday 16th October 14:23

[QBee]

MB140 said:

QBee said:

Andy665 said:

MB140 said:

Thanks for taking the time to to answer. Appreciate it. I agree on condition and history over mileage. Problem is I’m an electronics guy not car/mechanical so would be looking for a reputable dealer and service place.

Although I have a great local mechanic he’s not a TVR specialist.

You have two very well regarded specialists within about 50 miles, Powers TVR in Coventry and Sportmotive in Stoke On Trent

I live near Newark on Trent, but still take my car to Mat Smith in Downham Market, West Norfolk, where I used to live.
So a bit of a hike for you, but he is one of the best, which is especially important for the major works.

Central TVR are also within striking range for you, MB140, as they are on the north-west side of Birmingham and seem to have a good reputation, but with the proximity of the A50, Stoke is probably the easiest for you to get to.

Another fellow Newark on Trent person here (sorry edited my first post to change west to east, I would blame autocorrect but I think I just typed it wrong). You don’t happen to own a Libre GTB(?) kit car as well do you. I have seen one around with a reg plate close to your username. Again thanks for the info. Sorry again OP for hijacking your thread.

Edited by MB140 on Friday 16th October 14:23

Apologies from me too, OP.
No, I only have the TVR, I don't do kit cars
I am in Coddington, though you may have seen me around the town in this

[Rob-c33sg]

Andy665 said:

As the oil warms and thins it will become slightly more tappety sounding , when were the valve clearances last checked / shimmed?

At the 12k service about a month ago - needed basically no adjustment. So I’m not too worried about it

[Andy665]

Managed to get the car out for a shakedown run today, it was immediately obvious that the problem has been fully resolved and now sounds exactly as it should, clearly enjoyed the cold air as it felt quite sprightly for a 19 year old car

https://youtu.be/9E5J7MuicdM

https://youtu.be/up5AInb4PU8

Edited by Andy665 on Saturday 17th October 20:59

[Andy665]

As it was a dry but cold day it was the perfect opportunity to go for a bit of a drive. I have always believed in using cars all year round and the TVRs that seem to give trouble are generally those that are kept unused for months on end.

Cold weather meant getting the oil up to temp took forever but was eventually able to have some fun on some pretty deserted roads, the cold is certainly not helping grip levels but certainly raising a smile

Now sounding much better following the recent issue and faith in it fully restored

https://youtu.be/3juqz5-IYEk

[Rob-c33sg]

Sounds great Andy. Mine is sounding great, but the suspension still needs some work. I might just go for Nitrons and be done with it!

Nice you're keeping yours clean, looks so good in that colour.

[ADW67]

With not having anything to fix (tempting fate I know) this weekend saw me with a bit of time to spring clean the Tuscan.

All wheels off and arches / chassis rails cleaned and inspected.

All protection removed and a clay session followed by a machine polish with M&K Mild Cut and layer of cloak sees it ready for a layer of Seal followed by a layer of Lily during the week.

Despite being 20 years old and on totally original paint she comes up pretty well.

[Mr Tidy]

Still looking stunning.

I've always loved TVRs so it's great to see one getting used and cherished - maybe one day...........!

[F1GTRUeno]

That blue is stunning.

Between this one and PrinceRupert’s Cascade one in Readers’ cars at the minute we’ve got some lovely Tuscan content going.

[ADW67]

Mr Tidy said:

Still looking stunning.

I've always loved TVRs so it's great to see one getting used and cherished - maybe one day...........!

Thanks, the paintwork has stonechips etc but I want to enjoy using it for a couple of years before going down the repaint route, its presentable as it is though

[Rob-c33sg]

Great looking Andy does come up well. Mine is a bit too busty and dull looking in comparison

[Andy665]

In an attempt to fight off the post covid vaccination lethargy that hit me this morning I decided to pop the bonnet and do a little cleaning, never going to be the prettiest engine bay but really illustrates how far back the engine sits, the entire thing is behind the front wheel centre line

[TVR Wannabe]

That looks in fantastic condition.

I’ve just bought a 2007 Tuscan which doesn’t have the bonnet mod. Need to get it sorted pretty sharpish.

[Andy665]

The chassis is pretty much perfect, its always been garaged and kept well protected.

Paintwork is completely original and therefore not perfect, will get painted in the next few years but want to simply enjoy driving it for a while, I know once repaintedIj Iwill be far more concerned about the miles I put on it

[TR4man]

TVR Wannabe said:

That looks in fantastic condition.

I’ve just bought a 2007 Tuscan which doesn’t have the bonnet mod. Need to get it sorted pretty sharpish.

Alan Howell has an advert on PH parts.

It is probably the best modification any Tuscan owner can do.

[Andy665]

Latest audio update. Having one of the Pioneer SPH-10BT units that uses your phone in a cradle to act as the main user interface, its a great, cheap unit but I found the screen size to be too small

Tried an old Acer Iconia tablet that I had in a draw doing nothing this was too big to fit into the retractable cradle, I needed a magnet that could sit in the cradle, it needed to be a very specific depth to allow the mount to still retract into the stereo - lucked out with the first one I tried - happy days

The Acer Iconia was better but that lacked live sat nav due to no LTE facility so it was not going to be ideal but I thought I was now on to something

Just had a Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8" tablet delivered and it works perfectly, 256Gb SD card, £3 per month SIM card and the Pioneer Smart Sync App works perfectly

Now got a setup that is easy to read due to a decent screen size - gives me most of the functionality of a £700 Alpine Halo 9 that I had started to look at for about 1/4 of the cost

[Rob-c33sg]

Do you have it permanently there or take it off and store it? What’s the magnet you added? Does it shake much? That’s my worry with cradles with the Tuscan