Tuscan owner - if not yet driver

[Andy665]

Finally completed the deal on my Tuscan on Saturday

Quick recap to Tuscan ownership. After considering and discounting other cars (CL63, M6, V8 Vantage) I started to make it known in July that I would be looking for a Tuscan around Christmas time so if anyone intended selling in that period then please bear me in my mind.

Had several people contact me who were wanting to sell straight away but financially that did not work for me. One person who did was Pete who was happy to agree a deal on his car in July but for the sale to be completed in December

Quick trip up to the North West to view the car and it was the history that was incredibly reassuring - every MOT, every tax disc, every invoice (totalling over £25K), original bill of sale, collection of photos of the car in build, brand new Nitrons and tyres, the right kind of mileage (44k) and only one previous owner.

Inspection of the car followed at Track V Road who have looked after the car for the last 9 years showed nothing untoward except the already advised mention of an occasionally sticking valve on cylinder number 3.

After a little negotiation a price was agreed which left me with a war chest that will be getting spent on a top end rebuild and possibly some non essential but worthwhile doing jobs whilst the engine is out.

Trip up on Saturday saw me pay the balance and come home with a stack of spares and 9 years worth of Sprint magazines, the car itself is being dropped off by previous owner at Track V Road on Friday (made no sense bring the car 110 miles home only to take it back to within 8 miles of where it currently is 6 days later).

Plan is for Track V Road to get the engine out before Christmas with strip down first week of Jan, I will then go up, discuss and agree what works are to be completed with collection hopefully end of Jan / early Feb.

Been a long journey to get to this point but its allowing the anticipation to slowly build and its now getting within touching distance

Shameless pics from previous owner

[s6boy]

Exciting times and congratulations especially if this is your first TVR.

Assuming the headwork is because there's no more adjustment on the valve who have you decided to do the work?

[Andy665]

s6boy said:

Exciting times and congratulations especially if this is your first TVR.

Assuming the headwork is because there's no more adjustment on the valve who have you decided to do the work?

Having the top end done as it suffered a sticking valve briefly last year - more for peace of mind and also the opportunity to get some other precautionary work done as well - chains, half time bearing etc - its been very well maintained so I want to make sure that everything is as good as it can be before I actually get to drive the car properly

[Malcster]

I'd be interested in my you discounted the other cars,

I've often had an Aston V8V itch, but I just don't think it's supply the drama I'm after in a weekend car

[stuthemong]

Vantage is a bit of a grower for me. It's a GT, no sports car.

Sunny day take tuscan.

Want to feel fresh, but in a teutonic amazing sounding beast, the vantage.

I actually prefer the vantage in the rain, as the power/ weight make it more lively. On a dry road the vantage is very unflappable, its grip is immense. The tuscan demands more concentration and I love that.

Tldr; for a weekend car, get the Tuscan.

[Andy665]

Malcster said:

I'd be interested in my you discounted the other cars,

I've often had an Aston V8V itch, but I just don't think it's supply the drama I'm after in a weekend car

Discounted the CL63 for no other reason than I decided I wanted something a bit more raw

M6 because of potential SMG / engine issues and the crazy parts prices

Vantage was tougher to dismiss, perhaps the most similar to the Tuscan of the three cars I considered. As I have a BMW 650 as a daily driver already the Vantage was just too similar in driving experience, albeit a bit more special

Having sold my 5.1 litre Westfield last year I think I just wanted to get back into something that could be a bit lairy but could also be driven in all weathers if the need arose

Edited by Andy665 on Friday 13th December 11:10

[Malcster]

Interesting on the GT front, because I really see the Tuscan as a semi-GT, I mean (exhaust dependant) you could easily jump in it tomorrow and head for Cannes.

It's comfortable, has AC, most now have a decent stereo, and also comes with a huge boot.

That's what appealed to me - it's lairy, exciting, filled with drama, and you could also go on holiday with it.

[s6boy]

^^^^^^^^^
Spot on

When the engine work is sorted plan yourself a Euro trip. In my opinion the highlight of the Tuscan. Sprinting, cruising, space, comfort and positive attention are difficult to beat.

[ollyh1988]

The Tuscan is a much more raw experience to the Vantage. I never Found the 4.3 as fast as it sounded, but it did make an amazing noise. Your incoming car looks like a great choice.