Tuscan opinions
Discussion
Fattyfat said:
PrinceRupert said:
Honestly, this sounds like a bad idea. These cars don't like to sit, so buying one that's been sitting, from someone that knows little about them, with no comeback and no money to sort anything sounds like a disaster waiting to happen.
Even if nothing goes wrong immediately, you'll still expect a chunky bill at its next service, if you stick it into a specialist and intend to take a no expenses spared approach to maintenance. It will inevitably needs things attending to. My recent major service was 1.7k and that was with nothing major - the service itself, a boot lock, a couple of hoses, a couple of engine mounts, few other bits and pieces. That's on a well looked after car that had a major service two years before and a minor service the year before.
I'd buy a cheaper Chimaera and keep a few grand for inevitable issues that need sorting myself.
There's money but the bank manager AKA 'er indoors' might get pissy if I suddenly had to spend 5 or 6k sorting issues. Couple of grand a year maintenance isn't terrible, all things considered.Even if nothing goes wrong immediately, you'll still expect a chunky bill at its next service, if you stick it into a specialist and intend to take a no expenses spared approach to maintenance. It will inevitably needs things attending to. My recent major service was 1.7k and that was with nothing major - the service itself, a boot lock, a couple of hoses, a couple of engine mounts, few other bits and pieces. That's on a well looked after car that had a major service two years before and a minor service the year before.
I'd buy a cheaper Chimaera and keep a few grand for inevitable issues that need sorting myself.
This is merely an exercise on a car that is local, Chim is still on the radar truth be told, as is some other more conventional options.
Cheers, FF
Speak to Powers about rebuild costs in worst case as well.
TrotCanterGallopCharge said:
Ask the garage how much they'd want to warranty it (min 6 months, preferably a year), that might give you an idea of how risky they think it is, & budget to set aside?
Speak to Powers about rebuild costs in worst case as well.
Was made pretty clear that I'm the warranty. That is a separate discussion but entirely understandable IMHO. I'd guess if I was after complete piece of mind it'd be a car from somewhere like Str8six etc.Speak to Powers about rebuild costs in worst case as well.
Sure these things are all part of the journey, haven't even driven a TVR - might hate it lol!!
TrotCanterGallopCharge said:
Ask the garage how much they'd want to warranty it (min 6 months, preferably a year), that might give you an idea of how risky they think it is, & budget to set aside?
Speak to Powers about rebuild costs in worst case as well.
Rebuild costs = fSpeak to Powers about rebuild costs in worst case as well.
king expensive. You can see all the prices here: https://powersperformance.co.uk/upgrades/
6.5k starting price for standard rebuild, and that won't include other bits and pieces found needing doing in there. Suspect mostly you won't get much change out of 10k. Can get very expensive if you want to do any upgrades too.
Fattyfat said:
That's the 6K surprise I mentioned earlier. Then the hassle of removing an engine, shipping across etc. This car had a rebuilt unit at 29K but looking at invoices it was sent back to TVR for the work which apparently can be an unknown quantity.
Yeah I've read the same that the early factory rebuilds weren't necessarily great, often using the same poor quality components that caused the failures in the first place. There is a heated debate amongst owners whether a rebuild is important or not, many say that if it was going to fail it would have failed by now, at least if it has been driven much since the rebuild which this one has.
I know when I bought mine, I wanted to buy one with a Str8Six / Powers rebuild ...
PrinceRupert said:
Yeah I've read the same that the early factory rebuilds weren't necessarily great, often using the same poor quality components that caused the failures in the first place.
There is a heated debate amongst owners whether a rebuild is important or not, many say that if it was going to fail it would have failed by now, at least if it has been driven much since the rebuild which this one has.
I know when I bought mine, I wanted to buy one with a Str8Six / Powers rebuild ...
The past few days have been educational to say the least. This rebuild was done in 2005 and the car has had valve clearances and chain tensioning checked multiple times since - last done 2k miles ago or in 2019. I haven't found anything online concrete about Smolensky era rebuilds. Will see what next week brings. Ultimately 20K is a fair wad for me and there's lots on the market (not necessarily Tuscans) so I'm actually keeping my head screwed on for a change.There is a heated debate amongst owners whether a rebuild is important or not, many say that if it was going to fail it would have failed by now, at least if it has been driven much since the rebuild which this one has.
I know when I bought mine, I wanted to buy one with a Str8Six / Powers rebuild ...
Cheers, FF
Fattyfat said:
That's the 6K surprise I mentioned earlier. Then the hassle of removing an engine, shipping across etc. This car had a rebuilt unit at 29K but looking at invoices it was sent back to TVR for the work which apparently can be an unknown quantity.
Did you say the factory rebuild was done in 2005? If so the component issues had been fairly well sorted out by then compared to the earlier factory rebuilds pre mid 2002. Has it had a clutch since the rebuild, as over 30k miles per clutch is good going, and that's 2k if it needs the whole lot. Basil Brush said:
Did you say the factory rebuild was done in 2005? If so the component issues had been fairly well sorted out by then compared to the earlier factory rebuilds pre mid 2002. Has it had a clutch since the rebuild, as over 30k miles per clutch is good going, and that's 2k if it needs the whole lot.
Yes, 2005 for the rebuild. Don't see any mention of clutch other than a AP racing one at the time of rebuild. I see that's NLA. Clutch and some new carpets - there's the best part of 3K lolPhil_D kindly showed me his Tuscan S this evening. Had a passenger ride, he even allowed me a drive and I somehow managed to resist his encouragement to send it!! (unfamiliar car and not mine etc)
What. A. Car!
I'm completely smitten. I had expectations/ preconceptions and Phils car went way beyond. Snug yet roomy, excellent ride comfort. Pedals nicely weighted, long throttle. Brake performance A+ and my god that engine
A very tractable unit yet explosive when you want it to be. Bit of a pussy cat really when bimbling about but the feeling that the car would rip yer head off if you take liberties is very appealing
Of course a really mint S like his is way outside my budget currently. I'm going to have another look at the example I posted and have a chat with the guy who did the servicing work and form an opinion from there. There is a few questions around the chassis that will need answered. Will tread carefully but tonight has me 99% sold on getting into TVR ownership
Cheers, FF
What. A. Car!
I'm completely smitten. I had expectations/ preconceptions and Phils car went way beyond. Snug yet roomy, excellent ride comfort. Pedals nicely weighted, long throttle. Brake performance A+ and my god that engine
A very tractable unit yet explosive when you want it to be. Bit of a pussy cat really when bimbling about but the feeling that the car would rip yer head off if you take liberties is very appealingOf course a really mint S like his is way outside my budget currently. I'm going to have another look at the example I posted and have a chat with the guy who did the servicing work and form an opinion from there. There is a few questions around the chassis that will need answered. Will tread carefully but tonight has me 99% sold on getting into TVR ownership
Cheers, FF
Fattyfat said:
Phil_D kindly showed me his Tuscan S this evening. Had a passenger ride, he even allowed me a drive and I somehow managed to resist his encouragement to send it!! (unfamiliar car and not mine etc)
What. A. Car!
I'm completely smitten.
You've caught the bug! You are in dangerous waters now!! What. A. Car!
I'm completely smitten.
I had the exact same thing when I first drove my Tamora. Its only my third car I've owned but I really cant see me ever wanting anything more, there is nothing else quite like a TVR and certainly not for the money. The steering and brake feel is spectacular and the surge of power (even from the 3.6l) is intoxicating... then there is the sheer drama of the noise.
All the best with the search, you wont regret getting a good one!
BEARDYB0Y said:
You've caught the bug! You are in dangerous waters now!!
I had the exact same thing when I first drove my Tamora. Its only my third car I've owned but I really cant see me ever wanting anything more, there is nothing else quite like a TVR and certainly not for the money. The steering and brake feel is spectacular and the surge of power (even from the 3.6l) is intoxicating... then there is the sheer drama of the noise.
All the best with the search, you wont regret getting a good one!
Cheers, I may regret buying a bad one though!I had the exact same thing when I first drove my Tamora. Its only my third car I've owned but I really cant see me ever wanting anything more, there is nothing else quite like a TVR and certainly not for the money. The steering and brake feel is spectacular and the surge of power (even from the 3.6l) is intoxicating... then there is the sheer drama of the noise.
All the best with the search, you wont regret getting a good one!
Another kind forum user is letting me have a look at his Chimaera 400 tomorrow. Equally excited but the Tuscan has set the bar very very high.
Cheers, FF
Fattyfat said:
Cheers, I may regret buying a bad one though!
Another kind forum user is letting me have a look at his Chimaera 400 tomorrow. Equally excited but the Tuscan has set the bar very very high.
Cheers, FF
Will be interesting to see how you find the Chimaera after the Tuscan!Another kind forum user is letting me have a look at his Chimaera 400 tomorrow. Equally excited but the Tuscan has set the bar very very high.
Cheers, FF
We went from a Chimaera 400hc to a Tuscan 4.0 - actually had both of them together for 18 months or so before moving the Chimaera on. The Chim was my first step into TVR ownership and to be honest I still maintain that a Chim 4.0 with a healthy engine is all the performance anyone ever needs. I had the engine rebuilt in mine with a slightly fruitier camshaft but otherwise pretty much standard and it was glorious. I still maintain a Rover V8 engined TVR is the best sounding car you can get for this sort of money.
When I first drove the Tuscan (after 4 years or so with the Chim) it absolutely blew me away. Driving the Chimaera again afterwards it felt like getting out of a speed boat and into a canal boat. Not so much in outright performance, but just the way it delivers it. The throttle response and sensitivity of the pedals in the Tuscan is on a whole other level. Also found the cabin much more spacious, the interior more modern, and just a few general quality of life improvements. Even though it was only 5 years newer (2000 vs 1995) it felt like a car from a different generation.
Owning the two side by side I likened the Chim to a 90's take on the classic British sports car experience- all the feel and excitement of a 60s/70s roadster, but with modern performance and a few mod-cons. It was brilliant for the Sunday afternoon drive to a pub in the sunshine, cruising along listening to that glorious engine, a properly relaxed cruiser that would happily get a shift on if you booted it.
The Tuscan on the other hand feels more like a proper performance car- lightweight floor hinged pedals, much faster steering, and obviously the more urgent response of the Speed 6 engine. I don't think I've ever had a drive in the Tuscan that I'd describe as truly relaxing, but as an exciting driving experience it's in a completely different league.
That said, I do really miss the Chimaera for cruising around in the sun listening to one of the best car soundtracks out there. I would have loved to have had the space and means to keep both, even though it would have been the Tuscan keys we took 80% of the time.
Pictures just because who doesn't like to see pictures of TVRs!
Squirrelofwoe said:
Will be interesting to see how you find the Chimaera after the Tuscan!
Just summing things up in my head as I type this. Again, the generosity of a stranger to allow me to view and drive a car is top notch. Difference is that the Chimaera I viewed is indeed for sale but not yet advertised AFAIK. Looked to be mechanically very good for the asking price and had some good baseline mods done but would need a few things if I went down that particular route.The Tuscan is a completely different beast to the Chim. Phils car spoiled me just with the shear violence of the performance, his is a very fit and very well sorted car. Differences such as cabin space, control weighting, road manners etc are a generation ahead from the Chimaera. But then a 400 Chim is a different budget and different ownership proposition. Apples and Oranges comparison really.
Still have to look at the 'cheap' Tuscan again, will see what happens.
Fattyfat said:
Just summing things up in my head as I type this. Again, the generosity of a stranger to allow me to view and drive a car is top notch. Difference is that the Chimaera I viewed is indeed for sale but not yet advertised AFAIK. Looked to be mechanically very good for the asking price and had some good baseline mods done but would need a few things if I went down that particular route.
The Tuscan is a completely different beast to the Chim. Phils car spoiled me just with the shear violence of the performance, his is a very fit and very well sorted car. Differences such as cabin space, control weighting, road manners etc are a generation ahead from the Chimaera. But then a 400 Chim is a different budget and different ownership proposition. Apples and Oranges comparison really.
Still have to look at the 'cheap' Tuscan again, will see what happens.
The Tuscan is a completely different beast to the Chim. Phils car spoiled me just with the shear violence of the performance, his is a very fit and very well sorted car. Differences such as cabin space, control weighting, road manners etc are a generation ahead from the Chimaera. But then a 400 Chim is a different budget and different ownership proposition. Apples and Oranges comparison really.
Still have to look at the 'cheap' Tuscan again, will see what happens.
Quick point regarding the Chim being cheaper and a different ownership proposition- whilst the Chimaera does generally cost less to run, it is certainly no guarantee. In 5 or so years my Chim cost me over £8k (including a £5k engine rebuild) outside of servicing, with the costs coming pretty much relentlessly. We'll have had our Tuscan 3 years in June, and so far that has cost us less than £1k outside of servicing. Obviously I am always primed for the Tuscan to hit the nuclear button in my wallet, but (touches wood) it has been a welcome relief so far compared to the Chimaera. I bought the Chim, my wife bought the Tuscan, so that probably explains it.
For reference both were a fraction above what were considered 'cheap' examples- Chim was £12k, Tuscan was £23k. Both times we bought the first example we looked at... because TVR. I also have neither the space or time (read: patience) to DIY much of the work so if you do, that does help keep the costs down enormously!
Fattyfat said:
Just summing things up in my head as I type this. Again, the generosity of a stranger to allow me to view and drive a car is top notch. Difference is that the Chimaera I viewed is indeed for sale but not yet advertised AFAIK. Looked to be mechanically very good for the asking price and had some good baseline mods done but would need a few things if I went down that particular route.
The Tuscan is a completely different beast to the Chim. Phils car spoiled me just with the shear violence of the performance, his is a very fit and very well sorted car. Differences such as cabin space, control weighting, road manners etc are a generation ahead from the Chimaera. But then a 400 Chim is a different budget and different ownership proposition. Apples and Oranges comparison really.
Still have to look at the 'cheap' Tuscan again, will see what happens.
I see you're in NI, if you're ever in London let me know and you can come check out my Mk1 Tuscan, it was towards the bottom end of the market (£28k in March 2021; albeit was bought from Str8Six, was cheaper as was 'high' mileage at around 65k) and is a great, well sorted car (other than it is in the bad books as it just cost me a small fortune in transport fees due to an oil pressure issue which turned out to be the oil sender - again, was only replaced six months ago!). It has had a couple of expensive services (700 quid minor last year, 1700 quid major this year) and needed a couple of things in the interim (tyres after a puncture, two bloody oil senders ....) and has cost me a bit of cash in transport fees (as I want to get it to Str8Six, which isn't that close) - but overall I reckon that's not all that bad. The Tuscan is a completely different beast to the Chim. Phils car spoiled me just with the shear violence of the performance, his is a very fit and very well sorted car. Differences such as cabin space, control weighting, road manners etc are a generation ahead from the Chimaera. But then a 400 Chim is a different budget and different ownership proposition. Apples and Oranges comparison really.
Still have to look at the 'cheap' Tuscan again, will see what happens.
So I called in with the dealer to see if Saturday morning would suit to get it up on the ramp... The 4 poster was free so they did facilitate that there and then. Had a drive after and....
Outriggers look like they've had repair rather than being replaced as I could see weld build up on certain areas. It's then had a lick of paint and there is indication of overspray. Also has a couple of leaks. Most likely power steering somewhere and there is a leak coming from one of the oil reservoir pipes and from the gearbox. Also oil build up on the drive shaft ends at the hubs.
The car did still drive very well. Strong engine, gearbox and clutch felt good. Could definitely feel the MK1 geometry at the front, it's twitchy.
So, on the fence. It could be a good occasional car if bought for well below the asking but will likely head into project territory with a year or 2 of use. It's a roadworthy car but does need some spending considering what it is/deserves (leaks, carpets, clutch etc)
Gut feeling is unless this one can be bought very cheaply I'll be holding off and upping the budget. Still may look at something more conventional but I don't know what is going to offer that driving experience for similar money. Will sleep on it after speaking to the garage who looked after it.
Outriggers look like they've had repair rather than being replaced as I could see weld build up on certain areas. It's then had a lick of paint and there is indication of overspray. Also has a couple of leaks. Most likely power steering somewhere and there is a leak coming from one of the oil reservoir pipes and from the gearbox. Also oil build up on the drive shaft ends at the hubs.
The car did still drive very well. Strong engine, gearbox and clutch felt good. Could definitely feel the MK1 geometry at the front, it's twitchy.
So, on the fence. It could be a good occasional car if bought for well below the asking but will likely head into project territory with a year or 2 of use. It's a roadworthy car but does need some spending considering what it is/deserves (leaks, carpets, clutch etc)
Gut feeling is unless this one can be bought very cheaply I'll be holding off and upping the budget. Still may look at something more conventional but I don't know what is going to offer that driving experience for similar money. Will sleep on it after speaking to the garage who looked after it.
Fattyfat said:
So I called in with the dealer to see if Saturday morning would suit to get it up on the ramp... The 4 poster was free so they did facilitate that there and then. Had a drive after and....
Outriggers look like they've had repair rather than being replaced as I could see weld build up on certain areas. It's then had a lick of paint and there is indication of overspray. Also has a couple of leaks. Most likely power steering somewhere and there is a leak coming from one of the oil reservoir pipes and from the gearbox. Also oil build up on the drive shaft ends at the hubs.
The car did still drive very well. Strong engine, gearbox and clutch felt good. Could definitely feel the MK1 geometry at the front, it's twitchy.
So, on the fence. It could be a good occasional car if bought for well below the asking but will likely head into project territory with a year or 2 of use. It's a roadworthy car but does need some spending considering what it is/deserves (leaks, carpets, clutch etc)
Gut feeling is unless this one can be bought very cheaply I'll be holding off and upping the budget. Still may look at something more conventional but I don't know what is going to offer that driving experience for similar money. Will sleep on it after speaking to the garage who looked after it.
I like your measured & considered style! I wish I was the same (Bought a TVR when I'd gone out for chips & bought a house when I'd gone out for a pint of milk!)Outriggers look like they've had repair rather than being replaced as I could see weld build up on certain areas. It's then had a lick of paint and there is indication of overspray. Also has a couple of leaks. Most likely power steering somewhere and there is a leak coming from one of the oil reservoir pipes and from the gearbox. Also oil build up on the drive shaft ends at the hubs.
The car did still drive very well. Strong engine, gearbox and clutch felt good. Could definitely feel the MK1 geometry at the front, it's twitchy.
So, on the fence. It could be a good occasional car if bought for well below the asking but will likely head into project territory with a year or 2 of use. It's a roadworthy car but does need some spending considering what it is/deserves (leaks, carpets, clutch etc)
Gut feeling is unless this one can be bought very cheaply I'll be holding off and upping the budget. Still may look at something more conventional but I don't know what is going to offer that driving experience for similar money. Will sleep on it after speaking to the garage who looked after it.
Hope you get the right one
Fattyfat said:
So I called in with the dealer to see if Saturday morning would suit to get it up on the ramp... The 4 poster was free so they did facilitate that there and then. Had a drive after and....
Outriggers look like they've had repair rather than being replaced as I could see weld build up on certain areas. It's then had a lick of paint and there is indication of overspray. Also has a couple of leaks. Most likely power steering somewhere and there is a leak coming from one of the oil reservoir pipes and from the gearbox. Also oil build up on the drive shaft ends at the hubs.
The car did still drive very well. Strong engine, gearbox and clutch felt good. Could definitely feel the MK1 geometry at the front, it's twitchy.
So, on the fence. It could be a good occasional car if bought for well below the asking but will likely head into project territory with a year or 2 of use. It's a roadworthy car but does need some spending considering what it is/deserves (leaks, carpets, clutch etc)
Gut feeling is unless this one can be bought very cheaply I'll be holding off and upping the budget. Still may look at something more conventional but I don't know what is going to offer that driving experience for similar money. Will sleep on it after speaking to the garage who looked after it.
Phils Tuscan is a MK2 , the steering rack worm gear is different than a MK1s , hence the steering is a lot slower, which is one reason why any MK1 feels "twitchier".. There are other factors like a MK2 is electronic PAS rather than of the engine and the MK2 was factory fitted with Eibach springs and Bilstein dampers (don't know what your test drive had but hopefully not the original Havey Bailey ones!!).Outriggers look like they've had repair rather than being replaced as I could see weld build up on certain areas. It's then had a lick of paint and there is indication of overspray. Also has a couple of leaks. Most likely power steering somewhere and there is a leak coming from one of the oil reservoir pipes and from the gearbox. Also oil build up on the drive shaft ends at the hubs.
The car did still drive very well. Strong engine, gearbox and clutch felt good. Could definitely feel the MK1 geometry at the front, it's twitchy.
So, on the fence. It could be a good occasional car if bought for well below the asking but will likely head into project territory with a year or 2 of use. It's a roadworthy car but does need some spending considering what it is/deserves (leaks, carpets, clutch etc)
Gut feeling is unless this one can be bought very cheaply I'll be holding off and upping the budget. Still may look at something more conventional but I don't know what is going to offer that driving experience for similar money. Will sleep on it after speaking to the garage who looked after it.
Also you can see the weld joint of the outriggers on a new car, so doesn't necessarily mean they've been replaced. Oil on the drive shafts/hub can also come from leaking dampers.
Engine driven PAS on Griffs/Chims were renown for fluid leaks on the high pressure pipe
Edited by glow worm on Wednesday 19th April 16:56
Cheers, there was what I'd call abnormal amounts of weld on areas that probably had suffered some corrosion. A repaired chassis if you will but I was hoping to have seen a tidier job, subjective as that opinion is.
Car has Billies/eibachs, fairly sure the oil at the rear is bearing seals or similar
Steering was an observation, not a negative. It was interesting to drive 2 examples from polar ends of the market (not that Phil's car is for sale, I didn't ask, didn't have to, he clearly loves it!) back to back.
Car has Billies/eibachs, fairly sure the oil at the rear is bearing seals or similar
Steering was an observation, not a negative. It was interesting to drive 2 examples from polar ends of the market (not that Phil's car is for sale, I didn't ask, didn't have to, he clearly loves it!) back to back.
PrinceRupert said:
I see you're in NI, if you're ever in London let me know and you can come check out my Mk1 Tuscan, it was towards the bottom end of the market (£28k in March 2021; albeit was bought from Str8Six, was cheaper as was 'high' mileage at around 65k) and is a great, well sorted car (other than it is in the bad books as it just cost me a small fortune in transport fees due to an oil pressure issue which turned out to be the oil sender - again, was only replaced six months ago!). It has had a couple of expensive services (700 quid minor last year, 1700 quid major this year) and needed a couple of things in the interim (tyres after a puncture, two bloody oil senders ....) and has cost me a bit of cash in transport fees (as I want to get it to Str8Six, which isn't that close) - but overall I reckon that's not all that bad.
No trips planned this year but a kind offer which I'll keep track of.Gassing Station | Tuscan | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff