tuscan purchase advice...

[lotus83]

what are the price areas for a tuscan? i have seen them from 13,000 to 20,000 for a series 1 which will be what i plan to buy, but i will most likely have between 14k and 17k to spend.at 14 to 15k will that get you a decent tuscan or will it most likely be a shed?

[ackbullchang]

Lotus,

I only have experience of buying mine, but looked at many before I purchased.

Advised wisdom is buy on condition, not mileage. You'll get a load of opinion saying don't buy one without an engine rebuild. At 14-15k you'll unlikely get one that has been rebuilt recently, but my view is, difficult as it may be, you have to make a judgement to how the car has been driven by previous owners. A brand new engine not warmed up properly and redlined everywhere isn't going to last very long irrespective of being freshly built. I took what many would see as a 'chance' on a non rebuilt engine, and it has performed incredibly for me with no issues at all. 14-15k might be a higher mileage car, but look for ones that have good service records from reputable tvr specialists. Uprated nitron suspension would be a bonus.

You might get a better deal from a tvr car club owner (if any are selling), rather than from a specialist, but I guess that depends on your view of private v dealer sales.

The handling was changed in 2003 (king pin inclination) to give a less scary feel to the steering/tram lining. I think 03 or later cars are going to be top end of that budget at 18k plus, or not if you are lucky.

Obviously chassis is key. I'd be seeing whether its been driven through winter and a chassis inspection is a high priority on viewing. Note many of the specialists across the uk will inspect a car for you for a fee. Expect some cost spend - clutch slave cylinders and clutch fingers are a known weak point and can fail between 23-30k miles. Expect ~£1k bill for full replacement off a specialist.

There's a wealth of knowledge on here, so ask away!

[simonr100]

Will I fit in a Tuscan? I am 6 foot 6.
I have wanted a Tuscan for years and am now in a position to buy but don't want to waste any sellers time if I won't fit in it.

Thanks in advance

[matt-man]

There is lots of room in the tuscan, im only 6ft but there is loads of spare room. Best thing is to go sit in one.

[Tall_Jayne]

I'm just over 6' and we chose the Tuscan because I could fit with lots of space. Chimeras are also good but may have to move the battery from the passenger footwell into the boot.

Jayne

[cp81]

I can't seem to find the info on website http://www.carfurniture.co.uk/ to read up on Tuscans...

Could someone point me in the right direction or email guides?

Thanks

[Tall_Jayne]

Your best bet is to sit in one at a dealer.

[Imran_M]

Is anybody able to correct the Tuscan buying guide in the forums so that the links to the various sections will direct properly?

[Rog64]

Hi, I've always been a fan of TVRs going back to the '70s and now in the fortunate position of being able to buy one. Like the Griffith but prefer the more modern interior of the Tuscan and think it looks even more stunning. A budget of £30k should get a good Mk1?

Obviously I've read the PistonHeads buyers guide but having enquired about a couple of cars for sale still remain nervous around the robustness of the engine. I appreciate the engine needs properly warming up and early engine rebuilds might not have addressed design weaknesses, but can I expect a car with an engine rebuild from the likes of Powers Performance or Racing Green to last say 50k miles. A car I've just enquired about had its 3rd rebuild at 12k miles, albeit upgraded to 4.5 litres. I'm comfortable budgeting £2/3k pa on servicing/maintenance but not £20k+ on rebuilds.

Apologies if the above has been covered before.

Anyone thinking of selling theirs or can recommend any of those currently for sale?

[PGNSagaris]

You have a good budget. I was in your shoes 5 years and didn’t have the knowledge/courage to buy privately. Visited a few dealers but I’d say get to Str8six ASAP and talk to Jason and Chas. Brilliant cars, beautifully prepped and good people too

[nawarne]

PGNSagaris said:

You have a good budget. I was in your shoes 5 years and didn’t have the knowledge/courage to buy privately. Visited a few dealers but I’d say get to Str8six ASAP and talk to Jason and Chas. Brilliant cars, beautifully prepped and good people too

^^^I'd agree. Cars from Str8Six are well prepared and warrantied.

Jason and Chas are honest and fair - true gentlemen. You might pay a premium for one of their cars but rest easy in the knowledge that any concerns are dealt with promptly.

Nick

[chrishart54]

Tony Gilbert is worth a look. Top bloke been dealing TVR for 40 years and was great when I bought my mk1

[Speed 3]

That budget will buy you a very nice Mk 1 with either the late build engine or a "proper" rebuild. Discount any rebuilds when the factory was still open (up to 2006), they are often just rebuilds with the same sub-standard components (part of the reason TVR went under). Anything done this decade should be pretty decent if done by one of the respected rebuilders or a competent owner with the right bits. The one you mention is a 4.5 so would expect that to likely be a Powers example and they're in the "respected" bracket for most (with a few exceptions).

Generally, late Mk1's were pretty decent from the factory engine wise (about 2003 onwards but nobody can be really sure with dates given the way TVR built them) and also benefit from revised suspension geometry but a really well fettled early example can be made as good as a Tuscan can be.

I can also recommend James Agger who sold me mine but Track v Road, TVR MADS, Tony Gilbert, HHC, Neil Garner, are all ex-main dealers (or former employees thereof) and know their stuff. Str8Six are top end price wise but have a loyal following.

[Rog64]

Thanks very much for the replies gents. Very helpful.

[Tuscan Wil]

nawarne said:

^^^I'd agree. Cars from Str8Six are well prepared and warrantied.

Jason and Chas are honest and fair - true gentlemen. You might pay a premium for one of their cars but rest easy in the knowledge that any concerns are dealt with promptly.

Nick

Yes another vote from me. They do know their TVR's and no buts and no if's. I bought my Tuscan 11 years ago after they rebuilt the engine. I didn't bother test drove the car when I looked at it as i knew if there were anything wrong, they will sort it out within their full warranty in the first year. And 50k miles and 11 years later, still running and they are the one have been looking after my car for the past 11 years too.

[davelittlewood]

Tuscan Wil said:

Yes another vote from me. They do know their TVR's and no buts and no if's. I bought my Tuscan 11 years ago after they rebuilt the engine. I didn't bother test drove the car when I looked at it as i knew if there were anything wrong, they will sort it out within their full warranty in the first year. And 50k miles and 11 years later, still running and they are the one have been looking after my car for the past 11 years too.

I went there 2 weeks ago to look at the 'Quality Street' Tuscan.
I'd asked for it to be in the workshop so I could look underneath but it was still in the lockup.
Engine bay was somewhat tatty, bits of the heat shield flaking off and just from laying on the floor I could see bits of the chassis powder coating flaking off.
Not overly impressed to say that they've had it for 14 months

[PrinceRupert]

davelittlewood said:

I went there 2 weeks ago to look at the 'Quality Street' Tuscan.
I'd asked for it to be in the workshop so I could look underneath but it was still in the lockup.
Engine bay was somewhat tatty, bits of the heat shield flaking off and just from laying on the floor I could see bits of the chassis powder coating flaking off.
Not overly impressed to say that they've had it for 14 months

It is eighteen years old, it isn't going to be perfect; bits of chassis powder coating flaking off and a non-perfect engine bay is surely to be expected ... ?

[TwinKam]

PrinceRupert said:

davelittlewood said:

I went there 2 weeks ago to look at the 'Quality Street' Tuscan.
I'd asked for it to be in the workshop so I could look underneath but it was still in the lockup.
Engine bay was somewhat tatty, bits of the heat shield flaking off and just from laying on the floor I could see bits of the chassis powder coating flaking off.
Not overly impressed to say that they've had it for 14 months

It is eighteen years old, it isn't going to be perfect; bits of chassis powder coating flaking off and a non-perfect engine bay is surely to be expected ... ?

...but at 46k?...

[robsco]

TwinKam said:

PrinceRupert said:

davelittlewood said:

I went there 2 weeks ago to look at the 'Quality Street' Tuscan.
I'd asked for it to be in the workshop so I could look underneath but it was still in the lockup.
Engine bay was somewhat tatty, bits of the heat shield flaking off and just from laying on the floor I could see bits of the chassis powder coating flaking off.
Not overly impressed to say that they've had it for 14 months

It is eighteen years old, it isn't going to be perfect; bits of chassis powder coating flaking off and a non-perfect engine bay is surely to be expected ... ?

...but at 46k?...

Tough one this because they are ultimately a business, there to make money. They can’t reasonably be expected to detail every engine bay within their prep standards. Chassis powder coating flaking off is a difficult ball game. I purchased a T350T from them in 2021 and to their credit, it was exceptionally prepared, with the notable exception of under bonnet which was tatty. £800 later and I had it sorted. A couple of warranty issues that cropped up were dealt with at another specialist, without quibble or question. For that, they should be commended.

The second time I enquired with them, about a 4.3 T350C they had in stock, I was less impressed with Chas. A nice enough chap, who was “ditsy” the first time round, but just plain forgetful and chaotic the second time. Ultimately I decided not to proceed, firstly because it just didn’t feel “right”, partly due to Chas.

I since sold the T350T to a gentleman who had also viewed another Targa at Str8Six and subsequently chose my car. Chas had been less than complimentary about my choice of specialist at the time in an attempt to sabotage my sale. I’d buy another car from Str8Six if the right car came along, but I would now take Chas’ statements with a pinch of salt, and look to verify them for myself as opposed to taking them as gospel.

[bad company]

I’ve been looking (albeit only online) at a 2004 Tuscan. Looks good but never had the engine rebuild which makes me nervous.