Tuscan Purchase
Tuscan Purchase
Author
Discussion

smiffy77

Original Poster:

54 posts

177 months

Wednesday 27th July 2011
quotequote all
Hi all.

I'm looking at buying a 2002 Tuscan with 8000 miles on the clock from a dealer. It has full history and appears to be well looked after. Should I be concerned by the lack of use this vehicle has had and is there anything I should look out for because of this? Any help and advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Adam

Light n Hairy

529 posts

211 months

Wednesday 27th July 2011
quotequote all
Depends how much you want to be involved tinkering with it or actually just driving it about.

I assume you want to drive it about with minimum hassle.

In that case, and all IMO, be reluctant to buy if:
It has not had a rebuild in the last 4 years
It has not seen much use in the last few months
If it has not been given a full service in the last few months
There is no warranty including engine and drivetrain


blueg33

45,267 posts

248 months

Wednesday 27th July 2011
quotequote all
hey do like to be used. Didnt use mine much over the winter and it was troublesome at times with more niggles, now I use it more including for longish work trips and it is much nicer to drive. I may do about 8k miles this year which is quite a bit for a weekend toy driving

natben

2,748 posts

255 months

Wednesday 27th July 2011
quotequote all
Can you post a link to the advert?.
Depends how much it cost,
Has it been serviced every year despite millage( normally serviced every 6K)
When was it last used.

Tuscan's are FANTASTIC cars, but take your time get a good one, you will probably end up spending a few quid once you get it anyway bringing it up to your spec, suspension is a good first upgrade Gaz Gold Pro's make a big diffrence to the handling (£600ish).

Plenty of help on this site so come back and ask somemore before you buy.


nrick

1,866 posts

187 months

Wednesday 27th July 2011
quotequote all
Great cars , I have done 5k in mine (6k limit) so could have used it more.
Some costs to bear in mind and negotiate with

Rebuild 4k (only relevant if done in the last 2-3yrs)
Clutch 1k lasts 10-30k depending on use
Gaz golds and Geo check £1k
spacers for front wheels £30
Carpets £600 tend to fade in the sun
dash if not working properly £200
Paint if a flip/pearl or spectraflair can be up to £600/l
brakes £400 for a pair of disks and pads
Check door ecu's work, alarm and heater ecu about £100 each.
You also want the red card for the alarm if it hasn't got 2 remotes.

Just have a look at these items and negotiate hard.

blueg33

45,267 posts

248 months

Wednesday 27th July 2011
quotequote all
Can I add

power steering leaks £600 for removal of rack and a rebuild
worn or sheared engine mounts £?
if its been unused, general issues caused by shrinkage of seals hoses etc, clutch slave being one example
buckled wheels £160 ish each
recharge point - removed or refitted £50 ish

Arapo

253 posts

203 months

Wednesday 27th July 2011
quotequote all
I would suggest to take it to one of the known TVR specialists for a good inspection.

Str8 Six or TVR Power are the generally acknowledged garages if you are near London or Midlands, but there are many more that can go through the car in detail and tell you what needs sorting.


nrick

1,866 posts

187 months

Wednesday 27th July 2011
quotequote all
blueg33 said:
Can I add

power steering leaks £600 for removal of rack and a rebuild
worn or sheared engine mounts £? (Part is about £30, pig to change)
if its been unused, general issues caused by shrinkage of seals hoses etc, clutch slave being one example
buckled wheels £160 ish each
recharge point - removed or refitted £50 ish
Slave cylinder is another weak point which is a gearbox out job.
Throttle cable £50

Robertjp

2,281 posts

249 months

Wednesday 27th July 2011
quotequote all
My take on things is that is it hasnt been used much / serviced well, there could be several hiddens gems you will find.

I bought mine with a great history for the first part of its life, although the 18 months before i bought it looked a little sketchy, but the car itself was right, or i was led to believe so)

It was general stuff that needed doing (...over and above the engine rebuild....;) ), fuel filter, couple of fuel hoses, wishbone bushes, shocks, seals, engine mounts, alternator belt (actually an alternator too), throttle pots (and in fact throttle bodies later on), battery and a few other odds and sods along the way.

All stuff that SHOULD be checked on a service.

itiejim

1,822 posts

229 months

Wednesday 27th July 2011
quotequote all
I guess there's quite a premium for such a low mileage car?
Personally I'd rather have a higher mileage but sorted car with an engine rebuild by TVR Power or another well respected builder.

smiffy77

Original Poster:

54 posts

177 months

Wednesday 27th July 2011
quotequote all
Thanks to everyone who has responded.

The car is being sold at £19,995 by a TVR dealer with 6 months warranty and a full service history, the car will be fully serviced by their workshop and I'm quite sure it has not had a rebuild. I want to get the very best car I can afford, use it as a second car and have it maintained by a TVR specialist. My worry is that I fail to check something that later becomes a big bill, though I do expect to get large bills. I was told to budget around £1500 to keep them on the road. I currently have an e39 M5 so I am expecting similar types of costs.

Thanks

Adam

Edited by smiffy77 on Wednesday 27th July 18:39

Light n Hairy

529 posts

211 months

Wednesday 27th July 2011
quotequote all
IMO it is not worth it at that price if it has not had a rebuild. The old engine designs were faulty and most (not all) Sp6 engines do need to be rebuilt (£7k).


Tonymg

768 posts

221 months

Wednesday 27th July 2011
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Smiffy have you got an extra 7k if not stay away no matter how good looking the car is

smiffy77

Original Poster:

54 posts

177 months

Wednesday 27th July 2011
quotequote all
Thanks fellas.

I am going to find out what the warranty covers tomorrow. I am already feeling nervous if it has not had a rebuild. TVR Power look to have great warranties on their engines. Is it possible to get a TVR Power Tuscan for £20k?

Cheers

nrick

1,866 posts

187 months

Wednesday 27th July 2011
quotequote all
Bluer33 got one wink

blueg33

45,267 posts

248 months

Wednesday 27th July 2011
quotequote all
nrick said:
Bluer33 got one wink
I did and for much less but interior is tired and I am gradually sorting that. Plus mine has had a few owners and has averaged 4k miles a year.

If you get Dom at TVR Poiwert to look over tjhe car if the engine is ok he will sell you a warranty for about a grand.

smiffy77

Original Poster:

54 posts

177 months

Wednesday 27th July 2011
quotequote all
I think I will ring Dom at TVR Power tomorrow and have a chat with him.

Smooth Smith

542 posts

188 months

Wednesday 27th July 2011
quotequote all
You should be able to get an early Tuscan with a Power rebuild for inder £20k. I have seen various for sale over the last 12 mths around the £17/18k mark.

I would also be nervous about spending that kind of money without a rebuild or some comprehensive warranty to cover you in the event of it needing one.

Considering the low mileage, I would check the service history & look into what the warranty covers.

I agree that these cars like to be used so you may encounter niggles along the way considering it's little use.

It is possible to get an aftermarket warranty from TVR Power for the engine but they would need to check it out first & you would need to have it serviced there afterwards.

Of course the other option would be to buy a reasonably sorted one at the lower end if the market, £13/14k, enjoy it & if the worst does happen, you had a pot aside for a rebuild with a 100k mileage warranty.

Don't let the negative comments put you off. They take some looking after but they're fantastic cars smile

S6 Devil

3,556 posts

257 months

Wednesday 27th July 2011
quotequote all
This is the sort of thing I would be looking at. I don't know anything about it nor who rebuilt the engine but may be worth looking at.

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3072222.htm

S6 Devil

3,556 posts

257 months

Wednesday 27th July 2011
quotequote all