Future Tuscan owner

[Niko525]

Hi guys, well I've spent the last couple of weeks looking through the forum & gathering all the knowledge I can about the Tuscan, must say it certainly seems to be one formidable car even with all the niggles.

I'll be coming from the VAG scene having owned big turbo 1.8 VAG engined cars pushing out 350bhp & 340 ftlb or torque, quick by most standards but nothing compared to the acceleration & noise a Tuscan makes as I see. As for reliability I've know a fair few VW/Audi owners that have had alot of engine, electrical issues with standard cars so the Tuscan seems to be now different, just each model has its own quirks!

I've just got a couple of questions whats the drive like, clutch - is it heavy? Suspension? Is the Tuscans suspension quite hard - so you feel everything on the road or is it firm but does actually absorb something. The reason I'm asking is that I will be exporting the car & don't really have the opportunity to go out & test drive a few to see what they are like.

Appreciate the help & look forward to entering the world of Tuscan ownership.

Thanks
Niko

[nrick]

Hi Niko

Suspension is hard and needs to be for the best result, the clutch is average in my opinion. I would change the suspension, fit spacers and geo check if it is a MK1, might want to think about a bump steer mod as well. They are great after this.

[mistermexican]

Hi,

I'm also looking for a Tuscan Mk1 in about 1-2 years time. From my trawls on the net it appears to be a lottery if you get a decent one or not even if you spend £15k+. My question is: is it better to buy the cheapest one you can find (approx £11-12k), get it re-sprayed for £4k, hope the engine is fine, if not get it re-built at £5.4k (both at TVR Power). Then, it'll be fine? Or is there something i'm missing?!

Thanks.

[Niko525]

Thanks nrick, I have read about the steering mod & would be on the to do list before I ship it to Europe. As for it being a hard suspension set up, is it bone shattering hard, i.e hold on to those dentures or just firm, but useable as an everyday driver or really after about a couple of hours you really start feeling it.

Thanks
Nick

[RedRose123]

Best to buy one which has a recient engine rebuild and has been used a lot. Got mine 3 years ago, had an engine rebuld be str8six, I have very few issues with the car.

[Allandwf]

As above, I try and use mine everytime home, recent 870 mile trip, TVR power rebuild, no issues either.

[PascalBuyens]

Niko525 said:

Thanks nrick, I have read about the steering mod & would be on the to do list before I ship it to Europe. As for it being a hard suspension set up, is it bone shattering hard, i.e hold on to those dentures or just firm, but useable as an everyday driver or really after about a couple of hours you really start feeling it.

Thanks
Nick

I've driven mine, on Nitrons, from close to Brussels to York, then from there to Blackpool all in one day. At the end of the day I still didn't complain about a sore back or anything, so to me it's perfectly suited for everyday use

[Niko525]

Thanks for the replies guys, I've realised that a Tuscan that is used more often than not is a better way to go, I'm definately looking for one with a re-built engine, seen a couple, but as I've read on here it's better to get one that has been rebuilt by a reputable TVR centre.
I'll hopefully get one soon, missed out on a couple of good ones with rebuilt engines by reputable centres.

Thanks
Nik

[Smooth Smith]

I find the clutch on mine pretty easy to use. Wouldn't say that it is heavy.

Most of my previous cars have had sports suspension & 18/19" wheels & all had a firm ride. I maybe used to it but I find the Tuscan's ride no worse than these & in some cases better. I suffer from some back problems but it hasn't been an issue in the Tuscan.

It can be a bit twitchy over bumps so as mentioned above, fit spacers to the front wheels only & have a geo set up. If
you're still not keen, change the shocks for Nitrons, Gaz Golds, Racing Reds.

[Smooth Smith]

mistermexican said:

Hi,

I'm also looking for a Tuscan Mk1 in about 1-2 years time. From my trawls on the net it appears to be a lottery if you get a decent one or not even if you spend £15k+. My question is: is it better to buy the cheapest one you can find
(approx £11-12k), get it re-sprayed for £4k, hope the engine is fine, if not get it re-built at £5.4k (both at TVR Power). Then, it'll be fine? Or is there something
i'm missing?!

Thanks.

If you can find one that is generally sounds without a rebuild for £12/13k then I think it's worthwhile. Enjoy it & if the worst does happen with the engine (not saying that it will as cars requiring rebuilds are becoming less common) then have it rebuilt with the peace of mind that it will last & have a decent warranty.

I would suggest you have whatever you're considering buying inspected beforehand. A specialist should be able to tell whether it's a good one or not.

Check the service history & bills (generally the more the better) & find out when the clutch was replaced last. They are £1,200 to replace & generally last 20/25k.

[m4tti]

I've had 5 GTI's, still have a TT and am a big VW/Audi fan. The Tuscan is totally departed from any form of Golf, tuned or otherwise.

I'll probably get flamed for this.. but you wont want to use this as a daily driver. It'll want to be at least a second car.

[Daston]

My car had an engine rebuild from factory (one of the reasons why I got it) and required a second rebuild last year. It's now running sweet! With most TVR's its all about condition so don't be put off by milage.

[mistermexican]

I was going to ask that actually. If a car has had a re-build how likely is it to require a second? Racing Green have told me that some Tuscans will never need a re-build, some will have one and others will need more so it seems like a bit of a lottery!
I'm also thinking of a Tamora but I'd like to drive both of them before I make up my mind.

[Daston]

Depends on what parts were used in the rebuild or the original construction of the engine. From what I have seen with mine TVR rebuilt the engine with the same parts. It then started to burn oil on start up so I decided to get it rebuilt using the latest parts, not all engines go bang more often than not a part wares out that means a rebuild is better than just a repair.

Just a kick in the nuts to have to sell mine when its running at its best (shamless plug lol)

[mistermexican]

If I was in the market for one now I'd be very interested in yours! Ideally I'd like reflex paint and air con but not fussy really.
Just did some insurance quotes and the Tamora was £200 cheaper than the Tuscan so might have to bear that in mind in the future.

[Daston]

mistermexican said:

If I was in the market for one now I'd be very interested in yours! Ideally I'd like reflex paint and air con but not fussy really.
Just did some insurance quotes and the Tamora was £200 cheaper than the Tuscan so might have to bear that in mind in the future.

Hehe no worries

out of interest who are you trying for insurance? I pay £480 a year with Mannings with the Tuscan.

[mistermexican]

I just did a quick job on Confused.com. Wasn't going to try Mannings, Adrian Flux etc until closer to purchase time.

25, 1 year NCB, no accidents, kept on driveway (but do live in the middle of nowhere). Put in that I was 26 and had 2 years NCB. Currently drive a Civic Type R so no rear wheel drive expereince.

What kind of quote do you think I would get with Mannings?

[Smooth Smith]

mistermexican said:

I was going to ask that actually. If a car has had a re-build how likely is it to require a second? Racing Green have told me that some Tuscans will never need a re-build, some will have one and others will need more so it seems like a bit of a lottery!
I'm also thinking of a Tamora but I'd like to drive both of them before I make up my mind.

A lot depends on who did the rebuild. There are original cars out there that have not needed a rebuild & are still running fine. Others have had factory rebuilds without any documentation to prove it.

The rebuilds from the likes of TVR
Power or Str8t Six are generally regarded as being the best & are proving to be very reliable. Power recently stripped down one of their rebuilds after it had covered 100k & there was little signs of wear.

Surprised about the difference in insurance between the two considering they both make similar power.

[Daston]

mistermexican said:

I just did a quick job on Confused.com. Wasn't going to try Mannings, Adrian Flux etc until closer to purchase time.

25, 1 year NCB, no accidents, kept on driveway (but do live in the middle of nowhere). Put in that I was 26 and had 2 years NCB. Currently drive a Civic Type R so no rear wheel drive expereince.

What kind of quote do you think I would get with Mannings?

I would say your looking at around £800 with the low NCB.

I got the Tuscan when I was 24 and paid £890 for the first year (as no one other than Adiran Flux would cover me), I then went with Mannings at 25, however they did take my car history in account and did a deal based on that. I paid £540 that year with 3 points and 5 year NCB, plus the car is garaged.

You might be able to get a classic policy where NCB is not used.

[mistermexican]

Daston said:

I would say your looking at around £800 with the low NCB.

I got the Tuscan when I was 24 and paid £890 for the first year (as no one other than Adiran Flux would cover me), I then went with Mannings at 25, however they did take my car history in account and did a deal based on that. I paid £540 that year with 3 points and 5 year NCB, plus the car is garaged.

You might be able to get a classic policy where NCB is not used.

Had £1115 for Tuscan and £855 for Tamora. Will just have to call Mannings etc closer to the time.

On the classic policy what determines the quote if NCB is not used? Just the usual stuff? Would it likely be cheaper?