Tuscan vs Porsche 997 C2S
Discussion
I have just had the opportunity to test drive a 997 c2s and then drive the self same roads in the Tuscan, it makes for an interesting comparison. The tuscan is 11 years old and the 997 6 years old.
On paper the 997 gets to 60 in 4.5 and the Tusc in 4.2 (my tusc had 363bhp at the fly last year, so is ismilar to the factory power output, 997 is 355bhp)
The 997 was very nice inside, the console was a bit plasticky, seats were comfy, dashboard looked great. Overall though the inside was pretty boring in comparison with the Tuscan and its sculped shapes and billet aluminium.
Driving.
I was lucky enough to be in a location where I could drive both cars up to the rev limiter, plus I had a mixture of tight bends and sweeping benmds along with straights.
Firstly - Drama - The Tusc has loads, it loud raspey and feral, the 997 not much TBH although the roar of the engine behind you gets better as you go faster.
Engine - 997 felt freer revving and easily went up to 700 rpm, the Tuscan didnt reach those revs but the Tuscan engine felt much more like a force of nature, with a continued solid push. Both cars have great engines, but the 997 needs more revs.
Handling - The 997 is very good although it takes a while to get used to the very light feeling front end. Tuscan turns in faster, but is less composed through the corner and more sensitive to throttle. 997 had active suspension, which in the sports setting was very hard but really inspired confidence. Tuscan gets bump steer through slower corners that seems to go away as you go faster. On a smoth track the Tuscan would be faster through all bends but where its less smooth like a typical uk road I would say the 997 has an edge and on tight corners has a quicker exit speed.
Accelleration - tuscan was noticeably faster despite the similarity in the stats and rergadless of the point in the rev range.
Brakes - Tuscan brakes are much better than the 997, firmer and more powerful, at times the 997 felt like it wasn't going to stop.
Controls Generally - Tuscan clutch is heavier but much more progressive. 997 has very short throttle pedal travel and I think I prefer the long travel of the tuscan.
Build - I feel that the 997 isnt as good as a 996, but is generally better than the tusc as you would expect
Character - The cars are totally different as we know, the Tuscan is a wild animal that you are just waiting for it to bite, the 997 is a fast and very capable company car, anodyne and sort of clinical.
Which would I choose - For a toy doing 6k miles a year, it would be the Tuscan every time, no doubt for all tye reasons we know. For a daily driver doing 15k miles a year then its the 997 because you can hold a conversation, it has bluetooth phone, it needs less thought and planning to drive fast, and above all it only needs 1 service every 20k miles. (Tuscan has a much bigger boot though)
Hope I haven't bored you all, just thought it was an interesting comparison.
What it really made me want to do, is go out in the Tuscan and drive the pants off it, it is a 1000 times more exciting.
(Family fleet reasons mean that I may end up swapping the tusc for a 997)
On paper the 997 gets to 60 in 4.5 and the Tusc in 4.2 (my tusc had 363bhp at the fly last year, so is ismilar to the factory power output, 997 is 355bhp)
The 997 was very nice inside, the console was a bit plasticky, seats were comfy, dashboard looked great. Overall though the inside was pretty boring in comparison with the Tuscan and its sculped shapes and billet aluminium.
Driving.
I was lucky enough to be in a location where I could drive both cars up to the rev limiter, plus I had a mixture of tight bends and sweeping benmds along with straights.
Firstly - Drama - The Tusc has loads, it loud raspey and feral, the 997 not much TBH although the roar of the engine behind you gets better as you go faster.
Engine - 997 felt freer revving and easily went up to 700 rpm, the Tuscan didnt reach those revs but the Tuscan engine felt much more like a force of nature, with a continued solid push. Both cars have great engines, but the 997 needs more revs.
Handling - The 997 is very good although it takes a while to get used to the very light feeling front end. Tuscan turns in faster, but is less composed through the corner and more sensitive to throttle. 997 had active suspension, which in the sports setting was very hard but really inspired confidence. Tuscan gets bump steer through slower corners that seems to go away as you go faster. On a smoth track the Tuscan would be faster through all bends but where its less smooth like a typical uk road I would say the 997 has an edge and on tight corners has a quicker exit speed.
Accelleration - tuscan was noticeably faster despite the similarity in the stats and rergadless of the point in the rev range.
Brakes - Tuscan brakes are much better than the 997, firmer and more powerful, at times the 997 felt like it wasn't going to stop.
Controls Generally - Tuscan clutch is heavier but much more progressive. 997 has very short throttle pedal travel and I think I prefer the long travel of the tuscan.
Build - I feel that the 997 isnt as good as a 996, but is generally better than the tusc as you would expect
Character - The cars are totally different as we know, the Tuscan is a wild animal that you are just waiting for it to bite, the 997 is a fast and very capable company car, anodyne and sort of clinical.
Which would I choose - For a toy doing 6k miles a year, it would be the Tuscan every time, no doubt for all tye reasons we know. For a daily driver doing 15k miles a year then its the 997 because you can hold a conversation, it has bluetooth phone, it needs less thought and planning to drive fast, and above all it only needs 1 service every 20k miles. (Tuscan has a much bigger boot though)
Hope I haven't bored you all, just thought it was an interesting comparison.
What it really made me want to do, is go out in the Tuscan and drive the pants off it, it is a 1000 times more exciting.
(Family fleet reasons mean that I may end up swapping the tusc for a 997)
I have a T2S and a C4S and agree with your analysis except that the brakes on my Porker are brilliant, on par with the Tuscan's (possibly even better) and because it's a 4 the nose isn't light. The T2S is quite a bit faster than the C4S though, on par with a GT3.
The Tuscan is for the weekend, a wild animal that entertains everytime and comfortable enough to do (long) trips. The Porker is for everyday, modern, comfortable and fast, can cruise at 120 mph for hours, and with it's 4 wheel drive is safe in the rain/snow.
The Tuscan is for the weekend, a wild animal that entertains everytime and comfortable enough to do (long) trips. The Porker is for everyday, modern, comfortable and fast, can cruise at 120 mph for hours, and with it's 4 wheel drive is safe in the rain/snow.
Edited by GT TVR on Friday 16th March 13:32
Robertjp said:
Comparison as expected really, its nice to hear the Tuscan can still excel where its supposed to!
Why may the Tuscan have to go? That'll be a sad day!
I was pleased that the Tuscan more than stood up.Why may the Tuscan have to go? That'll be a sad day!
I need to get a car for son to learn in, the other family cars are auto's and the Tusc is not suitable. I spend most of my time in my A6 on my own, so thought I would combine the roles of the A6 and the Tusc into a 997 and get a small hatchback to teach son and for runs to the station etc. I don't really want 4 cars as I would struggle with drive space etc. Wife's car will be the family car
Hi Nick
Just get rid of the A6 and turn the tuscan into a daily driver! I am loving the E46 M3 as a daily at the moment. It is doing 30mpg, can throw it to the wife when necessary, and no depreciation which is much better than the 20k I lost on the last BMW daily.
You know you'll regret getting rid of the Tuscan, there are fewer and fewer good cars out there every year.
Just get rid of the A6 and turn the tuscan into a daily driver! I am loving the E46 M3 as a daily at the moment. It is doing 30mpg, can throw it to the wife when necessary, and no depreciation which is much better than the 20k I lost on the last BMW daily.
You know you'll regret getting rid of the Tuscan, there are fewer and fewer good cars out there every year.
nrick said:
Hi Nick
Just get rid of the A6 and turn the tuscan into a daily driver! I am loving the E46 M3 as a daily at the moment. It is doing 30mpg, can throw it to the wife when necessary, and no depreciation which is much better than the 20k I lost on the last BMW daily.
You know you'll regret getting rid of the Tuscan, there are fewer and fewer good cars out there every year.
Hi NeilJust get rid of the A6 and turn the tuscan into a daily driver! I am loving the E46 M3 as a daily at the moment. It is doing 30mpg, can throw it to the wife when necessary, and no depreciation which is much better than the 20k I lost on the last BMW daily.
You know you'll regret getting rid of the Tuscan, there are fewer and fewer good cars out there every year.
I know I will regret it, but I will be doing 15-20k miles a year and a 6k mile service interval is a problem
996tt is also possible but needs more servicing.
Degner said:
There's definitely something very wrong there.
Surprised not to read of the involvement and interaction that comes with driving a rear-engined car, if the car was driven on a decent test route.
It was involving and interactive but less so than the Tuscan, rear felt more planted on fast corners than the tusc. I have since driven another one, brakes were not as good as the tusc, I had to brake earlier but the second car was much better ay braking the the first. Surprised not to read of the involvement and interaction that comes with driving a rear-engined car, if the car was driven on a decent test route.
an update now that I've had my C4S for a few weeks:
although a brilliant stable car, on the twisties the Porker is no match for the Tuscan (2S). The Tuscan is so much more powerful and so much lighter through the corners, there is no comparison.
So 997 C4S: great / almost perfect sporty daily drive and more stable at high speeds but it is by far no TVR ...
The sun is out so time to unleash the T2S !
although a brilliant stable car, on the twisties the Porker is no match for the Tuscan (2S). The Tuscan is so much more powerful and so much lighter through the corners, there is no comparison.
So 997 C4S: great / almost perfect sporty daily drive and more stable at high speeds but it is by far no TVR ...
The sun is out so time to unleash the T2S !
Edited by GT TVR on Friday 23 March 14:31
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