Discussion
Hi,
I have recently started looking at TVRs to replace my 997 turbo.
I am quickly falling in love with the Tuscan and went to have a look at a couple at Str8 Six, I had a few questions that I was hoping for some advice/thoughts on:
1) I want a car without all the drivers aids that came with the 997...but I'm worried I will put the Tuscan in a hedge. How difficult are they to drive ( I had a quick go with the car I looked at but it was very difficult to judge as I couldn't get the hang of the travel on the pedals and the cutch so didn't really push it much)
2) I fully understand that the build quality wont be the same as the 997 but will it drive me mad...are all the rumours true.. Will everything break and all the buttons on the dash come off in my hand??
3) what are peoples view of the prices for the 2006 cars ( I realise this is market driven) but are they really likely to increase like the saragis? I am keen to buy a car that won't kill me on deprication ( I was looking at 1970/80's Ferrari's but have gone off the idea)
4) The car would not be a daily drive and used for weekends & holidays....are they ok if not driven for a few weeks (it would be on a charger) ?
Many thanks
Oli
I have recently started looking at TVRs to replace my 997 turbo.
I am quickly falling in love with the Tuscan and went to have a look at a couple at Str8 Six, I had a few questions that I was hoping for some advice/thoughts on:
1) I want a car without all the drivers aids that came with the 997...but I'm worried I will put the Tuscan in a hedge. How difficult are they to drive ( I had a quick go with the car I looked at but it was very difficult to judge as I couldn't get the hang of the travel on the pedals and the cutch so didn't really push it much)
2) I fully understand that the build quality wont be the same as the 997 but will it drive me mad...are all the rumours true.. Will everything break and all the buttons on the dash come off in my hand??
3) what are peoples view of the prices for the 2006 cars ( I realise this is market driven) but are they really likely to increase like the saragis? I am keen to buy a car that won't kill me on deprication ( I was looking at 1970/80's Ferrari's but have gone off the idea)
4) The car would not be a daily drive and used for weekends & holidays....are they ok if not driven for a few weeks (it would be on a charger) ?
Many thanks
Oli
Easy to drive, just be careful in the wet and hitting bumps going into bend. 
Build quality on later cars is good and not a concern. No more niggles than other cars Porches,Ferraris or Lambos. But everyone makes their TVRs better than when they came out of the factory, which is all part of the enjoyment of TVR ownership.
Known to catch fire occasionally but far less times than 458s or Lambos ... Usually because of backfires into the airbox or poorly maintained battery connectors.
Unfortuately even MK2 Tuscans (2006) don't attract the premium second hand values that Sags get , however thats only a concern if you are an owner from new... If you are buying , then its to your advantage.
Build quality on later cars is good and not a concern. No more niggles than other cars Porches,Ferraris or Lambos. But everyone makes their TVRs better than when they came out of the factory, which is all part of the enjoyment of TVR ownership.
Known to catch fire occasionally but far less times than 458s or Lambos
... Usually because of backfires into the airbox or poorly maintained battery connectors.Unfortuately even MK2 Tuscans (2006) don't attract the premium second hand values that Sags get , however thats only a concern if you are an owner from new... If you are buying , then its to your advantage.
Hi
They are the Joan Colins and Pamela Andersons of the car world!
You need to keep on top of them !!!! From a distance they look stunning, get up close and personal and you will see them for what they really are!!
Of course they make all the right noise to go with those looks, but in the back of your mind your'e just waiting for that let down!!!! You can feel it!!! So you just keep throwing money at them hoping it will keep them happy!! It gets very tiring - But love is blind!!!!
They are the Joan Colins and Pamela Andersons of the car world!
You need to keep on top of them !!!! From a distance they look stunning, get up close and personal and you will see them for what they really are!!
Of course they make all the right noise to go with those looks, but in the back of your mind your'e just waiting for that let down!!!! You can feel it!!! So you just keep throwing money at them hoping it will keep them happy!! It gets very tiring - But love is blind!!!!
Ironman said:
Hi
They are the Joan Colins and Pamela Andersons of the car world!
You need to keep on top of them !!!! From a distance they look stunning, get up close and personal and you will see them for what they really are!!
Of course they make all the right noise to go with those looks, but in the back of your mind your'e just waiting for that let down!!!! You can feel it!!! So you just keep throwing money at them hoping it will keep them happy!! It gets very tiring - But love is blind!!!!
You keep updating MY register of convertibles .... But you do not appear to have a car ???? They are the Joan Colins and Pamela Andersons of the car world!
You need to keep on top of them !!!! From a distance they look stunning, get up close and personal and you will see them for what they really are!!
Of course they make all the right noise to go with those looks, but in the back of your mind your'e just waiting for that let down!!!! You can feel it!!! So you just keep throwing money at them hoping it will keep them happy!! It gets very tiring - But love is blind!!!!
Genuine 2006 cars are very far an few between only some 26 produced although they do offer out of the box significant improvements over earlier versions in build quality, handling and engine, although as Keith says they can still be improved further the blog on mine also details some improvements I have made.
The mk2/3 Tuscans are very good cars, good build quality in general. Their might be some small niggles since they are hand build but nothing to worry about.
If possible get an S.
best upgrades:
CR box with 3.91 diff, makes them ballistic
Nitrons & Eibach springs and the right geo setup
raised steering rack and castor
do this and it will handle like a dream
Sag prices now are riduculous; a MK2/3 S is 98% as good (and IMHO better looking and you can take the roof off).
If possible get an S.
best upgrades:
CR box with 3.91 diff, makes them ballistic
Nitrons & Eibach springs and the right geo setup
raised steering rack and castor
do this and it will handle like a dream
Sag prices now are riduculous; a MK2/3 S is 98% as good (and IMHO better looking and you can take the roof off).
Ah .... It's your car Jason is asking £38,995
http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?h=0...
Lets hope he gets it
http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?h=0...
Lets hope he gets it
Ironman said:
Hi and yes, I don't have my Tuscan Vert anymore, I let it go and kept your register updated to keep it in the loop!
Always nice to see a porsche man coming to his senses!
Later cars will continue to hold value well and possibly appreciate slightly. But value will be more mileage sensitive than older cars.
As far as interior materials I think that TVRs feel a lot more special than porsches which are very mass produced. The alloy details and bespoke switchgear on Tuscans are stunning help create a much greater sense of occasion than you'll find in a porsche.
However I still think TVRs are very misunderstood cars. The main difference is 1980s levels of NVH. This mostly is why many people coming from porsches think that they'll fall to bits. Unlike modern cars, TVRs let a lot more vibrations and noises through to the driver and the cabin. So they can feel like they are about to fall to bits, but in my experience rarely do! In 6 years of owning a Tuscan 2 one of the exhaust cans fell off after about 600 miles from new. I replaced it with another set. No more problems. Over two trips to the continent with my brother who has a 996 Turbo, it was the porsche that needed to visit the garage (on both occasions) not the TVR. However I had to endure lots of comments from brits abroad along the lines of 'you're brave'. Mind you it was just as well because there are loads of porsche dealers in europe and virtually no TVR dealers!
You can of course be unlucky and have a few issues with your car. If you're really unlucky you might have some serious issues but isn't that true of any car? In my experience reality isn't as bad as perception. Also the great thing nowadays is the likes of fantastic specialists like TVR Power and Str8six who really understand the cars and can really fix them. In many ways things are better now than when the factory was around. I did experience a few 'niggles' but once taken someone who really knows what they're doing that was the end of that. I had the same with my Lotus when I bought it. A few annoying niggles like a broken wiper relay. But once sorted it hasn't missed a beat.
It's an unsual move to go from a porsche to a TVR but it took less than a mile on my first test drive of a Tuscan S to know it was for me. They aren't for everyone but for those who like their cars to feel raw and exciting, at all speeds, there's nothing quite like a TVR. They are the perfect antidote to the sanitised modern sports cars. While personally 911s aren't to my taste they are impressive and efficient at the business of covering ground quickly. The TVR is a much more absorbing experience. A bit too much for some. The 'twitichiness' is largely down to a very fast, race car like steering rack. So clumsy steering inputs (or encountering a big bump mid corner) can make the car feel 'lively' but you learn to minimize your steering, which takes great concentration. Tuscans are two hands on the wheel at all times sort of cars. The benefit of this is, unlike the 996 turbo which shrugs off 160mph with disdain, a Tuscan will always feel exciting. Even if you don't exceed 90mph, you can still feel like you've had the ride of your life.
I think the pedals are outstanding. If only more cars had pedal boxes like that. Totally natural heel and toe. Progressive, precise throttle. Peter Wheeler wasn't joking when he said the long travel throttle was TVR's traction control. It's brilliant. Must stop this now, I'm talking myself back into another one!
Later cars will continue to hold value well and possibly appreciate slightly. But value will be more mileage sensitive than older cars.
As far as interior materials I think that TVRs feel a lot more special than porsches which are very mass produced. The alloy details and bespoke switchgear on Tuscans are stunning help create a much greater sense of occasion than you'll find in a porsche.
However I still think TVRs are very misunderstood cars. The main difference is 1980s levels of NVH. This mostly is why many people coming from porsches think that they'll fall to bits. Unlike modern cars, TVRs let a lot more vibrations and noises through to the driver and the cabin. So they can feel like they are about to fall to bits, but in my experience rarely do! In 6 years of owning a Tuscan 2 one of the exhaust cans fell off after about 600 miles from new. I replaced it with another set. No more problems. Over two trips to the continent with my brother who has a 996 Turbo, it was the porsche that needed to visit the garage (on both occasions) not the TVR. However I had to endure lots of comments from brits abroad along the lines of 'you're brave'. Mind you it was just as well because there are loads of porsche dealers in europe and virtually no TVR dealers!
You can of course be unlucky and have a few issues with your car. If you're really unlucky you might have some serious issues but isn't that true of any car? In my experience reality isn't as bad as perception. Also the great thing nowadays is the likes of fantastic specialists like TVR Power and Str8six who really understand the cars and can really fix them. In many ways things are better now than when the factory was around. I did experience a few 'niggles' but once taken someone who really knows what they're doing that was the end of that. I had the same with my Lotus when I bought it. A few annoying niggles like a broken wiper relay. But once sorted it hasn't missed a beat.
It's an unsual move to go from a porsche to a TVR but it took less than a mile on my first test drive of a Tuscan S to know it was for me. They aren't for everyone but for those who like their cars to feel raw and exciting, at all speeds, there's nothing quite like a TVR. They are the perfect antidote to the sanitised modern sports cars. While personally 911s aren't to my taste they are impressive and efficient at the business of covering ground quickly. The TVR is a much more absorbing experience. A bit too much for some. The 'twitichiness' is largely down to a very fast, race car like steering rack. So clumsy steering inputs (or encountering a big bump mid corner) can make the car feel 'lively' but you learn to minimize your steering, which takes great concentration. Tuscans are two hands on the wheel at all times sort of cars. The benefit of this is, unlike the 996 turbo which shrugs off 160mph with disdain, a Tuscan will always feel exciting. Even if you don't exceed 90mph, you can still feel like you've had the ride of your life.
I think the pedals are outstanding. If only more cars had pedal boxes like that. Totally natural heel and toe. Progressive, precise throttle. Peter Wheeler wasn't joking when he said the long travel throttle was TVR's traction control. It's brilliant. Must stop this now, I'm talking myself back into another one!
So I am wandering back to my Cerbera which is parked in Morrisions car pack when a people carrier of some description pulls into a space 20 yards away. Mum climbs out from the drivers seat and lets out a little boy from the rear, probably about 8 yrs old. She gestures to him to look across to road and you can clearly lip read she says to him 'That's a TVR' and holds him to wait for me to leave.
Of course I oblige with a little blip of the throttle as I pass as the little boy stares transfixed just repeatadly saying 'wow'
Expect plenty of 'feel good' moments like this with a Tuscan! and you won't give a stuff about the fact the heater switches in a 911 might be stuck on slight better etc.
In my experience of TVRs (Chimaera, Griffith and Cerbera) their are nothing like as unreliable as people think, and most niggles can be easily sorted out as long as you are not a complete numpty with a screwdriver. Also unlike most euroboxes you can open the bonnet of a TVR and clearly see what most items are i.e. For instance I just changed the alternator in the Cerbera - OK it took me a couple of hours but it was very easy. I am not sure I could even identify where the alternator is under the bonnet of my Discovery let alone replace it.
Every journey is a TVR feels like an 'event'. From a world where MPG, CO2, emmissions, health and safety and the usual day to day nonsense etc is fantasy
Just think of the satsifaction you will feel when you successfully change the 'Wiper Park Switch' on your TVR. This is the sort of niggle you will encounter (the wipers not self parking) with a TVR - however will it leave you stranded at the side of the road anymore than the Porsche - I doubt it.
Of course I oblige with a little blip of the throttle as I pass as the little boy stares transfixed just repeatadly saying 'wow'
Expect plenty of 'feel good' moments like this with a Tuscan! and you won't give a stuff about the fact the heater switches in a 911 might be stuck on slight better etc.
In my experience of TVRs (Chimaera, Griffith and Cerbera) their are nothing like as unreliable as people think, and most niggles can be easily sorted out as long as you are not a complete numpty with a screwdriver. Also unlike most euroboxes you can open the bonnet of a TVR and clearly see what most items are i.e. For instance I just changed the alternator in the Cerbera - OK it took me a couple of hours but it was very easy. I am not sure I could even identify where the alternator is under the bonnet of my Discovery let alone replace it.
Every journey is a TVR feels like an 'event'. From a world where MPG, CO2, emmissions, health and safety and the usual day to day nonsense etc is fantasy
Just think of the satsifaction you will feel when you successfully change the 'Wiper Park Switch' on your TVR. This is the sort of niggle you will encounter (the wipers not self parking) with a TVR - however will it leave you stranded at the side of the road anymore than the Porsche - I doubt it.
Edited by PuffsBack on Monday 18th June 11:49
PuffsBack said:
Also unlike most euroboxes you can open the bonnet of a TVR and clearly see what most items are i.e. For instance I just changed the alternator in the Cerbera - OK it took me a couple of hours but it was very easy. I am not sure I could even identify where the alternator is under the bonnet of my Discovery let alone replace it.
Now that is your first modification.... Get the bonnet of a Tuscan hinged so you can do that Edited by PuffsBack on Monday 18th June 11:49
Guys,
Thank you for the feedback.
I looked at both the convertible and the targa ...I drove the Targa and l'm very tempted. I prefer the Targa car as I want an S.
Difficult to judge whether the prices for both are a bit high but there are other 2006 Tuscans up for sale with slightly higher milage for only a few grand less so it will be interesting to see if they sell.
I nearly called today and put a deposit down but I can't shake the feeling that it's very strong money (£43k) ...on the other hand it's only money and you only live once.
May be I'll do it tomorrow!
Oli
Thank you for the feedback.
I looked at both the convertible and the targa ...I drove the Targa and l'm very tempted. I prefer the Targa car as I want an S.
Difficult to judge whether the prices for both are a bit high but there are other 2006 Tuscans up for sale with slightly higher milage for only a few grand less so it will be interesting to see if they sell.
I nearly called today and put a deposit down but I can't shake the feeling that it's very strong money (£43k) ...on the other hand it's only money and you only live once.
May be I'll do it tomorrow!
Oli
I started to looking at Tuscans and eventually settled on the convertible, and the other must was the wavey dashboard, not the baboons rear end dash. I found an S after around 9 month searching at a reasonable price. Had it 3 months now and have to agree it really is something else to drive. On the handling side I would say it is interesting and I will firm it up more then it is at the moment, as I also have a VXR which is well set up with nitrons so will explore that route.
What I did find was that a high percentage of the convertibles that I looked at over a year ago are still for sale.
Good luck in your search for a car
What I did find was that a high percentage of the convertibles that I looked at over a year ago are still for sale.
Good luck in your search for a car
I'm personally sceptical about modding with the latest ph 'must have' upgrade. I've seen it all here from wheel spacers to raising the steering rack half an inch or whatever, everyone claiming a 'dramatic' improvement. Modifying can make a car more to your personal taste but it rarely makes it 'better'.
Knowing how much work went into the damper development from both TVR and Bilstein for the Sagaris and later Tuscans, the idea that just slapping on some Nitrons will improve handling is fanciful at best. Ruinous and possibly even dangerous at worst. I wouldn't let anyone go near the suspension unless I was totally convinced they know what they're doing. Fortunately there are such people here in the UK but also plenty that will be happy to charge you handsomely to let you ruin your car. Before changing anything on the car it's nearly always a better investment to upgrade your driving skills first!
Knowing how much work went into the damper development from both TVR and Bilstein for the Sagaris and later Tuscans, the idea that just slapping on some Nitrons will improve handling is fanciful at best. Ruinous and possibly even dangerous at worst. I wouldn't let anyone go near the suspension unless I was totally convinced they know what they're doing. Fortunately there are such people here in the UK but also plenty that will be happy to charge you handsomely to let you ruin your car. Before changing anything on the car it's nearly always a better investment to upgrade your driving skills first!
The Pits said:
It's an unsual move to go from a porsche to a TVR but it took less than a mile on my first test drive of a Tuscan S to know it was for me. They aren't for everyone but for those who like their cars to feel raw and exciting, at all speeds, there's nothing quite like a TVR.
This. Drove my 911 down to RG for a test drive of a MK1 Tuscan. Honestly, could not believe what was happening - epic, epic cars.
Gassing Station | Tuscan | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff