Nervous Newbie
Discussion
Evening,
Looking for a bit of a genuine steer on this one. I have always thought (IMHO) the Tuscan is the best looking car on the road and want to buy one.
I am nervous- this re-build stuff strikes fear in my heart and I'm starting to think a V8 Cerbera might be the better option for me.
I know they aren't without fault and again IMHO look a tad dated next to the Tuscan but I can't get past the fear of the S6 engine.
Am I missing something here? Did all you guys/gals buy knowing the situation and are simply braver/ richer/ dafter (Delete as appropriate) than me?
I want a Tuscan but don't want to buy a dog. Info/ Opinion would be a help.
Looking for a bit of a genuine steer on this one. I have always thought (IMHO) the Tuscan is the best looking car on the road and want to buy one.
I am nervous- this re-build stuff strikes fear in my heart and I'm starting to think a V8 Cerbera might be the better option for me.
I know they aren't without fault and again IMHO look a tad dated next to the Tuscan but I can't get past the fear of the S6 engine.
Am I missing something here? Did all you guys/gals buy knowing the situation and are simply braver/ richer/ dafter (Delete as appropriate) than me?
I want a Tuscan but don't want to buy a dog. Info/ Opinion would be a help.
OK, if it were me, and it as a Tusc I wanted, and having read EVERYTHING to do with the S6 woes on this forum in perticular, I would feel very comfortable buying a 3.6 litre 2003 onwards Tuscan, and not a 4 litre, unless it was in 'S' guise; plus I would buy from a dealer with at least a years warranty. It does 'seem' to be the early 4 litre models which had the problems, but htis is only my opinion, but I personally would be comfortable with a 3.6 Tusc. 
I think the stock answer applies. Buy either the most recent, or most recently rebuilt car you can with the spec you want and leave some cash kicking about just in case. I bought privately from a fellow ph member so knew a fair bit of the history already.
Long term I don't think there'll be much difference in running costs between a tuscan and a cerby.
Long term I don't think there'll be much difference in running costs between a tuscan and a cerby.
just buy one and enjoy it - maybe buy trade and get a warranty to relieve some of the financial worry. If you are lucky you may have years of trouble free motoring
ps - we did this, 2001 4.0 Tuscan, 10K on the clock, mint nick....3 weeks later engine rebuild time
...but its going like a dream ever since (another 10K miles) and burns less oil than my Elise ...
ps - we did this, 2001 4.0 Tuscan, 10K on the clock, mint nick....3 weeks later engine rebuild time
...but its going like a dream ever since (another 10K miles) and burns less oil than my Elise ...Firstly a big friendly welcome. There are much better people to ask than me, I'm sure, but If I was to start all over again, firstly I'd say resist the impatience to get driving and end up with an impulse purchase which you regret for ever and spoils what should have been one of lifetimes rare pleasures. (You will actually find it quite enjoyable looking at and test driving each model - a good long test drive is essential) Second subscribe to sprint magazine and contact your regional organiser to meet a few local tivvers near you and hear their experiences (as distinct from views!) first hand. Once you do find a car that you really like - stand back - get a full vehicle inspection by one of the few who specialise in TVR inspections. The cost could save you thousands and you may even negotiate the cost off the eventual purchase price. Also get a warranty. Slowing economy means you may find something at a good price.
Lastly, and it's perhaps not what you really want to hear, but I did my 'nervous' enquiries on Cerb and Tusc and in the end bought a Chim. True open top (didnt need 4 seats) a classic in it's time, an amazing sound AND never a chance of needing a very expensive rebuild. I'm very happy AND relaxed! Do it but not in haste and good luck with whatever you decide.
Lastly, and it's perhaps not what you really want to hear, but I did my 'nervous' enquiries on Cerb and Tusc and in the end bought a Chim. True open top (didnt need 4 seats) a classic in it's time, an amazing sound AND never a chance of needing a very expensive rebuild. I'm very happy AND relaxed! Do it but not in haste and good luck with whatever you decide.
Good advice from the informed crew. But one thing hardly gets mentioned. You are not guaranteed to need a rebuild. I have spoken to TVR and in their words, only a "handful" of Speed 6 engines needed a rebuild. They have not declared a recall, neither have they called it an "inherent fault" since warranty companies will not pay up if the manufacturer releases info to this effect. There is a lot of informed opinion on this board and lots of surveys done. You should read them, and then make your own judgment.
I decided to for for a 2000 Tuscan, 16,000 miles, no rebuild, full TVR Barnet history and CCC cans. Some people have said they will not touch a pre-2002 car full stop. I prefer to make my own mind up after seeing the car and taking all factors into account (history, options, price). I might need to get a rebuild in the future, in which case I'll be another statistic, or I may be lucky, in which case I'll just go on and enjoy my car.
One thing is for sure, there was a batch of dodgy components (finger followers etc) in year 2000 cars but NOT all are affected. It's a pity that all early Tuscans get tainted with the same brush. When I was at the TVR Centre, they had a 2000 Tuscan in for a tappet service with over 60K miles on, no rebuild. It might be likely that a 2000 Tuscan is highly likely to need a rebuilt, then again it may not, but as some one once said, it is still 10 rebuilds cheaper than anything else of comparison on the road, and that is justifcation enough for me.
I decided to for for a 2000 Tuscan, 16,000 miles, no rebuild, full TVR Barnet history and CCC cans. Some people have said they will not touch a pre-2002 car full stop. I prefer to make my own mind up after seeing the car and taking all factors into account (history, options, price). I might need to get a rebuild in the future, in which case I'll be another statistic, or I may be lucky, in which case I'll just go on and enjoy my car.
One thing is for sure, there was a batch of dodgy components (finger followers etc) in year 2000 cars but NOT all are affected. It's a pity that all early Tuscans get tainted with the same brush. When I was at the TVR Centre, they had a 2000 Tuscan in for a tappet service with over 60K miles on, no rebuild. It might be likely that a 2000 Tuscan is highly likely to need a rebuilt, then again it may not, but as some one once said, it is still 10 rebuilds cheaper than anything else of comparison on the road, and that is justifcation enough for me.
Stephen,
All the advice already posted has relevance, I looked and took some of it in but I still bought the first and only one available to me, it has never been regreted.
I can say it has cost me more £-£ than any of my previous TVR's but is has also been the most enjoyable and practible.
I do an average of 100 miles per week on mine, might not seem alot by other standards, but on an island 9 miles long and as a second car and taking into account maximum speed limits of 40mph, ie loads of gear changes I've never been let down.
The other scenario is that I also have a few trips a year to France & UK which means a totally different usage of the car sometimes 3-5 hundred miles non stop except for fuel.
I'm glad I took the plunge I'm also sorry that other experiences have been more costly, but if you don't do it you'll never know.
We've had some lovely trips around Scotland on single track highland roads miles from anywhere and never dit it cross our minds we could have a failure or think that we would be let down.
Go for it and enjoy living, you never know it might be "ORGASMIC".
Best Regards,
James Sim.
All the advice already posted has relevance, I looked and took some of it in but I still bought the first and only one available to me, it has never been regreted.
I can say it has cost me more £-£ than any of my previous TVR's but is has also been the most enjoyable and practible.
I do an average of 100 miles per week on mine, might not seem alot by other standards, but on an island 9 miles long and as a second car and taking into account maximum speed limits of 40mph, ie loads of gear changes I've never been let down.
The other scenario is that I also have a few trips a year to France & UK which means a totally different usage of the car sometimes 3-5 hundred miles non stop except for fuel.
I'm glad I took the plunge I'm also sorry that other experiences have been more costly, but if you don't do it you'll never know.
We've had some lovely trips around Scotland on single track highland roads miles from anywhere and never dit it cross our minds we could have a failure or think that we would be let down.
Go for it and enjoy living, you never know it might be "ORGASMIC".
Best Regards,
James Sim.
Well, I don't want to tempt fate, but I bought my October 2000 model nearly 3 years ago and it has been great and apart from servicing, has not really cost me any more money to run than my Chimaera did.
I carried out my research and after looing at half a dozen cars, got a feeling for those that had been really well looked after and cherished by their owners. I parted with my cash for a car at a good price (that had had a rebuild) that came with a file full of receipts.
The engine fault thing - well you can look at it happening very quickly after a car is made ( I have heard of 2 2005 model cars having had engine faults already after being driven hard on a track), or something that creeps up as the miles go on (hence earlier cars should have reached the threshold and had the necessary work done). For a £25K budget though for a £40-50K car, you are going to be looking at the earlier models.
I carried out my research and after looing at half a dozen cars, got a feeling for those that had been really well looked after and cherished by their owners. I parted with my cash for a car at a good price (that had had a rebuild) that came with a file full of receipts.
The engine fault thing - well you can look at it happening very quickly after a car is made ( I have heard of 2 2005 model cars having had engine faults already after being driven hard on a track), or something that creeps up as the miles go on (hence earlier cars should have reached the threshold and had the necessary work done). For a £25K budget though for a £40-50K car, you are going to be looking at the earlier models.
If this helps at all I have just upgraded my griff 500 for a Tuscan. After reading all the info and with chats with the factory I opted for a 2003 model from a dealer with a years warranty. I was told by the factory that the early (2000 - 2001?) s6 engines were let down when TVR recieved poor parts from an external supplier (followers etc.)
Dealer told me that to help extend engines longevity you should always ensure the engine is warm before stretching it - common sense I expect for all, but sound advice nonetheless!!
Dealer told me that to help extend engines longevity you should always ensure the engine is warm before stretching it - common sense I expect for all, but sound advice nonetheless!!
its the valve gear mostly - there are other faults like head gaskets going, throttle bodies wearing out early, but these are very rare.
On ours (and most others Ive heard of) you just get a rattly engine, and sometimes very high oil consumption...its still driveable.
Dunno on cost - seems to vary, ours was done under (aftermarket) warranty. The warranty is a gamble - it costs about a grand ....but its saved us about £5K so far.
If I was buying an early car again, I would try and get one with a recent rebuild - we had the choice when we got ours and went for the 'perfect' car - 'no engine probs ever' 'low miles' etc, in hindsight Id rather have one with a few more miles on that had a recent rebuild...or buy a post 2003 car thats running well and made it past the 10-15K mile mark OK
On ours (and most others Ive heard of) you just get a rattly engine, and sometimes very high oil consumption...its still driveable.
Dunno on cost - seems to vary, ours was done under (aftermarket) warranty. The warranty is a gamble - it costs about a grand ....but its saved us about £5K so far.
If I was buying an early car again, I would try and get one with a recent rebuild - we had the choice when we got ours and went for the 'perfect' car - 'no engine probs ever' 'low miles' etc, in hindsight Id rather have one with a few more miles on that had a recent rebuild...or buy a post 2003 car thats running well and made it past the 10-15K mile mark OK
"Did all you guys/gals buy knowing the situation and are simply braver/ richer/ dafter (Delete as appropriate) than me? "
I don't think you will find many rich Tuscan owners out there...unless their Tuscan is one of a collection of cars...we are not very brave either, you buy a Tuscan, it will cost you, it's as simple as that...so perhaps one could say that we are daft! However...
I have been trying to get myself to sell my Tuscan and buy an Exige for a couple of months now...and I can't! I replace my cars every 12 months maximum and this is the first time I am stuck! Stunning crystal topaz 2001 low mileage...faultless after spending a large chunk of my annual income on her! It is the kind of car you fall in love with, I remember seeing her on the net and shouting "I have just found my new car!" If I manage to convince myself, I will announce it here and in the classifieds...so stay tuned if you have not found something already...
I don't think you will find many rich Tuscan owners out there...unless their Tuscan is one of a collection of cars...we are not very brave either, you buy a Tuscan, it will cost you, it's as simple as that...so perhaps one could say that we are daft! However...
I have been trying to get myself to sell my Tuscan and buy an Exige for a couple of months now...and I can't! I replace my cars every 12 months maximum and this is the first time I am stuck! Stunning crystal topaz 2001 low mileage...faultless after spending a large chunk of my annual income on her! It is the kind of car you fall in love with, I remember seeing her on the net and shouting "I have just found my new car!" If I manage to convince myself, I will announce it here and in the classifieds...so stay tuned if you have not found something already...
I read everything i could and then bought a 2000 4.0 with a 2003 rebuild. (post 2002 rebuilds seem to have less faliures.)
Ive had it a year and LOVE it. Best and coolist thing i ever did. NO car turns heads like a Tuscan.
Ive had the tappits adjusted, and i think my throttle bodies are wearing. Other than this, no engine problems. My mate has a cerb 4.2 with big engine problems, in fact he has just paid ALOT for a red rose rebuild.
In short, they are big boys toys that can have big boys bills. But, in my experience no more or less than other TVR's and certainly no more than other super cars.......
Ive had it a year and LOVE it. Best and coolist thing i ever did. NO car turns heads like a Tuscan.
Ive had the tappits adjusted, and i think my throttle bodies are wearing. Other than this, no engine problems. My mate has a cerb 4.2 with big engine problems, in fact he has just paid ALOT for a red rose rebuild.
In short, they are big boys toys that can have big boys bills. But, in my experience no more or less than other TVR's and certainly no more than other super cars.......
If you up your budget to £28-30k you can get a 2003 car from a dealer with a warranty.
My experience of 2, admittedly new, Tuscans (which in some peoples view precludes me from having a valid opinion
) is that I have had absolutely no engine problems whatsoever. I was meticulous about running in and have always been fastidious about warming up the engine. (I have always followed the factory's advice on that one - warm it up as per instructions and then drive it like you stole it. 
)
My experience of 2, admittedly new, Tuscans (which in some peoples view precludes me from having a valid opinion
) is that I have had absolutely no engine problems whatsoever. I was meticulous about running in and have always been fastidious about warming up the engine. (I have always followed the factory's advice on that one - warm it up as per instructions and then drive it like you stole it. ) I'm a potential newbie. Just sold the S2000 (well 2 and a half months ago) and looking to pick up a Tuscan later on this year after my summer hols.
Mechanically I am not a genius... but I know about all the important bits and keeping things topped up. I initially looked at Chimaeras but never saw anything I fancied and I thought it felt a bit 'agricultural' to drive; although the sound was awesome.
Since then I have always loved the Tamora but in particular the Tuscan - something between 23 and 28k would be ideal; not too fussed about colour - but I'll know I'll like it when I see the colour that takes my fancy when I see it in the flesh - fickle that way.
I've already spoken to the TVR Club in Scotland and they've been really helpful. Reading on here about 'rebuilds' makes me think harder about things tho. So what exactly would a rebuild involve and which models does it affect the most??
Needless to say, I still love the TVR and I think the only way I can query TVR reliability (if indeed there is an issue - to which I am not overly concerned) is if I actually get out there and own one.
Mechanically I am not a genius... but I know about all the important bits and keeping things topped up. I initially looked at Chimaeras but never saw anything I fancied and I thought it felt a bit 'agricultural' to drive; although the sound was awesome.
Since then I have always loved the Tamora but in particular the Tuscan - something between 23 and 28k would be ideal; not too fussed about colour - but I'll know I'll like it when I see the colour that takes my fancy when I see it in the flesh - fickle that way.
I've already spoken to the TVR Club in Scotland and they've been really helpful. Reading on here about 'rebuilds' makes me think harder about things tho. So what exactly would a rebuild involve and which models does it affect the most??
Needless to say, I still love the TVR and I think the only way I can query TVR reliability (if indeed there is an issue - to which I am not overly concerned) is if I actually get out there and own one.
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