Buying a Tuscan S

[Ortux]

Hi all,
I have been looking at buying my first TVR & I have always had a soft spot for the Tuscan, who wouldn't! (BTW, looked at one years ago & bought an M3 instead, sorry!) I have been looking for a number of months now and and maybe suffering from paralysis by analysis, looking for a perfect car. But my god they drive great. . . . .

Thing is I want a good car I can drive 75% of the year, maybe all year but we'll see how we go. I can see a number of good looking cars but they seem to have been hanging around for a while which makes me nervous.(Pre-brexit market perhaps?) Whilst not wanting to encourage slander or any other ungentlemanly behaviour I was wondering if anyone could steer me to a really good 'S' currently for sale? Failing that, perhaps PM me with any info on ones to avoid?

I have been & visited a few, both private & trade & I chatted to some real good characters along the way. I do have my eye on one which looks great, had a drive, all good, but its been knocking around for a while. Chatted to the people that serviced it for several years & they had great things to say about it. They also explained why it was sold & told me why in their opinion the guy selling it would not find one like it again!

To that end, I have, aside form convincing the wife, decided on what appears to be a great car but just wanted to ask those in the know whether I could be about to either tread on a mine or start really enjoying the two hours I currently waste on the commute to & from work.

Apologies if this appears cryptic but I understand that we should not openly upset anyone.

Thanks in advance.

[robsco]

This one I have looked at several times and am trying to keep away:

https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...

You don't mention your budget, this is right at the top end of the market but it will sell to the right buyer. Str8Six's cars are renowned for being the best prepared cars on the market, though saying this I have never bought from them.

[de Sade]

I bought my Tuscan S a year and a half ago and had no issues except a sore face from smiling all the bloody time I am in it !.I have had a Cerbera and a Tuscan 2 and both the Tuscans have been totally reliable and a joy to own.The car Robsco mentioned looks gorgeous and is what I paid for mine and with that dealer you would have huge peace of mind but all I can say is go for it. For a car that is nearly 20 years old in some cases they are magnificent.As is always mentioned service history, service history service history.now get that deposit paid .

[rockits]

The Tuscan was always my favourite TVR. Always wanted a V8 and an RV8 at that to give that full characterful TVR experience. The Speed 6 just didn't quite click for me sound wise although it drove really well and seems a cracking engine. Reliability of the Speed 6 always worried me. The RV8 is a bit more of an old school agricultural V8 for me which is half the attraction for me personally.

Maybe an LS in a Tuscan would work well 😀

[MikeE]

robsco said:

This one I have looked at several times and am trying to keep away:

https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...

You don't mention your budget, this is right at the top end of the market but it will sell to the right buyer. Str8Six's cars are renowned for being the best prepared cars on the market, though saying this I have never bought from them.

Surely a top budget 9,000 mile car doesn’t fit with the brief fir a car to use 75% of the year. To me a very low mileage car would/should remain a garage Queen otherwise you’ll destroy the value using it.

[deeen]

MikeE said:

robsco said:

This one I have looked at several times and am trying to keep away:

https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...

You don't mention your budget, this is right at the top end of the market but it will sell to the right buyer. Str8Six's cars are renowned for being the best prepared cars on the market, though saying this I have never bought from them.

Surely a top budget 9,000 mile car doesn’t fit with the brief fir a car to use 75% of the year. To me a very low mileage car would/should remain a garage Queen otherwise you’ll destroy the value using it.

+1, I would be looking for a cheaper car that's already had an engine rebuild by a trusted centre. Ok I'm biased, 'cos that's what I did!

[robsco]

deeen said:

MikeE said:

robsco said:

This one I have looked at several times and am trying to keep away:

https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...

You don't mention your budget, this is right at the top end of the market but it will sell to the right buyer. Str8Six's cars are renowned for being the best prepared cars on the market, though saying this I have never bought from them.

Surely a top budget 9,000 mile car doesn’t fit with the brief fir a car to use 75% of the year. To me a very low mileage car would/should remain a garage Queen otherwise you’ll destroy the value using it.

+1, I would be looking for a cheaper car that's already had an engine rebuild by a trusted centre. Ok I'm biased, 'cos that's what I did!

That depends on whether he wants a car which he can keep a couple of years, use daily and still sell with relatively low miles or whether he intends to run it to very high miles. If he wants to use a Tuscan as a commuter car, he needs to start with the best car he can.

[m4tti]

robsco said:

This one I have looked at several times and am trying to keep away:

https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...

You don't mention your budget, this is right at the top end of the market but it will sell to the right buyer. Str8Six's cars are renowned for being the best prepared cars on the market, though saying this I have never bought from them.

I think we’re seeing a re-positioning of the market widely. 40k would be ambitious if not miraculous, as things like gallardos hit late 50’s again. It simply doesn’t make sense.

[robsco]

m4tti said:

robsco said:

This one I have looked at several times and am trying to keep away:

https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...

You don't mention your budget, this is right at the top end of the market but it will sell to the right buyer. Str8Six's cars are renowned for being the best prepared cars on the market, though saying this I have never bought from them.

I think we’re seeing a re-positioning of the market widely. 40k would be ambitious if not miraculous, as things like gallardos hit late 50’s again. It simply doesn’t make sense.

Part of the reason I let my Sag go, Matt.

[deeen]

robsco said:

That depends on whether he wants a car which he can keep a couple of years, use daily and still sell with relatively low miles or whether he intends to run it to very high miles. If he wants to use a Tuscan as a commuter car, he needs to start with the best car he can.

That's kind of my point... IMHO, "the best car he can" is one that has already had a rebuild, and thus been improved on how it left the factory. If he did 10000 miles a year, after 2 years he could be into rebuild territory anyway... and as mentioned, it would no longer be a £40k car.

[robsco]

deeen said:

robsco said:

That depends on whether he wants a car which he can keep a couple of years, use daily and still sell with relatively low miles or whether he intends to run it to very high miles. If he wants to use a Tuscan as a commuter car, he needs to start with the best car he can.

That's kind of my point... IMHO, "the best car he can" is one that has already had a rebuild, and thus been improved on how it left the factory. If he did 10000 miles a year, after 2 years he could be into rebuild territory anyway... and as mentioned, it would no longer be a £40k car.

Fair point. I wouldnt use one for commuting if you paid me, but that’s just me.

[m4tti]

robsco said:

Part of the reason I let my Sag go, Matt.

All though probably a bit frustrating after short ownership, I’d say you probably played that well.

We’re coming out of odd time’s, brexit, IR35 annoyance, and add to that the changes in power train technology are in flight.

[Ortux]

Thanks for the replies.
Thought process us to run it for smiles as much as I can for at least 3 years. Maybe keep, see how we go. Budget was around 30k but with some flex for the right car. (Likely needed)
I love the idea of an honest proper car, no ABS etc. Something I can feel whilst driving. I have driven 4 different 'S' Tuscans so far and liked the feel although they all seem different characters. I am thinking why not enjoy the daily commute rather than tolerate it.
Perhaps the Tuscan is the wrong choice for the brief & if so what would be an alternative choice or is that a question for a different thread?
Thanks again.

[rockits]

I've very much enjoyed the V8 Vantage and seems pretty well built and tough enough to deal with plenty of miles and daily duties. Still very much an old school analogue car with plenty of feel though. A real drivers car.

[Englishman]

Ortux said:

Thanks for the replies.
I am thinking why not enjoy the daily commute rather than tolerate it.

That was exactly my attitude for many years covering a 100 mile M4 commute. If you enjoy the drive because of what you are driving, you stay more alert and are probably a better driver as a result. I have used many TVR's for this purpose and they are all fine for commuting IMHO.

[m4tti]

Or conversely think about winter mornings. Dark and wet with a car that leaks, mists up and the windscreen wipers are rubbish.

Then those mornings when your knackered with a bit of a cold, it’s hammering down, there’s traffic, youre doing 50 and there’s load of standing water. You won’t be able to lose concentration for a second, if you do you’ll probably find yourself needing a recovery truck.

Obviously on those warm sunny days it’ll be awesome, but the romance of no abs and no traction control will wear off very quickly.

For about the same money now I’d look at a Maserati gran tourismo with a bit of a rowdy exhaust.

[SFTWend]

My thoughts have turned to a Tuscan the last couple of summers as a weekend car. There is a grey "S" that has been for sale privately in PH classifieds for ages that appears good value at mid £20's given the description. But then I think, hang on that's Aston Vantage money and struggle to accept it's worth the same as an Aston despite being special and more rare.

I'm with Rockets and would go the Vantage route for a useable reliable year round car,

[rockits]

I really always wanted a Tuscan and it looks fab for me. The issues for me started occurring with the Tuscan price levels and these have been fairly static for some years. The prices are roughly between £20k-£50k for years say 2000-2006. As a high end example:
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...

£55k! Seems a whole chunk of change to me. Not saying anyone would want one in comparison but that buys a brand spanking new Cayman S or Jag F Type.

To put that into perspective what was the Tuscan base price new in 2006? Was it £50k ish? The Vantage was £80k.

So a 13 year old Tuscan is £50k and a 13 year old Vantage V8 is £25k. This is my point and my problem. If they were both the same price then the Tuscan could have got a look in for me. However with the Vantage at half the price for me unfortunately it was a no brainer.

Yes, the Vantage is heavier for sure but they make similar power. I expect running costs to be similar and the engine in the Aston seems to be stronger. The chassis is much better and the structure of the car much stiffer.

I really love the Tuscan for what it is but to part with my hard earned the Vantage just made a lot more sense. The Tuscan was just too much money for me to justify in comparison. I love TVR's and am on my third but there is some very strong tempting competition out there these days.

[TVR4US]

That car you have flagged up has been for sale for two years now, interior is st, and it was for sale privately for £12000 LESS.
I really loved the 4 Tuscans I owned from Mk1s through to Mk3 converts, but I could never pay the prices that are being asked, the cars are just not worth it, that’s why they are not selling.

[rockits]

Thanks for confirming about this particular Tuscan. I wasn't aware of that. There is a definite theme as there have been many cars I've known that have been sale for a long time.

Surely when there are no enquiries and no deals close to being done then the car has issues that need addressing. Whether that be price, colour, spec or other issues.

The market has changed for the betterfor buyers but worse for sellers. Not a little either and I don't see it getting better.only worse. Some sellers really need to be much more realistic with the selling prices or they will not sell. The longer they are not sold the less change that they will sell. There is then ongoing service and maintenance costs that need to be met. Or the maintenance is not done and the sale becomes harder still.

I never understood Sagaris prices going to nearly 100k. However I don't get much of
all these increased prices of all classic cars. Would I ever buy a used car for more than the new price? I don't think so. With ongoing servicing and maintenance and potentially big bills on many of these types of cars not just TVR's it just doesn't make sense IMHO.