Discussion
It’s obvious when scanning the forums that folk nearly always post about issues, problems and such like.
As a percentage, the positive & hassle-free ownership threads are far less.
Yet still, I hanker for a Tuscan. And I’m in Portugal.
How stupid am I to consider a Tuscan when there are zero (as far as I’m aware) specialists down here?
Abuse welcome!
As a percentage, the positive & hassle-free ownership threads are far less.
Yet still, I hanker for a Tuscan. And I’m in Portugal.
How stupid am I to consider a Tuscan when there are zero (as far as I’m aware) specialists down here?
Abuse welcome!
I'm assuming like me you're not too handy with a spanner.
I purchased a very good Mk1 about 5 years ago from a specialist. I've only put on around 1500 miles in 5 years, used in the dry, on a trickle charger over winter, garaged all year round and apart from servicing and preventative maintenance works (hoses etc) only let me down due to a duff battery.
I would think if you purchased the best example you can afford (the likes of str8six etc) explained to them what you wanted to do, they would probably help with a preventative maintenance plan. Then talk to a few reputable sports car specialist in Portugal and get a discuss how they can look after it.
With some planning (and budgeting) and realistic expectations it will be well worth it!
I purchased a very good Mk1 about 5 years ago from a specialist. I've only put on around 1500 miles in 5 years, used in the dry, on a trickle charger over winter, garaged all year round and apart from servicing and preventative maintenance works (hoses etc) only let me down due to a duff battery.
I would think if you purchased the best example you can afford (the likes of str8six etc) explained to them what you wanted to do, they would probably help with a preventative maintenance plan. Then talk to a few reputable sports car specialist in Portugal and get a discuss how they can look after it.
With some planning (and budgeting) and realistic expectations it will be well worth it!
Edited by Mouse Rat on Sunday 21st March 20:46
Mouse Rat said:
I'm assuming like me you're not too handy with a spanner.
I’m definitely not a mechanic, but I can do basic bits and bobs. Edited by Mouse Rat on Sunday 21st March 20:46
I’d love to buy from one of the UK specialists, but it’s just not feasible, post Brexs
t. The taxes applied to importing a car from outside of the EU are extortionate!I’ve been on Mobile.de and there are a couple there that may fit the bill. If I can swallow the brave pill...
I am not much of a hands on unless its made of wood so my car is looked after by a good friend and TVR Specialist.
I have driven down to Spain and also down to the Algarve almost every year for the past 15 years in my current Tuscan.
One serious breakdown on the way home with Engine Management Comp burning so shipped home.
One less so, dead alternator, sorted in France and continued on the Spain.
Also driven many times to Germany and had so few problems.
I have driven down to Spain and also down to the Algarve almost every year for the past 15 years in my current Tuscan.
One serious breakdown on the way home with Engine Management Comp burning so shipped home.
One less so, dead alternator, sorted in France and continued on the Spain.
Also driven many times to Germany and had so few problems.
I am no mechanic either.(thats why we have garages).
Bought a mk1 Tuscan 5 years ago. it’s a toy so goes out only on nice days and lives in the garage on a trickle charger. Touch wood it’s been 100% reliable and never let me down. Maybe I was just lucky or is it that they are better on reliability than reading the forum would suggest.
Don’t forget people use these forums when they have a problem but nobody tends to use it to tell you how good and reliable their car has been. Perhaps we should!!
Enjoy yours if you take the plunge.
Bought a mk1 Tuscan 5 years ago. it’s a toy so goes out only on nice days and lives in the garage on a trickle charger. Touch wood it’s been 100% reliable and never let me down. Maybe I was just lucky or is it that they are better on reliability than reading the forum would suggest.
Don’t forget people use these forums when they have a problem but nobody tends to use it to tell you how good and reliable their car has been. Perhaps we should!!
Enjoy yours if you take the plunge.
If I had to do it, I’d make sure the car was in excellent condition with a check over by a UK specialist
Then I’d try to use it as regularly as possible. Hopefully the Portuguese climate might allow the car to be used all year round.
Finally I’d have to find a friendly local mechanic.
TVRs aren’t alien technology - they’re fairly ordinary stuff bizarrely arranged.
A good mechanic ought to be able to work it all out. They’d just need telling where things like batteries are and how to open doors and bonnets. They may enjoy working on something different.
Then I’d try to use it as regularly as possible. Hopefully the Portuguese climate might allow the car to be used all year round.
Finally I’d have to find a friendly local mechanic.
TVRs aren’t alien technology - they’re fairly ordinary stuff bizarrely arranged.
A good mechanic ought to be able to work it all out. They’d just need telling where things like batteries are and how to open doors and bonnets. They may enjoy working on something different.
swisstoni said:
If I had to do it, I’d make sure the car was in excellent condition with a check over by a UK specialist
Then I’d try to use it as regularly as possible. Hopefully the Portuguese climate might allow the car to be used all year round.
Finally I’d have to find a friendly local mechanic.
TVRs aren’t alien technology - they’re fairly ordinary stuff bizarrely arranged.
A good mechanic ought to be able to work it all out. They’d just need telling where things like batteries are and how to open doors and bonnets. They may enjoy working on something different.
Good points. I’d love to buy one from the UK, but since BrexsThen I’d try to use it as regularly as possible. Hopefully the Portuguese climate might allow the car to be used all year round.
Finally I’d have to find a friendly local mechanic.
TVRs aren’t alien technology - they’re fairly ordinary stuff bizarrely arranged.
A good mechanic ought to be able to work it all out. They’d just need telling where things like batteries are and how to open doors and bonnets. They may enjoy working on something different.
t the import costs are off the charts here in Portugal. I don’t fancy giving cash away to the government here, so I’ll need to buy within the EU. Driven 60,000 miles over 11 years, most of the issue have occurred in the past few years due to failure of aging components like the Lamba sensor and clutch. Some of the issues can be tricky to find since they don't consistently fail. They are great cars. I can't think of any modern equivalent. But are not that reliable any more.
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