Should I buy a tuscan or an Esprit?

[adam g]

Hey,

My dilema is pretty simple. I have had 3 Esprts so far and love 'em to death. I also had a Griff that seemed to spend more time in the dealer than it did on the road.

For me, the big issue is one of reliability as the cars are very different beasts. With the Esprit I am easily able to spot a god car and if something goes bang I know where to take it to get it done cheaply, well and rapidly. With TVR I can't do that yet.

I am probably looking for a 2000 car. What do I need to look out for, how reliable or otherwise are they and what are the downsides? I know the upsides already!

I am veering towards an Esprit as I know them well and have always loved them and also as I was less than wild about the Griff I had. However, having had 3 Esprits already, including a V8, maybe it would be fun to have something else for a bit and the Tuscan is the only other thing that apeals right now.

Any thoughts or advice?

Cheers

A

[MarkoTVR]

Have a change, go for the Tuscan. Can't speak from experience as I don't have one (yet!), but my 2p is that if you don't give it a shot you'll never know.

As for advice, all I can say is read these forums like they are the only pages on the entire Internet, do the usual like speak to owners and get down to some meets, and also get it touch with a chap who goes by the handle TSS. He's done a HUGE Tuscan buying guide/checklist which is probably more comprehensive than the factory build sheets were!

Being pretty much in the same situation as yourself, it seems to me that you just need to do your 'homework', take your time and then take your pick. Keep some emergency funding aside after your purchase (most say about £4-5k) and then have some fun.

Probably a lesson in egg sucking there, seeing as you've got a sports car history, but hey......

[TSS]

MarkoTVR said:

and also get it touch with a chap who goes by the handle TSS. He's done a HUGE Tuscan buying guide/checklist which is probably more comprehensive than the factory build sheets were!

Thanks MarkoTVR, that’s a very kind complement on my check list.

To download a copy please go to www.carfurniture.co.uk and click the small grey link in the bottom right corner of the homepage. It will take a few minutes if you’re on dial-up.


>> Edited by TSS on Tuesday 6th December 12:42

[man0war]

hey adam, I was also looking around for a good "grin factor" sports car a little while ago. I dove everything, from the modern, soft sports cars like the new crossfire SRT-, to a 911 Porsche. None of them really got me going, then one day I saw a purple (or Rolex Blue - as TVR calls it) Tuscan. Took that for a drive, and YES, that was it. My 2p worth of advice is to drive it, and if it feels like it's an extension of you, go for it. That's what my Tuscan is to me. It feels like it's part of me, probably my better half (hope my wif'es not going to read this, as she thinks she's my better half). I'm not new to the fast car brigade, pretty much like yourself, as I own an AC Cobra too, and so am used to the white nuckle ride, but NOTHING, not even my Cobra can put a grin on my face like the Tuscan can. If it were up to me, I'd say go for the Tuscan, with all the quircks, they are the best.

[turboman]

Why not drive the two back to back at a dealer that has both.

Obviously I cant blatantly advertise, but if you look at my profile, youll have a fair idea of who I would suggest.

[adam g]

First up - thanks for all the advice. It's easy to forget that this is a pretty large forum as it is rare that a forum of the size of PH is so friendly!

Marko and TSS - thanks for that. I will download that checklist tonight and go through it. Much appreciate the link.

Turboman - I know the place to which you refer from a meet there about a year ago - hope I am not breaking any rules when I say it's a really nice place and thanks for the coffee! I'll email you tonight about your suggestion.

On practicle level - I know most of the Lotus specilists which helps run the cars at a far lower cot than I could do through the network and I alo hve a number of friends at the factory who help out with advice, particularly as if I go that route the mods I want to make are a little unusual! Are there any good TVR independants in N. London? I wouldn't look to mod the Tuscan.

Lotus are indeed bringing out a new Esprit at some stage in 2007. Subject to business and of course to what the car is like I may well order one so a big part of the appeal of a Tuscan is to have a change for a year. Plus that noise.... mmmm!

I am will buy no earlier than January and will buy as soon as I find the right car, be it a Tuscan or an Esprit.

[adam g]

And another thing (Ted - hope I am not breaking any rules here!). Just spoke to turbo man and I am sure I will pay him a visit soon. Gave me some really good advice about both cars. I think I will simply look for both and when I find an Esprit or a Tuscan that fits the bill, I'll buy it. Roll on January!