Potential new buyer, help needed!
Discussion
Ok i have abit of a dilemma.....im just about to turn 23 i have 25k to spend on my next car and ive just had a reasonable quote on a 4.0 2002 tuscan convertable (£2,178). Now my plan was to buy a porsche boxster 3.2 S possibly on a 02 plate as they are decent cars and once 3 years old seem to hold there value quite well.....but ive always seen the tuscan as one of the best looking cars on the planet, and the fact i got a supprisingly decent quote has got me thinking if i should go for one or not.....my main worry is all these horror stories im reading on this forum about engine rebuilds etc....could someone please explain why they need there engines rebuilt after such low mileage?? and how much this costs?? Im desperate to get something powerful and good looking but in all honesty i havent got the money to be spending 3 to 4 grand a year on repairs. Any help with my questions would be greatly appriciated.
Oh and anyone have any other suggestions for a 25k budget. BMW M3 was a thought or possibly a BMW Z4 3.0. What do u guys think?
Thanks.
Oh and anyone have any other suggestions for a 25k budget. BMW M3 was a thought or possibly a BMW Z4 3.0. What do u guys think?
Thanks.
mark198305 said:
but in all honesty i havent got the money to be spending 3 to 4 grand a year on repairs. Any help with my questions would be greatly appriciated.
Mark - welcome to the forum firstly. Good to see you are considering entering Tuscan ownership, but would recommend you spend some considerable time scouring the forums - including the speed six one - to really get a firm appreciation of ownership. There are many threads similar to yours with tonnes of advice (lots of different opinions as well!).
There are many who have spent no where near 3-4k on repairs in a year (assuming this figure excludes servicing/tyres?). Equally so, I have been unlucky enough to have had to spend around this amt - and it would have been more had my engine not been covered by warranty. There are also others in a worse position as well regrettably. Generally, things to consider
- new clutch can be between £800-£1500 (often needed around 15-20k miles, occ earlier)
- new radiator app £300-£400
- new suspension (can be > £1k ?)
- new sensors/speedo - around £100 each time
- new engine, if not covered by warranty (and most aftermarket warrantys do not excepting TVR's own), likely to be over £3k and potentially more.
E mail me if further guidance needed, but there are tonnes of top people here who have also submitted advice via PH threads. Best of luck - and I don't regret it a minute.
mark198305 said:
Im desperate to get something powerful
One other thing Mark - not sure what you drive now, but recommend a Ride Drive or similar course to build up a real appreciation for what the Tuscan can do. Could help with insurance costs, but most importantly, confidence and awareness of the car and your abilities. This is not your standard car.....
Hi there, thanks for the advice......i called a TVR dealership today to ask a few questions and they said that for around a thousand pounds i could get a 1 year mechanical and electrical warranty but that does not cover parts that need replacing due to wear and tear......the 1 question i really need answering is ......Does an engine rebuild for example usually need doing through wear and tear or are most examples of TVR's needing there engine rebuilt due to mechanical faults, bad engineering etc? because if its a case that things such as rebuilds of engines are caused by mechanical faults that a warranty would cover i think i may just take the dive and go for a tuscan. Do u know the answer to this question by any chance??
Thanks again for the advice, 25k is alot of money and i wanna make sure i spend it smartly.
Thanks again for the advice, 25k is alot of money and i wanna make sure i spend it smartly.
Mark - the answer to the engine question as regards engineering is one which has been addressed literally thousands of times on PH and I would recommend a detailed review of the Sp 6 forum for detail.
As regards the warranty, it is my understanding that this does cover the full engine (and therefore the issues which have historically impacted it) - but remember you also need to include in the cost a full 100 point inspection which will also need to be factored in. Warranty is a great idea - shame it was not there when all of my problems arose
As regards the warranty, it is my understanding that this does cover the full engine (and therefore the issues which have historically impacted it) - but remember you also need to include in the cost a full 100 point inspection which will also need to be factored in. Warranty is a great idea - shame it was not there when all of my problems arose
Like yourself mark I am young (26 years old) with a bit of cash to spend on a decent car. About 2 years ago I was going to buy a second hand 911. Then I happened to chance upon a tuscan and immediatley knew that was the car for me. Everyone said I would be mad to buy one because of the reliability issues etc. That was 2 years ago and last week I picked up my car. I waited until the right one came along and brushed up my knowledge on these TVR posts on PH. I've bought a 2001 model with full engine rebuild not so long ago with a new clutch fitted 200 miles ago. I also took it to be checked over and was told it was in good shape. I've come to the conclusion that you don't want to buy a tiv on a whim, it's all about buying with confidence. Do your homework, speak to other owners, and decide exactly what it is you want. Then wait for it to come along. By the way 3 weeks ago a very good friend of mine purchased an immaculate 2002 3.2s boxster which I drove for a couple of days. One thing I noticed was I saw about 5 or 6 other porsches on the road everyday. Not one TVR. Buy a tuscan and YOU WILL be noticed.
Its good to go in with your eyes open and expect a few problems however if you can cope with ownership costs of £1.25 a mile (see profile) the cars are fantastic, will introduce you to lots of new people (including mechanics) and put a grin on your face whenever you think about the car never mind driving it. I don't regret getting mine one bit but it does cause me heartache sometimes - I got rid of the Jag because although it was a fantastic car for long journeys it did not have the same grin factor.
If it is what you want and you can afford it - go for it. If the cost is marginal, think that you only live once but beware.
Bob
If it is what you want and you can afford it - go for it. If the cost is marginal, think that you only live once but beware.
Bob
Mark Hi, Brilliant stuff, that you have asked the right questions straight away. Craig (mustang baz) has concerns from what vehicle you have driven before, I echo this. No electronic gizzmos, to keep you safe, and they can seem a bit raw.
Certainly British, with some interesting quirks, after all its built by stark raving mad northerners!!
Dont worry about the speed six rebuild problems, I think the SP6 has been played about with quite a lot now to know the fundamental faults. Its not that expensive to fix, and will certainly get a whole lot cheaper in the future. It does depend on what part is going wrong. (Read Chris Cookes fix - cheap way round)
Of course the lack of documentation and help from TVR causes the "What shall I do-doom" effect in the speed six forum (me too), it is after all where problem questions are posted. This may sway the other way (and beleive it already is), to a more positive place to read.
Ruddy ace, at your age you are doing well, and to be in the arkward position your grey matter has put you in!
IMO; Spend £23,000 on a good Tuscan, and a wool hat (with piston heads on it), and spend the rest on a Toyota Corrolla, to turn invisible once again, and for re-calibration of driving ordinariness.
edit; as I thought of somethig to say after clicking the button
>> Edited by justinbaker on Saturday 17th December 08:19
Certainly British, with some interesting quirks, after all its built by stark raving mad northerners!!
Dont worry about the speed six rebuild problems, I think the SP6 has been played about with quite a lot now to know the fundamental faults. Its not that expensive to fix, and will certainly get a whole lot cheaper in the future. It does depend on what part is going wrong. (Read Chris Cookes fix - cheap way round)
Of course the lack of documentation and help from TVR causes the "What shall I do-doom" effect in the speed six forum (me too), it is after all where problem questions are posted. This may sway the other way (and beleive it already is), to a more positive place to read.
Ruddy ace, at your age you are doing well, and to be in the arkward position your grey matter has put you in!
IMO; Spend £23,000 on a good Tuscan, and a wool hat (with piston heads on it), and spend the rest on a Toyota Corrolla, to turn invisible once again, and for re-calibration of driving ordinariness.
edit; as I thought of somethig to say after clicking the button
>> Edited by justinbaker on Saturday 17th December 08:19
I'm new to the world of TVR ownership too. I bought my 2001 Tuscan red rose about 8 months ago with it just having had a full engine re-build. I was in the same situation, with having some free cash to spend and not knowing what to buy. I had owned an M3 CSL, then test drove a porsche 996 and ferrari 355, and finally a tuscan........after that, there was never even an ounce of doubt what I was going to buy!
Like most of the guys here are saying, speak to TVR owners and enthusiasts (not main dealers) and you'll get a good feel for what they're all about. Yes, there are horror stories and these are the ones that people shout about, but if you ask arround there are lots more happy tuscan owners than not! Do your research and be patient, then the right car will come up.
What really sold it to me was when my brother asked, "which other car will give you the combination of mind-blowing acceleration and speed and that kind of head-turning ability for that sort of money!" JOB DONE!
Like most of the guys here are saying, speak to TVR owners and enthusiasts (not main dealers) and you'll get a good feel for what they're all about. Yes, there are horror stories and these are the ones that people shout about, but if you ask arround there are lots more happy tuscan owners than not! Do your research and be patient, then the right car will come up.
What really sold it to me was when my brother asked, "which other car will give you the combination of mind-blowing acceleration and speed and that kind of head-turning ability for that sort of money!" JOB DONE!
When I was 25 I went into Tuscan ownership in pretty much exactly the same circumstances, except my choice was Cerbera or Tuscan, and it was a 2000 Tuscan I chose a couple of years ago.
I bought a warranty, and luckily this paid for the clutch which went bang (literally) a few days later. What I was not prepared for was the £3000 of fixes in nine months which the warranty did not cover. Of course, I did not have the rebuild otherwise this would have been another £5000.
Of course this £3000 figure does not cover the usual stuff like tyres, oil and servicing.
My opinion is it is a stunning car, and there is *nothing* to touch it for around £20k in my opinion.
However (even without rebuild work) on a Tuscan which is three of four years old, you could very easily be paying for a warranty, 12,000 mile service, clutch, suspension all round, radiator, rear tyres (worn) front tyres (poor alignment so only 5000 miles!), new pod, and random wiring problems. This is about £5500 for a year of running, and what I went through in just nine months! The other factor I found was that all of the mentioned problems were *not* covered by the warranty. The only grey area was the clutch. The warranty company didnt pay out at first, and they sent an engineer across the country and made me wait another week whilst they verified the clutch was broken not worn.
If you have the money, go for it. You will love it. But, ownership could become a nightmare if you dont have a fund to cover the faults when they arise, or dont have funds for a spare runabout or hire car. My dealer, Gorners were excellent and supplied a courtesy car at no cost each time. Get a good relationship with a good dealer quickly, they will be your source of information as well as mechanical help. Also make sure the warranty *would* cover engine rebuild worn. I would be sickened if I had spent £1000 on a warranty to find that I would then have to fork out for a £5000 rebuild on top.
I bought a warranty, and luckily this paid for the clutch which went bang (literally) a few days later. What I was not prepared for was the £3000 of fixes in nine months which the warranty did not cover. Of course, I did not have the rebuild otherwise this would have been another £5000.
Of course this £3000 figure does not cover the usual stuff like tyres, oil and servicing.
My opinion is it is a stunning car, and there is *nothing* to touch it for around £20k in my opinion.
However (even without rebuild work) on a Tuscan which is three of four years old, you could very easily be paying for a warranty, 12,000 mile service, clutch, suspension all round, radiator, rear tyres (worn) front tyres (poor alignment so only 5000 miles!), new pod, and random wiring problems. This is about £5500 for a year of running, and what I went through in just nine months! The other factor I found was that all of the mentioned problems were *not* covered by the warranty. The only grey area was the clutch. The warranty company didnt pay out at first, and they sent an engineer across the country and made me wait another week whilst they verified the clutch was broken not worn.
If you have the money, go for it. You will love it. But, ownership could become a nightmare if you dont have a fund to cover the faults when they arise, or dont have funds for a spare runabout or hire car. My dealer, Gorners were excellent and supplied a courtesy car at no cost each time. Get a good relationship with a good dealer quickly, they will be your source of information as well as mechanical help. Also make sure the warranty *would* cover engine rebuild worn. I would be sickened if I had spent £1000 on a warranty to find that I would then have to fork out for a £5000 rebuild on top.
I am in the same situation, 24 and looking to buy a Cerbera or Tuscan in the New year. I have been reading this forum for a month now and will continue to do so until April/May when i will then be able to buy with confidence.
In the mean time i am saving into a 'my TVR has broken again' account for the big repairs that WILL happen, so as not to affect my monthly disposable income on a regular basis!
I have met with a Cerb owner who uses this forum and been to an organised meet and gained invaluable advice and would recommend this to anyone who is looking to buy.
I also considered a Boxster S, Vx220Turbo and a few others but nothing gets me excited like a TVR!
In the mean time i am saving into a 'my TVR has broken again' account for the big repairs that WILL happen, so as not to affect my monthly disposable income on a regular basis!
I have met with a Cerb owner who uses this forum and been to an organised meet and gained invaluable advice and would recommend this to anyone who is looking to buy.
I also considered a Boxster S, Vx220Turbo and a few others but nothing gets me excited like a TVR!
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