Cat C write off....effect on resale???

[scottja]

I am looking to buy a Tuscan. A friend of mine runs a small business trading in second hand sports cars. He has a 2001 'Y' Tuscan, 11k miles and 1 previous owner, full TVR service history for £18k. Seems like a very good price, but having checked the plate it was written off last year as a cat C write off (my friend has been quite open about this).

I understand a motorbike hit the front, it is currently being rebuilt. He tells me this will be done to the highest possible standard and will then be sent to be checked over by AutoLign Inspections.

Now I trust my friend completely that this car will be in perfect condition, when I come to buy it and I will buy it on that faith. Naturally when I come to resell it, people will (quite rightly) not have the same faith in me. How is this likely to effect the resale price, were I to sell in a year or two, with the Autolign certification?

Also just for someone new to the TVR world....what should I (roughly) budget for a years running costs, excluding insurance, petrol, speeding fines (!!) etc. Just for services, tyres etc??

Thanks for in advance for any advice.....

[HarryW]

Don't know about cat C, but a cat D would normally attract a 20-30% reduction off the normal 'clean car' price. I would check 'like vehicle' prices in the adverts and factor in at least that into the price if where myself buying. If properly done then there is no reason why a cat D/C shouldn't be a worse car, however I think if any seller is expecting zero affect because of the history they are deluding theselves. Another factor in early Tuscans to consider if is they have had the 'necessary work' on the engine or not.
Personally I wouldn't buy one if the price didn't reflect both these facts. As they say though the choice is yours.............

[blutusc]

Why don't you buy a non Cat C/D tuscan for 18K!!!!! There are quite a few around (mine included) for that sort of price .

Simon

[scottja]

Where can I see the details of yours then Simon?

[HarryW]

blutusc said:

Why don't you buy a non Cat C/D tuscan for 18K!!!!! There are quite a few around (mine included) for that sort of price . Simon

Didn't like to say exact prices, but yes there are a few tuscans to had for that money including the necessary work.
tbh if it were me I wouldn't pay more than £12-14K for it, but thats me................

[scottja]

Another beginners question....Necessary engine work??? What is this and what is the cost likely to be? If I were to buy form a recognised dealer, on an '01 Tuscan, should I expect any sort of warranty?

[Bob the Planner]

scottja said:

.... How is this likely to effect the resale price, were I to sell in a year or two, with the Autolign certification? Also just for someone new to the TVR world....what should I (roughly) budget for a years running costs, excluding insurance, petrol, speeding fines (!!) etc. Just for services, tyres etc?? Thanks for in advance for any advice.....

I would say that the resale price would be 3-5k down on a comparable car.

Running costs would depend on mileage but 400-1000 per service depending on whether independant or full dealer every 6000 mls, tyres £150 per corner every 10-15k mls depending on how you drive it, then disks & pads - All assuming you don't head for the track in which case it will be a lot more often. Mine appears to be about 30p/ml without insurance/petrol/depreciation and petrol is only 1/7th of the total ownership cost

scottja said:

Another beginners question....Necessary engine work??? What is this and what is the cost likely to be? If I were to buy form a recognised dealer, on an '01 Tuscan, should I expect any sort of warranty?

Don't know for the engine work but not cheap. Probably more cost effective to wait until its a bit noisy and then get a rebuild. I could be wrong though.

I would expect a full years warranty including engine / clutch / gearbox from a dealer no matter what age the car is.

[justinp1]

HarryW said:

blutusc said: Why don't you buy a non Cat C/D tuscan for 18K!!!!! There are quite a few around (mine included) for that sort of price . Simon Didn't like to say exact prices, but yes there are a few tuscans to had for that money including the necessary work. tbh if it were me I wouldn't pay more than £12-14K for it, but thats me................

I agree. Because there are plenty of 2000-2001 tuscans out there and not many people buying them, people with non-repaired cars are having trouble selling. It would take a big price incentive to take the risk on a cat C/D even if it has been repaired properly.

[Mustang Baz]

scottja said:

Another beginners question....Necessary engine work??? What is this and what is the cost likely to be? If I were to buy form a recognised dealer, on an '01 Tuscan, should I expect any sort of warranty?

James - would really recommend spending a decent period of time trawling the forums here for background on the Tuscan running costs (there are literally hundreds of postings, many very detailed), on warranty matters, and then time on the Speed Six forum for background and information on the engine matters mentioned. There is wealth of experience here, obviously differing opinions, but invaluable facts to boot. Also - there have been about 4 or 5 new posters on the Tuscan site recently with similar questions to yours which may give you some quick responses to your initial queries.

[s5tvr]

He might be a mate of yours and no doubt he's being straight when he says the car will be sorted for you, but as a Cat C (not sure what that is as I've only come across Cat D before) wite-off for £18k, I personally wouldn't touch it - not for that sort of money anyway. Any 00-02 plate Tuscan that hasn't had an engine rebuild in the last 18 months, I wouldn't personally go near unless the cost of the rebuild is reflected in the purchase price.

Do your homework and have a look in the Speed 6 engine and Tuscan forms as you'll pretty much get chapter and verse on all the angles you need to be aware of when looking at a buying an early plate Tuscan.

TVR's are not cheap to run at the best of times when compared to "normal" cars, but they are when compared to other high performance cars. I have a Chim 500 and personally adopt a no compromise attitude to maintaining the car and in the last year I've spent in the region of £2.5k, including insurance but excluding fuel and am budgeting for £3k this year (this will include a suspension upgrades though). A Tuscan is likely to cost more, on balance, so go into it with your eyes open.

If you've not met up with your local TVR region, do so, as from my experience they're an extreemly friendly and very knowledgeable bunch and don't think you need to be an owner before you make contact. If you're anywhere near Kent, come along to the S.E London / N.W Kent meet at the Rose and Crown (Dunton Green) near Sevenoaks on either the evening of the 4th monday in the month or lunchtime onwards on the 1st Sunday in the month. Introduce yourself to Nick Smith (the regional organiser/officer) -who's a James Whale lookalike (who can skateboard) and he'll put you in touch with plenty of Tuscan owners who'll be happy to bend your ear on why they think the temperamental Speed 6 engine (tongue in cheek here !) is better than the utterly reliable Rover V8 !.

[yzf1070]

scottja said:

= cat C write off (my friend has been quite open about this).

The DVLA write off categorys are as follows:

Cat A Vehicle is worth only scrap value for the metals only no parts
Cat B Vehicle can be broken for spares
Cat C Vehicle is repairable but costs exceed vehicles pre accident market value. The code of practice actually states that cars under this category, can and should be repaired.
Cat D All other repairable vehicles

A form V23 should be completed and returned to the DVLA for categories A, B , C.

Personally I go with what the other guys have said, you can get a better deal buying off an enthusiast on here, but you still need to know plenty about what you are buying, if your not a mechanically minded person it may be a good move to get an independant inspector who knows plenty about the mark. The Tuscan is expensive to run and IMHO not a car for a shoe string budget.
Regards G

Oh Shit

really wish I had not entered here :-)

I have just committed to buying a 2000 x cat D car with 12k, whilst the price I think is good £15,250. I am starting t oworry a little. Dont pick it up till week end!

And I am not sue if the car has the engine mod either? can I find out pronto?

[JR]

You're just better informed now. I'd want 30% off and looking at www.pistonheads.com/sales/64702.htm and www.pistonheads.com/sales/64679.htm it would value your car at around £13k. You can't value cars exactly on the internet though; what's the paint like close to, what are the car's chassis like?

As for the engine it's not a mod it's a rebuild (partial or complete) unless you mean the Autocraft route but then any car can be modified.

Have a read of this thread and good luck: www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&t=241626&p=1

[itsadeal]

Cheers JR.

I apreciate the advice, i will now go back to the crapper and cry.

Well the prices are dropping, and perhaps a straight one may be better! but i am going to keep it for ever so not bothered about residual prices! however the Engine is effecting my Colon!

I think I will get the engine nos and ring TVR now................!

Thanks