The Most asked Question - Why?
Discussion
Do TVR's spend more time off the road (usually on the back of the RAC Track) then on the road?
I am thinking of selling my M5, as i soooo loooooooooooove the Tuscan...but this thought scares the living daylights out of me...
Yes all cars break down, and neeed money spending on it..Example, my M5 has cost me near little over £2K this year which included a new Cluth, tyres and other servicing bits.. but why is the reliability of a TVR such a BIG topic..and its asked on Every Forum...
If i were to ask all TVR owners here to post up some of the major issues they have had in there ownership - i am looking for either Cerbera or Tuscan in particular...
Thanks for any advise...
Sam
They are both high performance cars,and with that can come big bills.(as can Ferrari,Porsche etc)
Do your homework through these pages for annual running costs,most owners agree on an approx figure of £3k.
Im sure if you get an opportunity to be taken for a ride in one,you will be astounded by the acceleration,noise and responsivness of these beasts.
Good luck in your quest,AL
I have had my Tuscan for nearly 3 years, done about 20k miles and apart from running out of petrol one day and the day that I left my lights on and run the battery flat (neither, under any circumstance, can be laid at the door of the Tuscan, rather the knob that did it !) I have never had so much as a cough from the greatest engine and suspension set-up I have ever driven. (and you can get a set of golf clubs and a motorised trolly in the boot !)
Do it ! (but put at least a grand a year aside for servicing and tyres etc.) and experience the real ride of your life
Do it ! (but put at least a grand a year aside for servicing and tyres etc.) and experience the real ride of your life
Tuscanx1 jnr said:
samuk said:
.. but why is the reliability of a TVR such a BIG topic..
Because bad news always travels faster than good news....although not much travels faster than a Tuscan!!
Good response....
Sam
Consider it like this, take the the horsepower your M5 has, drop it in a body a 1/4 of the weight less, puts you in a driving position closer to the road, accelerates like a mid sized motorcycle and steers like a go cart. Point it, squirt it, brake it, steer it, point it again, squirt it some more and you forget all about the running costs.... believe me there's few who have invested as much as I have in a Tuscan and its so worth it.... But sure I still have a tin box for every other day driving, but by christ do I find it dull looking at the expanse of plastic and knobs in the tin box.... get my meaning, nope? test drive a TIV and you will...
G
I only had my Tuscan for 20 months,and covered about 8K miles in it. I only ever experienced a flat battery which required replacing but a part from that no issues with it what so ever. I was gutted when I had to sell it but I'll definatley get another one once I get some points of my licence (11)...
Had it since September...
5k miles, but in total over 45k on the counter.
In the past few months this is what happened:
-bought it, felt "slow" for over 300bhp coming from a 225bhp Elise.
Valve clearances, cam timing redone. Problems solved.
-oil & speed sensor replaced, plus some minor niggles sorted.
-Easter Monday: blown main bearing on the first conrod, engine now needs a complete rebuild, as well as new cats (bit burnt now...)
But still, every time I got in it, it put such a HUGE grin on my face, I still find it acceptable to deal with the issues.
5k miles, but in total over 45k on the counter.
In the past few months this is what happened:
-bought it, felt "slow" for over 300bhp coming from a 225bhp Elise.
Valve clearances, cam timing redone. Problems solved.
-oil & speed sensor replaced, plus some minor niggles sorted.
-Easter Monday: blown main bearing on the first conrod, engine now needs a complete rebuild, as well as new cats (bit burnt now...)
But still, every time I got in it, it put such a HUGE grin on my face, I still find it acceptable to deal with the issues.
New Tuscan 2 Convertable. Lost count of the number of times went back to the dealer on a flat bed... ECU at least twice, Gearbox, Alternator x 3, but all fixed under guarantee. Only thing since then is a radiator... Been in the wars a bit but still would not swap it because the grin factor is soooo big. 8000 miles.
But make sure you get a diesel run around for when it does let you down, because it will eventually, and get AA recovery and a decent 3rd party warrenty.
Oh and depreciation will be a thing of the past!!
But make sure you get a diesel run around for when it does let you down, because it will eventually, and get AA recovery and a decent 3rd party warrenty.
Oh and depreciation will be a thing of the past!!
There's quite a culture shock coming from an M5 but given most M5 owners wouldn't even consider a Tuscan, there's hope for you yet. The tuscan or TVRs for that matter aren't for everyone. German cars (even M5's) are appliances. They are mostly reliable and they do a job very well. Fast german cars are fast appliances. Most people want no more than that, which is why they sell so well.
But most people aren't real car enthusiasts. If you want an adrenaline soaked break from the dreary, numb world of modern cars you've come to the right place. No one ever felt drowsy at the wheel of a tuscan. You'll be concentrating on and feeling every rev, bump and twist in the road. You will feel alive and if you take liberties, scared too. A tuscan is more like an overpowered Caterham 7 with a gorgeous body than it is an M5. You don't feel speed (or anything much) in an M5. You do in a tuscan. But it's also a thing of beauty. I don't imagine anyone ever bought one who didn't fall for it's looks. It's a sculpture that you happen to be able to drive. You'll take endless photos of it and you'll always look back as you walk away from it. Butterflies will stir in your stomach every time you open the garage door. It's that sort of car. And those that love them, like me wouldn't swap one for any ferrari or porsche (really!).
But all that character and excitement for such little money does come at a price. You should expect to have moments of frustration. Some things won't always work all the time. If you're lucky they will be minor niggles and you'll be having too much fun to care or even notice. If you're not lucky it might need major engine work. The usual advice is to budget the cost of a rebuild (£4-6k) on older cars (esp pre 2004). But frankly since the company went to the wall the prices on used cars must have dropped by more than that. Moreover it would seem that the engine rebuilders have really upped their game these days and dramatically improved the spec and reliability compared to early factory cars. If you really want something more bullet proof buy and older, cheaper tuscan and take it straight to one of the many brilliant specialists for a rebuild rather than waiting for it to go pop.
Either way, let us know what you decide. Have you driven one yet?
But most people aren't real car enthusiasts. If you want an adrenaline soaked break from the dreary, numb world of modern cars you've come to the right place. No one ever felt drowsy at the wheel of a tuscan. You'll be concentrating on and feeling every rev, bump and twist in the road. You will feel alive and if you take liberties, scared too. A tuscan is more like an overpowered Caterham 7 with a gorgeous body than it is an M5. You don't feel speed (or anything much) in an M5. You do in a tuscan. But it's also a thing of beauty. I don't imagine anyone ever bought one who didn't fall for it's looks. It's a sculpture that you happen to be able to drive. You'll take endless photos of it and you'll always look back as you walk away from it. Butterflies will stir in your stomach every time you open the garage door. It's that sort of car. And those that love them, like me wouldn't swap one for any ferrari or porsche (really!).
But all that character and excitement for such little money does come at a price. You should expect to have moments of frustration. Some things won't always work all the time. If you're lucky they will be minor niggles and you'll be having too much fun to care or even notice. If you're not lucky it might need major engine work. The usual advice is to budget the cost of a rebuild (£4-6k) on older cars (esp pre 2004). But frankly since the company went to the wall the prices on used cars must have dropped by more than that. Moreover it would seem that the engine rebuilders have really upped their game these days and dramatically improved the spec and reliability compared to early factory cars. If you really want something more bullet proof buy and older, cheaper tuscan and take it straight to one of the many brilliant specialists for a rebuild rather than waiting for it to go pop.
Either way, let us know what you decide. Have you driven one yet?
top post! 
I had an M3 prior to my first TVR (A Chimaera) & now I have the Tuscan & it really is an amazing car to own. You can listen to all the horror stories about rebuilds & think twice or you can go for it safe in the knowledge that you are owning a true supercar at a fraction of the cost of going slower in a ferrari (although i'd love a 360 spider so i'm not ferrari bashing)
My car has now covered 23k miles from new (2002)& in the 2 1/2 years that I have owned it other than standard servicing once a year (less than £500 at Torque RVT) the only thing I have spent on it is carbon Cans & a decat which is a must (even if flames & bangs from exhaust scares some)Despite horror stories the car has never had a rebuild & touch wood is running as well as ever. Just rememer to always warm the engine over 50deg (oil temp) before going over 3k revs & all is good.
H
My car has now covered 23k miles from new (2002)& in the 2 1/2 years that I have owned it other than standard servicing once a year (less than £500 at Torque RVT) the only thing I have spent on it is carbon Cans & a decat which is a must (even if flames & bangs from exhaust scares some)Despite horror stories the car has never had a rebuild & touch wood is running as well as ever. Just rememer to always warm the engine over 50deg (oil temp) before going over 3k revs & all is good.
H
PascalBuyens said:
But still, every time I got in it, it put such a HUGE grin on my face, I still find it acceptable to deal with the issues.
Sums it up so well. I don't get the chance to drive my Tuscan so much at the moment, but took it out today.
Started on the first turn of the key, despite being left for around three weeks. Handled the weekend town centre traffic and our shopping...and then: open roads
Yes, you have to buy into TVR ownership, warts and all. I wouldn't have it any other way.
What other car (at this price) can still have such a sense of occasion, and still be capable of surprising you after 3 years of ownership?
My 3.6 mk1 has covered 14k. 8k with me and 6k on clock when i bought it. Its a sept 03, i have now owned for 2yrs. I checked with the dealer who sold it for any issues with the car and other then a service they hadnt seen it since . No problems then. I have had no problems in 2 yrs and has only cost me 2 rear tyres and service. BUT it has started to lose coolant and i suspect the head gasket, so my wallet is probably about to take a beating. Just aslong as its back for LeMans 
That said if i now face a 1.5-2K ?? bill then still not so bad i guess.
Car is still running perfectly btw. Dave.
That said if i now face a 1.5-2K ?? bill then still not so bad i guess. Car is still running perfectly btw. Dave.
the pits said:
There's quite a culture shock coming from an M5 but given most M5 owners wouldn't even consider a Tuscan, there's hope for you yet. The tuscan or TVRs for that matter aren't for everyone. German cars (even M5's) are appliances. They are mostly reliable and they do a job very well. Fast german cars are fast appliances. Most people want no more than that, which is why they sell so well.
But most people aren't real car enthusiasts. If you want an adrenaline soaked break from the dreary, numb world of modern cars you've come to the right place. No one ever felt drowsy at the wheel of a tuscan. You'll be concentrating on and feeling every rev, bump and twist in the road. You will feel alive and if you take liberties, scared too. A tuscan is more like an overpowered Caterham 7 with a gorgeous body than it is an M5. You don't feel speed (or anything much) in an M5. You do in a tuscan. But it's also a thing of beauty. I don't imagine anyone ever bought one who didn't fall for it's looks. It's a sculpture that you happen to be able to drive. You'll take endless photos of it and you'll always look back as you walk away from it. Butterflies will stir in your stomach every time you open the garage door. It's that sort of car. And those that love them, like me wouldn't swap one for any ferrari or porsche (really!).
But all that character and excitement for such little money does come at a price. You should expect to have moments of frustration. Some things won't always work all the time. If you're lucky they will be minor niggles and you'll be having too much fun to care or even notice. If you're not lucky it might need major engine work. The usual advice is to budget the cost of a rebuild (£4-6k) on older cars (esp pre 2004). But frankly since the company went to the wall the prices on used cars must have dropped by more than that. Moreover it would seem that the engine rebuilders have really upped their game these days and dramatically improved the spec and reliability compared to early factory cars. If you really want something more bullet proof buy and older, cheaper tuscan and take it straight to one of the many brilliant specialists for a rebuild rather than waiting for it to go pop.
Either way, let us know what you decide. Have you driven one yet?
Agreed top postBut most people aren't real car enthusiasts. If you want an adrenaline soaked break from the dreary, numb world of modern cars you've come to the right place. No one ever felt drowsy at the wheel of a tuscan. You'll be concentrating on and feeling every rev, bump and twist in the road. You will feel alive and if you take liberties, scared too. A tuscan is more like an overpowered Caterham 7 with a gorgeous body than it is an M5. You don't feel speed (or anything much) in an M5. You do in a tuscan. But it's also a thing of beauty. I don't imagine anyone ever bought one who didn't fall for it's looks. It's a sculpture that you happen to be able to drive. You'll take endless photos of it and you'll always look back as you walk away from it. Butterflies will stir in your stomach every time you open the garage door. It's that sort of car. And those that love them, like me wouldn't swap one for any ferrari or porsche (really!).
But all that character and excitement for such little money does come at a price. You should expect to have moments of frustration. Some things won't always work all the time. If you're lucky they will be minor niggles and you'll be having too much fun to care or even notice. If you're not lucky it might need major engine work. The usual advice is to budget the cost of a rebuild (£4-6k) on older cars (esp pre 2004). But frankly since the company went to the wall the prices on used cars must have dropped by more than that. Moreover it would seem that the engine rebuilders have really upped their game these days and dramatically improved the spec and reliability compared to early factory cars. If you really want something more bullet proof buy and older, cheaper tuscan and take it straight to one of the many brilliant specialists for a rebuild rather than waiting for it to go pop.
Either way, let us know what you decide. Have you driven one yet?
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