Tuscan S Purchase Advice

[Old Pretender]

Hello all. I need some advice. I am currently looking to buy a Tuscan S however I have a couple of what are most likely basis questions;

Apart from the increase in power output and decrease in weight, what are the other differences between the standard and S model? I thought that the S had a rear lip spoiler and a front splitter however having looked at a couple of S’s for sale the pictures clearly show this is not the case, unless the adverts are incorrect. This one is in the PH classifieds as an S and I can’t see the spoiler/splitter

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/418811.htm

Now the big question, price? How much should I be looking to pay for a 2003/2004 S with probably less than 15,000 miles and no rebuild, standard colour combination. Also, what would be the ballpark cost the equivalent ‘standard’ Tuscan. I know ultimately that the car is worth what someone is willing to pay but I’m used to having cars that have pretty well defined book prices, the Tuscan is so specialised that I can’t find ‘guide line’ prices.

Any help/advice is much appreciated.

John

[R9TUS]

Are you looking for a Mark 1 or 2?

The Mark 2's in my opinion are better built.

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

On the original S you're right. It had a spoiler, and I think they moved the indicators from inside the cabin to in the spoiler.

Don't know if they changed it later though?

Edited by 2 sMoKiN bArReLs on Wednesday 2nd April 17:31

[Whitey]

that car is not an S

[Old Pretender]

R9TUS, I am looking for a Mark 1 as aesthetically they ‘float my boat’ more than the Mark 2. I’m willing to have a safety net fund to take care of possible reliability costs.

Would still appreciate any help with ballpark costs.

[BigJL]

Hi there,

I was originally looking for a Mk1 standard Tuscan. I eventually got around to test driving an S and the difference I found was definitely worth spending the extra money which is what I ended up buying.

The S has a bigger bore engine outputting more BHP than the standard (380-400 rather than 350-360). There are other various engine tweaks too. It comes (if I remember correctly, especially from 2003 onwards) with a hydratrak LSD, close ratio gearbox, gas discharge lights, aircon, a better suspension setup, it's lighter, has larger brakes up front plus front splitter and rear spoiler. The lights at the back are also placed differently to the standard.

Not sure if you're looking to buy privately or trade but a decent S will set you back around £22-25k and the equivalent standard would be around £18-20k.

Hope that helps!

Justin

Edited by BigJL on Wednesday 2nd April 22:17

[jerbro]

Hi, the one you are linking to doesn't look like an S! Indicators, spoiler and the wheels look too small.

[bade90]

currently in the market and spotted this tuscan on autotrader http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-uk/www/cars/TVR+...
listed as an S but doesnt have the rear spoiler. is it an S? hope the link worked. If not its the 14995 black one in london



Technical Data
2000 TVR TUSCAN 4.0 S 2dr [380] Convertible (private)

18,700 miles
Manual
Black
Petrol
Manual, 18,700 miles, Metallic black with full grey leather interior & black 18" spider alloys. Air con, PAS, remote locking, CD multichanger, hard wired trickle charger. Very reliable as used

[tvr5000]

bade90 said:

currently in the market and spotted this tuscan on autotrader http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-uk/www/cars/TVR+...
listed as an S but doesnt have the rear spoiler. is it an S? hope the link worked. If not its the 14995 black one in london



Technical Data
2000 TVR TUSCAN 4.0 S 2dr [380] Convertible (private)

18,700 miles
Manual
Black
Petrol
Manual, 18,700 miles, Metallic black with full grey leather interior & black 18" spider alloys. Air con, PAS, remote locking, CD multichanger, hard wired trickle charger. Very reliable as used

Not an S. Rear is standard and if an S it would have the claimed 400BHP.

[red glow]

[BigJL]

Lynn, you seem very confused lately?!

Back to the adverts claiming to be S's and then not having most of the things an S should have, the only thing I can think is that they've had an engine rebuild to S spec - although if you're buying an S, you want it to have all the S options!

Maybe some people just don't know what they're driving?!

Edited by BigJL on Wednesday 2nd April 22:21

[UpTheIron]

tvr5000 said:

Not an S. Rear is standard and if an S it would have the claimed 400BHP.

BigJL said:

Back to the adverts claiming to be S's and then not having most of the things an S should have, the only thing I can think is that they've had an engine rebuild to S spec - although if you're buying an S, you want it to have all the S options!

Maybe some people just don't know what they're driving?!

The latter in most cases, probably confused further by (non-TVR) dealers and even some V5's listing cars as S's when they are not and vice versa.

[jasoncorn]

I have a S DEF the best Tvr ever made IMHO

The S has bigger brakes, rear spoiler different light setup at rear, Hy Diff, S badges Big give away..

front lip spoilers and 18" wheels

Have a look at my car profile pic

I paid 26k for mine 1 owner Viper blue, 8000 miles that was 6mths ago, now its got 9500 miles and a cleaned chaisis and new bolts everywhere s i spouse 24-25k

Get as low milage as possible, check the front wings and rear stress cracks below the windscreen,

check everything, but firstly and formost dont fall for the usual saying as i nearly did O yes the glue and the faults codes yes its a TVR thing ????? NO ITS A FAULT,,, SORT IT OR NOT MONEY.......


Get it check as well but imho get it on a ramp and look underneath, anyoen can polish a car but can they clean and protect underthe car ??? hmmmmmmmmm

[jasoncorn]

OYES MINES A 53 PLATE soem say its a 04 hmmmm Wrong again late 03

[TOM500]

Mine's a MK2S, I tried the standard and the S and there was a clear difference. I think the key points are 400bhp, hydratrak LSD, close ratio gearbox, gas discharge lights, aircon, a better suspension setup (most have been upgraded again too, i've replaced with GAZ), it's lighter, has larger brakes up front plus front splitter and rear spoiler and larger wheels(18&quot. Re prices I have no idea, just that market prices are well below where I was hoping they would be 3 years in!

[jilapau]

TOM500 said:

400bhp, hydratrak LSD, close ratio gearbox, gas discharge lights, aircon, a better suspension setup (most have been upgraded again too, i've replaced with GAZ), it's lighter, has larger brakes up front plus front splitter and rear spoiler and larger wheels(18&quot.

All these are on the standard S (ie the MK1 S).

[timmybob]

Wasn't sure the LSD was standard even on the Mk 1 S. My build sheet had it listed as an optional extra.

[WISHY]

Love the S!

[Whitey]

All factory S cars had a hydratrack diff. You could of course specify the standard LSD diff if you wanted, which is what RR cars had and standard cars had. Of course on the those cars the hydratrack diff was an option.

[tomTVR]

Just out of interest in what way is the 'S' lighter than a standard Tuscan? Especially with (heavy) aircon as standard.