So mu TVR tuscan is STILL being repaired...

[Damo M]

.......... after countless weeks spent off the road since I got it at the end of December last year.

Apparantly one of the (new)lamdas has failed again within weeks of being fitted, the pod has been to the factory and has been repaired fixed, the brand new £500+ cats have both cooked and the manufacturer says that it is not their fault.

Racing Green are investigating the ecu as the source of the problem of the engine (recently rebuilt) cooking the cats.

I do feel sorry for them as they do their best within the constraints of the factory and the vehicle.

I'm beginning to think that Tuscan ownership is just not worth the hassle.

So what are the alternatives? Can any owners out there tell me whether buying a 355 is just jumping straight from the frying pan into the fire? (apologies to anyone offended of course)

[maranellouk]

Come December I will be doing the opposite. Getting a Tuscan after a 355. The 355 is going nowhere though as it is too sweet a car. No problems whatsoever apart from the way the tyres seem to last 5 mins when I haven't seen the old girl for a while

Find yourself a good one(like mine)and you'll be as happy as Larry. Such a solid car, good feel and just simply beautiful. I know a few guys have had a problem with theirs on here but that's going to happen with any car. Not that we should ever except dodgey merchandise but do take time to find a nice one and maybe paya bit more or go LHD.

MARA

[bebbesen]

Damo,

I'm sorry to say this but I was in the exact same situation last year. 3 new Red Rose engines later and I had enough..
Its such a lovely car - shame you can't take it anywhere without a lorry following you with spares - oh - and perhaps an engine, just in case..

Do it. Get a 355, I was going to but then found a 360 instead.
Forget the horror stories - I can tell you, it is a piece of cake compared to a TVR, with all due respect to Mr Wheeler and his followers (I had 3 myself).
If you are VERY unlucky you may get an engine that needs a little work. If you're not you'll find yourself driving and driving and more driving - and the damn thing just goes and goes. Do your home work first. There is plenty of material here..
I found it refreshing not to have to spend weekend after weekend at the TVR dealership having constant niggles or a new engine sorted.. sorry TVR guys - I love the cars, really I do. Just want to drive it... for longer than a week.

good luck - take one out and see what you think.

Brian

[ferrari355gtb]

Had mine now for 4 months/3000 miles and its been a dream to own. Took a few months to find the right one as there are some 'dodgy' ones out there.

I love it and it sounds great, god knows what a Tubi sounds like on them ?

[bebbesen]

Tubi on 355? Absolutely awsome - F1.

I really didn't think it would make that much of a difference BUT - my 360 is a totally different car now.
Tubi on a mid engined Ferrari is a must - ask Manu from Scuderia Systems and he will forward some video clips to you.. Manu?

In any case, good luck with the 355. Don't listen to a tubi until you're ready to get one (the next day!)

Brian

[Damo M]

bebbesen said:

Damo, I'm sorry to say this but I was in the exact same situation last year. 3 new Red Rose engines later and I had enough.. Its such a lovely car - shame you can't take it anywhere without a lorry following you with spares - oh - and perhaps an engine, just in case.. Do it. Get a 355, I was going to but then found a 360 instead. Forget the horror stories - I can tell you, it is a piece of cake compared to a TVR, with all due respect to Mr Wheeler and his followers (I had 3 myself). If you are VERY unlucky you may get an engine that needs a little work. If you're not you'll find yourself driving and driving and more driving - and the damn thing just goes and goes. Do your home work first. There is plenty of material here.. I found it refreshing not to have to spend weekend after weekend at the TVR dealership having constant niggles or a new engine sorted.. sorry TVR guys - I love the cars, really I do. Just want to drive it... for longer than a week. good luck - take one out and see what you think. Brian

Thanks Brian. Nice to know that someone else has takent he leap! What sort of cars did you look at?Where can you recommend looking?

I will miss the TVR but the servicing and repair troubles (let alone costs) are just too much to justify the ownership of any car.

[ferrari355gtb]

I've checked the web site out but my machine is 'incompatible', I'll have to try it at home.

What roughly is the cost ? (are they all decatted ?)

[ninja_eli]

ferrari355gtb said:

I've checked the web site out but my machine is 'incompatible', I'll have to try it at home. What roughly is the cost ? (are they all decatted ?)

Speak to Manu or Ajay and they will give you a price. They do not all have to be decatted (I actually did it the other way round!), but you'll soon want more of the drug, so might aswell save your cats and some money.

Trust me you won't regret it.

[joelk]

After owning a TVR Cerbera 4.5 LW for 11 months - I know where you're coming from on that ! It broke down on me 8 times! Normally only for really small, simple things, but still left me high and dry.

I've recently sold it and aquired an older Ferrari 456 - which (touch wood) - is driving like an absolute dream. It feels like it's in a different league to the TVR. Far more refined and agile.

I'd say do it.



>> Edited by joelk on Tuesday 14th October 08:45

[frostie]

I would concur with comments made so far. Ferrari's are so much better screwed together and from an engineering standpoint are leagues ahead. I have owned both a TVR and Ferrari for the past 3 yrs and the TVR's have spent a much larger percentage of their time at the dealers. The TVR's were new cars the Ferrari's 2.5+ yrs. This is the bit that I sometimes don't think the factory or the dealers understand. We buy these cars to drive not to admire on ramps !

Running costs on Ferrari's are a bit higher but there's not a lot in it when you start taking wasted time into account.

Speak to Manu or Ajay at Scuderia Systems for buying advice. A few pounds spent with these guys could save you a lot of money going forward.

Go for it - you won't stop smiling

Frostie

[bertie]

Just to add my 2p worth, I also agree.

I've had 6 TVRs and 2 Ferraris and the differance is apparent from the first turn of the wheel.

Go for a test drive, but only if you can do it, because once you've driven one, you'll want one!