Chim Going - Tamora vs. Tuscan Ponderings
Discussion
Looks like the Chimaera could possibly be going to a new home shortly, so thoughts have turned to a possible replacement a bit down the line. And so I re-open the debate on whether to move to a Tuscan or Tamora.....
I've never driven either model yet myself, so I'm relying on you guys to give me an unbiased and unweighted discussion on the pros and cons of each model and a decent blow-by-blow comparison of the two models.
Common opinion seems to be that the Tuscan is that bit more lairy, the later and more compact Tamora being tidier and more willing in the handling dept. Any truth in this from those of you with experience of both cars, or is it just myth and common misconceptions ? And what's reliability and maintenance like on both models nowadays, surely they must be more or less comparable on this front.
Let the discussion commence....
I've never driven either model yet myself, so I'm relying on you guys to give me an unbiased and unweighted discussion on the pros and cons of each model and a decent blow-by-blow comparison of the two models.
Common opinion seems to be that the Tuscan is that bit more lairy, the later and more compact Tamora being tidier and more willing in the handling dept. Any truth in this from those of you with experience of both cars, or is it just myth and common misconceptions ? And what's reliability and maintenance like on both models nowadays, surely they must be more or less comparable on this front.
Let the discussion commence....
My Tamora wasn't a good handling car when I bought it but after new shocks geometry set up and tyres it transformed into a different league. Driven a Tuscan II quite hard and it was a lot more work to keep the back end under control but this could be down to the same problems I had with the Tam. (could be why so many Tuscans not MK2 are CAT C and D)
I can see why TVR only wanted the 3.6 in the Tamora, it suits the car almost perfectly (just needs a bit more torque) and with 16" wheels I doubt a Tuscan 4.0 would beat the tam on a track (not an S). 18" wheels drasticly change the handling in corners but vain owners will only have 18" wheels (I'm one of them
but I have both)
Looks wise the T2 is better looking than the Tam but I would never sell the Tam unless the tax man made me which he almost did!!, The Tam is an excellent play thing. Whichever car you go for you will be very happy you upgraded.
I don't like the MK 1 Tuscans looks over the Tamora. The Tamora has had a lot of bad press regarding looks but see one in the flesh (in the right colour) and it stands out from the crowd.
All the above is my personal view and not meant to offend anyone.
I can see why TVR only wanted the 3.6 in the Tamora, it suits the car almost perfectly (just needs a bit more torque) and with 16" wheels I doubt a Tuscan 4.0 would beat the tam on a track (not an S). 18" wheels drasticly change the handling in corners but vain owners will only have 18" wheels (I'm one of them
but I have both)Looks wise the T2 is better looking than the Tam but I would never sell the Tam unless the tax man made me
which he almost did!!, The Tam is an excellent play thing. Whichever car you go for you will be very happy you upgraded.I don't like the MK 1 Tuscans looks over the Tamora. The Tamora has had a lot of bad press regarding looks but see one in the flesh (in the right colour) and it stands out from the crowd.
All the above is my personal view and not meant to offend anyone.
I sold my Chimaera when I moved to a Tuscan Mk1 and just the same as above had to get the geo and shocks sorted which transformed the handling.
Unfortunately not enough and she now resides in TVR Heaven.
I then looked at a Tamora as I wanted a full convertible like the Chimaera and test drove one up in Lancs.
Very impressed, felt realy good on the road and quick.
The only problem for me was the size of the boot.
It was too small for me to get luggage in which is a must so I ended up geting a Tuscan Mk2 convertible which has also had to have the geo and shocks done.
Both great cars and when set up right are fantastic to drive.
Unfortunately not enough and she now resides in TVR Heaven.
I then looked at a Tamora as I wanted a full convertible like the Chimaera and test drove one up in Lancs.
Very impressed, felt realy good on the road and quick.
The only problem for me was the size of the boot.
It was too small for me to get luggage in which is a must so I ended up geting a Tuscan Mk2 convertible which has also had to have the geo and shocks done.
Both great cars and when set up right are fantastic to drive.
I've not driven a Tuscan myself so can't offer any advice, but I do own a 4.0L Tamora.
I had a complete engine rebuild and upgrade to 4.0L RR, had Nitrons with Eibach springs, ACT air box, and alloy radiator fitted. Totally transformed my Tamora. The engine is really torquey and the road holding fantastic. I'm sure my Tamora is more than a match for the Tuscan. So a well spec'ed Tamora would be my option although I do like the Tuscan aswell.
I had a complete engine rebuild and upgrade to 4.0L RR, had Nitrons with Eibach springs, ACT air box, and alloy radiator fitted. Totally transformed my Tamora. The engine is really torquey and the road holding fantastic. I'm sure my Tamora is more than a match for the Tuscan. So a well spec'ed Tamora would be my option although I do like the Tuscan aswell.
I will follow on to say i havent driven a Tamora but have a Tuscan
My Tuscan was a complete handful when i first bought it, it was on tired standard shocks and the geo was way out, dangerously so. In fact it didnt look to have ever been adjusted - the adjusters were siezed solid.
It now runs on gas gold pros with sorted geo and is MUCH more predictable and stable. I cant see it ever feeling quite as controlled as my cerby did, but they are different cars. The Tuscan is still very quick on the steering and with 18" spiders and low profile rubber it reacts to every bump. I have driven a T350 which i guess is a close relation to the Tam, and it felt very surefooted, but as a package didnt feel as exciting as a Tuscan, the Tuscan retains much of the Animalistic DNA that makes TVR's so different from the rest. I though the T350 had been diluted a litte...
My Tuscan was a complete handful when i first bought it, it was on tired standard shocks and the geo was way out, dangerously so. In fact it didnt look to have ever been adjusted - the adjusters were siezed solid.
It now runs on gas gold pros with sorted geo and is MUCH more predictable and stable. I cant see it ever feeling quite as controlled as my cerby did, but they are different cars. The Tuscan is still very quick on the steering and with 18" spiders and low profile rubber it reacts to every bump. I have driven a T350 which i guess is a close relation to the Tam, and it felt very surefooted, but as a package didnt feel as exciting as a Tuscan, the Tuscan retains much of the Animalistic DNA that makes TVR's so different from the rest. I though the T350 had been diluted a litte...
What are the chassis' like on the Tamora and Tuscan ? Do they have similar issues as the Chim and Griffith with corrosion on the outriggers ? I had a look at a 03 Tuscan S a while back and that had surface corrosion spots on the outriggers too.
Edited by Corso Marche on Friday 11th June 15:45
Not driven a Tuscan but my experience of the Tam so far is that it's quite easy to live with, even though it still probably makes my poor neighbours jump when it kicks off (standard everything too). The shorter bonnet is what also swayed me towards it as I don't like to peer into a corner. That probably doesn't help much.
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