Is it ok to buy a tuscan without a re-build?

[liamtuscanwayne]

Currently looking at buying a tuscan after I have sold my chim, and have been browsing at the tuscans for sale and have seen a few that havent had the engine re-build. Are these best to avoid or are they ok? I have heard that if the original engine makes it to 24000 miles without any problems then they will be fine for many more miles.Is this the case or is it best to buy one with a re- build?

thanks chaps

[LancsRocket]

Firstly I did buy a Tuscan without a rebuild (that is also now for sale), so I am slightly biased.

However, I spoke to a number of engine rebuild companies before buying mine, and combined with this advice and my previous TVR experiences over the years I took the view that:

1. If it has got to 30k+ miles without a rebuild, it’s not a certainty that it’s going to go bang. There are plenty of cars out there without a rebuild, it’s just they don’t get the same kind of coverage as those that need rebuilding. As TVR Power said, if it’s going at that sort of mileage, just enjoy it and stop worrying - not every car needs a rebuild. I also previously owned a T350 that had 35k miles without a rebuild - I know it’s still going strong at 50k+ miles.
2. I bought one where I knew the owner, knew the maintenance and warm-up procedures had been adhered to and the engine had been inspected at each major service.
3. I went for a later 3.6 engine. Previous owner had a 4 litre before this car, and decided on the ‘safer’ 3.6 as he had his previous one rebuilt twice. At 40k+ miles this choice still seems a good one.

So far so good and as of the last engine inspection in July there was nothing to change this.

As usual, the people with cars that just keep on going don’t shout quite as loud as those who have a problem – but they do exist!

Good luck in the hunt.

Regards,
Michael

[blueg33]

See my comments in the thread about the speed 6 engine.

clicky

Its also worth having a chat with Dom at TVR Power, he said to me its not a case of IF, its a case of WHEN will it need a rebuild.

I have just bought a Tuscan with a full rebuild that has a warranty.

Edited by blueg33 on Friday 24th September 16:30

[Tuscan Wil]

I would suggest it doesn' matter what you buy, just make sure you pay the right price. Make sure you have the contingency money in your back pocket if you do buy a car without re-built engine. Even when you buy a car with a rebuilt engine, that doesn't mean it will never go bang again. As many Speed 6 owners will tell you that it very much depends on how the owners look after the engines, how you warm up etc etc. You could argue that buy a car without re-built, enjoy it until when the time does come, you know you have fresh engine from the start and look after it, and many more happy miles to come.

[mrcyeo]

I bought mine without a rebuild, it now has 38k on the clock and it's purring like a kitten! When I had the car serviced at the TVR Centre recently they said the engine is nice and healthy with good measurements etc. I never go over 2000 revs before oil temp is over 50 degrees and never let the car idle to running temps and I always let it cool down after a run (let fans cut in and cut out). 2 oil changes a year, only using the best and finally I check the oil level on a very regular basis.

Mr C

[G20RG B]

I'm on my second TVR and have bought both without rebuilds.
First was a Tuscan that I sold at 23k miles with no problems apart from replacing the battery!. Currently driving a 2003 Cerb SP6 with 30k on the clock and the engine running great. I genuinely believe if you get over 20k miles without a problem they will run for a long time. I know of 2 Cerbs bought around the same time as mine but AJP engines that have had to be rebuilt with less miles than mine and have cost a LOT more money to run and fix than my SP6...

[LancsRocket]

LancsRocket said:

Firstly I did buy a Tuscan without a rebuild (that is also now for sale), so I am slightly biased.

I've decided not to sell right now, as travel plans have changed and this means I dont need to do a mega mileage every week. I've got enough faith in the Tuscan to keep it and would miss it just too much. Just get one, stop worrying and enjoy!

[nawarne]

My 2004 Tuscan is now at ca. 36K miles, and still pulling like a train (where's the wood?).

At the last 12K service, all clearances were spot on, and was advised that it's a "good'un".
I too check the oil very frequently, and observe the warm-up procedure.

I know of a T350 here in Hants that has over 57K on the clock with no major engine work undertaken.
As mentioned....the tendency is to post only on the horrors of the Speed 6, the reliable engines just don't get any press!

I bought my car from James Agger, after looking at many cars and changing from a Chimaera. His advice regarding favouring post '03 cars seems to make sense. I can thoroughly recommend James.

Good luck with your search. Nick

[nawarne]

My 2004 Tuscan is now at ca. 36K miles, and still pulling like a train (where's the wood?).

At the last 12K service, all clearances were spot on, and was advised that it's a "good'un".
I too check the oil very frequently, and observe the warm-up procedure.

I know of a T350 here in Hants that has over 57K on the clock with no major engine work undertaken.
As mentioned....the tendency is to post only on the horrors of the Speed 6, the reliable engines just don't get any press!

I bought my car from James Agger, after looking at many cars and changing from a Chimaera. His advice regarding favouring post '03 cars seems to make sense. I can thoroughly recommend James.

Good luck with your search. Nick

[TVRAndyB]

I agree with Tuscan Wil - I bought a 2000 model last year with 15k on the clock and when I put it in for service I got the dreaded phone call! The boys at TrackvRoad did the rebuild and it's running like a dream and I've already forgotten about the big dent in the bank account!

Just need to go in with your eyes wide open is my advice. Best of luck with your search.

[b2tus]

I guess that engine rebuilders such as TVR Power etc have a vested interest in the subject and will always question S6 engine longevity?

[blueg33]

b2tus said:

I guess that engine rebuilders such as TVR Power etc have a vested interest in the subject and will always question S6 engine longevity?

Not once they have done the work though, they give good warranties. It is clear that many S6 engines have issues so the garage can't really win. If they tell you its fine it may go pop the following day and you would be on the phone giving them grief, or if they say it needs work you don't trust them

I am not sure what you mean by a vested interest any way, unless you think people will be sold a precautionary rebuild? In most cases people wait until something like a finger follower fails and then take it for a rebuild. This means that they only get the business after it has failed

[Flintstone]

When I was looking for mine I found the difference in price between those with and without rebuilds minimal. Given that some come with warranties now I can't see any sense in not choosing one that has been rebuilt.

[liamtuscanwayne]

Thanks guys for the advice, really helpfull, much appreciated.
cheers!

[Zippee]

b2tus said:

I guess that engine rebuilders such as TVR Power etc have a vested interest in the subject and will always question S6 engine longevity?

I don't agree. When I purchased my 350 back in October 2008 it required a bottom end rebuild at 8500 miles, this was due to an incorreclty fitted bottom (big) end bearing from the factory that was slowly wearing away and causing virtually zero oil pressure at idle. The engine was sent away under warranty to Power and whilst it was in I asked Dom to check the top end and see if it required a full rebuild. He did, stated it was perfect and just to stick with the bottom end for now, in doing so he lost the chance for the extra money associated with a full rebuild (bottom end was satill circa 3k).
I get the shims checked every 6k and in the last 2 services and 13000 miles extra to date there has been virtually no adjustment required and it doesn't use a drop of oil.
I'm now on 21,500 miles and shes running sweet as....
Fingers crossed that now shes on over 20k and running perfectly that I'm on for a decent mileage before succumbing to the lure of a 4.5 from Dom.

[LancsRocket]

Flintstone said:

When I was looking for mine I found the difference in price between those with and without rebuilds minimal. Given that some come with warranties now I can't see any sense in not choosing one that has been rebuilt.

Funny, I have a completely different experience.

I bought both my previous non-rebuilt 2003 T350 and my current 2003 Tuscan at a lower cost than rebuilt models, and would expect this discount to be passed onto the next buyer. I went for the most recent models and well maintained cars in my budget, not believing all the noise out there about the S6 engine. As I said before, there are plenty of non-rebuilt cars out there that don’t get the same press for obvious reasons – satisfied owners don’t shout quite as loud.

I ended up getting 2 perfect cars which are still piling on the miles without a rebuild to either. I also saved enough for me to keep a pot if ever a rebuild is needed, which would be partly recouped in the resale. It’s really not the end of the world as far as I am concerned.

Cheers.

[blueg33]

I bought a re-built car because I know I would worry like mad had I bought a non rebuilt one, especially as they can be slightly rattly at start up.

But there are cars out there that will never need a re-build, unfortunately my crystal ball is not reliable enough for me to make sure I got a good un.