Help, Advice, Moral Support
Discussion
Dear TVR owners.
Firstly, you all have balls of steel.
I currently have a 996 C4 and when canvassing opinion on whether to change into a Tuscan the response has been that I must be out of my mind.
Yesterday I showed my wife a photo of a car I had test driven prefacing it with 'let me show you the most thrilling driving experience I have had'. She actually cried, told me I am off my rocker and threatened all sorts. A petrol head she is not.
Anyway, the good news is the Porsche goes on sale on Friday and the hunt begins in earnest for MK1 Tuscan. My annual mileage won't be more than 6-8k.
I have done many searches and read the buyers guide (thank god for pistonheads) but what I wanted to know was whether any specialists would warranty a car if I bought it private. The cars I have looked at have all had engine rebuilds within the last couple of years.
I guess if not then I start a TVR fighting fund.
Thanks in advance
Firstly, you all have balls of steel.
I currently have a 996 C4 and when canvassing opinion on whether to change into a Tuscan the response has been that I must be out of my mind.
Yesterday I showed my wife a photo of a car I had test driven prefacing it with 'let me show you the most thrilling driving experience I have had'. She actually cried, told me I am off my rocker and threatened all sorts. A petrol head she is not.
Anyway, the good news is the Porsche goes on sale on Friday and the hunt begins in earnest for MK1 Tuscan. My annual mileage won't be more than 6-8k.
I have done many searches and read the buyers guide (thank god for pistonheads) but what I wanted to know was whether any specialists would warranty a car if I bought it private. The cars I have looked at have all had engine rebuilds within the last couple of years.
I guess if not then I start a TVR fighting fund.
Thanks in advance
Well first off I want to say I'm not one of them Porsche knockers having only driven one once for a four fast laps experience.
As far as a Tuscan, any with a rebuild in the last couple of years should be good.
The re-build, I am sure you already read, improves and corrects the issues the engines originally had.
I am aware tham some people buy cover but I havnt.
I loved my Mk1 and even more my Mk2 (only coz its a full convertible).
Good hunting,
Tony.
As far as a Tuscan, any with a rebuild in the last couple of years should be good.
The re-build, I am sure you already read, improves and corrects the issues the engines originally had.
I am aware tham some people buy cover but I havnt.
I loved my Mk1 and even more my Mk2 (only coz its a full convertible).
Good hunting,
Tony.
Balls of steel? Why? I've owned my T350 2 1/2 years and have put 14000 miles on her with no problems at all other than routine maintenance. My wifes brand new Seat Leon on the other hand is the only car in our household to have had cause to call the AA out when one of her injectors failed.
They are expensive to run but IMHO no more so than Porsche, friends who run Boxsters rarely come away from a service with a bill less than 1k. Clutches are expensive, mine was replaced after 12k and cost around £1100 with a new slave. Tales of S6 engines constantly blowing are also hyped up a little, treat them right and theres no reason why some decent mileages can't be achieved, just go into ownership knowing it might require a rebuild at some point.
They are expensive to run but IMHO no more so than Porsche, friends who run Boxsters rarely come away from a service with a bill less than 1k. Clutches are expensive, mine was replaced after 12k and cost around £1100 with a new slave. Tales of S6 engines constantly blowing are also hyped up a little, treat them right and theres no reason why some decent mileages can't be achieved, just go into ownership knowing it might require a rebuild at some point.
As above, if it has a recent clutch and TVR Power or Str8six rebuild recently then you only have the usual niggles to worry about. You can buy a TVR Power warranty. If you buy a car that is less than 10 years old get AA breakdown cover and buy their mechanical insurance it will cover most jobs up to £500 (tip from Dom at TVR Power)
It would say that a TVR will have less consistent build quality than a Porsche, but there is lots of advice around on how to sort them.
There are a couple of good MK1's for sale at the moment.
I bought my MK1 in October with TVR Power rebuild and recent clutch. Other cars on my list were 996 C2 and Merc SL55 AMG. The merc was too pricey for a weekend toy and mega bucks to run, IMO 996 was a bit too dull but very nice to drive (Porsche's are so common, you see them daily here). So the Tuscan won.
So far I don't regret it, but I am working through niggles to get the car to how I want it. I do use it for work a bit, but wouldn't use it as an everyday car, I think the Porsche is better suited to that
It would say that a TVR will have less consistent build quality than a Porsche, but there is lots of advice around on how to sort them.
There are a couple of good MK1's for sale at the moment.
I bought my MK1 in October with TVR Power rebuild and recent clutch. Other cars on my list were 996 C2 and Merc SL55 AMG. The merc was too pricey for a weekend toy and mega bucks to run, IMO 996 was a bit too dull but very nice to drive (Porsche's are so common, you see them daily here). So the Tuscan won.
So far I don't regret it, but I am working through niggles to get the car to how I want it. I do use it for work a bit, but wouldn't use it as an everyday car, I think the Porsche is better suited to that
I salute you PGN911, ignoring the wife and listening to your heart.
Sounds like u have the bug for a Tuscan, so just ask all the right questions listed on PH and don't compromise.
As mentioned above, if you plan to commute probably worth getting the warranty.
You'll have to change your PH name when u do get one!
Good luck and update us
Sounds like u have the bug for a Tuscan, so just ask all the right questions listed on PH and don't compromise.
As mentioned above, if you plan to commute probably worth getting the warranty.
You'll have to change your PH name when u do get one!
Good luck and update us
Thanks for all the replies guys.
The more I talk to owners and garages, the more reassured I get. I understand that most owners who have zero trouble would rarely get on the forums and start crowing, and the opposite applies with those who have issues.
Interesting that I e-mailed a pal today who has a 997 C4s and his response was
''You are mad. I always heard TVR were dangerous, ridiculously unreliable, and very expensive to repair.''
With the Porsche, it has given me 22k miles of pure, pain free driving in almost 13 months! It's serviced 3 times though as I appreciate maintenance and care are vital, and would maintain the Tuscan at all costs.
Due to circumstances changing a bit, the Tuscan would be used 4 times a week I suspect, 2 longish runs, 2 smaller (15 mile commutes). No more mega mileage which is a relief.
Lastly, what are thoughts on values of these cars - am crossing my fingers that the depreciation, if any, is not too much of any issue. Am I being wildly optimistic that they migth actually rise in value in the coming years??
The more I talk to owners and garages, the more reassured I get. I understand that most owners who have zero trouble would rarely get on the forums and start crowing, and the opposite applies with those who have issues.
Interesting that I e-mailed a pal today who has a 997 C4s and his response was
''You are mad. I always heard TVR were dangerous, ridiculously unreliable, and very expensive to repair.''
With the Porsche, it has given me 22k miles of pure, pain free driving in almost 13 months! It's serviced 3 times though as I appreciate maintenance and care are vital, and would maintain the Tuscan at all costs.
Due to circumstances changing a bit, the Tuscan would be used 4 times a week I suspect, 2 longish runs, 2 smaller (15 mile commutes). No more mega mileage which is a relief.
Lastly, what are thoughts on values of these cars - am crossing my fingers that the depreciation, if any, is not too much of any issue. Am I being wildly optimistic that they migth actually rise in value in the coming years??
cuzzaluva said:
I salute you PGN911, ignoring the wife and listening to your heart.
Sounds like u have the bug for a Tuscan, so just ask all the right questions listed on PH and don't compromise.
As mentioned above, if you plan to commute probably worth getting the warranty.
You'll have to change your PH name when u do get one!
Good luck and update us
hahahaSounds like u have the bug for a Tuscan, so just ask all the right questions listed on PH and don't compromise.
As mentioned above, if you plan to commute probably worth getting the warranty.
You'll have to change your PH name when u do get one!
Good luck and update us
She knows my screen name on the forum so I hope she isnt reading!!!!!
Yes, the bug has bitten. Will call round as many garages as possible to get a warranty if and when the right car comes along.
Thanks,
P
Good choice of car.
Before I bought mine, various people who had never even been in a TVR tried to tell me how unreliable they were & that I was mad. I had been a fan ever since the Chim was introduced & always wanted one so I was undetered. I knew I would regret it if I didn't take the plunge, even though I'm a born worryer.
I read up as much as I could on here & in books, old mags etc so I was going into it with my eyes open. I haven't regretted it & it hasn't let me down yet.
My advice if you're buying private would be to get an inspection carried out by a TVR specialist prior to purchase. If you're worried about the engine then it's probably wise to go for one with a recent rebuild from the likes of Power or Str8t Six. If it has been done recently then chances are it's still under warranty.
Most aftermarket warranties won't cover you in the event the engine fails. As said above, TVR Power will but they would need to carry out an inspection first to see if there's any signs of wear.
Cars needing an engine rebuild are becoming less & less common but you need to be prepared. Find a good one & have fun!!
Before I bought mine, various people who had never even been in a TVR tried to tell me how unreliable they were & that I was mad. I had been a fan ever since the Chim was introduced & always wanted one so I was undetered. I knew I would regret it if I didn't take the plunge, even though I'm a born worryer.
I read up as much as I could on here & in books, old mags etc so I was going into it with my eyes open. I haven't regretted it & it hasn't let me down yet.
My advice if you're buying private would be to get an inspection carried out by a TVR specialist prior to purchase. If you're worried about the engine then it's probably wise to go for one with a recent rebuild from the likes of Power or Str8t Six. If it has been done recently then chances are it's still under warranty.
Most aftermarket warranties won't cover you in the event the engine fails. As said above, TVR Power will but they would need to carry out an inspection first to see if there's any signs of wear.
Cars needing an engine rebuild are becoming less & less common but you need to be prepared. Find a good one & have fun!!
Welcome and I agree with all of the above, there is not a car around that creates the impression you deliver with a Tuscan IMHO (for the price at least). My advice is to buy one with a rebuild from Str8six or TVR power with the warranty, if you can't find one do as I did and buy one without knowing that you will rebuild it and then take advantage of the warranty, a 4.3 is just superb . They are simply stunning if well looked after, the ones that give trouble tend to be the ones that aren't treated well. That said they are not perfect and you will have to learn to deal with the occasional blip, the build quality is not bmw/porsche/merc but find a good one and it will deliver smiles.
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