Tuscan MKI and Mark II

[JohnD63]

Excuse my ignorance but is there much difference between the MKI and MKII. I'm mostly referring to reliability. I do however prefer the look of the MarkI. Thanks for any advice.

[so called]

Hi John,
Body work wise I found my Mk2 better fit and finish than my Mk1.
The engine was improved in 2004 and so is proving to be more durable in the Mk2.

There were supposed to be suspension improvements in the Mk2 but mine still isnt as good as my Mk1 was (both with changed shocks etc).

Looks are down to personal choice.
I love the Mk1 lights but not so keen on the pepper grill.
I love the complete front end of the Mk2.
I loved the simplicity of the early Mk1 rear lights.
I absolutely love the rear lightson the Mk2.
I much prefer my wavey dash in my Mk2 over my Mk1 but at the same time either designs (plus the variations that exist).
are way different than anything else out on the road so, to me, they all very special.

I loved my Mk1 (RIP), I love my Mk2.

Tony.

Edited by so called on Wednesday 6th April 08:25

[JohnD63]

Thanks Tony.

[salmon]

so called said:

Hi John,
Body work wise I found my Mk2 better fit and finish than my Mk1.
The engine was improved in 2004 and so is proving to be more durable in the Mk2.

There were supposed to be suspension improvements in the Mk2 but mine still isnt as good as my Mk1 was (both with changed shocks etc).

Looks are down to personal choice.
I love the Mk1 lights but not so keen on the pepper grill.
I love the complete front end of the Mk2.
I loved the simplicity of the early Mk1 rear lights.
I absolutely love the rear lightson the Mk2.
I much prefer my wavey dash in my Mk2 over my Mk1 but at the same time either designs (plus the variations that exist).
are way different than anything else out on the road so, to me, they all very special.

I loved my Mk1 (RIP), I love my Mk2.

Tony.

Edited by so called on Wednesday 6th April 08:25

But which is better? There's only one way to find out...

FIGHT!!!

[so called]

salmon said:

so called said:

Hi John,
Body work wise I found my Mk2 better fit and finish than my Mk1.
The engine was improved in 2004 and so is proving to be more durable in the Mk2.

There were supposed to be suspension improvements in the Mk2 but mine still isnt as good as my Mk1 was (both with changed shocks etc).

Looks are down to personal choice.
I love the Mk1 lights but not so keen on the pepper grill.
I love the complete front end of the Mk2.
I loved the simplicity of the early Mk1 rear lights.
I absolutely love the rear lightson the Mk2.
I much prefer my wavey dash in my Mk2 over my Mk1 but at the same time either designs (plus the variations that exist).
are way different than anything else out on the road so, to me, they all very special.

I loved my Mk1 (RIP), I love my Mk2.

Tony.

Edited by so called on Wednesday 6th April 08:25

But which is better? There's only one way to find out...

FIGHT!!!

Just gave myself a fat lip !!!!!!!

[Guvernator]

I've often wondered this too during idle times when I have the insane idea that owning a Tuscan is a good idea. I much prefer the front sunken light arrangment of the MK1, I think it makes the car look more aggressive. The MK2 looks very similiar but obviously has the lenses covering the lights, can these be removed\changed to make them look like the MK1?

Also is their any statistical evidence to suggest that a MK2 engine is more reliable, the major thing that puts me of a Tuscan is hearing the countless engine rebuild stories speed six engines, some having covered less than 30k miles. This kind of problem would not be conducive to me enjoying the TVR ownership experience as I hate unreliable cars.

[so called]

Guvernator said:

I've often wondered this too during idle times when I have the insane idea that owning a Tuscan is a good idea. I much prefer the front sunken light arrangment of the MK1, I think it makes the car look more aggressive. The MK2 looks very similiar but obviously has the lenses covering the lights, can these be removed\changed to make them look like the MK1?

Also is their any statistical evidence to suggest that a MK2 engine is more reliable, the major thing that puts me of a Tuscan is hearing the countless engine rebuild stories speed six engines, some having covered less than 30k miles. This kind of problem would not be conducive to me enjoying the TVR ownership experience as I hate unreliable cars.

I dont know about written statistics but if you speak with any of the rebuilders or indy workshops they will all tell you the same.
People like Jason at Str8six know all of the issues that were never put right pre NS but were sorted on cars from 2004 on. Things like improved oil ways and made in I####a engine bits.
Jasons, TVR Power etc. put right those details in their rebuilds and from what I understand do even more.
My Mk1 did 35k then was rebuilt by TVR in 2003 to the original standard and was then rebuilt at 70k (at least it was consistant at 2 x 35k).
After the second rebuild by Jason I was much more confident of a longer life. Later inspections showed that she was looking very good. Pitty I broke her.
My Mk2 is on about 45k now but there are plenty more on much higher mileage than me.

[Guvernator]

so called said:

I dont know about written statistics but if you speak with any of the rebuilders or indy workshops they will all tell you the same.
People like Jason at Str8six know all of the issues that were never put right pre NS but were sorted on cars from 2004 on. Things like improved oil ways and made in I####a engine bits.
Jasons, TVR Power etc. put right those details in their rebuilds and from what I understand do even more.
My Mk1 did 35k then was rebuilt by TVR in 2003 to the original standard and was then rebuilt at 70k (at least it was consistant at 2 x 35k).
After the second rebuild by Jason I was much more confident of a longer life. Later inspections showed that she was looking very good. Pitty I broke her.
My Mk2 is on about 45k now but there are plenty more on much higher mileage than me.

Do you still not think that 2 rebuilds in 70k is a lot? The worrying thing in the TVR world is people seem to talk about engine rebuilds as if they were talking about oil changes! I would not enjoy owning a car which needed it's engine rebuilding so often. Your MK2 has faired better but 45k is still not high mielage in my estimation, most cars are just getting going at that sort of figure. Much as love the look and ethos of TVR, the MK1 Tuscan especially, this is why I doubt I could ever own one.

[nrick]

The issue is that these engines should be regarded as race engines, flat plane cranks, hand built, low volume manufacture, 100hp per litre with a rev limit of 8k. 45k on a race engine is remarkable, 200k on my BMW mass produced engines is normal of a run of the mill engine.

I'll be happy if my race engine does 50k......

[Flintstone]

Guvernator said:

ut 45k is still not high mielage in my estimation, most cars are just getting going at that sort of figure. Much as love the look and ethos of TVR, the MK1 Tuscan especially, this is why I doubt I could ever own one.

You do know that some rebuilds now come with a five year warranty?

[Smooth Smith]

Flintstone said:

You do know that some rebuilds now come with a five year warranty?

.......& one with a 100k warranty. Can't get much better than that on a race engine!

[nrick]

Smooth Smith said:

.......& one with a 100k warranty. Can't get much better than that on a race engine!

[blueg33]

Mine has a 5 year and 100,000 mile warranty

[so called]

Guvernator said:

so called said:

I dont know about written statistics but if you speak with any of the rebuilders or indy workshops they will all tell you the same.
People like Jason at Str8six know all of the issues that were never put right pre NS but were sorted on cars from 2004 on. Things like improved oil ways and made in I####a engine bits.
Jasons, TVR Power etc. put right those details in their rebuilds and from what I understand do even more.
My Mk1 did 35k then was rebuilt by TVR in 2003 to the original standard and was then rebuilt at 70k (at least it was consistant at 2 x 35k).
After the second rebuild by Jason I was much more confident of a longer life. Later inspections showed that she was looking very good. Pitty I broke her.
My Mk2 is on about 45k now but there are plenty more on much higher mileage than me.

Do you still not think that 2 rebuilds in 70k is a lot? The worrying thing in the TVR world is people seem to talk about engine rebuilds as if they were talking about oil changes! I would not enjoy owning a car which needed it's engine rebuilding so often. Your MK2 has faired better but 45k is still not high mielage in my estimation, most cars are just getting going at that sort of figure. Much as love the look and ethos of TVR, the MK1 Tuscan especially, this is why I doubt I could ever own one.

My point was that my Mk2 is now on 45k and still going strong and that there are plenty of the later engines on much higher mileage than mine.
Driving to Germany next week and either Spain, S-o-France or Italy in the summer. These cars are great.

[Robertjp]

2 rebuilds in 70k miles is relatively high...but then thats not the whole story. You need to understand the detail, such as who did the rebuild, what was done, and what components were used. Its only in 2003 that the components started to improve, and both components and design refinement has taken place over the last 8 years.

The factory had apparently just about got it sorted by 2004/2005.

If you bought a car with a recent Str8 Six or TVR power rebuild you would be very very safe.

Its never going to be 100% safe owning a thoroughbred though....that goes from the apparently uber reliable porsche to any other you would like to mention (take a look in the porsche forum, they arent without issue by any stretch). You will struggle to find a car with the performance of a Tuscan that costs less to buy and run....unless you move to kit car style, maybe a Honda Elise...but they arent the same kind of car.

[Robertjp]

...one more thing to add...if you intend to use it as a second car....AND...it has had a rebuild....the chances are you will be sitting happy for a very long time. I do 3-4k miles a year in mine....EVEN if it only lasts another 30k miles, thats 8-10 years! I replaced anything that was worn with uprated components though...so i wouldn't be surprised if it managed at least double i.e. 60k without issue...plenty of others have.

The difference between mkI and mkII isnt necessarily a relevant question in my eyes, buy on condition and history....i would buy a car on history and condition over age any day of the week, honestly with these cars its not the age or mk thats the driving factor in reliability.

[Guvernator]

Hmmm, food for thought. Ideally then it'd be a Mk1 Tuscan (I just prefer the looks) and then off to a reputable company for a warrantied rebuild and it should be plain sailing from there. How much do rebuilds cost on average? Also are there other major components which are considered "weak" and need upgrading on Tuscan's? I've heard that suspension may be another problem area?

[B.J.W]

Guvernator said:

Hmmm, food for thought. Ideally then it'd be a Mk1 Tuscan (I just prefer the looks) and then off to a reputable company for a warrantied rebuild and it should be plain sailing from there. How much do rebuilds cost on average? Also are there other major components which are considered "weak" and need upgrading on Tuscan's? I've heard that suspension may be another problem area?

The place I have just bought my Tuscan S from said that the engine rebuild on mine cost the previous owner somewhere in the region of 12k in total. I am new to Tuscan ownership, but having done a fair bit of reading up my understanding is that the rebuilds cost upwards of £6k??

[Guvernator]

B.J.W said:

The place I have just bought my Tuscan S from said that the engine rebuild on mine cost the previous owner somewhere in the region of 12k in total. I am new to Tuscan ownership, but having done a fair bit of reading up my understanding is that the rebuilds cost upwards of £6k??

Wow £12k, REALLY? That's half the cost of a decent Tuscan!! It's stuff like this that puts me off. Why is it £12K? A rebuild on a Skyline can be done for £3k.

[blueg33]

Guvernator said:

Wow £12k, REALLY? That's half the cost of a decent Tuscan!! It's stuff like this that puts me off. Why is it £12K? A rebuild on a Skyline can be done for £3k.

Rebuild prices on TVR Power website. I think there 4.3 upgrade is only £7k plus VAT and that gives much more than a rebuild