Tuscan to an Exige??
Discussion
Hi guys, know this post may get a few biased posts on here but i'm looking for all views, negative or positive.
Recently sold my mk1 Tuscan 4.0 due to needing to free up some money to buy a house.
Once I get the house sorted out I will need to get another play thing. It will only be a second car so just used for the weekends and playing with maybe a track day or two thrown in.
Looking at getting a Exige s, either second hand or if the sums work out, getting a new one.
Thing is, will I find the experience dull after having the Tuscan. I love the noise and presence with the TVR and roof off motoring is always fun. Would a new exhaust/de-cat give the Exige a decent amount of noise to make pedestrians take notice as I drive past?
0-60 looks pretty much identical and i'm not worried about top speed as you never get anywhere close to them. What about mid range and overtaking. The Tuscan was excellent at 70+ accelleration, does the smaller engine of the Exige mean more gear changes.
I would hope that the Exige would corner better than the Tuscan.
What is build quality like? Tvr is exactly good and I don't mind doing bit's and pieces but coming to the end of TVR ownership got a little frustrating with stupid little bits giving problems all the time.
Cheers in advance for any views.
Steven
Recently sold my mk1 Tuscan 4.0 due to needing to free up some money to buy a house.
Once I get the house sorted out I will need to get another play thing. It will only be a second car so just used for the weekends and playing with maybe a track day or two thrown in.
Looking at getting a Exige s, either second hand or if the sums work out, getting a new one.
Thing is, will I find the experience dull after having the Tuscan. I love the noise and presence with the TVR and roof off motoring is always fun. Would a new exhaust/de-cat give the Exige a decent amount of noise to make pedestrians take notice as I drive past?
0-60 looks pretty much identical and i'm not worried about top speed as you never get anywhere close to them. What about mid range and overtaking. The Tuscan was excellent at 70+ accelleration, does the smaller engine of the Exige mean more gear changes.
I would hope that the Exige would corner better than the Tuscan.
What is build quality like? Tvr is exactly good and I don't mind doing bit's and pieces but coming to the end of TVR ownership got a little frustrating with stupid little bits giving problems all the time.
Cheers in advance for any views.
Steven
I had a 4.0 Chim and I still miss the noise every time I start up the Lotus, and miss the shove everytime I come out of a roundabout, but on the whole is the Lotus is as good a car. Certainly loads better put together (there are no bits to fall off!!!) and reliability is pretty much 100%, and its running costs are a fraction of the TVR. The handling is 'more sporty' - lighter, flatter, dartier, but is much less 'adjustable' at the back end than the TVR (for me) - I used to wag the tail of the TVR most days - I don't do that with the Lotus.
For me its a totally different experience, neither one nor the other is better.
For me its a totally different experience, neither one nor the other is better.
In the past I had - (TVR'S) a V8S, #2- 500 Griffs., a Tuscan and Cerbera.
The only drawback with the current Exige S w.r.t. TVR's is getting
in and out. I have been totally without failings (including
finishes) with the Exige. It is a sight better w.r.t. fuel consumption
and for normal road use (quick-continental) it does not use oil.
If you refer to U-Tube, there are many examples therein of
numerous exhaust systems on sale for the Exige. On mine I have a 8"
2bular and that gives a very satisfactory aural note . If needs be
there are examples for sale that are loud and they would be exempt
from track usage.
My insurance (unsurpased in offering) is alas just about twice as much
as the previous Caterham CSR 260 that I had.
The only drawback with the current Exige S w.r.t. TVR's is getting
in and out. I have been totally without failings (including
finishes) with the Exige. It is a sight better w.r.t. fuel consumption
and for normal road use (quick-continental) it does not use oil.
If you refer to U-Tube, there are many examples therein of
numerous exhaust systems on sale for the Exige. On mine I have a 8"
2bular and that gives a very satisfactory aural note . If needs be
there are examples for sale that are loud and they would be exempt
from track usage.
My insurance (unsurpased in offering) is alas just about twice as much
as the previous Caterham CSR 260 that I had.
I went rom a 4.5 chim to a 111R. The 111R is faster, everywhere IMO - provided you get the gear right. I sold my TVR and went lotus because, ultimately, you can make a Lotus go as fast as a TVR, but you will never be able to make a TVR handle like a Lotus. I have been out a few times with the old TVR car club and I felt I kept up well on anything but long straight motorways. On B roads, Lotus relaxed driving is equal to TVR on the edge going mental driving. Currently saving for a supercharger 
If performance is really a concern and you *must* have just the fastest thing out there, ask Chimjunkie about his little Audi engined S1 and then realise that you can add over 100bhp to that performance
If performance is really a concern and you *must* have just the fastest thing out there, ask Chimjunkie about his little Audi engined S1 and then realise that you can add over 100bhp to that performance
STEVEY_SC said:
I don't think you'll be blown away with the power as you'll need atleast a Cup 260 or an aftermarket power option on the stock Exige S. The handling will blow you away though as its about as direct and connected as you can get. It's like driving a slightly more refined go kart.
"King of the go-karts" is how the dealer described the car to me before I bought it. Went from a T350c (my fourth TVR) to a 111R and have never looked back - did have to slip a super-charger on it though to give me a few more horses I would say the same as the above. I had a 4.0 Chim, then an M3 breadvan then an Exige 240 cup. I test drive all the exiges, N/A, S and 240. The 240 was the closest I could get to the straight line speed, as all the others seemed very slow in comparison.
But the exiges is less to run, more mpg, just as nice - although different inside the cabin, much better handling, good build quality (was a 2005/6 car). I had a lotus sports exhaust one mine which was louder and looked better than the stock, but still it did not sound anywhere near as good as a TVR. If I still had the exige I would go with an after market exhaust to try and get it sounding good.
But the exiges is less to run, more mpg, just as nice - although different inside the cabin, much better handling, good build quality (was a 2005/6 car). I had a lotus sports exhaust one mine which was louder and looked better than the stock, but still it did not sound anywhere near as good as a TVR. If I still had the exige I would go with an after market exhaust to try and get it sounding good.
get a loud exhaust is my advice.
I have a tuscan and an Elise 111r at the moment. what you lose in outrageous S6 noises can be gained back from an exhaust system. The toyota engine is capable of some stunning sounds, and the supercharger whine only adds to the repertoire. I have a quicksilver titanium on my elise and to be honest it's a bit too loud. Lotus stage 2 level is overall better, if not quite as outrageous at full chat.
having recently driven a 260 exige it's definitely closer in a straight line to the tuscan than my elise. The tusc might still have a small advantage, but having kept up with porsche gt3s with ease on the straights, the 260 cars are genuinely very quick. my friend's also crept over 160mph (as measured by the GPS). So it might not beat a tuscan down a runway but around a track it would leave all but the most skilled tuscan drivers behind.
you can get the 260 upgrade applied to any Exige S too.
mind you if you love the convertible part the roof comes off a lot easier on the tuscan.
I have a tuscan and an Elise 111r at the moment. what you lose in outrageous S6 noises can be gained back from an exhaust system. The toyota engine is capable of some stunning sounds, and the supercharger whine only adds to the repertoire. I have a quicksilver titanium on my elise and to be honest it's a bit too loud. Lotus stage 2 level is overall better, if not quite as outrageous at full chat.
having recently driven a 260 exige it's definitely closer in a straight line to the tuscan than my elise. The tusc might still have a small advantage, but having kept up with porsche gt3s with ease on the straights, the 260 cars are genuinely very quick. my friend's also crept over 160mph (as measured by the GPS). So it might not beat a tuscan down a runway but around a track it would leave all but the most skilled tuscan drivers behind.
you can get the 260 upgrade applied to any Exige S too.
mind you if you love the convertible part the roof comes off a lot easier on the tuscan.
Edited by The Pits on Tuesday 1st June 14:01
personally i think its a little unfair of people to be comparing their experiences in a chimera to a tuscan, for me the tuscan is far more of "an event" kind of a car than the chimera and the exige, lets not kid ourselves, build quality on either is never going to win any jd power surveys, although lotus have come on in leaps and bounds since the s1 elise. my advice, sod what other people tell you, have a drive and draw your own conclusions
swannynhb said:
personally i think its a little unfair of people to be comparing their experiences in a chimera to a tuscan, for me the tuscan is far more of "an event" kind of a car than the chimera and the exige
Ha ha, not not sure about 'unfair', I don't have any choice, not having driven a Tuscan - although I think that will be the next car if i ever get rid of the elise - but I think that the point about being an event is a fair comparison, to me I think that the Chim was a comparable 'event', but is much more so than my Lotus, especially with the V8 thunder. Part of the problem was that quite a few of those 'events' culminated in me standing at the side of the road waiting for the AA man, normally for some stupid electrical fault, not a 'real' problem.......If I win the lottery I think I'll put an S/C Honda in the Elise and buy a Sagaris for when I want a hairy chested moment.
Loudman said:
swannynhb said:
personally i think its a little unfair of people to be comparing their experiences in a chimera to a tuscan, for me the tuscan is far more of "an event" kind of a car than the chimera and the exige
Ha ha, not not sure about 'unfair', I don't have any choice, not having driven a Tuscan - although I think that will be the next car if i ever get rid of the elise - but I think that the point about being an event is a fair comparison, to me I think that the Chim was a comparable 'event', but is much more so than my Lotus, especially with the V8 thunder. Part of the problem was that quite a few of those 'events' culminated in me standing at the side of the road waiting for the AA man, normally for some stupid electrical fault, not a 'real' problem.......If I win the lottery I think I'll put an S/C Honda in the Elise and buy a Sagaris for when I want a hairy chested moment.
I have only one good friend with a TVR - a Tuscan. It makes the most phenomenal racket, absolutely awesome and by all accounts is mind-bendingly quick. However, the amount of money it's cost him is terrifying - to the extent where he's barely had chance to drive the thing. If straight line speed is that important, I'd be looking to Noble.
Re the Tuscan / Chim comments, I have driven a Tusc 2S convertable and a chim 4.5 and the Chim was by far the bigger event, although the Tuscan was a better, more advanced car in every way. If I was in the position of the OP I would get an 07 Exige S and the 280 Komotec upgrade. Evo did a review of this and compared it's cross country ability as in line with the most mental of Mitsu Evos. I can believe it
Had a Tuscan and a Honda Elise S1 and now Elise S2 SC. On drive ability the elise in by far the better all around car, and a good move from a Tuscan, it does corners like a Tuscan never will. Not quite the event of the Tuscan in terms of a Honda / Yota 4 cylinder against the straight six of the Tuscan, but it wins in so many other ways. I can't say I've ever really missed the Tuscan, although I still like it. the over run burble being perhaps the only element I miss.
I would get a RS32 S1, that way 6 cylinders, bit better noise and quicker than virtually anything around especially with SC. That maybe an option for you! If you want an S2 SC then I'm selling mine!
I would get a RS32 S1, that way 6 cylinders, bit better noise and quicker than virtually anything around especially with SC. That maybe an option for you! If you want an S2 SC then I'm selling mine!
I went from Exige to T350.
Power wise, my Exige was NA so there was a huge jump for me, the TVR would hammer an Exige on a straight.
Handling, pretty obvious this one, I genuinely thought there was something wrong with my TVR, the steering felt so light and not great feedback. I got used to it though.
Build quality, much the same, never had much problems with either.. Exige rattled more though actually felt like it was screwed together better.
Smiles per mile.. TVR by a mile.
Overall, I'd take the TVR over the Exige.. I think, if I could deal with the S6 engine etc again.
Power wise, my Exige was NA so there was a huge jump for me, the TVR would hammer an Exige on a straight.
Handling, pretty obvious this one, I genuinely thought there was something wrong with my TVR, the steering felt so light and not great feedback. I got used to it though.
Build quality, much the same, never had much problems with either.. Exige rattled more though actually felt like it was screwed together better.
Smiles per mile.. TVR by a mile.
Overall, I'd take the TVR over the Exige.. I think, if I could deal with the S6 engine etc again.
"Once I get the house sorted out I will need to get another play thing. It will only be a second car so just used for the weekends and playing with maybe a track day or two thrown in.
Looking at getting a Exige s, either second hand or if the sums work out, getting a new one."
I love these "look at me im stinking rich posts".
Looking at getting a Exige s, either second hand or if the sums work out, getting a new one."
I love these "look at me im stinking rich posts".
I had an Elise for years and then switched to a Tuscan 2 convertible - I'm now selling that and thinking of going back to an Elise.
The Elise handles way better, but I found passengers were always "disturbed" about no carpets, sitting on the floor, not so comfortable. You can just jump in an Elise and drive it flat out and you'll love it. The handling is really predictable - somebody above mentioned "go carts" - and that's just how it feels - you almost think it round corners. The luggage space in the Elise is rubbish, though - my wife found it a challenge packing for a weekend away in an Elise, whereas the TVR has tons of space. There's room for a half-decent soft bag in the boot and that's about it (although we did once drive to venice for a 2 week holiday in the Elise, but I'm not sure she's forgiven me yet!) I know some people complain about room in the Elise, but I always found it super comfy once in there - and I'm 16 stone and 6 foot two - it's not the most elegant thing to get in to and out of, and your passenger probably won't want to try getting out of the car in a short skirt!!!
The TVR is way faster (obviously), way more comfy, and you have to treat the loud pedal and handling with much more respect in my view. I haven't tried a 260 Exige, for example, but I don't think it would have the same acceleration at high speeds as a Tuscan - on track acceleration at 100mph+ in the Tuscan is awesome - given that the Exige isn't massively lighter than the Tuscan (850kg compared to 1050kg, realistically?) I don't think 260bhp would match the TVR 360-400? I always felt "uneasy" that the TVR was going to explode, which I never felt with the Elise - actually the TVR was super-reliable, but every time I drove it hard I couldn't help but think about horror stories. The careful warming up of the TVR is again much less of an issue (from what I know) for the Lotus.
At the end of the day, they're both stunning cars - they're very different but in my view both make great toys!
hope that helps
Richard
The Elise handles way better, but I found passengers were always "disturbed" about no carpets, sitting on the floor, not so comfortable. You can just jump in an Elise and drive it flat out and you'll love it. The handling is really predictable - somebody above mentioned "go carts" - and that's just how it feels - you almost think it round corners. The luggage space in the Elise is rubbish, though - my wife found it a challenge packing for a weekend away in an Elise, whereas the TVR has tons of space. There's room for a half-decent soft bag in the boot and that's about it (although we did once drive to venice for a 2 week holiday in the Elise, but I'm not sure she's forgiven me yet!) I know some people complain about room in the Elise, but I always found it super comfy once in there - and I'm 16 stone and 6 foot two - it's not the most elegant thing to get in to and out of, and your passenger probably won't want to try getting out of the car in a short skirt!!!
The TVR is way faster (obviously), way more comfy, and you have to treat the loud pedal and handling with much more respect in my view. I haven't tried a 260 Exige, for example, but I don't think it would have the same acceleration at high speeds as a Tuscan - on track acceleration at 100mph+ in the Tuscan is awesome - given that the Exige isn't massively lighter than the Tuscan (850kg compared to 1050kg, realistically?) I don't think 260bhp would match the TVR 360-400? I always felt "uneasy" that the TVR was going to explode, which I never felt with the Elise - actually the TVR was super-reliable, but every time I drove it hard I couldn't help but think about horror stories. The careful warming up of the TVR is again much less of an issue (from what I know) for the Lotus.
At the end of the day, they're both stunning cars - they're very different but in my view both make great toys!
hope that helps
Richard
hueandcry71 said:
"Once I get the house sorted out I will need to get another play thing. It will only be a second car so just used for the weekends and playing with maybe a track day or two thrown in.
Looking at getting a Exige s, either second hand or if the sums work out, getting a new one."
I love these "look at me im stinking rich posts".
Is that any worse that your list of cars you've owned: BMW Z4, Lotus Elise 111S, Audi TT Roadster, Lotus Elise 111R, Saab 9-3 Convertible, Lotus Elise Sports Racer, NA Exige, etc.Looking at getting a Exige s, either second hand or if the sums work out, getting a new one."
I love these "look at me im stinking rich posts".
I love these "look at me im stinking rich" lists of cars previously owned...
rejn said:
hueandcry71 said:
"Once I get the house sorted out I will need to get another play thing. It will only be a second car so just used for the weekends and playing with maybe a track day or two thrown in.
Looking at getting a Exige s, either second hand or if the sums work out, getting a new one."
I love these "look at me im stinking rich posts".
Is that any worse that your list of cars you've owned: BMW Z4, Lotus Elise 111S, Audi TT Roadster, Lotus Elise 111R, Saab 9-3 Convertible, Lotus Elise Sports Racer, NA Exige, etc.Looking at getting a Exige s, either second hand or if the sums work out, getting a new one."
I love these "look at me im stinking rich posts".
I love these "look at me im stinking rich" lists of cars previously owned...
Also to be fair im dead jealous and wasnt having a pop.
edited to add that the bloody smiley thing didnt work again with this post!!
Edited by hueandcry71 on Wednesday 16th June 18:53
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