Tempted by Tuscan

[new2tvr]

There's no doubt that the Tuscan is one of the best looking cars on the road today and I'm seriously tempted but put off by :

1. the number of second hand Tuscans on the market with very low mileage especially at dealers who don't seem able to get rid ie. they are hanging around for months it seems

2. the number of postings on this site from people who are knocked out on first buying and then seem to get slowly disillusioned due to reliability probems

3. the people who say they are too noisy to live with on a day to day basis

4. the people who say the paintwork is appalling and that annual respays are almost inevitable

I'm prepared to be tolerant but in this day and age paying £35-40Kish for a car ought to guarantee a few basic minimum standards.....or am I just being too fussy??

[andyvdg]

As always buy on condition....

quote:There's no doubt that the Tuscan is one of the best looking cars on the road today and I'm seriously tempted but put off by :

1. the number of second hand Tuscans on the market with very low mileage especially at dealers who don't seem able to get rid ie. they are hanging around for months it seems

Could be a reputation versus reality of that individual car - there could be bargin in there.

2. the number of postings on this site from people who are knocked out on first buying and then seem to get slowly disillusioned due to reliability probems

Not me.

3. the people who say they are too noisy to live with on a day to day basis

I use mine every day. Don't use the radio.

4. the people who say the paintwork is appalling and that annual respays are almost inevitable

I've not heard this at all from any Tuscan owner.

I'm prepared to be tolerant but in this day and age paying £35-40Kish for a car ought to guarantee a few basic minimum standards.....or am I just being too fussy??

[bryanlister]

I do understand some of those concerns. I had a fantastic Chimaera for 4 years that was not an ounce of trouble. Problem was, I gradually fell in love with the Tuscan and increasingly grew dissatisfied with the Chimaera - only because the novelty had worn off and I wanted to try another TVR.

I really hesitated but eventually plucked up the courage and found myself a very well specced Oct 2000 car for less than £30K - absolutely mint. The previous owner had done all the sorting out - only leaving me to drive and polish it. Had it about 6 weeks now and I am really very happy with it. It is easier to find excuses NOT to £30-40K on a car, but as many people say before, happy customers tend to keep it quiet, unhappy ones are more motivated to make some noise.

Go out and drive a couple of cars - and don't be afraid of buying privately. You could be looking at 360 BHP bargain.

[Hobbit]

I have now owned a Tuscan for just 2 months and have already experienced both the frustrations and the thrills that come with it.

The car has been back to the dealer for minor problems with loose trim, an alarm/battery fault and also for an EFI fault.

I agree that general quality of trim and panel/paint finish is pretty poor but all this is forgotten when driving and seeing the reaction the car draws wherever I go.

It's an amazing looking car and probably the most impressive looking road car ever built. Forget all the crazy sports cars that look like they took a wrong turn from a race track. The Tuscan looks like a 100% road car and has as much performance as you will ever need on crowded UK roads.

I would not want to rely on it as my only form of transport but if you can afford to own the ultimate toy then I would thoroughly recommend it.

All TVR need to do now is up the quality control and I would be a very happy bunny!!!

[fish]

drive mine every day, no real problems, great car now done approx 12,000 miles over a year.

[john yates]

I have to say that i have had problems with my Chimaera only minor like a new radiator and electrical problems but even if i was left just holding my steering wheel because the rest of the car had fallen apart by the time i got to the end of the road i would still have a big grin on my face because of the performance and the ridiculous noise from the super sports exhaust. When my accelerator cable snapped i managed to cruise into a garage and for the two hours i waited for a lorry i just shook my head at how much i still loved her even though she had treated me so cruel. Drove a Tuscan but i personaly prefer and love the Cerbera. It has to be a V8 for me every time. I do agree that Tuscans are beautifull in every way. I believe that when you buy a TVR you get such a bargain compared to Ferraris Porches and Lambos that its only fair to have a few problems. Thats what i say to myself when i am sat by the roadside or run out of petrol on the M1.

[ajvmoore]

Do not regret for one moment that I bought a Tuscan - had it two and a bit years from new, it's had all the usual problems - best thing I ever did - ! Now, I hear you all saying "of course Andy - but then yours is for sale!" - well yes it is - but only so that I can get another one - glutton for thrills! (R on order)There simply is no other car on the road which I could imagine being more satisfying!

[superlightr]

I love the look of the Tuscan, but was put off by the reliability issues and servicing costs.

You can pick up a good used 911 for the same price and will have as much fun. The resale will be better.

In the end as i use the car everyday for work as it has to be reliable and secure in all weathers and so went for the 911 targa.

I would be interested to go for a TVR in the future if the cars are more reliable.

[thepeoplespal]

My brother has had two Tuscans June 2000 and a May 2001 build dates (approx)and the 2nd one was just so much better. It gets driven almost everyday (which they seem to prefer) and while it has been by no means perfect (throttle cable snapped) nothing has been enough to put him of having a TVR.
Toyos seem to be the tyres to go for as well. (std eqp these days)

Helps if you have a good relationship with your dealer or Independent specialist.

Go out test drive a few or more than a few, don't be afraid of a higher mileage car and get a good warranty deal for a bit of piece of mind.

They are not cheap to service or to run, but nothing is better value for money.

There is also a tuscan-owners Yahoo group for more info (Hopes thats okay PetrolTed).