[tuscanboy]

I think many of these points are very subjecttive, but here's my opinion. In the right hands the handling on a standard tuscan is good, and I'm not suggesting for a moment that this applies to me. Neither models suffer careless drivers gladly. I really couldn't see how an additonal 20 bhp justified spending another 4K when new, but if you can get it for only a few hundred quid extra why not - the only consideration is whether long term RR engines (espcially earlier ones)prove as reliable as non red rose variants. I didn't get Aircon, because again at £1200 i could neither afford or really justify it. I have to say I really don't regret it. Basically if the weather is hot, the roof comes off and the aircon would have little or no effect. I have a black interior so heat is probably more of a problem than on other cars, but unless you fancy driving your car with the roof on and the windows up, I dont see the point. Cerbera owners have no choice in the roof option, so it is a must for them. Again, if you can get aircon for only a little extra you might as well. The only thing I would say is if the car has little of the years warranty left- EXTEND IT. Although the engines are covered for two years it only applies to the core internal components, not to any other ancillary bits. It also doesn't include the gearbox. Mine had to be replaced at 6K miles / 11 months old. Again this, like many of the other issues raised in these pages are not covered after the car is 12 months old. You can get a 2 year full extension for around £750.00

[fish]

Just got a nearly new March '01 car paid effectively £37k from a dealer. This has the upgraded discs and suspension as standard. I opted to put the car back onto 16" wheels as the handling is far better for day to day road use. Okay 18" do look slightly better but the handling is far worse on roads and the tyres are far more expensive. Still running in and can't wait till I can open it up properly. Did have to do alot of ringing round to get that price!

[m18hty]

caz, I have a Tuscan that's only done 100 miles and I need to sell it. Cheap. It's a v nice spec, contact me if interested. [e-mail]

[deanb]

There is a big difference between RR and non-RR. Having had a non-RR (with 18-inch wheels) to drive for a couple of weekends, while mine was away at the factory I've had a chance to do a decent comparison, although obviously there are always variations between individual cars. My observations - possibly a bit more low-end torque on the non-RR, but very noticeably much less power at the the top end. Subjectively it felt like more than 20bhp. Non-RR brakes were also less good by a measurable margin. Perversely, the non-RR seemed to have more grip, although later found out that that was because the geometry on mine was out & was much better when fixed.