She's gonna have to go

[jezMc]

Well my Tuscan ownership looks like a short but sweet experience. Problem will oil starvation with a question mark over the warrantee covering it.

Was on a tight budget anyhow but this possible rebuild has put me over the edge. It has been a wild ride but I think I need better luck and a fatter wallet before I can return to the Clan.

Once rebuilt you'll see my Chameleon blue beaut in the Classifieds

Gutted

[mad-dot]

Sorry to hear that Jez.....hope it hasn't left too bitter a taste

[salty-nlv]

Sorry to hear that Jez, it looks a fantastic car.

I presume you will be returning to the Lotus fold?

How come warranty isn't paying out?

[Mr Freefall]

I would be very surprised if you had to pay for the rebuild if it’s the cars first one...

[smirnoff]

What were the symptoms did it just blow up, did you let the oil run dry?

[jezMc]

Started to sound 'tappety' last Saturday, was supposed to be in @ Racing Green for its 18K service on the following friday so she limped with a hope that it could be just a valve related problem but alas no. Oil level was 'low' but still within range.
All OK on the valve front and a 25% lack of pressure from one of the ports so a visit to TVR intensive care is immanent.
I got it @ the end of March and have managed to clock up 6000 fun packed miles and in that time have managed to get through in excess of 20litres of Mobil 1.
I have seen so many posts regarding engines popping and warrantee companies squirming that I am sorted of resigned to the fact that a 6k bill is on its way to me.
I had a 'slush' fund but a new set of S02's and a few minor niggles seemed to have eaten most of it up.
What is facinating me at the moment is the way the warrantee companies seem to get away with this 'secondry damage' thing. I recently had my wipers do a half pike caused by the rod coming lose. Which inturn pushed the bonnet up and crazed the paintwork. I'm covered for the connecting rod.........
Also hope the 'general wear and tear' phrase won't be mentioned during this inquest!

Thanks for your messages guys.

Anyone got a Nova?!

[smirnoff]

That's interesting got mine on 25 June and only done about 1200 miles since (only 4 litres of mobile 1 so far). Has been starting to sound "tappety" over the last week/10 days but only when hot and at speed. Went on a "Ride-Drive" one day course yesterday and it intermitantly sounded like it was missing a cylinder. I was driving it quite hard and it seemed to clear itself, but not being happy I pulled into dealer on the way home last night. It is still there being looked at today. Fingers crossed.

[Mr Freefall]

I was told very unofficially that TVR seem to be rebuilding the cars if it is the first rebuild, you have a warranty they can try to claim of and you have not been driving it like a plonker, e.g. not letting the car warm up before rev's and red-lining it in every gear every change.

This is as I say 'unofficial' but seems to be the norm. Tvr try and get some money from the Insurance Company, they don’t pay up to save bad press they foot the costs.

You have to pay to the 1000 mile service which costs around £500, and that’s about it.

Please do not quote me on this, but it might help you sleep a bit better. I worried for 3 months until I got my car back.

[salty-nlv]

This is what riles me a bit, that as my engine is up at TVR hospital, TVR have agreed to cover costs even though it is over two years hence admittting it is their design/engineering fault, but through no fault of my own, I wil have to pay for the 1000k miles service afterwards caused by their poor engine!!!
Will have to speak to my dealer to see if we can come to an agreement let's say..Although I came into this with my eyes open, so am happy to expect realistic costs, but sometimes it drives you mad at how easy it is to get fleeced by the whole thing...Sorry for sounding pessimistic but have been without my car now for 4 weeeks and am really getting a bit crotchety as am missing it badly!!! Sad isn't it?

[tuscan't]

Depending on how long you've had the car, you could try a carefully crafted letter to your dealer quoting your consumer rights. According to the law, the goods must be 'of satisfactory quality' and 'fit for the purpose'.

If you can prove that it is not (relatively easy with a Tuscan) and suggest that you will be 'rejecting' the car should all of the problems not be sorted, then you could be in a position to negotiate the service following the rebuild for free (at a minimum).

Just a thought, but it worked for me. I'd had my Tuscan for 4 months and it was 18 months old.

I found the site linked below very useful.

www.adviceguide.org.uk/index/your_world/consumer_affairs/problems_with_goods.htm

>> Edited by tuscan't on Thursday 24th July 10:26

[nutcase]

Tuscan't, I've sent you an email and would appreciate any advice you have on rejecting a car as i'm in a very similar position, with the TVR dealership maintaining their decision (at present) to not accept the car back and return my deposit...

[salty-nlv]

Cheers, Tuscan't, would like to keep a good relationship with my dealer as I suspect that they are as annoyed as me with the factory, so will leave this as a last resort, will see what agreements we can come to first..

[anonymous-user]

£500 for a 1000 mile service is ridiculous.
All they really do is change the oil over!

Makes me mad the way they are so inconsistent with the way they treat customers.

Some get everything free, some have to pay for engine removals, some have to pay full wack for a rebuild if they're out of warranty, some successfully don't (even out of warranty). Some get free 1000 mile service others don't etc etc!

Please sort it out TVR ! There are LOTS of unhappy people here. The Pistonheads "Tuscan" forum will be renamed "Rebuild" forum unless you do something about this !

Rant over....

[ghunter]

£119...that's what I paid for my 1000 mile service. I would have thought it would be a standard "menu" price......sorreee..forgot...TVR. Nothing simple.

[washy]

Guys, I'm pretty sure the 1000mile service involves checking and resetting valve clearances hence circa £500. On a new car you only pay for consumables (oil etc) hence price less than £100. This explains the variation I think.

Washy

[ghunter]

washy said:

Guys, I'm pretty sure the 1000mile service involves checking and resetting valve clearances hence circa £500. On a new car you only pay for consumables (oil etc) hence price less than £100. This explains the variation I think. Washy

Not with you. They do check the v/v clearances and a host of stuff on the 1000 mile service. You only pay for consumables. Nobody should pay more than £100 for that service. I think we get the point anyway so no mileage pursuing it.