tuscan against Ferrari
Discussion
HI all
I own a 450se which i will keep,Im deciding whether to buy a new Tuscan or a S/H 348spider.
reading the threads abiout these engines scares me.
one question.
1.does anyone know the ratio of failed engines IE year builds certain numbers are the latest ones O.K causes known and fixed etc.
I love the look noise etc of a tuscan but i might buy the Horse instead not sure.
I own a 450se which i will keep,Im deciding whether to buy a new Tuscan or a S/H 348spider.
reading the threads abiout these engines scares me.
one question.
1.does anyone know the ratio of failed engines IE year builds certain numbers are the latest ones O.K causes known and fixed etc.
I love the look noise etc of a tuscan but i might buy the Horse instead not sure.
I has same dilema just over 2 years ago. I went for the 348, no disrespect to the tuscan, I love em but I just got scared off after hearing some horror stories & I'd had a Griff 500 before.
I looked very hard to find a good 348 and bought the best I saw and until I sold it 3 weeks ago it was the most reliable car I've ever owned.
I looked very hard to find a good 348 and bought the best I saw and until I sold it 3 weeks ago it was the most reliable car I've ever owned.
Although I will be the first to diss the tuscan due to engine problems, it does look like the issues 'may' be sorted due to a revised head on the new engines from the middle of this year. Aparently no T350C's have gone bang yet, and they all have the new head on.
Problem with the 348 is handling. It is well known to be the worst handling ferrari in recent years.
Depends what you want. You will get more respect on the road in the tuscan IMHO.
Problem with the 348 is handling. It is well known to be the worst handling ferrari in recent years.
Depends what you want. You will get more respect on the road in the tuscan IMHO.
Guys,
Whilst I was extremely happy with my Red Rose Tuscan I just had enough after 3 engine rebuilds and 1 half new engine on my previous Griff. The only TVR I had without 2 or 3 new engines was a 400SE which just ran and ran.
I sincerely hope TVR has sorted their speed six out by now... sadly it put me off for life. Not the car itself but the complete lack of response from TVR. No calls, no emails, no letters. Nothing.
I was gobsmacked with the treatment of a loyal client on his 3rd TVR... Unbelieveable.
I now drive a 360 which I must say - although clearly in a different price catagory - is absolutely awsome.
Its been a year and it just starts and goes, any time, any day without any fuss. Reliable, solid and oh so amazing on the road. Nothing turns into a corner like it. Keep turning the wheel - and the car will keep turning, almost regardless of speed and grip - awsome.
Don't get me wrong - I love TVRs - goes without saying. I had 3! But with a car constantly off the road - it really wasn't much fun in the end.
Re. Tuscan/348 - I'd go for the Tuscan IF the engines are sorted. A 355 is a different kettle of fish and I would strongly urge you to take one out for a spin before deciding - you will not stop smiling on your return. That howling V8 redlined at 8500 makes grown men cry! Its not far off the pace of the Tuscan either and in many people's opinion the most beautiful Ferrari in the past decade.
Lastly, with so many blown speed six engines - you will be VERY surprised how reliable modern Ferraris are and how well they're buildt. 1 trip to the dealer per year - that's it.
I recall doing a 200 mile round trip to Fernhurst every other weekend...! (No offence TVR)
Happy motoring
Brian
Whilst I was extremely happy with my Red Rose Tuscan I just had enough after 3 engine rebuilds and 1 half new engine on my previous Griff. The only TVR I had without 2 or 3 new engines was a 400SE which just ran and ran.
I sincerely hope TVR has sorted their speed six out by now... sadly it put me off for life. Not the car itself but the complete lack of response from TVR. No calls, no emails, no letters. Nothing.
I was gobsmacked with the treatment of a loyal client on his 3rd TVR... Unbelieveable.
I now drive a 360 which I must say - although clearly in a different price catagory - is absolutely awsome.
Its been a year and it just starts and goes, any time, any day without any fuss. Reliable, solid and oh so amazing on the road. Nothing turns into a corner like it. Keep turning the wheel - and the car will keep turning, almost regardless of speed and grip - awsome.
Don't get me wrong - I love TVRs - goes without saying. I had 3! But with a car constantly off the road - it really wasn't much fun in the end.
Re. Tuscan/348 - I'd go for the Tuscan IF the engines are sorted. A 355 is a different kettle of fish and I would strongly urge you to take one out for a spin before deciding - you will not stop smiling on your return. That howling V8 redlined at 8500 makes grown men cry! Its not far off the pace of the Tuscan either and in many people's opinion the most beautiful Ferrari in the past decade.
Lastly, with so many blown speed six engines - you will be VERY surprised how reliable modern Ferraris are and how well they're buildt. 1 trip to the dealer per year - that's it.
I recall doing a 200 mile round trip to Fernhurst every other weekend...! (No offence TVR)
Happy motoring
Brian
I had exactly the same choice and went for the 348 in the end. I must say i haven't regreted it one bit. I was put off the TVR by the engine horror stories and depreciation, i will most likely be able to sell the 348 in a couple of years and not loose any money on it. As for these so called handling issues with the Ferrari i have yet to find any.
darhart said:
I had exactly the same choice and went for the 348 in the end. I must say i haven't regreted it one bit. I was put off the TVR by the engine horror stories and depreciation, i will most likely be able to sell the 348 in a couple of years and not loose any money on it. As for these so called handling issues with the Ferrari i have yet to find any.
With respect you're not considering like for like here though are you? A new Tuscan S is bound to depreciate more (in % terms) than an 8 year old (?) 348.
If the engines are sorted, then I don't think there's any competition.
If the 348 isn't too hot on handling I expect the Tuscan will probably eat it alive, since it's not shabby in this area. Straight-line performance it'll blow it away (as I did to a 348 I came up against on the A3 last year)... and looks-wise, again - no competition.
I have a March '02' car and have suffered two rebuilds so far. However, both have been covered by warranty, and I have had an extension of my warranty (taking me up to the end of next year) given to compensate for the loss of the car.
-andy-
If the 348 isn't too hot on handling I expect the Tuscan will probably eat it alive, since it's not shabby in this area. Straight-line performance it'll blow it away (as I did to a 348 I came up against on the A3 last year)... and looks-wise, again - no competition.
I have a March '02' car and have suffered two rebuilds so far. However, both have been covered by warranty, and I have had an extension of my warranty (taking me up to the end of next year) given to compensate for the loss of the car.
-andy-
MikeE said:
I had exactly the same choice and went for the 348 in the end. I must say i haven't regreted it one bit. I was put off the TVR by the engine horror stories and depreciation, i will most likely be able to sell the 348 in a couple of years and not loose any money on it. As for these so called handling issues with the Ferrari i have yet to find any.
With respect you're not considering like for like here though are you? A new Tuscan S is bound to depreciate more (in % terms) than an 8 year old (?) 348.
But that's the whole point, this is part of the decision between the two cars being looked at. I'm not knocking the Tuscan in that it will lose more money, of course it will as you say it's new and the 348 is older. But personaly when looking at the two cars the fact that one will loose thousends of pounds while the other may even go up in value is a big part of any choice.
Regards the handling issue, whilst in extremis the 348 isn't Ferraris best, the Tuscan isn no great shakes in that department either.
I don't know which is best, but if you're broaching the limits of adhesion of either on public roads, you need you're bumps feeling.
The only time you'd find out is on track, so if you intend to use it for track days it becomes more pertinent.
I don't know which is best, but if you're broaching the limits of adhesion of either on public roads, you need you're bumps feeling.
The only time you'd find out is on track, so if you intend to use it for track days it becomes more pertinent.
I also swapped my Tuscan for a 360 - OK a lot more expensive at the time, but secondhand cars with low mileage are getting closer in price all the time. A 355 is even closer. I'm still a massive fan of TVRs and have loads of friends that have them ....but I'm a perfectionist and really could live with the angst of there always being something wrong with my car - blown radiator, paint peeling off in flakes, speedo never really working and always displaying a different error everytime I switched on etc etc. Some people can live with it - I couldn't. The 360 is superb in every respect (and I would have had a 355 if I'd fitted in it) - main dealer servicing costs are similar if not slighly cheaper; service from dealers has been faultless; extended warranty quite a bit more expensive and insurance more expensive. But I do accept the rari is more expensive in the first place. A final point, I do know TVR dealers who are also Noble dealers who will quietly admit that the Noble is streets ahead in terms of build quality, paint finish and reliability.
mdrc
How tall are you? I'm 6.4 and slot into my 355 spider (seat right back) and 360 spider. Being tall is a bugger for getting out though. I just roll out onto the floor and dust myself down. F40 and Dino are the pain stories in the garage as my knee goes so far to the left I can't change gear
How tall are you? I'm 6.4 and slot into my 355 spider (seat right back) and 360 spider. Being tall is a bugger for getting out though. I just roll out onto the floor and dust myself down. F40 and Dino are the pain stories in the garage as my knee goes so far to the left I can't change gear
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