2000 Tuscan: Buy or Run Away?

[edman1337]

Hello all,

I need some wisdom on purchasing a 2000 TVR Tuscan. First the bad news: it is a low mileage car (10K), there is no service history, the carpet in the trunk is missing / damaged under the fuel line suggesting a prior problem, I have some concerns about a possible oil leak (in the photos), the paint is toast, the main bonnet has been damaged and repaired (poorly) where the two bonnets meet, the floor mats need to be replaced, the idle was rough when started cold, and the AC doesn't work (the blue light comes on, but the fan never comes on when I pressed the other button). Now the good news: man these cars are pretty in person, the interior is not in too bad of shape (it does need TLC though), most seals look good, no smoke on a cold start, once warm it seemed happy, and after two years without a cool car...man it was fun to drive. Oh and last major point, it is LHD. I am an American living in Germany and the idea of this as a souvenir to take home once it hits 25 years is very, very appealing.

So what do the experts think: Worth the risk or run away?

Photo Album

Thanks!

Moderator edit: no what's it worth? posts please

[porterpainter]

Without post up how much the car is for sale for, no one can give you any economic advice on this.

[swisstoni]

No history at all?

[edman1337]

porterpainter said:

Without post up how much the car is for sale for, no one can give you any economic advice on this.

Sorry, the guy is asking 33K.

[edman1337]

swisstoni said:

No history at all?

None, except for passing TÜV 300km ago.

[swisstoni]

From the photos it doesn't look too bad. The carpet in the trunk is the normal stuff. The engines do tend to sound slightly tappety on start up and smooth out.
However, I'm sure someone more local will be along to let you know about pricing and hopefully a lot more, perhaps even about the actual car itself.

[spitfire4v8]

That car doesn't have air con. Nor it appears the mechanical power steering pump it should have unless lhd cars were supplied with electric pumps. Wrong front too but looks nicer. Potential money pit. I have a 2000 tuscan on at least it's 4th engine.

[edman1337]

swisstoni said:

From the photos it doesn't look too bad. The carpet in the trunk is the normal stuff. The engines do tend to sound slightly tappety on start up and smooth out.
However, I'm sure someone more local will be along to let you know about pricing and hopefully a lot more, perhaps even about the actual car itself.

Thanks. I have requested to join the TVR forums here in Germany, but like many things around here.... there is a process and it is not automated.

[glow worm]

I think they are asking too much....£20-25k might be more reasonable ... But I get your idea of taking it home to the USA....It would be an eye-catcher.... and you could always put an LS in it , if the engine went pop.
There used to be a good following from a German Rhineland group on PH, they were TVR fanatics

[swisstoni]

edman1337 said:

swisstoni said:

From the photos it doesn't look too bad. The carpet in the trunk is the normal stuff. The engines do tend to sound slightly tappety on start up and smooth out.
However, I'm sure someone more local will be along to let you know about pricing and hopefully a lot more, perhaps even about the actual car itself.

Thanks. I have requested to join the TVR forums here in Germany, but like many things around here.... there is a process and it is not automated.

There's quite a few continental TVR owners on PH.

[edman1337]

spitfire4v8 said:

That car doesn't have air con. Nor it appears the mechanical power steering pump it should have unless lhd cars were supplied with electric pumps. Wrong front too but looks nicer. Potential money pit. I have a 2000 tuscan on at least it's 4th engine.

So it seems like it is a Tuscan, that had a S badge and spoiler added. Glad you commented on the bumper, this is the first one in that style I have seen. Are you sure about the air con? It definitely doesn't have power steering, though that wasn't a big deal when driving.

[edman1337]

glow worm said:

I think they are asking too much....£20-25k might be more reasonable ... But I get your idea of taking it home to the USA....It would be an eye-catcher.... and you could always put an LS in it , if the engine went pop.
There used to be a good following from a German Rhineland group on PH, they were TVR fanatics

I would love if someone who knows this car would pop up. I don't mind taking it to England for a rebuild or having to do some reconditioning. Having to do it all at once though, that could be a problem.

[ColdoRS]

Where is the car?

I’m in Bremen and I have a 2000 Tuscan . I’d be happy to have a look and give an opinion/offer comparison if it’s anywhere nearby.

[Basil Brush]

spitfire4v8 said:

That car doesn't have air con. Nor it appears the mechanical power steering pump it should have unless lhd cars were supplied with electric pumps. Wrong front too but looks nicer. Potential money pit. I have a 2000 tuscan on at least it's 4th engine.

Just the three for my '00 Tuscan so far.

Is it just me that thinks it looks like a write-off that hasn't been repaired and put back together very well? I'd say run away unless you can at least halve the asking price.

Edited by Basil Brush on Sunday 21st August 21:46

[swisstoni]

Basil Brush said:

spitfire4v8 said:

That car doesn't have air con. Nor it appears the mechanical power steering pump it should have unless lhd cars were supplied with electric pumps. Wrong front too but looks nicer. Potential money pit. I have a 2000 tuscan on at least it's 4th engine.

Just the three for my '00 Tuscan so far.

Is it just me that thinks it looks like a write-off that hasn't been repaired and put back together very well? I'd say run away unless you can at least halve the asking price.

Edited by Basil Brush on Sunday 21st August 21:46

Surely there’s a German version of HPI Check etc?

[porterpainter]

Doesn’t seem to appear on here:

https://www.tvrblog.com/register-of-tvr-tuscan-wit...

[deeen]

Basil Brush said:

spitfire4v8 said:

That car doesn't have air con. Nor it appears the mechanical power steering pump it should have unless lhd cars were supplied with electric pumps. Wrong front too but looks nicer. Potential money pit. I have a 2000 tuscan on at least it's 4th engine.

Just the three for my '00 Tuscan so far.

Is it just me that thinks it looks like a write-off that hasn't been repaired and put back together very well? I'd say run away unless you can at least halve the asking price.

Edited by Basil Brush on Sunday 21st August 21:46

I did look at the pics and wonder if it has had a quick respray, but can't put my finger on exactly why I think that?

As for the history... there can't be that many in Germany, and there can't be that many places that service them...

[edman1337]

ColdoRS said:

Where is the car?

I’m in Bremen and I have a 2000 Tuscan . I’d be happy to have a look and give an opinion/offer comparison if it’s anywhere nearby.

That would be fantastic! The car is in Sehnde if that is close enough for you.

[ColdoRS]

Tried to message you via pistonheads but it said you can’t accept emails? Can you try ping me and we can work something out - Sehnde is about an hour and a half away so happy to try and help.

[spitfire4v8]

edman1337 said:

spitfire4v8 said:

That car doesn't have air con. Nor it appears the mechanical power steering pump it should have unless lhd cars were supplied with electric pumps. Wrong front too but looks nicer. Potential money pit. I have a 2000 tuscan on at least it's 4th engine.

So it seems like it is a Tuscan, that had a S badge and spoiler added. Glad you commented on the bumper, this is the first one in that style I have seen. Are you sure about the air con? It definitely doesn't have power steering, though that wasn't a big deal when driving.

There's no air con pump, nor pipe work for it either.
All tuscans had power steering, so you probably have a power rack with no pipework or pump.

There never was an S spec tuscan from year 2000, the early upgrade was called the red rose. No spoiler on the rear for the red rose cars.

It's not a standard car, and has issues / steering bodgework. Walk away.