I'm so torn...

I'm so torn...

Author
Discussion

blatch

Original Poster:

138 posts

261 months

Thursday 4th March 2004
quotequote all
First of all don't get me wrong, I absolutely love my car - never driven anything like it. BUT since I've had it (Novemberish) I've only had it on the road for a few months.

It's broken down three times, and on the third occassion had to have a rebuild (which is where it's at now). I'll probably get it back in a few months if I'm lucky; unfortunately it's left a bitter taste for the marque.

It is a money pit, and I was prepared for some problems, but it's just not fun anymore. Depending on how I feel when I get it back I may wait until I can afford a later model...has anyone else felt this way and if so does it subside!

Perhaps I got a "bad" one?

Depressingly yours

Blatch

matt_c

186 posts

260 months

Thursday 4th March 2004
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What is the age and mileage of your car?
How often do you use it?

HeyAndy

423 posts

264 months

Thursday 4th March 2004
quotequote all
Sorry to hear the bad news. If you can stomach the costs in getting your car put right - then stick with it despite the lengthy delay in getting your car back.

Your car is an early model - fraught with early quality problems which can be put right. If you pay up and sell the car the next owner will benefit from the repairs and you will lose out in depreciation and money lost on repairs.

Stick with it, get know your car and I'm sure once the bugs have been cleared out you'll have a blinding car to enjoy

blatch

Original Poster:

138 posts

261 months

Thursday 4th March 2004
quotequote all
matt_c said:
What is the age and mileage of your car?
How often do you use it?


Nearly 19000 miles and I use it all the time (when it works!!!).

blatch

Original Poster:

138 posts

261 months

Thursday 4th March 2004
quotequote all
HeyAndy said:
Sorry to hear the bad news. If you can stomach the costs in getting your car put right - then stick with it despite the lengthy delay in getting your car back.

Your car is an early model - fraught with early quality problems which can be put right. If you pay up and sell the car the next owner will benefit from the repairs and you will lose out in depreciation and money lost on repairs.

Stick with it, get know your car and I'm sure once the bugs have been cleared out you'll have a blinding car to enjoy


HeyAndy thats the one thing that probably will stop me selling it, the amount of cash I've put into it! Law of averages say I should have a good run for a while, although Sods law dictates otherwise...!

matt_c

186 posts

260 months

Thursday 4th March 2004
quotequote all
Its a biatch I know. Just think, if you sold it, bought another... you'd be twice as annoyed if you had to then fix something which you fixed and payed for on your current car!!
Mines done 20000 miles, and I have only had to replace the damper unit (collect back today!).

When you get the car back and drive it again, I reckon you'll know what you'll end up doing...

gr4eme

204 posts

292 months

Thursday 4th March 2004
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Hi There

I also have a tuscan which has cost me a fortune (well to me anyway), £1500 in 3 months repairs and its going back to tvr power next week to fix a supposed blown piston ring (hopefullly warranty job). It has taken the sine off owning the car and Steph wants to sell it in Sept but i dont think it will be worth it, too much money spent against enjoyment time etc....
I hope that having someone else in the same boat gives you some salvation that its not just happening to you.

oxbow

567 posts

265 months

Thursday 4th March 2004
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Surely you should know thet we are Mr Wheelers' Guinea pigs.

blatch

Original Poster:

138 posts

261 months

Thursday 4th March 2004
quotequote all
I've decided it's like one of my girlfriends from the past...whilst they are around their a blast to ride, but when they constantly break down and bugger off you swear it's not worth the bother, but then you always take them back.

You just can't beat a good body. Perhaps I'm taking this too far...

TUS 373

4,944 posts

296 months

Thursday 4th March 2004
quotequote all
To make you feel better, last summer I bought a Saab 9-5 2.0 Turbo. Since then I have had the following expenses: cruise control added, new sun visor, new rear light cluster, new trip computer, replacement washer pump, new front brake discs and pads, new crankcase ventilation system, a full service, new oil switch, crank case gasket and oil leak repair. And 2 new tyres. Total cost, about £1,200. It had 64K on the clock and now has 72K.

So nothing else to go wrong now then? I don't think there is very much to replace - but a new timing chain would be £1000-1200 at a independent or £1800-2000 at a main dealers.

In the same period of time, my Tuscan has cost £10.00 for a new front number plate that got stone chipped, an MOT and a replacement earth lead.

Cars cost!! Does not matter what kind they are - and has been said above, if you spend money sorting out problems, then keep it. Don't sell it at a loss to someone else to get the benefit of your repair bills which do little to improve the resale value. Just enjoy it, life is too short.

jigs

1,840 posts

265 months

Thursday 4th March 2004
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That old biddy did more damage to your Vauxhall with her Yaris than you first thought then TUS373.

TUS 373

4,944 posts

296 months

Friday 5th March 2004
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Jigs, if we ignore you - will you please go away?

tvr totty

423 posts

265 months

Friday 5th March 2004
quotequote all
ours too, back in at the moment, for more tlc. on the plus side, I have replacement wheels so can still get to work and back (car used everyday), its not the best weather at the moment either, so another bonus. last time she was away for some of the summer - that was gutting.

our dealer has done wonders with warranty, and the car had never run so well last time she came back. just made it more obvious this time that she was not a happy bunny.

I know it does get you down, we have had some costs, but everytime i get back in her, you can't beat the feeling. or the attention that you get.

Try and hang in there, soon be roof off time

x

blatch

Original Poster:

138 posts

261 months

Friday 5th March 2004
quotequote all
Cheers guys, I'll see how I feel when she comes back, it'll probably be the summer by then anyway so maybe i'll be in a better mood fullstop!

Comforting to know other people have been through the same thing, not even with TVR, so maybe I've had my unlucky 3 now (battery, tappets, breakdown)...fingers crossed I guess!

TUS 373

4,944 posts

296 months

Friday 5th March 2004
quotequote all
Definition of car expenses:

something that you don't anticipate but costs money,
costs you lots of money,
often when you have no money

From the SOD Dictionary.

TVR are no different to any other car in that respect. As TVRTotty says, I hope that you forget the woes and they are outweighed by highs now that your '3' are up.

jigs

1,840 posts

265 months

Friday 5th March 2004
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Blatch - I hope your troubles are finally at an end but if they continue you should consider a nice V8 Griffith instead - not all TVRs have to break your heart and your wallet.

jamessim

497 posts

275 months

Friday 5th March 2004
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Chris, I am really sorry to read about your troubles and sincerely hope they have come to an end,I also agree with Jigs about how good the Griffith is, it cost me nothing but petrol and I sold it for more than it was to buy. However the Tuscan in my opinion, is a much better car to own, even though it has emptied my wallet more than any TVR, or other car for that matter, but it is simply stunning to the eye, and gives you such a feelgood factor whilst driving it.
Best Regards,

James Sim.

oxbow

567 posts

265 months

Friday 5th March 2004
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Yeah!

chim450

1,452 posts

276 months

Saturday 6th March 2004
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Well said Jamessim. I have come from the realms of Rover V8 ownership to Tuscandom.

The car has cost me more in 2 months of ownership than 2 years with the Chimaera. Still "lovin it". Things that have needed fixing could have happened to any car, got me some nitrons into the bargain after the original shocks started leaking.

paul-wh

378 posts

280 months

Saturday 6th March 2004
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Blatch,

They say bad things come in 3's. The 4th thing to go wrong is just the start of the next 3.

I should know, I have had a few costly things go wrong including alternator kaput, alarm kaput, finger follower rebuild... a few other niggly things aswell.

However, coming "from the realms of Rover V8 ownership (Chimaera 500) to Tuscandom", I am about to go back to V8 land (Griffith 500) but not because of the problems I have had with the Tuscan. As TUS 373 says, now they are paid for why give the benefit of your expense to someone else. No, it was the sound of the V8 which made up my mind to go back.

The looks of the Tuscan are in my view the best of a good bunch where TVRs stand, but in the end it is the sound of that V8 and sports exhaust that I hear when I drive.

I hope all goes well when your Tuscan returns and that you dont get that dreaded "start of the next 3".

Cheers

Paul