Contemplating changing my motor...TVR Tuscan?

Booner!

Booner!

Booner!

Soldato
Joined
29 Sep 2005
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Just a bit of background as I've not been posting as regularly due to the the job going really well, great new girlfriend, but unfortunately my dad being going through cancer for a second time (not so great for us before Christmas).

Thanks to the progressing long term career, I recently got a nice and shiny Scirocco 2.0 tdi GT, which I am using as a daily and I'm very happy with it. It's cheap to run as I'm only paying fuel/tax and I'm used to 18mpg daily plus all the wear and tear, but with the 'rocco I just pay for diesel.

I have owned the Z4m for nearly 2 years, maintained it regardless of cost and if anything, I am impressed by the lack of big bills (outside of servicing and tyres!). It's modified to how I like it and it ticks all the boxes. It is probably the best car I'll own as it's got nothing wrong with it at all and it's very flexible as a sports car. I still have the Z4M, but my forum signature on imageshack broke :( Due to the time of year, my Z4M is only being used at the weekends - if at all. I know I use every excuse possible to drive it to work when the sun is out, but this time of year means that it's not being used as much. This downtime combined with the new practical daily car has put me in a position where I am mulling over the idea of going for something a little bit more mental while I have the chance...

I will always want a V8 corvette C6, but I don't really want to dip into my house deposit - so I want to ideally move to something which won't really cost me much more to move across to from the money I'll get for the Z4M. This leaves me with the choice of a TVR Tuscan or T350. I prefer the Tuscan as it has always been a legendary car with a timeless shape and it won't cost me much more to move to. I am looking for a reason not to move to it, but thought I would see what opinions I get on here. My situation means that I can't see a reason not too, unless there are alternatives?

Opinions please :)
 
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Same price (if not cheaper) than a Tuscan, but won't ruin you to run or break all the time, and faster than most C6s and Tuscans:

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2598926.htm

Infinitely more economical as well, so you can actually drive it and not feel hurt every time you stop for fuel :D

Power output: 405BHP at 6000RPM
Rev limit: 6500RPM
Torque: 400ft.lb at 4800RPM
Top speed: 186MPH
0-60MPH: 3.9 seconds
0-100MPH: 9.2 seconds
0-100-0: 13.56 seconds
Skid pad G: 1.03G
Standing ¼ mile: 12.4 seconds
MPG: 20/30MPG (city/highway, UK MPG – EPA official measurements)
Length: 4564mm
Width: 1869mm
Nürburgring Nordschleife lap time: 7 minutes 56 seconds
Click to expand...

So, to give you some perspective, it's faster than the Ferrari 360 Challenge Stradale F1 around the 'ring :D

You can get 'em with a heads-up display as well, as another neat modern touch :)
 
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I like the C5 a lot, but I have in my head that if I get a corvette - it would have to be the C6. I'm sure I wouldn't tell the difference once I lay hands on one.

Economy doesn't worry me greatly, we are talking about weekend fun and sun fun next year. You can get Tuscan's for about £5k cheaper than that Z06, but with both cars - I struggle to find any that have sensible interiors(!)

Nice find though, I just don't think the time is right for a 'vette if I can't get the one I have my heart set on. But...mmmmmm corvette!
 
You can find Z06s around for £16k too, if you search long enough :) Tuscans are seemingly prone to expensive engine rebuilds, as well as needing regular attention, so do bear that in mind. Mind you, these are both performance cars and can throw up costly bills - but I know which one I'd have more confidence in driving hard continuously, or parking up and coming back to after a long time.

Nothing worse than having to tiptoe around in something for fear of it disintegrating...

I know most people say economy doesn't worry them, but it can be very disheartening if you take it out for a drive and find that you've gone through half a tank or so, and find yourself sticking another hundred quid in it. Particularly if you've just gone on a cruise. Neither will be fantastic but I know it's quite easy to do 30mpg in a Z06. Never driven a Tuscan so can't comment there. As you say, however, bit of a moot point.

Standard plain black leather is probably the best bet in a Z06 - most of them have that, anything else is quite rare or unusual :)


Perfect!
 
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Lashout_UK said:
Same price (if not cheaper) than a Tuscan, but won't ruin you to run or break all the time, and faster than most C6s and Tuscans:

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2598926.htm

Infinitely more economical as well, so you can actually drive it and not feel hurt every time you stop for fuel :D



So, to give you some perspective, it's faster than the Ferrari 360 Challenge Stradale F1 around the 'ring :D

You can get 'em with a heads-up display as well, as another neat modern touch :)
Click to expand...

There has to be a catch with these...? Right? :p
 
I suggest you head over to PH and ask there, full of owners of TVR's who will be able to give you chapter and verse on both cars. I would urge you to read the Speed 6 section of the TVR forum too, that will update you on the latest engine work, modifications and work around for what is an engine of much greatness.....and some fail. As a weekend car a TVR is good but they are temperamental compared to a BMW and even though some TVR owners will come out with the "trouble free motoring" its always in the context of a TVR owner, ie "well yes the electrics don't always work, the carpets don't fit great and sometimes it runs a bit warm or doesnt want to start...but its fine". Get a good one and they are a special car, though neither as quick as most TVR owners will try to tell you or as well sorted as a M car.

Eyes open, do your research, inspect all work done, get a good history and buy a known car would be my advice. 350 over a Tuscan for me as it looks nicer I think and probably is a bit more sorted.....but that Speed 6 will need to be fettled to keep it on song and most I would suggest need at least 1 major rebuild. I would suggest a £5K war chest is prudent and if you don't need it lucky you.
 
Howard said:
There has to be a catch with these...? Right? :p
Click to expand...

Not really, i love the C5 and whilst i've only ever driven a normal one it was one heck of an event.

Fantastic cars and something you could run 7 days a week should you wish.

Edit: i've seen a C6 go for sub 20k these days, so it can be done.
 
Thanks guys, appreciated.

If it helps:
> I'm used to destroying fuel on the Z4m. Averaging 18.2mpg and that was running it 7 days a week with commuting. So not too bothered on the fuel front. Even more so now I have a practical >45mpg car.
> I have a decent "warchest" and have always tucked away a monthly sum for running costs.
> It's likely that the car will only do 3-4000 miles a year max.
> Ideally I want a manual, I've been finding most C5/C6's are auto or have a nasty colour combo - that said, I really want one so might make exceptions.
> I will only be keeping this mental car for a year or two max, as I plan on building a track car once I've got a garage/driveway of my own and insurance is better for me at 25 - excuse the vague aspirational plan!

With all these factors, I suspect that it makes the TVR okay for my situation. If I could get a 'vette for the right cost, manual with the right colour - I'd be swayed. I've been looking for months and I've only seen a couple that would have ticked the boxes, quite rare to find the right one.
 
Try and get one with a recent rebuild from a respected garage - TVR Power's latest warranty implies they are very confident of the durability of their builds, and gives hope that the S6 is finally at the level it should've been when it was initially built.

The Tuscan is an awesome looking car; particularly if you get a Mark 1 and fit the Mark 2 grille. Will turn heads like little else. Do it :D

How much are you planning on spending though? Tuscans range from £12k to about £35k
 
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I don't think I'm going to be getting more than £15k for mine, plus some change from the modifications. I expect between £15-20k for one. I guess it's a case of £15k + 5k for a rebuild just in case, or £20k for a Corvette which shouldn't require one.

It would be unlucky to require a rebuild given the usage I'd be expecting to get out of it, but can never be too careful.

Edit, Initial thoughts on cars below:

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3372307.htm - shame about location (Dundee!)

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3136836.htm

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3522356.htm - saw this and thought that it might be worth the risk, as even if the engine blows up, I could have a full engine built and it would still work out the same cost as one which I've put above.


Towards the top end of the budget

http://www.tvrpowersbodyshop.com/classifieds/car/t350-c/ T350c - still not 100% sure on the back end on these

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3479341.htm

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3447467.htm - not sure on colour, but looks well looked after


Not in a huge rush really.
 
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Went round a track in a Tuscan, beautiful cars with TVRs love of crazy switches and handles. one hell of a lot of umph behind it to!
 
I will have a Sagaris one day, friend of mine has a Speed 6, it had 3 engines before it had covered 10K miles.

HEADRAT
 
I understand that TVR's are not reliable in the engine department, but three rebuilds? Where was he getting these rebuilt? Were they top end or full rebuilds? and how the hell did he manage to destroy them each time... seems a bit suspect even for the issues that I've read about!
 
I'd never buy a TVR. Potentially great cars, unfortunately virtually all let down by deadly dynamics and being enourmously unreliable.

What about an SL55 AMG? More power than a TVR (though loads heavier!), but a pretty good car. Only real reliablility issues are the ABC suspension. You're unlikely to die in one, which is a bonus relative to the TVR.
 
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Booner! said:
I understand that TVR's are not reliable in the engine department, but three rebuilds? Where was he getting these rebuilt? Were they top end or full rebuilds? and how the hell did he manage to destroy them each time... seems a bit suspect even for the issues that I've read about!
Click to expand...

Early factory S6s, and their rebuilds were not good. Post 04/05 rebuilds is where they started to get things 'right'. Still nothing on TVR Power's 100k warrentied builds today, mind.
 
PMKeates said:
I'd never buy a TVR. Potentially great cars, unfortunately virtually all let down by deadly dynamics and being enourmously unreliable.

What about an SL55 AMG? More power than a TVR (though loads heavier!), but a pretty good car. Only real reliablility issues are the ABC suspension. You're unlikely to die in one, which is a bonus relative to the TVR.
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Merc really doesn't float my boat. I don't feel it suits me, I don't really want an auto and it doesn't really stand out in my eyes.
 
I can't help thinking after the Z4M and its reliability, a TVR - and a good one at that - would be a big let down.

I was thinking of something like an SL AMG perhaps - before PMKeates beat me to the idea! - whilst I'm far from "A Merc man" as such, I was very impressed with the SL55 when I tried one a while back, I would at least take one for a test drive, unless of course you already have hence your view......
 
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