2002 TVR Tuscan S from UK and Ireland - Comments

All good so far.

Mind warping performance. Even superbikes can't match the acceleration of this car above 80 mph, despite being a bit quicker off the mark. I also have a Yamaha R1, and this is the only car I've owned that doesn't feel gutless in comparison. It's unbelievably fast! A corking engine which has power everywhere, and sounds fantastic, especially the crisp, race car howl above 5,000 RPM which makes my neck hair stand up! Anyone who misses the old V8 TVR's should listen to this Speed Six engine. It's intoxicating.

Handling is very capable, with loads of grip, and bags of feel from the steering. Oversteer is always on the cards with this sort of power though, so you have to respect the car. As long as you keep this in mind, it generally behaves well, and the steering and brakes have enough feel to let you know when you're pushing too hard. In the wet it is a living nightmare which will try to kill you if you take liberties, but then TVR's have always been the same! Who wants a car that anyone can drive fast, anywhere and any time?

I love the exterior styling, especially from the front. It looks radical and aggressive. The interior is wacky, but less convincing, with a large LCD speedo and rev counter mounted in a pod behind the steering wheel. Various minor controls are arranged around the steering wheel itself, which works well enough, but I can't help thinking a standard "wood and leather" interior should at least be an option. It's certainly different though.

You could play safe and buy an M Coupe or a Boxster S, either of which would prove more useable, but the TVR is so much more soulful. It's not sanitised and muted, but loud, aggressive, full of attitude and with searing performance. It's addictive, involving and best of all it proves beyond a doubt that, while the Germans may build the best quality cars in the world, and the Japanese the most reliable, we British can still build the most characterful and exciting. It also doesn't have the naff "white socks, city trader" image of a BMW or Porsche - people ask about it and look at it, but don't want to vandalise it.

Oh, and it hasn't broken down or started to fall apart. Yet ;-)

Yeah! That's true. All true. Always true!

Armageddon on wheels... they know you are coming! Grannies diving for cover, even got a thumbs up from a van driver. Agree with everything said, but quality is still an issue that could be easily resolved... I feel. Windows not aligned, seals not fully glued, switchgear glitches... all small stuff and easily fixed. Awesome performance and addictive...can't get enough! I'm writing this at 1am having just come up from the garage looking at the car... in it, over it and underneath it. The best thing is my wife is scared of it and won't drive it!!

Here in USA we have no Tuscans. Perhaps you could share its performance? I would like to rather submit that it cannot be quicker than a Ducati 748 or the Suzuki Hayabusa?

And, from the pictures I've readily available, there are boatloads of more handsome cars; Lotus Esprits, Modenas, Carreras, M3, Z8, the lists goes on and on. But I'm always open to suggestion.

It beats most 600's and 750's. Struggles with litre bikes, but the difference is academic on the road.

0-60 in 3.9 seconds (a second off a top line sportsbike)

0-100 in 8.1 seconds (matches most 600's)

Standing quarter: 11.2 seconds (beats most 600's and a few 750's)

195 mph (academic, but beats all bikes bar the 'Busa)

But with four wheels in contact with the road instead of two, it's quicker in the corners.

I love my bike don't get me wrong, but on real roads and real situations, this will give it a run for its money.

I upgraded my Elise to A Tuscan S when a stupid spotty nosed teenager gloated at me when he kicked my ego in a Renault 5 turbo.

The Tuscan S is fantastic. In terms of minor annoyances I agree that TVR could do a bit more to finish the job a bit. I have a handful of annoying buzzes coming from somewhere under the dash and water seeps in somewhere in heavy rain, but it heats up pretty damned quick, so I an forgive that.

Performance is unquestionable, never experienced anything like this before. I'm still nervous about hitting the red line, feel like the car will explode, but it's not done that yet, the whole thing feels so solid, yet is extremely raid. I would dearly love to find that Renault 5 ponce again, just to redeem some of my lost soul! Raced a Porsche 911 and wondered where it went on Wednesday. It completely vanished in my mirror. Quite sad really. Wish it was the 5!

What is wrong with you people??? You cannot compare a supercar like the Tuscan to a crotch rocket!!! You are talking 350 lbs and 120-160 horsepower and 3000lbs and 300+ horsepower!!! Bikes will always be quicker b/c of their weight. Get realistic!!! In the real world, the Tuscan is a god among vehicles, and you have no reason to compare it to other machines that turn 14000+ rpm!!! Dammit!!!

But bare in mind that a bike only has one skinny (in comparison) powered tyre in contact with the road where as the Tusc speed 6 has 2 real wide boys on the back. + I imagine its fairly difficult to hold a bike down to use all that power in a straight line. Not that its easy to control a TCS-less 400 BHP monster either!

This is less a comment, more a question (and a dull one at that). The Tuscan's performance and looks are without debate, but how much is a year's insurance and what are the running costs (on average)? Many thanks

PO.

I would love to own a TVR Tuscan... I have seen ferraris and porsches many times, but believe me, I will never forget the only time I saw and heard a TVR...