Yes, some of the pre-2003 Tuscan builds had iffy handling and some dubious cam/finger follower parts but as I understand it the S6 engine had improved, as had the handling. Nitrons and some specialist engine builders helped.
My Tuscan has done 39k and only had some initial cam problems at 5k which have been resolved (and change of dealer) and a new clutch at 16k.
Much more reliable than the Griff which had a propensity to overheat in stationary traffic.
The Griff was awesome - 315Nm(?) torque which meant it was extremely tail happy and lethal in the wet - it would break traction on the wet in 5th gear. I had a sports exhaust (much debafflement) and the noise from the 5 litre V8 was frankly, astounding.
The Tuscan has a smoother power delivery so you only get the jitters after 4000rpm. It's extremely nervous and can tramline alot which makes breaking from 100mph quite entertaining - great precision steering but doing a threepoint turn normally results in a 5 point.
Much better built - side by side with a Griff you can really see the difference. Nice change up lights and retro 50's styling inside. Brakes phenomenal and very light flywheel so it really feels like a race engine (lots of fast blipping on the loud pedal). Easy to heel and toe as the pedals are close and race styled (secured on the floor). Things don't fall off quite so often in the Tuscan although sealing is still a problem.
Still noisy as hell inside but doesn't smell like a glue factory - unlike a Lotus.
The engine sounds like a race engine rather than a conventional, uprated one and herein lies the disappointment: you cannot beat the sound of a large V8 in my opinion. But no way would I like the V8 in there... I'm not good enough a driver for something as fearsome as that.
So I think the Tuscan is way better than a Griff - I've used mine as an everyday car with no problems at all. I use a battery conditioner now as sometimes I don't drive the thing for 3 weeks as I work from home full time now.
Also it looks great - a retro feel to it that simply doesn't age whereas when a Griff is next to it, the Griff looks very dated.
My Tuscan has done 39k and only had some initial cam problems at 5k which have been resolved (and change of dealer) and a new clutch at 16k.
Much more reliable than the Griff which had a propensity to overheat in stationary traffic.
The Griff was awesome - 315Nm(?) torque which meant it was extremely tail happy and lethal in the wet - it would break traction on the wet in 5th gear. I had a sports exhaust (much debafflement) and the noise from the 5 litre V8 was frankly, astounding.
The Tuscan has a smoother power delivery so you only get the jitters after 4000rpm. It's extremely nervous and can tramline alot which makes breaking from 100mph quite entertaining - great precision steering but doing a threepoint turn normally results in a 5 point.
Much better built - side by side with a Griff you can really see the difference. Nice change up lights and retro 50's styling inside. Brakes phenomenal and very light flywheel so it really feels like a race engine (lots of fast blipping on the loud pedal). Easy to heel and toe as the pedals are close and race styled (secured on the floor). Things don't fall off quite so often in the Tuscan although sealing is still a problem.
Still noisy as hell inside but doesn't smell like a glue factory - unlike a Lotus.
The engine sounds like a race engine rather than a conventional, uprated one and herein lies the disappointment: you cannot beat the sound of a large V8 in my opinion. But no way would I like the V8 in there... I'm not good enough a driver for something as fearsome as that.
So I think the Tuscan is way better than a Griff - I've used mine as an everyday car with no problems at all. I use a battery conditioner now as sometimes I don't drive the thing for 3 weeks as I work from home full time now.
Also it looks great - a retro feel to it that simply doesn't age whereas when a Griff is next to it, the Griff looks very dated.
Comment