TVR Chimaera 4.0 or Porsche 911(996 model) Suspension Advice

TVR Chimaera 4.0 or Porsche 911(996 model) Suspension Advice

Author
Discussion

Ian Abel

Original Poster:

100 posts

141 months

Saturday 16th May 2015
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In the process of getting a "family car" for me and the two kids. Thinking supercharged xjr, I know, no sense but much more fun that the modern ones around today and only £3000-5000. Use a 250 scooter for all my day to day stuff so only I need one family car and one boys toys, hence the porsche or TVR question.

RE shocks I just want a good one for fast road use along with some comfort for the longer trips aboard. I don't want to be adjusting them all the time. Agree that is best left to the experts.

Dollyman1850

6,316 posts

249 months

Saturday 16th May 2015
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They work well enough on this??

TCTVR

83 posts

107 months

Saturday 16th May 2015
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pwd95 said:
Your kidding there of course.... Shirley?? The reason I haven't got a Porker is
1. It's a girls car. &
2. The parts are usually 10x more expensive than Rover & Ford parts....

No brainer from every angle really.... Oh & the TVR is infinitely more exciting etc. biggrin
It's a girls car................apparently not driving

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-he...

Porsche crashes through Gerrards Cross Caffe Nero window



Ian Abel

Original Poster:

100 posts

141 months

Sunday 17th May 2015
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Hi Dollyman

Many thanks for that. I agree about too many different settings. I would set it up and then leave it probably never to touch it again but as the gaz and protech are similar prices which would you think to be a better shock with regards to ride and longevity.


frenchie TVR

294 posts

174 months

Tuesday 19th May 2015
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Hi Ian,

Hopefully I will soon be in a similar situation as you: a Chimaera, a 996 and a scooter…

I had mu Chimaera 500 for 5 years now. For the first 3 years it was being used fairly often as a weekend car when the mrs and I escaped London for the day / weekend at weekends, as well as trips with the boys: Goodwood, Sunday Services, Silverstone Classic, Le Mans Classic and the odd track days.

2 years ago we became parents and the Chimaera is now missing a seat. About a year ago was considering selling and buying a 911, I had my eyes on a 964 (that I should maybe have bought as it would have gone up quite a bit by now), but I knew that I would regret it: my Chimaera is a 500, except the paint work that needs re-done at some point, all is great about it: less that 40k miles, full service history, a few upgrades, everything works, etc…. so I have decided that the Chimaera is a keeper. I do not use it often, but I try to use it at least once every 6 – 8 weeks, so that it does not suffer from being stagnant for too long, and more often when I can (when not used it is in a garage).

Like you, I do the commute on a Vespa (a 200) and we have a family car (Citroen C4 Picaso 2L petrol: an amazing car in my point of view, for what we paid for and it really does all the tricks a family car should do), BUT, I need to get a “weekend /sport family car” at some point over the next 2 years, and more than likely it will be a 996: cheap, reliable, fast, the mrs can drive it (she has driven the Chimaera before), has room for the kid, has room for luggage and stuff and it safe), or it could be an XKR…

I have Gas Gold Pros on the Chimaera and I know that many people love them, some hate them, some have had problems with them, but so far I can only say that they are brilliant: good value for money, they have been reliable and are bloody good for the road and track…

All the best, Frenchie

StarmistBlue400

3,028 posts

217 months

Wednesday 20th May 2015
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Sell the 996 and get an E39 M5. They are epic cars.

Use that as the daily/family car and keep the TVR as a toy.

I used to love Porsches (had a 968CS) and when I considered a toy I looked at Boxsters but they are just too good IMO as a toy. Too much of a daily driver and very accomplished. So, I looked at Chimaeras and after looking at 6 in a week brought mine.

A friend has a sorted 964 and we go on hoons together, the cars are quite well matched in terms of lack of tech etc.




Ian Abel

Original Poster:

100 posts

141 months

Wednesday 27th May 2015
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Hi All
Update. I have decided to keep the TVR and let the Porsche go. Will spent some of the money (hopefully!!!!) on the TVR, quite fancy getting the light covers that the late TVR had.
Think I will get the Protech shocks as nearby in Melksham, I'm in Bath, and general consensus is that they are ok for fast road, I don't track the car.

Thanks for all the feed back, very useful indeed.Much appreciated.

ps - Still open to final verdict before I part with my money tho, probably early next week.

PORSCHE 996 FOR SALE!!!!!!

bababoom

351 posts

117 months

Thursday 28th May 2015
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Chim Lover said:
If you ever had the intermediate shaft break on the 996 engine which would (on the majority of occasions ) wreck the engine at a horrendous cost when compared to what it would cost to have the camshaft fail(poss biggest weakness) on the Chim engine I reckon selling the 996 would be the way to go.
All cars have there week point but on these to having the ims bearing upgraded before it brakes is no more expensive than having to replace the out riggers on a chim.
So both cars have there down sides.

Mikeoupe

303 posts

220 months

Thursday 28th May 2015
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My Chim currently has Gaz Gold on the back and Protech on the front. I bought it with the Gaz already fitted on the rear and standard on the front which I later replaced with Protech. When the time comes I'll replace the Gaz with Protech as to me the front of the car feels more composed & compliant than the rear (for fast / fun / general road use)

Prior to the Chim I had three Porsche's, one of which was a 2001 996 Carrera. What sums up the two ownership experiences to me is that I've owned the Chim for almost 5 years but only owned the 996 for 10 months. I still look back at the Chim but stopped looking back at the 996 after a couple of months, I still take the Chim out for fun but stopped doing that with the 996 after just a few months.

The 996 is a very good car, especially at today's prices, but a Chim is just more fun and engaging!driving

bababoom

351 posts

117 months

Thursday 28th May 2015
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Funny how quite a few people have owned or thought about buying a chim or 996.
To totally different cars.
I myself was looking at both, Was all set to view a 996 when just as I was leaving the guy phoned to say he,d changed his mind and was keeping it.
Couple of days later I had the chim on the drive and a couple of days later again the guy with the 996 phoned to say it was back up for sale (still for sale now)