Apologies in advance

[N7GTX]

PhilH42 said:

N7GTX said:

The worst comments have been at Burghley strangely enough! Almost all were made by people saying they did not like the colour I admit it is not to everyone's taste and definitely a Marmite one

Burghley.....really, like what comments?? Is that the original paint job Iain?

The colour is unusual but its not exactly offensive is it. I like the colour actually, mines metallic blue and the most popular if you go by the recent survey on here, but its also one of the most common colours...different is not bad IMO....stands out

"I don't like the colour" has been said a good few times and within earshot! Seen one Cerb in the same and at the NEC Classic show 2 weeks ago, the organiser of the TVR Club's sprint/racing events (sorry can't remember his name) was displaying his car on the club stand - a Chim in Masala red like mine.

[Argent]

I think Quinny's comments sum up the TVR/AM thing well, he moved from a Griff to a V8V:


"The AM will be slower, heavier, quieter and cost more to run........it'll also be safer, have better brakes and handling, be more civilised and more practical, and a nice place to sit..

I enjoyed my ownership, but the novelty soon wore off...

They're good cars, but parts prices are a joke, get one with a warranty, and enjoy, get one with a few issues, and you'll not be happy."



Therefore the only solution is to have both.

Re comments the two I get most often are "lovely car" and "don't they break down a lot?"

Yes it is a lovely car (specially when you get the suspension sorted) and no they don't break down a lot if you look after them, like any other car.

I have owned five TVR's and all of them have been reliable. What does need replacing as they get older are consumables like clutches, batteries, hoses etc. etc. but that is not "breaking down", it's maintenance.

Also sorry to say that a few years backAM's had the reputation of being one of the most unreliable cars on the road, probably changed now and that would not stop me owning one.


A

[ChilliWhizz]

Argent said:

Chilli

Would be good if you told us your thoughts on this once you have had your V8V for a while?

A

Will do

[ChilliWhizz]

Six weeks in... , continued beasties insurance today (wasn't going to but I need to drive her/him/it more than I am..).... Now all three cars taxed insured and MOT'd.... Golf VR6 for the dirty jobs and leave it anywhere... actually I love the damn thing, it's 20 years old, rusting like a rusty thing, but recently got through the MOT, and is still a hoot to drive... (and its got ABS, a sunroof, and, er, other useful stuff )

No need to talk about beastie, everyone knows it's the fastest NA 5.0 litre Chim on the planet...

So, the Aston.... Quinny was spot on in all regards... Bad points: Clutch is crap, mine's done 55k on original and it's really heavy, significantly heavier than beastie.... It's rubbish when cold, getting it into first is a struggle... proper sticky but gets better as everything warms up Takes alot of getting used to.... At some stage I'll be getting a new one, but they're properly expensive... Local Aston dealer has quoted me £3.2k minimum for OEM clutch The original clutches on the 4.3's were known to be a weak point, but the answer is a twin plate with lightened flywheel.... only a couple of hundred quid more than the OEM jobbie but (apparently) completely transforms the drive... (it's the V12V clutch modified to fit the V8)... I'll probably go for this in the new year....

So, clutch and changing gear on the Chimaera is far better than the Aston, but it's an easy (if expensive) fix.... Needs a service annually (or 10k if it happens sooner), seems to be around £700 or a bit less if nothing else needs doing... One of the O2 sensors has thrown a wobbler and the poxy dash lets me know all the time... need to get it fixed (probably around £200 quid if you use the bay and your local garage, or £350 if you go to your friendly main dealer...)

Can't comment anymore on costs, but I'll update when I know... MPG... dunno, but previous owner (2nd one not last one) was getting something like 23 on runs... acceptable to me

The good bits....
It's the most beautiful looking car ever built
The interior is a wonderful place to be.. so so comfortable..
The brakes are wonderful
The handling is fabulous
The grip is outstanding
The noise is stunning... completely different to beastie but still OMG...
It has the greatest 'feel good' factor of anything I've owned before..
It crosses the country side effortlessly and with great pace...
And...It's the most beautiful looking car ever built (sorry If I said that earlier)

And I can't stop staring at it....

And I still love beastie

A TVR and an Aston is (in my opinion) a match made in heaven.. Snotter for the leave it anywhere go the tip jobs, TVR for top down and manic grin hooning and track days, Aston for everything else

The above is a completely objective view, no bias or emotion was involved

Chilli...

Oh, and here's another piccie...

Edited by ChilliWhizz on Tuesday 29th November 22:29

[phazed]

That really is flawless style..................

[ProjectChimaera]

ChilliWhizz said:

Six weeks in... , continued beasties insurance today (wasn't going to but I need to drive her/him/it more than I am..).... Now all three cars taxed insured and MOT'd.... Golf VR6 for the dirty jobs and leave it anywhere... actually I love the damn thing, it's 20 years old, rusting like a rusty thing, but recently got through the MOT, and is still a hoot to drive... (and its got ABS, a sunroof, and, er, other useful stuff )

No need to talk about beastie, everyone knows it's the fastest NA 5.0 litre Chim on the planet...

So, the Aston.... Quinny was spot on in all regards... Bad points: Clutch is crap, mine's done 55k on original and it's really heavy, significantly heavier than beastie.... It's rubbish when cold, getting it into first is a struggle... proper sticky but gets better as everything warms up Takes alot of getting used to.... At some stage I'll be getting a new one, but they're properly expensive... Local Aston dealer has quoted me £3.2k minimum for OEM clutch The original clutches on the 4.3's were known to be a weak point, but the answer is a twin plate with lightened flywheel.... only a couple of hundred quid more than the OEM jobbie but (apparently) completely transforms the drive... (it's the V12V clutch modified to fit the V8)... I'll probably go for this in the new year....

So, clutch and changing gear on the Chimaera is far better than the Aston, but it's an easy (if expensive) fix.... Needs a service annually (or 10k if it happens sooner), seems to be around £700 or a bit less if nothing else needs doing... One of the O2 sensors has thrown a wobbler and the poxy dash lets me know all the time... need to get it fixed (probably around £200 quid if you use the bay and your local garage, or £350 if you go to your friendly main dealer...)

Can't comment anymore on costs, but I'll update when I know... MPG... dunno, but previous owner (2nd one not last one) was getting something like 23 on runs... acceptable to me

The good bits....
It's the most beautiful looking car ever built
The interior is a wonderful place to be.. so so comfortable..
The brakes are wonderful
The handling is fabulous
The grip is outstanding
The noise is stunning... completely different to beastie but still OMG...
It has the greatest 'feel good' factor of anything I've owned before..
It crosses the country side effortlessly and with great pace...
And...It's the most beautiful looking car ever built (sorry If I said that earlier)

And I can't stop staring at it....

And I still love beastie

A TVR and an Aston is (in my opinion) a match made in heaven.. Snotter for the leave it anywhere go the tip jobs, TVR for top down and manic grin hooning and track days, Aston for everything else

The above is a completely objective view, no bias or emotion was involved

Chilli...

Oh, and here's another piccie...

Edited by ChilliWhizz on Tuesday 29th November 22:29

That really is one gorgeous looking motor, want one!