Discussion
I am picking this up during the week and its going to be interesting seeing what that means for the TVR. The Stag lasted a couple of years when I bought the first Chim and this is going to be my daily driver (not that I drive anywhere that often at the moment!) so hopefully they will live along side each other for long-time!
It is fair to say, I did not have that high of an opinion of the Boxster in the past and preferred the 911 until I went to Spa with someone who had one and on a couple of occasions, was quite envious (Stuck in traffic in the high 30's for an hour he was ice cool and I melted, it started raining and I unpacked the boot in the rain he didnt need to and finally, it turned into very heavy rain and he caught the ferry and I missed it!)
They are also lovely to drive and it is the base 2.7 so some speed there but not the fastest.
It is fair to say, I did not have that high of an opinion of the Boxster in the past and preferred the 911 until I went to Spa with someone who had one and on a couple of occasions, was quite envious (Stuck in traffic in the high 30's for an hour he was ice cool and I melted, it started raining and I unpacked the boot in the rain he didnt need to and finally, it turned into very heavy rain and he caught the ferry and I missed it!)
They are also lovely to drive and it is the base 2.7 so some speed there but not the fastest.
I had a 986 model Boxster S and a Chimaera together for a year, ended up selling the Boxster.
I hope you have a good one because mine wasn't. Iffy paintwork repair, squeaky and rattly bushes, floppy sunvisor, general price of spares and the constant fear of IMS failure led to me selling it. I do miss the electric roof though.
If I had another, it would probably be a 987 model like you have there, and the 2.7 has less to worry about, apparently, regarding engine problems.
I hope you have a good one because mine wasn't. Iffy paintwork repair, squeaky and rattly bushes, floppy sunvisor, general price of spares and the constant fear of IMS failure led to me selling it. I do miss the electric roof though.
If I had another, it would probably be a 987 model like you have there, and the 2.7 has less to worry about, apparently, regarding engine problems.
ianwayne said:
I had a 986 model Boxster S and a Chimaera together for a year, ended up selling the Boxster.
I hope you have a good one because mine wasn't. Iffy paintwork repair, squeaky and rattly bushes, floppy sunvisor, general price of spares and the constant fear of IMS failure led to me selling it. I do miss the electric roof though.
If I had another, it would probably be a 987 model like you have there, and the 2.7 has less to worry about, apparently, regarding engine problems.
I hope I have a good one as well! lots more revs required than the Chim and Mrs B will come out in it as wellI hope you have a good one because mine wasn't. Iffy paintwork repair, squeaky and rattly bushes, floppy sunvisor, general price of spares and the constant fear of IMS failure led to me selling it. I do miss the electric roof though.
If I had another, it would probably be a 987 model like you have there, and the 2.7 has less to worry about, apparently, regarding engine problems.
Very nice Graham, I am sure you will enjoy it.
I have often hankered after one of those in 3.4 guise but as yet not achieved that goal!
I have done about 500 miles in a couple of 3.4s and there was not a downside, (apart from there being too many on the road but that speaks volumes about the car).
They are not to be rubbished, watch any review on proper car programs and they love them.
Happy motoring to you and Mrs B.
I have often hankered after one of those in 3.4 guise but as yet not achieved that goal!
I have done about 500 miles in a couple of 3.4s and there was not a downside, (apart from there being too many on the road but that speaks volumes about the car).
They are not to be rubbished, watch any review on proper car programs and they love them.
Happy motoring to you and Mrs B.
Queen Lorraine III (mine hasn't ruled as long as yours and Peter's) said a resounding "NO" when I suggested having one as my daily driver.
Something about where would I put the mutts, grandchildren etc etc.
So I am well jealous and wish you much happy motoring in it.
I blame this lot:
Something about where would I put the mutts, grandchildren etc etc.
So I am well jealous and wish you much happy motoring in it.
I blame this lot:
Thanks Peter and Anthony. Looking forward to picking it up and already booked a weekend in the Champagne region in a few weekends time and planning the 500 route in Scotland as well.
re the 3.4 engines, that as well as a lot of the smaller ones, seems to have more issues than the early speed 6s, which was a big surprise.
re the 3.4 engines, that as well as a lot of the smaller ones, seems to have more issues than the early speed 6s, which was a big surprise.
Very nice combination to have.
We have a 3.4 S as well as the Chimaera and would say that having both gives us access to everything you could want as a drivers fleet, the Volvo S60 D5 does the boring stuff.
With regard to the stories about the fragile motor I would say that they are about as true as the ones about TVR reliability.
Mr Joe public offers comments such as I would not buy a TVR – Boxster because they keep braking down – engine will go bang, in equal measure.
As we know many of the comments are not really relative today because most TVR's on the road have had most of the reliability problem sorted by addressing the factory build faults but the stigma still sticks, the same for the Boxster, those still on the road have gone past the point of failing, something that generally happens within 25k miles.
I believe the Boxsters problem is that a huge number were made, was the bargain of the century and gave access to a huge number of punters who had no idea of how to treat a performance car, regarding maintenance, warm up and just turned the key and thrashed them. In actual point the percent of cars with engine problems is quite small given the numbers on the road, but we only hear the horror stories of those that go pop.
Having both is quite interesting, as the Chimaera and Boxster are from the same era with similar stories to tell i.e. the cars that saved the Company etc – and often ponder what a modern version Chimaera would look like compared to the New Boxster.
But then if the TVR had not died young then I suppose it would not be seen as quite the hero it is today.
Hope you enjoy your Boxster as much as us, they are fantastic drivers cars and as said many times vastly underestimated, but just like the Chimaera are gradually coming back into favor by those in the know.
Having said all the above if one of them had to go it would not be the Chimaera.
Andy
We have a 3.4 S as well as the Chimaera and would say that having both gives us access to everything you could want as a drivers fleet, the Volvo S60 D5 does the boring stuff.
With regard to the stories about the fragile motor I would say that they are about as true as the ones about TVR reliability.
Mr Joe public offers comments such as I would not buy a TVR – Boxster because they keep braking down – engine will go bang, in equal measure.
As we know many of the comments are not really relative today because most TVR's on the road have had most of the reliability problem sorted by addressing the factory build faults but the stigma still sticks, the same for the Boxster, those still on the road have gone past the point of failing, something that generally happens within 25k miles.
I believe the Boxsters problem is that a huge number were made, was the bargain of the century and gave access to a huge number of punters who had no idea of how to treat a performance car, regarding maintenance, warm up and just turned the key and thrashed them. In actual point the percent of cars with engine problems is quite small given the numbers on the road, but we only hear the horror stories of those that go pop.
Having both is quite interesting, as the Chimaera and Boxster are from the same era with similar stories to tell i.e. the cars that saved the Company etc – and often ponder what a modern version Chimaera would look like compared to the New Boxster.
But then if the TVR had not died young then I suppose it would not be seen as quite the hero it is today.
Hope you enjoy your Boxster as much as us, they are fantastic drivers cars and as said many times vastly underestimated, but just like the Chimaera are gradually coming back into favor by those in the know.
Having said all the above if one of them had to go it would not be the Chimaera.
Andy
So you've done the dirty deed then Graham. A small shift to the dark side but a good fleet to have, I would say. Well done sir!
I'll be interested to hear how you feel after living with both for a few months. Interested to see which one racks up the most miles over a year - although Mrs B could have some influence on that one I guess.
And if one has to go after say 18 months? Could you really part with the mighty 530? Unless it was for a Tuscan! Watching with interest.
I'll be interested to hear how you feel after living with both for a few months. Interested to see which one racks up the most miles over a year - although Mrs B could have some influence on that one I guess.
And if one has to go after say 18 months? Could you really part with the mighty 530? Unless it was for a Tuscan! Watching with interest.
Edited by pb450 on Monday 16th January 16:11
Hi Peter,
I have done it and collect Wednesday! They are more common than the TVR but not that common, at least around here and not sure what will happen with running both. I deliberately didn't go for the 3.4 but did nearly succumb to a very lovely Gen2 at the weekend. There are some lovely cars out there and they definitely age well! Looking forward to some dry roads at some point soon to try the good handling!
I have done it and collect Wednesday! They are more common than the TVR but not that common, at least around here and not sure what will happen with running both. I deliberately didn't go for the 3.4 but did nearly succumb to a very lovely Gen2 at the weekend. There are some lovely cars out there and they definitely age well! Looking forward to some dry roads at some point soon to try the good handling!
TV8 said:
Hi Peter,
I have done it and collect Wednesday! They are more common than the TVR but not that common, at least around here and not sure what will happen with running both. I deliberately didn't go for the 3.4 but did nearly succumb to a very lovely Gen2 at the weekend. There are some lovely cars out there and they definitely age well! Looking forward to some dry roads at some point soon to try the good handling!
Take a spin over when the weather improves I have done it and collect Wednesday! They are more common than the TVR but not that common, at least around here and not sure what will happen with running both. I deliberately didn't go for the 3.4 but did nearly succumb to a very lovely Gen2 at the weekend. There are some lovely cars out there and they definitely age well! Looking forward to some dry roads at some point soon to try the good handling!
Very nice Graham. Be very interesting to hear your views once you've tested it out 
I like them, can't deny it.
If you get too attached to it you'll have to try my Chim on these nutty Rainsports,,,, , go cart levels of grip,,, in the wet. It's insane.
Comfort,, transformed,, it's a Tvr so pinch of salt but by eck it's a different car.
I reckon it might just match one of those... not speed or anything but the grip now.
I'm in a whole new world of happiness with it.
Can you compare them... you shouldn't really because of the different levels of development.
I test drove one but it had a nasty box, it still thrilled me, those engines do sound ace.
Enjoy
I like them, can't deny it.
If you get too attached to it you'll have to try my Chim on these nutty Rainsports,,,, , go cart levels of grip,,, in the wet. It's insane.
Comfort,, transformed,, it's a Tvr so pinch of salt but by eck it's a different car.
I reckon it might just match one of those... not speed or anything but the grip now.
I'm in a whole new world of happiness with it.
Can you compare them... you shouldn't really because of the different levels of development.
I test drove one but it had a nasty box, it still thrilled me, those engines do sound ace.
Enjoy
BeastMaster said:
With regard to the stories about the fragile motor I would say that they are about as true as the ones about TVR reliability.
Mr Joe public offers comments such as I would not buy a TVR – Boxster because they keep braking down – engine will go bang, in equal measure.
Andy
I wasn't into TVRs when they were new but I would say that the Boxster is a bit worse today. A class action was upheld in the US and a specialist I visited told me they don't stock the gen 1 3.2s and 3.4s as they put their own warranty on the cars and it is to risky!Mr Joe public offers comments such as I would not buy a TVR – Boxster because they keep braking down – engine will go bang, in equal measure.
Andy
ClassicChimaera said:
Very nice Graham. Be very interesting to hear your views once you've tested it out
I like them, can't deny it.
If you get too attached to it you'll have to try my Chim on these nutty Rainsports,,,, , go cart levels of grip,,, in the wet. It's insane.
Comfort,, transformed,, it's a Tvr so pinch of salt but by eck it's a different car.
I reckon it might just match one of those... not speed or anything but the grip now.
I'm in a whole new world of happiness with it.
Can you compare them... you shouldn't really because of the different levels of development.
I test drove one but it had a nasty box, it still thrilled me, those engines do sound ace.
Enjoy
Hi Al, will let you know how I get on and glad to see you are still enjoying yours! I like them, can't deny it.
If you get too attached to it you'll have to try my Chim on these nutty Rainsports,,,, , go cart levels of grip,,, in the wet. It's insane.
Comfort,, transformed,, it's a Tvr so pinch of salt but by eck it's a different car.
I reckon it might just match one of those... not speed or anything but the grip now.
I'm in a whole new world of happiness with it.
Can you compare them... you shouldn't really because of the different levels of development.
I test drove one but it had a nasty box, it still thrilled me, those engines do sound ace.
Enjoy
My appetite was started going to Spa a couple of summers back. As well as the turn of speed my friends car showed, in the hot sun in traffic, he sat in air con comfort whilst I melted and in the monsoon on the way back, he caught the ferry and I missed it!
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