From an S to a Chim...?

[M@H]

Most Kind words and comments both, thankyou.

..as for a Job, sadly I'm one of those having the life sucked out of them in the whats left of the IT management game, however one day I will have a trout fishery in the westcountry.. Topgear ? not for me thanks

: pleasegodletitbeinthenexttenyers:

Cheers,
Matt.


>> Edited by M@H on Friday 18th July 14:43

[Pies]

M@H said:

Ok, my thoughs as promised yesterday.. Firstly there are two issues here, not one. One is the change from the S to the Chimaera and the other is the change from using the TVR for “fun” and then using it every day. Firstly, the car change: Pro’s The 4.0 Chimaera is quicker by far, and can really give you a scare in second/third gear. Anyone who says there performance is not really noticeable surprises me, we’re talking a sub 5 second 0-60 with 240bhp and 270 lbsft Torque, versus a 7 second 0-60 with 160bhp and 170 lbsft Torque. It also handles very very competently and in the Dry you can pull it around most corners at speed with minimal fuss, albeit a little tyre squeal. The Chimaera is a more comfortable (some would say softer) ride, It also has a cavernous boot for those weekends away.. I know the S has a boot, but the Chim one is massive in comparision. The Chimaera dashboard is a joy to look at, and makes the slightly cramped style of the S look very poor by comparison, although amusingly I noticed the other day that some Early Griffs carry the S dials ! (albeit better laid out) The Chimaera also has a certain “it’s a Supercar and I’m loaded” look to it and can look stunning from the right angles, plus you have a V8 rumble to make people turn and stare. Con’s The Chimaera is more expensive to buy, and more expensive to run. The S will (mine would anyway) do over 30 to the gallon, on unleaded, the Chimaera will do anywhere from 15 to 25mpg (only 23 for me) on Optimax. Servicing for an S is cheaper (and many parts), and as the S is becoming more of a “Classic” car, there is an awful lot you can do to it yourself without affecting the value. Most people want to see a Full TVR or Good Independant service history with a Chimaera or Griff, however I would buy an S of someone who knew what they were doing and serviced and cared for the car themselves (as condition of the car, and owner attitude, knowledge and reputation would indicate good service history) I think an S is more “fun” to drive, as you have a capable car that you can put on its limits at much lover speeds than the Chimaera.. I find that you have to be exceeding the speed limit everywhere in the Chim to get the tingling “I’m really driving this” sensation that can be achieved at 50mph in an S. The Chimaera V8 is a great sound, however be aware that it only really sounds great when you are being driven past by one, when you’re driving it you really don’t enjoy the engine note as much as you do with the raw V6 sound which seems to be right behind your ears. I have found that the stunning looks of the Chimaera fade with time… after a while the front of it starts to look a bit plain, and somehow I never had this with the S. The fun to everyday thing. As you know this was my plan too.. sell the S, and my other car and get the Chimaera for every day.. sounds great like that, however some cautionary points. Doing 12,000 miles a year in a Chimaera is going to cost you something like £2350ish in Petrol, and £800+ in servicing (that’s 2 per year), plus your insurance and and odds and ends that can (will) go wrong or need replacing. This is significantly more than a daily runabout will cost you. I bought my Chimaera in Autumn and began using it on a daily basis, and I can tell you that on a cold leafy rainy dark winter day, the last thing I wanted to get home in was the Chim, its no fun at all really.. I was just wanting a boring runabout with ABS, power steering, a stereo I could hear, an idle note that I couldn’t hear, and with comfy seats. Of course at the weekend when I actually wanted to “drive” it was a different matter, but for the catatonic commute home in the dark its not the right car. Also bear in mind that your everyday car gets all the dings, scratches and scrapes that the numpty tossers of this world who cant drive, park, or see the corners of their cars dish out, and there is no peace of mind at all these days in leaving your car in a public carpark especially if it’s a Chimaera. I found that using it every day was actually removing some of my enjoyment of the car, as it was no longer a “treat” to take myself out in it… forget “oo the suns out, shall we go in the TVR”, its “oo I’ve only got the one car and I need to get a bag of cement from the builders yard” All IMO of course, sorry if it all seems negative I’m just trying to be helpful.. Fortunately I was able to hang on to another car to provide me with my daily runabout, therefore I’m not piling miles onto the TVR at too much of a rate either. Cheers, Matt. >> Edited by M@H on Friday 18th July 14:40

One of the most honest and unbiased appraisals i've read on here

could this v8s tempt you

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2423058415&category=18308

reserve is met at £7,500

edited cos prat me forgot to put the link in

>> Edited by Pies on Friday 18th July 15:28

[Podie]

yellabelly said:

Podie - NO

Currently sitting on the fence on this one...

It's either run a 4.0 as a daily car, or spend some money on the S, and wait till I can afford to have a Griff/Chim as a second car...

[yellabelly]

Paul,
As usual Pies is on the button, think about a V8s as another option, POWER, PACE, PLEASURE, same classic looks
economy, insurance, low running cost
and that rumbling exhaust

Think on!

[f402mlr]

M@H said:

Ok, my thoughts as promised yesterday.. Firstly, the car change: Pro’s The 4.0 Chimaera is quicker by far, .... The Chimaera is a more comfortable ... Con’s I think an S is more “fun” to drive, .... raw V6 sound ... The fun to everyday thing. If I worked 5 miles from home and had a works carpark ... Cheers Matt

Just to agree with Matt - I find the S more fun, and louder, at more road legal speeds. Drive the Griff with the same sensation as the S and you're doing.... let's say a very high speed. However for long distance cruising (and overtaking these crowded days) the Griff is excellent.

I used to run the S as my only car - 5 miles commute and Private Company Site - the other down side was those long service sessions while you waited the bits to be Red Star'd from Blackpool. (Had to cycle to work those weeks!) Eventually got a tin car.

Currently I can keep both, but IF the P45 arrives I'd keep the S, it's not concours, but together, but I wouldn't have regretted "the affair" with the Griff.

[dse444]

Nowt wrong with a Chim for year round use if you're aware of the costs, except for snow! Couldn't get up the hump backed bridges. So after 10years I got a scooby for winter.