TVR Chimaera vs Jaguar XJR (X308) - what to get and why?

[TiminYorkshire]

My head is full of the ideas of a sporty(ish) V8 for mixed driving, long motorway hauls to see the girlfriend down south, the odd continental trip (mainly motorways, the odd commute (34 mile round trip) to work and something a little more civilised than my VW T4 van or Mk1 MX5.

So which of the two would you go for, I realise the XJR is cheaper and has a spare two doors But it's a car that appeals to me. I think it would be comfier than the TVR, and I've always the MX5 for back road blasts...

So what would you go for and why?

[TiminYorkshire]

Britsh, V8, some wood on the dash, I'm not always entirely logical!

[TiminYorkshire]

I'd still have the MX5, plus I have occasional use (but not for trans european trips) of a late 930 with the rare 5 speed box, so I feel I've enough of the roadster/2 seat thing going on for me to not need to get the TVR solely for that reason.

[TiminYorkshire]

Sounds like short term get the XJR, longer term get a TVR to go along side (need a new roof on the house before having 2 V8s).

Cheers for the help and people's real world experience.

Edited by TiminYorkshire on Saturday 11th May 09:53

[TiminYorkshire]

Yep, it would be the big 4 door for me if I went Jag.

[TiminYorkshire]

It doesn't have quite the same aesthetic appeal.

[TiminYorkshire]

I agree an XK/XKR is somewhere between the two, but I prefer the original two extremes! The XK/XKR doesn't do it for me visually.

The XJR is a sports saloon, not a sports car.

The Chimaera is a sports car.

The XK is more of a grand tourer, not a true sports car (in my eyes) plus someone else at work has one!

[TiminYorkshire]

Did any Chimaeras come with air conditioning?

[TiminYorkshire]

Finally picked up an XJR tonight and very happy with the car on the drive home.

[TiminYorkshire]

A few quick pics of the black beast:

[TiminYorkshire]

The leaper may have to go, although it actually looks alright from inside!