Discussion
I assume you mean a 4 litre Chim?
second car = V8S
sole car = Chim
the sound of the V8S is to die for. I assume the handling is not too dissimilar to my V6 and its rarity another big plus.
but....if it is to be used everyday then the Chim makes for a great GT and the boot is simply huge for le mans trips etc. suspension a little softer and the general tourer comforts that the V8S will lack.
As Paul says, it is chalk and cheese. If it is to be a weekend only car for high days and holidays, the V8S is simply so rare and the feel so direct that it would win. If its to be used a little more than that, the comfort of the chim will be relished.
Looks wise, its whatever flicks your switch. I personally think the S is a beautiful looking sports car in a traditional way. I get younguns and olduns asking me about the car and showing real interest. I guess the Chimaera is more up to date but still retains the classic lines to make it a great looker also, without having the more agressive (IMHO) looks of the Griff, Tuscan etc which are more intimidating but have an appeal in a different way.
Horses for courses.
second car = V8S
sole car = Chim
the sound of the V8S is to die for. I assume the handling is not too dissimilar to my V6 and its rarity another big plus.
but....if it is to be used everyday then the Chim makes for a great GT and the boot is simply huge for le mans trips etc. suspension a little softer and the general tourer comforts that the V8S will lack.
As Paul says, it is chalk and cheese. If it is to be a weekend only car for high days and holidays, the V8S is simply so rare and the feel so direct that it would win. If its to be used a little more than that, the comfort of the chim will be relished.
Looks wise, its whatever flicks your switch. I personally think the S is a beautiful looking sports car in a traditional way. I get younguns and olduns asking me about the car and showing real interest. I guess the Chimaera is more up to date but still retains the classic lines to make it a great looker also, without having the more agressive (IMHO) looks of the Griff, Tuscan etc which are more intimidating but have an appeal in a different way.
Horses for courses.
Would V6 owners ...
I'd go to the Griffith, the V8S always seamed a half way house (I have a magazine road test on H15 VBS, title:- Poor Man's Griffith!) I always think that I've done the S thing with the S1.
On the other hand, I did!
I pushed the boat out and got a newish Griffith. (I bought the S1 at two years old and kept it, so that car policy works for me!)
So that's upset the V8S and Chimaera owners!
agree fully . I wanted a griff but couldn't afford anything that didn't need a full rebuild, thought the chim too common also .. V8S it had to be .. wouldn't consider any other S as it happens, even though psychobert's car sounds wonderful!! once you drive a V8S you'll appreciate why they have such a following .. lighter and slightly lower geared than a chim makes them brisker too. plus it's one of the very few cars that actually handles better in the wet than the dry (possible limitations of that semi trailing arm rear making itself felt in the dry) .. had some nice slides today in the pouring rain in mine - never managed to get it sliding in the dry . always seems to understeer off with relatively little power (about 200 bhp on a good one). All in all if you're on any kind of budget get a v8S .. chims are going down like a lead balloon .. tatty ones for 8K ish and just too many of them about means it's a poor investment .. the rarity makes the S the winner to me.
Now hear me roar
- never managed to get it sliding in the dry . always seems to understeer off with relatively little power (about 200 bhp on a good one). All in all if you're on any kind of budget get a v8S .. chims are going down like a lead balloon .. tatty ones for 8K ish and just too many of them about means it's a poor investment .. the rarity makes the S the winner to me. Now hear me roar
I agree with most of the views expressed. I had a V8S from new in'92 then traded it for a Chimaera 500 in '97. My Chimp is my everyday, practical car. Love it to bits but it is edges more towards "performance car" and away from "sports car" compared to the V8S.
I am currently looking for a V8S to run along side the Chimp (i'm fed up of having to prise the keys to the Chimp away from my partner - she can have her own TVR!). I miss the ear to ear grin the S gave me. Read into that what you will.
Kevin
I am currently looking for a V8S to run along side the Chimp (i'm fed up of having to prise the keys to the Chimp away from my partner - she can have her own TVR!). I miss the ear to ear grin the S gave me. Read into that what you will.
Kevin
Never tried anything but a V8S - few teething problems but I must say I am surprised to hear folks say it isn't that cumfy, or that they would not like to drive it everyday. If a day comes round for me that I'm not driving mine I start sulking and missing it. I drive mine every day to work (20mile round trip) and no matter how bad the day gets I can raise a smile when I remember what I'm driving home in - Love mine to bits and wouldn't swap it for the world - it would be a V8S for me - its cumfy, relatively economical, rare, and bloody good looking, and maybe last but not least it smells like a proper car - oil, leather, thick carpets and ........F*** IT i'm off for a blat .. all IMHO
I agree with the Chim being the more practical of the two but did anyone buy a TVR to be practical - I have my trusted Nissan Almera 1.4 to be Practical!
Having driven both cars, out of the two the chim is the easiest to drive, as it's more gentlemanly like and IMHO feels slower as the power seems to come on in a gradual wave rather than the aggressive tsunami that the V8S delivers.
If it was my money i'd buy a V8S....oh hang on a minute
I already have
Ian
>> Edited by rustoni on Thursday 1st May 07:36
Having driven both cars, out of the two the chim is the easiest to drive, as it's more gentlemanly like and IMHO feels slower as the power seems to come on in a gradual wave rather than the aggressive tsunami that the V8S delivers.
If it was my money i'd buy a V8S....oh hang on a minute
I already have
Ian
>> Edited by rustoni on Thursday 1st May 07:36
rustoni said: I agree with the Chim being the more practical of the two but did anyone buy a TVR to be practical - I have my trusted Nissan Almera 1.4 to be Practical!
True - although despite my earlier comments I am considering a Chim as my next car largely due to the fact my TVR is used as my only car. I have often thought about buying a second car but dont think I could face getting behind the wheel of my eurobox when the Tiv is sat in the garage winking at me seductively.
no, I do not consider any TVR to be practical, but if you can buy a TVR that can do what you ask it more practically, thats a different matter.
How about a comparison between a griff & a v8s.
I have a V6 S at present & fancy a 4.3 or 5.0 Griff, however i would still be tempted by a V8S as the shape is the thing i loved from the start
I wouldnt touch the chimp, too many people who have gone from V6S to Chimp say its like driving a Mondeo convertible, too safe. Sorry to chimp owners, just my opinion
Anyone any thoughts ?
I have a V6 S at present & fancy a 4.3 or 5.0 Griff, however i would still be tempted by a V8S as the shape is the thing i loved from the start
I wouldnt touch the chimp, too many people who have gone from V6S to Chimp say its like driving a Mondeo convertible, too safe. Sorry to chimp owners, just my opinion
Anyone any thoughts ?
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