400 SE or chim
Discussion
I went from a mint 400se to a mint Chim 500 and the debate is a very difficult and comes down to what you want from a car.
The 400se was rarer, turned more heads, louder had a greater grin factor
The Chim 500 is better built, faster, looks more modern (but turns less heads), BUT is not as much FUN to drive.
So to sum up, I'd say the Chim is the "better" car but you'd get more enjoyment out of the wedge as the grin factor is just amazing.
For info, I'm selling my Chim and going to try a Tuscan. If that doesn't bring back the grin factor I miss from the wedge, I'll get me another wedge.
Hope this helps.
The 400se was rarer, turned more heads, louder had a greater grin factor
The Chim 500 is better built, faster, looks more modern (but turns less heads), BUT is not as much FUN to drive.
So to sum up, I'd say the Chim is the "better" car but you'd get more enjoyment out of the wedge as the grin factor is just amazing.
For info, I'm selling my Chim and going to try a Tuscan. If that doesn't bring back the grin factor I miss from the wedge, I'll get me another wedge.
Hope this helps.
I had an S2, 350i, 280i, 450SE and now a 4L Griffith and want a Wedge again....
The Chimaera (as the Griffith) will be screwed together using less bits, more streamlined, less moving parts, more uprated parts (brakes, alarms/imobillisers, gearboxes, instrumentation, interior etc) but will be half the laff....and somebody will always have a better/newer one!
With a Wedge you could indeed end up with one of the best ones built beit 280i, 200, 450SE, SEAC, 350i, 390 one of the supercharged models. At the time they were the ultimate TVR.
The safe bet would be to go for the Chimp, individually a nice looking TVR, get 'em in numbers though and only the colour changes, you are just one of the crowd. Saw three in my local Tesco's car park the other day, they were not together either.
If on the other hand you have a slightly more 'oddball personality' (sweeping generalisation!) then go for the Wedge
Alternatively I know for a perfectly good 'built down to a price' Griffith for sale....
MikeyB
The Chimaera (as the Griffith) will be screwed together using less bits, more streamlined, less moving parts, more uprated parts (brakes, alarms/imobillisers, gearboxes, instrumentation, interior etc) but will be half the laff....and somebody will always have a better/newer one!
With a Wedge you could indeed end up with one of the best ones built beit 280i, 200, 450SE, SEAC, 350i, 390 one of the supercharged models. At the time they were the ultimate TVR.
The safe bet would be to go for the Chimp, individually a nice looking TVR, get 'em in numbers though and only the colour changes, you are just one of the crowd. Saw three in my local Tesco's car park the other day, they were not together either.
If on the other hand you have a slightly more 'oddball personality' (sweeping generalisation!) then go for the Wedge
Alternatively I know for a perfectly good 'built down to a price' Griffith for sale....
MikeyB
L33 said:
I went from a mint 400se to a mint Chim 500 and the debate is a very difficult and comes down to what you want from a car.
The 400se was rarer, turned more heads, louder had a greater grin factor
If you're ever in my neck of the woods, I'll show you what turning heads is... The 400se was rarer, turned more heads, louder had a greater grin factor
I'm not saying that a wedge isn'teye candy there, but here, with the only one ANYONE has ever seen (most people here never even heard of "tvr") well, put it this way, I've gotten huge grins and thumbs up driving past little old ladies in their 70's and 80's at bus stops even.... and that age group combined with gender is anything BUT into cars!
L33 said:
For info, I'm selling my Chim and going to try a Tuscan. If that doesn't bring back the grin factor I miss from the wedge, I'll get me another wedge.
You know damned well it wont. :P@ topic starter.... get the wedge!
Edited by Brap_Brap on Sunday 4th May 10:22
blade7 said:
Thanks for the opinions, since I've started thinking about a TVR I have noticed a few chims around, the first reply whilst appreciated did seem to hint that perhaps I wasn't worthy of the wedge. Initially I didn't think the wedge was for me, a bit TR7ish and I had one of those 25 years ago, but a local guy has a couple and after chatting with him and looking at his cars I'm coming around to the idea.
Have a drive in one. Does it put a big grin on your face and would you like one in the garage? If so it's for you, if not thanks for considering this model. Simple :-)As JR has already stated:
There is something that lets you KNOW that a Wedge is for you!
I like Chims I really do. First TVR I drove was a 4 Litre Chim and I loved it and its a bloody beautiful car albeit a bit quiet in standard guise (mate had his sleeved..much better!)
The Wedge on the other hand is affordable and individual
Sound good as standard, sound awesome when tinkered with
There is the TVR community then there is the Wedgers and as Convert said to me at Chatsworth "Wedgers are like the outcasts, the black sheep"
I like that
There is something that lets you KNOW that a Wedge is for you!
I like Chims I really do. First TVR I drove was a 4 Litre Chim and I loved it and its a bloody beautiful car albeit a bit quiet in standard guise (mate had his sleeved..much better!)
The Wedge on the other hand is affordable and individual
Sound good as standard, sound awesome when tinkered with
There is the TVR community then there is the Wedgers and as Convert said to me at Chatsworth "Wedgers are like the outcasts, the black sheep"
I like that
Took mine up to the local Mcd's drive-in, with my son yesterday.
...Bloke taking the order bows as we approach, staff running to look out the serving hatch, and gasps of appreciation.
At first I thought it must be my good looks and pulling power, but no, as usual it was the car.
I kid you not.
Chims are gorgeous motors, but also relatively plentiful and a little 'ordinary' to the untrained observer.
...Bloke taking the order bows as we approach, staff running to look out the serving hatch, and gasps of appreciation.
At first I thought it must be my good looks and pulling power, but no, as usual it was the car.
I kid you not.
Chims are gorgeous motors, but also relatively plentiful and a little 'ordinary' to the untrained observer.
I have driven a 4ltr Chimp & a 5lt Griff and a Tuscan. The Tuscan will turn heads, the Chimp felt slower than my 350i and the Griff 500 though quick didn't feel as good to drive.
In summary - my Wedge is the car - loud, noisy and it turns heads. I get a buzz whenever I start it up and its still a very quick car - even though it not yet back on the road until later this year.
In summary - my Wedge is the car - loud, noisy and it turns heads. I get a buzz whenever I start it up and its still a very quick car - even though it not yet back on the road until later this year.
GV said:
I have driven a 4ltr Chimp & a 5lt Griff and a Tuscan. The Tuscan will turn heads, the Chimp felt slower than my 350i and the Griff 500 though quick didn't feel as good to drive.
In summary - my Wedge is the car - loud, noisy and it turns heads. I get a buzz whenever I start it up and its still a very quick car - even though it not yet back on the road until later this year.
Must have been something wrong with the Chim as the 4 litre I drove still feels quicker than a 400SE In summary - my Wedge is the car - loud, noisy and it turns heads. I get a buzz whenever I start it up and its still a very quick car - even though it not yet back on the road until later this year.
jagdpanther said:
As JR has already stated:
There is something that lets you KNOW that a Wedge is for you!
I like Chims I really do. First TVR I drove was a 4 Litre Chim and I loved it and its a bloody beautiful car albeit a bit quiet in standard guise (mate had his sleeved..much better!)
The Wedge on the other hand is affordable and individual
Sound good as standard, sound awesome when tinkered with
There is the TVR community then there is the Wedgers and as Convert said to me at Chatsworth "Wedgers are like the outcasts, the black sheep"
I like that
Scared a few sheep today, went over to the Peak Forest meeting (Topless of course). Even set the camcorder up, and got some footage going up Winnats Pass.There is something that lets you KNOW that a Wedge is for you!
I like Chims I really do. First TVR I drove was a 4 Litre Chim and I loved it and its a bloody beautiful car albeit a bit quiet in standard guise (mate had his sleeved..much better!)
The Wedge on the other hand is affordable and individual
Sound good as standard, sound awesome when tinkered with
There is the TVR community then there is the Wedgers and as Convert said to me at Chatsworth "Wedgers are like the outcasts, the black sheep"
I like that
With regards to the OP, as the rest of the guys have said, try them. You'll know if a Wedge is right for you. Just remember once you turn to the Darkside there is no turning back
To quote the Eagles "You can check out any time you like; but you can never leave"Edited by convert on Sunday 4th May 15:44
convert said:
jagdpanther said:
As JR has already stated:
There is something that lets you KNOW that a Wedge is for you!
I like Chims I really do. First TVR I drove was a 4 Litre Chim and I loved it and its a bloody beautiful car albeit a bit quiet in standard guise (mate had his sleeved..much better!)
The Wedge on the other hand is affordable and individual
Sound good as standard, sound awesome when tinkered with
There is the TVR community then there is the Wedgers and as Convert said to me at Chatsworth "Wedgers are like the outcasts, the black sheep"
I like that
Scared a few sheep today, went over to the Peak Forest meeting (Topless of course). Even set the camcorder up, and got some footage going up Winnats Pass.There is something that lets you KNOW that a Wedge is for you!
I like Chims I really do. First TVR I drove was a 4 Litre Chim and I loved it and its a bloody beautiful car albeit a bit quiet in standard guise (mate had his sleeved..much better!)
The Wedge on the other hand is affordable and individual
Sound good as standard, sound awesome when tinkered with
There is the TVR community then there is the Wedgers and as Convert said to me at Chatsworth "Wedgers are like the outcasts, the black sheep"
I like that
With regards to the OP, as the rest of the guys have said, try them. You'll know if a Wedge is right for you. Just remember once you turn to the Darkside there is no turning back
To quote the Eagles "You can check out any time you like; but you can never leave"Edited by convert on Sunday 4th May 15:44
.. That about sums it up....
Ok, here's my 2p's worth
I've had a 350i wedge, S2 and now a Chim. To be honest the most fun to drive out of all of them was the S2. Brilliant handling and just the 'right' amount of power that you could really drive the car hard without worrying about ending up in a ditch. All IMHO of course. Anyway, all TVRs are fantastic so I'm sure you'll be happy whatever your choice !
I've had a 350i wedge, S2 and now a Chim. To be honest the most fun to drive out of all of them was the S2. Brilliant handling and just the 'right' amount of power that you could really drive the car hard without worrying about ending up in a ditch. All IMHO of course. Anyway, all TVRs are fantastic so I'm sure you'll be happy whatever your choice !
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