Chimera or V8S?
Discussion
I know this has been done before - probably even hinted at by me, but.....
I was considering buying (amongst other things) an S3 or V8S this year, but it now looks like I won't have enough cash together for a decnet one until the weather has started to warm up and all the prices follow suit. One possibility is to hang on 'till this time next year and then my budget would probably extend to a chimera. This begs a few questions....
* How does the base spec Chimera compare to, say a V8S or 420 SE in performance and handling
* Was it a step forward in quality, reliability etc?
* I've heard chimeras can be a bit 'variable'. Two cars of apparently equal condition will handle very differently? Is this a known problem (seem to remember evo doing a second hand test on one and claiming it was much better than the others they'd seen)
Anything else to consider?
I was considering buying (amongst other things) an S3 or V8S this year, but it now looks like I won't have enough cash together for a decnet one until the weather has started to warm up and all the prices follow suit. One possibility is to hang on 'till this time next year and then my budget would probably extend to a chimera. This begs a few questions....
* How does the base spec Chimera compare to, say a V8S or 420 SE in performance and handling
* Was it a step forward in quality, reliability etc?
* I've heard chimeras can be a bit 'variable'. Two cars of apparently equal condition will handle very differently? Is this a known problem (seem to remember evo doing a second hand test on one and claiming it was much better than the others they'd seen)
Anything else to consider?
Interesting dilemma. I can't offer any comments other than on the Chimaera. I've driven 5 or 6 Chimaera's and the comment about variability is valid but, assuming you're referring to examples of a similar age/spec probably just down to the way they are set up (geometry), the condition of the steering, suspension and braking components and whether non-standard parts have been fitted e.g. AVO, Nitrons etc. Over the years there's a significant opportunity for similar cars to 'grow apart' due to different spec components being added/replaced, never mind the different maintenance routines. Sorting the geometry is hugely important in making a car feel all together rather than one that needs to be wrestled around or pointed in the right direction. I was amazed at the difference - no other fix I've made to the car produced such a noticeable driving difference (perhaps that says a lot about how it was set up in the first place).
A lot depends on what the car is for, if its an everyday car then maybe the Chim might be the better option. If its a second car for out and out grin factor when its sunny go for the V8S no question...........
Ive driven all, had the same dilemma and although the later TVR's are better cars in the way they were put together, they lose a certain something by being more complete cars, if that makes sense?
If I were you I would drive a few of each as thats the only way to decide really! As for the different handlind characteristics, as has been mentioned this is purely down to how the car is set up and whether after market shocks etc have been fitted.
Get out and drive a few, it will all become clear and you will buy the V8S.....
Enjoy
Mike
Ive driven all, had the same dilemma and although the later TVR's are better cars in the way they were put together, they lose a certain something by being more complete cars, if that makes sense? If I were you I would drive a few of each as thats the only way to decide really! As for the different handlind characteristics, as has been mentioned this is purely down to how the car is set up and whether after market shocks etc have been fitted.
Get out and drive a few, it will all become clear and you will buy the V8S.....
Enjoy
Mike
V8Smith said:
A lot depends on what the car is for, if its an everyday car then maybe the Chim might be the better option. If its a second car for out and out grin factor when its sunny go for the V8S no question........... Ive driven all, had the same dilemma and although the later TVR's are better cars in the way they were put together, they lose a certain something by being more complete cars, if that makes sense?
If I were you I would drive a few of each as thats the only way to decide really! As for the different handlind characteristics, as has been mentioned this is purely down to how the car is set up and whether after market shocks etc have been fitted.
Get out and drive a few, it will all become clear and you will buy the V8S.....
Enjoy
Mike
Ive driven all, had the same dilemma and although the later TVR's are better cars in the way they were put together, they lose a certain something by being more complete cars, if that makes sense? If I were you I would drive a few of each as thats the only way to decide really! As for the different handlind characteristics, as has been mentioned this is purely down to how the car is set up and whether after market shocks etc have been fitted.
Get out and drive a few, it will all become clear and you will buy the V8S.....
Enjoy
Mike
I'm a chim owner but there is something about the 'S' that i really like. Perhaps its cause i've always been a fan of the Triumph TR6 or something..
Anyway i daren't drive a V8S or i may be hankering for one before too long..
I drove a V8S and then a Chim for a test for Sprint.
The S came over as more of a traditional type of British sportscar. That's no criticism and to take it further, I don't think there is a traditional sc that the V8S doesn't beat hands down.
The Chim was more comfortable for me - I'm quite tall but fitted in both cars easily. I drove the cars over fairly normal C-class roads and the Chim was much smoother. On A class roads the difference would be hardly noticeable.
The telling point for me was the extra room in the Chim. For anyone who wants to tour with a passenger, it's the winner. The V8S will probably maintain its value a bit better than an equivalent Chim as it is rarer but we're not talking massive amounts. I'm told the chassis is at its limits with the S type so if you want to tune the engine, think carefully. There's a much greater range of engine selection - 4.0, 4.3, HC on both, 4.5 and 5.0 - for the Chim.
The difference are minor but quite marked. Smoother, roomier and greater choice for the Chim, and more to choose from is about it. The rest is down to whatever rings your bell.
The S came over as more of a traditional type of British sportscar. That's no criticism and to take it further, I don't think there is a traditional sc that the V8S doesn't beat hands down.
The Chim was more comfortable for me - I'm quite tall but fitted in both cars easily. I drove the cars over fairly normal C-class roads and the Chim was much smoother. On A class roads the difference would be hardly noticeable.
The telling point for me was the extra room in the Chim. For anyone who wants to tour with a passenger, it's the winner. The V8S will probably maintain its value a bit better than an equivalent Chim as it is rarer but we're not talking massive amounts. I'm told the chassis is at its limits with the S type so if you want to tune the engine, think carefully. There's a much greater range of engine selection - 4.0, 4.3, HC on both, 4.5 and 5.0 - for the Chim.
The difference are minor but quite marked. Smoother, roomier and greater choice for the Chim, and more to choose from is about it. The rest is down to whatever rings your bell.
Edited by Derek Smith on Thursday 11th January 17:46
Wildfire said:
quote=Derek Smith] I'm told the chassis is at its limits with the S type
Yep, just look at GreenV8S's car.[/quote]
yes this is just a rumour, Petes car is a 4.6 Supercharged and copes well with the power. That said I would agree with Dereks comments the Chim is a better car, it just depends what you want the car for, drive them both its the only way to tell.
Later
Mike
pies said:
Derek Smith said:
I'm told the chassis is at its limits with the S type
I've heard that ronour too,never seen any proof though
No, it's true. The chassis was designed to a budget with a maximum of 170 bhp planned. It was really marginal with the 200 bhp that the V8S has, which explains why the V8S has such a bad handling reputation. Tuned cars with HC conversions and so on pushing 240 bhp really can be quite dangerous. A few people have been mad enough to put 4.6 / 5.0 engines in, but with 260-280 bhp this is way too much and extremely dangerous, the chassis simply won't take it. It would be possible to put even more power in if you were stark raving bonkers, a supercharged 4.6 would easily put you in the mid 300s for example, but obviously that would kill you more or less as soon as you turn the key.
V8Smith said:
That said I would agree with Dereks comments the Chim is a better car, it just depends what you want the car for, drive them both its the only way to tell.
Mike
Mike
Please! I didn't say the Chim was a better car, just the better for touring. Do you want me to get beaten up at the next S Club?
I believe, although I'm more than willing to be proved wrong, that these more powerful V8S conversions have modification to springs, rates, dampers and such. I'm sorry if my comments suggested that the chassis could not be made to cope. It just requires a bit of modification.
I don't think you can say which car is better. Who's better out of David Bowie and I.K. Brunnel? Answers on a postcard, please.
I think Mikes first response sums it up, if its more of a weekday hack then the Chim is better suited. If its to be a weekend and holiday toy the S can be fun with a big F.
It's more traditional in its appearance (even retro) and is much much the rarer car, 4000 Chims built to just over 400 V8S's. The Chim has a big boot and the drivers seat is a little bigger, but the passenger footwell in the S is longer. The S ride can be a bit raw, but is much more direct and pointy. The Chim rides better on uneven roads, but a sorted S is not that far behind for comfort.
Horses for courses, as said drive lots and pick the best one that meets your needs.
It's more traditional in its appearance (even retro) and is much much the rarer car, 4000 Chims built to just over 400 V8S's. The Chim has a big boot and the drivers seat is a little bigger, but the passenger footwell in the S is longer. The S ride can be a bit raw, but is much more direct and pointy. The Chim rides better on uneven roads, but a sorted S is not that far behind for comfort.
Horses for courses, as said drive lots and pick the best one that meets your needs.
I looked at 9 series cars before I decided i had had enough of travelling up and down the country trying to find good one . Look in the classifieds there's about 16 s series cars and 77 Chimaera's , which means more chance of finding a good one . It was the conclusion i came to and i am glad i did. There is a s up the drive regular;y as i look after one for a friend who is away often. I can tell you that the Chimaera feels like a proper car and the s feels more like what the general public thinks a TVR should feel like ( If you get my drift). Though still great fun !.
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