Chimaera or Tuscan

[mhanington]

I am about to take the plunge and buy my first TVR having sold my Stag. My preference was a late low mileage Chimaera as my budget is about £25K but from some internet research a Tuscan is with in reach. So, OK what are people’s views?

The car will not, well at least yet, be my every day drive but if all goes well it probably will be. I have seen lots of stuff about engine problems on early Tuscans are they really a problem and if there are known problems how are dealers and the factory dealing with them?

[kdd]

mhanington said:

I am about to take the plunge and buy my first TVR having sold my Stag. My preference was a late low mileage Chimaera as my budget is about £25K but from some internet research a Tuscan is with in reach. So, OK what are people’s views? The car will not, well at least yet, be my every day drive but if all goes well it probably will be. I have seen lots of stuff about engine problems on early Tuscans are they really a problem and if there are known problems how are dealers and the factory dealing with them?

If I'd have had the extra money, I'd still have bought a Chim, even though I one day hope to have a Tuscan. I had to quench the desire to own a Chim and have the V8 burble follow me around

I'd wanted a Chim or a Griff since I first saw them, and winted a TVR since I was old enough to know what they were. Always liked British sports cars As it's driven as an everyday car, the Chim is just that little bit more practical, and the roof is easier to get in the boot (for Mrs kdd).

My Triumph (see profile) has a straight six with sports pipes, and so my 6 pot requirements are met currently as well

I hope to get a Tuscan sometime in the future.....

Hope that helps......

kdd

[chim450]

I have owned a Chimaera 450 for about 18 months. It is a great car, lovely V8 soundtrack, shows a clean pair of heels to just about everything on the road. I have used it as an everyday car with no problems.

I have however just bought a Tuscan. Different car, I personally love the styling and although different to the sound of the V8 the speed six engine does sound lovely. I am planning on using it as an everyday car, I can only hope it will be as reliable as the Chim was.

[kdd]

chim450 said:

I have owned a Chimaera 450 for about 18 months. It is a great car, lovely V8 soundtrack, shows a clean pair of heels to just about everything on the road. I have used it as an everyday car with no problems. I have however just bought a Tuscan. Different car, I personally love the styling and although different to the sound of the V8 the speed six engine does sound lovely. I am planning on using it as an everyday car, I can only hope it will be as reliable as the Chim was.

I'll be interested to hear how you get on.......

[Fiat500]

As a Chim 5.0 owner for 18 months, I also occasionally do driving jobs for my TVR dealer, collecting cars from all over the UK. So I've had the opportunity to spend extended periods in Tuscans (and got to drive a brand new Noble from the factory recently - but that's another story !).
For me, the Chim is about the V8 grunt and sound, easy open-top motoring (easier than the Tuscan), and as my first TVR I've found it nowhere near as scary as I'd expected. The Tuscan is a different beast, trickier / more sensitive on the pedals, easier to come unstuck with, still a glorious noise (but different), more noticed on the road, and not quite so user-friendly inside the cabin - minor points mostly, though. As for styling it's something else !

I've heard stories (both from owners and my dealer) of unreliability with early Tuscans, but don't have any info on current issues. My Chim (99/T) has been faultless.

Both rate highly for driving experience, but in different ways, and with different feel-good factors. If I could afford it and had the space I'd have both, ... and more !

Hope this is useful. Finally, though I love my Chim I'm considering a change - and mine may be what you're looking for. E-mail me if interested, and I'll send details.

[jigs]

Unless you're totally addicted to cars with flawed engines, such as your Stag, go for a V8 TVR, either a Griffith or Chimaera IMO.

[Gimlet]

Having owned a Chimaera (1998 Model)and two Tuscans (2001 & 2003 Models)it really comes down to personal choice. I cover around 10K per year in the TVR as a second car.
To even up the Score it should be said that my Chimaera proved to be less reliable than the Tuscan's to date, both of which have given me no trouble at all, though the new one is a much better drive than it's predecesor.(Better Steering, Brakes, Clutch)
I would suggest extensive test drives in both cars before taking the plunge and then go with your heart.

[iainsmith]

i've had a Griffith 500 and have got a Tuscan (2002 Year) now and i'd agree, test both the Chim and the Tuscan and see which you prefer. My Tuscan has had no mechanical 'issues' (it's now 20 months old) but then the only problem with the Griff was overheating, easily solved by shorting the thermostat switch. It might come down to which styling or exhaust note you prefer! But i'll guarantee you'll be smiling whichever you choose!

[DMc]

I think you should get a Tuscan. My dad had a chim before the Tus and its a better car its so quick and it has sexy looks The tus are really nice cars. I loved the chim before we sold it The Tuscan is in a Different league to the chim there is not alot of cars that can beat the Tuscan. My vote would be a Tuscan

[jigs]

So DMC - does that mean you think he should get a Tuscan - you didn't make that clear.

[cosmoschick]

[gaston]

Whilst there's no doubt that the best solution is to try them both and see how you get on the general opinion seems to be that the Tuscan is more hardcore than the V8 cars and a bit more tempramental. Enjoy!

[Big Al.]

I drive a 4 ltr Chim daily and have done for about 14 months. IMHO it's a glorious, elegant , stable and relatively fast machine.

Got a chance to drive a Tuscan S Red Rose! Awesome!!!
It was so fast that I had to stop grinning as I was in fear of wind erosion on my front teeth!

It was mental, even on a dry day but so exhilarating it took my breath away. Did I enjoy the experience? .... YES. Would it suit me as an every car ... the juries out on that one at present!

IMHO neither are like the Stag (had one back in 1974) the power of a 4 ltr will leave the Stag standing in first gear, the Tuscan on the other hand will leave the stag standing in NEUTRAL!!!!

[bob the planner]

As Fiat500 said they are different in driving style, looks & sound. There are other odd differences as well - with the Tuscn you do not have to take everything out the boot to get the roof off, however the hoop at the back does not feel like a convertable even with the window out. As you live with the cars you find things you prefer on each of the cars.

As mentioned above, try to get an extended test drive of each and decide which you prefer.

Chim as shopping car & Tusc as fun car for me .

Bob

[RiverGirrl]

I have only had a Chimaera, so I cannot comment. However, I do have a good friend who has owned both. First the Chimaera, which he had for 3 years as his second car. Loved it. Was seduced by the Tuscan, which he bought after selling the Chimaera. He had one of the first 100 cars, and yes, he did have problems. Although they were eventually sorted out, he did long to have his Chimaera back. More user-friendly on an every-day basis, more 'cabin-friendly' as already stated here, and the roar of the V8 is pure music. But, as said, it is down to test drives and personal choice. Good luck!

[R&J]

Martin
I recently, after 12 months of Chim ownership, with funds all sorted, decided to search for my Tuscan. I tested a lovely Tuscan S but spending an extra 15 to 20 big ones decided that the chim is hard to beat, the tuscan looks beautiful and is damn fast, but the chim with its wooden dash is the stereotypical open top british sportscar, and it ain't slow.

I think upon reflection I'm gonna keep my chim for a few more years yet.

However If I were in your shoes the Tuscan would be a real temptation as it was when I bought my first Chim.
What clinched it for me was a late sorted Chim was I felt better than an early Tuscan (couldn't gamble with the expence of a rogue car)

Happy hunting

Rich

[jessica]

chim450 said:

I have owned a Chimaera 450 for about 18 months. It is a great car, lovely V8 soundtrack, shows a clean pair of heels to just about everything on the road. I have used it as an everyday car with no problems. I have however just bought a Tuscan. Different car, I personally love the styling and although different to the sound of the V8 the speed six engine does sound lovely. I am planning on using it as an everyday car, I can only hope it will be as reliable as the Chim was.

u dark horse Neil!!!

What colour is it etc,etc,????

[chim450]

jessica said:

u dark horse Neil!!! What colour is it etc,etc,????

Hi Jess,

It looks a bit like this:





Well, actually it looks a lot like that, as that is the car.

2001 Tuscan 4.0, Crystal Topaz, 18" wheels, air-con, sports exhaust, luvverly.

Organising another Manchester cruise sometime? Pwig can book the passenger seat again if he wants!

[theblacktuscks]

Let's not beat about the bush. Get a Tuscan S and book a course with Ride Drive. Ber the money. You only live once no matter what they tell you and life is to damned short.