Chimaera or Tuscan.....
Discussion
Guys (and Gals of course!)
You may remember I posted just before Christmas with a few questions about Chimaeras (in the Chim forum), but I now have a headache..... a major one.....
Thanks to a change in circumstances, my budget has gone up somewhat, and it seems I'm now looking at very late model Chimaera 4.5s or...... a Tuscan.
The change has come about by my fiancee being bored of our Jag XK8, and wanting to change it sooner rather than later, so we thought we'd chap that into the deal. However, this means that she's far more likely to drive the TVR more often than if it was "my" car. I don't have a problem with that, but am aware that shes going to be more interested in point and go, short trips and leaving the thing at airport car parks for 48hrs at a time.
Bearing all that in mind, plus the fact that I love the Chim, but adore the Tuscan (but either would be my first foray into Trevor Territory), which would be the more sensible one to go for?
You may remember I posted just before Christmas with a few questions about Chimaeras (in the Chim forum), but I now have a headache..... a major one.....
Thanks to a change in circumstances, my budget has gone up somewhat, and it seems I'm now looking at very late model Chimaera 4.5s or...... a Tuscan.
The change has come about by my fiancee being bored of our Jag XK8, and wanting to change it sooner rather than later, so we thought we'd chap that into the deal. However, this means that she's far more likely to drive the TVR more often than if it was "my" car. I don't have a problem with that, but am aware that shes going to be more interested in point and go, short trips and leaving the thing at airport car parks for 48hrs at a time.
Bearing all that in mind, plus the fact that I love the Chim, but adore the Tuscan (but either would be my first foray into Trevor Territory), which would be the more sensible one to go for?
As a woman who has owned one of each I would vote for the Tuscan. 
I'm 5ft 5 and found the driving position in the Tuscan is much better for me, despite having Leven pedals put in the Chim.
Personally, I found the Tuscan a much more thrilling drive, it is instant power, firmer ride and I found the handling much better than I had in my Chim.
I bought the Chimaera as it has classic sports car styling however I'm now thrilled with the head-turning looks of the Tuscan!
The only thing I miss about the Chim is the fantastic sound of the V8, even with sleeved cans the Tuscan can't compete.
Slipping into my flame-proof suit now
I'm 5ft 5 and found the driving position in the Tuscan is much better for me, despite having Leven pedals put in the Chim.
Personally, I found the Tuscan a much more thrilling drive, it is instant power, firmer ride and I found the handling much better than I had in my Chim.
I bought the Chimaera as it has classic sports car styling however I'm now thrilled with the head-turning looks of the Tuscan!
The only thing I miss about the Chim is the fantastic sound of the V8, even with sleeved cans the Tuscan can't compete.
Slipping into my flame-proof suit now
I've had both, a 99 Chimaera and I have a RED ROSE Tuscan (Basically a Tuscan S as they are called now). I would have the Tuscan any day, but make sure you get a warranty, which you can buy, through the TVR network.
The Early Tuscan speed 6 Engines had some problems, and some may have had top end rebuilds by TVR.
When I first looked for a Tuscan I was put of buying one with the heads reworked, but don't be. TVR put all the new goods on and the engines are better than new. I should know it happened to me after 9K but TVR power rebuilt the whole unit for me, and with mine being a Red Rose it was with all new Tuscan S goodies.
I was really peeved when I had engines probs but TVR sorted it all FOC. So what do you do then, well, buy a Sagaris like me
So I guess the RR goes up for sale in a month...
Anyhow, having both I would have a Tuscan, much better handling, loooooooooooads more power...Real BHP not the V8 pub talk BPH as well.
Tests drive both and make your mind up
>> Edited by Mr Freefall on Sunday 11th January 20:08
The Early Tuscan speed 6 Engines had some problems, and some may have had top end rebuilds by TVR.
When I first looked for a Tuscan I was put of buying one with the heads reworked, but don't be. TVR put all the new goods on and the engines are better than new. I should know it happened to me after 9K but TVR power rebuilt the whole unit for me, and with mine being a Red Rose it was with all new Tuscan S goodies.
I was really peeved when I had engines probs but TVR sorted it all FOC. So what do you do then, well, buy a Sagaris like me
So I guess the RR goes up for sale in a month...
Anyhow, having both I would have a Tuscan, much better handling, loooooooooooads more power...Real BHP not the V8 pub talk BPH as well.
Tests drive both and make your mind up
>> Edited by Mr Freefall on Sunday 11th January 20:08
I've owned a Chim 450 and now a new Tuscan S...both are great cars and have completely different personalities.
I guess if you have never driven a TVR before, IMHO I would recommend the Chim as its not a brutal as the Tuscan. I've heard of a few people who have gone straight into TVR ownership with a Tuscan and have put them into walls or ditches.
Either way nice position to be in....
Good luck in your hunting.
Alan.
I guess if you have never driven a TVR before, IMHO I would recommend the Chim as its not a brutal as the Tuscan. I've heard of a few people who have gone straight into TVR ownership with a Tuscan and have put them into walls or ditches.
Either way nice position to be in....
Good luck in your hunting.
Alan.
Thanks for the thoughts guys, keep them coming....
Heart says Tuscan, head says Chim - the plan is to run whatever we get for a year, so we can always upgrade then, but I do have concerns over drivability - I don't think her ladyship quite knows what she's letting herself in for, and while that means I'd hopefully get to have it for more of the time, I do worry she'd stick it in a ditch, purely because she thought she could just get in it, switch off and drive at the end of a long day.....
Heart says Tuscan, head says Chim - the plan is to run whatever we get for a year, so we can always upgrade then, but I do have concerns over drivability - I don't think her ladyship quite knows what she's letting herself in for, and while that means I'd hopefully get to have it for more of the time, I do worry she'd stick it in a ditch, purely because she thought she could just get in it, switch off and drive at the end of a long day.....
hut49 said:
I've heard of a few people who have gone straight into TVR ownership with a Tuscan and have put them into walls or ditches.
Either way nice position to be in....
Alan.
Eh?
I disagree - I reckon putting one into a ditch would be a nicer position than putting one into a wall
If you are planning on selling in a year, get a not so new Chim, then you can upgrade to a Tuscan or something else later. You will lose less money if your initial outlay is smaller.
Having said that, if you want razor sharp handling don't go for a Chim ! I used to have an Integra type R and that was a lot better handling than my Chim 4.5 . I'm considering changing the suspension which I'm sure will make all the difference.
Having said that, if you want razor sharp handling don't go for a Chim ! I used to have an Integra type R and that was a lot better handling than my Chim 4.5 . I'm considering changing the suspension which I'm sure will make all the difference.
redleicester said:
just get in it, switch off and drive at the end of a long day.....
Either TVR is way too brutal to do that with - one second lapse of concentration can have you arse about face before you know it - they both make the Jaguar look like a mildly inquisitive Retriever as opposed to a well narked Rottweiler.
Having said that - I would have a Tuscan like a shot if a didn't love the "full" convertible of my Griff.
burriana500 said:
just get in it, switch off and drive at the end of a long day.....
Either TVR is way too brutal to do that with - one second lapse of concentration can have you arse about face before you know it - they both make the Jaguar look like a mildly inquisitive Retriever as opposed to a well narked Rottweiler.
Having said that - I would have a Tuscan like a shot if a didn't love the "full" convertible of my Griff.
rotweiler....... roof off crisp winter air ummmmmmmmm!!!!!!!!!!!!
sorted.......
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