TVR Chimaera vs Jaguar XJR (X308) - what to get and why?
Discussion
I sold my Chimaera in January and bought a nice big MB CLS.
It was my second Chimaera both of which were used for many Continental trips.
I think they are great GT cars, great on the motorway, comfy seats and nice performance from the RV8.
If I hadnt have had another TVR in my Tuscan then I wouldnt have changed the Chimaera for the CLS.
Drove the CLS to Germany twice already and its brilliant. Yes totally different experiance than the Chimaera.
I'm off to Spain again this year so ca. 3000 mile round trip. Car selection is a no brainer, of coarse I'm going in the Tuscan. All that noise, the drive down is like 1500 miles of smiles.
The only aches I have from my face muscles.
It was my second Chimaera both of which were used for many Continental trips.
I think they are great GT cars, great on the motorway, comfy seats and nice performance from the RV8.
If I hadnt have had another TVR in my Tuscan then I wouldnt have changed the Chimaera for the CLS.
Drove the CLS to Germany twice already and its brilliant. Yes totally different experiance than the Chimaera.
I'm off to Spain again this year so ca. 3000 mile round trip. Car selection is a no brainer, of coarse I'm going in the Tuscan. All that noise, the drive down is like 1500 miles of smiles.
The only aches I have from my face muscles.
johnnyBv8 said:
.....for long journeys they are tiresome and very loud....I had to wear ear plugs!
A TVR owner with ear plugs ?Edited by so called on Friday 24th May 21:55
OP, did you consider the S Type R? I know for some an XJR is the only "real" Jag but you can get more S Type for your money.
The XJR x308 comes with the 4.0 engine and Mercedes 5 speed whereas the S Type R comes with the 4.2 v8 with a ZF 6 speed gearbox.
S Types start at £6000 for a good one.
Here is mine.
The XJR x308 comes with the 4.0 engine and Mercedes 5 speed whereas the S Type R comes with the 4.2 v8 with a ZF 6 speed gearbox.
S Types start at £6000 for a good one.
Here is mine.
I've been fortunate enough to own and run both and as everyone has said they are very different cars. There are a few things to consider.
The TVR will not be as reliable they're not bad if used daily, but they do have problems.
The TVR is much, much, harder to drive is snow and ice than the Jaguar.
The TVR is nowhere near as comfortable for long distance journeys and motorway driving, and not as well equipped.
The Jaguar is more expensive to maintain, parts cost more, rubber costs more.
The Jaguar is not a convertible and you'll want the drop top in the summer.
The Jaguar is a big weighty car so is not as fun and engaging on the twistie bits.
Try both. If you and the good lady are not planning kiddies then go for 2 seats whilst you can and enjoy the top down motoring. You can alway upgrade to the Jag when the first mini me arrives. (Its what I did).
Either way prepare for big fuel bills and big grins.
The TVR will not be as reliable they're not bad if used daily, but they do have problems.
The TVR is much, much, harder to drive is snow and ice than the Jaguar.
The TVR is nowhere near as comfortable for long distance journeys and motorway driving, and not as well equipped.
The Jaguar is more expensive to maintain, parts cost more, rubber costs more.
The Jaguar is not a convertible and you'll want the drop top in the summer.
The Jaguar is a big weighty car so is not as fun and engaging on the twistie bits.
Try both. If you and the good lady are not planning kiddies then go for 2 seats whilst you can and enjoy the top down motoring. You can alway upgrade to the Jag when the first mini me arrives. (Its what I did).
Either way prepare for big fuel bills and big grins.
fausTVR said:
lestershaw said:
All v8s
All great in their own way
Great fleet sir. Have you a garage? Was thinking that conservatory would extend out in a useful way and the washing would dry quicker with a hot car next to it. All great in their own way
i thought of that but it will block my view of the drive. i thinking of building a gazebo to the right hand side not pictured, when i get rid of the 2 spare cars that is of course
so called said:
johnnyBv8 said:
.....for long journeys they are tiresome and very loud....I had to wear ear plugs!
A TVR owner with ear plugs ?I've had both, though the XJR was an X300 so not a V8 but still quick enough and very much in the spirit of the X308.
My two were very different beasts but both awesome. TVR was just an event every time I drove it, never got boring. However for distance stuff when it was too crappy to have the roof off the Jag was the better bet. Obviously the Tiv was the more involving and faster drive but the Jag was no slouch and the straight line speed made me grin (this will be more so in a quicker 308)
Oh and the Jag was worse on fuel!
My two were very different beasts but both awesome. TVR was just an event every time I drove it, never got boring. However for distance stuff when it was too crappy to have the roof off the Jag was the better bet. Obviously the Tiv was the more involving and faster drive but the Jag was no slouch and the straight line speed made me grin (this will be more so in a quicker 308)
Oh and the Jag was worse on fuel!
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