£7k Euro-Trip Soft Top?

[Malcster]

Just wondering what peoples thoughts were on this...

I am considering a car (soft top) for £7k or there abouts.
I am planning on buying this in the winter time, aiming to get something cleaner cheaper.
I will then keep this car through the next summer, and do a 3-week driving trip through Europe, including a Nurburgring outing.

So, the question is:

Head: S2000
Heart: Chimaera

I'd have no worries with an S2000, perfectly sure it would take the trip in its stride (and would have nice refinements such as A/C).

But.... I'd rather a TVR Chim any day of the week.
- Would you take a TVR?
- Will it be easy enough to live with?
- What if it dies 50 miles outside of Rome for example - what would you do?

How much added stress could be involved?
MPG?
Leaks in the rain etc?

Love to hear your thoughts,

Malc

[clarkmagpie]

S1 Elise?
Boxster?

[Malcster]

clarkmagpie said:

S1 Elise?
Boxster?

I kinda thought...

S1 Elise - no room for luggage for 2 for a few weeks

Boxster - not really into them, I'd consider an S, but they're a little more expensive.

[HiAsAKite]

Um...chim without a doubt.

Huge boot, v. comfy seats for long distances, and (my one) doesn't leak..

I would make sure you get a fair bit of driving in it before heading off though just so that if the particular car has any elements of 'character' these can be understood, and if necessary adjusted beforehand...

[Jasandjules]

Well, it's a heart choice for me. The TVR wins every day of the week and twice on a Sunday. It will be ideal for a road trip like that as well, enough room for your clothes etc and a comfy cruiser.

[Lordbenny]

Get in quick on this one, it may be a cat D but its a low mileage bargain.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vauxhall-VX220-2-2i-16v-...

[mx5tom]

I saw the thread title and the first two cars I thought of were the S2000 and a Chim

If it were me, I'd probably lean toward the S2000. Whilst I'm sure the Chimaera can be perfectly reliable, I wouldn't want the constant worry in the back of my mind if I had to drive across Europe, plus ragging it around the 'ring, too. In the UK? Sign me up, but I wouldn't want to risk getting stranded in Europe with little chance of any TVR specialists local.

I would have thought the S2000 would take a trip to the ring and back in its stride. Again, if it was me, I'd take the S2000, but then spend the whole trip wishing I was in the TVR.

[kambites]

A Chim sounds like a good solution to me. I would imagine that the S2000 doesn't really make a great GT, it's a bit cramped inside and the NVH is quite high for a modern car.

If you want something a big more wafty, you might find an XK cab for that?

[Heartworm]

I had a similar decision to make recently, chose the TVR, albeit a Tuscan.

[The Lukas]

Chimaera!

I wouldn't worry about getting stranded in Europe. The things are made of parts we understand, a specialist isn't really required for them; it's just Rover and Ford.

And they are much simpler than an S2000, you're very likely to need recovery if a Honda breaks. This though, as you can imagine probably won't happen.

[chriscoates]

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2768659.htm

That's a fantastic buy considering it's condition

[JFReturns]

S2000, but the TVR would be a very close second for me.

[rottie102]

Gaz. said:

I would also mention that a third car you should consider is a Z3 M roadster.

And that would be the best of both worlds! I was very happy with mine on recent Monaco trip.

[russy01]

S2000 all day, the only benefit of the chim is the sound and a bit more low down power, Everything else is old hat.

If it was a weekend car with very limited use I'd say tiv, but with your trips in mind I'd take the s2000 everyday.

[anonymous-user]

I took my old Chimaera down to Monaco a few years back. Whilst it was great driving round the Monaco circuit, getting there wasn't. The week we went was a heatwave in France and was baking hot. On the motorway it wasn't too bad but stop start traffic was pretty damn hot due to the heatsoak from the transmission tunnel (35 degrees outside). I was also a bit worried about the car breaking down which it very nearly did and I had to get the fuel pump replaced when down there (not cheap). I loved the car but the constant thought in the back of my head of it going wrong meant I didn't enjoy the trip as much as I should have.

A couple of weeks ago I took my current car, an 04 3.0i Z4 down to Italy through the Alps and back up through Switzerland. I didn't worry about it once and the car was faultless as expected. Having Air Con available is also a very nice thing, especially in a humid 30 degree Turin! I also paid less than 7k for the car (pic in my profile)

All IMHO of course.

[Ilikebeaver]

We did it over Easter in Z3 3.0 sport and it was a great car for it. M would have been even better, bit I hear there isn't a huge amount in it.