Just got back from test driving T350 and Chimaera
Discussion
Hi - could do with some advice please...
I just got back from test driving a T350 and a Chimaera. This is the first time I have driven any TVR. I currently drive a 230bhp Mazda RX8 and drove an S2000 before that.
The Chim is a lovely car and great fun to trundle around in on a hot summers day like today. The one I drove was a 4.5litre and one of the last to be made, in great condition, suberbly finished, and very comfortable. I could easily live with one of these...
...trouble is I also took out a [significantly more expensive] T350. It took me quite a while to feel comfortable driving it, it was clearly not as well built as the Chim, nor as comfortable, but.... the handling and, on the one occasion I was able to give the engine its legs (ie over 5Krpm), the performance is in a different league to the Chim.
So here is my dilemma - should I push the boat out financially and get the T350? Or should I go for the Chim which, I have to say, gave the impression it would be a lot more reliable and hassle free!!
I think it boils down to just how much hassle the 350 is going to be - and this is where I could really do with some advice. The car I looked at is an 04 with only 3K miles on the clock. How likely is it that the engine will need major work in the near future? Was the speed six pretty much sorted by then, or are failures still common? Is there anybody on the forum with a similarly aged car that has put significant miles on it without problems? Silly stuff like trim falling off I can deal with, it's the major stuff that makes me wary of going the T350 route.
Any advice would be very gratefully received!!
BTW driving both TVRs made me realise just how good the RX8 motor and chassis is, and also what a bargain it is - but of course it does not have the same 'fun factor' that the TVRs had. I am now pretty sure that my next car will be a TVR of some description, although the 111R Elise is still a contender.....
Cheers,
Jerry
I just got back from test driving a T350 and a Chimaera. This is the first time I have driven any TVR. I currently drive a 230bhp Mazda RX8 and drove an S2000 before that.
The Chim is a lovely car and great fun to trundle around in on a hot summers day like today. The one I drove was a 4.5litre and one of the last to be made, in great condition, suberbly finished, and very comfortable. I could easily live with one of these...
...trouble is I also took out a [significantly more expensive] T350. It took me quite a while to feel comfortable driving it, it was clearly not as well built as the Chim, nor as comfortable, but.... the handling and, on the one occasion I was able to give the engine its legs (ie over 5Krpm), the performance is in a different league to the Chim.
So here is my dilemma - should I push the boat out financially and get the T350? Or should I go for the Chim which, I have to say, gave the impression it would be a lot more reliable and hassle free!!
I think it boils down to just how much hassle the 350 is going to be - and this is where I could really do with some advice. The car I looked at is an 04 with only 3K miles on the clock. How likely is it that the engine will need major work in the near future? Was the speed six pretty much sorted by then, or are failures still common? Is there anybody on the forum with a similarly aged car that has put significant miles on it without problems? Silly stuff like trim falling off I can deal with, it's the major stuff that makes me wary of going the T350 route.
Any advice would be very gratefully received!!
BTW driving both TVRs made me realise just how good the RX8 motor and chassis is, and also what a bargain it is - but of course it does not have the same 'fun factor' that the TVRs had. I am now pretty sure that my next car will be a TVR of some description, although the 111R Elise is still a contender.....
Cheers,
Jerry
i dont supose you know whether the t350 had a red rose in it or whether it was the standard speed six?
the chimaeras are excellent!
and just a thought have you tried other tvr alternatives such as tvr griffith and the cerbera they are both excellent cars.
But the griff and the chimaera would probably be the easuest to keep on top of because of the reasonably problem free rover V8
the cerbera 4.5 would be a excellent car if you was looking for overall performance there serious flying machines,but mind you NO TVR IS SLOW
good luck Dan
the chimaeras are excellent!
and just a thought have you tried other tvr alternatives such as tvr griffith and the cerbera they are both excellent cars.
But the griff and the chimaera would probably be the easuest to keep on top of because of the reasonably problem free rover V8
the cerbera 4.5 would be a excellent car if you was looking for overall performance there serious flying machines,but mind you NO TVR IS SLOW
good luck Dan
I find the T350 much much easier to live with than my old Chimaera (which has PAS btw). Clutch, gearchange, decent aircon, plus a lot more safety with the rollcage and things you can't see (look under the floor - Chimaera seats are bolted to what? GRP 
Speed Six will be less reliable than a Rover V8, but the Rover is older. So long as you get a decent warranty I wouldn't worry too much about the Speed Six.
Not sure why you found the Chimaera so much comfier. Yes the suspension is softer but otherwise the T350 wins all round (rake and rake adjustable steering, easy pedals, good dials, not too noisy for day to day living etc.).
Speed Six will be less reliable than a Rover V8, but the Rover is older. So long as you get a decent warranty I wouldn't worry too much about the Speed Six.
Not sure why you found the Chimaera so much comfier. Yes the suspension is softer but otherwise the T350 wins all round (rake and rake adjustable steering, easy pedals, good dials, not too noisy for day to day living etc.).
I would not buy a Chimaera - roll it and you will die, as there is NO rollover protection of any description. The T350 is a far superior car in terms of space, handling and looks, and the engines are not as fragile as PH would have you believe, providing you treat it properly.
Having said that , surely you should be comparing the Chimaera with a Tamora?
Having said that , surely you should be comparing the Chimaera with a Tamora?
Thanks to everybody for the advice - keep it coming!
The 350 I tried is the Targa version which I think is a good compromise between open top and coupe motoring, I would choose this over the Tamora as I prefer the look of the 350...
I had not thought about the roll over issue, thanks for raising that, it is a consideration for sure. It looks like the Tam has no roll over protection either - is that correct?
I'm leaning more towards 350 - seems like it would be worth raising the extra cash....
Cheers,
Jerry
The 350 I tried is the Targa version which I think is a good compromise between open top and coupe motoring, I would choose this over the Tamora as I prefer the look of the 350...
I had not thought about the roll over issue, thanks for raising that, it is a consideration for sure. It looks like the Tam has no roll over protection either - is that correct?
I'm leaning more towards 350 - seems like it would be worth raising the extra cash....
Cheers,
Jerry
No airbags, traction control,ABS, EPS, BS or any other TLA you can think of! Never even thought of roll-over protection.......
T350 looks lovely from the front; would like THAT front on my Tam.
But compromise... well I guess it is. Personally, couldn't give a stuff how pretty the car looks to others. I love it cos of what it is.
Loud, aggressive, fast. A TVR.
Oh, and a full convertible.
But heck, mate, whatever you choose it doesn't really matter in my books - you're talking Tiv. I'm new to the marque, but I can't imagine driving anything else.... JFDI!! :smile:
T350 looks lovely from the front; would like THAT front on my Tam.
But compromise... well I guess it is. Personally, couldn't give a stuff how pretty the car looks to others. I love it cos of what it is.
Loud, aggressive, fast. A TVR.
Oh, and a full convertible.
But heck, mate, whatever you choose it doesn't really matter in my books - you're talking Tiv. I'm new to the marque, but I can't imagine driving anything else.... JFDI!! :smile:
im new to tvr, had my t350t for 2 months now and wot a 2 months its been, i've had woo's and wolf whistles, kids jumping up and down, people giving the thumbs up, porsche drivers with crick necks, other tvrs thumbing/flashing {easy!} oh and by the way, the car's feckin awesome too, I love it, I take the long route home from work!!!! says it all.
jerrytlr said:
It looks like the Tam has no roll over protection either - is that correct?
I think the windscreen surround on a Tam is designed for rollover protection - correct me if I'm wrong - but this was (unintentionally) tested by Ben at Dream Machines, who rolled a Tam, and apparently the windscreen did its job very effectively!
AlexRWD said:
jerrytlr said:
It looks like the Tam has no roll over protection either - is that correct?
I think the windscreen surround on a Tam is designed for rollover protection - correct me if I'm wrong - but this was (unintentionally) tested by Ben at Dream Machines, who rolled a Tam, and apparently the windscreen did its job very effectively!
PHer Nubbin also road tested a Tamora's screen surround rollbar. The high seats probably help with safety too, esp. if you're a short-arse (that means under 6ft 4).
targarama said:
AlexRWD said:
jerrytlr said:
It looks like the Tam has no roll over protection either - is that correct?
I think the windscreen surround on a Tam is designed for rollover protection - correct me if I'm wrong - but this was (unintentionally) tested by Ben at Dream Machines, who rolled a Tam, and apparently the windscreen did its job very effectively!
PHer Nubbin also road tested a Tamora's screen surround rollbar. The high seats probably help with safety too, esp. if you're a short-arse (that means under 6ft 4).
There is a large roll hoop in the windscreen surround. It works!
Lensey said:
T350
They are both great cars in their own way. The age of the vehicle is a big factor, as on the T350 the newer SP6s seem to be sorted, and although the A/C is not brilliant, it does make a difference. Chims on the other hand have suffered most of their depreciation already, and pack a great BHP for the buck. I've owned both and loved 'em. But the SP6 does really go some, and is easier to manage at low speeds.
I am surprised that you were not impressed with the trim on the T350 as it's fundamentally the same type of material for the soft trim that TVR have used for a while, and the dials and switchgear are usually highly rated.
I doubt that you'll regret either. Good hunting.
I moved from a 5L Chimaera to my T350c. They are both great cars but the T350 is way ahead in terms of handling etc. The newer cars seem to attract a lot more attention if that's your scene. Only regret is no soft top. It's a bummer on a club drive watching everyone else stuff their roofs in the boot. I never thought I would miss that so much. Whatever one you choose I'm sure that you will love it. There's definitely something addictive about owning one.
alacol25 said:
I moved from a 5L Chimaera to my T350c. They are both great cars but the T350 is way ahead in terms of handling etc. The newer cars seem to attract a lot more attention if that's your scene. Only regret is no soft top. It's a bummer on a club drive watching everyone else stuff their roofs in the boot. I never thought I would miss that so much. Whatever one you choose I'm sure that you will love it. There's definitely something addictive about owning one.
I repeat; try the Tamora too. Then you CAN go topless
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