SHOULD I BUY A TAMORA OR A CHIMAERA ???????
Discussion
hi i dont know what to do ! ive been looking to buy a chimaera based on it being a more reliable engine,but in my heart i would love to be bold and go for the speed six tamora, if i was to buy a tamora i would go for a 2004 model has anyone driven both and any pointers you can give me as to what i should do, servicing costs worry me and if the engine was to blow i'd be in the shi%**t with my wife
I've owned a '98 Chimaera, then '05 T350, so will risk an opinion.
The T- cars are better in a number of ways than the RV8 cars:
- better put together, trim-wise (depends on year, later=better for both models)
- better road manners (easier clutch, nicer power delivery)
- better handling in general
- more BHP
- nicer noise when you nail them
- they don't seem to flatten the battery when left alone (better ECU ?)
- looks (in general, though the Tamora's looks are a matter of taste)
Downsides are:
- engine reliability 'issues'. Vary by year and luck, but generally not as good
- servicing is routinely more expensive, and purchase cost is higher
- parts may get harder to get in future
Lots of room for personal preferences on much of this, so I'll let others have a say.
HTH
Edit: before some wag asks me what 'gneral' means
The T- cars are better in a number of ways than the RV8 cars:
- better put together, trim-wise (depends on year, later=better for both models)
- better road manners (easier clutch, nicer power delivery)
- better handling in general
- more BHP
- nicer noise when you nail them
- they don't seem to flatten the battery when left alone (better ECU ?)
- looks (in general, though the Tamora's looks are a matter of taste)
Downsides are:
- engine reliability 'issues'. Vary by year and luck, but generally not as good
- servicing is routinely more expensive, and purchase cost is higher
- parts may get harder to get in future
Lots of room for personal preferences on much of this, so I'll let others have a say.
HTH
Edit: before some wag asks me what 'gneral' means
Edited by grumbledoak on Sunday 30th September 20:28
I had a Chim for 7 years (a 96 model 4.0l), and have now had a Tam for 2 years (from new).
Loved the Chim for the V8 rumble, but the Tamora is quicker, much more planted on the road, better brakes, easier to drive round town. Yes there are questions about reliability (Chim let me down twice, Tam has done once, throttle cable), and servicing is more expensice (12k service just cost me the sharp end of a grand!).
So running costs should be carefully considered, Chim will probably be cheaper to run (and buy), but the rewards of the Tamora are worth it IMO.
Loved the Chim for the V8 rumble, but the Tamora is quicker, much more planted on the road, better brakes, easier to drive round town. Yes there are questions about reliability (Chim let me down twice, Tam has done once, throttle cable), and servicing is more expensice (12k service just cost me the sharp end of a grand!).
So running costs should be carefully considered, Chim will probably be cheaper to run (and buy), but the rewards of the Tamora are worth it IMO.
Exactly.... TVR is a Hobby :-) it is an expensive one whichever car you buy. A lot of people jump into TVR ownership without thinking of the consequences. Hence you will find cars that are only a few years old with many owners, This is not because the cars are crap! it's because they are a luxury which people decide to drop once the credit card bill hits the roof.
My advice is if you struggle to have 1 good holiday a year then don't buy a TVR, buy something else instead and keep Er indoors happy on the beach every year :-).
My advice is if you struggle to have 1 good holiday a year then don't buy a TVR, buy something else instead and keep Er indoors happy on the beach every year :-).
shadowninja said:
Can't beat the V8 sound. Tamoras sound good but they lack something. I think the sound is very important when considering a car and for this reason I would get the nicer looking Chimaera. I know, I'm biased... but you're asking for opinion. 
I used to think that, but with the TVR Power super sports exhausts on the Tamora, the sound is pretty good.....
Julian
Moulder said:
I have the JP exhaust on mine and it changes the tone and volume, sounds far more like a V8 than the original box.
I would expect 95% of those who didn't know it was a 6 would guess at a V8
Agreed with the above! Jp great exhaust.I would expect 95% of those who didn't know it was a 6 would guess at a V8
I have had a 4.5 Chim and now have a Tam, early days but the Tam gets more attention and is more hardcore. Chim was easier to live with and I would find it beasier as an everyday car which my Tam isn't hence the choice. Chim was more compliant imho.I think performance was on a par with each other but as I say its early days with the Tam!
Try both and enjoy trying both!
Get a Griff !!!!dont listen to the doom merchants. i had a 2002 tamora with the engine mods done. it was no more expensive on maintanance than a mondeo (slight exageration). in 12 months i spent 350 + 500 on 2 services and 100 on 2 oil senders. end of.
i then had a 2005 sagaris that i spent not a penny on. you will find if you run a 2004 tam properly it will be sound. but expect small issues that are annoying. if u dont want the hastle get a 3.2s boxster, ive got one of them too and its built like US military tank :-)
i then had a 2005 sagaris that i spent not a penny on. you will find if you run a 2004 tam properly it will be sound. but expect small issues that are annoying. if u dont want the hastle get a 3.2s boxster, ive got one of them too and its built like US military tank :-)
Edited by jo5eph on Wednesday 3rd October 23:19
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