Chimaera 500 to T350 or Sagaris
Discussion
Anyone traded up from a Chimaera 500 or Griffith 500 and care to comment on the similarities and differences?
I recently test drove a T350T and a Sagaris at Racing Green with a view to trading up. Obviously the Sag is a much more performant than my 500, but the T350 did feel quite as fast as my 500 yet the on-paper figures would suggest it is.
Is it just me, or have other people found the same?
I recently test drove a T350T and a Sagaris at Racing Green with a view to trading up. Obviously the Sag is a much more performant than my 500, but the T350 did feel quite as fast as my 500 yet the on-paper figures would suggest it is.
Is it just me, or have other people found the same?
Edited by JonRB on Monday 28th January 12:06
JonRB said:
Anyone traded up from a Chimaera 500 or Griffith 500 and care to comment on the similarities and differences?
I went from a griff 500 as my everyday day for a number of years before getting a t350trr almost a year ago. The cars are very very different.I miss the low down torque of the V8 and the car does not feel as quick when in the lower revs because of the lower torque figures, BUT get the needle above 4000 rpm though and the T350 is much much quicker...the sound of that straight six on full chat is incredible too but ive got to admit at low revs it doesnt quite sound as good as a V8. If that bothers you there is always the option of fitting a sports backbox. Edited by JonRB on Monday 28th January 12:06
The T350 is much better built overall and on the back roads the handling is in a different league. The biggest drawback for me that i have found with the car is the warming up procedure. The T350 takes ages to get up to temperature (about 12 miles moving or 20 minutes sat in traffic) which can be a pain. The car drives fine throughout this time however it just means you are restricted with the revs. The seatbelts are also a pain and ive had to do many a journey without it on !! Overall the car has a much more modern feel. I absolutely adore the Griffith but IMHO the T350 is a much more relaxing car to drive in traffic and easier to live with on a day to day basis. It is also quicker and handles better. Buy one...you wont regret it !
The power delivery is different. a 5.0L V8 chucks out tons of torque v low down, giving a similar kick to a turbo. The Speed Six builds power much more smoothly all the way to the rev line and the torque is a little higher up the rev band too. I find it much easier to get more speed out of my T350 than any 4.0L or 5.0L V8 I've driven (although they're also serious fun - just in a different way).
Plus these cars mostly come with gearing which is not very complementary. You'll find discussions on this forum about close ratio boxes and different final drives ratios. Changing my final drive has made the car feel much 'punchier' at any speed in any gear
Plus these cars mostly come with gearing which is not very complementary. You'll find discussions on this forum about close ratio boxes and different final drives ratios. Changing my final drive has made the car feel much 'punchier' at any speed in any gear
You need to drive them differently to see the performance gains on the T cars. I've had Tuscan and Tamora, as well as a 4.5 Chim. I believe that the 4.5 is slightly slower than a 500 Grif/Chim, but not much in it as I understand. Same engine in the Tam as the T350, so I can hopefully comment.
I know where you are coming from if you drove the T car in a similar fashion to your current car - however, explore the upper ends of the rev range on the T cars and they are terrifyingly rapid (and when you get to the corners in the later cars - woo wee). Going from my Chim 4.5 to Tuscan was a massive leap in performance once I adjusted to the engine characteristics.
Get those change up lights flashing (*)! don't let your ears tell you when to change up at first.
I still love the Chims / Griffs though. Lovely cars - and what a noise.
(*) = once the engine /oil is warmed up propoerly.
I know where you are coming from if you drove the T car in a similar fashion to your current car - however, explore the upper ends of the rev range on the T cars and they are terrifyingly rapid (and when you get to the corners in the later cars - woo wee). Going from my Chim 4.5 to Tuscan was a massive leap in performance once I adjusted to the engine characteristics.
Get those change up lights flashing (*)! don't let your ears tell you when to change up at first.
I still love the Chims / Griffs though. Lovely cars - and what a noise.
(*) = once the engine /oil is warmed up propoerly.
I took the T350 right up to both change-up lights a few times, but hand-on-my-heart can't say that it was quicker than my Chimaera 500.
I got out thinking "hmmm, ok, maybe I could live with this", whereas when I got out of the Sag I was on an adrenaline high and thought "I want this car".
Oh dear, I sense a dilemma coming.
I got out thinking "hmmm, ok, maybe I could live with this", whereas when I got out of the Sag I was on an adrenaline high and thought "I want this car".
Oh dear, I sense a dilemma coming.
Paxo1 said:
JonRB said:
Anyone traded up from a Chimaera 500 or Griffith 500 and care to comment on the similarities and differences?
T350 ... Buy one...you wont regret it !Edited by JonRB on Monday 28th January 12:06
Edited to add: and what great value for money at the moment
Edited by earlyriser on Monday 28th January 12:58
Maxx-Waxx said:
When i first bought my sagaris after owning 2 t350s i didnt think the acceleration was much better if any than the T350
That's really interesting, because test driving a T350T and a Sagaris back-to-back left me in no doubt as to the difference in performance. Perhaps it is the increased torque of the Sagaris' 4.0L S6 engine over the T350's 3.6L, given that as a RV8 owner I am used to plenty of torque? Gaffer said:
Keep the Chim and get the Sag...problem solved.
LOL! Problem of mortgage lenders and Bank Managers aside, that is.
No, I think it has to be a Sag, not just for the engine but also the vast improvement in ride compliance and handling over the T350 (bearing in mind I have only driven 1 example of each).
And having spent 3½ hours at my local TVR dealership in hard (yet pleasant) negotiation over a gorgeous Laser Blue Sagaris I think I may have clinched a deal. Yay!
Pharoah said:
Which one? - I know they had two there with different mileages - both looked in great condition. A set of black wheels would look really good on a Lazer Blue car I think.
Oh bum. I guess it is pretty obvious which dealer I mean given my profile says "Thames Valley". Yes, I think the gunmetal wheels look awesome. There is a silver example with gunmetal alloys there too that looks really nice, and there is always the option of refurbing. In fact, my Corrado already wears refurbed wheels in gunmetal and another set with track day tyres on in matt black. Yum.
Edited by JonRB on Monday 28th January 19:17
KillerJim said:
Congrats!! Did u go for the Blue one?
Yes, I did. I went for the cheaper / higher mileage example of the two Lazer Blue Sags at Racing Green - see my profile pic. It's car #72 on the Sagaris Register, although I will be changing the plates soon.I've got to say that it was a great buying experience. Possibly one of the most laid-back negotiations I have done, even though I was pressing for a very keen price to change, and Chris & Chas have been superb from start to finish.
JonRB said:
KillerJim said:
Congrats!! Did u go for the Blue one?
I've got to say that it was a great buying experience. Possibly one of the most laid-back negotiations I have done, even though I was pressing for a very keen price to change, and Chris & Chas have been superb from start to finish.J
Edited by KillerJim on Sunday 10th February 17:18
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