Going from a Westfield to a Chim
Discussion
Has anyone 'swapped' a Westfield (or similar) for a Chimaera? I feel like I might get more use from a TVR than I do from the Westy, which feels like a better use for the money tied up in it. I'd want to use it on track days, which I'd assume the Chim won't be quite as good at, but also just for nice drives on sunny days like today.
Edited by m444ttb on Sunday 26th May 14:05
Yes I've had a few Lotus 7 replica kit cars with tuned pinto's and a Suzuki bike engine Westfield, I've also had a 450 Chim and for the last 2 years a 400 Chim.
Suzuki bike engine Westfield was stupidly quick to the legal speed limit and the grip was amazing(semi slicks and setup for sprints) and I did use it and the other Lotus 7 ones for going distances etc but the Chim is a different car so much more practical, huge boot, comfy interior, very normal if I just want to pop down to B&Q or where ever.
Depends what you want to use the car for I wasn't bothered about stupidly fast this last time I bought a Chim so got a 400 if I wanted stupidly fast with amazing grip I would have got another westfield, but I can travel miles in this quite comfortably enjoying the V8 burble, next month we're off to cornwall for a week in it which will be over a 1000miles now I wouldn't fancy that in my old westfield!
Suzuki bike engine Westfield was stupidly quick to the legal speed limit and the grip was amazing(semi slicks and setup for sprints) and I did use it and the other Lotus 7 ones for going distances etc but the Chim is a different car so much more practical, huge boot, comfy interior, very normal if I just want to pop down to B&Q or where ever.
Depends what you want to use the car for I wasn't bothered about stupidly fast this last time I bought a Chim so got a 400 if I wanted stupidly fast with amazing grip I would have got another westfield, but I can travel miles in this quite comfortably enjoying the V8 burble, next month we're off to cornwall for a week in it which will be over a 1000miles now I wouldn't fancy that in my old westfield!
In my mind my Westfield is mostly for track days an the odd country run out. In reality the exact opposite is true and I've done 1 track day in 12 months! It was horrible when wet (like camping in a really small, s
tty tent!) so I decided to bin off any civilised features and fit an aeroscreen.
tty tent!) so I decided to bin off any civilised features and fit an aeroscreen.kenny.R400 said:
Quick pic whilst the race is stopped..my old 7 and Chim
Thoughts later!!!
Excuse me please, OP. Kenny, what exact colour is your Chim please, and what exact colour are the wheels? I love your combination, have a Starmist Blue Chim myself, and am not in love with my silver SP12s, so am debating whether to paint them black or a shade of greyThoughts later!!!
BIGMIKE1 said:
Yes I've had a few Lotus 7 replica kit cars with tuned pinto's and a Suzuki bike engine Westfield, I've also had a 450 Chim and for the last 2 years a 400 Chim.
Suzuki bike engine Westfield was stupidly quick to the legal speed limit and the grip was amazing(semi slicks and setup for sprints) and I did use it and the other Lotus 7 ones for going distances etc but the Chim is a different car so much more practical, huge boot, comfy interior, very normal if I just want to pop down to B&Q or where ever.
Depends what you want to use the car for I wasn't bothered about stupidly fast this last time I bought a Chim so got a 400 if I wanted stupidly fast with amazing grip I would have got another westfield, but I can travel miles in this quite comfortably enjoying the V8 burble, next month we're off to CORNWALL for a week in it which will be over a 1000miles now I wouldn't fancy that in my old westfield!
Lovely day here today me 'andsomeSuzuki bike engine Westfield was stupidly quick to the legal speed limit and the grip was amazing(semi slicks and setup for sprints) and I did use it and the other Lotus 7 ones for going distances etc but the Chim is a different car so much more practical, huge boot, comfy interior, very normal if I just want to pop down to B&Q or where ever.
Depends what you want to use the car for I wasn't bothered about stupidly fast this last time I bought a Chim so got a 400 if I wanted stupidly fast with amazing grip I would have got another westfield, but I can travel miles in this quite comfortably enjoying the V8 burble, next month we're off to CORNWALL for a week in it which will be over a 1000miles now I wouldn't fancy that in my old westfield!
Hi Qbee, the Chim was also Starmist, the wheels were classed as "gunmetal" when purchased but did have a bluey tint to them for some reason....cheers!!
To the OP,First off they are both Brit Heros in my book so I can fully understand your need to dabble
I'm a Caterham man at heart, started with Westfields though and have had quite a few now...........I always did hanker after a TVR and could always be found on the TVR pitch at shows having a mooch............love 'em.
I finally did the deed a few years back and had a 4.0 Chim and 4.3...........what p11ssed me off most is that I waited so long, mainly because of pub talk on how unreliable they were (usually from people who'd never had one)........my 2 needed nowt spending on them apart from voluntary "tarty bits" and upgrades, you also get one hell of a lot of car for your money.
As a comparison, I don't think I can compare as they really are 2 seperate entities.
I actually, as per the pic had a 7 and a Chim at the same time.
Being a Caterham man first off I'll always in my mind revert to Caterham but it is a close call now.
The summer when I had them both the Chim came into it's own, I get ribbed in the 7 club but I've no enjoyment in driving the 7 in the rain, or when it's cold and getting p1ssed wet through.......on a warm day it's awsome though, and a better driving experience than the Chim for a few hours.....but I need the weather!!!!
The 2 cars also get favourable reactions from people too and the thumbs up on most occasions, I have ventured into the Jap thing and the German Bruiser cars but never felt as comfy about it..........daft I know.
The chim also for me looks a million dollars, and is so bloody comfy, it was a "special event" for me when I ever I took it out, I mean that.
I'm not a traffic light racer, and seldom have a willy waving moment on the road, that's for the track IMHO...........however, and I'm talking about the 4.0 now I found it annoying that "dickheads" would quite often in the middle of a peaceful Sunday blat try and prove a point. Problem I found was that to defend your honour against a lot of modern machinary was a no, no........as a lot would have the edge from the off...........probably meaning you'd have to act like an idiot to prove a point with the speedo pointing to where it shouldn't........not for me!!
In the 7 I've currently got you can prove a point and stay below the limit-ish, unless you're very,very unlucky with what picks on you, a quick blip and most stuff is left instantly.
One downside is that the Mrs will like
............she's always on about "Kennys stupid cars" and reckons she'd rather have her @rse rubbed with a hot brick than ever go in a 7 again........she loved the Chims, she loved them and was actually miffed when I let them go...........at least she'll be onside when I get my next one.
In essence get one.........it has to be done. You'll miss out on a few things but gain on a lot of things too.
I reckon a nice Chim is probably the best 2 seat Sportscar available today for the money...........and I can see them climbing in price hugely.
Go for it and all the best.
Kenny
To the OP,First off they are both Brit Heros in my book so I can fully understand your need to dabble
I'm a Caterham man at heart, started with Westfields though and have had quite a few now...........I always did hanker after a TVR and could always be found on the TVR pitch at shows having a mooch............love 'em.
I finally did the deed a few years back and had a 4.0 Chim and 4.3...........what p11ssed me off most is that I waited so long, mainly because of pub talk on how unreliable they were (usually from people who'd never had one)........my 2 needed nowt spending on them apart from voluntary "tarty bits" and upgrades, you also get one hell of a lot of car for your money.
As a comparison, I don't think I can compare as they really are 2 seperate entities.
I actually, as per the pic had a 7 and a Chim at the same time.
Being a Caterham man first off I'll always in my mind revert to Caterham but it is a close call now.
The summer when I had them both the Chim came into it's own, I get ribbed in the 7 club but I've no enjoyment in driving the 7 in the rain, or when it's cold and getting p1ssed wet through.......on a warm day it's awsome though, and a better driving experience than the Chim for a few hours.....but I need the weather!!!!
The 2 cars also get favourable reactions from people too and the thumbs up on most occasions, I have ventured into the Jap thing and the German Bruiser cars but never felt as comfy about it..........daft I know.
The chim also for me looks a million dollars, and is so bloody comfy, it was a "special event" for me when I ever I took it out, I mean that.
I'm not a traffic light racer, and seldom have a willy waving moment on the road, that's for the track IMHO...........however, and I'm talking about the 4.0 now I found it annoying that "dic
kheads" would quite often in the middle of a peaceful Sunday blat try and prove a point. Problem I found was that to defend your honour against a lot of modern machinary was a no, no........as a lot would have the edge from the off...........probably meaning you'd have to act like an idiot to prove a point with the speedo pointing to where it shouldn't........not for me!!In the 7 I've currently got you can prove a point and stay below the limit-ish, unless you're very,very unlucky with what picks on you, a quick blip and most stuff is left instantly.
One downside is that the Mrs will like
............she's always on about "Kennys stupid cars" and reckons she'd rather have her @rse rubbed with a hot brick than ever go in a 7 again........she loved the Chims, she loved them and was actually miffed when I let them go...........at least she'll be onside when I get my next one.In essence get one.........it has to be done. You'll miss out on a few things but gain on a lot of things too.
I reckon a nice Chim is probably the best 2 seat Sportscar available today for the money...........and I can see them climbing in price hugely.
Go for it and all the best.
Kenny
Edited by kenny.R400 on Sunday 26th May 17:14
I had a 7 for years and thought it was a great car for just 'going out for a drive' on a sunny day, mainly around the coast of S Devon / Cornwall, so a lot of narrower roads. After I'd sold it, and despite best intentions not to, decided I still needed a similar toy, but went for Chim as the 'boss' thought the 7 was 'impractical', windy and very noisy. Which I thought was the main point of it, but what do I know
Chim much more of a 'normal' car, doors keep the 'boss' happy as do the windows. Chim is great to drive, but I still miss the 7, which I found easier to place on narrow twisty roads and, to me, always felt a bit more 'involved' when nipping along. The size of the 7 sometimes meant other drivers didn't always see you at junctions, and I thought it a pain on the one or two occasions I got caught out in the rain (never put the roof on).
I haven't tracked either car, and whilst I still think the Chim's great, the 7 has always, for me, had the edge on driving 'fun'. Probably wouldn't go back now though.
7 not much fun on dual carriageways as a bit small, IMHO. Chim no problem, and you can wear normal clothes/shoes etc in it.
Chim much more of a 'normal' car, doors keep the 'boss' happy as do the windows. Chim is great to drive, but I still miss the 7, which I found easier to place on narrow twisty roads and, to me, always felt a bit more 'involved' when nipping along. The size of the 7 sometimes meant other drivers didn't always see you at junctions, and I thought it a pain on the one or two occasions I got caught out in the rain (never put the roof on).
I haven't tracked either car, and whilst I still think the Chim's great, the 7 has always, for me, had the edge on driving 'fun'. Probably wouldn't go back now though.
7 not much fun on dual carriageways as a bit small, IMHO. Chim no problem, and you can wear normal clothes/shoes etc in it.
m444ttb said:
Has anyone 'swapped' a Westfield (or similar) for a Chimaera? I feel like I might get more use from a TVR than I do from the Westy, which feels like a better use for the money tied up in it. I'd want to use it on track days, which I'd assume the Chim won't be quite as good at, but also just for nice drives on sunny days like today.
Just have both, I have a westfield and a Chimaera. They are totally different experiences, The Westfield great for sprint circuits like Curborough and twist tight roads, the ability to feel speed without going too fast on the open road. The TVR is less tiring to drive, and the supercharger eats the straights in the roads. If you can have both.Edited by m444ttb on Sunday 26th May 14:05
Great thread, it's bringing back lots of good memories! My first car was a series two Lotus 7, cosworth engine, bought from Caterham Car Sales when they where still on the hill in Caterham. I subsequently worked for them for a period, and got to drive many 7's, possibly the best job I've ever had At that time they were also a TVR agent, and I well recall the vixens and tuscans that arrived in kit form and left with lots of wheel spinning and growling
It was quite a large number of years between the 7 and the Chimaera, but the Chim is the first car I've owned since the 7 that has given me that same sense of occasion and excitement, and eager anticipation that I always had with the 7 (including that will it or won't it start feeling )
The cars are very different to drive, but the grin factor is the same, I just wish I hadn't left it so long before getting a TVR....
It's something you just have to do....
Chilli
At that time they were also a TVR agent, and I well recall the vixens and tuscans that arrived in kit form and left with lots of wheel spinning and growling It was quite a large number of years between the 7 and the Chimaera, but the Chim is the first car I've owned since the 7 that has given me that same sense of occasion and excitement, and eager anticipation that I always had with the 7 (including that will it or won't it start feeling
)The cars are very different to drive, but the grin factor is the same, I just wish I hadn't left it so long before getting a TVR....
It's something you just have to do....
Chilli
I've also had both but on balance would always end up with a Chim'. They're just so versatile and for covering long distances and for touring they can't be beaten. I regularly go out hooning with a mate who has a Cosworth MK Indy and I rarely get left behind even tho' mines just a humble 400. Just done 1200 miles around the west side of Scotland in the company of said Indy and a Boxster S. Other than wishing mine had a folding roof (as opposed to the removable Targa panel) I wouldn't have swapped with either and then there's the noise it makes 
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