Message for Shnozz
Discussion
I have been considering moving to a Chimaera and noticed that you have an S3 as well as a Chim. Whilst I love my S3 to bits I can't help hankering after a bit more power, and if i'm honest looks as well. The Chim is also reasonably priced, probably due to so much choice, but I was wondering if you enjoy the chim more than the S3. If I had the money, and room, I'd love to own both, but from your profile it looks like you still have both 
What do you honestly think?? Is it the natural thing to do?
What do you honestly think?? Is it the natural thing to do? 
I has an S3 and now drive a 4.5 Chimeara. I loved the S3 and was really sorry to have to part with it - it was my very first TVR bought when I was 54 yrs!
I wish when I bought the S3 I had saved a bit more and bought a V8S and I would never have parted with it. Real TVR's have V8's in them and make a glorious noise.
I wish when I bought the S3 I had saved a bit more and bought a V8S and I would never have parted with it. Real TVR's have V8's in them and make a glorious noise.
Nuggs said:
So how do they compare chaps?
The S is a lively, spritely little car in comparison to the Chim. It's small, chuckable and pretty easy to recover… not to mention that you can get the power down in the wet (assuming you're brave enough to peer through the appalling wipers!
). The Chim on the other hand is a lot bigger car. Far more comfortable, and a lot better put together. My S would snap at the heels on 4.0 cars upto legal speeds, but after that it was game over to the bigger engines… the V8 just keeps going that bit further.
Running costs are around 40% more, so make sure you budget for that… oh and it's also nice to have the option to carry the roof in the boot AND some luggage!
In terms of speed the Chim is a world apart from the S, but I do still miss the S. A lot of people didn't know what they are, and are quite surprised by the turn of speed that a 12 / 13 year old car can show them. It's a smaller car and more nimble on it's toe's, whereas the Chim feels more of a GT - which is what I wanted.
No regrets in changing the car, but wish I could have kept both...
Yep... The S is a proper "sports car" with little compromise..the Chim is more of a GT.
Having gone from an S2 to a Chim, to an S1, then to a Chim again I can honestly say yes I do miss the S's but you miss the Chim more when you move back down a model than the other way round.
Cheers
Matt.
>> Edited by M@H on Tuesday 14th December 15:33
Having gone from an S2 to a Chim, to an S1, then to a Chim again I can honestly say yes I do miss the S's but you miss the Chim more when you move back down a model than the other way round.
Cheers
Matt.
>> Edited by M@H on Tuesday 14th December 15:33
Podie said:
The Chim on the other hand is a lot bigger car....
S series
Length = 3958mm
Width = 1665mm
W'base = 2286mm
Chimaera
Length = 4015mm
Width = 1865mm
W'base = 2282mm
so its really the width which is significant.......which surprised me (meaning it surprised me that its only the width
)....! >> Edited by WWESTY on Tuesday 14th December 16:07
>> Edited by WWESTY on Tuesday 14th December 16:07
Podie said:
The S is a lively, spritely little car in comparison to the Chim. It's small, chuckable and pretty easy to recover… not to mention that you can get the power down in the wet (assuming you're brave enough to peer through the appalling wipers!
The Chim on the other hand is a lot bigger car. Far more comfortable, and a lot better put together. My S would snap at the heels on 4.0 cars upto legal speeds, but after that it was game over to the bigger engines… the V8 just keeps going that bit further.
Running costs are around 40% more, so make sure you budget for that… oh and it's also nice to have the option to carry the roof in the boot AND some luggage!
In terms of speed the Chim is a world apart from the S, but I do still miss the S. A lot of people didn't know what they are, and are quite surprised by the turn of speed that a 12 / 13 year old car can show them. It's a smaller car and more nimble on it's toe's, whereas the Chim feels more of a GT - which is what I wanted.
No regrets in changing the car, but wish I could have kept both...
agree 100% (as a former S3 owner now with a Chim) but also for Chim ownership add:
. brings out aggressive motorists, whereas with the S I got waves and general politeness from other road users
. doesn't stand out in a crowd like the S did
just my opinion!
Mike
some interesting comments from S>Chim owners. Some I agree with, some I dont.
Neither my Chim or my S got particularly agitated responses from other road users. Quite the opposite. I owned an MGF about 5 years ago and that was met with "poser" and "tosser" comments from all and sundry when the roof was down. With the roof up, the comments were eliminated. My mates get the same with Boxsters and Z3s. The TVRs havent suffered the same response and its generally enthusiastic.
Podies S was putting out a healthy BHP but "snapping on the heels" I would say can be loosely interpreted and is of course subjective at the hands of each driver. In a straight line the Chim is noticeably quicker. Traffic light grand prix in an S -v- say a Civic Type R (or any modern hot hatch) and it will be a close run thing. Do so in a Chimaera and its not. I recorded a 14.7 at a drag run last year with a terminal speed of 110mph (incidentally the same terminal as DustyC's Griff 500). That was with far too much wheelspin and a seriously bad hangover.
I could corner the S quicker because the feedback was so good. You knew the limits and the car "talked" to you and let you know where you were on a sliding scale. The Chim is not so chatty on that front and you tend to hold back a little (at least I do) because its not so much of a gradual progression as a sudden rear end arse out moment.
The Chim is a proper car. The S is more of a weekend toy IMHO. You can see why the Chim cost nearly double as its a lot more complete. Thats not saying more fun, but more complete. The build quality, the finish, the headlights
, the brakes etc etc. Its a more rounded car which is why its good as a GT. But lets not forget its still a sports car, just more capable of touring than the S. Its faster, its more modern, and its more of a car. Is it more fun? Debatable, and if it is, there isnt a lot in it...
Would I buy another one. Most definately. I just fancy a change for the time being.
mungo said:
Traffic light grand prix in an S -v- say a Civic Type R (or any modern hot hatch) and it will be a close run thing. Do so in a Chimaera and its not.
No sorry a CTR or other modern hot hatch (LCR eg
:scratchhin: I think not
mungo said:
The modern hot hatch is a WORLD apart from the performance of a cologne v6 engined TVR from the eighties in every area - No argument at all... not comparable cars
>> Edited by mungo on Tuesday 14th December 20:11
You can hear the stereo for one...!!
Not comparable = Very different..
Why are you comparing them...?
mungo said:
The modern hot hatch is a WORLD apart from the performance of a cologne v6 engined TVR from the eighties in every area - No argument at all... not comparable cars
Mungo. Why you feel the need to read a thread hidden away in the S forum that happens to mention hot hatches is beyond me.
The timing equipment for the 0 - 60 runs has not changed since the 80s. The cars measure comparable 0 - 60 figures. That is a traffic light grand prix. There was no talk of "around a track" or even "around the twisties".
Your car is at the top end of performance for hot hatches with well over 200bhp. Its a quick car there is no doubt. In an everyday A>B situation there are very few S's that would be able to keep up. But my original comments regarding straight line acceleration are supported by well versed and well respected magazine features having measured the performance. The Chimaera figures are available from the same sources.
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