Chop in the 911?
Discussion
Hi guys. Newish to Pistonheads, looks like a great site and forum. Sorry if this is old ground but...
Have an '88 3.2 Carrera. Owned for one year, second car but gets used a fair bit. Do some track days as well. Porsche & TVR have always been my 'would like one' manufacturers for a second car. Went for a 911 mainly because of the reputation for good engineering and reliability.
Lately I've been a bit underwhelmed with the driving experience and have been thining of a change. It's fast, but not that fast, noisy, but not that noisy, and a bit of a liability in the wet. Would like (no, would love) a Cerbera but reckon a Chimera would be better suited to needs (and wallet!).
Has anyone elsoe gone to Chims/Griffs from a 911, and how did you find they compared?
All help greatly appreciated etc...
Have an '88 3.2 Carrera. Owned for one year, second car but gets used a fair bit. Do some track days as well. Porsche & TVR have always been my 'would like one' manufacturers for a second car. Went for a 911 mainly because of the reputation for good engineering and reliability.
Lately I've been a bit underwhelmed with the driving experience and have been thining of a change. It's fast, but not that fast, noisy, but not that noisy, and a bit of a liability in the wet. Would like (no, would love) a Cerbera but reckon a Chimera would be better suited to needs (and wallet!).
Has anyone elsoe gone to Chims/Griffs from a 911, and how did you find they compared?
All help greatly appreciated etc...
hi cavey,not done the 911 route,but done the porsche-tvr route,i had [still have]a 944s,though you cant compare performance its a big shock with the build, tvr is deffinately not porsche,get that into your head and youl be over the moon with the tvr.i have a chimaera 4.0 and the buzz you get with the roof down is priceless
Hi Martin, I looked at loads of 85-89 G50 3.2s as I have always wanted one, just got fed up of looking at poorly described cars so viewed other options!
I have a 500 Chimaera now (had a 400 for three years) and from driving both the TVR and the Porsche they are two totally different beasts to drive.
Before I waffle too much, a couple of questions...
1) Is this your only car?
2) How much mileage do you do?
3) Do yoou garage your car?
Corin
I have a 500 Chimaera now (had a 400 for three years) and from driving both the TVR and the Porsche they are two totally different beasts to drive.
Before I waffle too much, a couple of questions...
1) Is this your only car?
2) How much mileage do you do?
3) Do yoou garage your car?
Corin
Perfect recipe for TVR ownership, I personally would loath the thought of using my Chimaera every day it would spoil TVR experience for me.
Chimaeras get serviced once a year or every 6,000 miles so you would be looking at one service a year perfect!
There are two different services the 6,000 and the 12,000 Servicing isn't has harsh as you would think.
6,000 Main dealer - roughly. £350
6,000 TVR Specailist - roughly £250
12,000 Main dealer - roughly £600
12,000 TVR Specialst - roughly £325
Remember with TVR history is king so it will need to have been serviced at the regualr intervals by either of the above.
Every time you drive a Chimaera you end up grinning from ear to ear, girls will wave, kids will clap! There's a kind of respect from the general public when you are driving a TVR that you just don't get from a Porsche, generally from people that don't know much about cars it has to be said but it's kinda along the lines of 'see a flash Porsche driver' or see that TVR enthusiast'
Daft but true, after all the 911 is one of the best engineered cars out there and still one of my all time faves but I can see where you are coming from in it being a bit lack lustre. You don't quite expect the awkward driving position, beetle-esque dash and only average performance but taken to potential they can be very rewarding.
Have you driven a Chimaera yet? If not it's about time you should, you are only across the border from me I would quite happy to meet you at Peninsula TVR if you like and spend an hour answering any questions you may have, get you driving one etc. If you spot one privately I'm happy to pop along and take a look for you.
It's a shame but you just missed the South West Pistonheads meet this weekend at Cullompton, loads of different Chims at that meet.
Send me an email via my profile and I'll keep you informed of what's going on.
The next questions are what engine you fancy?
Any particular year?
What's your budget?
Corin
Cheers Corin.
I've been chewing over the 911 'problem' last couple of days and I think it's that it only really comes together when you're over 75 mph. Then it's stunning dynamically. Trouble is I live in Somerset, not Arizona...
I've driven a mate's Griff 430. Great fun, instant grunt and great noise from any revs. I fancy a Chim as I almost prefer the styling, and want the extra practicality (relatively speaking).
Of course I've got a 911 to sell, but budget is +/- £15K. Interested to know how different 400/450/500 cars are.
Thks for the offer to meet - will do if I can find some time.
Cheers
I've been chewing over the 911 'problem' last couple of days and I think it's that it only really comes together when you're over 75 mph. Then it's stunning dynamically. Trouble is I live in Somerset, not Arizona...
I've driven a mate's Griff 430. Great fun, instant grunt and great noise from any revs. I fancy a Chim as I almost prefer the styling, and want the extra practicality (relatively speaking).
Of course I've got a 911 to sell, but budget is +/- £15K. Interested to know how different 400/450/500 cars are.
Thks for the offer to meet - will do if I can find some time.
Cheers
Hmmm the engine.
That's really down to personal preference, you probably want to go straight to the 500 I think. There's no real difference on the insurance, I changed from my 400 to a three year newer 500 (so you're also insuring more money) and in total it cost me an extra £60 for the whole year!
32yrs old, max NCB = £407
A five litre will use a little more fuel and oil than a four but as you are only doing 6k a year then that shouldn't bother you. Servicing costs are identical.
In my opinion you should be looking at post 1996 cars which is acheivable in your budget as these are the facelift models with better cooling, brakes, chassis tweaks as well as the dress-up goodies like newer panels, lights, switchgear, doorhandles etc.
Also worth considering is the 450, a great all-rounder.
That's really down to personal preference, you probably want to go straight to the 500 I think. There's no real difference on the insurance, I changed from my 400 to a three year newer 500 (so you're also insuring more money) and in total it cost me an extra £60 for the whole year!
32yrs old, max NCB = £407
A five litre will use a little more fuel and oil than a four but as you are only doing 6k a year then that shouldn't bother you. Servicing costs are identical.
In my opinion you should be looking at post 1996 cars which is acheivable in your budget as these are the facelift models with better cooling, brakes, chassis tweaks as well as the dress-up goodies like newer panels, lights, switchgear, doorhandles etc.
Also worth considering is the 450, a great all-rounder.
M@H said:
Hey Corin,
where did you get your 6,000 mile service proces from..?Who's doing one for £250 ??
(I havent seen anyone doing 6000's for under about £395 lately)
Cheers,
Matt.
Austec Racing, they are currently doing the 12k for £285+ VAT!
www.austec.co.uk/
Corin Denton said:
Hmmm the engine.
That's really down to personal preference, you probably want to go straight to the 500 I think. There's no real difference on the insurance, I changed from my 400 to a three year newer 500 (so you're also insuring more money) and in total it cost me an extra £60 for the whole year!
32yrs old, max NCB = £407
Just out of interest....who are you insured with? Mines due soon.
Corin Denton said:
You can't argue with the quality of Austec.
Oh yes and that does include parts, genuine parts like the correct Land Rover oil filter unlike the Fram item I had fitted on my last service.
I'm not doubting the quality of Austec (in fact I'm one of their biggest fans) and at no point have I said that.
Having just costed up the parts and labour I'm amazed anyone can do it for £250, that's all. The filter and sparks comment was merely sarcasm.
I always wonder what they do for a 6000 miles service.
Is it much more then some sparkplugs and some oil oil and perhaps airfilter? Check some things. I do not know but i think even 250 pounds is easy money. How long do you think it take, perhaps 30 minutes? I use 10/50 full synt.. By the way synt. oil is also mineral oil but the molecules are pointing the same way. It is more like synthetic mineral oil. But can someone explain me why it has to cost more then 250 pounds.
Is it much more then some sparkplugs and some oil oil and perhaps airfilter? Check some things. I do not know but i think even 250 pounds is easy money. How long do you think it take, perhaps 30 minutes? I use 10/50 full synt.. By the way synt. oil is also mineral oil but the molecules are pointing the same way. It is more like synthetic mineral oil. But can someone explain me why it has to cost more then 250 pounds.
wintrading said:
I always wonder what they do for a 6000 miles service.
Is it much more then some sparkplugs and some oil oil and perhaps airfilter? Check some things. I do not know but i think even 250 pounds is easy money. How long do you think it take, perhaps 30 minutes? I use 10/50 full synt.. By the way synt. oil is also mineral oil but the molecules are pointing the same way. It is more like synthetic mineral oil. But can someone explain me why it has to cost more then 250 pounds.
Check the TVR service shedule to see what should be covered...
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