Dilemma

[mart 63]

I sold my Tamora last week,an amazing car but im 52 and feel its a youner persons car.My stunning yellow Chim has been up for sale at TrackvRoad for 6 months.I was going to give Craig a call at TrackvRoad to get my Chim back for the winter, until i found a decent Griff.But a couple of hours later he phoned me to tell me he had sold my Chim.

I have always fancied a Griff,but for around £20k or £25k at a push for a nice one,theirs not a lot out there.So im back looking at Chims,you can get a nice late 4.5 or 5ltr for the money i was going to spend on a Griff.Is there much difference in power between the 4.5 or 5ltr.

Cheers Mart

[pb450]

So what you're saying is that a Chimaera is an old man's car?

[ClassiChimi]

I have a 4.5 that's pretty fast for a standard engine spec,,
Having driven a few 5.0L cars, including a Griff,
A good 4.6 will be very close and actually better at the top end,
But the 5.0 in any body shape will feel faster, is better picking up from low revs with the extra torque,
If it's a standard 5.0l with little induction mods then a well prepared 4.6 will give it a real good go for its money but my personal feeling is the 5.0 basically has more everywhere,,

Saying all that my 4.6 is so smooth, revs like a bike and does not shake at high revs anything like a 5.0 L engine,,,,
Those things add up,,,
My car is way fast in the real world so,,,4.6,,,5.0 ..... There's little in it.
I'd choose on spec and usage etc,,

[mart 63]

pb450 said:

So what you're saying is that a Chimaera is an old man's car?

Lets say more pipe and slippers than a Tamora

[ClassiChimi]

Out of interest Mart, what power at the wheels did your Tam produce?

A good Cim is like any good Tvr, if it's been maintained and kept in fine fettle it's a very good car,,
Your a Tvr man so I'm sure you know already
The V8 when all things are in good shape is a glorious engine to operate in these cars,,
It can be made to feel bullet proof too,,,,,
Since we've all mostly updated suspension etc a Griff/Chim/ Tuscan,,,you can choose a softer or more aggressive car at will, they'll all feel similar,,
It's the V8 that makes the Griff/chimaera such an appeal,,
It's sound, smooth engine power delivery, a beast yet as gentle as a pussy if you want to just relax and burble along,,,

[mart 63]

ClassiChimi said:

I have a 4.5 that's pretty fast for a standard engine spec,,
Having driven a few 5.0L cars, including a Griff,
A good 4.6 will be very close and actually better at the top end,
But the 5.0 in any body shape will feel faster, is better picking up from low revs with the extra torque,
If it's a standard 5.0l with little induction mods then a well prepared 4.6 will give it a real good go for its money but my personal feeling is the 5.0 basically has more everywhere,,

Saying all that my 4.6 is so smooth, revs like a bike and does not shake at high revs anything like a 5.0 L engine,,,,
Those things add up,,,
My car is way fast in the real world so,,,4.6,,,5.0 ..... There's little in it.
I'd choose on spec and usage etc,,

So a 4.5 is actually a 4.6 or have i read it wrong.I like the look of the 4.5 one on here for sale,gts blue on a 2001 plate,icant do links to it though.

Cheers Mart

[ClassiChimi]

4.5---4.6
There was early 4.5 Tvr Power fettled engines ( I think ? ) but yes basically all 450's are 4.6

Not long ago I sort of craved the 5.0L but I've changed my mind,
I've got the Mbe Ecu installation and bespoke mapping on my 4.6,,, it's now in a different league to a standard 4.6 but it's also right up with a good 5.0 L engine,,, the fact I have the smoother running 4.6,,, that's just a bonus,,,
Overall as I don't need to shave 2 tenths off my acceleration times and I enjoy long drives at steady speeds,,, the 4.6 has proved to be the perfect engine for my needs,,,
I enjoy just hearing it run so smoothly at low revs etc,, when I jump out and leave it running, walking back and hearing it just so even and balanced,
I'd buy either to be honest,,,,

[mart 63]

Thanks for that Alun.

[QBee]

Shirley at that sort of budget you could be looking at a decent Tuscan as an alternative roof-off choice? I may be ten years older than you, but my inner 19 year old would love a nice, brightly coloured one.

[pb450]

mart 63 said:

Lets say more pipe and slippers than a Tamora

OMG! I better check my wardrobe!

[mart 63]

QBee said:

Shirley at that sort of budget you could be looking at a decent Tuscan as an alternative roof-off choice? I may be ten years older than you, but my inner 19 year old would love a nice, brightly coloured one.

Don't like Tuscans,even bought one of these as i miss a V8.

[Hoofa]

A tam a young persons car ?... You must be a country file and antiques road show watcher I always fancied a tam !, I'd try and find a mk3 chimaera 500 if you can

[mart 63]

If i was 10 years younger i would have kept the Tam...i watch the antiques road show.Their is a nice 02 mk3 in the classifieds but its Green.Will just have to keep looking.

[Hoofa]

Just wondering why a youn persons car, was the style or the fact you have the Rev the engine to hustle it ? , if it's the latter Deffo go for a 500 mk3 as they are rare

[mart 63]

Just my opinion on a younger persons car and yes you have to get it over 5k revs to get it going.Amazing car tho,everybody who's into TVRs should try one.what year did the mk3s come out?

[Hoofa]

mart 63 said:

Just my opinion on a younger persons car and yes you have to get it over 5k revs to get it going.Amazing car tho,everybody who's into TVRs should try one.what year did the mk3s come out?

I think it was 2002 onwards , I liked the mk3 headlights and seats , the 500 are fairly rare as most by then we're the 450

[mart 63]

I like the covered lights.The Cerbera seats are ok,but the bolsters wear easy.

[RPB]

They came out in 2001.
There were only 6 ever made.
Been a couple sold this year, green one has been up for @ 6 months.
Seats are much better than the mk2's, better setup all round.

[mart 63]

Its a shame the green one isn't gts blue.I love the interior of it.I also notice it hasn't a tvr badge on the bonnet,is that a mk3 trait.

[Quinny]

mart 63 said:

I sold my Tamora last week,an amazing car but im 52

Yeah right course you are