Chimaera to be new owner question

[SRAPUBLIC]

I've decided, not overnight, that a TVR Chimaera 4.0 is the car for me, probably a 95 to 97 model. I'm mindful of the BHP and power of the car. I'm not a boy racer and the most powerful car I have driven in a Capri 2.8 in my younger days.

How does the Chimaera power compare, I know it's more powerful but how twitchy is it under sensible driving (ie. not boy racer, but no pensioner either) ?

[Big Al.]

how twitchy is it under sensible driving (ie. not boy racer, but no pensioner either?

Hi Shawn,
It's got lots and lots of low end grunt that just keeps going and going.

OK, admittedly if you try to abuse even a baby TVR it will bite you big time, especially in the wet. Drive it sensibly and it's a dream in most weather conditions, snow and ice being the exceptions in these conditions it can be a bit hairy but still fun.

Big Al.
Not a boy racer, but no pensioner, yet!!

>> Edited by Big Al. (moderator) on Friday 16th May 23:49

[bsdnazz]

Now having had our 4l Chim for 8 weeks and managed 1800 grinning miles.

It has so much torque that you can potter around town very easily or boot it for the big grin effect. It really is a pussy cat. Stroke it and it will purr, push it and it will roar, kick it and it will bite!

[corin denton]

I would say that if you could throw your Capri around you could drive a Chimaera within reason as the Capri had a reasonablly large engine but used to handle like a tit in a jellymould. The Chimaera if respected is very a rewarding drive.

[c4snhtvr]

Started off with a 4L Chimaera at age 45, after good advise, not driven power cars for years. More than enough power easy to drive looks after its self. Then treated myself to a 5L Chimaera with PAS so my partner could drive. You would not belive the differance, the drive the power & it was a quick one. Try and drive a 5L befor you buy. Had both cars side by side for about 2 years. 5L loves petrol stations, 4L not so keen.Have sold 5L as i have a new tuscan 1st week June 4L is for sale if you want a drive. Could get you a drive in my 5L poss as it now only lives 3mins away with its new owner.Any other ?????? if i can be of help ring me work 01268 732184.Steve

[T88CAN]

The chim has more traction than a 2.8 XR4i in most conditions but there is 50% more power and 1/2 the weight if you can drive a 2.8 crapri quickly it wont take long to get used to a chim good luck in your search for a car Tony

[gemini]

treat her with respect and there wil be a loving relationship develop

[Nick P]

I went from a Subaru Impreza turbo to a Chimmy 400.
It really is the opposite end of the scale in terms of driving experiences.....I got bored of the understeery AWD and wanted a RWD monster.....and i wasn't disappointed!!!!
It is a handful in the wet, but if you treat it with respect and drive smoothly, you can still make 'quick progress'.
I dont regret it for a moment

[R&J]

The comments concerned me before getting my car (Chim 4000). If you're not stupid you'll be fine, but it's worth remembering the the car is the boss in the wet.
Enjoy it.
Rich

[shortlad]

I decided over night that the bike (Yamah R1) had to go, as I wasn't using it, to be replaced by a Chimera. I've had my 4.0HC for just over a week and getting used to it.

I've had a Impreza Turbo and an M3 Evo in the past and I'm not dissapointed with my Chim. I drove a number of cars covering 5.0 down to 4.0. I decided that the 4.0HC had a great mix of power without being mad. She certainly goes if you find the carpet and I really love third gear hard acceleration.

Drive a few cars and see what you think. I think I may, one day, end up with a 500 but at the moment, and foreseeable future, my 4.0HC is just fine.

Just remember that too much power plus bends plus wet roads equals hedge! Drive with your head and you'll be fine. TVR's are cars that take some driving but that's the main appeal to me. Don't know if you saw the Wrong Car Right Car with the guy who bought a Griff..... He wasn't thinking and came out of a bend in the wet thinking he was in his Audi S3, it nearly ended in tears and I bet it slowed his right foot down from then on!!

Buy and enjoy...

[wildego1]

I know just what you're going through. About six weeks ago I was having the same niggling doubts about twitchiness and wet weather dangers etc. But I bought a 4 litre Chimaera anyway and have been smiling ever since! Yes it can step out at the rear if you arent carefull on a wet roundabout but when it happened last week I found it completely controllable and enjoyed it so much that I had to have another go. It didnt happen all that easilly and in fact I forced her to do it. Being forwarned about the wet handling I wanted to see if it was true.
I would'nt rate myself as a particularly good driver but somehow the car feels like an extension of me, you just know what its going to do.
So, dont have any doubts just do it and as long as you dont try and go mental in the wet you wont be sorry.