Honda S200 vs Chimaera

[jonnyp]

Hello people. Can you help with the decision making regarding purchase of one of the above. Ive been keen on the Chim for ages but have reservations as with S2000. Naturally both cars have their pro's and con's I guess! I dont expect youto know too much about the Honda. Similarly to the Tvr it's a drivers car, well thought out, and raw. It has been quoted as having the finest four-cylinder engine ever produced, makes a great noise when V-tec kicks in, generally technologically superior. The Tvr is smoother on the eye, has the sexy sound as standard. Also has greater appeal. My concerns lie with reports of reliability issues with the Chim.(quote: Which car guide,chunky review approx 1month old now. was about £5) which slates the car in every respect minus the power to my disbelief. Im led to believe the engine is not as sophisticated as the Honda and allegedly fragile? Like most of you, Im well up for getting my hands dirty, so not an issue. The finest car I ever did passenger-ride was a Ferrari 348tb . Now that V8 neck snapped on acceleration and braked as sharp + it was 10 yrs old. I have driven none of the above. Can somebody explain to me he honest truth regarding the power delivery of the Chimaera in any guise please. Does it pull you into the seats? Also can you add any persuading factors to keep my faith with the Chim as I think its closest to the heart.
Soz for the grammer, it's Friday and the girlfriends calling gotta fly.
Regards Jon.

[apache]

can't speak for the Honda, personally I think it's a damn fine car and has subtle and attractive looks. The TVR will become more involving and you will learn it's quirks, the engine despite what you've heard is a reliable, tough and relatively low tech affair with a cam in the middle of the Vee driving large valves via hydraulic lifters and pushrods. It will be surprisingly low revving compared to the S2000 which is where the main difference lies.
If you want a charismatic traditional looking british car with masses of power and torque go for the Tiv

[ABBTVR]

Well said apache, Got it in one.
No experience of a Honda never been interested. Bit like the Chimaera really. That was until I drove one, brought mine 2 hours after looking and one test drive in. It wasn't the one I test drove, it was another one in the show room, even more beautiful even more of a delight to drive. TVR's, well there are Big engine models and there are the small engine models, mines one of the latter. A small engine 4 litre, SMALL ENGINE, Jees it's a FOUR litre! It’s bloody huge compared to most other cars on the road.
My previous car was an MX5, OK not in the same league as the Honda but out of the same stable. Japan. Didn't and hasn't let me down in 41/2 years of daily driving. Always starts first time, easy to drive, and a soft top for sunny days. IMHO it's a solid little sprots car. It's not however in the SUPERCAR league! Which is where the TVR stand proudly.
So it's all down to personal preference really. If you want a car that's predictably reliable and fun to drive go for the Honda. If your want a car that’s exhilarating and demanding (in a pleasant way) to drive, turns heads, has character, personality, and a mind of it's own then there is no contest. It's got to be a TVR.

Nuff said.

Big Al.


>> Edited by ABBTVR (moderator) on Friday 7th March 21:53

[5ltr-chim]

Know a guy with a S2000 - nice enough but apart from the soft ride it sounds and performs like a motorbike! - rev the nuts of it to get any power - and as for the "hi-tech" dash it's a digital speedo with a sequence of lights round it for the tacho - YUK!

The styling seems remaniscent somehow ?*

[trefor]

Drive both then report back. If you prefer the Honda then fair enough, but if you're a red blooded male car lover you'll probably find the Chimaera appealing.

Yes, it will be less reliable on average than the equivalent aged S2000. We owners accept that risk. You'll know once you've driven one. They're not for everyone though (luckily).

T/.

[pbrettle]

Remember watching one of those motoring programmes on TV doing the NSX once. The mentioned that the VTEC system didnt kick in until around 5500 revs which was over 60 in second! Which kinda makes the whole thing a little redundant on our over-gatso'ed roads... my fear is that the S2000 is the same.

The TVR is totally different though. You have LOW down power available all of the time. Foot down, 2000 revs and you can loose pretty much everything on the road.... so its a little special, best make that 3000 revs then!!! . No waiting for the power, its there and waiting to be used... its all in the torque you see.

The TVR is a car that you have to drive too. None of this steaming around and expecting the electronic systems to bale you out. You have to read the road, consider the speed, listen to what you hear and see and drive accordingly. You cant drive them flat out for long as they can get knackering, but with all of that oommmphh so available, who needs 3rd... Its really amazing how much 'progress' you can make without using full throttle... ease down, fly past, pull in, ease down, off we go again

For me the TVR blends the best of many worlds, though it aint for everyone. What it does have is the noise, performance and handling / ride I want in a package that you cant miss... The S2000 is a damn fine car and having heard one at full chat on a track they sound good too. But its a Honda - reliable, predictable and ever so slightly boring (sorry). It will probably be around long after many another car, but black dashboards just dont do it for me...

Try them both, you will know if you want a TVR - you will need the grin surgically removed!

Cheers,

Paul

P.S. And if you get totally hooked you end up going to TVRCC meetings and talking about them for the whole evening too!!!

[tantivy]

Jonny - thing is, in the Tiv you can slot it into third at 70 and loose pretty much anything on the road - plus people see you appear in their mirror and get out the way - plus they wind their window down to hear you whoosh past - plus they linger in your blind spot just to get that great 3/4 side-view of your car - plus you can service it yourself pretty much - plus it's hand built and will always smell of adhesive/leather/optimax which u come to love in a funny way...plus - well, just get one Tant.

ps weren't lookin for an unbiased view on this board were ya?

[bob the planner]

Drive both - back to back preferably and if you can (want) to get back in the one you drove first do that as well. The S2000 will rev more, the TVR more grunt lower down. IMHO the TVR is a much better driving experience - this is a heart v head thing. The S2000 will have cheaper running costs but smiles per mile the TVR every time for me.

Bob

[daydreamer]

pbrettle said:None of this steaming around and expecting the electronic systems to bale you out. You have to read the road... ... ..

Jonnyp - don't quite know what you expected to hear posting this thread on the CHIM forum .

Methinks that there is a lot of expert advice coming from people that have never driven an S2000 above.

Don't get me wrong, the comments about low end grunt vs high end power are all well and good - but that doesn't make either one any quicker to accelerate - Honda very thoughtfully put a gearbox in which converts power and torque from the engine to match the road conditions. Remember people, it is torque at the wheels that does the accelerating, not at the propshaft!

As for the electronic trickery - the Honda has an airbag, but not much else, certainly no traction control (although I'm not quite sure where the positive is in this), but decent suspension and an LSD to help keep on the black stuff (in the dry anyway ). It has been favourably compared to the more standard competition such as the Z4, Audi TT etc because it still has the raw driving experience. OK, I'ts not a balls out racing car, but lets face it, neither is a Chim.

I should take delivery very shortly, and I'll admit, I went the Honda route as I needed a daily driver rather than a weekend toy. As a side benefit though, IMHO the handling is much better in the Honda than a Chim (although the newer TVR's are a different matter).

So, in summary, if you need V8 power and TVR individuality, then go Chim, if you want lighter and more responsive, with a 9k red line , then go the Honda route.

As an aside though, these cars are very, very different, which suggests that you would really like somewhere in between, grunty engine and more responsive handling - Tamora????

Rich

ps - sorry to all Trevor owners that are now spitting feathers at me .

[apache]

not at all mate, thats why I said I can't speak for the Honda, Tiv has a LSD too btw

edited to add, the S2000's a big improvement over the TR 7/8 old chap

>> Edited by apache on Saturday 8th March 00:25

[dannyboyo]

If u want reassurance about the reliability of a Chimaera, then mines one to brag about!! It's a N reg (late 95) 4.0l, and in 5k of driving since Xmas it hasn't broke down once, a few minor niggles here and there but thats it. Also I believe the guy who had it before me had 40k of pretty much trouble free motoring.

My personal opinion is that, if you buy the S2000, then everytime you see a Chimaera drive past, you'll wind down your window, listen to it go by, and wish you had a car that has that sexy sound and looks that good. I see quite a few S2000's on my travels, and as nice as they are, I don't stop and stare (or listen) to them. But I still do when I see a TVR, even though I own one now!!

Go for a Chimaera, much more fun!! But I'm biased!!

[jonnyp]

Thanks to all of you for posting the replies. Realised there was so many questions I wanted to ask you guys. Will be purchasing second hand, and with a bit of luck will have around 14-15k. I know I wont find the Honda at these prices which is why I have opted to pick one up at Cat C/D route. I really found the advice helpfull. I do need to get test drivig, and aim to get involved with a Tiv group meeting or something. One thing is for sure though, the Honda doesn't have the passionate web base following.
many thanks will keep you posted

[whitey]

Had to drive a mate in his S2000 the other week when he bust his ankle.
First thing I noticed was the upright driving position, the second that it just seemed like a normal car. Did not feel like a sports car at all. Yes it is rear wheel drive and a convertible with a peppy high revving engine but it did not feel special at all.

A TVR does.

[apache]

jonny, get yer arse to Virginia Waters tomorrow lunchtime, you'll never look at a Honda again, look for the car in my profile and we'll have a chat

[tamago]

Jon Pick...
Click on my profile and then to the following topics:

Do I really want a Chimaera?
& Do I really want a Chimaera Part II

I had a very similar dilemma, lost between an S2000 and the Chim last year, 2 months later I bought a Chim and never looked back!

This is the place to be for all the support you need if you get a TVR, which I hope you do !!

[jonnyp]

Cheers for the recent posts. Read the links. Interested to see someone had the same choice dillema. I think the cars obviously possess similar characteristics and appeal (although I know you dont all agree). Also Wheres the Viginia Water meet taking place? I know the Great Park? Do I need to be a member to come along? Just want to see some Tvr action on a Sunday I guess!
One problem however. My diesel Pug estates going to suffer trying to keep up!

[ABBTVR]

Off @ junction 13 on M25 get onto the A30, open window and LISTEN! Follow the noise.

Hope to see you there, get there if you can you won't regret it believe me. I drive a Chim, but there are some Bloody Awesome Tiv's (and others) in attendance.
Don’t forget your £3.50


Big Al.

[Dan M]

I've had my Chimaera for over 3 years now, plus a commuting car and last year I thought about selling both and getting an S2000 which could do both jobs.

I test drove the Honda and overall it was good to drive, just a very different delivery of power to the Chimaera. It has 6 gears and needs them - no torque at idle means you need to rev it to pull away (even in comparison to my little Fiesta) and to maintain good speed you need to keep it 'on the boil' in the right gear. It was manic with the noise of a Dyson. When the VTEC kicks in it is fairly abrupt and it really flies. That's probably the reason a lot of owners have lost the rear and ended up going off backwards (rather like a TVR then).

I like the looks and the extra practicality of the Honda, the interior is more dull than the TVR, but not as dull as a Scooby or other Jap cars.

The Hondas have had a couple of reliability problems but Honda sort them out under warranty. One of them involves having a new engine block and several cars had their wings dented when it was swapped!

At the end of the day the 2 cars would be as quick as each other in most situations. The Honda will be cheaper to run and easier to live with, but the TVR has more character and NOISE, even when burbling along at 30mph.

In the end I decided I like having the 2 cars - the TVR feels all the more exciting after a week in a Fiesta, and I like being patriotic, so the Blackpool Bomber has stayed.

I recently saw an S2000 with large exhaust - now that sounded more decent as it went past me at 120, I just had to chase for a while!

Dan

[nick61]

Jon
I got twitchy when my 4L chim needed a new cam. Test drove a S2000, needless to say I still have the TVR !!!
Nick

[Qube]

It all depends on how much money you have ?, Buy a TVR and be prepared to spend thousands or buy a Honda. The chimaera 400 I had was a lovely car to drive and own but you can spend hundreds of pounds keeping it on the road, is it worth it, NO, not for me after spending £2500 in just under 16 months (8000 miles) and i probably could of spent another £1000 in the next few months and thats after the last owner spending £3000+ in the previous 2 years before me, if you fancy a hobby buy a TVR (read the posts for the associated problems), if you want an everyday car buy the Honda,
I've gone german myself.