What to replace a TVR Chimaera 500 with?
Discussion
rockits said:
I agree with this Alun and am sure an ECU change would help. Just know it won't quite still be what I'm looking for after I'm sure. So not sure the investment would sense as maybe a new buyer might not want this. It could be their option I guess.
I love the new interior on my Chim and think Mark/SD did a great job keeping it original. if I kept it and it was close to what I was after I would do the ECU and a full respray and it would be a perfect long term TVR keeper. I understand that it had £19k or somewhere close spent on the restoration.
I have a folder here with a ton of pics/details/engine build spec and rolling road sheet:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1fq71Akf7fd...
Wow. 19k discounting a lot of labour too I bet. What a marvellous car. Someone will want that if they know what’s good for them I love the new interior on my Chim and think Mark/SD did a great job keeping it original. if I kept it and it was close to what I was after I would do the ECU and a full respray and it would be a perfect long term TVR keeper. I understand that it had £19k or somewhere close spent on the restoration.
I have a folder here with a ton of pics/details/engine build spec and rolling road sheet:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1fq71Akf7fd...
A lot of TVR owners move on up to an Aston. I had a Chimaera 4 litre I spent a fortune on including a turbo at Powers (418bhp) then sold it and currently have an old DB7 which I'm spending money on, again.
With your budget you could have a very nice Vantage or a DB9. Grab one while prices are depressed.
With your budget you could have a very nice Vantage or a DB9. Grab one while prices are depressed.
I had a Z4M Roadster after my Cerbera. I didn't really gel with it, but it was an involving drive and it has a few creature comforts.
I've currently got a 370Z Roadster and I've been really happy with that. It has an upgraded exhaust/induction set up so that really adds to the drama of driving it. It also has heated/cooled seats and sat nav etc.
I've currently got a 370Z Roadster and I've been really happy with that. It has an upgraded exhaust/induction set up so that really adds to the drama of driving it. It also has heated/cooled seats and sat nav etc.
rossybee said:
Great, thanks. I'll take a look. Out of interest what are you replacing it with?cerb4.5lee said:
What about a 5 litre Mustang?
Was looking at those last night. Look like great VFM. Seem like a an option for sure. I suspect though with a slight bias towards Maserati I would feel a Granturismo 4.7 S MC might be a more up my street.I had considered when I was selling the V8 Vantage recently taking that cash, then adding the Chimaera and 4200 into a 3-into-1 and spending circa £60k-£70k on something special. Still an option atm.
I had a Chimaera 4.0 (from 2010-16) which was fantastic, never scary or too raw . However, for the past four years I have had a Mustang GT (2016 from new, 5.0, stainless steel retro exhaust).
The Mustang was great, I really liked it, but I loved the Chimaera and have always regretted selling it. The Mustang (with the retro exhaust) sounded at idle better than pretty much anything out there. Flat out, 6k to 8k rpm it sounded insane, like a nascar or something. However driving about from standstill to 30/40 the Chimaera sounded much better and actually felt faster due to the weight, the mustang kind of droned a bit.
From a usability point of view the Mustang is just a modern car. Everything works, heated/cool seats, satnav, phone works, good stereo, good boot, room for the kids, no issues.
The Mustang may well tick the boxes you are looking to tick. Although the exhaust is important. The stock exhaust is heavy and sounds dull.
The Mustang was great, I really liked it, but I loved the Chimaera and have always regretted selling it. The Mustang (with the retro exhaust) sounded at idle better than pretty much anything out there. Flat out, 6k to 8k rpm it sounded insane, like a nascar or something. However driving about from standstill to 30/40 the Chimaera sounded much better and actually felt faster due to the weight, the mustang kind of droned a bit.
From a usability point of view the Mustang is just a modern car. Everything works, heated/cool seats, satnav, phone works, good stereo, good boot, room for the kids, no issues.
The Mustang may well tick the boxes you are looking to tick. Although the exhaust is important. The stock exhaust is heavy and sounds dull.
rockits said:
rossybee said:
Great, thanks. I'll take a look. Out of interest what are you replacing it with?
I went from (several) Chimaera 500 to a Tuscan. Apart from how it looked I hated it. I don't know if mine was a proper wrong un (I probably do really 
) but I found the handling characteristics truly alarming. Mine even tried to swap ends if accelerating in a straight line.
I went back to a 500 via a 450. (the 450 was an impulse purchase & I knew it was wrong but couldn't stop myself
)
As somebody has said, maybe you just need a bit more time?
) but I found the handling characteristics truly alarming. Mine even tried to swap ends if accelerating in a straight line.I went back to a 500 via a 450. (the 450 was an impulse purchase & I knew it was wrong but couldn't stop myself
)As somebody has said, maybe you just need a bit more time?
Ok, i am an old bloke and i don't need the theatre of my last few Tivs, last being a Tam . I am now totally satisfied with my BMW 35is M, 340 bhp and 369 with overboost.Tin roof goes in the boot on the button and still enough room in there.Wont go round twisties like a boxter but an underrated model in this spec. Just right for me. But you my not be as old as me!
Pop Pop said:
Ok, i am an old bloke and i don't need the theatre of my last few Tivs, last being a Tam . I am now totally satisfied with my BMW 35is M, 340 bhp and 369 with overboost.Tin roof goes in the boot on the button and still enough room in there.Wont go round twisties like a boxter but an underrated model in this spec. Just right for me. But you my not be as old as me!
They are a nice motor and a lot cheaper to run than Lotus, Porsche etc, etc. Good call.2 sMoKiN bArReLs said:
I went from (several) Chimaera 500 to a Tuscan. Apart from how it looked I hated it. I don't know if mine was a proper wrong un (I probably do really ) but I found the handling characteristics truly alarming. Mine even tried to swap ends if accelerating in a straight line.
I went back to a 500 via a 450. (the 450 was an impulse purchase & I knew it was wrong but couldn't stop myself)
As somebody has said, maybe you just need a bit more time?
I bet you didn’t take them beauties with a camera phone. Very last century and rather moving ) but I found the handling characteristics truly alarming. Mine even tried to swap ends if accelerating in a straight line.I went back to a 500 via a 450. (the 450 was an impulse purchase & I knew it was wrong but couldn't stop myself
)As somebody has said, maybe you just need a bit more time?
Edited by Classic Chim on Tuesday 22 September 06:45
2 sMoKiN bArReLs said:
I went from (several) Chimaera 500 to a Tuscan. Apart from how it looked I hated it. I don't know if mine was a proper wrong un (I probably do really ) but I found the handling characteristics truly alarming. Mine even tried to swap ends if accelerating in a straight line.
I went back to a 500 via a 450. (the 450 was an impulse purchase & I knew it was wrong but couldn't stop myself)
As somebody has said, maybe you just need a bit more time?
Funny you should say that as when I drove this Chimaera back from buying and put my footdown 50% the car would pull to the left. Lift off and it would pull to the right. On inspection and discussion with the previous owner it seemed he had a rear right puncture and could only get a Michelin Primacy HP tyre quickly rather than the correct matching Toyo. I replaced that with the correct matching Toyo and the car was perfect after that.) but I found the handling characteristics truly alarming. Mine even tried to swap ends if accelerating in a straight line.I went back to a 500 via a 450. (the 450 was an impulse purchase & I knew it was wrong but couldn't stop myself
)As somebody has said, maybe you just need a bit more time?
I have never experienced that before but have never compromised on tyre quality on any car I've had. Also never mixed tyres on the same axle. I can see why I don't and never would now! It was an innocent oversight from the previous owner as he was silly busy at work and had totally forgotten to get it replaced. The Michelin was only supposed to be temporary.
N7GTX said:
A lot of TVR owners move on up to an Aston. I had a Chimaera 4 litre I spent a fortune on including a turbo at Powers (418bhp) then sold it and currently have an old DB7 which I'm spending money on, again.
With your budget you could have a very nice Vantage or a DB9. Grab one while prices are depressed.
I've just had a Vantage V8 4.3 Manual for a year and just sold it a couple of months ago. Loved it and would have another. I would like to seek out a Bamford Rose slightly modded car for the next one though I think. It is 90% the perfect car and that extra 10% that the BR upgrades would give to a Vantage V8 4.3 would be spot on.With your budget you could have a very nice Vantage or a DB9. Grab one while prices are depressed.
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