What to replace a TVR Chimaera 500 with?
Discussion
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!
Actually very similar to my Boxster S.Performance, handling, all day comfortable and could easily be used as a daily.
As for costs, I service myself. They are really easy to work on aided by the quality of the build.
The Z4 was on my list but the Porsche’s handling and looks won it for me.
e42 said:
Hi, Alpine A110? Just back from a run in the Griff and saw one in blue, looked great and apparently handle very nicely!
Dom
I really like the idea of the Alpine and that would be right up my street like a 4C. The Alpine just seems to be a bit too new or expensive at the moment. Seems to be low £40's but I would need them at mid £30's I think to make sense in my head.Dom
I might get some stick for suggesting this, but what about a late Lotus Esprit? Either 4 cyl or V8.
I had a 1992 4.0 Griffith and also have a 1984 Turbo Esprit. The Esprit is a far better driving machine in my opinion.
Some have removable roof panels for the open air experience.
Just a thought.
I had a 1992 4.0 Griffith and also have a 1984 Turbo Esprit. The Esprit is a far better driving machine in my opinion.
Some have removable roof panels for the open air experience.
Just a thought.
Classic Chim said:
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
Had to take them to the chemist & everything! geeman237 said:
I might get some stick for suggesting this, but what about a late Lotus Esprit? Either 4 cyl or V8.
I had a 1992 4.0 Griffith and also have a 1984 Turbo Esprit. The Esprit is a far better driving machine in my opinion.
Some have removable roof panels for the open air experience.
Just a thought.
Always loved the Esprit but got a feeling the build quality is on par with TVR or worse.I had a 1992 4.0 Griffith and also have a 1984 Turbo Esprit. The Esprit is a far better driving machine in my opinion.
Some have removable roof panels for the open air experience.
Just a thought.
https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/10689824
They do look superb though. I'm sure a V8 would be decent but guessing most will be a step up in price.
They do look superb though. I'm sure a V8 would be decent but guessing most will be a step up in price.
rockits said:
https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/10689824
They do look superb though. I'm sure a V8 would be decent but guessing most will be a step up in price.
Corr blimey gov. They do look superb though. I'm sure a V8 would be decent but guessing most will be a step up in price.
You’d hope that’s reliable.
I’m a member of a lotus Group and yes they have issues but still great cars. Money pit but a lot of fun doing it.
Classic Chim said:
What’s wrong with TVR build quality, in 1993 most people were impressed 
, I didn’t care as long as they carried on making them until I could afford one.
Much better built now after years of enthusiastic owners improving them for sure. Still not up to modern car standards of course. All part of the ownership experience so enhances the experience doesn't it , I didn’t care as long as they carried on making them until I could afford one. 
No help re price I’m afraid, but I enquired about your car last year with the PO, who was most helpful, to the extent of additional photos and the build spec for the engine. I have to say that it sounded terrific, the problem I had at the time was having to sell another car to placate SWMBO. By the time I was in a position to buy you had beaten me to it and I went down the pre- cat Griff route. Absolutely cracking car though.
As an aside - The Noble M12 is also a possible alternative, or second the Corvette suggested earlier!
Dom
As an aside - The Noble M12 is also a possible alternative, or second the Corvette suggested earlier!
Dom
Values seem to be only going one way on these if your a Porsche fan and can justify the price.
https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/10791169?c...
https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/10791169?c...
If you like the slightly agricultural, unpolished feel of the TVR but less extreme, you could try a Monaro. Thumping V8, loads of character and depreciation proof. Supercharged ones are rare but good for a tail happy 600hp. Or a good NA LS2 with an intake will make 500hp. How nuts you want to go is down to you.
e42 said:
No help re price I’m afraid, but I enquired about your car last year with the PO, who was most helpful, to the extent of additional photos and the build spec for the engine. I have to say that it sounded terrific, the problem I had at the time was having to sell another car to placate SWMBO. By the time I was in a position to buy you had beaten me to it and I went down the pre- cat Griff route. Absolutely cracking car though.
As an aside - The Noble M12 is also a possible alternative, or second the Corvette suggested earlier!
Dom
Sorry Dom, if I had known you were first on it I would have left you to it. It took ages to get to view the car as the PO was working in/out/around the country a lot. Then I offered a price really early a little bit below the sticker price and he wanted the sticker price or almost damn it so declined my offer. Then he came back to me after some time and we worked a deal out a little below the sticker price.As an aside - The Noble M12 is also a possible alternative, or second the Corvette suggested earlier!
Dom
It clearly has had a lot of work done with a lot of money spent. The engine is very strong so you can feel it is a newly built unit making the power it did on the dyno print out.
I'll have to get out (maybe!) and drive a few as am sure they will be so different. I've been a passenger in an M12 round Llandow and loved it. Not sure if it will be too raw still on the road though.
I think it was sold to the PO with a price starting with a 2 I understand. I suspect it will need to be starting with a 1 in the current climate regardless of how much was spent.
Dean
Belle427 said:
Values seem to be only going one way on these if your a Porsche fan and can justify the price.
https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/10791169?c...
Nice and exactly what my neighbour down the lane has just bought. I suspect it will be too fast and clinical for me though. I am not a fan of Turbo motors per se. Prefer and N/A or S/C unit in the main. Always Petrol !!https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/10791169?c...
swisstoni said:
I do not think any TVR is in order for the OP as they appear to be too basic.
There’s no point in hoping that a Tuscan is a massively different animal from a Chimaera - they aren’t.
Something mainstream and refined like a Boxster would seem to be a better fit.
I have had a 987 Boxster 3.2 S Manual and enjoyed it but wouldn't say it was special. A very capable car and I really liked it but didn't have that something you can;t quite put your finger on. I have a Maserati 4200 and have had 3 of them and a QPV as well and they seem to hit that spot quite well.There’s no point in hoping that a Tuscan is a massively different animal from a Chimaera - they aren’t.
Something mainstream and refined like a Boxster would seem to be a better fit.
The TVR's do hit the spot indeed but just think I have gone a step too far with this Chimaera 500. It is exactly what it should be so no fault of the car. It is raw, intoxicating, involving, a challenge but just one notch too far for me.
I am looking for something in the middle I guess between your mainstream production cars that often double as dailies as well as sports cars. I don't need boot space, back seats, auto box or any niceties as such just a good driving sports car maybe a notch down from the current Chimaera 500.
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