Driving my new Chimaera
Discussion
I've driven some fast cars in my time but none quite like this. Everybody's been warning me how dangerous they can be, that I've got to drive them "with respect" and that if I'm not careful in the wet then it will "bite me on the bum!"
An experienced TVR dealer told me that he'd sold one car to a customer, who wiped out the entire back end 1 minute after leaving the dealership, because he'd booted it under some trees that had dripped sap on the road!
So - apart from the usual black ice, cats that run out in front, and trees-heavy with sap, what else should I look out for? Is it mainly the back end that steps out? Or is there anything else I should be watching for?
An experienced TVR dealer told me that he'd sold one car to a customer, who wiped out the entire back end 1 minute after leaving the dealership, because he'd booted it under some trees that had dripped sap on the road!
So - apart from the usual black ice, cats that run out in front, and trees-heavy with sap, what else should I look out for? Is it mainly the back end that steps out? Or is there anything else I should be watching for?
vim fuego said:
poor old trees i can't imagine one for one minute that there are that many aphids in the early summer shitting out that much sugar and water to cause a whole road to be so slippy
Not with the ants so diligently farming the ones that are there.
Edited by vonhosen on Sunday 5th November 18:02
My overwhelming recollection of the TVRs that I've driven (none recently) is that their response to driving inputs seems to be unrepeatable. You think you've found a style that works and then suddenly, for no apparent reason, it doesn't.
On the basis of my limited experiences, I've concluded that they are, for want of a better description, unpredictable.
I'd temper that by saying that I'm sure the newer cars are better, and I'm sure that any TVR can be set up to behave predictably and repeatably. It's just that, while I'm sure of these things, I've not experienced them myself.
Lots of time to play yourself in, and perhaps a bit of coaching from Don Palmer or the like, would seem sensible.
Enjoy,
WilliBetz
On the basis of my limited experiences, I've concluded that they are, for want of a better description, unpredictable.
I'd temper that by saying that I'm sure the newer cars are better, and I'm sure that any TVR can be set up to behave predictably and repeatably. It's just that, while I'm sure of these things, I've not experienced them myself.
Lots of time to play yourself in, and perhaps a bit of coaching from Don Palmer or the like, would seem sensible.
Enjoy,
WilliBetz
Edited by willibetz on Sunday 5th November 22:21
I have been driving a Tamora for about 5 months now. I can't speak for the Chimy, but the Tamora's behaviour is very obvious, but not that handle-able. It has two main facets, the enormous surfeit of power over grip at the back in anything other than dry wamr conditions, and a very twitchy front end.
It is excellent in the dry, but hard in anything slippery. I have had one minor moment when I came off a roundabout and thought it was straight and gave it a bit of gas. The back end went wide, but my feeble car control just about coped.
I am planning to have the suspension geometry changed as I understand is possible to get a less twitchy front end. I am planning on having my right foot adjusted to prevent execess throttle travel and all will be well.
I think it's important to drive it somewhere where you can work out what is going on in terms of handling which is not the road!
Graham
It is excellent in the dry, but hard in anything slippery. I have had one minor moment when I came off a roundabout and thought it was straight and gave it a bit of gas. The back end went wide, but my feeble car control just about coped.
I am planning to have the suspension geometry changed as I understand is possible to get a less twitchy front end. I am planning on having my right foot adjusted to prevent execess throttle travel and all will be well.
I think it's important to drive it somewhere where you can work out what is going on in terms of handling which is not the road!
Graham
Bob Falfa said:
I've driven some fast cars in my time but none quite like this. Everybody's been warning me how dangerous they can be, that I've got to drive them "with respect" and that if I'm not careful in the wet then it will "bite me on the bum!"
An experienced TVR dealer told me that he'd sold one car to a customer, who wiped out the entire back end 1 minute after leaving the dealership, because he'd booted it under some trees that had dripped sap on the road!
So - apart from the usual black ice, cats that run out in front, and trees-heavy with sap, what else should I look out for? Is it mainly the back end that steps out? Or is there anything else I should be watching for?
An experienced TVR dealer told me that he'd sold one car to a customer, who wiped out the entire back end 1 minute after leaving the dealership, because he'd booted it under some trees that had dripped sap on the road!
So - apart from the usual black ice, cats that run out in front, and trees-heavy with sap, what else should I look out for? Is it mainly the back end that steps out? Or is there anything else I should be watching for?
Driving on wet/slippery roads you do need to exercise restraint but this shouldnt disuade you from doing it! Having owned a Griff now for 4 years I was also a bit concerned with ending up in a ditch when I first got the car and like you had limited experience driving such a powerful rear drive car with no driver aids whatsover!; I went on an advanced driver day with a company called ride drive which helped a lot with my confidence and understanding of how the car reacts then more recently I went on a track day which was even better for me because I got to learn how the car behaves at the limit; somewhere like Bedford has wide run off areas. Also another very worthwhile and affordable visit is to take your car to a decent TVR race specialist that has the experience of race car set up and get them to check your entire suspension and adjust and set it up if needed. Topcats near Aylesbury come highly recommended by me and other TVR owners. This can make a huge difference if it is not set up correctly which is quite likely if it hasnt been done for a while. Most importantly have fun! It is very rewarding once you start to improve your driving skills and become more confident with the car.
My Chimaera only once got the better of me, and that was at about 5mph pulling out of a wet T-junction. In front of a bus stop full of spectators 
If you drive like a nutter, you'll be in trouble. If you show the car some respect, it will be fine.
Just whatever you do, don't stamp on the accelerator. Be progressive.
If you drive like a nutter, you'll be in trouble. If you show the car some respect, it will be fine.
Just whatever you do, don't stamp on the accelerator. Be progressive.
. If you treat the car with respect, and assuming it is set up properly, it will be absolutely fine. The problem is always caused by people who stamp on the loud pedal -- and if you do that while trying to turn right from a junction then you are going to embarass yourself.
I've had new Ohlin shocks put on mine, decent Toyo tyres, and a full geometry set up and it handles absolutely superbly. Several experienced TVR owners have tried it and all say how well balanced it is. It's not twitchy in any way and is entirely predictable under all circumstances. When the roads are wet and greasy the power over traction ratio shifts, naturally, but it should never really come as a surprise.
Drive smoothly, brake and accelerate progressively. Learn how to heel and toe smoothly. Get some advanced driver tuition like Ride Drive and enjoy the car.
hugh
I've had new Ohlin shocks put on mine, decent Toyo tyres, and a full geometry set up and it handles absolutely superbly. Several experienced TVR owners have tried it and all say how well balanced it is. It's not twitchy in any way and is entirely predictable under all circumstances. When the roads are wet and greasy the power over traction ratio shifts, naturally, but it should never really come as a surprise.
Drive smoothly, brake and accelerate progressively. Learn how to heel and toe smoothly. Get some advanced driver tuition like Ride Drive and enjoy the car.
hugh
Watch out for diesel on the road... at this time of year, there is clearly a tanker that drives around looking for TVR owners, so they can be sent spinning towards a hedge... 
Seriously though, drive it like a t
t and it'll do the same to you. Ran mine through two winters as an only car, in rain, ice, hail, fog and even snow - and it didn't leave the black stuff.
Seriously though, drive it like a t
t and it'll do the same to you. Ran mine through two winters as an only car, in rain, ice, hail, fog and even snow - and it didn't leave the black stuff.i had lightweight rwd seven that was exceptionally tail happy. I had the tail pop out whilst driving normally around wet roundabouts and for no apparent reason. I believe it was worn & smooth manhole covers that seemed to break traction. small thing, but i certainly paid more attention to road condition after those incidents.
leadfootlydon said:
It has been a month since this thread started. And it has been wet.
Have you found out yet?
Have you found out yet?
Well I haven't had it sideways yet. Little bit skittish coming out of a junction the morning after a downpour.
The noise is orgasmic - makes my mates rally spec MkII Escort sound like a teenager with asthma. But what really gets me is the acceleration. There's a short blast of three land motorway between town and where we live. Coming on to the sliproad I nailed it. Before I knew it I was doing over a ton in the outside lane and having to do some fancy manuvering so's not to miss my junction!
Only faults so far are a little bit of vibration through the steering wheel at speed, and the alarm keeps going off. Oh, and people keep asking me how many miles to the gallon it does. I just reply: "0-60 4.8 seconds."
Another few tips.
1) do not use engine braking, use the brake.
2) do not use engine braking, use the brake (just in case you missed it the first time).
3) when changing down make sure the engine revs are matched to the gear to avoid a jerk as this can cause problems in the wet.
4) ensure car is pointing straight before opertaing the loud pedal.
5) even as low as 30mph bends/roundabouts can lead to rear end twitches in the wet.
6) now you are a month into ownership you will be thinking that you are getting used to it - you are not
7) even in the dry beware of loose stuff e.g. gravel
8) do not get involved in road "antics" with other vehicles. You will probably kill them in a straight line and yourself on the bends.
9) enjoy the interest/admiration of the public. I still do.
10) change down whenever you are in a tunnel even if you don't need to.
1) do not use engine braking, use the brake.
2) do not use engine braking, use the brake (just in case you missed it the first time).
3) when changing down make sure the engine revs are matched to the gear to avoid a jerk as this can cause problems in the wet.
4) ensure car is pointing straight before opertaing the loud pedal.
5) even as low as 30mph bends/roundabouts can lead to rear end twitches in the wet.
6) now you are a month into ownership you will be thinking that you are getting used to it - you are not
7) even in the dry beware of loose stuff e.g. gravel
8) do not get involved in road "antics" with other vehicles. You will probably kill them in a straight line and yourself on the bends.
9) enjoy the interest/admiration of the public. I still do.
10) change down whenever you are in a tunnel even if you don't need to.
over_the_hill said:
Another few tips.
1) do not use engine braking, use the brake.
2) do not use engine braking, use the brake (just in case you missed it the first time).
3) when changing down make sure the engine revs are matched to the gear to avoid a jerk as this can cause problems in the wet.
4) ensure car is pointing straight before opertaing the loud pedal.
5) even as low as 30mph bends/roundabouts can lead to rear end twitches in the wet.
6) now you are a month into ownership you will be thinking that you are getting used to it - you are not
7) even in the dry beware of loose stuff e.g. gravel
8) do not get involved in road "antics" with other vehicles. You will probably kill them in a straight line and yourself on the bends.
9) enjoy the interest/admiration of the public. I still do.
10) change down whenever you are in a tunnel even if you don't need to.
1) do not use engine braking, use the brake.
2) do not use engine braking, use the brake (just in case you missed it the first time).
3) when changing down make sure the engine revs are matched to the gear to avoid a jerk as this can cause problems in the wet.
4) ensure car is pointing straight before opertaing the loud pedal.
5) even as low as 30mph bends/roundabouts can lead to rear end twitches in the wet.
6) now you are a month into ownership you will be thinking that you are getting used to it - you are not
7) even in the dry beware of loose stuff e.g. gravel
8) do not get involved in road "antics" with other vehicles. You will probably kill them in a straight line and yourself on the bends.
9) enjoy the interest/admiration of the public. I still do.
10) change down whenever you are in a tunnel even if you don't need to.
I'll second each and every one of those points.
Failing to observe #2 and #3 pitched me off the track at Goodwood (wet)
. Failing to observe #4 caught me out twice (on wet dual carriageways)
. Hopefully there won't be a third time. Deliberately failing to observe #5 is a bad habit of mine.
. Fortunately I am not tempted by #8. I prefer to have mad drivers in front of me.
#9 and #10 . No need to comment.
Gassing Station | Advanced Driving | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff