RE: PH Fleet: TVR Chimaera 4.0
Discussion
MarJay said:
Most estate cars (or indeed saloons) are softly sprung enough to cope with the odd pothole, but I still want a car that has that fantastic 'locked in' feeling you get from a decent RWD car. You don't get that in a wallowy 4x4... you don't even get it in a turbo rally rep like a Subaru. Its that feeling you get when there isn't even the remotest hint that the car will understeer, and the car turns better when you progressively add throttle through the corner. Much like a motorcycle I guess...
That's why my Disco is my 3rd car, behind a V8 RWD and a nippy FWD hot hatch 
Zumbruk said:
MarJay said:
I'm still a little confused as to the appeal of the Rangie,
Once you've owned one, you'll know. Like TVRs, they get under your skin.
2fster said:
article said:
The Porsche 944S2 has been loaned to a friend for a few months as I wasn't really using it and my mate needed a car.
My mate once loaned me his Mk2 Astra 1.2 when I was in a need of a car . . . hoyin said:
Oh I must have seen you the other week as well if you live in Hammersmith.
I work just down the road. So if you see a mentalist chinese cyclist all in black give you a frantic wave, please just wave back and don't run me over!
Alternatively - on some days I'll be in my silver Noble.
I think I will have to scratch the TVR itch one day too.
Your silver Noble doesn't have a THE***G reg, does it? Saw it the other day at Chiswick and was impressed. I work just down the road. So if you see a mentalist chinese cyclist all in black give you a frantic wave, please just wave back and don't run me over!
Alternatively - on some days I'll be in my silver Noble.
I think I will have to scratch the TVR itch one day too.
MarJay said:
Its all well and good saying that, and I am inclined to believe you... however people say the same thing about VW Camper vans, and they are totally awful to drive. They have no redeeming qualities and aren't even that good to camp in...
VW campers are about independence, the community, and most importantly the ability to have a proper cup of tea (and a joint, presumably) when queueing on the M5 Edited by Gridl0k on Wednesday 10th March 13:47
Garlick - spot on, I've had my 4 litre Chim for 7 years and driven it almost every day. It needs time in the garage every once in a while, but no more than other performance cars. Plenty of boot space and every journey is a pleasure. I have to admit that I dont hide my smile when I wake others in my car!
Garlick said:
My affection for Range Rovers started early when the original one came out and I got a lift in one as a child. I then took many in part exchange during my time at a Merc dealer in the 90's and I always knew I would end up with one sooner or later.
Great write up Garlick. I started admiring them when a neighbour of ours had a lovely 3 door in the early eighties. My folks also gave me a toy Range Rover convertible and fake horse box that was in Octopussy around the same time. I finally bought a silver '84 5 door Vogue in 1995 (traded a '79 924 for it)and fell in love with the classic model even though I ended up having to replace the heater matrix, fix a broken speedo, repair a sticking brake bias shuttle and replace the fuel tank (which involved dropping the back axle). The fuel tank issue was a bummer because I couldn't fill past half way so prior to fixing it I wasn't spending much time away from petrol stations. Even after all that hassle I'd have another tomorrow. Probably in silver again.MarJay said:
Zumbruk said:
MarJay said:
I'm still a little confused as to the appeal of the Rangie,
Once you've owned one, you'll know. Like TVRs, they get under your skin.MarJay said:
Everything you've described about the Chim applies to a decent motorcycle, except without the bills!
My Buell pops and bangs on the overrun, but it doesn't really upset small children. It turns every journey into an event and when the road gets twisty it makes me smile. Maintenance is easier and cheaper if you don't want to do it yourself.
The only downside is that it isn't much fun in the rain, and its not ideal when its snowing, but I guess that applies to the Chim too!
I also wonder how much of the justification behind buying the Chim was "Oh but I can write about it for work!!".
While driving along a country lane on a sunny day if you aren't feeling the need to punch a hole in the horison. you can relax in a chim and luxuriate in the leather seats enjoy the wind in your hair and the rumble of the v8. I have never known a motorcyclist to luxuriate in their leather on a sunny day nor enjoy the wind in their hair. It is also very difficult to relax whilst driving a bike. Bikes have their place and so do cars. while a bike easilly rivals a tvr for a weekend performance vehicle to say it is better is to miss most of the attractions of tvr ownership.My Buell pops and bangs on the overrun, but it doesn't really upset small children. It turns every journey into an event and when the road gets twisty it makes me smile. Maintenance is easier and cheaper if you don't want to do it yourself.
The only downside is that it isn't much fun in the rain, and its not ideal when its snowing, but I guess that applies to the Chim too!
I also wonder how much of the justification behind buying the Chim was "Oh but I can write about it for work!!".
Edited by MarJay on Wednesday 10th March 11:06
I felt exactley the same when I first bought me 450 Chim. This was even better than the 400's I'd tried, ( smoother/quicker but nothing wrong with 400! ). Then I bought a Griff500 and fettled it. If you like the Chim feel/thrill/grunt/usability, try a well sorted Griff500 - you will be smitten!
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