Torn between Boxster / Chimaera - sell it to me !
Discussion
HI all
new to this forum, very well laid out it is too.. I am a fiat coupe forum regular having just sold my 6 speed 20v Turbo as i am getting a company car in a new job.. I loved the coupe as it made a great noise and was quick (you boxster drivers have no doubt had a play with a coop turbo now and again !)
Anwyay, outright speed is not my mission - i am after a nice fun 2 seater to roll out of the garage on good days, look after it and not pile too many miles on. I do like the boxster though i havent driven one yet.
I am after some advice although i know you guys will be biased ! I have around £20-24k to play with and am torn between a TVR chimaera or Boxster.. so be honest guys, sell the boxster to me.. the TVR guys have already done a good job in 30 mins and I have driven a Chimaera and it sends tingles down my fingertips..
WHat will my 20-24 odd K get me ? is it ok to buy one from a specialist or always a main dealer ? I know most need leather, 17 inch wheels, AC for resale.. anything else other then FSH of course ?
cheers, any advice appreciated !
andy
new to this forum, very well laid out it is too.. I am a fiat coupe forum regular having just sold my 6 speed 20v Turbo as i am getting a company car in a new job.. I loved the coupe as it made a great noise and was quick (you boxster drivers have no doubt had a play with a coop turbo now and again !)
Anwyay, outright speed is not my mission - i am after a nice fun 2 seater to roll out of the garage on good days, look after it and not pile too many miles on. I do like the boxster though i havent driven one yet.
I am after some advice although i know you guys will be biased ! I have around £20-24k to play with and am torn between a TVR chimaera or Boxster.. so be honest guys, sell the boxster to me.. the TVR guys have already done a good job in 30 mins and I have driven a Chimaera and it sends tingles down my fingertips..
WHat will my 20-24 odd K get me ? is it ok to buy one from a specialist or always a main dealer ? I know most need leather, 17 inch wheels, AC for resale.. anything else other then FSH of course ?
cheers, any advice appreciated !
andy
Right.
I own one of each and have written several comparison posts over the years...I'll look out the info and post it up again for you.
The answer is read my comparison...then test drive BOTH. The Boxster is fantastic - in its way. The Chimaera is fantastic - its way.
Anyone who tells you one is better than the other is wrong. They're just telling you which one they prefer.
Info later on tonight...
I own one of each and have written several comparison posts over the years...I'll look out the info and post it up again for you.
The answer is read my comparison...then test drive BOTH. The Boxster is fantastic - in its way. The Chimaera is fantastic - its way.
Anyone who tells you one is better than the other is wrong. They're just telling you which one they prefer.
Info later on tonight...
hehe, well, I owned my chim for the last 19 mths..
Now, I am moving onto a porker..
Prob a GT3, but we shall see...
The Chim is an excellent car, you wont regret getting it... the boxster is a very nice car too.
It all depends what you want.. the 450 will rock for performance, destroy a boxster.... but the porsche is easier to drive.. less thought needed..
IMHO..
Checkout the classifieds, plenty of chims for sale (inc mine :P) save the cash, get a chim, and then get a porker later if you desire
Now, I am moving onto a porker..
Prob a GT3, but we shall see...
The Chim is an excellent car, you wont regret getting it... the boxster is a very nice car too.
It all depends what you want.. the 450 will rock for performance, destroy a boxster.... but the porsche is easier to drive.. less thought needed..
IMHO..
Checkout the classifieds, plenty of chims for sale (inc mine :P) save the cash, get a chim, and then get a porker later if you desire
HungryJim asked:
The Boxster S is a good car, even compared to an Elise, how would the Boxster look against a TVR Chimaera one of its rivals.
I’ve never been in a Boxster but since the launch of the new model i took an interest.
Don replied:
Well.
I am uniquely placed to answer that. I own both. A TVR Chimaera 450 and a Boxster S. And yes..I have the new model Boxster S on order...
So. How do they compare....
1) The Chimaera accelerates more quickly. 4.7 vs 5.7 to 60. And 11.5 vs 14 to 100. This IS noticeable in the drive. But..less than you'd think. 5.7 to 60mph is still like s*** off a shiny shovel in comparison to most road cars....so you still get the power advantage when wanting to overtake or other power based manouvre.
2) The Boxster S I have corners more quickly than the Chimaera. Sticks to road like s*** to a blanket. Amazing. Under power the car will understeer then oversteer but in a reasonably friendly way. It also hangs on further than you could believe. Errrr. The Chimaera doesn't. Oversteer under power...whooo hooo! Great fun...but don't overcook it and which one got through the corner quicker...? The Porsche.
3) The Chimaera sounds utterly brilliant in a loud'n'proud upfront kind of way. The Boxster is subdued at low revs - unassuming, you might say - once you boot it it makes the right kind of noise. Silverstone was seriously wonderful with the roof down
4) The Chimaera is a lumpy git to drive in traffic. The Boxster S isn't.
5) The Chimaera gets stared at even in the South. Everyone knows what a Boxster looks like.
6) I have received admiring comments and obscenities on both cars. You get more obsceneties in the Porsche.
7) The Chimaera smells fantastic sort of GRP and leather and...TVRness. Its great. The Boxster reeks of leather when new...and after hide food but it isn't the same....but I still like it.
8) When it rains the Chimaera roof goes up in a about a minute whilst you get soaked. The Boxster roof goes up in 12 seconds and you remain dry.
9) The Chimaera has a lot of wind noise at high speed with the roof on. The Boxster is quiet.
10) The Chimaera has a HUGE and PRACTICAL boot. AND a rear parcel shelf that is HUGE. The Boxster has two smaller boots and is significantly less practical for trips away on the luggage front. But you can still do it.
11) The Boxster has little lights everywhere so you can see into the boot, luggage areas etc. In the Chimaera you fumble in the dark.
12) The Chimaera is made of GRP so the paint doesn't stick to it so well as a metal car. This means it collects stone chips more quickly than the Boxster.
13) Bits of trim in the Chimaera come off occaisionally. The Boxster's trim is solid. Hewn from granite solid.
14) The Porsche's running costs are surprisingly low. The Chimaera's running costs are teeth itchingly, horrifyingly high. I have objective evidence to prove it.
In short. The Boxster is sheer class, quality oozes from every surface. Its a subtle car...but as ownership continues I have learned a deep respect for it...and will always have one whilst I can afford it. Its easy to live with but can still provide excitement on road and track and will do it all with aplomb time and again for years.
The Chimaera is love at first sight. Then as ownership continues that love grows...as do the bills. Its full of character and a joy to drive.
They're both good. What can I say? Each one will suit a different owner - or suit the same owner differently.
If I had to choose I'd buy the Porsche. But God I'd miss the TVR.
HungyJim asked:
I would have thought the Porsche would be more practical and better at longer journeys. With the hood down which one is more practical ?
Don replied:
Well. I have undertaken journeys of some hundreds of miles in both. Do so quite regularly actually.
The Chimaera has a larger volume of boot space and its all in one place. This makes it VERY practical for taking large quantities of luggage - for instance if going away for a two week holiday with the wife.
It is, however, blisteringly inconvenient under those circumstances to take the roof off and on. Don't get me wrong... I have taken a vast quantity of luggage on holiday in the Chimaera and still had room for the roof in the boot. But the roadside show that we put on whenever rain started was hilarious - for everyone else.. This was in Ireland and there - it rains a lot.
The Chimaera has a parcel shelf which can take even more luggage if required...although you then have a security problem if you leave the roof off when its parked up. Due to this I have never toured with the Chimaera assuming that I will have luggage on the parcel shelf.
The Boxster has two boots. Both about half the volume of the Chimaera's. This means you must pack in baggage that will fit the spaces you have available. There is no parcel shelf - at all. Although there are plenty of little cubby holes, side pockets and in the new model - the astonishing innovation of a (gasp) glovebox.
Porsche will sell you a HUGELY expensive luggage set that makes the most of the two boots. Its absolutely beautiful stuff - anodised aluminium - light and strong. But at the better part of a thousand pounds I decided that I could do without it. Instead I bought a range of squishy bags that can be "squished" into any shape that the automotive engineer can come up with. Works fine. £150. Enough said.
So..which is most practical on a journey roof up, roof down?
If you've got the hardtop on the Boxster or its winter I'd say (gasp!) The Chimaera! You don't take the roof off so the fact it takes an age and all the luggage has to go in and out and the parcel shelf isn't secure doesn't matter. At that point the extra space in the Chimaera wins hands down.
If its the summer and its hot...it has to be the Boxster. That roof goes up and down before you have time to say "do you think that cloud looks a bit threatening, dear?". It doesn't require any access to the luggage compartment and you don't have to get out of the car. You just have to take a little less stuff with you.
By now the Mrs and I have bought "the minaturised one" of everything and are dab hands at taking only that which we need..and compacting it into less space than anyone thought possible.
Bottom line: either one works. Both have disadvantages and advantages.
The Boxster S is a good car, even compared to an Elise, how would the Boxster look against a TVR Chimaera one of its rivals.
I’ve never been in a Boxster but since the launch of the new model i took an interest.
Don replied:
Well.
I am uniquely placed to answer that. I own both. A TVR Chimaera 450 and a Boxster S. And yes..I have the new model Boxster S on order...
So. How do they compare....
1) The Chimaera accelerates more quickly. 4.7 vs 5.7 to 60. And 11.5 vs 14 to 100. This IS noticeable in the drive. But..less than you'd think. 5.7 to 60mph is still like s*** off a shiny shovel in comparison to most road cars....so you still get the power advantage when wanting to overtake or other power based manouvre.
2) The Boxster S I have corners more quickly than the Chimaera. Sticks to road like s*** to a blanket. Amazing. Under power the car will understeer then oversteer but in a reasonably friendly way. It also hangs on further than you could believe. Errrr. The Chimaera doesn't. Oversteer under power...whooo hooo! Great fun...but don't overcook it and which one got through the corner quicker...? The Porsche.
3) The Chimaera sounds utterly brilliant in a loud'n'proud upfront kind of way. The Boxster is subdued at low revs - unassuming, you might say - once you boot it it makes the right kind of noise. Silverstone was seriously wonderful with the roof down
4) The Chimaera is a lumpy git to drive in traffic. The Boxster S isn't.
5) The Chimaera gets stared at even in the South. Everyone knows what a Boxster looks like.
6) I have received admiring comments and obscenities on both cars. You get more obsceneties in the Porsche.
7) The Chimaera smells fantastic sort of GRP and leather and...TVRness. Its great. The Boxster reeks of leather when new...and after hide food but it isn't the same....but I still like it.
8) When it rains the Chimaera roof goes up in a about a minute whilst you get soaked. The Boxster roof goes up in 12 seconds and you remain dry.
9) The Chimaera has a lot of wind noise at high speed with the roof on. The Boxster is quiet.
10) The Chimaera has a HUGE and PRACTICAL boot. AND a rear parcel shelf that is HUGE. The Boxster has two smaller boots and is significantly less practical for trips away on the luggage front. But you can still do it.
11) The Boxster has little lights everywhere so you can see into the boot, luggage areas etc. In the Chimaera you fumble in the dark.
12) The Chimaera is made of GRP so the paint doesn't stick to it so well as a metal car. This means it collects stone chips more quickly than the Boxster.
13) Bits of trim in the Chimaera come off occaisionally. The Boxster's trim is solid. Hewn from granite solid.
14) The Porsche's running costs are surprisingly low. The Chimaera's running costs are teeth itchingly, horrifyingly high. I have objective evidence to prove it.
In short. The Boxster is sheer class, quality oozes from every surface. Its a subtle car...but as ownership continues I have learned a deep respect for it...and will always have one whilst I can afford it. Its easy to live with but can still provide excitement on road and track and will do it all with aplomb time and again for years.
The Chimaera is love at first sight. Then as ownership continues that love grows...as do the bills. Its full of character and a joy to drive.
They're both good. What can I say? Each one will suit a different owner - or suit the same owner differently.
If I had to choose I'd buy the Porsche. But God I'd miss the TVR.
HungyJim asked:
I would have thought the Porsche would be more practical and better at longer journeys. With the hood down which one is more practical ?
Don replied:
Well. I have undertaken journeys of some hundreds of miles in both. Do so quite regularly actually.
The Chimaera has a larger volume of boot space and its all in one place. This makes it VERY practical for taking large quantities of luggage - for instance if going away for a two week holiday with the wife.
It is, however, blisteringly inconvenient under those circumstances to take the roof off and on. Don't get me wrong... I have taken a vast quantity of luggage on holiday in the Chimaera and still had room for the roof in the boot. But the roadside show that we put on whenever rain started was hilarious - for everyone else.. This was in Ireland and there - it rains a lot.
The Chimaera has a parcel shelf which can take even more luggage if required...although you then have a security problem if you leave the roof off when its parked up. Due to this I have never toured with the Chimaera assuming that I will have luggage on the parcel shelf.
The Boxster has two boots. Both about half the volume of the Chimaera's. This means you must pack in baggage that will fit the spaces you have available. There is no parcel shelf - at all. Although there are plenty of little cubby holes, side pockets and in the new model - the astonishing innovation of a (gasp) glovebox.
Porsche will sell you a HUGELY expensive luggage set that makes the most of the two boots. Its absolutely beautiful stuff - anodised aluminium - light and strong. But at the better part of a thousand pounds I decided that I could do without it. Instead I bought a range of squishy bags that can be "squished" into any shape that the automotive engineer can come up with. Works fine. £150. Enough said.
So..which is most practical on a journey roof up, roof down?
If you've got the hardtop on the Boxster or its winter I'd say (gasp!) The Chimaera! You don't take the roof off so the fact it takes an age and all the luggage has to go in and out and the parcel shelf isn't secure doesn't matter. At that point the extra space in the Chimaera wins hands down.
If its the summer and its hot...it has to be the Boxster. That roof goes up and down before you have time to say "do you think that cloud looks a bit threatening, dear?". It doesn't require any access to the luggage compartment and you don't have to get out of the car. You just have to take a little less stuff with you.
By now the Mrs and I have bought "the minaturised one" of everything and are dab hands at taking only that which we need..and compacting it into less space than anyone thought possible.
Bottom line: either one works. Both have disadvantages and advantages.
I've had two Griffiths and now own a Boxster - a 2.5 not an "S" like Don. I think that you'll find that the performance of a Chimaera is a lot stronger than a 2.5 (which is what you would get for £20 - 24K). However the "quality" is quick different in the opposite direction - both build quality and engineering quality.
To my mind the biggest difference is about th e"usability" I was looking for an only car - both my Griffiths have been, the Boxster is MUCH better for everyday use (things like how hot a TVR gets with the hood up) - but if you are only after a weekend fun car this will be of less importance.
Yo me the difference is clear, if you want a toy - buy a Chimeara (or better still a Griffith ;-)), if you want a car buy the Boxster.
I really loved my Griffiths, but have a lot of respect for the Boxster as a more rounded product.
TVR more fun and Special - Boxster better car.
Just my twopence.
Mike.
To my mind the biggest difference is about th e"usability" I was looking for an only car - both my Griffiths have been, the Boxster is MUCH better for everyday use (things like how hot a TVR gets with the hood up) - but if you are only after a weekend fun car this will be of less importance.
Yo me the difference is clear, if you want a toy - buy a Chimeara (or better still a Griffith ;-)), if you want a car buy the Boxster.
I really loved my Griffiths, but have a lot of respect for the Boxster as a more rounded product.
TVR more fun and Special - Boxster better car.
Just my twopence.
Mike.
thanks for the opinions guys, very balanced arguments on both sides..
the car will be strictly a fun car as I will be getting a company car - and a reasonbably fun one such as a Seat Leon Cupra R or Civic Type R - so i want a convertible 2 seater..
The chimaera amazed me how practical it was but of course the great residuals etc of the Boxster are quite appealing, but guess its not as raw and special as a weekend car compared to the TVR
the car will be strictly a fun car as I will be getting a company car - and a reasonbably fun one such as a Seat Leon Cupra R or Civic Type R - so i want a convertible 2 seater..
The chimaera amazed me how practical it was but of course the great residuals etc of the Boxster are quite appealing, but guess its not as raw and special as a weekend car compared to the TVR
petepeter said:
Spend 25 k and get yourself a 964 rs.. or a 993c2.
not a lot of good if the fella wants a convertable tho
push the budget up a little and get some thing like this low miles RHD 993 cab spotted on another forum for £30k. Put a sports exhaust on a 993 and I for one think it sounds a lot sweeter than a chim.
A Porsche from the hewn from granite era too, & not made from old washing up bowls like a TreVoR
Buy a 993 get bored, sell it for what you paid and buy a TVR later. I cant see a 993 depreciating much, and you can then move onto a Chimeara or (This will probably happen) keep the porker and buy a chimeara to keep with it eventually. Best of both worlds in the long run. The 993 is a very nice car, but its never going to be a TVR, likewise the TVR isnt always going to be as trouble free.
As a future Cerbera owner (will buy dads probably) I would go for the TVR, but I cant help but feel you might as well try the 993 for a bit. As don says, both superb in thier own right, get either one and save up to have both later on.
Test drive them both, im probably talking total
.
Edited to add - it seems the censored smily doesnt come over stuff automatically anymore, so I change it to the smiley myself. Looks like Teds playing around with the forums.
>> Edited by BCA on Wednesday 18th June 00:10
As a future Cerbera owner (will buy dads probably) I would go for the TVR, but I cant help but feel you might as well try the 993 for a bit. As don says, both superb in thier own right, get either one and save up to have both later on.
Test drive them both, im probably talking total
. Edited to add - it seems the censored smily doesnt come over stuff automatically anymore, so I change it to the smiley myself. Looks like Teds playing around with the forums.
>> Edited by BCA on Wednesday 18th June 00:10
The iguana has a very good point too - the S2000 is a superb car - I absolutely loved it on a test drive recently. Sure its not the equal of a Boxster S but it costs 20K less too....240bhp is certainly respectable. The handling was magnificent I felt.
But still...if its a weekend only then ... get a Chimaera...fantastic fun. You can be unlucky and have one that's a fortune to maintain BUT if you're not relying on it to get you to work (like we do) then you can spread the maintenance costs out a bit.
From your responses I'd suggest a Chimaera. I guarantee you'll love it (we do). But before you go putting down your hard-earned go test drive a Boxster and/or S2000 just so you know you're making the right choice.
You may come away surprises
But still...if its a weekend only then ... get a Chimaera...fantastic fun. You can be unlucky and have one that's a fortune to maintain BUT if you're not relying on it to get you to work (like we do) then you can spread the maintenance costs out a bit.
From your responses I'd suggest a Chimaera. I guarantee you'll love it (we do). But before you go putting down your hard-earned go test drive a Boxster and/or S2000 just so you know you're making the right choice.
You may come away surprises
have actually driven an S2000 and although the component parts were great - handling, gearchange very sweet, reasonably practical, it jsut didnt stir my emotions - certainly wasnt any quicker than my coupe turbo in the real world as you needed to rev the nuts off it to get anywhere but the coupe had masses of low rev torque.. I cant help thinking they should have put a lightweight V6 Vtec in the S2000 rather than a 4cylinder.. nice car but wouldnt spend my cash on one ..just wasnt good enough overall, certainly not as a second car.
If you want pure adrenalin for the weekend, get a Caterham. With prices as they are at the minute you'd be able to get a good SLR. And nothing will touch that performance wise other than another Caterham, a fast bike or perhaps a Radical (how often do you see those on the road).
Have you thought about a Griffith? I've never driven one, but to my eyes they look nicer than the Chim' and I've heard they give the heart a bit more of a workout.
If I were going to the Porsche stable for a weekend toy it'd have to be some sort of 911 for me. This probably puts you in something quite a bit older though...a 993 variant would be my choice if you could stretch to it (I'll almost certainly get one of these one day).
Apologise if this offends anyone on here, and it's almost certainly symptomatic with living in the South East, but a Boxster simply wouldn't be special enough for a weekend buzz. As an "everyday, commute to work, don't have cliff face residuals" type of motor they have substantial merit. But I've never been able to get my head round cars that you can't tell whether they're going backwards or forwards
Based on what I think you're after, my money would probably go on a Griff.
Andy
PS Have you thought about a Ferrari 308? 328's might even be within reach. Running costs might not be all you'd think they are, spritely performance, in GTS trim you get wind in your hair and they're lovely to look at...
PPS If you wanted to be really different, what about a Marcos?
Have you thought about a Griffith? I've never driven one, but to my eyes they look nicer than the Chim' and I've heard they give the heart a bit more of a workout.
If I were going to the Porsche stable for a weekend toy it'd have to be some sort of 911 for me. This probably puts you in something quite a bit older though...a 993 variant would be my choice if you could stretch to it (I'll almost certainly get one of these one day).
Apologise if this offends anyone on here, and it's almost certainly symptomatic with living in the South East, but a Boxster simply wouldn't be special enough for a weekend buzz. As an "everyday, commute to work, don't have cliff face residuals" type of motor they have substantial merit. But I've never been able to get my head round cars that you can't tell whether they're going backwards or forwards
Based on what I think you're after, my money would probably go on a Griff.
Andy
PS Have you thought about a Ferrari 308? 328's might even be within reach. Running costs might not be all you'd think they are, spritely performance, in GTS trim you get wind in your hair and they're lovely to look at...
PPS If you wanted to be really different, what about a Marcos?
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