Tempted to buy a Chimp..

[Julesprivate]

A short while back I was looking for my first TVR and stumbled across an S1 locally. Saw it, fell in lust and bought it then and there....that was May of this year.

Now I am seriously considering getting a nice Chimaera, initially to sit alongside the S and then possibly to replace it. TBH I am not sure which of the two I'd have more "fun" in so the plan is to have both, then eventually make a decision.

I'll sell one of my bikes to fund the purchase and add a bit of cash so have around £10k to play with.

In my brief ownership period I have learnt quite a bit (I hope). My S is pretty nice, OK well to be honest it's fantastic. When it first started it sounded more like a V8 than a V6 (it has the S3 V8 exhaust fitted) which was a pleasant surprise and one of the joys is to rag it in first and second so it roars and booms, then show the passenger the speedo and it's sitting steadily at 40 MPH so all that fun is legal (more or less).

It handles well enough (trailing arms are a bit short so it squats a bit), ground clearance.....would be nice.. and it's comical to get in and out of with the roof on (I'm 6'1" and big build).

But I think I'm drifting off the point really...

Have any of you guys gone from an S to a Chimaera and if so are you glad of the move or think it was a mistake (mistake is probably the wrong word).

I'd ask if it seemed sensible to have two TVRs but then again if sensible was an option I doubt I'd have one!

My S has been (on the whole) reliable, it's cheap to run (30MPG, cheap parts, cheap insurance) so all in all it's been great so far. I expect the Chimaera to be more expensive all over but that's not really abig deal (after all you can't take it with you).

Would it be completely bonkers to have a Chimaera and an S? My wife thinks it's a bit too extravagant to have both, I'm more "flexible" in my attitude.

Edited by Julesprivate on Wednesday 10th October 08:41

[Podie]

Yep. S3c to Chimaera 450.

Very different cars. The S was more chuckable, whilst the Chimaera quicker, and more of a GT. Currently have a Griff 500 - so I've got grounds for comparison.

Try a Chimaera - you'll find it's largely better put together and more refined.

You may find you want something in the middle... a V8S.

[reddersv8]

Hi Jules,
My Chim should be going on PH website late today/ tomorrow. Keep an eye on the classifieds if your still considering..

[Julesprivate]

Thanks Paul - will do..

I see you're a biker LOL, don't fancy a deal on a B-King do you.. tasteful mods (carbon fibre pods etc) and a low level exhaust... Superb condition :-)

[james280779]

I went from a Cosworth Powered S1 to a Chimp, the S is a go kart and was probably quicker than the first chimera I had, the Chimera is so refined and super smooth.
I sold the car to pay for a wedding and have recently bought myself a gorgeous chimp 400 with a 4.3 fitted that was then bored out to a 4.6.

When I was looking I initially wanted a 5.0 but after driving a few this was the best with lowest miles and felt the quickest. It was also the oldest (1995).

so buy on condition and preference and dont get hung up on a particular model. try the griff as thats more like the S and various engine types. Definately try a V8 S if you can as that will be a perfect middle ground. Dont do as I did and cossie convert as it cost me over 10k and I would have been better off getting a V8.

just for reference

[Chilliman]

Gaah it's not a Chimp it's a Chim. Chimp is a derogatory expression used by those girly Bs that inhabit the Griff forum. Nice Cossie lump by the way

[Julesprivate]

Chilliman said:

Gaah it's not a Chimp it's a Chim. Chimp is a derogatory expression used by those girly Bs that inhabit the Griff forum. Nice Cossie lump by the way

Ooops - I apologise, I took it to be a term of endearment

[C350]

Brought mine a few weeks ago and have managed to get out every weekend since. Starting to get more confident and push it a little bit more but its just such fun at all speeds Oh, and the noise

[pb450]

Chilliman said:

Gaah it's not a Chimp it's a Chim. Chimp is a derogatory expression used by those girly Bs that inhabit the Griff forum. Nice Cossie lump by the way

+1. With a silent 'h', pronounced 'kim'? (or it is the way I say it )

[seeby]

pb450 said:

Chilliman said:

Gaah it's not a Chimp it's a Chim. Chimp is a derogatory expression used by those girly Bs that inhabit the Griff forum. Nice Cossie lump by the way

+1. With a silent 'h', pronounced 'kim'? (or it is the way I say it )

Me too Although someone at a meet recently got it all wrong and said (KIMPY) !!

[pwd95]

Julesprivate said:

Chilliman said:

Gaah it's not a Chimp it's a Chim. Chimp is a derogatory expression used by those girly Bs that inhabit the Griff forum. Nice Cossie lump by the way

Ooops - I apologise, I took it to be a term of endearment

Both mine have been Chimps. Term of endearment for me. & we are currently in the Chimp Cage.

[reddersv8]

Hello again Jules;
My Chim [I call mine Trev actually!!] has just gone 'live'. Its currently the 'latest' addition to website. The link is http://classifieds.pistonheads.com/classifieds/use...

Not sure about a B King, but post pictures if you have.

Good Luck with your Quest. I'm only selling due to my 'flying fund' being low, [I'm a PPL holder], and poor old Trev must go.

Cheers,
Paul.

[Julesprivate]

reddersv8 said:

Not sure about a B King, but post pictures if you have.

I can never seem to get the hang of posting pics but I'll have a go:

[Julesprivate]

TBH I suspect it won't be a lot of use to you, there wouldn't be a lot of money to put in the flying fund

[reddersv8]

Nice B King Jules. Must be 'entertaining' to ride!'

[Julesprivate]

That's the word.... ~170 BHP and a 200 section contact patch... Probably a bit less entertaining in the rain than a Chimaera..