Chimaera vs Lotus Esprit
Discussion
Having owned neither but considered both, I'd definitely go for a Chimaera over an Esprit, purely based on cost of ownership.
Whilst the V8 Chimps are bulletproof, the Esprit engines are far less so and always end up with huge bills when they break down.
And performance wise, other than the V8 Esprit (avoid the early ones like the plague) and the S4s/S300, the Chimaera is definitely quicker.
Handling might be another thing, though.
I suppose its down to what you want it to do !!
SOOTY
Whilst the V8 Chimps are bulletproof, the Esprit engines are far less so and always end up with huge bills when they break down.
And performance wise, other than the V8 Esprit (avoid the early ones like the plague) and the S4s/S300, the Chimaera is definitely quicker.
Handling might be another thing, though.
I suppose its down to what you want it to do !!
SOOTY
Yes I had an Esprit 89 Turbo for 2 years and now have a Griff so my experiences have been/are:
Esprit
Performance - wait for the turbo, wait a bit more, we're off, lots of frantic gear changing, but impressive for a relatively frugal 2.2. never felt that fast to me although the figures tell you otherwise.
Looks - a real head turner
Handling - superb, very predictable, stable at high speeds but sheer width of car hinders fast B road progress, supple chassis and quite refined
Brakes - it has breaks? which pedal works those then?
Engine - doesn't suit the car, whining cam belts, sluggish off boost, plenty of lag, harsh when extended but for me very reliable
Gearbox - feels fragile and indirect. Managed to break a few syncros and selector fork.
Noise - horrible both inside and out
Fit and finish - generally good
Interior - looks special but cheap switch gear/instrumentation a let down, comfortable but leg and head room limited, pedals offset to centre combined with low steering wheel so no chance of heel and toe - well not for me and I had already taken the runners off the drivers seat(you need to be under 6' really)
parts/servicing - expensive (but I bet I could have saved a fortune in running costs if Pistonheads had been around then)
Other Lotus owners - great bunch
Best bit - you really are James Bond.
Marks out of 10 - for me 7 although I did love it.
Griff (same for Chim I imagine)
Performance - Jesus I'm going to get knicked in a minute
looks - a real head turner
handling - interesting and a real challenge but ultinmatley a very rewarding adrelalin pumping experience.
brakes - superb, lots of feel and very reassuring plus plenty of options for upgrades
engine - fantastic, loads of lazy grunt, pulls like a train smoothly right upto 6,000
Gearbox - Cetainly up to the job, a little notchy but manly and very direct
noise - fanatic all the time, burble or Nascar - you decide.
Fit and finish - generally an eye opener, it's not going to fall apart but sometimes it feels like it may do.
Interior - looks special, nice quality switch gear/instrumentation although greatly improved with a Leven shopping voucher.
Parts/servicing - not bad, somethings are expensive but these are not consumables and will rarely require replacing, some great independents with a passion for TVR.
Other TVR owners - great bunch
Best bit - the roof comes off
Marks out of 10 - for me 10 - I've had some problems but on the whole feel it's worth it.
Conclusion - if it had to be a daily driver (mine weren't/aren't) I would go for the Esprit although parking is a nightmare. Mainly for refinment, security - it's got a roof and lastly for the chassis and handling. But for a weekend, scare the crap out of yourself car it would have to be the Griff.
Obviously AIMHO
Good luck with the decision.
Cheers
David
Esprit
Performance - wait for the turbo, wait a bit more, we're off, lots of frantic gear changing, but impressive for a relatively frugal 2.2. never felt that fast to me although the figures tell you otherwise.
Looks - a real head turner
Handling - superb, very predictable, stable at high speeds but sheer width of car hinders fast B road progress, supple chassis and quite refined
Brakes - it has breaks? which pedal works those then?
Engine - doesn't suit the car, whining cam belts, sluggish off boost, plenty of lag, harsh when extended but for me very reliable
Gearbox - feels fragile and indirect. Managed to break a few syncros and selector fork.
Noise - horrible both inside and out
Fit and finish - generally good
Interior - looks special but cheap switch gear/instrumentation a let down, comfortable but leg and head room limited, pedals offset to centre combined with low steering wheel so no chance of heel and toe - well not for me and I had already taken the runners off the drivers seat(you need to be under 6' really)
parts/servicing - expensive (but I bet I could have saved a fortune in running costs if Pistonheads had been around then)
Other Lotus owners - great bunch
Best bit - you really are James Bond.
Marks out of 10 - for me 7 although I did love it.
Griff (same for Chim I imagine)
Performance - Jesus I'm going to get knicked in a minute
looks - a real head turner
handling - interesting and a real challenge but ultinmatley a very rewarding adrelalin pumping experience.
brakes - superb, lots of feel and very reassuring plus plenty of options for upgrades
engine - fantastic, loads of lazy grunt, pulls like a train smoothly right upto 6,000
Gearbox - Cetainly up to the job, a little notchy but manly and very direct
noise - fanatic all the time, burble or Nascar - you decide.
Fit and finish - generally an eye opener, it's not going to fall apart but sometimes it feels like it may do.
Interior - looks special, nice quality switch gear/instrumentation although greatly improved with a Leven shopping voucher.
Parts/servicing - not bad, somethings are expensive but these are not consumables and will rarely require replacing, some great independents with a passion for TVR.
Other TVR owners - great bunch
Best bit - the roof comes off
Marks out of 10 - for me 10 - I've had some problems but on the whole feel it's worth it.
Conclusion - if it had to be a daily driver (mine weren't/aren't) I would go for the Esprit although parking is a nightmare. Mainly for refinment, security - it's got a roof and lastly for the chassis and handling. But for a weekend, scare the crap out of yourself car it would have to be the Griff.
Obviously AIMHO
Good luck with the decision.
Cheers
David
davidn said:
But for a weekend, scare the crap out of yourself car it would have to be the Griff.
I had the same requirements and came to the same conclusion.
Griff (so also Chim) wins on:
noise
space
likeliness to get recognoised for what it is, and not a Ferrari
rooflessness
Everyone said 'drive both'. Well I drove a Griffith, bought it, and never did get round to driving an Esprit...
davidn said:
Esprit
Performance - wait for the turbo, wait a bit more, we're off, lots of frantic gear changing, but impressive for a relatively frugal 2.2. never felt that fast to me although the figures tell you otherwise.
... and don't forget the 'blip trick' for many Esprits turbos for that extra 0-60 pace (blip throttle to above a certain revs and the restrictor on the boost rises from (IIRC) 0.8 to 1 bar).
Oh, and it may sound silly but if your garage is a bit tight the Lotus has an extra 6+ inches in width over a Chimaera!
davidn said:I have a 1987 Turbo Esprit. I have to say that this is a completely accurate description of the Esprit experience.
Esprit
Performance - wait for the turbo, wait a bit more, we're off, lots of frantic gear changing, but impressive for a relatively frugal 2.2. never felt that fast to me although the figures tell you otherwise.
Looks - a real head turner
Handling - superb, very predictable, stable at high speeds but sheer width of car hinders fast B road progress, supple chassis and quite refined
Brakes - it has breaks? which pedal works those then?
Engine - doesn't suit the car, whining cam belts, sluggish off boost, plenty of lag, harsh when extended but for me very reliable
Gearbox - feels fragile and indirect. Managed to break a few syncros and selector fork.
Noise - horrible both inside and out
Fit and finish - generally good
Interior - looks special but cheap switch gear/instrumentation a let down, comfortable but leg and head room limited, pedals offset to centre combined with low steering wheel so no chance of heel and toe - well not for me and I had already taken the runners off the drivers seat(you need to be under 6' really)
parts/servicing - expensive (but I bet I could have saved a fortune in running costs if Pistonheads had been around then)
Other Lotus owners - great bunch
Best bit - you really are James Bond.
Marks out of 10 - for me 7 although I did love it.
I wouldn't bother with it as a daily driver. It is cheaper to buy a Fiesta to use as a hack as well as the Lotus than to use the Lotus as an only car. This will allow you to take it off the road for a couple of weeks at a time to service and repair it yourself.
Pat.
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