Discussion
I've owned both tvr's and a 111r
111r does one thing very well, it goes round corners. Everything else about the car is compromised by this one thing that it does very well. I sold it after three months.
I had a Chimaera and a Cerbera both for four years.
The Chimp was a great car to drive, good size boot if you want weekends away with some comfort, a well engineered car that cost next to nothing to maintainand a real sense of occassion whenever I drove it.
I did nearly 50,000 miles in teh Chimp.
The cerb was a slightly higher maintenance mistress. Very rewarding and great fun to play with, but I was always a little afraid that i was about to be dumped. In reality my time in the car (10,000 miles or so) were totally uneventful apart froma broken driveshaft and a shocks, diff bushes etc being replaced.
Personally I would have another TVR, as long as it was a convertable. Tomorrow.
This old Top Gear does an interesting comparison http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fM5XSDuU1MA
For me;
TVR - More drama, more rare, faster, better sound, better looking
Lotus - Better every-day car, more chuckable around corners, better on fuel, cheaper to run
You can't really go wrong with either though!
For me;
TVR - More drama, more rare, faster, better sound, better looking
Lotus - Better every-day car, more chuckable around corners, better on fuel, cheaper to run
You can't really go wrong with either though!
Well, I had a 4 litre Chimaera which I sold to purchase an Elise. Which I then sold to buy a 5.0 Chimaera.
It really does depend on what you want? My OH could not get comfy in the Elise, I didn't get anywhere near the same pleasure starting the engine or just cruising along BUT throwing it down the lanes was when the Elise came alive.
But then my new Chimaera is rather good down the lanes too.
It really does depend on what you want? My OH could not get comfy in the Elise, I didn't get anywhere near the same pleasure starting the engine or just cruising along BUT throwing it down the lanes was when the Elise came alive.
But then my new Chimaera is rather good down the lanes too.
ApexJimi said:
I can't add anything of value to this but has anyone went from an MX5 to a chim?
Would I be disappointed in terms of handling?
I've dont this, though there was a 944 in the middle. Would I be disappointed in terms of handling?
A Chim isn't as chuckable as a 5 IMHO and if if goes squiffy it'll end more dramatically.... The Chim is still a proper sports car though, even if it is the "soft" GT sibling....push it and it will result in new trousers!
As a package the TVR is just in another league, using mine today and for the money it cost its just amazing! People don't believe it cost 5k!
I honestly think its the torque that makes up a significant portion of this perceived handling issue with V8 TVRs (assuming good condition components/geo - not to be overlooked!)
Put 300 ft lbs through the back of an MX5 or Elise and the amazingly capable handling may become a very different proposition for most drivers.
Put 300 ft lbs through the back of an MX5 or Elise and the amazingly capable handling may become a very different proposition for most drivers.
Had a T350 and an Elise 111s.
Elise was fab as you can have so much fun at relatively low speeds, small enough to chuck around on B roads, practical (ish), amazingly fuel efficient. Really enjoyed owning one for 3 years.
Then, I sold it and bought a T350.....which was EPIC!
Set up on Nitrons and with a sports exhaust, it was truly wonderful, engaging, exploitable, and completely memorable in every way.
Buy one now an I doubt you'll lose much money on it either.
Elise was fab as you can have so much fun at relatively low speeds, small enough to chuck around on B roads, practical (ish), amazingly fuel efficient. Really enjoyed owning one for 3 years.
Then, I sold it and bought a T350.....which was EPIC!
Set up on Nitrons and with a sports exhaust, it was truly wonderful, engaging, exploitable, and completely memorable in every way.
Buy one now an I doubt you'll lose much money on it either.
I've had an S2 Exige and a T350.
Only thing the Exige was better for was going round corners.
The T350 was faster, looked better, sounded better, easier to live with day to day, less rattley, better to get in and out.
However, the servicing and petrol was much higher.
I still hugely miss my TVR. Shouldn't have sold it
Only thing the Exige was better for was going round corners.
The T350 was faster, looked better, sounded better, easier to live with day to day, less rattley, better to get in and out.
However, the servicing and petrol was much higher.
I still hugely miss my TVR. Shouldn't have sold it
I think you need to try both cars. I was in a similar boat a few years ago (original Elise vs Chimaera 4.0). While the Elise was an amazing car to drive, it lacked something (apart from carpets, electric windows etc 
) plus it sounded like I was being tailgated by a Mondeo. In the end, the TVR won me over on the sound and looks. Oddly, I can still clearly see my test drive of each car, that's how much they formed an impression on me.
One thing to consider is when you'll be driving it. The Elise is light and has a small engine... the TVR weighs about 500kg more and has a bigger engine - if you're commuting and in stop-start traffic then you're gonna feel the TVR in the wallet and the left foot... but you may feel the Elise in the backside!
TVR, obviously.
) plus it sounded like I was being tailgated by a Mondeo. In the end, the TVR won me over on the sound and looks. Oddly, I can still clearly see my test drive of each car, that's how much they formed an impression on me.One thing to consider is when you'll be driving it. The Elise is light and has a small engine... the TVR weighs about 500kg more and has a bigger engine - if you're commuting and in stop-start traffic then you're gonna feel the TVR in the wallet and the left foot... but you may feel the Elise in the backside!
TVR, obviously.
Edited by Hoofy on Sunday 27th May 10:19
ApexJimi said:
I can't add anything of value to this but has anyone went from an MX5 to a chim?
Would I be disappointed in terms of handling?
I currently have a supercharged MX5 and a Chim.Would I be disappointed in terms of handling?
My MX5 is much modified but is the better car in every measurable way except the noise, interior and arguably looks / image.
The MX5 gets better the harder it's driven the Chim is more of a cruiser - I have no doubt the Chim could be much improved but compared to MY MX5 it's the much softer car.
Flying machine said:
I'm in the lucky position of being able to choose one of the above as a weekend toy. Obviously I'm going to have a good look at both, but what are your favourites and why? The front runners for me are a T350/tam or an S2 111r, possibly an NA S2 exige
Personally as a weekend toy an Elise isn't special enough if you like it go try a Westfield / Caterham.I'd go for a TVR
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