Comparison to other cars...
Discussion
The Chim is my first RWD sports car, aside from 4x4s in 2WD mode I have no experience of driving RWD before that.
So, for those of you with experience of a variety of cars, could someone tell me how the Chim/Griff compare to other cars with respects to..:
1. Steering feel
2. Handling
...comparing them to other cars past-and-present..?
Thanks,
Dom
So, for those of you with experience of a variety of cars, could someone tell me how the Chim/Griff compare to other cars with respects to..:
1. Steering feel
2. Handling
...comparing them to other cars past-and-present..?
Thanks,
Dom
1. Steering feel.... Bloody quick
2. Throttle response.. Bloody quick
3. Acceleration from standstill.. Bloody quick
and so on.
I have always had quick fwd hatches, so the rear drive chim was a bit different. Handles well but with the quick steering and throttle combined with huge torque you can easily squirm the rear... With practice u can so it on purpose too
on your own race track and not endangering anyone else obviously.
as it states in the drivers handbook by Peter Wheeler " lightweight, huge torque, slow in fast out"
mine had gas gold shocks and Leven drop links with PAS, can't comment on standard feel.
2. Throttle response.. Bloody quick
3. Acceleration from standstill.. Bloody quick
and so on.
I have always had quick fwd hatches, so the rear drive chim was a bit different. Handles well but with the quick steering and throttle combined with huge torque you can easily squirm the rear... With practice u can so it on purpose too
on your own race track and not endangering anyone else obviously.as it states in the drivers handbook by Peter Wheeler " lightweight, huge torque, slow in fast out"
mine had gas gold shocks and Leven drop links with PAS, can't comment on standard feel.
Ive had a few RWD Cars (M5, 968CS, RX8 and some saloons)
The Chimaera is so different because its nice and light compared to the above. I love the way the steering is so quick, esp as you turn in. I dont find it amazingly quick (perhaps I should have got a 450 or 500) but Ive just got rid of my Merc which was probably faster in a straight line and got a 190bhp MG so Im guessing the Chimaera will start to feel a little quicker in comparison.
Ive yet to drive it in anger because my lad has been out with me most of the time but I find it very predictable but most of all FUN FUN FUN. Oh, and the noise
The Chimaera is so different because its nice and light compared to the above. I love the way the steering is so quick, esp as you turn in. I dont find it amazingly quick (perhaps I should have got a 450 or 500) but Ive just got rid of my Merc which was probably faster in a straight line and got a 190bhp MG so Im guessing the Chimaera will start to feel a little quicker in comparison.
Ive yet to drive it in anger because my lad has been out with me most of the time but I find it very predictable but most of all FUN FUN FUN. Oh, and the noise
Make sure you have all wheels going in the same direction, before flooring it!
I have a std 400 Chim with PAS. I have not had this car very long and not got many miles under my belt. Comparing it to my other cars, which have mods to them is not quite fair yet and both are very different cars.
The Chim needs a few tweaks, I find the suspension a bit soft, the steering lacks feel doesn't compare to my Lotus.
Performance is OK, makes the right noises but want more POWER - the noise of the V8 is lovely!
I think the Chim looks and sounds lovely, I think they have aged really well. Spend some time and money on these cars and you can have a really sorted car. A V8 2 seater what's not to like?
I have a std 400 Chim with PAS. I have not had this car very long and not got many miles under my belt. Comparing it to my other cars, which have mods to them is not quite fair yet and both are very different cars.
The Chim needs a few tweaks, I find the suspension a bit soft, the steering lacks feel doesn't compare to my Lotus.
Performance is OK, makes the right noises but want more POWER - the noise of the V8 is lovely!
I think the Chim looks and sounds lovely, I think they have aged really well. Spend some time and money on these cars and you can have a really sorted car. A V8 2 seater what's not to like?
It's "safer" than my old 280 Capri! the steering is very quick - mine is PAS (takes a bit of getting used to) and exiting roundabouts sideways is easily induced.
It's fast (enough) and loud. My last car was an XJR Jag but that had TC so there's no real comparison (although I suspect even with the TC off the Jag was less prone to stepping out - mainly down to the weight).
RWD is a LOT more fun than FWD although my old Rover 820 Vitesse (VERY modified) had ~300HP to the front wheels which made steering very "interesting".
In the rain you need to be a bit less enthusiastic, or not (depends on what type of fun you're in to)
It's fast (enough) and loud. My last car was an XJR Jag but that had TC so there's no real comparison (although I suspect even with the TC off the Jag was less prone to stepping out - mainly down to the weight).
RWD is a LOT more fun than FWD although my old Rover 820 Vitesse (VERY modified) had ~300HP to the front wheels which made steering very "interesting".
In the rain you need to be a bit less enthusiastic, or not (depends on what type of fun you're in to)
Great fun, great presence and noise, but they are what they are too:
Handling is okay but not brilliant; you cannot chuck them at "any corner, any speed" as you do an MX-5; they'll kill you. Do make sure you are pointed in a straight line before you truly plant the accelerator, and don't expect to leave everything for dust when you do; they aren't that fast any more.
Handling is okay but not brilliant; you cannot chuck them at "any corner, any speed" as you do an MX-5; they'll kill you. Do make sure you are pointed in a straight line before you truly plant the accelerator, and don't expect to leave everything for dust when you do; they aren't that fast any more.
Chimaeras correctly set up can handle pretty well, but a Caterham, Elise or Boxster will handle better for similar money. And all three of those will probably come past you on a track day.
But the Chimaera comes complete with presence, a great soundtrack, and a huge fan club. I would happily drive any of the others on a track day, but I wouldn't swap my Chimaera for any of them
But the Chimaera comes complete with presence, a great soundtrack, and a huge fan club. I would happily drive any of the others on a track day, but I wouldn't swap my Chimaera for any of them
i don't think that mine steps out that quickly. i find its very predictable. I have had the suspension set up when the chassis rails were done. Since then I have found the turn in much better.
My Spire GTR with a mid mounted bike engine, now that when that steps out you need the reactions of a teenager. Unfortunately that's not me.
My Spire GTR with a mid mounted bike engine, now that when that steps out you need the reactions of a teenager. Unfortunately that's not me.
[quote=grumbledoak]Great fun, great presence and noise, but they are what they are too:
Handling is okay but not brilliant; you cannot chuck them at "any corner, any speed" as you do an MX-5; they'll kill you. Do make sure you are pointed in a straight line before you truly plant the accelerator, and don't expect to leave everything for dust when you do; they aren't that fast any more.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FuirtJ9_1ao
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A3D6GMTrn1Y
A good well sorted standard Griff/Chim 500 with a good driver, will still out drag a Ferarri F430 and a Tuscan up to 100mph. 0-100 about 10.2 secs. 0-60 about 4.2 secs. MX5 good in B road corners, but less fun!. MX5 faster in 4 corners out of 15 on EVO West Circuit (August 2010) MX5 5.2 secs slower lap time.
Handling is okay but not brilliant; you cannot chuck them at "any corner, any speed" as you do an MX-5; they'll kill you. Do make sure you are pointed in a straight line before you truly plant the accelerator, and don't expect to leave everything for dust when you do; they aren't that fast any more.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FuirtJ9_1ao
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A3D6GMTrn1Y
A good well sorted standard Griff/Chim 500 with a good driver, will still out drag a Ferarri F430 and a Tuscan up to 100mph. 0-100 about 10.2 secs. 0-60 about 4.2 secs. MX5 good in B road corners, but less fun!. MX5 faster in 4 corners out of 15 on EVO West Circuit (August 2010) MX5 5.2 secs slower lap time.
Edited by EGB on Friday 22 March 11:43
QBee said:
Chimaeras correctly set up can handle pretty well, but a Caterham, Elise or Boxster will handle better for similar money. And all three of those will probably come past you on a track day.
But the Chimaera comes complete with presence, a great soundtrack, and a huge fan club. I would happily drive any of the others on a track day, but I wouldn't swap my Chimaera for any of them
But the Chimaera comes complete with presence, a great soundtrack, and a huge fan club. I would happily drive any of the others on a track day, but I wouldn't swap my Chimaera for any of them
what he saidgrumbledoak said:
Great fun, great presence and noise, but they are what they are too:
Handling is okay but not brilliant; you cannot chuck them at "any corner, any speed" as you do an MX-5; they'll kill you. Do make sure you are pointed in a straight line before you truly plant the accelerator, and don't expect to leave everything for dust when you do; they aren't that fast any more.
I think very few cars at this stage are as they left the factory in terms of handling so really no 2 cars handle the same. Mine handles extremely well, feels really planted in corners and is quite stiff.Handling is okay but not brilliant; you cannot chuck them at "any corner, any speed" as you do an MX-5; they'll kill you. Do make sure you are pointed in a straight line before you truly plant the accelerator, and don't expect to leave everything for dust when you do; they aren't that fast any more.
I agree that certainly in the case of the 400 it's not that quick by modern standards but I suppose what you are comparing it against.
steering, quick with good fell. Light years ahead of my XKR in this sense.
performance, quick but it depends on where you are coming from and what you are used to. The V8 means you can comfortably waft along using not much revs or have some fun.
handling, Well set up with a good set of dampers I found it to be predictable at the limit and easy to feel what was going on. this is in contrast to the under steering horrible thing it was when my dampers were shot and prior to a proper geom set up.
Compared to a wedge I found the chim to be less tail happy and more confidence inspiring. Compared to the jag I have now, I had much more confidence in the chim close to the limit
performance, quick but it depends on where you are coming from and what you are used to. The V8 means you can comfortably waft along using not much revs or have some fun.
handling, Well set up with a good set of dampers I found it to be predictable at the limit and easy to feel what was going on. this is in contrast to the under steering horrible thing it was when my dampers were shot and prior to a proper geom set up.
Compared to a wedge I found the chim to be less tail happy and more confidence inspiring. Compared to the jag I have now, I had much more confidence in the chim close to the limit
When I've been out for a morning blast on empty roads, I tend to get home glad that I survived, but grinning ear to ear
Dynamically they're quite poor due to the twisty nature of the frame, but that's the attraction I'm sure
If you're after a scalpel, buy and exige. If you're after a lump hammer, get a chimaera
Dynamically they're quite poor due to the twisty nature of the frame, but that's the attraction I'm sure
If you're after a scalpel, buy and exige. If you're after a lump hammer, get a chimaera
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