Chimeara 450 or buy a T350
Discussion
Having previously owned a lovely Chimeara 450 I am giving consideration to getting a T350. I loved the grunt and sound of the Chimeara and could live with the inevitable niggles. How would the T350 compare where it counts, sound, grunt and punch. I appreciate the T350 is a totaly different animal but would I be disapointed....
I don't think you will be disappointed. I have not driven a Chimeara so I can't give an informed opinion. However, from the reviews I've read, the T350 gives a sharper more responsive steer, turning in with more agility and handles better (remember, it was originally intended to be designed for a race series). I certainly have not been disappointed with my T350.
I do like the classic lines of the Chimaera and the sound of its V8. You may find the torque is slightly lacking in the T350, coming from a Chimaera. I would recommend getting a T350 with a sports exhaust to get the exhilaration from the sound of the engine. Also, you may prefer a Targa for a more open air feel. When I first tried a coupe with no sports exhaust, I was disappointed with a lack of drama in terms of engine/exhaust noise.
Have you considered a Tamora?
I do like the classic lines of the Chimaera and the sound of its V8. You may find the torque is slightly lacking in the T350, coming from a Chimaera. I would recommend getting a T350 with a sports exhaust to get the exhilaration from the sound of the engine. Also, you may prefer a Targa for a more open air feel. When I first tried a coupe with no sports exhaust, I was disappointed with a lack of drama in terms of engine/exhaust noise.
Have you considered a Tamora?
I have made the move from Chimaera 450 to T350
Both are great and each offers loads of fun. My Chim 450 never gave me any problems and I loved it.
The T350 is just a more modern car. T350 has less torque but ultimately more performance and definitely better handling. The howl of the Speed Six is intoxicating.
I would not say one is better than the other but a good T350 is slightly more exclusive.
Of course if you could afford a Sagaris (I can't)you would probably have the best car TVR ever built and a reasonable investment but I am very happy with my T350.
Both are great and each offers loads of fun. My Chim 450 never gave me any problems and I loved it.
The T350 is just a more modern car. T350 has less torque but ultimately more performance and definitely better handling. The howl of the Speed Six is intoxicating.
I would not say one is better than the other but a good T350 is slightly more exclusive.
Of course if you could afford a Sagaris (I can't)you would probably have the best car TVR ever built and a reasonable investment but I am very happy with my T350.
Have a Chimaera 400 and a Tamora, and have Sprinted the Chimaera into 7th overall in the TVR Speed Champs in 2012. The Tamora is also for Sprinting too - much quicker....a step change up....only started competing in it!!
It's not true that a T350 or Tamora have less Torque, it's just another 1500 rpm further up the rev range. That's the greatest difference - you drive a Chim lazily and it really goes and you drive a Tamora (T350) as if it were a motorbike and it's a completely different experience.
You pays your money!!
Trev
It's not true that a T350 or Tamora have less Torque, it's just another 1500 rpm further up the rev range. That's the greatest difference - you drive a Chim lazily and it really goes and you drive a Tamora (T350) as if it were a motorbike and it's a completely different experience.
You pays your money!!
Trev
I agree with all of the comments above and would also like to have both a Chim and a T350. The T350 is a much more usable car in terms of how it handles and the power that you can put down on the tarmac. The handling is far in advance of even a well set up Chim and as previously mentioned when you have it on cam working at peak power it sounds awesome!
Good luck Don
Good luck Don
I used to have a T350c and now a Chim 500.
The T350c is a more accomplished car, it certainly feels more modern, handles better and is probably a bit quicker than my Chim when driven hard.
But I just prefer the open top, lazy laid back nature of the RV8 cars and the less shouty 'look at me' styling. Best of all though is the V8 sound track, even though my T350 had a JP back box I still prefer RV8 rumble.
The T350c is a more accomplished car, it certainly feels more modern, handles better and is probably a bit quicker than my Chim when driven hard.
But I just prefer the open top, lazy laid back nature of the RV8 cars and the less shouty 'look at me' styling. Best of all though is the V8 sound track, even though my T350 had a JP back box I still prefer RV8 rumble.
Edited by swanny71 on Thursday 18th April 15:48
Zippee said:
I agree with all the above. I ran a 400 Chim for 5 years and as much as I loved it I'd never go back.
As for lack of torque - go for a 4.3 and you'll never complain about it... (Hmmm! I wonder where theres one of those for sale?
)
I've heard of one and it' bloody fantastic As for lack of torque - go for a 4.3 and you'll never complain about it... (Hmmm! I wonder where theres one of those for sale?
)
Hi, thanks to you all for the replies. sounds like the T350 would be a good choice. I did'nt know that there was the option of a 4.3 engine. The V8 sound of my Chimeara was intoxicating but the idea of a T350 with sports exhaust sounds (pardon the pun)interesting. As the T350 uses the 6 cylinder engine do i need the hastle of a 20 minute warm up, unlike the Chimeara which was start and go.
CHimeara3 said:
Hi, thanks to you all for the replies. sounds like the T350 would be a good choice. I did'nt know that there was the option of a 4.3 engine. The V8 sound of my Chimeara was intoxicating but the idea of a T350 with sports exhaust sounds (pardon the pun)interesting. As the T350 uses the 6 cylinder engine do i need the hastle of a 20 minute warm up, unlike the Chimeara which was start and go.
At least 20 minute warm up if you want to give it some beans. This is the Only thing i have missed with regard to coming from a Griff to a T350. Well maybe (just a teeny weeny bit!! ) the low down torque. Still do not regret it......Sandy
CHimeara3 said:
As the T350 uses the 6 cylinder engine do i need the hastle of a 20 minute warm up, unlike the Chimeara which was start and go.
Not sure but it reads like you would let the car idle for 20 mins before driving? If so, don't! Sitting and idling is not great for any engine, but especially bad for a S6 with it's finger followers. You should drive it straight after starting, but not with full throttle or high rpm until the fluids (oil esp) are up to temp, but that is really the same rule for any performance engine.If that's not what you meant sorry and please forgive the interruption.
I went the other way from T350T to a chim 450 2000 and lasted a year before i changed back to a Tam.
They are both great cars but i think the handling and feel of the cars are chalk and cheese, for me i prefer the more agile T350 and was able to press on with far more confidence.Chim is a lovely lazy relaxed drive, sure it has grunt to spare but usable power in the T series is fantastic.
i also happen to think the T350 is one of the most beautiful cars on the road today.
They are both great cars but i think the handling and feel of the cars are chalk and cheese, for me i prefer the more agile T350 and was able to press on with far more confidence.Chim is a lovely lazy relaxed drive, sure it has grunt to spare but usable power in the T series is fantastic.
i also happen to think the T350 is one of the most beautiful cars on the road today.
The last comment does raise one issue. If you really like to regularly drop the hood a T350 obviously doesn't scratch that itch. I went for the Targa and I do like to lift the panels from time to time. However, if I was brutally honest I would have to admit that they are a bit noisey when fitted and travelling at speeds over 90mph. If you like the styling, a Tamora is obviously the best direct replacement for a Chim, if you are not fussed about open top motoring go for a T350C and if you want a compromise get the T.
My TVR history is S, 450 Chim, Tamora and T350.
I loved the first two and kept them 5 years in total. I've just swapped from the Tam to the T350 after 7 years and can see me sticking with this for at least as long, which says a lot I think.
They're all great cars and while I genuinely enjoyed every minute of my time with the Chimera, the Tam and now the T350 just 'clicked' with me. I love the high revving S6, both for the way it delivers the power and how it sounds (JP and decats) and the handling on the T cars is in a different league.
I'm sure you won't be disappointed
I loved the first two and kept them 5 years in total. I've just swapped from the Tam to the T350 after 7 years and can see me sticking with this for at least as long, which says a lot I think.
They're all great cars and while I genuinely enjoyed every minute of my time with the Chimera, the Tam and now the T350 just 'clicked' with me. I love the high revving S6, both for the way it delivers the power and how it sounds (JP and decats) and the handling on the T cars is in a different league.
I'm sure you won't be disappointed
NCC said:
JP for me. Sounds fantastic as a straight swap for standard. With decats it's an acquired taste (a taste which I have acquired and makes me giggle almost uncontrollably 
)
Not that the Power don't sound flipping amazing either........
yes i was the one who mentioned sports exhaust. Mine also has a JP. A year and a half later, the sound still puts a smile on my face.)Not that the Power don't sound flipping amazing either........
My cats have just broken and I am getting them replaced with sports cats (expensive!) so hopefully that will give it an even more amplified sound. I didn't go the decat route, I didn't want the hassle at M.O.T time. But I have to admit these cars do sound awsome when decatted.
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