Chimaera or an Elan

[mikal83]

Have an MGB roadster, 1978 bumber conversion. Pretty clean, repainted etc but doesnt go like heck and I'm now in my mid life crisis....SO, looking for summit to get the blood boiling. Went to SWVA in poole last week and there was a load of crap except a quite clean TR7 0r 8, (yeh Ok) 3.5 v8, went for 2.4k and a v8 MGB GT went for 2 I think. NOW.

Looking at either a Chimaera or an Elan.......waddya think guys? I have up to 8k ish?? Might stretch more.

Cheers

Mike

[Mark.]

You are in the wrong place if you want the answer to be Elan

Seriously though a neighbour one had an Elan and we had the Chimaera, both cars lived outside and he was mopping his out or fixing it far more than I was - and it didn't sound so good either. No idea how quick they are.
But bang for buck you go to go a long way to beat the Chimaera.

[mikal83]

Mark its a request of a comparison , so I have to put in summit to compare huh!

[TV8]

What sort of Élan does £8 k get?

[V8 GRF]

TV8 said:

What sort of Élan does £8 k get?

One in boxes I'd have thought or maybe a +2.

TBH you can't really choose between a Chimaera and an Elan as they're totally different cars.

I've owned an Elan and I'd be happy to own another but it would have to be as well as the TVR but if I had to choose it would be the Griff every time.

[RichV6]

TV8 said:

What sort of Élan does £8 k get?

Isuzu engined front wheel drive thing - allegedly very good in turbo form

[V8 GRF]

RichV6 said:

TV8 said:

What sort of Élan does £8 k get?

Isuzu engined front wheel drive thing - allegedly very good in turbo form

Hmm the good ones are creeping up in five figures now I believe, but if you're thinking an M100 Élan I'd definitely go for the TVR.

Edited by V8 GRF on Tuesday 30th April 20:39

[Cerbieherts]

Elans are deeply problematic. Chims are far less so. I have looked after both marques for many years as a mechanic.

[Chilliman]

Drive both, then you'll know the answer

[mikal83]

Thnx guys and to the chap who doesnt know about Elans..............crikey.
Would love to take the wife out and look at both but theres none anywhere near me in Cornwall!
BUT I am leaning towards to TVR....had one a few yrsd ago, a 280i. Engine a bit rough but was ok for an older car..

Cheers all

mike

[BlackpoolRock]

Original Elan or 90's Elan ? if the latter no question the Chimaera ! unless your looking at it for investment I've driven a few originals too and although fun, the TVR is better in almost every way bar fuel consumption.

[Frio3535]

Whereabouts in Cornwall are you?

[V8 GRF]

mikal83 said:

BUT I am leaning towards to TVR....had one a few yrsd ago, a 280i. Engine a bit rough but was ok for an older car..
mike

A 280i was obviously a V6 (Wedge) so a totally different car to a V8 engined Chimaera

[mikal83]

frio , east Cornwall near liskeard, and V8...I think I can see your a real expert here!

[Frio3535]

mikal83 said:

frio , east Cornwall near liskeard, and V8...I think I can see your a real expert here!

I'll give you a PM once I know if I'm down in Cornwall over the bank hol at the end of the month and see if we can arrange something, I'm a Bodmin man, well used to be anyway.

[Mark.]

mikal83 said:

frio , east Cornwall near liskeard, and V8...I think I can see your a real expert here!

Can't tell from your profile pic but I waved to a Chimaera very similar to yours in Truro a few weeks back. Chimaera was heading out towards St. Awful up the dual carriage way, we were heading in to town in the Cerbera - could have been you?

[mikal83]

eeermmmmmmmmmmmmmm Mark, I dont have a TVR just an MGB, a civic and a bd of a C5

[Mark.]

mikal83 said:

eeermmmmmmmmmmmmmm Mark, I dont have a TVR just an MGB, a civic and a bd of a C5

Was getting my users and locations mixed up

[mikal83]

oops