TR6 or TVR
Author
Discussion

Skyedriver

Original Poster:

23,320 posts

311 months

Thursday 2nd May 2013
quotequote all
Wasn't sure where to post this without getting a biased view but here goes.

Triumph TR6 and the TVR Chimaera

Both separate chassis, british, two seater sports cars in the true tradition. Although 20 years apart.

Both have a following but are slightly out shone (in value anyway) by their fellow models (TR2, 3, 4, 5 & the TVR Griffith).

Both can be had for the same amount of cash - £5k to £15k

Both return similar mpg

The TR has arguably the stronger chassis but a rust prone (to an extent anyway) body whilst the TVR has a more rust prone chassis but rust free body.

Both from manufacturers no longer around but with a huge following and good spare availability.

TVR much more palatial inside where as the TR has a rather cramped and basic cockpit. Guess the TVR has the bigger boot too.

The TR is probably easier to work on.

So which would you rather have?

ps. I have had a Chimaera and loved the car, would love another but the TR would fit the single width garage easier.

spoodler

2,304 posts

184 months

Thursday 2nd May 2013
quotequote all
Surprising how they can sound so similar on paper but be so different "in the metal".

As for which one - that would all boil down to what I wanted it for... generally I'd go for the TR as I love the old fashioned aspects of it, the last of a line born out of the "post war sports cars" - and feels like it. I'd have the TVR for a modern daily or if I wanted to cover miles tho', especially if those miles were in the dark, rain or traffic.

The Surveyor

7,624 posts

266 months

Thursday 2nd May 2013
quotequote all
I'd have thought the Chimaera would appeal more if you're after a more 'modern' GT in the true sense of the word. I loved my Chimaera and whilst it was certainly quick, it felt 'soft' and relaxing unless realy pushed. The V8 delivery is lazier and the Chimaera makes a fantastic touring car due to the cabin space, excellant roof, and massive boot.

I've never driven a TR6 but they are much smaller inside and have much more of a 'classic' interior.

Ultimately it's down to what you prefere, for me it would be the TVR everyday of the week.

Paul

bigV8

118 posts

226 months

Thursday 2nd May 2013
quotequote all
I have had both. I had a very nice tr6 for around six years and it was good to own. I changed it for a TVR V8S and it is in different league performance wise but still had the old sports car look. V8 engine must less problematic IMHO. Never regretted changing the TR6 and the performance of the TVR gives you a buzz that the TR can't . In an ideal world would have both

phatgixer

4,988 posts

278 months

Thursday 2nd May 2013
quotequote all
Why not a Griffith? Same sort of ££ aren't they? Chimera so dull looking in comparison.

I would have a TR6 before the droopy eyed Chimaera

The TR drives very well if isn't a tired one. Nwhere near the stomp of a TVR though...


lockhart flawse

2,101 posts

264 months

Thursday 2nd May 2013
quotequote all
I had a TR6 for 18 years. It was my 2nd car (first was a TR4a) and to this day it is the car that I was most excited about collecting. I have owned a 4.0 Chimaera and have had a Griffith for 6 years.

Get The TVR. TR6 makes a lovely noise but is in every way bettered by the TVR. And you won't have to deal with the TR6's carp injection system although I expect specialists have improved it over the years.

L.F.

Kickstart

1,119 posts

266 months

Thursday 2nd May 2013
quotequote all
Porsche Cayman - I'll get my coat...

Skyedriver

Original Poster:

23,320 posts

311 months

Thursday 2nd May 2013
quotequote all
Well I have to say I'm a bit surprised, this being the Classic & Heros forum I thought the TR would get the vote.
Thought the TR would be easier to repair but maybe needs more regular repairs?
Have to say the Chimaera is the car I always say I would have another of (plus an imp/clan/E30M3/Caterham.....)
Used my Chimaera as a daily driver for 3 years so know it is practical, not a family car (now with wife, bairn, dog) but neither is the TR. Only practical (2+2 dhc I fancy is a 944cabriolet).
The TR would be easier to work on in my 9foot wide garage though - maybe its best feature?.

james280779

1,931 posts

258 months

Friday 3rd May 2013
quotequote all
Having owned a few TVR's I also think that maybe an S fits exactly what you want. Its narrower than the Chimaera, Easier to work on, cheaper on parts etc (mostly Ford), has a more classic interior and the retro 60's look (apart from the tail).

I already posted a link to this one elsewhere but I do think its a bargain

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/t...

I do have a Chimaera which is sitting around not being used I might be persuaded to part with for the right amount

james280779

1,931 posts

258 months

Friday 3rd May 2013
quotequote all















Also a brand new high spec radiator and a set of pristine Estorils and nearly new tyres with it- (never got around to putting them on).

Not sure what engine size as the guy I bought if from said it had been re-spec'd out to a 4.3, spoke to the owner prior to that who said 4.7. Unfortunately no paperwork but having owned normal 4.0 this is considerably quicker and nicer to drive.
I had it insured as a 4.3 with agreed value of 10k
Obviously new suspension and brakes, hood etc. Only done approx 30k miles but the odo reader (mileage only) packed up in January (when I last used it). I maybe did another 200 miles after. Has iphone / ipod stereo fitted.
Oh and a new clutch which was done last MOT so circa late August/ September last year. only driven maybe six times since then but started regularly and moved about. I had a battery isolation switch fitted about the same time.

Only faults I can think of is that the boot lock isnt re-engaging all the time (only just started so might need some oil), Wooden dash has a slight crack and the wiper tube to offside wiper keeps coming off.



Edited by james280779 on Friday 3rd May 06:13


Edited by james280779 on Friday 3rd May 06:18

uk66fastback

18,332 posts

300 months

Friday 3rd May 2013
quotequote all
Go on then, how much?

mph

2,376 posts

311 months

Friday 3rd May 2013
quotequote all
phatgixer said:
Why not a Griffith? Same sort of ££ aren't they? Chimera so dull looking in comparison.

I would have a TR6 before the droopy eyed Chimaera

The TR drives very well if isn't a tired one. Nwhere near the stomp of a TVR though...
Chimaera is a nicer car to drive than the Griffith. Less frantic and a bit more compliant.

The TR6 is from another era and certainly a standard one won't excite you to drive. They were fairly mundane even when they were current.

If the "classicness" is the ultimate consideration it has to be a TR6. If you want a useable classic then the Chimaera is really a very nice car indeed.

Definitely makes the top five of all the cars I've owned.




GadgeS3C

4,727 posts

193 months

Friday 3rd May 2013
quotequote all
Very nice TVR S and a pot of spare cash still available.

Job done!

Or if you prefer a bit more classicness why not a TVR M series? You could even have one with a TR6 engine. The rest of the running gear is pretty much TR6 anyway.

I may be biased as I already have both.

But if someone were to offer me a nice TR5...

thegamekeeper

2,282 posts

311 months

Friday 3rd May 2013
quotequote all
Skyedriver said:
Wasn't sure where to post this without getting a biased view but here goes.

Triumph TR6 and the TVR Chimaera

Both separate chassis, british, two seater sports cars in the true tradition. Although 20 years apart.

Both have a following but are slightly out shone (in value anyway) by their fellow models (TR2, 3, 4, 5 & the TVR Griffith).

Both can be had for the same amount of cash - £5k to £15k

Both return similar mpg

The TR has arguably the stronger chassis but a rust prone (to an extent anyway) body whilst the TVR has a more rust prone chassis but rust free body.

Both from manufacturers no longer around but with a huge following and good spare availability.

TVR much more palatial inside where as the TR has a rather cramped and basic cockpit. Guess the TVR has the bigger boot too.

The TR is probably easier to work on.

So which would you rather have?

ps. I have had a Chimaera and loved the car, would love another but the TR would fit the single width garage easier.
Not really sure you are comparing like for like.

TVR Chimaera V Porsche 996 Cabrio, Porsche Boxter, Honda S2000 or maybe BMW Z4 (all modernish)


TR6 (bland) V TVR 3000S (both 1970,s classic)

IroningMan

10,598 posts

275 months

Friday 3rd May 2013
quotequote all
I suspect that a Chimera is everything that you think a TR6 will be, whereas a TR6 is a leaky, rust-prone unreliable old car that is not very comfortable and not very quick.

Equally, a down-at-heel TR6 has a certain amount of class, while a scruffy Chimera is a shed.

Yertis will be along shortly to agree with me.

quiraing

1,649 posts

168 months

Friday 3rd May 2013
quotequote all

TR7 V8.

Skyedriver

Original Poster:

23,320 posts

311 months

Friday 3rd May 2013
quotequote all
thegamekeeper said:
Not really sure you are comparing like for like.

TVR Chimaera V Porsche 996 Cabrio, Porsche Boxter, Honda S2000 or maybe BMW Z4 (all modernish)


TR6 (bland) V TVR 3000S (both 1970,s classic)
Not necessarily "Like for Like" although thee are major similarities in apparent specification as I listed at the start of the thread.

That said they are both cars I "like" or have liked the look of. Always have. I started driving in 1970 so grew up with the TR range.

Skyedriver

Original Poster:

23,320 posts

311 months

Friday 3rd May 2013
quotequote all
james280779 said:
I already posted a link to this one elsewhere but I do think its a bargain

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/t...

I do have a Chimaera which is sitting around not being used I might be persuaded to part with for the right amount
The S Series never really appealled, went to look at them years ago as I thought they were the car for me but it was always that curved warning light thing on the dashboard that put me off. Silly I know but didn't want to look at that all the time - Bought an E30M3 then a Chimaera. Have to say that rebuilt one looks good value though.
Your Chimaera - purple?
Think the price of that will be too high......

Cars on my list for me Chimaera or TR (but you are all putting me off) another Caterham.
or to appease the family - Stag, 944Cab, Alpine GTA, Lotus Excel (had one but that particular one wasn't for me).

It's been very useful listening to your comments on the TR v TVR comparisons


RichB

56,208 posts

313 months

Friday 3rd May 2013
quotequote all
The S3c and V8S have a different dashboard.

james280779

1,931 posts

258 months

Saturday 4th May 2013
quotequote all
Skyedriver said:
The S Series never really appealled, went to look at them years ago as I thought they were the car for me but it was always that curved warning light thing on the dashboard that put me off. Silly I know but didn't want to look at that all the time - Bought an E30M3 then a Chimaera. Have to say that rebuilt one looks good value though.
Your Chimaera - purple?
Think the price of that will be too high......

Cars on my list for me Chimaera or TR (but you are all putting me off) another Caterham.
or to appease the family - Stag, 944Cab, Alpine GTA, Lotus Excel (had one but that particular one wasn't for me).

It's been very useful listening to your comments on the TR v TVR comparisons
Only the s1 -1.5 .... i think maybe some early s2's had those dash lights. The later ones did not.

Well if it helps .... I don't have a 944 cab but I do have a 911 cab (aircooled) or a lotus excel but a Stephens esprit turbo.
I can safely say the chimaera is a better car in my opinion. It's nicer to drive than the Porsche, sounds better than the lotus (and mine has custom sports exhaust). The interior is nicer than both combined and its quicker. Financially it's also a cheaper car to buy and has cost me a fraction of the others in running costs.
Out of all three if I had to keep one it would be the Tvr, I have just had a baby though so am thinking about a sorted cerb instead.


Edited by james280779 on Saturday 4th May 00:10


Edited by james280779 on Saturday 4th May 06:47