Discussion
Don't worry about history, miles, condition of chassis, rattly engine, outriggers, trailing arms, interior condition, kerbed alloys, electrics, suspension, dials working, grp condition, stonechips, smoke from exhaust on start up, hood condition, water leaks, wet floorpan, carpets and seat condition, burning oil, engine temp....And everything else....
Just get in it and start the engine, hit the loud pedal.....
ITS YOURS..
Dave
Just get in it and start the engine, hit the loud pedal.....
ITS YOURS..
Dave
Thanks for all the info everyone. So not too much to look out for then 
I'm also considering a Chimera, or the S depending on what my budget will stretch to.
I'd be using it everyday so I guess the Chimera is possibly a bit more comfortable but possibly a bit less "seat of the pants" fun?
I'm also considering a Chimera, or the S depending on what my budget will stretch to.
I'd be using it everyday so I guess the Chimera is possibly a bit more comfortable but possibly a bit less "seat of the pants" fun?
Will Power said:
Thanks for all the info everyone. So not too much to look out for then
I'm also considering a Chimera, or the S depending on what my budget will stretch to.
I'd be using it everyday so I guess the Chimera is possibly a bit more comfortable but possibly a bit less "seat of the pants" fun?
yep, on the money there. Seat of the pants fun is what the S is all about. Not really that fast in modern terms, but all the power is useable, the feedback from the steering better than a Chimaera (IMHO) and a hoot to drive. The chim is more "mature" and does make a far better everyday car. I have both as I have a chim and the missus has an S. We both have everyday hacks too but I previously owned an S which i used daily and used the Chim daily before buying another car. The Chim is faster and far more comfortable, but the S can still bring a grin to the face, and perhaps less likely to lose your licence
shnozz said:
yep, on the money there. Seat of the pants fun is what the S is all about. Not really that fast in modern terms, but all the power is useable, the feedback from the steering better than a Chimaera (IMHO) and a hoot to drive. The chim is more "mature" and does make a far better everyday car. I have both as I have a chim and the missus has an S. We both have everyday hacks too but I previously owned an S which i used daily and used the Chim daily before buying another car. The Chim is faster and far more comfortable, but the S can still bring a grin to the face, and perhaps less likely to lose your licence
Deffo agree on Seat of th pants ride, it's just refreshing, altho I use mine as a weekend car.
As for the Chim being faster, don't forget the V8S
Shmern
It depends on how much dosh you have got, 7K will get you well sorted S3 from a private seller , 10K should get you a v good V8s , 10k will also get you an early Chim .
I suppose if I was going for a car to use daily I would go for the Chim , but for the grin factor it has to be an S everytime !
Good luck.
I suppose if I was going for a car to use daily I would go for the Chim , but for the grin factor it has to be an S everytime !
Good luck.
No, in seriousness. The S is more seat of the pants. Its less refined, and that works both ways. The V8S provides the speed of the 4 litre V8 with the seat of the pants ride and handling of the S. For a track car or weekend toy its a bloody great choice. Everyday though, I would say the Chim is the obvious winner. In reality, it was designed as an everyday car that easy to live with. I couldnt have done a 2 week tour around europe, as well as carry all the camping gear for le mans (for 2 people) in my S.
Uhhm, I think you are right the V8S I'm certain is very entertaining but they are holding their prices well which makes the Chimera look good value currently, so out of principal I think I'd exclude the V8S because I know I could get a Chimera for similar money and they should be comparable for performance but possibly not handling but I could easily uprate Chimera shocks and springs to improve handling. I think I'd like the comfort for everyday use too. But then I know and as you all mention her, the S is a great fun drive.
I'll get myself out to look at one or two soon and see how they compare.
I'll get myself out to look at one or two soon and see how they compare.
Will Power said:
Uhhm, I think you are right the V8S I'm certain is very entertaining but they are holding their prices well which makes the Chimera look good value currently, so out of principal I think I'd exclude the V8S because I know I could get a Chimera for similar money and they should be comparable for performance but possibly not handling but I could easily uprate Chimera shocks and springs to improve handling. I think I'd like the comfort for everyday use too. But then I know and as you all mention her, the S is a great fun drive.
I'll get myself out to look at one or two soon and see how they compare.
did I mention I uprated my shocks and springs to fully adjustables in the last 2 months?
As a daily drive I use my S and have rarely had a problem that seriously inconvienienced me, it does not leak, the chassis is still in excellent condition (miy be somthing to do with me waxoyling it 4 times a year and putting so much underseal on the out riggers that you could drop them in the ocean for ayear or so and they'd still be good.
It is a bit of a pain without power steering when it comes to turning, but only recently as I have cracked my ribs.
The de-mister is a bit to be desired, but I have run through all sort of weather, snow included and as long as it is given a good time to heat up the cabin can be toasty. I must confess to have not trying the chim, but have decided to keep the S for the time being as it is in good condition rather than "upgrade" to a Chim in worse condition. I've been out with a number of the NE Phers and it's only on the straights that the Chims give me the slip, although I may have some adjustable AVOs going on the rear at some point and when I'm rid of the P6000s the handling will be much improved.
Shnozz is the best person to give you the insight in to the S vs Chim. I would definitley reccomend the S as long as you prepared ot put up with a little bit of a hard time in winter, but I think this applies to all TVRs really.
It is a bit of a pain without power steering when it comes to turning, but only recently as I have cracked my ribs.
The de-mister is a bit to be desired, but I have run through all sort of weather, snow included and as long as it is given a good time to heat up the cabin can be toasty. I must confess to have not trying the chim, but have decided to keep the S for the time being as it is in good condition rather than "upgrade" to a Chim in worse condition. I've been out with a number of the NE Phers and it's only on the straights that the Chims give me the slip, although I may have some adjustable AVOs going on the rear at some point and when I'm rid of the P6000s the handling will be much improved.
Shnozz is the best person to give you the insight in to the S vs Chim. I would definitley reccomend the S as long as you prepared ot put up with a little bit of a hard time in winter, but I think this applies to all TVRs really.
WildfireS3 said:
when I'm rid of the P6000s the handling will be much improved.
if its going to be used daily Chris I can recommend the RE720s. Good in both dry and the wet and the 60 profile so that extra bit of ride height helpful on speed humps.
the difference between the 2 as a weekend car is marginal. As a daily car, the Chim benefits from
not grounding over every speedbump and large pothole
it has half decent lights
it has better brakes
it is bigger both inside and the boot is twice the size
the V8 is more torquey which is perhaps more "lazy"
ot is a more comfortable ride (ie it doesnt crash over every pothole any more than other sports cars)
it has better heaters/demisters.
The S feels like a fast classic. that in itself can make you smile but putting up with it daily can grind. Unless you really arent a TVR person, either of these cars will change your life. I look back on life with the S daily with fond memories, but its a case of how much of a compromise you are prepared to make.
shnozz said:
not grounding over every speedbump and large pothole
it has half decent lights
it has better brakes
it is bigger both inside and the boot is twice the size
the V8 is more torquey which is perhaps more "lazy"
it is a more comfortable ride (ie it doesnt crash over every pothole any more than other sports cars)
it has better heaters/demisters.
Its a case of how much of a compromise you are prepared to make.
Grounding isn't too much of a problem as long as you have positioned the exhaust clamps sensibly and decent exhaust.
Lights - Crystal Halogens + Decent bulbs, I must confess my bulbs aren't too good but look
not quite what you want from lights but...... Never personally had a problem with the brakes, but I'm not very brake heavy.
Boot size, this is all relative although space is a bit hampered with the roof in. But then again I don't paly golf
True the S does crash and bang a bit.
Demister - no comment, better than my minis, where the demister is a manual item. ie. Cloth + hand.
What is the wear like on the RE720s Phil? I was considering Toyos.
WildfireS3 said:
Grounding isn't too much of a problem as long as you have positioned the exhaust clamps sensibly and decent exhaust.
Lights - Crystal Halogens + Decent bulbs, I must confess my bulbs aren't too good but look
Never personally had a problem with the brakes, but I'm not very brake heavy.
Boot size, this is all relative although space is a bit hampered with the roof in. But then again I don't paly golf
True the S does crash and bang a bit.
Demister - no comment, better than my minis, where the demister is a manual item. ie. Cloth + hand.
What is the wear like on the RE720s Phil? I was considering Toyos.
no disrespect though Chris, but it often seems though people have to justify the car they own. I dont doubt I do the same thing subconciously. Grounding may not be a problem for you driving alone in the car at 10stone. I am over 15 stone, add a 12 stone passenger and fill the boot for le mans and collect duty free beer on the way back to a steep ferry ramp. Its suddenly a bit problem The lights can be improved, definately. But I was comparing the advantages as standard of using it daily. We fitted the blue style bulbs on the S and now she has brighter headlights than my chimaera.
boot size relative yep. Using a car everyday though - no suitcase, no big boxes, even my works pilot case added with a couple of things and it was full. If I had a box that squeezed in the boot I had to leave the roof on, whatever the weather. I couldnt have done 2 weeks touring europe this summer.
demister is neither here nor there really, just another plus point if used daily I guess.
Despite the fact the S and chims overlapped on the production line, the Chimaera is a far more grown up car. I cant really explain that statement, but it just feels more substantial. Maybe thats why the S is so much fun to chuck around, whereas eating up the entire length of france in 1 day is a job for the chim.
Found the wear on the 720s similar to the SO2/3s. Nothing that hideous but not notably fantastic. If you go for toyos beware for the first xxx miles. I reckon it was 500 miles before mine werent like driving on ice. I shall not be buying them again.
shnozz said:
Found the wear on the 720s similar to the SO2/3s. Nothing that hideous but not notably fantastic. If you go for toyos beware for the first xxx miles. I reckon it was 500 miles before mine werent like driving on ice. I shall not be buying them again.
I'm just trying to justify keeping the S and resisting the temptation to do somthing stupid and buy a Griff/Chim.
Just remember it was principally you who convinced me of the S, now you're here with "V8
". Oh how tempted I am. Hmmm... tvrbob said the same things about the Toyos. Mind you 500 miles is only around a month or so for me, especially if I go to Machester and back. I will have to check out the prices etc.
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