Chimaera To Tamora

[mattgtd]

Evening guys, I'm looking to change my chim for a tamora, so thought I'd ask here if anybody else had gone the same route and if so how you've got on with it?
Be really interested to hear any thoughts, good or bad from changing between the two, I've looked at the t350 as well but I just like my weekend / summer car to be a convertible, so think a tam is the way to go.

Cheers, Matt.

[chris watton]

I went from Chim (450) to Tamora 12 years ago, the difference really was like night and day, both in top end performance and handling. I sold my Tam in 2007, before I went to live and work in Italy. When I came back to the UK, I still missed the Tam, even after all of those years (never really missed the Chim..), so I bought another, and enjoy as much now as I did over a decade ago.

As with the Chim, there are plenty of suppliers for mods, upgrades etc.

[monty quick]

I went from a Chim 450 to a T350T but also seriously considered a Tam. I always describe the difference by saying that the Chim is more of a 'GT' and the T-series cars are more 'sports car'.
The only slightly negative issue I have heard from owners that have moved to the Tamora is that the boot space is not as usable as the Chimaera (not exactly a problem but worth considering).

[Don1]

I did.

In retrospect I liked the Chim more, as I could burble around and really enjoy the drive, rather than properly throw the car around. It had a lot of 'faults*', the chassis and handling was far worse than the Tamora, but I really loved it.

* The car was perfect, and I should have never sold it.

[mycroft]

Have you driven a T car yet ? You might not like it .

[TV8]

Definately a better car, especially the steering but it didnt end up as my choice when I was looking to change - http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

You need to have a drive to be sure.

[BrightYellowTVR]

Hi,

If I had to describe the difference between them in one sentence, I would say the Chimaera is Analogue and the Tamora is Digital. To explain this the inputs on the Tam are much more instant and its more of a challenge to drive. I've had the Chimaera 14 years so I am much more used to it, however the sweet gearchange and light steering still make it nice to drive. Exhaust and engine note is V8 Thunder Vs Speed Six Artillery Fire especially when its running at tempreture.

Hope this helps, I love them both (Lots!)

Cheers,
Jon

[mattgtd]

Thanks very much for the responses guys, really helpful. I haven't driven a t car yet but after owning my chim for 2 years i'm starting to feel that the tamora may suit me better.

I vary rarely get the chance to go away touring for the weekend or anything like that due to family commitments, it's more a case of out the garage for an hours blast and then back in usually, so feel the improved handling, steering and general sportiness of a t car is more for me currently.

I love my chim I really do, but as others have said they are more of a gt car than a sports car, which isn't a bad thing, just maybe not the right thing for a hard sunday morning blast.

Tony Gilbert has a nice looking titanium tam currently, but after searching the reg it seems he's had it sat there since sep last year, anybody know of it?

[mycroft]

mycroft said:

Have you driven a T car yet ? You might not like it .

Where in Northants are you . PM me if you like .
Dale

[Tom The Cat]

Hi there,

If you are > 39 and married [ Then ]
[ buy a Chim]
[ ElseIf > 65 and solo [ Then ]
[ buy a Chim or Aston Martin Rapide] ]
[ Else
[ buy a Tamora 3.6 or Aston Martin V12 DBX ] ]
End If

.... or my fabulous Tam ...
TTC

[beemercaf]

Hello there,

think it's my first post here after having been a member of the pistonheads forum for about 6 years now.
However - I'm Tom, live in Germany and blast around with my second TVR ever.

The first one was a Chimaera 450 which I purchased in England some 6 years ago. Great car and I never really thought of selling her. But out of the blue last year a TVR-club mate made an offer on my car which I had to consider seriously. On the other hand owning a Cerbera or a T 350 was tempting to me. Finally I sold the Chim and ended up with a cosmos blue Tamora 4.0 which I purchased in the south of Germany from a guy who did not even 3000 mls in it since he picked up the car in England 4 years before. It's the former car of PH member B. Ashcroft. Before I bought it I could find loads of information about it here on PH which was quite helpfull during the buying process.

Now, to come to the initial question, I'd like to tell the thread starter: Go for it! Get yourself a nice Tamora and forget about the Chim. If I've got you right then you are looking for a sharp piece of ...ehm "plastic" for some sunday morning fun. Go and have a test drive in that noisy beast which needs a lot more revs to bare its teeth than a Chimaera does. Beyond 4500 revs in this car life is complete different compared to driving a V8-Chim. Handling is far better and the car is settled to the ground like a go cart. Even at 150 mls/h. I haven't regretted my choice at all having swapped the Chimaera. Ok - the back is not that pretty on the first glimpse, the boot is smaller than Chimaera's, it's got a speed 6 engine and mine lost its roof panel at 230 km/h on the Autobahn on my 3rd day of ownership. So what - this car is a punk. I love it.

Best
Tom

[Danattheopticians]

Something I've started creating in my head since starting off in the world of TVR ownership with a Chim is not so much what to change it for next but more, how to add to my fleet (Of one) and create a fleet of different cars. Ideally I'd love to own a Cerbera, Tamora and V8S (Eventually) in addition to my Chim. Dreamer I may be ATM but a short while ago, I could only dream about owning a Chim. If you are in a position to keep the chim and add the Tam, go for it, if you can't yet, wait till you can. If you want to be conservative about it, and you have the itch, and heart!! to change and say goodbye to the chim then go for it, it is a better "sports" car I guess??

[Mr M]

Not owned a Chimaera but have had a Tamora. Like all have said, it's very very quick past 90 mph but the reality of driving on a public road is that you're not going to do that very often. Most of the time you'll be cruising. The Tamora is is lovely car though but you have to be careful with it as the handling is so good but the driving aids are not really up to the task if you get caught off guard. I did once and was probably only doing about 30mph around a roundabout. Must have been some grease or ice on the road from overnight. If I had money to create a garage full of cars I'd probably go for a nice 5.0L Chimaera. I've always thought they look good as well.