Describe the character of your Chim
Discussion
Having just posted a thread to try and sort out yet another problem, I thought it was appropriate (and therapeutic for me !) to post something on the light-hearted side - so here goes !.
Fellow Chim owners - how would you describe the character of your car ?.
To get the ball rolling, I refer to mine as the "Hooligan" - it's a 98 plate 500 with what feels like brutal power delivery and has to be grabbed by the "scruff of it's neck" to drive it properly. At low revs it just wants to cut loose and the moment you let it off the leash it feels like it going to rip your head off and dump in the hole !.
As an after-thought does anyone liken their Chim to a breed of dog ?.
Fellow Chim owners - how would you describe the character of your car ?.
To get the ball rolling, I refer to mine as the "Hooligan" - it's a 98 plate 500 with what feels like brutal power delivery and has to be grabbed by the "scruff of it's neck" to drive it properly. At low revs it just wants to cut loose and the moment you let it off the leash it feels like it going to rip your head off and dump in the hole !.
As an after-thought does anyone liken their Chim to a breed of dog ?.
A friend brought her 400 Chim down at the weekend for some minor fettling, and I had two Chims to compare back to back. Hers a red 98 400 with PAS, mine a blue 96 500, without PAS, but with 4 pots, nitrons, and decat.
Totally different cars to drive, perhaps unsurprisingly, but the extent of the difference was shocking.
In character hers was akin to a high school athlete - fit, sporty, slightly macho but OK to take home to meet the parents. Mine, that big ugly shaven headed tattooed guy shooting up 'roids in a dark corner of the gym.
What was amazing was the complete difference in feel. The 400 needed winding up (relatively) to get moving, then wouldn't stop; fit felt vague at speed, and turned in too sharply with no feedback, feeling like it could induce a spin at any time.
Step into the 500 and it may as well have been a different marque. Big lairy power, and a nasty soundtrack to go with it. Heavy steering at parking speeds, but communicative once moving. Planted and stable through bends, and massive retardation that made the 400's brakes feel like they were bicycle calipers.
I was pretty pleased at the massive difference. As the lady herself said when getting out of the drivers seat of mine ... bit of a girly car mine, isn't it?
Perhaps appropriate that the Rosso Red is fading gently to Nail Varnish Pink!
Liken to a dog? "Bullmastiff: 24-27 inches tall; 100-130 pounds; developed in England to guard large estates; docile and mild-mannered, but tough when aroused; needs daily exercise; good with children if raised with children; little grooming; stubborn and very strong; can be difficult to train; drools."
>> Edited by victormeldrew on Monday 1st August 22:33
Totally different cars to drive, perhaps unsurprisingly, but the extent of the difference was shocking.
In character hers was akin to a high school athlete - fit, sporty, slightly macho but OK to take home to meet the parents. Mine, that big ugly shaven headed tattooed guy shooting up 'roids in a dark corner of the gym.
What was amazing was the complete difference in feel. The 400 needed winding up (relatively) to get moving, then wouldn't stop; fit felt vague at speed, and turned in too sharply with no feedback, feeling like it could induce a spin at any time.
Step into the 500 and it may as well have been a different marque. Big lairy power, and a nasty soundtrack to go with it. Heavy steering at parking speeds, but communicative once moving. Planted and stable through bends, and massive retardation that made the 400's brakes feel like they were bicycle calipers.
I was pretty pleased at the massive difference. As the lady herself said when getting out of the drivers seat of mine ... bit of a girly car mine, isn't it?
Perhaps appropriate that the Rosso Red is fading gently to Nail Varnish Pink! Liken to a dog? "Bullmastiff: 24-27 inches tall; 100-130 pounds; developed in England to guard large estates; docile and mild-mannered, but tough when aroused; needs daily exercise; good with children if raised with children; little grooming; stubborn and very strong; can be difficult to train; drools."
>> Edited by victormeldrew on Monday 1st August 22:33
victormeldrew said:
A friend brought her 400 Chim down at the weekend for some minor fettling, and I had two Chims to compare back to back. Hers a red 98 400 with PAS, mine a blue 96 500, without PAS, but with 4 pots, nitrons, and decat.
Totally different cars to drive, perhaps unsurprisingly, but the extent of the difference was shocking.
In character hers was akin to a high school athlete - fit, sporty, slightly macho but OK to take home to meet the parents. Mine, that big ugly shaven headed tattooed guy shooting up 'roids in a dark corner of the gym.
What was amazing was the complete difference in feel. The 400 needed winding up (relatively) to get moving, then wouldn't stop; fit felt vague at speed, and turned in too sharply with no feedback, feeling like it could induce a spin at any time.
Step into the 500 and it may as well have been a different marque. Big lairy power, and a nasty soundtrack to go with it. Heavy steering at parking speeds, but communicative once moving. Planted and stable through bends, and massive retardation that made the 400's brakes feel like they were bicycle calipers.
I was pretty pleased at the massive difference. As the lady herself said when getting out of the drivers seat of mine ... bit of a girly car mine, isn't it?
Liken to a dog? "Bullmastiff: 24-27 inches tall; 100-130 pounds; developed in England to guard large estates; docile and mild-mannered, but tough when aroused; needs daily exercise; good with children if raised with children; little grooming; stubborn and very strong; can be difficult to train; drools."
>> Edited by victormeldrew on Monday 1st August 22:33
Fantastic response ! - so fair to say then that the 400's are for girls and your 500 is a bit of a a yob ?
They do like nice in a traditional racing green though, saw a couple while I was looking round. s5tvr said:If cars could get ASBO's it would have one for sure! How many cars make nearby children burst into tears when they start up?
so fair to say then that the 400's are for girls and your 500 is a bit of a a yob ?
We're playing right into the hands of the Griff crowd with the "girly 400" comments though
victormeldrew said:
so fair to say then that the 400's are for girls and your 500 is a bit of a a yob ?
If cars could get ASBO's it would have one for sure! How many cars make nearby children burst into tears when they start up?
We're playing right into the hands of the Griff crowd with the "girly 400" comments though
oi less of the girlie 400 comments, mine definately ain't.
victormeldrew said:
so fair to say then that the 400's are for girls and your 500 is a bit of a a yob ?
If cars could get ASBO's it would have one for sure! How many cars make nearby children burst into tears when they start up?
We're playing right into the hands of the Griff crowd with the "girly 400" comments though
True possibly, though I would say the same of the 4.0 and 4.3 Griff's and as for the 500 Griff's (and I seriously thought about buying one) fantastic looking car, but not from all angles like the Chim and build quality - not as good even on models younger than my 98. Not as practical either as the Chim i.r.o interior and boot space.
hello,ive never driven a 500 before but i think i would like to......if i could go back in time i would probably have looked at some 500s but i thought about petrol consumption and insurance at the time and also i think they sell for a little more dont they and i was on a bit of a budget and had no experience of tvr"s,but i think i would prefer the extra grunt of a 500....anybody want to swap!!!i think anyone who has had large cc motorbikes will think the same??
i liken my tvr to pamela anderson....smooth curvy lines,can take two people at a time(3 might be possible if a bit of a squeeze),a bit wild and unpredictable,a headturner,very expensive,noisey but in a good way!,something i want to be seen with at any opportunity,and once you have been inside you dont want to get out again but know you have to,but you certainly look forward to the next time!!!!!!!
i liken my tvr to pamela anderson....smooth curvy lines,can take two people at a time(3 might be possible if a bit of a squeeze),a bit wild and unpredictable,a headturner,very expensive,noisey but in a good way!,something i want to be seen with at any opportunity,and once you have been inside you dont want to get out again but know you have to,but you certainly look forward to the next time!!!!!!!
TATTOODROB said:
hello,ive never driven a 500 before but i think i would like to......if i could go back in time i would probably have looked at some 500s but i thought about petrol consumption and insurance at the time and also i think they sell for a little more dont they and i was on a bit of a budget and had no experience of tvr"s,but i think i would prefer the extra grunt of a 500....anybody want to swap!!!i think anyone who has had large cc motorbikes will think the same??
i liken my tvr to pamela anderson....smooth curvy lines,can take two people at a time(3 might be possible if a bit of a squeeze),a bit wild and unpredictable,a headturner,very expensive,noisey but in a good way!,something i want to be seen with at any opportunity,and once you have been inside you dont want to get out again but know you have to,but you certainly look forward to the next time!!!!!!!
I hope you didn't make too much of a mess on your keyboard there !
rooster said:
s5tvr said:
so fair to say then that the 400's are for girls and your 500 is a bit of a a yob ?
If cars could get ASBO's it would have one for sure! How many cars make nearby children burst into tears when they start up?
We're playing right into the hands of the Griff crowd with the "girly 400" comments though
oi less of the girlie 400 comments, mine definately ain't.
Rooster - but you are a girl !
Mine's showing worrying signs of being a premiership footballer. 
Fantastic performance at a young age that showed real promise if I could only harness it. That (partialy) done, things just got better and better. Now it seems to have noticed that I'll spend what it takes to keep it and is pushing for as much as it can get. It's also picked up a few miggles in last few months. If it didn't score a hat-trick every time it gets a run-out it might be on the transfer list.
Alternatively, she's a trailer-trash tart. Goes like a train and can look after herself in any company, but now that I'm roped in wants more and more maintenance in private. Also shes recently feeling a bit looser at the back and not quite so keen to turn in, probably because she's getting less and less rubber at the front.
>> Edited by V8 Archie on Tuesday 2nd August 01:32
Fantastic performance at a young age that showed real promise if I could only harness it. That (partialy) done, things just got better and better. Now it seems to have noticed that I'll spend what it takes to keep it and is pushing for as much as it can get. It's also picked up a few miggles in last few months. If it didn't score a hat-trick every time it gets a run-out it might be on the transfer list.
Alternatively, she's a trailer-trash tart. Goes like a train and can look after herself in any company, but now that I'm roped in wants more and more maintenance in private. Also shes recently feeling a bit looser at the back and not quite so keen to turn in, probably because she's getting less and less rubber at the front.
>> Edited by V8 Archie on Tuesday 2nd August 01:32
V8 Archie said:
Mine's showing worrying signs of being a premiership footballer.
Fantastic performance at a young age that showed real promise if I could only harness it. That (partialy) done, things just got better and better. Now it seems to have noticed that I'll spend what it takes to keep it and is pushing for as much as it can get. It's also picked up a few miggles in last few months. If it didn't score a hat-trick every time it gets a run-out it might be on the transfer list.
Alternatively, she's a trailer-trash tart. Goes like a train and can look after herself in any company, but now that I'm roped in wants more and more maintenance in private. Also shes recently feeling a bit looser at the back and not quite so keen to turn in, probably because she's getting less and less rubber at the front.
>> Edited by V8 Archie on Tuesday 2nd August 01:32
Excellent !
rooster said:
s5tvr said:
so fair to say then that the 400's are for girls and your 500 is a bit of a a yob ?
If cars could get ASBO's it would have one for sure! How many cars make nearby children burst into tears when they start up?
We're playing right into the hands of the Griff crowd with the "girly 400" comments though
oi less of the girlie 400 comments, mine definately ain't.
I'll second that! My 'girly' 400 has people running out their front doors thinking there's an earthquake when she starts.
damnfinechim said:
victormeldrew said:
s5tvr said:
so fair to say then that the 400's are for girls and your 500 is a bit of a a yob ?
If cars could get ASBO's it would have one for sure! How many cars make nearby children burst into tears when they start up?
We're playing right into the hands of the Griff crowd with the "girly 400" comments though
oi less of the girlie 400 comments, mine definately ain't.
I'll second that! My 'girly' 400 has people running out their front doors thinking there's an earthquake when she starts.
It's interesting that you refer to your Chim as "she" because I've never thought of mine as anything other than a "he". How would you describe her chracter then ?
s5tvr said:
It's interesting that you refer to your Chim as "she" because I've never thought of mine as anything other than a "he". How would you describe her chracter then ?
Its a SHE because...
- If you dont treat HER right, SHE'll dump your ass and leave ya sittin on the side of the curb...
- I spend all my money on HER...
- I only get to play with HER on the weekends...
- Whereever SHE goes guys cant keep their eyes off HER...
- and last, but certainly not least, SHE's OH SO BEAUTIFUL. haha
Im feel im not yet totally qualified to give a full and accurate description of HER as i've only had HER for 3 weeks. Let me take HER for a nice one-to-one, get to know HER a bit..... then i'll kiss and tell.
>> Edited by damnfinechim on Tuesday 2nd August 11:33
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