S2 v. Chimaera

[DaveM]

I'm usually on the "S" thread, but have moved over for advice/help etc. Currently have a 1989 S2 68,000 miles in ave/good condition. Am thinking of moving up to a Chimaera - seen a 1995 4 litre with 37,000 miles & FTVRSH.
Questions:
1. Has anyone on here moved from S to Chimaera? What comments would you make? Anyone regretted it - if so, why?
2. What are the downsides of Chimaeras and what should I be looking for when considering them?

Thanks

DaveM

[clint888]

I'm usually on the "S" thread, but have moved over for advice/help etc. Currently have a 1989 S2 68,000 miles in ave/good condition. Am thinking of moving up to a Chimaera - seen a 1995 4 litre with 37,000 miles & FTVRSH.
Questions:
1. Has anyone on here moved from S to Chimaera? What comments would you make? Anyone regretted it - if so, why?
2. What are the downsides of Chimaeras and what should I be looking for when considering them?

Thanks

DaveM

I changed to a 4L Chim (1996) and I have found it much more reliable than my V8S used to be. I am not afraid of long journeys also,of course, it is a stunning car cosmetically especially if you add on a few Leven Tech bits and pieces. Only downside was that I missed the noise but I added a sports exhaust which makes it nearly as good. Just one thing get the latest you can afford--the faults are more likely to have been ironed out

[alan_d]

Having moved from an S2 to a Chimaera 6 months ago, my tuppence worth (in no particular order):

Advantages over an S2:
Lower noise at motorway speeds (you can even hear the stereo!)
Easier to get in and out
Easier to achieve a comfortable driving position
Better access to front of engine bay as bonnet lifts higher
Greater ground clearance - can negotiate most speed ramps
Windscreen wpiers/washers much more effective
Easier to read instruments at night and no head-up display
Generally seems a more practical and useable everyday car

Disadvantages:
Significantly higher fuel consumption (especially a 5 litre)
Front wishbones are very prone to rusting - check carefully
One piece roof panel tricky to stow. Look for tell-tale paint gouges either side of the boot lid.
Tall passengers find it a bit cramped (battery at feet)
Doors snag on high kerbs
You can only see MPVs and low flying aircraft through the rear view mirror with hood down (slight exaggeration )

I have had no regrets so far. There has never been a better time to buy a used Chimaera. With plenty on the market at the moment you should have no problem finding a car of the colour and spec of your choice in good condition.


>> Edited by alan_d on Sunday 20th October 12:43

[DaveM]

Thanks for comments chaps! I'm still pondering, checking the bank balance and reading articles etc. Really torn between the advantages of the later technology of the Chim and my first TVR (I'm an old sentimentalist!!). Also Chim that turned my head may well have been sold now - probably a good thing - pink's not a good colour for a 14 stone, 6 foot 1 inch, hairy a*sed gorilla!

Any more comments from anyone upgraded from S to Chim welcomed!

DaveM

[simpo one]

I moved from S3 to Griffith, and I confess that I still miss the S3. Not desperately fast, but pretty in ash green/magnolia and in super condition.

I moved up for the power, sound and look of the Griffith - and I confess a small desire to keep up with the pack. But you can't keep every car (unless you're very wealthly and have the space of course), so the S3 went. If I still had it, though, I'd be much better off - in 5+ years of owning two Griffs, I must have lost about 14K in depreciation. It's a head v heart thing. The head will say stick with your S2, you know it, it's cheaper to run, will depreciate less etc. The heart will tell you to do want you really want.

If you can't decide, do nothing. Eventually the urge to change will either become so great your mind is made up, or it will subside and you'll wonder what all the fuss was about.

[Dan M]

That's a good summary by alan d - I swapped from S2 to Chimaera 4.0 3 years ago (£12k price difference). The S2 cost me about £2000 per year in ownership, the Chimaera has cost about £5000, a lot of it depreciation.

In a lot of ways it's a much better car but will cost you more to run, especially if you maintain TVR fsh. I did consider going back to an S to save money, but the amount I would save now is not worth it. Depreciation has slowed on earlier cars so they are more of a bargain now than when I bought.


Dan

[The Dodger]

Maybe not quite the same change but I moved from a 350SE wedge (4.0l) to a Chim this year. I had the wedge 5 years and loved every minute, and it cost peanuts over that time. Only had the chim a few months now but I sometimes still miss the raw throaty loud sound of the wedge. And it's rarity. And the glovebox.