V8 UPGRADE VS TAMORA
Discussion
I had posted this on the Chim thread and they suggested to post it here.Basically i can't decide if i should spend money at TVR power for a Taraka+ upgrade on my Chim 5L and some nitrons or use the money to change over to a Tamora. I love the character of the 5L but the car is not getting any younger has anybody moved over to the speed six tamora from a chim.
I have exactly the same problem. I have a 98 4.0l Chim with 42k. Pretty much reliable for 7 years...but it's getting on a bit and adding 6-8k a year with an occasional run to the continent.
Thinking about a 53 plate T350 or newer Tamora.
TVR specialist advice and ex dealer advice to me was stick with Chim. T350 not really up to that sort of mileage and does tend to fall out of tune quickly so will need more regular visits to resolve. That's if it doesn't break.
Main dealer said post 2002 shouldn't be a problem (obviously they would).
One place said forget TVR and get a couple of years old Noble.
One decider might be the trade in you might get if you P/X. Generally it's a lot lower than you might think. It's all swaying me towards staying where I am.
Interesting to see what you Speed Six owners think
Thinking about a 53 plate T350 or newer Tamora.
TVR specialist advice and ex dealer advice to me was stick with Chim. T350 not really up to that sort of mileage and does tend to fall out of tune quickly so will need more regular visits to resolve. That's if it doesn't break.
Main dealer said post 2002 shouldn't be a problem (obviously they would).
One place said forget TVR and get a couple of years old Noble.
One decider might be the trade in you might get if you P/X. Generally it's a lot lower than you might think. It's all swaying me towards staying where I am.
Interesting to see what you Speed Six owners think
bonnia said:
I have exactly the same problem. I have a 98 4.0l Chim with 42k. Pretty much reliable for 7 years...but it's getting on a bit and adding 6-8k a year with an occasional run to the continent.
Thinking about a 53 plate T350 or newer Tamora.
TVR specialist advice and ex dealer advice to me was stick with Chim. T350 not really up to that sort of mileage and does tend to fall out of tune quickly so will need more regular visits to resolve. That's if it doesn't break.
Main dealer said post 2002 shouldn't be a problem (obviously they would).
One place said forget TVR and get a couple of years old Noble.
One decider might be the trade in you might get if you P/X. Generally it's a lot lower than you might think. It's all swaying me towards staying where I am.
Interesting to see what you Speed Six owners think
Well we bought a Tamora last month with a view to doing 20K a year in it. So far after 1 month we have done 1,800 so I am very suprised someone has said 6-8K a year being too much.
There is some research on Pistonheads that does suggest that the majority of engines that have failed are up to 2002. So a post 2002 car would I guess be a better bet.
With regard to the Noble, undoubtdly a nice car but I am sure if you wanted a Noble in the first place, you would have enquired about one rather than a TVR.
Only time will tell about the longlevity of the latest spec Speed Six's, all I can say is that in 17 months time (34K miles) we will be looking at a replacement and we have already checked out the Tuscan convertible as a replacement
My first TVR was a Chimaera 450. To be honest the only thing I miss is the sound. I find the Tamora is the most driver friendly of all the TVRs I've driven and highly recommend a test drive so you can judge for yourself.
Between the Chimaera and Tamora I had a Tuscan which looked the business but was the least friendly of the three to drive. Had the design changes made to the Tuscan II been a step forward rather than a few steps back I would most likely have the T2 convertible, but as it stands the most beautiful interiors are in the Tamora range (T350, Sagaris) and as far as drivability the Tamora and Sagaris are at the top of the heap!
All my opinion of course!
Between the Chimaera and Tamora I had a Tuscan which looked the business but was the least friendly of the three to drive. Had the design changes made to the Tuscan II been a step forward rather than a few steps back I would most likely have the T2 convertible, but as it stands the most beautiful interiors are in the Tamora range (T350, Sagaris) and as far as drivability the Tamora and Sagaris are at the top of the heap!
All my opinion of course!
I also had a Chim 450 as my first TVR, loved it, loved the noise, grunt, looks, however, once I drove the Tam, it was all of those feelings again, but 10 fold!
Yes, the V8 burble was nice, but I bought my Tamora to drive, and in that dept. they are chalk and cheese - The Tamora will always look after you when driving hard, whereas the older Chim would bite, plus with the super sports exhaust, I confess to liking the sound of that more than the Chims! (although, I admit to nver fully succumbing to fully the 'American V8 sountrack' and getting gooey eyed about it, that thought reminds me of all the crap 70s/80s films with all US cars sounding the same, and all looking like Ford Cortinas on steroids, i.e. ugly!), but I digress!, I was happy to sell my chim for the Tamora, but I cannot see me selling my Tamora anytime soon, as there is no other car out there that I can think of (in my price range, and convertible), that comes even close to the same experience! 
Oh yes, just remembered, I too thought about upgrades for my Chim before taking the plunge, it worked out at around £6-7K to get the Chim anywhere remotely near the same performance/handling as the 'T' series of TVRs, and, after almost 2 years with the Tam that has NEVER badly let me down, that decision has been well and truly justified!
One more point to bear in mind is the sheer power of the S6, and it's much more user friendly - in the Chim, once over 4.5-5K revs, acceleration lost momentum, in the S6, it's the complete opposite - plus the fact it's a LOT more economical!
>> Edited by chris watton on Saturday 22 October 20:38
Yes, the V8 burble was nice, but I bought my Tamora to drive, and in that dept. they are chalk and cheese - The Tamora will always look after you when driving hard, whereas the older Chim would bite, plus with the super sports exhaust, I confess to liking the sound of that more than the Chims! (although, I admit to nver fully succumbing to fully the 'American V8 sountrack' and getting gooey eyed about it, that thought reminds me of all the crap 70s/80s films with all US cars sounding the same, and all looking like Ford Cortinas on steroids, i.e. ugly!), but I digress!, I was happy to sell my chim for the Tamora, but I cannot see me selling my Tamora anytime soon, as there is no other car out there that I can think of (in my price range, and convertible), that comes even close to the same experience!
Oh yes, just remembered, I too thought about upgrades for my Chim before taking the plunge, it worked out at around £6-7K to get the Chim anywhere remotely near the same performance/handling as the 'T' series of TVRs, and, after almost 2 years with the Tam that has NEVER badly let me down, that decision has been well and truly justified!
One more point to bear in mind is the sheer power of the S6, and it's much more user friendly - in the Chim, once over 4.5-5K revs, acceleration lost momentum, in the S6, it's the complete opposite - plus the fact it's a LOT more economical!
>> Edited by chris watton on Saturday 22 October 20:38
alloypearltam said:
There is some research on Pistonheads that does suggest that the majority of engines that have failed are up to 2002.
Sorry, but that just isn't the case. The survey to which you refer SURVEY is completely out of date now, and relied on Pistonheads TVR owners acknowledging their cars reliability. What the survey did show was that there were a lot of older Tuscans going pop, and to extrapolate that to all pre-2002 engines is nonsense. Don't forget that the speed six engine has been in production foir a lot longer than the Tamora.
You may also see that I was the third person to copmment on the above thread, merely to say that I hoped my car was exempt from the engine gremlins, and I'm still driving the same car with no engine problems at all.
This is exactly the kind of Chinese whispers that dooms TVR with an eternal taint of poor quality, and dodgy reliability - and most of which is generated by TVR owners!!
nubbin said:
There is some research on Pistonheads that does suggest that the majority of engines that have failed are up to 2002.
Sorry, but that just isn't the case. The survey to which you refer SURVEY is completely out of date now, and relied on Pistonheads TVR owners acknowledging their cars reliability. What the survey did show was that there were a lot of older Tuscans going pop, and to extrapolate that to all pre-2002 engines is nonsense. Don't forget that the speed six engine has been in production foir a lot longer than the Tamora.
You may also see that I was the third person to copmment on the above thread, merely to say that I hoped my car was exempt from the engine gremlins, and I'm still driving the same car with no engine problems at all.
This is exactly the kind of Chinese whispers that dooms TVR with an eternal taint of poor quality, and dodgy reliability - and most of which is generated by TVR owners!!
Then I shall stand corrected by Nubbin. In the interest of fairness I understand that there has been a 2004 Speed Six Engine at TVR Power requiring a rebuild.
And just to say in the interest of fairness too that it was a main dealer that mentioned to me about the pre 2002 S6 issue.
And after all "theres no smoke without fire" and that is something that TVR will have to manage in their publicity and future cars if they want it to go away. It's amazing what a few dodgy cars a few yers ago can do for a reputation.
But to me at least it's encourging to see more and more people finally talking about getting past the V8's and into S6's. And people saying that the S6'owners are getting reasonable reliability out of them
But anyway...the conclusion I am coming to is that the Tam or T350 is a far better drive than a Chim but that the same applies to them as any other TVR (or other brand for that matter) ever made which is that you get mostly good ones and you get the occasional bad one. You take your chances...you will most probably be very happy...but one or two might not.
I might just pop along to my local dealer!! Resistance is futile
And after all "theres no smoke without fire" and that is something that TVR will have to manage in their publicity and future cars if they want it to go away. It's amazing what a few dodgy cars a few yers ago can do for a reputation.
But to me at least it's encourging to see more and more people finally talking about getting past the V8's and into S6's. And people saying that the S6'owners are getting reasonable reliability out of them
But anyway...the conclusion I am coming to is that the Tam or T350 is a far better drive than a Chim but that the same applies to them as any other TVR (or other brand for that matter) ever made which is that you get mostly good ones and you get the occasional bad one. You take your chances...you will most probably be very happy...but one or two might not.
I might just pop along to my local dealer!! Resistance is futile
Actually Andrew your not alone, when I looked at a car 2 years ago (Nov 03) I was advised by my dealer to look at the latest TVR possible purely because of the continous improvement.
Interestingly when I bought ours, I was advised that for us it would not have been a good idea for us to have bought a car 2 years ago,
In both cases these were main dealers.
Having said that when I looked recently I first of all looked at 2002/2003 cars, the reason I didnt buy one was nothing to do with concerns about the product, it was purely that whilst the 02/03 cars represented a very good buy, I could not get a viable deal to include my Mercedes trade in. The only way I could do that was to buy a new car.
Your also right when you talk about TVR not being alone. Although I sound like a stuck record, but view the Porsche Forum, look at the thread about 997 engines going pop. It's a common occurrance apparantly. So one of the most respected sportscar manufacturers also has engine issues.
My advice is Go For It, you won't regret it.
>> Edited by alloypearltam on Sunday 23 October 11:37
Interestingly when I bought ours, I was advised that for us it would not have been a good idea for us to have bought a car 2 years ago,
In both cases these were main dealers.
Having said that when I looked recently I first of all looked at 2002/2003 cars, the reason I didnt buy one was nothing to do with concerns about the product, it was purely that whilst the 02/03 cars represented a very good buy, I could not get a viable deal to include my Mercedes trade in. The only way I could do that was to buy a new car.
Your also right when you talk about TVR not being alone. Although I sound like a stuck record, but view the Porsche Forum, look at the thread about 997 engines going pop. It's a common occurrance apparantly. So one of the most respected sportscar manufacturers also has engine issues.
My advice is Go For It, you won't regret it.
>> Edited by alloypearltam on Sunday 23 October 11:37
I have done 8k since March and the engine just keeps getting better-I had a belter of a run up to Liverpool last weekend! I would say the 8K a year story was just that.
Something else to consider-my first test drive was in a mk1 Tuscan,I then bought a 2003 Tuscan S and the step on in handling was substantial-I hade exactly the same experience when I bought a new T350C-a substantial step on. I would say that the T350C is now comparable with the Lotus Elise I owned before joining the supercar league.
Why not hire one out for a weekend and drive them back to back over the same roads.
If you do I would lay a large bet on which way you would go.
Something else to consider-my first test drive was in a mk1 Tuscan,I then bought a 2003 Tuscan S and the step on in handling was substantial-I hade exactly the same experience when I bought a new T350C-a substantial step on. I would say that the T350C is now comparable with the Lotus Elise I owned before joining the supercar league.
Why not hire one out for a weekend and drive them back to back over the same roads.
If you do I would lay a large bet on which way you would go.
The problem with this is that you are all comparing a Tamora with a standard Chim. Not too difficult to guess the result. The poster is trying to compare a Tamora with an upgraded Chim which is much more difficult to assess, partly because there aren't that many around and also because the modifications might not suit everybody.
I have a modded Griff and feel the handling and overall package suits me better than the Tamora. My suggestion is that you pick the car you like the look of/sitting in best as with the right modifications (carried out by the right person/people) you can get a Chim to perform as well as the Tamora or better (IMHO).
I have a modded Griff and feel the handling and overall package suits me better than the Tamora. My suggestion is that you pick the car you like the look of/sitting in best as with the right modifications (carried out by the right person/people) you can get a Chim to perform as well as the Tamora or better (IMHO).
Ask your passengers which car they would prefer to sit in - a Tamora with plenty of legroom, or a Chimaera with your knees around your ears.
Then ask yourself which car you would prefer in an accident. A chimaera with complete absence of roll-over protection, and rudimentary side impact protection, or a Tamora, which will actually prevent you from having your head ripped off if you flip the car (trust me, it works!)
Also ask yourself, if you prefer AP Racing or Sierra brakes.
Etc. etc. It isn't just about performance/handling - there are many other ways in which the Tamora is the better car.
Then ask yourself which car you would prefer in an accident. A chimaera with complete absence of roll-over protection, and rudimentary side impact protection, or a Tamora, which will actually prevent you from having your head ripped off if you flip the car (trust me, it works!)
Also ask yourself, if you prefer AP Racing or Sierra brakes.
Etc. etc. It isn't just about performance/handling - there are many other ways in which the Tamora is the better car.
Completely agree with you Nubbin and well said! I was about to rise to the pre '02 generalisation but then read further down and saw yours.
I'm another that came from a Chimaera 4.0l to a Tamora and honestly haven't looked back since. Once you get in a Tamora you feel like you've moved forward a generation.
So given the choice again it would definitely be the Tamora....
I'm another that came from a Chimaera 4.0l to a Tamora and honestly haven't looked back since. Once you get in a Tamora you feel like you've moved forward a generation.
So given the choice again it would definitely be the Tamora....
I was in the same position as you a year ago, though she was a 4L Chim. Great fun and reliable for nearly six years, but I was looking for a bit more performance. I considered the upgrade route, a 5L Chim, and I test drove a T350.
I now drive a T350. I haven't looked back. Now I am used to the engine note I don't even miss the "V8 Burble", though I loved it at the time.
Sure, the doomsayers here may be right, and the Speed Six curse may get me, but you can get serious problems in a Boxster too (and at least I can tell which way around I parked her as I try to get in the door
)
Have a test drive...
I now drive a T350. I haven't looked back. Now I am used to the engine note I don't even miss the "V8 Burble", though I loved it at the time.
Sure, the doomsayers here may be right, and the Speed Six curse may get me, but you can get serious problems in a Boxster too (and at least I can tell which way around I parked her as I try to get in the door
) Have a test drive...
spadgefr said:
I had posted this on the Chim thread and they suggested to post it here.Basically i can't decide if i should spend money at TVR power for a Taraka+ upgrade on my Chim 5L and some nitrons or use the money to change over to a Tamora. I love the character of the 5L but the car is not getting any younger has anybody moved over to the speed six tamora from a chim.
Simple solution....
Move with evolution or become a v8 dinosaur. If you stay the latter you will eventually grow a beard and have bad breath accompaning wrotten teeth.
Now let me think....
Now that reminds me i must attend a monthly meet.
spadge - I went from a Chimaera to a T350 - same as a Tamora really. The Speed Six is a great engine, esp when you're zooming along those rural French roads. Brakes and suspension are far superior, chassis is stronger (also look under the floor and see what your seat is bolted to in the Chimaera). Clutch is light, pedal box is generally nice to use. Less heat soak. Aircon works. Speed Six sounds wicked in its own way.
No constest really. I still look admirably at Chimaeras, but I'd never consider going back to one.
No constest really. I still look admirably at Chimaeras, but I'd never consider going back to one.
nubbin said:
Ask your passengers which car they would prefer to sit in - a Tamora with plenty of legroom, or a Chimaera with your knees around your ears.
Then ask yourself which car you would prefer in an accident. A chimaera with complete absence of roll-over protection, and rudimentary side impact protection, or a Tamora, which will actually prevent you from having your head ripped off if you flip the car (trust me, it works!)
Also ask yourself, if you prefer AP Racing or Sierra brakes.
Etc. etc. It isn't just about performance/handling - there are many other ways in which the Tamora is the better car.
I would say the v8 in the chim is a better long term bet for reliability and parts though - as a sweeping generalisation.
then again doesn't the tam share a chassis with the tuscan, which apparently due to a kingk in the chassis, to fit the engine in, allows the car to fold up, and bye bye passenger?
On good authority, but not to be mentioned who.
B
>> Edited by bjwoods on Tuesday 25th October 19:22
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