Don't take this the wrong way chaps......

[silverback mike]

As per the title chaps!!!

The real subject is, "Is the chimaera softer than the V8S"

I mean this in the best possible way, as my explanation hopefully will show

My V8S is a corker, 40k, virtually everything under the skin is new, which includes suspension all round, rose jointed, bla bla.....

Wifey, a self confessed non sports car fan absolutely detests the way it is, as it's as hard as hell, a real drivers car in the sense that everything about it is hard, its ride, its engine etc etc.

Is the chimaera more user friendly? I only say this as I am getting bored driving the S on my own, it quite frankly is far too hard for the mrs and I fear we will never go anywhere for a drive if it involves this particular tvr. I know I could divorce wifey, but after 17years of marriage and 2 kids I don't really want to! Trouble is, she doesn't inherrently dislike the idea of a sports car, and is a lot more positive about a boxster as it is apparently a lot more comfortable, I think you get the drift.

Being a tvr nut I'm not going to get a boxster even though they undoubtedly are good, would cosider a honda s2000 but I reckon a chimaera would change her mind as they look to me to be a bit more 'comfortable' rather than the nutter stiffened V8s. I would estimate my S to be worth about 8k (5k spent on it in a year) so could pick up a slightly ropey chimaera for this - I don't have a problem with ropey as I enjoy doing things up. So would this be an option? Is the chimaera less of a mad thing and more user friendly for mrs silverback? I would reckon the performance is similar and my own personal view is that although the S is lighter, the chimaera is more modern and grown up. (Better ride quality)

So far, I've had 2 wedges, an S3C and the V8S, she hasn't particularly liked any of them....

[mongoose]

The Chimaera definately sounds like more what your(the wife) looking for!They definately arent a hard ride,unless deliberately made that way,and if you get a 5 litre,you'll eat the S2000's and Boxters for breakfastThere a great car,have you also considered a Griff?

[silverback mike]

Yes, love griffs Mike. I thought they were much akin to the V8S though, whereas the chimaera a bit more 'civilised'.I hate presuming and don't want to put any noses out of joint as I know what the happy tvr banter is like... But I'm going on what I have 'heard' Both cars I like the look of, so would be happy with either.

I've only had the V8 a couple of months so won't be rushing into things especially as it's rapidly turning into non tvr friendly weather anyway (even though I use mine all year )and there is absolutely nothing at all wrong with the s. It has adjustable suspension all round, I've tried it on the softer settings and it doesn't suit the car at all, it's just not right for it, so I've screwed them down again and off it goes.....brilliant fun, but can't help thinking wifey is missing out.

Could I be a pain Mike, and ask for a passenger ride in your griff at some stage, I'll come up to Gloucester. Then I can feel what it's like as I can't remember what Mike Ray's precat was like now. I guess I just need a comparison, that is unless your griff is as nutter like as the S......

[TJW]

V8S is certainly more like a 'go-kart' Chim is that slight bit more refined.. IMO>.

[silverback mike]

Just looked at your profile Mike, that griff certainly isn't normal is it...

[silverback mike]

TJW said:

V8S is certainly more like a 'go-kart' Chim is that slight bit more refined.. IMO>.

Personally I like the kart like quality of it, but I guess a compromise is best.

[pantani201]

I recently changed my S2 for a Griff , at the insistance of my "She who must be obeyed" and the difference in the cars is remarkable. The S was harsher and superb on the lanes, handled as if it was on rails and you knew youd driven a car. I had uprated suspension which was set quite hard and minimised roll. The griff is more comfortable and softer and relaxing to drive but as much as i love th car i miss the S.

[mongoose]

silverback mike said:

Yes, love griffs Mike. I thought they were much akin to the V8S though, whereas the chimaera a bit more 'civilised'.I hate presuming and don't want to put any noses out of joint as I know what the happy tvr banter is like... But I'm going on what I have 'heard' Both cars I like the look of, so would be happy with either.

I've only had the V8 a couple of months so won't be rushing into things especially as it's rapidly turning into non tvr friendly weather anyway (even though I use mine all year )and there is absolutely nothing at all wrong with the s. It has adjustable suspension all round, I've tried it on the softer settings and it doesn't suit the car at all, it's just not right for it, so I've screwed them down again and off it goes.....brilliant fun, but can't help thinking wifey is missing out.

Could I be a pain Mike, and ask for a passenger ride in your griff at some stage, I'll come up to Gloucester. Then I can feel what it's like as I can't remember what Mike Ray's precat was like now. I guess I just need a comparison, that is unless your griff is as nutter like as the S......

I think that nowadays,you have to remember that the Griff and Chim have the same chassis,and as they are all a few years old by now,they could have any kind of suspension set up fitted,and the age and wear of the shocks and springs will vary.From new the Chim was softer,except the 500 was the same as my Griffs in my experience,which i still wouldn't call hard.Although my Griff runs on Nitrons,it certainly isnt a hard ride,infact it very compliant,without being too soft.Your more than welcome to a try out in my Griff Mike,any time you like,just drop me a line(just off for two weeks hols tomorrow though,so i'll reply when i return)

Edited by mongoose on Saturday 16th September 20:15

[silverback mike]

pantani201 said:

The S was harsher and superb on the lanes, handled as if it was on rails and you knew youd driven a car. I had uprated suspension which was set quite hard and minimised roll. The griff is more comfortable and softer and relaxing to drive but as much as i love th car i miss the S.

Sums mine up really I think. A great drivers car, but not so for passengers. I'm loathed to go non tvr, but want wifey to join in a bit - in fairness she has really tried but I know it's just too hard a ride. (ooer missus)

[silverback mike]

mongoose said:

silverback mike said:

Yes, love griffs Mike. I thought they were much akin to the V8S though, whereas the chimaera a bit more 'civilised'.I hate presuming and don't want to put any noses out of joint as I know what the happy tvr banter is like... But I'm going on what I have 'heard' Both cars I like the look of, so would be happy with either.

I've only had the V8 a couple of months so won't be rushing into things especially as it's rapidly turning into non tvr friendly weather anyway (even though I use mine all year )and there is absolutely nothing at all wrong with the s. It has adjustable suspension all round, I've tried it on the softer settings and it doesn't suit the car at all, it's just not right for it, so I've screwed them down again and off it goes.....brilliant fun, but can't help thinking wifey is missing out.

Could I be a pain Mike, and ask for a passenger ride in your griff at some stage, I'll come up to Gloucester. Then I can feel what it's like as I can't remember what Mike Ray's precat was like now. I guess I just need a comparison, that is unless your griff is as nutter like as the S......

I think that nowadays,you have to remember that the Griff and Chim have the same chassis,and as they are all a few years old by now,they could have any kind of suspension set up fitted,and the age and wear of the shocks and springs will vary.From new the Chim was softer,except the 500 was the same as my Griffs in my experience,which i still wouldn't call hard.Although my Griff runs on Nitrons,it certainly isnt a hard ride,infact it very compliant,without being too soft.Your more than welcome to a try out in my Griff Mike,any time you like,just drop me a line(just off for two weeks hols tomorrow though,so i'll reply when i return)

Edited by mongoose on Saturday 16th September 20:15

Indeed Mike, if on their original suspension they will be rather saggy I fear.. I'll send you a pm now, so when you're back, we can hopefully get together. I'll bring the S up for you to have a comparison as well.

Cheers Mike.

[scorcher]

Mike
Crazycraig is in the Bristol area.He has a standard Chim 500 he'd probably take you out in if you asked him nicely.I have a Griff 500 which should have a set of Gaz's on by Monday.I'm usually around at the weekends if you are about and want a spin.( not tomorrow..POTB )Just e-mail me through my profile if you want!
Matt

[mongoose]

silverback mike said:

Indeed Mike, if on their original suspension they will be rather saggy I fear.. I'll send you a pm now, so when you're back, we can hopefully get together. I'll bring the S up for you to have a comparison as well.

Cheers Mike.

Great stuff,ill really look forward to that,i've never been in an 's' and have always wanted to.

[silverback mike]

mongoose said:

silverback mike said:

Indeed Mike, if on their original suspension they will be rather saggy I fear.. I'll send you a pm now, so when you're back, we can hopefully get together. I'll bring the S up for you to have a comparison as well.

Cheers Mike.

Great stuff,ill really look forward to that,i've never been in an 's' and have always wanted to.

yhm See you after hols. I'll definately bring the wee beastie up.

[silverback mike]

scorcher said:

Mike
Crazycraig is in the Bristol area.He has a standard Chim 500 he'd probably take you out in if you asked him nicely.I have a Griff 500 which should have a set of Gaz's on by Monday.I'm usually around at the weekends if you are about and want a spin.( not tomorrow..POTB )Just e-mail me through my profile if you want!
Matt

Thanks Matt, will do, marvellous, that'll be Mongooses griff and your Chimaera to compare to my S. Can't beat direct comparisons, I'll send a you a mail. (I'm on a set of shifts from tomorrow so may not be for a bit)

[shnozz]

get the missus to drive the chim Mike (and you...)

Its a totally different beast to the V8S and you may find yourself missing the go kart handling (although on the flip side the missus may prefer the slightly more comfortable "wafting". I would advise you to go for a 450 or 500 though as you will find a 4 litre chim is slightly down on performance next to a sorted V8S due to the weight.

[silverback mike]

Will do shnozz, you get what I'm on about I guess as you have had all of them if I recall - however I doubt if mrs silverback will drive it. Mind you, you never know she may be like a wild thing if she tries it.....(again, ooer mrs )

I see what you are saying about the go kart handling, but I guess a compromise is the way ahead for the future....if it keeps me out of the land of slk's and boxsters. I do kind of like S2000's though.

Edited by silverback mike on Saturday 16th September 21:12

[TJW]

silverback mike said:

TJW said:

V8S is certainly more like a 'go-kart' Chim is that slight bit more refined.. IMO>.

Personally I like the kart like quality of it, but I guess a compromise is best.

Compramise you tried a V8S with 400+lb springs But it handled like on rails!

[silverback mike]

Mine does.

[TJW]

Whats the engine? std?

[GreenV8S]

Ride comfort is mainly down to spring rate and damper quality/settings, with bushes and tyre pressures making a small difference. If you want to improve the ride quality fit better quality dampers and/or softer springs. There's no inherent reason why an S should be any less comfortable than a Griffith/Chimaera.