From Chimaera to T350 - Is it a mad move?

[5LitreV8]

OK - it's now 2 months since I sold my Chimaera. I've considered all sorts of replacements - M3, S4, M5, Monaro, 350Z even a 996. But..... gosh.... those T350s look good. So, some questions: -

Is the T350 going to need more care and attention than a Chimaera?
Will it be less reliable?
Is it much more capable through the bends?
Are they depreciating much ?
Speed 6 – am I mad?
Cheers.
X-5LitreV8

[bomb]

Thats the move I made, and did not regret it.

Fantastic car, but a completely different animal.

Go for it.....

Very reliable provided you treat it properly.

[earlyriser]

5LitreV8 said:

OK - it's now 2 months since I sold my Chimaera. I've considered all sorts of replacements - M3, S4, M5, Monaro, 350Z even a 996. But..... gosh.... those T350s look good. So, some questions: -

Is the T350 going to need more care and attention than a Chimaera?
Will it be less reliable?
Is it much more capable through the bends?
Are they depreciating much ?
Speed 6 – am I mad?
Cheers.
X-5LitreV8

Is the T350 going to need more care and attention than a Chimaera and will it be less reliable?
Shouldn't think so and probably won't leak!
Is it much more capable through the bends?
With new dampers, mine's at least as good, if not better than my old S1 Elise, if thats a helpful comparison. I chose one as I read it was the ONLY TVR that does handle!
Are they depreciating much?
Ca. 20k? for good '03 currently. IMO it is the best looking TVR ever - Griff beautiful but getting old school now and Sag is a t-car thats been to a celebrity hairdresser
Speed 6 – am I mad?
Later ones sound quite reliable, reading what people post on here, and earlier ones have probably had necessary top-end work. Problem period for sp6 seems to have been 4 litre ca. 2000-01

All above highly subjective, naturally

Edited by earlyriser on Friday 11th May 12:36

[Nuggs]

It'll be fantastic and I'm sure you won't regret it.

However, on sunny days you will require a tin opener

[Battlecat]

I went from a Griff 500 to T350c just before Christmas and in no way regret it.

Very different cars. The T350 handles very well, comparing it to the Griff (both with standard suspension) the T350 is so much better, and feels much more stable at high speed. Brakes, steering, clutch, etc all feel more precise and lighter. The power delivery is obviously very different but once above 3 or 4,000 revs it really shifts. However you do have to treat the Speed 6 with care from cold whereas with the RV8 you’re more willing to use a few more revs.

Not being able to take the roof off is a bit of a compromise but the air con works fine.

[yellt350t]

went to a t350t from a chim ,only miss the V8 rumble ,handling wise they dont compare "chim = horse+cart"

[macdeb]

Well, I did similar and back again. Went from Griff' 500 to T350. Don't think there is any way a Griff'/chim' will handle like a T350, 'kin brill'. Great car to drive [though sensitive to tyre pressures] Looks the bollox, loved it. However, I do not believe the speed 6 issues have been dealt with, minor improvements perhaps but it aint right. Depreciation? who knows at present as they all seem to be in freefall. I lost over 6k in 8 months on mine. With the last two thoughts in mind plus my need at the time for some cash for my business, went back to RV8 in shape of a very nice 450 Chimaera of which I am very pleased with. Can drive now without the fear of 'what's that noise? is it gonna let go?' Is it a mad move? It's like being in 'one flew over the cuckoos nest' at medication time, you want the fix even though it's not doing you any good. Sounds like you've an itch you need to scratch but buyer beware and best of luck. Oh, and before the usual S6 mafia/johnny concrete types beat me up and wanna leave a blackpool donkeys head on my pillow, it's just an honest opinion from experience in an attempt to help the bloke make his mind up. Plus I STILL WOULD LOVE ANOTHER,,,,BUT,,,,,.

Edited by macdeb on Friday 11th May 15:55

Edited by macdeb on Friday 11th May 15:57

[jellison]

It is only the suspension that makes them different. Sort this and Chim is as good as any TVR - and it has a FAT V8. Ooh and of course you need to bin the std brake too.

[grumbledoak]

I made the same move in 2005, and I don't regret it at all.

The early 4l cars (mostly Tuscans) seemed to be most prone to engine failure, though you do want to warm the engine before using the revs. Servicing will be a little more expensive.

Most of the depreciation will have been taken by the previous owner(s); with the factory closure they dropped a little further but that seems to have slowed.

T-car handling is far better than the RV8 cars (as standard) though some still swear by upgrades. She'll feel a little darty at first, in comparison.

You may miss the exhaust note at idle of the V8, but I now find that I prefer the sound of the Speed6 when you give it the beans.

And remember, there can't be more than about 350 in the world!

I'd say "Go for it"

[earlyriser]

grumbledoak said:

And remember, there can't be more than about 350 in the world!

I'd say "Go for it"

Under 300, I'd have thought?

[hiltonig]

well i too have thought about the move but..... to spend 20k plus on a car which might just possibly have a engine prob in the future ( ok so it might not but its going to cost if it does ) and then what about spares, with no factory are they available, windows glass, speedos, electronics etc,

For me and this is my own thoughts i am sticking with the chim until the situtation all becomes clearer.Otherwise you takes yer money and make yer choice.

[glow worm]

Why not buy Jackie Stewarts Tuscan Convertible 25,000 miles and £28k?? Seems good value to me. You can take the roof off and it's got a boot.

Edited by glow worm on Friday 11th May 18:18

[s5tvr]

I did exactly that about 7 months ago, though I still have the Chim 500. The two cars are so different you could esily justify having both in the garage. If I had to take one though, it would be the T350 but not by the margin you might think. I have a RR T350 and it is much quicker than the Chim and handles much better and is a more driver focussed car - BUT - it lacks a bit of character compared to the Chim, you can't drop the roof and you can't cruise in the T350 like you can in the Chim, but then the Chim is more of GT car in character. The T350 attracts a ridulous amount of attention whereas the Chim is an understated classic "old school" design and I love it. I'm selling my Chim at the moment and it will truly be a sad day when it goes. With the Chim you seem to have 2 driving modes - out-and-outright attack and laid back cruising - the T350 feels like a track car by comparison and is constantly egging you on to drive it like one - not good for the licence or the wallet.

[macdeb]

s5tvr said:

I did exactly that about 7 months ago, though I still have the Chim 500. The two cars are so different you could esily justify having both in the garage. If I had to take one though, it would be the T350 but not by the margin you might think. I have a RR T350 and it is much quicker than the Chim and handles much better and is a more driver focussed car - BUT - it lacks a bit of character compared to the Chim, you can't drop the roof and you can't cruise in the T350 like you can in the Chim, but then the Chim is more of GT car in character. The T350 attracts a ridulous amount of attention whereas the Chim is an understated classic "old school" design and I love it. I'm selling my Chim at the moment and it will truly be a sad day when it goes. With the Chim you seem to have 2 driving modes - out-and-outright attack and laid back cruising - the T350 feels like a track car by comparison and is constantly egging you on to drive it like one - not good for the licence or the wallet.

With you there bloke, i know it sort of sounds arse about face but the T350 was only at it's best at full throttle everywhere.

[nailedon]

I went from a Chim 4.0 to a T350 via a Tam. They all have the TVR DNA but the T350 wins hands down on both practicality and peformance: Aircon; Dry, Boot space.
Best get a sports exhaust though as nothing quite beats the sound of that V8!