Chim 500 to a Tamora
Chim 500 to a Tamora
Author
Discussion

GMS 500

Original Poster:

727 posts

244 months

Wednesday 16th July 2008
quotequote all
I've had my 500 Chimaera for a couple of years now and am ready to move on. I'm very tempted to trade in and am tempted by a Tamora. Has anyone here got relevant experience specifically of these 2 models? I don't imagine I'd regret the upgrade, but wondered what I should look out for (besides the basics).

Cheers
Graham

TGJR

750 posts

257 months

Thursday 17th July 2008
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I've had a Griff 500 and a Tamora but went the other way having the Tamora first. For me the Griff felt more like a classic sports car and certainly beats the Tamora on looks, however, the Tamora was a far more accomplished handling car and inspired me with much more confidence. I actually enjoyed my Tamora more on track than my Sag and had it not been for some irritating build quality issues (it was a 2002 car bought new) I would have probably kept it longer. I much prefer the speed 6 to the V8 though it is well documented that it is not as durable over mileage!

Oat$y

1,550 posts

245 months

Thursday 17th July 2008
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TGJR said:
it is well documented that it is not as durable over mileage!
Was pre 2004 ! Much better post 2004 smile

900T-R

20,406 posts

286 months

Thursday 17th July 2008
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[quote=Oat$y]
TGJR said:
it is well documented that it is not as durable over mileage!
Was pre 2004 ! Much better post 2004 smile
But we've yet to see any 100K+ S6 engines, right?

Oat$y

1,550 posts

245 months

Thursday 17th July 2008
quotequote all
Correct, but they do last longer than 8K which was about the average of the engines with crap indian componants. If I get 40K out of mine I will be very happy. I do expect a rebuild at some time. When that happens I expect technology and expertise of the S6 to last 100K without a doubt

icraigmy

1,653 posts

252 months

Thursday 17th July 2008
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[quote=Oat$y]Correct, but they do last longer than 8K which was about the average of the engines with crap indian componants. If I get 40K out of mine I will be very happy. I do expect a rebuild at some time. When that happens I expect technology and expertise of the S6 to last 100K without a doubt
[/quote]

My 2002 Tamora had done 21000 miles before I got the S6 rebuilt and upgraded to 4.0L (my own choosing as the engine did not blow). The only noticable thing with the old engine was that the cam followers were well worn. Might have got another 12k out of the old engine.

The new engine I hope to last for at least 100K+, before another rebuild.

coach

1,118 posts

281 months

Thursday 17th July 2008
quotequote all
GMS 500 said:
I've had my 500 Chimaera for a couple of years now and am ready to move on. I'm very tempted to trade in and am tempted by a Tamora. Has anyone here got relevant experience specifically of these 2 models? I don't imagine I'd regret the upgrade, but wondered what I should look out for (besides the basics).

Cheers
Graham
Graham, I went from a Chim 450 to a Tam. Do not regret it one bit.
Choose Carefully, get it inspected and enjoy

PM me if you want a natter on the phone

J

T40ORA

5,177 posts

248 months

Thursday 17th July 2008
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I've over 42k on mine. OK, rebuild needed now but 42k for this sort of a mill is OK. And if yu check the Speed 6 forum there is at least on owner with 49k and no problems.

I also expect a hell of a lot more miles after the rebuild...

L33

3,469 posts

253 months

Friday 18th July 2008
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I went from a Wedge to a Chim 500 and then to a Tamora.

The Tamora is excellent and such good fun.

If I'm honest, the Chim had most torque (500 Taraka) but if you use the gears on the Tamora, I doubt there is much either way in terms of peformance.

The Tamora is so much better build - its very obvious when you start to drive it, its evolved a great deal from previous models.

As for Comfort, the Wedge wins, followed by the Chim and lastly the Tamora. Personally, the driving position of the Tamora feels like your being tilted forward - constantly feeling like your gonna slide forwards out of your seat (although in reality you wouldn't). The Tamora is lacking an armrest for your right arm which was built into the door cards of the Wedge and the Chim. Each to their own, but as much as I love the Tamora, other cars have been more comfortable over long distances.

Having owned a Wedge, a Chim and now a Tamora, if I were to honest, the Chim did very little for me. The wedge however I loved and still regret selling. The looks are not to everyones taste (just like the rear "hippos-arse" of the Tamora), but the driving experience, noise and sence of occaision from a wedge is unbeatable.

Going back to your original question however, ditch the Chim and get a Tamora! Had you asked if you should ditch a GOOD wedge for a Tamora, them my answer may have been different.

thumbup

Edited to say, I didn't mention handling - the Tamora wins hands-down on the handling stakes. I'd think the best handling TVR ever been produced. I'd go as far as saying I think its very lotus elise - like (which is a very good thing).

Edited by L33 on Friday 18th July 10:08

GMS 500

Original Poster:

727 posts

244 months

Friday 18th July 2008
quotequote all
Thanks for the comments and advice guys...

Coach: YHM

The owner of the car I'm interested in has gone away on holiday so I'm not in a rush - which is always nice.

geordieexpat

482 posts

221 months

Friday 18th July 2008
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My Sag is running all ok and over 22K and only turned 3 yrs old.

I bought it with I believe over 19K in jan 08. I was at work from Feb 08 to May 08. So Ive really just had to play with it over the last 2 months and stuck over 3k miles on it and not a prob

Its in storage now as Im off to work again and will be away drilling holes in the ground for oil n gas

Derrick
Sagaris owner

helipilot

303 posts

282 months

Sunday 20th July 2008
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I've got a very cheap (£15,500) 2004 Tamora up for sale in the classifieds if you are interested?

Mark

L33

3,469 posts

253 months

Sunday 20th July 2008
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helipilot said:
I've got a very cheap (£15,500) 2004 Tamora up for sale in the classifieds if you are interested?

Mark
I offered you that a couple of months ago before I bought mine frown

helipilot

303 posts

282 months

Sunday 20th July 2008
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L33 said:
helipilot said:
I've got a very cheap (£15,500) 2004 Tamora up for sale in the classifieds if you are interested?

Mark
I offered you that a couple of months ago before I bought mine frown
I know. The markets pretty quiet at the mo so I've dropped my price significantly but won't be taking any offers on it. I reckon someone will get a bargain and it should go pretty quickly at that price. I'm sure you are very happy with the one you bought though.

rfisher

5,063 posts

312 months

Sunday 20th July 2008
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helipilot said:
I've got a very cheap (£15,500) 2004 Tamora up for sale in the classifieds if you are interested?

Mark
A few years ago I was driving my Chimaera through the centre of Manchester.

I stopped at some traffic lights and a tramp crossed the road in front of me.

He stopped halfway across, looked at the car and shouted in a broad Manc accent "silleeeeeeh".

I pissed myself laughing.

Little did I know that he had forseen you car ad and the 2003 one at £14k - silly.

I know that there's a credit crunch on guys but you're asking ~£5k less than the cars are worth.

I'm tempted to buy helipilot's and then sell mine. I prefer the colour of his and I'll make a few thou out of the deal.

No offence as they say.

helipilot

303 posts

282 months

Sunday 20th July 2008
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rfisher said:
Little did I know that he had forseen you car ad and the 2003 one at £14k - silly.

I know that there's a credit crunch on guys but you're asking ~£5k less than the cars are worth.

I'm tempted to buy helipilot's and then sell mine. I prefer the colour of his and I'll make a few thou out of the deal.

No offence as they say.
A car is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it. Mine has been dropped from £17,250 to £15,500. I agree it's a fantastic car for £17k let alone £15k but you have to price it for the Market if you want to sell it. Would you like to pay cash or cheque for it then?wink

GMS 500

Original Poster:

727 posts

244 months

Monday 21st July 2008
quotequote all
Heli: I was having a good look at that earlier - I'm tempted, will consider and be in touch! I Don't suppose you fancy trying a sorted Chimaera 500 + some cash then? - it's in the classified at £11K...

helipilot

303 posts

282 months

Tuesday 22nd July 2008
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GMS 500 said:
Heli: I was having a good look at that earlier - I'm tempted, will consider and be in touch! I Don't suppose you fancy trying a sorted Chimaera 500 + some cash then? - it's in the classified at £11K...
The reason I'm selling mine is that it's my only car and I've moved jobs, requiring a longer commute. I'm looking for a slightly more sensible car to commute with. I went from a Chimaera (albeit a 4.0) to a Tamora and you will love the difference. Good luck selling yours and if mines still around (i dont think it will be around for long at that price though) when you do give me a call.