How well do the chims handle ?
Discussion
As I am looking to purchase a Chim very shortly and quite probally will have a reasonably long drive to pick it up (very few for sale in Scotland)
Been a while since I have driven rear wheel drive car and certainly not with the same power as a Chim (had a few Tr7s and Scimitar 5a in past few years)
Not wanting a hairy drive home what should I expect and would it be worthwhile doing one of those performance driving days beforehand?
Been a while since I have driven rear wheel drive car and certainly not with the same power as a Chim (had a few Tr7s and Scimitar 5a in past few years)
Not wanting a hairy drive home what should I expect and would it be worthwhile doing one of those performance driving days beforehand?
IMO a well set up chim in the dry will not be scary unless you are a complete idiot. power delivery is very smooth and progressive and pedal travel is nice and long.
however in the wet, like all powerful rear wheel drive cars, the car can be very tempremental under even moderate power in the corners. just drive carefully. roundabouts with weird cambers have caught me (and others) out a couple of times
however in the wet, like all powerful rear wheel drive cars, the car can be very tempremental under even moderate power in the corners. just drive carefully. roundabouts with weird cambers have caught me (and others) out a couple of times
A well set up Chim will handle very well indeed, with bags of grip and feel. The unfortunate fact is very very few are well set up and display all sorts of quirks and foibles. These cars are extremely sensitive to geometery changes and wear/tear in suspension components, coupled with tyre variables, can introduce some scary and ragged behaviour on uneven roads etc. Best bet in a 'new' car is to take it gingerly until you get used to it, smooth inputs and lowish speeds. Watch out for tramlining.
Enjoy, worth it
Enjoy, worth it
I bought mine in late November a couple of years ago.
When I picked it up, I drove down the motorway at 70 all the way.
When I got off and reached roundabouts I resisted the temptation to press the loud pedal and drove it home like an old granny. - Basically treating it with as much respect as possible.
Then slowly begin to build up my experience plus a ride drive course, etc.
If you treat it carefully, or should I sensibly, I seriously doubt it'll bite you on the bum.
When I picked it up, I drove down the motorway at 70 all the way.
When I got off and reached roundabouts I resisted the temptation to press the loud pedal and drove it home like an old granny. - Basically treating it with as much respect as possible.
Then slowly begin to build up my experience plus a ride drive course, etc.
If you treat it carefully, or should I sensibly, I seriously doubt it'll bite you on the bum.
V8 GRF said:
Just be sensible and don't apply any power till the car's pointing in a straight line. Contrary to popular opinion these cars do not try to kill you at every opportunity, just treat it with respect and build up your speed as you become confident.
Agreed - Get all the wheels straight before applying progresive power.
Can be twitchy while using nitrous and trying to race a 500 bhp 4WD Golf!
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=cY8KKbAsAx8
Otherwise Ok in normal conditions.
Go buy and enjoy
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=cY8KKbAsAx8
Otherwise Ok in normal conditions.
Go buy and enjoy
Edited by dbv8 on Tuesday 25th November 13:30
Edited by dbv8 on Tuesday 25th November 13:31
Wildfire said:
Treat the car with respect, progressively on everything and you will be fine. Check the tyre pressures though as these make the world of difference.
agree.... + as with any car, you push them hard and they will let loose... the problem with TVR's is that they don't give you much warning as to when this might happen... so take it easy, especially when the ground conditions are slippy.Does the Chimaera handle as well as some of the more modern rear wheel drive sports cars around today? No it doesn't. There are plenty better.
In comparison to a wallowy family saloon it handles brilliantly.
For most people who get one it will handle more than well enough. It's the package you weigh against it's competitors...and a Chimaera has lots of things it does very well indeed.
In comparison to a wallowy family saloon it handles brilliantly.
For most people who get one it will handle more than well enough. It's the package you weigh against it's competitors...and a Chimaera has lots of things it does very well indeed.
spend said:
There is no reason the car cannot be made to handle as well as any exotic supercar IMHO, with the proviso about its light weight in treacherous conditions.
But it could cost you £5k to make a bad one into a good one
....But it could cost you £5k to make a bad one into a good one
Very true, Its a bit like saying how longs a peice of string, i you get one still running on standard shocks and tired bushes with crap tyres it will put you off for life, if you buy one with modern shocks and well set up you will be surprised at how well it behaves.
Excuse me from butting in. Thought I'd pop over from the S forum (hope they don't find out 
), thinking of either putting a 24v engine in my S3, getting a V8S or getting a 400 Chimaera. Do Chimaeras handle better than the S series? Thanks. Sorry for attempting to hijack your post kind sir 
), thinking of either putting a 24v engine in my S3, getting a V8S or getting a 400 Chimaera. Do Chimaeras handle better than the S series? Thanks. Sorry for attempting to hijack your post kind sir Keep in a higher gear than you think during the early days.
Only change gear in a straight line.
Match the revs properly when changing gear.
Keep the fuel tank above ¼.
They are sensitive to being properly set up. You lack the experience on this particular car to know how well set up this particular car is. So, first job when you get home is to take it into someone good and have it properly checked over and if necessary set up. Your local TVRCC members will advise you of who to take it to.
Only change gear in a straight line.
Match the revs properly when changing gear.
Keep the fuel tank above ¼.
They are sensitive to being properly set up. You lack the experience on this particular car to know how well set up this particular car is. So, first job when you get home is to take it into someone good and have it properly checked over and if necessary set up. Your local TVRCC members will advise you of who to take it to.
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