A question for any ex chimaera owners

[MPETT]

I have spent the last 2 years restoring my '93 chim to her former glory. I love her to bits but she could do with some modernisation. I have made a plan that will take up a fair amount of money and will result in a more modern looking and handling car. The trouble is that I have been tempted by an offer to buy a Tuscan. She is a blue 04 mk1, with 7500miles from new. I know the present owner and the car's short history.

I will spend a few thousand on the chim to bring her up to a modern standard, and I will own her outright. I'd have to sell the chim and get a loan for the Tuscan.

Has anyone made the transition and regretted parting with their chim? Or is the rawness and sheer exhilerations just amplified when sat in a Tuscan? Big question I know, and I'm sure some will say 'how long us a piece if string' but your views and opinions would be greatly appreciated.

[Rooty]

Take the plunge, you won't regret it. I went from a 98 Chim to 00 Tusc 2 years ago, even with just 2 years between the cars the difference is amazing. The Tuscan feels like a more together car, much more modern, especially with the suspension upgraded. I would imagine an 04 car with only 7.5k miles would feel like a brand spanker compared to your 93 chim.

Go for it, you will not look back.

[nistock]

I agree. Go for it. I started with a 98 4.5 Chimaera which I bought second hand. Having got the bug I then bought a new 2005 Tamora. I now have a Tuscan 2 convertible. All were different. The Chim was old school comfort, the Tam was edgy, but the Tuscan is power with a sophisticated chassis and is the best of the lot. Enjoy your driving!!

[Blues]

I did the sensible thing
I had my Chim supercharged, and have just bought a Tuscan Mk 1.
I still have the Chim though

[so called]

I had a 93 Chimaera and went to a 2000 Tuscan.
I didnt do any homework so ended up needing a rebuilt and a few other things BUT
I didnt regret the change. As said it feels a more modern car and its just incredible how much attention the car gets.
I now have a Mk2 convertible which has given me back the only bit I was missing from my Chimaera.

[Looby Loo]

We took the plunge in April and sold our Chim and got a Tuscan 2S. In an ideal world we would have kept the Chim as well as they are totally different animals but there is no such thing as an ideal world and we definitely didn't have the money to do it. Must admit I absolutely love the Tuscan and wouldn't want to part with her

[BDM]

so called said:

I now have a Mk2 convertible which has given me back the only bit I was missing from my Chimaera.

What bit was that mate?

[thegman]

BDM said:

so called said:

I now have a Mk2 convertible which has given me back the only bit I was missing from my Chimaera.

What bit was that mate?

Im guessing the roof

[so called]

thegman said:

BDM said:

so called said:

I now have a Mk2 convertible which has given me back the only bit I was missing from my Chimaera.

What bit was that mate?

Im guessing the roof

Yes, sorry, the full convertible bit.
Dont get me wrong though. I love the Targa version as well.
I very much liked the ability to have the rear window out for motorway driving.
It would have been great in Spain earlier this month where it was too hot to have the roof down for an 8 hour motorway run.
But you cant have everything. (unless you can afford both.......)

[Whitey]

9 years on and I still miss the noise of my Chim 500. In particular at start up, idle and low rpm driving.

[UpTheIron]

I had a 93 Chim, and it wasn't a patch on my 2000 450. The Tuscan is a better in every way, so I would go for it *if* the finances will stack up once you factor in a rebuild. If not, keep saving!

I still miss my Chim and often think about getting another, but I suspect the reality is not as good as the memories.

[Noisy]

I went from Griff 500 to Tuscan after crashing the Griff, the Tuscan just feels right and I can't stop driving it even 2 years on, I'm away from home at the moment so not driven the Tuscan for a week but will be heading home at the weekend swapping cars and bringing the Tuscan back with me instead.

[sf]

so called said:

I had a 93 Chimaera and went to a 2000 Tuscan.
I didnt do any homework so ended up needing a rebuilt and a few other things BUT
I didnt regret the change. As said it feels a more modern car and its just incredible how much attention the car gets.
I now have a Mk2 convertible which has given me back the only bit I was missing from my Chimaera.

Done the same, went from a 1993 Chimaera to a 2000 Tuscan, but my Tuscan just had a rebuild. The Tuscan is much more togeather, it's better build and a lot more reliable. The Chimaera felt very much like a kit-car, the Tuscan is superb.

[Chequred Demon]

Lucky enough to have both (96 Chimp and 200 Tuscan MK1) for over a year but now sold the Chimp, which should answer your question.

Be aware! The Tuscan costs a LOT more money per year to keep in fine fettle.

[MPETT]

thanks for all the replies. Chim is Mot'd and up for sale!

[MPETT]

FINALLY!!!

I've had a remarkable string of good luck. Sold the house and the chim all within 2.5 months and am now the prowd owner of a 1 owner '04 mk1 tuscan with 7800miles:

http://www3.snapfish.co.uk/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=...

Very very different car to the Chim. I bought the car from a friend's dad. It wasn't mot'd when I looked at it, so I never drove it, but I knew it was a gem and had been religiously looked after!! Today was the first proper drive and what a car!

At first I wasn't sure. The sound at low revs is just weird. Different to anything I have ever driven. I also couldn't get comfortable. (not as comforatble as the chim!

After a good drive to and from work I'm warming to the car although I don't think rush hour is the best time to drive a real sports car!

I have a few questions if can help?:
- Is it common for the speedo needle to suddenly stop working and the speed sensor error message come up then dissapear and starts working again?
- Can you move the pedal box fore and aft?

And finally, is anyone doing anything this weekend in/around the Northampton area?

Cheers,

Martin

[nistock]

2001-2005. 1998 Chimaera 4.5.
2005-2009. New Tamora.
Feb 2009 to date. 2006 Tuscan convertible.
Good----better----best!

[The Surveyor]

MPETT said:

I have a few questions if can help?:
- Is it common for the speedo needle to suddenly stop working and the speed sensor error message come up then dissapear and starts working again? Yes, the speed sensor is located on the diff and isn't intended for outdoor use... yes really! If they get water inside they pack in and come back when they dry out until they fail totally. Easy enough DIY replacement but you need to ensure the gap is right to the toothed wheel on the diff. Cost about £80 for the parts from memory.

- Can you move the pedal box fore and aft? Yes, but it does need to be unbolted and moved, it looks to me like one for your dealer to me.

Enjoy your Tuscan, i switched from a Chim to my Tuscan Mk2 Convertible. best car in the world...

Paul