Reliable Chim to early Tamora. Good idea?
Discussion
Hi everyone,
I currently have a 1994 Chimaera 400. i've owned it for 6 years and although i had some problems in the first year or two (cam, water pump, oil pump, radiator), and recently rotten outriggers, my car is now sorted. Outriggers replaced and fully painted, suspension properly setup, reliable engine and cooling, always starts even when hot.
I've always loved the Tamora and with prices at around GBP 15k (sorry, on a Mac and not sure of the pound symbol!) it is very tempting to trade up. I'm well aware of the common problems with the Tamora and the Speed 6 engine, and know i would need to factor in more for servicing and a possible rebuild.
The lure of the extra performance and much improved handling is very strong, but when i already have taken the time (and money) to sort my Chimaera, is it wise to get an early Tamora, only to potentially have to do it all again? I bought my Chimaera when it was 9 years old and a lot of the costs to be fair have just been parts wearing out with age. A 2003 Tamora for example would be 6 years old.
Cheers,
James
I currently have a 1994 Chimaera 400. i've owned it for 6 years and although i had some problems in the first year or two (cam, water pump, oil pump, radiator), and recently rotten outriggers, my car is now sorted. Outriggers replaced and fully painted, suspension properly setup, reliable engine and cooling, always starts even when hot.
I've always loved the Tamora and with prices at around GBP 15k (sorry, on a Mac and not sure of the pound symbol!) it is very tempting to trade up. I'm well aware of the common problems with the Tamora and the Speed 6 engine, and know i would need to factor in more for servicing and a possible rebuild.
The lure of the extra performance and much improved handling is very strong, but when i already have taken the time (and money) to sort my Chimaera, is it wise to get an early Tamora, only to potentially have to do it all again? I bought my Chimaera when it was 9 years old and a lot of the costs to be fair have just been parts wearing out with age. A 2003 Tamora for example would be 6 years old.
Cheers,
James
James - I was in a very similar position as you about 4 years ago. Had a Chim 4.0L, but just felt I needed to upgrade. My Chim was very reliable, and I loved the V8 sound, but...
Orginally planned to get a 3-4 year old Tam, went for a test drive at Castle in a 2nd model that they had for sale, but fell head over heals for a laser blue Tam in the showroom. Needless to say, couple weeks later I was driving out of Castle in the Tamora.
Any regrets - none. Handling was way better than my standard Chim, performance too. Couple of years later, realised that I missed the rumble of the V8, put some sports pipes on, and whilst its not the same kind of sound, it certainly improved my experience of the car. I love it (despite a breakdown last weekend!!).
I see you are also in Essex, whereabouts? Would be happy to give you a ride in mine, if you haven't already been in one or seen one up close.
Ian
Orginally planned to get a 3-4 year old Tam, went for a test drive at Castle in a 2nd model that they had for sale, but fell head over heals for a laser blue Tam in the showroom. Needless to say, couple weeks later I was driving out of Castle in the Tamora.
Any regrets - none. Handling was way better than my standard Chim, performance too. Couple of years later, realised that I missed the rumble of the V8, put some sports pipes on, and whilst its not the same kind of sound, it certainly improved my experience of the car. I love it (despite a breakdown last weekend!!).
I see you are also in Essex, whereabouts? Would be happy to give you a ride in mine, if you haven't already been in one or seen one up close.
Ian
Never owned a Chim, so can't comment about them, but do own a 2002 Tamora purchased in 2005 (featured in March 2008 sprint), which I can comment about.
I had the engine rebuilt and upgraded (of my own choosing) from 3.6L to 4.0L RR spec in 2007 cost £8000 at Dulfords. Also had Nitrons, ACT air box, JP Sports Exhaust, and alloy radiator fitted.
I have'nt tracked it yet, but intend to once I've paid the loan off next year
. I can only comment on the experiences on main roads, but the Tamora has acres of power with the 4.0L upgrade (More torquey than the 3.6L sp6) and the handling is very responsive. It's an excellent TVR, so get one today without delay;).
I had the engine rebuilt and upgraded (of my own choosing) from 3.6L to 4.0L RR spec in 2007 cost £8000 at Dulfords. Also had Nitrons, ACT air box, JP Sports Exhaust, and alloy radiator fitted.
I have'nt tracked it yet, but intend to once I've paid the loan off next year
. I can only comment on the experiences on main roads, but the Tamora has acres of power with the 4.0L upgrade (More torquey than the 3.6L sp6) and the handling is very responsive. It's an excellent TVR, so get one today without delay;).Similar to me, I went from a 97 400 Chim to a 54 T350, so essentially a Tam in a different frock.
The difference in performance and handling are mind blowing & thats coming from a very well set up, poly bushed and adj shocked Chim to a totally standard 350.
I looked long and hard about a supercharger conversion to the Chim which would have given similar straight line performance but the T-cars are about so much more than that!
Quite a few of the early Tams have had rebuilds so try and find one of those if you can. I know my car isn't a Tamora but as an earlier poster said I'd be happy to meet up and talk ownership differences and costs with you one weekend. In fact if the other poster wants we can make it the same day over a pint and compare both. Let me know.
The difference in performance and handling are mind blowing & thats coming from a very well set up, poly bushed and adj shocked Chim to a totally standard 350.
I looked long and hard about a supercharger conversion to the Chim which would have given similar straight line performance but the T-cars are about so much more than that!
Quite a few of the early Tams have had rebuilds so try and find one of those if you can. I know my car isn't a Tamora but as an earlier poster said I'd be happy to meet up and talk ownership differences and costs with you one weekend. In fact if the other poster wants we can make it the same day over a pint and compare both. Let me know.
Thanks for the responses. I think a test drive is in order! Unfortunately for medical reasons, i'm not driving at the moment - hopefully i will be March next year which is about the time i would consider buying.
LaserTam and Zippee - a meet and drink would be good as would a passenger ride. I'm in Grays - where are you? I've been to a few Mid Essex meets, but never spoken to owners specifically about the Tamoea/T350. I love the T350 alao, but they seem to be about GBP 5,000 more than a similar age Tamora, so may be a bit out of my price range - certainly would consider one if the price was right.
LaserTam and Zippee - a meet and drink would be good as would a passenger ride. I'm in Grays - where are you? I've been to a few Mid Essex meets, but never spoken to owners specifically about the Tamoea/T350. I love the T350 alao, but they seem to be about GBP 5,000 more than a similar age Tamora, so may be a bit out of my price range - certainly would consider one if the price was right.
jsr said:
Thanks for the responses. I think a test drive is in order! Unfortunately for medical reasons, i'm not driving at the moment - hopefully i will be March next year which is about the time i would consider buying.
LaserTam and Zippee - a meet and drink would be good as would a passenger ride. I'm in Grays - where are you? I've been to a few Mid Essex meets, but never spoken to owners specifically about the Tamoea/T350. I love the T350 alao, but they seem to be about GBP 5,000 more than a similar age Tamora, so may be a bit out of my price range - certainly would consider one if the price was right.
The T350 is a fantastic looking car, but for me, roof off driving is a must.LaserTam and Zippee - a meet and drink would be good as would a passenger ride. I'm in Grays - where are you? I've been to a few Mid Essex meets, but never spoken to owners specifically about the Tamoea/T350. I love the T350 alao, but they seem to be about GBP 5,000 more than a similar age Tamora, so may be a bit out of my price range - certainly would consider one if the price was right.
I am near Southend, so sure we could arrange something. Car is at Castle at the moment, so will PM you once I have it back and we can sort something out.
LaserTam said:
jsr said:
Thanks for the responses. I think a test drive is in order! Unfortunately for medical reasons, i'm not driving at the moment - hopefully i will be March next year which is about the time i would consider buying.
LaserTam and Zippee - a meet and drink would be good as would a passenger ride. I'm in Grays - where are you? I've been to a few Mid Essex meets, but never spoken to owners specifically about the Tamoea/T350. I love the T350 alao, but they seem to be about GBP 5,000 more than a similar age Tamora, so may be a bit out of my price range - certainly would consider one if the price was right.
The T350 is a fantastic looking car, but for me, roof off driving is a must.LaserTam and Zippee - a meet and drink would be good as would a passenger ride. I'm in Grays - where are you? I've been to a few Mid Essex meets, but never spoken to owners specifically about the Tamoea/T350. I love the T350 alao, but they seem to be about GBP 5,000 more than a similar age Tamora, so may be a bit out of my price range - certainly would consider one if the price was right.
I am near Southend, so sure we could arrange something. Car is at Castle at the moment, so will PM you once I have it back and we can sort something out.
Reliable? I think they are, plus the Speed Six is a great engine. I drove a Chimaera a few weeks ago and it felt like going back into the dark ages. Don't get me wrong, they are lovely - I owned one for six years! However, the new models are such a major advance it is more than worth the price difference for a T350 or Tamora.
I'm typing this sitting in a hotel in Interlaken, Switzerland. It is pi%%ing down outside, and there was a storm last night (branches across carpark, luckily missed my car!). I drove down here in one long puddle from Adenau, Germany 2 days ago. The car is soooo mucky now (pictures to scare Graham!). The car didn't miss a beat. It started this morning on the button and behaved perfectly trundling around and the carpets are dry too! We had some sun yesterday and went up some mountains. Now waiting for more sunshine for some fun Alpine passes! I did this in my Chimaera, but the T350 is so awesome in comparison.
Get a Tamora - you will not regret it!
I'm typing this sitting in a hotel in Interlaken, Switzerland. It is pi%%ing down outside, and there was a storm last night (branches across carpark, luckily missed my car!). I drove down here in one long puddle from Adenau, Germany 2 days ago. The car is soooo mucky now (pictures to scare Graham!). The car didn't miss a beat. It started this morning on the button and behaved perfectly trundling around and the carpets are dry too! We had some sun yesterday and went up some mountains. Now waiting for more sunshine for some fun Alpine passes! I did this in my Chimaera, but the T350 is so awesome in comparison.
Get a Tamora - you will not regret it!
Targarama said:
Get a Tamora - you will not regret it!
I think i will 
(maybe T350 if funds allow)I'm so used to my Chimaera (it's my daily car), that i hadn't realised how good modern cars handle and stop! When I drove my wife's new 2007 Honda Civic, i couldn't believe how old my car then felt!
Time to start saving
Go for it JSR
I started my TVR love affair with a T350T in spectraflair silver. I loved this car, it was everything i wanted and more. Business took a dive and i traded down to a 4.5 Chim + a bag of cash. It is well sorted and a cool colour etc but and its a big but, Ive missed the speed six engine and fantastic handling every day. So Chim has been sold and im hunting for a Tam as a project.With backup Mini Cooper S with GTT 250BHP tuning pack in garage hehehe did it so fast the missus didnt realise what i had done.
Geoff happily searching small adds
I started my TVR love affair with a T350T in spectraflair silver. I loved this car, it was everything i wanted and more. Business took a dive and i traded down to a 4.5 Chim + a bag of cash. It is well sorted and a cool colour etc but and its a big but, Ive missed the speed six engine and fantastic handling every day. So Chim has been sold and im hunting for a Tam as a project.With backup Mini Cooper S with GTT 250BHP tuning pack in garage hehehe did it so fast the missus didnt realise what i had done.
Geoff happily searching small adds
jsr said:
I think i will (maybe T350 if funds allow)...
Time to start saving
I went from a Tamora to a Sagaris as my 2nd car. My 2nd cars have always been convertables. The Sag is the first that has not been and as much as I love it, I do miss being able to take the roof off. (maybe T350 if funds allow)...Time to start saving
The T350 and Tamora are essentially the same car with a different bodyshell. The T350 is better looking but if you like having the top off, stick with the Tamora or you might regret it just as I am now.
As already mentioned, a few of the early Tams have had factory engine rebuilds. Not all have paperwork as the factory did not supply peperwork - this was down to the dealer that sent the car in for the rebuild and not all dealers supplied this.
You mention you are looking to buy about March. If you could bring this forward a bit (Dec, Jan, Feb), your likely to get more car for your money. As soon as the nice weather starts to reappear, prices increase.
Edited by L33 on Sunday 18th October 09:57
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