Do I want a Tuscan or T350?

[darkbluecream]

Hi all,

I currently own a 1999 Chimaera 4.5 which has brought me unbridled joy over the last 2 years. Thing is, I would quite like a change/upgrade and a Tuscan or T350 are on the shortlist.

Main questions are:

1. Is the performance and handling of the Tuscan much better than the Chimaera?

2. Is the T350 handling much better than the Tuscan?

3. Is the Tuscan engine rebuild thing a concern and when are they not required?

4. Has anyone swapped from a Chimaera to Tuscan/T350 and were you overjoyed...?

Any other gubbins on the subject much appreciated.

Thanks

[plipton]

darkbluecream said:

Hi all, I currently own a 1999 Chimaera 4.5 which has brought me unbridled joy over the last 2 years. Thing is, I would quite like a change/upgrade and a Tuscan or T350 are on the shortlist. Main questions are: 1. Is the performance and handling of the Tuscan much better than the Chimaera? 2. Is the T350 handling much better than the Tuscan? 3. Is the Tuscan engine rebuild thing a concern and when are they not required? 4. Has anyone swapped from a Chimaera to Tuscan/T350 and were you overjoyed...? Any other gubbins on the subject much appreciated. Thanks

I can answer 1 and 4 as I traded up to a Tuscan last year from a Chim 450.
1. It's different. The steering of the Tuscan is more direct, but can feel twitchy after the Chim. I think Joospeed can sort this though, but as standard it's a bit sharper than the Chim, but oversteer is less predictable and can catch you out occasionally

4. Yes very pleased with mine. the performance is astonishing - top end is absolutely hair raising!

Turning circle is poor but you get used to it. They don't leak as much as Chims and the rear vision is much better with the roof off compared to the Chim with the roof folded.

Whatever you do, you won't regret it

Plipton

[mike s]

In the summer it gets sweltering in a Hard Top TVR, so if you want a T350 go for a T350T with the Targa roof panels.

[swilly]

darkbluecream said:

Hi all, I currently own a 1999 Chimaera 4.5 which has brought me unbridled joy over the last 2 years. Thing is, I would quite like a change/upgrade and a Tuscan or T350 are on the shortlist. Main questions are: 1. Is the performance and handling of the Tuscan much better than the Chimaera? Oooooh yes uhh-yes ooooh hhh yes yeeeeessssss 2. Is the T350 handling much better than the Tuscan? according to all accounts 3. Is the Tuscan engine rebuild thing a concern and when are they not required? yes it is a concern but so is the idea of an aircraft jet-engine falling from the sky and landing on my head 4. Has anyone swapped from a Chimaera to Tuscan/T350 and were you overjoyed...? did just this in April and i can only describe it as being like a virgin schoolboy who finds himself with a new girlfriend who is willing to 'DO IT'. Any other gubbins on the subject much appreciated. Thanks

[munky]

Talk to Fish.. he went from a Chimaera to a Tuscan to a T350c and has now apparently ordered something daft like a T440R or a typhon, not sure which. Either way he's owned all 3 of the cars you mentioned.

[chim450]

darkbluecream said:

Hi all, I currently own a 1999 Chimaera 4.5 which has brought me unbridled joy over the last 2 years. Thing is, I would quite like a change/upgrade and a Tuscan or T350 are on the shortlist.

I have just gone from a Chimaera 450 to a Tuscan 4.0 so should be able to answer some of your questions.

darkbluecream said:

Main questions are: 1. Is the performance and handling of the Tuscan much better than the Chimaera?

Oh my God yesssss! The throttle response is phenomenal, you know that bit in the Chimaera when it starts to run out of puff over 100 mph, the Tuscan just keeps on going, you think it is never going to stop. It scares the bejesus out of me(tested on a track of course).
The steering is much more direct, but is easy to get used to. It goes round corners much better than the Chim.

darkbluecream said:

2. Is the T350 handling much better than the Tuscan?

Thats what I have heard, have been in a T350, but not driven one.

darkbluecream said:

3. Is the Tuscan engine rebuild thing a concern and when are they not required?

I think this has been well covered in the Tuscan forum. Pre 2003 engines have had problems, but not all. Engines rebuilt to 2003 standards seem to be working OK.

darkbluecream said:

4. Has anyone swapped from a Chimaera to Tuscan/T350 and were you overjoyed...?

Have you heard the expression "As happy as a dog with 2 dicks"?

darkbluecream said:

Any other gubbins on the subject much appreciated.

Buy one!!!!

darkbluecream said:

Thanks

Your'e welcome!

>> Edited by chim450 on Tuesday 20th January 19:32

[blueyes]

mike s said:

In the summer it gets sweltering in a Hard Top TVR, so if you want a T350 go for a T350T with the Targa roof panels.

Nah, just get air con, it actually works very well these days.

[Dan]

blueyes said:

mike s said: In the summer it gets sweltering in a Hard Top TVR, so if you want a T350 go for a T350T with the Targa roof panels. Nah, just get air con, it actually works very well these days.

I'd agree with this. I had a 350C for a day at the height of summer last year, Aircon was great. If I hadn't lost me job, and wasn't expecting a baby, I'd have bought one

p.s. anyone want a kidney? part worn? no? oh ok...

[Apache]

Dan said:

If I hadn't lost me job, and wasn't expecting a baby, I'd have bought one

That'll teach you for getting yourself knocked up

[darkbluecream]

Hmmmmm. Thank for your replies. Might just have to go down to Fernies at the weekend to take a Tuscan test drive..this is going to be costly. Talking of which, how much is the engine rebuild or does it come under warranty?

Also, is the reaction of people different when you drive by in a Tuscan vs Chimaera - I've had nothing but great comments on the Chimaera and wouldn't want this to change...

[mike s]

darkbluecream said:

Hmmmmm. Thank for your replies. Might just have to go down to Fernies at the weekend to take a Tuscan test drive..this is going to be costly. Talking of which, how much is the engine rebuild or does it come under warranty?

Fernhurst have got a Gorgeous Crystal Topaz Tuscan for sale. The tall bloke was telling me that they have just had it back from a Rebuild so there shouldn't be any worries about needing a Rebuild now as it has a 2003 head.

darkbluecream said:

Also, is the reaction of people different when you drive by in a Tuscan vs Chimaera - I've had nothing but great comments on the Chimaera and wouldn't want this to change...

I don't know about Chimp to Tuscan, The Griff gets alot less attention than the Cerb used to get though!

>> Edited by mike s on Wednesday 21st January 14:18

[Dan]

Apache said:

Dan said: If I hadn't lost me job, and wasn't expecting a baby, I'd have bought one That'll teach you for getting yourself knocked up

I was hoping to get to the top of the list for a council house and maybe get 30 grand a year benefit

[WildfireS3]

Dan said:

Apache said: Dan said: If I hadn't lost me job, and wasn't expecting a baby, I'd have bought one You'll need a few more kids for that, but you could losing your passport and claiming Asylum. That'll teach you for getting yourself knocked up I was hoping to get to the top of the list for a council house and maybe get 30 grand a year benefit

[Bomber]

1. Is the performance and handling of the Tuscan much better than the Chimaera? .

Truth - for everyday use, very litle in it assuming your Chim is as it should be....

2. Is the T350 handling much better than the Tuscan?

Yes, but consider answer to 1...but it depends on the drivers ability. Tuscans are difficult to get that last 20% from at a track.


3. Is the Tuscan engine rebuild thing a concern and when are they not required?

Yes, it may well be a consideration.

4. Has anyone swapped from a Chimaera to Tuscan/T350 and were you overjoyed...?

Just took delivery of a T350c, still have the Chim, overjoyed cos a new cars in the family, hate to think I'd sold the Chim to buy it. Overall, in the "real world", the Chim is a nicer car.

Any other gubbins on the subject much appreciated.

Quality. Chim stands a good chance of being better build quality than either of the new cars in my opinion.

[darkbluecream]

Bomber - your post is very interesting. The Chimaera I have is well sorted and has given no problems in the last 2 years, and I do love it. At the back of my mind is the thought that the Tuscan is more likely to be unreliable/costly to fix so it must be a lot better than the Chim to justify the risk. That said I also fancy a change. Can't think of any other cars (except Noble) that would be of interest for less than £40k...

Any thoughts on cars from £25k to £40k ??

[burriana500]

darkbluecream said:

Can't think of any other cars (except Noble) that would be of interest for less than £40k... Any thoughts on cars from £25k to £40k ??

One of the last Griff 500s, they are very very well finished and the main mechanicals are as bomb proof as the Chimaera.

[blueyes]

darkbluecream said:

Can't think of any other cars (except Noble) that would be of interest for less than £40k.

Only problem with the Noble is a lack of luggage space compared to any TVR.

O/T Oh yes, and they're a touchy lot over on their forum. Just made some constructive criticism on the above problem and got beaten up! They started saying things about "tvr reliability."

Needless to say I defended our honour with those two wonderful words.......



Mondeo Turbo.

[Marlon]

defect to the Dark Side ...

... Feel the Force ...

... Get a Noble!

... Or, stick with the Chim.

IMHO the Griff 500 is the best car that TVR have made, but the Chim is also excellent - more 'character' and practicality than the T350 or Tuscan if you ask me. If you really want to spend the extra bucks, I'd get a Noble

[Marlon]

blueyes said:

Mondeo Turbo.

0 - 60 = 3.7 secs (T350 = 4.6)
0 - 100 = 8.8 secs (T350 = 9.7)
30 - 70 = 3.2 secs (T350 = 3.5)
40 - 60 = 2.5 secs (T350 = 4.4)

Oh, and it goes around corners too.

[mike s]

0 - 60 (Noble 3-R = 3.9 secs) (Tusc S = 3.68)
0 - 100(Noble 3-R = 9.40 secs) (Tusc S = 8.08)
0-100-0(Noble 3-R = 13.83 secs)(Tusc S= 12.52)

(Taken from Autocar)

Oh, and they stop

>> Edited by mike s on Thursday 22 January 16:39