Is the S2 or 3 Too raw for touring Europe?

[bedders]

Hi,

We travel into the depths of France every year, and I'm fed up going in the usual tin top. I'm looking for something that will do the distance (often 500 miles in a day) without my head spinning at the end of it, but also be good fun whilst there.
I've narrowed the search down to a Stag, Chimaera and an S2 or 3. The first two being a deal more expensive, I'd have to sell My Motorbike & MK 2 Jag. but with the S, I'd only need to sell the bike, which at my age is no bad thing.
Will I be disappointed with the uncouthness of the S, or is it refined enough to do the job. The load capacity seems reasonable, if I can persuade Mrs B to leave the kitchen sink behind
Many thanks,
John.

[Wiz]

Funny you should mention this as there is a few of us who think it's a good proposition

euro trip

Edited by Wiz on Tuesday 19th January 20:18

[Longers]

Simple answer = NO!

For as long as I've had TVRs I've done at least one long road trip per year, most of them in S's, details of the last one here.....
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

If purely to eat the miles to get you somewhere the refinement and lazy V8 of the Chimaera is a much better choice - when I took mine to Magny Cours & Le Mans it was really comfortable. Chimaera also has the added advantage of a bigger boot, which is especially useful if travelling with the wife and/or you need more than just weekend bags.

However the S...... well the S is much more of a fun, raw car than the Chimaera and is less refined. Therefore it's not actually as well suited to the long haul day after day on the motorway but comes into it's own when you leave them behind and hit the country twisties.

My advice would be forget the Stag (this is a TVR forum afterall ) and try and find some local owners, perhaps at the nearest TVR club meet, who will take you for a ride in each model. 5 or 10 miles in each car will give you a taste for how it will be on a long haul.

Good luck,
Longers

[Tant]

Hello

I see you are in North Lincs......if ever you are around Lincoln, feel free to drop by for a chat and a proper look around mine if you like....Off the road at the mo for a little freshen up, but back on the road for spring hopefully.

Cheers

Ant

[phillpot]

Agree with Longers, I currently own an example of each, the snow finally cleared so they both got a little run last Sunday (first time I've gone straight from one to the other), like Chalk and Cheese !!
Both cracking cars but Chimaera has got to be the one for touring. ( IMHO )

See you're not exactly local but welcome to come take a look if ever over this way (South Birmingham)

[bedders]

Thankyou for all the honest replies, it would seem that the S is probably not the car (shame, as they seem good value). Are they just too noisy/buzzy for the Autoroutes?
Ant, thanks for the offer, I might just take you up on that.
Phillpot, shame South Brum is a bit too far.
John.

Edited by bedders on Tuesday 19th January 22:16

[Longers]

John,

The S could be the car for you. Go for a ride in one and see. The point I was trying to make is that the S is perfectly capable of the long trips, just that the Chimaera is probably better for that purpose.

L'rs