Tam, Chim or 450SEAC - which is tamer?
Discussion
After 5 years or so, and kids now grown up, I find myself yearning after a TVR again.
I have found three perfect examples, low mileage with perfect chassis. A 03 Tamora, 99 Chimaera 450 and a 89 450 SEAC. All stunning but in different ways.
Previously I've had a 99 Chimaera 500 and an 04 Tuscan. If I'm honest, I found the Chimaera a much more enjoyable car to drive. It was more chilled and brought a smile to my face on every occasion. With the Tuscan, when my ears stopped bleeding, I was just grateful to get out the other end in one piece. It was beautiful, it was exciting but just so much more twitchy, I never relaxed into it.
I'm not interested in speed, I just want something that looks, sounds and drives great without a roof for those sunny Sunday afternoons.
The lack of side impact protection on the Chimaera does bother me, which is a +1 for the Tamora, but I prefer the sound of the RV8.
My question is, is the Tamora as agressive and twitchy as a Tuscan or more like the Chim/Griff it supposedly replaced?
As for 450 SEAC, I assume it is similar to the Chimaera?
As you can tell, my mind is scrambled and confused on the topic. Analysis has led to paralysis.
I welcome any words of wisdom
I have found three perfect examples, low mileage with perfect chassis. A 03 Tamora, 99 Chimaera 450 and a 89 450 SEAC. All stunning but in different ways.
Previously I've had a 99 Chimaera 500 and an 04 Tuscan. If I'm honest, I found the Chimaera a much more enjoyable car to drive. It was more chilled and brought a smile to my face on every occasion. With the Tuscan, when my ears stopped bleeding, I was just grateful to get out the other end in one piece. It was beautiful, it was exciting but just so much more twitchy, I never relaxed into it.
I'm not interested in speed, I just want something that looks, sounds and drives great without a roof for those sunny Sunday afternoons.
The lack of side impact protection on the Chimaera does bother me, which is a +1 for the Tamora, but I prefer the sound of the RV8.
My question is, is the Tamora as agressive and twitchy as a Tuscan or more like the Chim/Griff it supposedly replaced?
As for 450 SEAC, I assume it is similar to the Chimaera?
As you can tell, my mind is scrambled and confused on the topic. Analysis has led to paralysis.
I welcome any words of wisdom
Edited by Pacman1972 on Monday 5th October 13:57
Edited by Pacman1972 on Monday 5th October 13:57
Decisions decisions. I realise that's another thing I miss about TVR, the community is like no other
So the combined advice seems to be to get a 450 a chim and a Tamora, if only budget, garage space and wife would allow!
In all seriousness I guess I should test drive all three. I'm always mindful of not wanting to waste anyone's time and test drive a car I'm unsure about, but in this instance I could genuinely go for any one of them.
Perhaps leaning towards another chim, but that lack of side impact protection is always at the back of my mind. Anyone know if the Tamora has side impact protection?
So the combined advice seems to be to get a 450 a chim and a Tamora, if only budget, garage space and wife would allow!
In all seriousness I guess I should test drive all three. I'm always mindful of not wanting to waste anyone's time and test drive a car I'm unsure about, but in this instance I could genuinely go for any one of them.
Perhaps leaning towards another chim, but that lack of side impact protection is always at the back of my mind. Anyone know if the Tamora has side impact protection?
KKson said:
As a Wedge owner of previous 350i and current 390Se and 450SEAC, the SEACs suspension and handling is phenomenal compared to the 390 and 350i. Most SEACs have rose jointed front suspension and lighter bodies and go like a stabbed rat. Only 18 450s were made with just 14 left, in the world.. mine doesn't leak and the heater demister is brilliant. I like to be different. Also the 340 Nm of torque is rather handy....... I suspect however the SEAC will be gone very quickly as I'm aware of several interested in it. 
That is absolutely beautiful!! Love that colour combo. Edited by KKson on Monday 5th October 20:54
m4tti said:
Pacman1972 said:
After 5 years or so, and kids now grown up, I find myself yearning after a TVR again.
I have found three perfect examples, low mileage with perfect chassis. A 03 Tamora, 99 Chimaera 450 and a 89 450 SEAC. All stunning but in different ways.
Previously I've had a 99 Chimaera 500 and an 04 Tuscan. If I'm honest, I found the Chimaera a much more enjoyable car to drive. It was more chilled and brought a smile to my face on every occasion. With the Tuscan, when my ears stopped bleeding, I was just grateful to get out the other end in one piece. It was beautiful, it was exciting but just so much more twitchy, I never relaxed into it.
I'm not interested in speed, I just want something that looks, sounds and drives great without a roof for those sunny Sunday afternoons.
The lack of side impact protection on the Chimaera does bother me, which is a +1 for the Tamora, but I prefer the sound of the RV8.
My question is, is the Tamora as agressive and twitchy as a Tuscan or more like the Chim/Griff it supposedly replaced?
As for 450 SEAC, I assume it is similar to the Chimaera?
As you can tell, my mind is scrambled and confused on the topic. Analysis has led to paralysis.
I welcome any words of wisdom
The Tamora does not have any valid side impact protection. I have found three perfect examples, low mileage with perfect chassis. A 03 Tamora, 99 Chimaera 450 and a 89 450 SEAC. All stunning but in different ways.
Previously I've had a 99 Chimaera 500 and an 04 Tuscan. If I'm honest, I found the Chimaera a much more enjoyable car to drive. It was more chilled and brought a smile to my face on every occasion. With the Tuscan, when my ears stopped bleeding, I was just grateful to get out the other end in one piece. It was beautiful, it was exciting but just so much more twitchy, I never relaxed into it.
I'm not interested in speed, I just want something that looks, sounds and drives great without a roof for those sunny Sunday afternoons.
The lack of side impact protection on the Chimaera does bother me, which is a +1 for the Tamora, but I prefer the sound of the RV8.
My question is, is the Tamora as agressive and twitchy as a Tuscan or more like the Chim/Griff it supposedly replaced?
As for 450 SEAC, I assume it is similar to the Chimaera?
As you can tell, my mind is scrambled and confused on the topic. Analysis has led to paralysis.
I welcome any words of wisdom
Edited by Pacman1972 on Monday 5th October 13:57
Edited by Pacman1972 on Monday 5th October 13:57
Thanks for all the input here folks. Lots of great advice.
Can't say I'm any closer to knowing which one to go for, but I do now feel I have a better understanding of them all.
My goal is to test drive them all next week. So fingers crossed, I'll have one of the three within a couple of weeks
Can't say I'm any closer to knowing which one to go for, but I do now feel I have a better understanding of them all.
My goal is to test drive them all next week. So fingers crossed, I'll have one of the three within a couple of weeks
C350Akra said:
First question is surely V8 or S6?
Having answered that you are part way there. Personally I would only consider the 450SEAC, but, it would not be used for anything but track days and fun drives.
They are sound amazing. On balance I felt the V8 felt softer and more relaxed, which suits me perfectly. I'm not ruling out the S6, but I guess it's worth having the finger followers checked out before purchase.Having answered that you are part way there. Personally I would only consider the 450SEAC, but, it would not be used for anything but track days and fun drives.
GreenV8S said:
Not that I'm biassed or anything, but depending on your driving and styling preferences you might consider trying a V8S. That ticks the boxes for the V8 burble and a convertible roof. I think it's fair to say they offer a better ride/handling compromise than the wedge, and are a bit more chuckable than the later models. They aren't the fastest TVR money can buy as standard, but that doesn't seem to be the priority here.
Interesting idea. Certainly wouldn't rule it out celcius said:
I have to say i have read all the remarks about the 3 x tvs and they all very different
No one Has mentioned a tvr seac either a 420 or very rare 450 seac will only increase very considerably in value , most are now in the usa with collectors unfortunately.
What ever you decide theres nothing like a wedge for noise, drive and smiles
Compelling reasons for all 3.No one Has mentioned a tvr seac either a 420 or very rare 450 seac will only increase very considerably in value , most are now in the usa with collectors unfortunately.
What ever you decide theres nothing like a wedge for noise, drive and smiles
Off to test drive a Tamora tomorrow and hopefully the other two next week. Weather permitting 😁
citizen smith said:
Pacman1972 said:
Compelling reasons for all 3.
Off to test drive a Tamora tomorrow and hopefully the other two next week. Weather permitting ??
What did you think about the test drive of the Tamora.Off to test drive a Tamora tomorrow and hopefully the other two next week. Weather permitting ??
Looking forward to comparing against the others
citizen smith said:
The Tamora is a great drive, was that the 2003 car down Ringwood area (family owned).
I,m also on the search for another TVR, but most of the cars chassis that I've seen are covered in some horrible black gunge, hiding some possible future problems.
The one I saw was over near Tonbridge. I agree with you on the black Waxoyl. I get the logic behind it, but I'd rather see what I'm dealing with. Neither my 04 Tuscan or 99Chimaera were treated and both were completely corrosion free.I,m also on the search for another TVR, but most of the cars chassis that I've seen are covered in some horrible black gunge, hiding some possible future problems.
Apologies all for the radio silence. After many month of lock down frustration I finally picked up a car.
I had settled on the idea of a Chimaera or Griffith and went to see a few examples of both and also had Steve from SD autotec inspect a couple on my behalf who I can't rate highly enough - Steve saved me from a couple of very expensive mistakes.
In the end I settled on a sorted example from a car collector. I had one criteria at the forefront of my mind, any colour but green... So obviously, the car I bought ended up being a 450 in Starmist Green with Estoril alloys, 24k miles, new outriggers and about 7k of recent work from David Gerald.
I have to say the green has quickly grown on me. I'd originally planned on upgrading to mk3 faired headlights and various other upgrades, but am now thinking it seems a shame to spoil the car's originality.
Thanks for all the tips and advice. Much of my reason for venturing back to tvr over another brand is the fabulous community of enthusiasts. Looking forward to the next tvr meet and putting a few faces to names .
I had settled on the idea of a Chimaera or Griffith and went to see a few examples of both and also had Steve from SD autotec inspect a couple on my behalf who I can't rate highly enough - Steve saved me from a couple of very expensive mistakes.
In the end I settled on a sorted example from a car collector. I had one criteria at the forefront of my mind, any colour but green... So obviously, the car I bought ended up being a 450 in Starmist Green with Estoril alloys, 24k miles, new outriggers and about 7k of recent work from David Gerald.
I have to say the green has quickly grown on me. I'd originally planned on upgrading to mk3 faired headlights and various other upgrades, but am now thinking it seems a shame to spoil the car's originality.
Thanks for all the tips and advice. Much of my reason for venturing back to tvr over another brand is the fabulous community of enthusiasts. Looking forward to the next tvr meet and putting a few faces to names .
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