First Drive - First Impressions of my new Chimaera
Discussion
Just brought the new Chimaera home, 2 hours of driving and it was pretty nice. TBH if you put a private plate on the car it could pass as brand new, it's immaculate.
It's far too quiet, but that's easily dealt with... might pop in to what was Hi-Q tomorrow to see if they'll chop out the centre box for me and replace it with some stainless tube.
It feels like a very rapid car too, rapid as opposed to "fast", the S is "fast" but this is different.
If I wanted to get to somewhere ~50 miles away I'd take the S. If I wanted to get somewhere ~500 miles away I'd take the Chimaera, they are completely different animals. The S is much more involving to drive, it feels raw and exciting.
The Chimaera is smoother, much more comfortable, much "prettier", the V8 sounds wonderful. At 80 it's quiet and refined and pulls like a train when you press the throttle. I hardly had to change gear at all on the trip back.
They really are completely different examples of the breed!
I thought the PO was going to cry when he handed the keys over!
I can't see this replacing the S, it's much too "grown up" for the occasions where I just want to go and blow the cobwebs away, but it is very nice. I think I'll just have to keep both..
It's far too quiet, but that's easily dealt with... might pop in to what was Hi-Q tomorrow to see if they'll chop out the centre box for me and replace it with some stainless tube.
It feels like a very rapid car too, rapid as opposed to "fast", the S is "fast" but this is different.
If I wanted to get to somewhere ~50 miles away I'd take the S. If I wanted to get somewhere ~500 miles away I'd take the Chimaera, they are completely different animals. The S is much more involving to drive, it feels raw and exciting.
The Chimaera is smoother, much more comfortable, much "prettier", the V8 sounds wonderful. At 80 it's quiet and refined and pulls like a train when you press the throttle. I hardly had to change gear at all on the trip back.
They really are completely different examples of the breed!
I thought the PO was going to cry when he handed the keys over!
I can't see this replacing the S, it's much too "grown up" for the occasions where I just want to go and blow the cobwebs away, but it is very nice. I think I'll just have to keep both..
I know EXACTLY what you mean. Check out the comments in my profile...
http://www.pistonheads.com/members/showcar.asp?car...
http://www.pistonheads.com/members/showcar.asp?car...
Some of us had a chat during the S Club trip to the Alps in 2010 about different TVRs. My view was, and still is, a Chimaera would have been perfect to get there but once on the twisty climbs the S was the one to have.
Hope you have many happy miles in both your TVRs
http://www.pistonheads.com/members/showcar.asp?car...
http://www.pistonheads.com/members/showcar.asp?car...
Some of us had a chat during the S Club trip to the Alps in 2010 about different TVRs. My view was, and still is, a Chimaera would have been perfect to get there but once on the twisty climbs the S was the one to have.
Julesprivate said:
The S is much more involving to drive, it feels raw and exciting.
The Chimaera is smoother, much more comfortable, much "prettier", the V8 sounds wonderful. At 80 it's quiet and refined and pulls like a train when you press the throttle. I hardly had to change gear at all on the trip back.
They really are completely different examples of the breed!
And it was exactly for those reasons that after having test driven some Griffiths in August/September that I decided not to get one. That and the price to change get a good one!!The Chimaera is smoother, much more comfortable, much "prettier", the V8 sounds wonderful. At 80 it's quiet and refined and pulls like a train when you press the throttle. I hardly had to change gear at all on the trip back.
They really are completely different examples of the breed!
Hope you have many happy miles in both your TVRs
I found your analysis spot on. I owned a 4.5 Chimaera for 3 years and really enjoyed it. But it was almost too fast to be fun on the twisty stuff.
So now I'm on the hunt for an S for that twisty road nimble sports car fun.
That fact that you have both is perfect - something to aspire to !!
Hope they give you plenty of pleasure.
So now I'm on the hunt for an S for that twisty road nimble sports car fun.
That fact that you have both is perfect - something to aspire to !!
Hope they give you plenty of pleasure.
HvdWeerden said:
We will be on a short break to the Cotswolds from 25th to 29th of Oct in the S.
Maybe we drop by if we are able to. PM me your address/tel if you like.
We will be staying in Toddington (near Cheltenham)
Han
,Maybe we drop by if we are able to. PM me your address/tel if you like.
We will be staying in Toddington (near Cheltenham)
Han
Hi if you are anywhere near Stratford upon Avon, you are welcome to drop in with the S.
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