Anyone gone from Chimaera to Cerbera or T Car?
Discussion
I am on my 2nd Chimaera currently with a nice 1998/S Chimera 400 I bought off Ian @ Sportmotive last year. Has the later quad rear lights and a proper full Speed 6 front end. New recent outriggers and a proper TVR colour in Amaranth.
I have been playing with the idea of moving out of the Chimaera into a Cerbera or later T Car.
Question is.....has anyone done this and regretted it? Or done it and are glad they did?
I understand the running costs are likely going to be a fair bit more than a Chimaera 400. Just wrestling with to decide if it would be a good or bad idea.
Any thoughts?
I have been playing with the idea of moving out of the Chimaera into a Cerbera or later T Car.
Question is.....has anyone done this and regretted it? Or done it and are glad they did?
I understand the running costs are likely going to be a fair bit more than a Chimaera 400. Just wrestling with to decide if it would be a good or bad idea.
Any thoughts?
I was in exactly this boat 4 years ago.
I had a lovely starmist crimson 400, very low milage, perfect running order, some nice little factory options too - burgundy hood, full hide etc.
I thought bugger it, I want a Tuscan, and if I don't like it, I'll just sell it and buy another Chim.
I miss the V8 burble, and how chilled out the Chim is. If I had both in my garage and wanted to cruise to the Alps I'd want the Chim.
BUT... as soon as I got to the Alps, I'd want the Tuscan. The thing is an animal by comparison, needs revved high, screaming noise, super sharp reaction and turn in, stuffer sprung too. It an awful lot of fun, and looks insane. It gets a lot of great reactions, more so than my Chim did. It just makes you smile.
But to go home again, I'd probably rather the softer sprung Chim with the lovely chilled out torquey V8 with the nice rumble.
The change kinda suited my situation, moving to Tuscan when my first born arrived, I moved from long road trips around the continent with my lady, to now sneaking out for weekend dawn raids alone!
Dunno if that helps? If I could, I'd have both...!
I had a lovely starmist crimson 400, very low milage, perfect running order, some nice little factory options too - burgundy hood, full hide etc.
I thought bugger it, I want a Tuscan, and if I don't like it, I'll just sell it and buy another Chim.
I miss the V8 burble, and how chilled out the Chim is. If I had both in my garage and wanted to cruise to the Alps I'd want the Chim.
BUT... as soon as I got to the Alps, I'd want the Tuscan. The thing is an animal by comparison, needs revved high, screaming noise, super sharp reaction and turn in, stuffer sprung too. It an awful lot of fun, and looks insane. It gets a lot of great reactions, more so than my Chim did. It just makes you smile.
But to go home again, I'd probably rather the softer sprung Chim with the lovely chilled out torquey V8 with the nice rumble.
The change kinda suited my situation, moving to Tuscan when my first born arrived, I moved from long road trips around the continent with my lady, to now sneaking out for weekend dawn raids alone!
Dunno if that helps? If I could, I'd have both...!
My experiences are probably not valid now...
....but here goes anyway
I'm a serial Chimaera fan. I had one dodgy one (from new) and when it was at the menders I had a Cerb for a few months. It was a beast & I loved it. For me though, if you can't lower the roof (or take it off) then it just ain't enough.
I then had the misfortune to have a Tuscan (from new). It had 80+ faults when delivered and in the few short weeks I had it I came to hate it. Mine (in addition to all the obvious problems) had a weird handling trait of wanting to swap ends, even in a straight line. It eventually went back to the dealer on the back of a low loader.
So, for me it's Chimaera all the way
To be fair any Tuscans will now be sorted or dead.
Tuscan did look the dog's though
....but here goes anyway
I'm a serial Chimaera fan. I had one dodgy one (from new) and when it was at the menders I had a Cerb for a few months. It was a beast & I loved it. For me though, if you can't lower the roof (or take it off) then it just ain't enough.
I then had the misfortune to have a Tuscan (from new). It had 80+ faults when delivered and in the few short weeks I had it I came to hate it. Mine (in addition to all the obvious problems) had a weird handling trait of wanting to swap ends, even in a straight line. It eventually went back to the dealer on the back of a low loader.
So, for me it's Chimaera all the way
To be fair any Tuscans will now be sorted or dead.
Tuscan did look the dog's though
Thanks both....much appreciated.
I think the crux often seems to be that a TVR in any guise is often not the best of breed in comparison to other more complete, more developed cars. However to me that is the TVR's benefit as it isn't a boring teutonic German sports car that is often too good for its own good.
The problem I guess for me is to pay so handsomely for this privilege. I just am really struggling to find the desire to part with £25k-£40k to buy a decent T Car. I don't know many other cars that do want to stick you in a ditch backwards or worse. Some might find this fun and much of the point. For me I have a wife/kids and regardless don't find it fun. It is just not relaxing, safe and doesn't make sense.
I love cars, love their ups and downs and very much love much of a TVR. I am not a fan of spending hours fixing silly things or things that shouldn't really be a problem on a reasonably well developed car.
I was at Brooklands for Supercar Sunday yesterday and spent some time talking to a lovely couple who had built and were displaying a replica Ford GT40. Circa £50k to build + labour of course. I think I would prefer to build something like this over time rather than pay almost the same cash for a decent later T Car.
I really don't know if I am honest as just bouncing and throwing loads of ideas around at the moment.
There are so many ups and downs on each model when talking about sound of car and all other aspects. Not one option seems to hit the nail on the head for me at the moment. I prefer the idea of a Coupe or Targa as not a fan of full convertible's and never really have a roof down. The RV8 seems to make much sense for sound, cost and the car it sits in.
Maybe a Cerbera AJP 4.5 V8 could be the sweet spot. I heard one that was at the Brooklands Historics auction drive off on Sunday. Just didn't really sound as good as the RV8 in the Chimaera.
I think the crux often seems to be that a TVR in any guise is often not the best of breed in comparison to other more complete, more developed cars. However to me that is the TVR's benefit as it isn't a boring teutonic German sports car that is often too good for its own good.
The problem I guess for me is to pay so handsomely for this privilege. I just am really struggling to find the desire to part with £25k-£40k to buy a decent T Car. I don't know many other cars that do want to stick you in a ditch backwards or worse. Some might find this fun and much of the point. For me I have a wife/kids and regardless don't find it fun. It is just not relaxing, safe and doesn't make sense.
I love cars, love their ups and downs and very much love much of a TVR. I am not a fan of spending hours fixing silly things or things that shouldn't really be a problem on a reasonably well developed car.
I was at Brooklands for Supercar Sunday yesterday and spent some time talking to a lovely couple who had built and were displaying a replica Ford GT40. Circa £50k to build + labour of course. I think I would prefer to build something like this over time rather than pay almost the same cash for a decent later T Car.
I really don't know if I am honest as just bouncing and throwing loads of ideas around at the moment.
There are so many ups and downs on each model when talking about sound of car and all other aspects. Not one option seems to hit the nail on the head for me at the moment. I prefer the idea of a Coupe or Targa as not a fan of full convertible's and never really have a roof down. The RV8 seems to make much sense for sound, cost and the car it sits in.
Maybe a Cerbera AJP 4.5 V8 could be the sweet spot. I heard one that was at the Brooklands Historics auction drive off on Sunday. Just didn't really sound as good as the RV8 in the Chimaera.
rockits said:
….. Maybe a Cerbera AJP 4.5 V8 could be the sweet spot. I heard one that was at the Brooklands Historics auction drive off on Sunday. Just didn't really sound as good as the RV8 in the Chimaera.
I have a 4.5 Cerbera. I think it sounds epic, but mine has aftermarket twin silencers fitted. I'm not sure what a 'standard' one sounds like any more! The firing order of the RV8 gives it that woofling sound. 
I was following that auction online on Saturday at Historics briefly, the 4.2 Cerbera didn't sell even with a guide price of £11k. What was its condition?
Personally, I am of the opposite opinion regarding targa tops, I find the Chimaera one slightly annoying. I prefer a soft top to be a full convertible if possible. You can actually see behind you with the top down then! In my experience, the Cerbera is more complicated, electrical wise, and being their own engine, will be big money if it goes pop as opposed to the RV8 engine. Some parts are unobtainable now too but that is the case with most old car models, not just TVR.
Edited by ianwayne on Tuesday 16th July 07:20
I went from Chimaera 400 - Griffith 500 - Cerbera Speed Six - Sagaris
Interestingly it was the Chimaera and Griffith that cost me by far the most to run - simply because of depreciation. The Cerb I sold for a few k more than I paid for it and the Sagaris, well who knows but I paid less than 50k so looking a good investment
Both my Speed Sixes have been good as gold and not required any work other than standard servicing (in combined 7 years of ownership) In that time the only standout items have been Alternator (Cerb - LR part I changed myself), Rear shock leaking (Cerb - changed myself) and Air Con Condensor leaking (Sagaris)
Favorite bits and general notes
Chim: Convertible, big torque V8, bonkers internal door release!
Griff: Convertible, massive torque V8! Boot lid opening a shock after the Chim!
Cerb: Best interior of any car ever, totally nuts, utterly gorgeous. Speed Six intitally feels disappointing and slow compared to V8 - needs revs, at 4000rpm everything goes hyperdrive. It will try and kill you at some point! Ridiculously gorgeous, only car I have owned where you could visably see women whisper in their other halves ear 'whats that car'
Sag: Interior a little boring after the Cerb, Chim and Griff. Handles superb! way better than my other TVR's. Not quite as exciting as the Cerb in the "phew, I made it home alive" aspect. But....holy christ does it attract attention, stop anyway and be prepared to answer questions from strangers. Leave it anyway and bring a small bottle of polish and a cloth to wipe off the fingerprints from people staring in. Oh and my DeCat'd exhaust with Clive F backbox screams like a crack w
e! Its addicitive! You won't miss the V8 after a while, once you get use to the characteristics of the Speed Six - its totally different and feels disappointing if you try and drive it like the Chim.
So love the Sag, miss the Cerb but also miss getting the roof down on a sunny day. Working on convincing the wife that as the Sag is such a good 'investment' that prehaps a Tuscan Convertible next to it in the garage would be a good idea
Interestingly it was the Chimaera and Griffith that cost me by far the most to run - simply because of depreciation. The Cerb I sold for a few k more than I paid for it and the Sagaris, well who knows but I paid less than 50k so looking a good investment
Both my Speed Sixes have been good as gold and not required any work other than standard servicing (in combined 7 years of ownership) In that time the only standout items have been Alternator (Cerb - LR part I changed myself), Rear shock leaking (Cerb - changed myself) and Air Con Condensor leaking (Sagaris)
Favorite bits and general notes
Chim: Convertible, big torque V8, bonkers internal door release!
Griff: Convertible, massive torque V8! Boot lid opening a shock after the Chim!
Cerb: Best interior of any car ever, totally nuts, utterly gorgeous. Speed Six intitally feels disappointing and slow compared to V8 - needs revs, at 4000rpm everything goes hyperdrive. It will try and kill you at some point! Ridiculously gorgeous, only car I have owned where you could visably see women whisper in their other halves ear 'whats that car'
Sag: Interior a little boring after the Cerb, Chim and Griff. Handles superb! way better than my other TVR's. Not quite as exciting as the Cerb in the "phew, I made it home alive" aspect. But....holy christ does it attract attention, stop anyway and be prepared to answer questions from strangers. Leave it anyway and bring a small bottle of polish and a cloth to wipe off the fingerprints from people staring in. Oh and my DeCat'd exhaust with Clive F backbox screams like a crack w
e! Its addicitive! You won't miss the V8 after a while, once you get use to the characteristics of the Speed Six - its totally different and feels disappointing if you try and drive it like the Chim.So love the Sag, miss the Cerb but also miss getting the roof down on a sunny day. Working on convincing the wife that as the Sag is such a good 'investment' that prehaps a Tuscan Convertible next to it in the garage would be a good idea
ianwayne said:
I have a 4.5 Cerbera. I think it sounds epic, but mine has aftermarket twin silencers fitted. I'm not sure what a 'standard' one sounds like any more! The firing order of the RV8 gives it that woofling sound.
I was following that auction online on Saturday at Historics briefly, the 4.2 Cerbera didn't sell even with a guide price of £11k. What was its condition?
Personally, I am of the opposite opinion regarding targa tops, I find the Chimaera one slightly annoying. I prefer a soft top to be a full convertible if possible. You can actually see behind you with the top down then! In my experience, the Cerbera is more complicated, electrical wise, and being their own engine, will be big money if it goes pop as opposed to the RV8 engine. Some parts are unobtainable now too but that is the case with most old car models, not just TVR.
The Historics Cerbera didn't start so easily and didn't sound good to me when driving past. Unfortunately it was leaving as we were walking to that area so didn't get a chance to get close up and personal.I was following that auction online on Saturday at Historics briefly, the 4.2 Cerbera didn't sell even with a guide price of £11k. What was its condition?
Personally, I am of the opposite opinion regarding targa tops, I find the Chimaera one slightly annoying. I prefer a soft top to be a full convertible if possible. You can actually see behind you with the top down then! In my experience, the Cerbera is more complicated, electrical wise, and being their own engine, will be big money if it goes pop as opposed to the RV8 engine. Some parts are unobtainable now too but that is the case with most old car models, not just TVR.
Edited by ianwayne on Tuesday 16th July 07:20
Everything is saying the sensible option would be to stick with the Chimaera.
rockits said:
2 sMoKiN bArReLs said:
OP. Have you tried a Chimaera 500? Might be what you are looking for.
No, only ever driven a couple of Chimaera 400's and a Tuscan Speed 6.I was thinking the same thing maybe a 500 or a 450 as an option.
)I went from a chimaera 400 to a 450, the difference in performance was night and day for me. Then i sold the 450 and brought a 4 litre tuscan red rose. Performance night and day between the tuscan and 450 chimaera. The speed six just feels angry but still has plenty of torque.
I have never looked back and have now covered 40k miles in the car with many Euro trips. Mine had a powers engine rebuild in 2008 and still feels strong with no oil or water usage.
The servicing is slightly more money but could be worse, if you are worried buy one with a powers engine warranty from schmoo etc.
I have never looked back and have now covered 40k miles in the car with many Euro trips. Mine had a powers engine rebuild in 2008 and still feels strong with no oil or water usage.
The servicing is slightly more money but could be worse, if you are worried buy one with a powers engine warranty from schmoo etc.
I went from a Tasmin 280i to a Chimaera 400.
I really loved that Chimaera and used it as my daily for several years while working in Germany.
In 2006 I then bought an early Tuscan. which, after 34 miles decided it needed a rebuild.
I had to sell the Chimaera to pay for that but when it was back and on the road, all the frustrations were forgotten.
I missed the rumble of the Chimaera but the howl of the Speed6 engine is so addictive.
Then, 3 years later I wrote if off. Never been so gutted before.
After that I wanted to go back to a full convertible. I couldn't really justify spending ca£35k on a Tuscan convertible and so was going to go back to a Chimaera or go for a Tamora.
My Wife 'insisted' I have another Tuscan and actually found me a full convertible Tuscan for the crazy price of £24k.
It has been on my drive now for 10 years and I love it to bits.
Been all over Europe in it and don't think I will ever get bored of driving it.
I've since had another Chimaera 400 for commuting to Germany and keeping miles off the Tuscan.
2 years ago I also bought a Cerbera 4,2. Absolutely amazing car.
Just loved the noise. My neighbour always appeared on the front every time I started it up.
Unfortunately I had a lot of problems with it and sold that last year. Still miss it.
So I'm back down to only my 2006 Tuscan convertible with 86k miles on the clock and looking forward to our next road trip.
One thing I've never experienced and would really like to would be a 450 or 500 Chimaera.
I really loved that Chimaera and used it as my daily for several years while working in Germany.
In 2006 I then bought an early Tuscan. which, after 34 miles decided it needed a rebuild.
I had to sell the Chimaera to pay for that but when it was back and on the road, all the frustrations were forgotten.
I missed the rumble of the Chimaera but the howl of the Speed6 engine is so addictive.
Then, 3 years later I wrote if off. Never been so gutted before.
After that I wanted to go back to a full convertible. I couldn't really justify spending ca£35k on a Tuscan convertible and so was going to go back to a Chimaera or go for a Tamora.
My Wife 'insisted' I have another Tuscan and actually found me a full convertible Tuscan for the crazy price of £24k.
It has been on my drive now for 10 years and I love it to bits.
Been all over Europe in it and don't think I will ever get bored of driving it.
I've since had another Chimaera 400 for commuting to Germany and keeping miles off the Tuscan.
2 years ago I also bought a Cerbera 4,2. Absolutely amazing car.
Just loved the noise. My neighbour always appeared on the front every time I started it up.
Unfortunately I had a lot of problems with it and sold that last year. Still miss it.
So I'm back down to only my 2006 Tuscan convertible with 86k miles on the clock and looking forward to our next road trip.
One thing I've never experienced and would really like to would be a 450 or 500 Chimaera.
PuffsBack said:
...the Speed Six - its totally different and feels disappointing if you try and drive it like the Chim.
Which is totally my experience. Only you know what your driving style/preference is, but whilst I appreciated what the speed 6 could do and how it sounded etc, I went back to a Griff in a relatively short amount of time. I would find myself having to change gear at times because the S6 couldn't cope. That was a shock after the V8 and I never really had the guts/inclination to drive it in the way it needed in order to 'excite' it.
That said, I still miss the Tamora. Oh crap, here we go again...
Thanks all for feeding into the pot of confusion
Seems like many others have and are wrestling with this conundrum. I guess very much a first world problem of course.
Has anyone driven a car with electric power steering? Seems like an interesting mod and concept.
Certainly modding the existing Chimaera is an option then you get drawn into that dangerous area of where to draw the line. Then it becomes a body off crazy thing so need to be careful.
I noticed a red Chimaera 400 that became a complete nut/bolt resto come back onto the market. I spoke to the original owner a few years back about this one (Mark Hunter I think) which had everything short of a respray. Looks like a nice car at circa £19k I think.
I am not going to rush into anything. Maybe I need to look and drive a Cerbera 4.5, a Tuscan and a T350 to see what I think compared to the Chimaera.
Seems like many others have and are wrestling with this conundrum. I guess very much a first world problem of course.
Has anyone driven a car with electric power steering? Seems like an interesting mod and concept.
Certainly modding the existing Chimaera is an option then you get drawn into that dangerous area of where to draw the line. Then it becomes a body off crazy thing so need to be careful.
I noticed a red Chimaera 400 that became a complete nut/bolt resto come back onto the market. I spoke to the original owner a few years back about this one (Mark Hunter I think) which had everything short of a respray. Looks like a nice car at circa £19k I think.
I am not going to rush into anything. Maybe I need to look and drive a Cerbera 4.5, a Tuscan and a T350 to see what I think compared to the Chimaera.
There have been a couple of comments on sound, and I think that the Chimaera and Cerbera are completely different in that regard.
The Chim's V8 is an old school rumbling thing that is perfect (soundwise) for pootling about. The attraction of the Cerbera's noise is when you hit 4000+ revs, which you're hardly likely to hear from moving off! Well you might, but in limited circumstances...
The Chim's V8 is an old school rumbling thing that is perfect (soundwise) for pootling about. The attraction of the Cerbera's noise is when you hit 4000+ revs, which you're hardly likely to hear from moving off! Well you might, but in limited circumstances...
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