Tamora or Chimaera? Previously owned both....

[notax]

Having owned TVRs non stop for almost 20 years, I’m missing having one in the garage after a big car cull. I’ve owned 3x 4.0 Chimaeras and one Tamora with a T350 nose. I’m not into serious track use, more occasional fast road, sliding about and slaloms. I really liked the Tamora, but always felt (wrongly) that the Speed Six would let me down, which spoiled it. I followed this with my last Chimaera, but this felt very slow in comparison to both the Tamora and my other cars. It also had a few annoying minor faults as I didn’t drive it often - easy fixes but I don’t have spare time to fiddle.

Not sure whether to now go for a faster Chimaera, possibly a supercharged or modified one, as I do love the V8 noise. Or go more modern and get a standard Tamora - in which case is there a way to be confident in the Speed Six? (don’t seem to be any available that I like with a rebuilt engine at the moment) In the past year I’ve sold my Chimaera, SLK55 and am about to sell the Boxster S which I hoped would replace the other two. It is a superb car, but takes itself too seriously and isn’t keen to drift. I miss the drama and attitude of TVR

[Stever]

Impressive car collection Chris some good shouts in there - as a fellow IFA I don't know how you find time to drive them all

Why not try the most beautiful TVR of all a Griff?

[notax]

Thanks, yes I was initially thinking of a Griffith, as I have never owned one and have very happy memories of blasting across London in one with my boss when they first came out. If I went for one I would probably go for a later 500, however these do seem to have their share of reliability issues compared to the smaller engined RV8s. 4.5 seems the sweet spot. I really liked the huge boot on the Chimaera (often filled with my mountain bike or two spare rear wheels and a trolly jack for slaloms) but as this is less of a priority (I now have a car trailer and a VW T5 for biking) a Griffith or Tamora would be feasible. Just seen a review of the Tamora by JayEmm and leaning in that direction.... Not only are we both IFAs, we both have EGO number plates! This one used to be on my TVRs, but now has a new home...

[Stever]

Cheers Chris a man needs an EGO, good plate!.

Try as I might and I have really tried I just couldn't live with the arse of a Tamora. Possibly, it would work in black only which helps to disguise the vast proportions.
Good luck!

[notax]

Yes, it’s bum is not it’s best feature!

Can I ask any speed six owners what precautions I should take when assessing a car? It seems engines can go bang even at low miles, just wondering what tell tale signs there are...if any? Thanks

[glow worm]

You should try a Tuscan convertible

|https://thumbsnap.com/cc2LTPbW[/url]
After 2004 most speed Six issues resolved. But i would recommend you get an expert to inspect before purchase.

Or I could sell you my E36 328 Sports Coupe ... You seem to like them

Edited by glow worm on Tuesday 27th October 19:51

[TV8]

Not sure what age your Boxster S is? In my opinion, some years/versions of the flat 6 have reliability issues, particularly in the lower mileage cars, which are worse than the remaining TVR Speed 6’s plus, they cost a small fortune to fix if they go bang.

If you were comfortable with the Porsche flat 6 986/987.1, I would put the TVR in a similar category

[notax]

Thanks, yes I have two BMW E36 at the moment - and both are about to be featured in BMW Car magazine. One is an M3 coupe I have rescued and the other my full blown rally car. Anyway, back to TVR, I’ve never considered a MK1 Tuscan, wasn’t keen on the looks and not a full convertible. The MK2 answers both issues, but I want to spend less than the Boxster sells for, so no more than mid £30k. Having said that, looking at MK1s they have finally started to grow on me and there are a couple I like. No idea how the roof and rear window works - where do both go? Tamora v. Tuscan something I’d not even considered

[notax]

TV8 said:

Not sure what age your Boxster S is? In my opinion, some years/versions of the flat 6 have reliability issues, particularly in the lower mileage cars, which are worse than the remaining TVR Speed 6’s plus, they cost a small fortune to fix if they go bang.

If you were comfortable with the Porsche flat 6 986/987.1, I would put the TVR in a similar category

Sorry out of synch - just come in from working on the rally car and was half way through my previous reply when I went out! My Boxster S is a 981 manual, so one of the reliable ones.Has literally been faultless, very quick, mega convenient, heated and cooled seats, even looks nice - unlike many in my opinion. But it doesn’t have the fun factor of a TVR... Here it is, for sale very soon...

[Classic Chim]

It’s got to be a Chim surely. They are used to being chucked around corners
There is a lovely 500 that’s got to much power at low revs for the owners taste for sale. That power might be the power you like when provoking drifting. It’s got proper sports exhausts the lot. Rather too nice to be doing auto tests on grass maybe but it’s one hell of a car for the money by the looks of it. Look up Rockits post re that particular car. It’s going to have around 325 Bhp and 340-350 ft of torque so should keep up with a Tam until your at 5000 revs.

Loads of spare parts are available etc etc. As your a serious driver that’s quite important I’d imagine.

[TV8]

notax said:

Sorry out of synch - just come in from working on the rally car and was half way through my previous reply when I went out! My Boxster S is a 981 manual, so one of the reliable ones.Has literally been faultless, very quick, mega convenient, heated and cooled seats, even looks nice - unlike many in my opinion. But it doesn’t have the fun factor of a TVR... Here it is, for sale very soon...

Love Aqua blue, I have been thinking about a 981 but if I get another Boxster, it will probably be a 987.2.

[rockits]

Classic Chim said:

It’s got to be a Chim surely. They are used to being chucked around corners
There is a lovely 500 that’s got to much power at low revs for the owners taste for sale. That power might be the power you like when provoking drifting. It’s got proper sports exhausts the lot. Rather too nice to be doing auto tests on grass maybe but it’s one hell of a car for the money by the looks of it. Look up Rockits post re that particular car. It’s going to have around 325 Bhp and 340-350 ft of torque so should keep up with a Tam until your at 5000 revs.

Loads of spare parts are available etc etc. As your a serious driver that’s quite important I’d imagine.

Thanks Alun

Yes, currently my Chimaera 500 is at Bespoke for an MOT, Service and checkup. It is likely to stay there to be sold I think. I think the OP looked at the pics of my car and don't think he liked the colour scheme from memory but it was a while ago so my memory could be failing me.

[rockits]

notax said:

Thanks, yes I have two BMW E36 at the moment - and both are about to be featured in BMW Car magazine. One is an M3 coupe I have rescued and the other my full blown rally car. Anyway, back to TVR, I’ve never considered a MK1 Tuscan, wasn’t keen on the looks and not a full convertible. The MK2 answers both issues, but I want to spend less than the Boxster sells for, so no more than mid £30k. Having said that, looking at MK1s they have finally started to grow on me and there are a couple I like. No idea how the roof and rear window works - where do both go? Tamora v. Tuscan something I’d not even considered

My car at the price it will be would give you a very big modification budget to do whatever you wanted to do. Fresh V8D build maybe ready for a Supercharger! However I am looking to come out of it as it is too fast and scary for me so maybe I am just a wimp or old but I didn't feel it was ever slow or needing more power

[Byker28i]

The old press Tamora is up for sale...

[notax]

Thanks Rockits, yes lovely car, but not my preferred colour scheme sadly. The press Tamora looks good, pricey compared to others though. I think after 4 Chimaeras it is time for something different. Tamora or Mk1 Tuscan seem most likely, but also tempted by the improved reliability and year round usability of a V8S F Type, which aren’t much more. Would miss a manual change - they do offer them on the V6 but rare and rubbish apparently

[Zippee]

notax said:

Yes, it’s bum is not it’s best feature!

Can I ask any speed six owners what precautions I should take when assessing a car? It seems engines can go bang even at low miles, just wondering what tell tale signs there are...if any? Thanks

TBH it's difficult to tell. My old T350 had a late 2004 engine and went bang at 18k. It was in perfect health, had great dyno read outs, zero shim adjustment required etc but the half time bearing (the originals are made of chocolate) failed and meant the engine and scavenge gears in the sump went and I had to have a full rebuild. I know of a couple of people who opted to have an uprated half time bearing fitted as a result of my issue and their cars are still going strong.
You'll hear from people who have had no problems and done 50-60k and those that have had rebuilds quite early - IMHO it is a lottery on them no matter how well maintained they are.
Personally, if I were to get another S6 engined car I wouldn't touch one without a reputable rebuild and even better in 4.3 form as the engine is then awesome.

If I were to ever go back to TVR though for me it would be a 450 Chim. I loved my old 400 albeit it was a touch slow compared to modern stuff, but it's a nice GT car. The T350 more of a balls out sports car.

[BURNIE]

If my words can help😊😊 I now have had two Tamora, an 04 and now one of the last both have broken dow😉😉🙄 first had a leak into fuse board cost a new relay £6 and a Radiator 🤣
2nd one a Throttle cable 🤔😂😂
Just buy the right one and enjoy it there top fun factor car simple. A lot more modern than a chim or a Griff but that's my thoughts.

[so called]

notax said:

Thanks, yes I have two BMW E36 at the moment - and both are about to be featured in BMW Car magazine. One is an M3 coupe I have rescued and the other my full blown rally car. Anyway, back to TVR, I’ve never considered a MK1 Tuscan, wasn’t keen on the looks and not a full convertible. The MK2 answers both issues, but I want to spend less than the Boxster sells for, so no more than mid £30k. Having said that, looking at MK1s they have finally started to grow on me and there are a couple I like. No idea how the roof and rear window works - where do both go? Tamora v. Tuscan something I’d not even considered

My t'pence worth.
I've had two Chimara's, both 4lt. and loved both, particularly the first one.
I suffered the Speed6 engine issue in my first Tuscan as I saw it on the internet for sale at a near to home dealer.
I was away in Chicago on business at the time so my wife to check it out for me.
The engine lasted 34 miles before rebuild. £11k first repair bill.
After that the engine was simply amazing.
And, the Tuscan boot is, in my opinion, larger than the Chimaera.
If you like to slalom maybe the fast steering rack of the Tuscan will suit.

My latest Tuscan is a 2006 convertible with 85k miles on the original engine and, apart from the last couple of years, has been driven all over Europe every year since purchase in 2009.



I have to say that I Test drove a Tamora before I bought my current Tuscan and was VERY impressed by its very planted drive.

Edited by so called on Tuesday 3rd November 12:37