Discussion
Hi all, having been without a TVR for 18+ years it’s now time to get the grin back! love
I used to own a lovely 1998 Chim 450 in Olympic Blue Pearl, bought from Mr Agger but sold when I became a Dad (I wasn’t allowed to put my Daughter on the parcel shelf…who knew! teacher)
But that’s enough about the past, onto the future!
Having previously owned a Chim as my daily drive, literally sun, rain and snow with no issues, I am very tempted to buy another. I know the cars, how they drive, what goes wrong, how to fix certain parts and generally look after them (with the help of the Bible of course!).
But as this time it will be more of a nice weather kinda car, I was thinking I may go a little more classic.
I’ve always liked the look / style of the S Series but don’t really know that much about them. I did around 2 years’ worth of reading up prior to buying my Chim, but have only recently started looking into an S.
Naturally I will keep on reading what I can, but thought it best to ask the people who know best, and that’s you lot!
I am in the Great Yarmouth area so if there is anyone local who happens to have an S they’d like to show off then I’d be more than happy to oblige. driving
So what do you think…S or Chim?
Budget 15k…could go more for the right car.
Cheers,
Guy.
I used to own a lovely 1998 Chim 450 in Olympic Blue Pearl, bought from Mr Agger but sold when I became a Dad (I wasn’t allowed to put my Daughter on the parcel shelf…who knew! teacher)
But that’s enough about the past, onto the future!
Having previously owned a Chim as my daily drive, literally sun, rain and snow with no issues, I am very tempted to buy another. I know the cars, how they drive, what goes wrong, how to fix certain parts and generally look after them (with the help of the Bible of course!).
But as this time it will be more of a nice weather kinda car, I was thinking I may go a little more classic.
I’ve always liked the look / style of the S Series but don’t really know that much about them. I did around 2 years’ worth of reading up prior to buying my Chim, but have only recently started looking into an S.
Naturally I will keep on reading what I can, but thought it best to ask the people who know best, and that’s you lot!
I am in the Great Yarmouth area so if there is anyone local who happens to have an S they’d like to show off then I’d be more than happy to oblige. driving
So what do you think…S or Chim?
Budget 15k…could go more for the right car.
Cheers,
Guy.
I've had both an S3 and currently a V8S. S3 was a great car, sounds good and not that far behind the V8 cars in real world performance. The V8S is a different beast, altogether more brutal and makes an even better noise. With the 4.0 engine the same as early Chims it's not short of grunt or pace. Personally I love the S series cars, really easy to work on, probably the best value there is a and a great group of owners who are always ready to help and also organise some great trips and meets etc. Not so different to a Chim, but there is a good buyers guide written by richard Kitchen which gives a lot of info as well as the Steve Heath 'bible' for the S cars.
£15k will get you one of the very best V6 cars, or just into V8S money.
£15k will get you one of the very best V6 cars, or just into V8S money.
£15k covers a few TVR models.
They are all the same really. Flexi chassis that rusts. Stay awake handling. Lots of noise. Perculiar build decisions. 30-year old technology (at best).
Unless the shape isn't your thing, then don't forget the Wedges. £15k will get a big engined SE version. £10k a very good 350. The only model not available in budget would be a SEAC - unless it's a project. Your budget will go furthest in a Wedge. Screen rakes back sharply which [I find] interferes with getting in and out. Also, they have a very square trans tunnel and I find them the most cramped TVR of the flavours I've tried. Most have power steering.
Of the three (Wedge, S and Chimp), the chimp is the easiest to get in and out of and the biggest boot (just). Chimp offers a nice range of engines too - a 500 was on FB Market State last week within budget. Power steering is pretty common.
As already said by others the budget should get a mint V6 S and a decent V8 S. S3 and S4 had bigger doors which made it easier to get in and out but still not great. They don't have power steering - the 'Subaru' mod that Chimps and Griefs have benefited can be carried out on the S and married to an electric hydraulic pump (as used on the Tamora, T350 and Sag). Fairly straight forward to do. An all electric set up can be fitted but this requires bracing in the dash so more involved.
The Wedge drives the 'worst', the S better balanced and the Chimp fastest but barely noticeable on the road.
S is a very pretty design but I would check you can get in and out 'easily'. Get along to the local TVRCC monthly meet and scrounge some rides / sit ins.
They are all the same really. Flexi chassis that rusts. Stay awake handling. Lots of noise. Perculiar build decisions. 30-year old technology (at best).
Unless the shape isn't your thing, then don't forget the Wedges. £15k will get a big engined SE version. £10k a very good 350. The only model not available in budget would be a SEAC - unless it's a project. Your budget will go furthest in a Wedge. Screen rakes back sharply which [I find] interferes with getting in and out. Also, they have a very square trans tunnel and I find them the most cramped TVR of the flavours I've tried. Most have power steering.
Of the three (Wedge, S and Chimp), the chimp is the easiest to get in and out of and the biggest boot (just). Chimp offers a nice range of engines too - a 500 was on FB Market State last week within budget. Power steering is pretty common.
As already said by others the budget should get a mint V6 S and a decent V8 S. S3 and S4 had bigger doors which made it easier to get in and out but still not great. They don't have power steering - the 'Subaru' mod that Chimps and Griefs have benefited can be carried out on the S and married to an electric hydraulic pump (as used on the Tamora, T350 and Sag). Fairly straight forward to do. An all electric set up can be fitted but this requires bracing in the dash so more involved.
The Wedge drives the 'worst', the S better balanced and the Chimp fastest but barely noticeable on the road.
S is a very pretty design but I would check you can get in and out 'easily'. Get along to the local TVRCC monthly meet and scrounge some rides / sit ins.
I bought a Chimaera 10 years ago and passed the virus to my brother after he did a bodyoff on my car, he now owned a S2 and a S3.
The accessibility in the engine bay is better on the S than on the Chim however, our feeling, is that this is a bit more difficult to find good parts for them. TVR employees seemed really to take car-parts on random shelves. With the Chimaera and the "huge" production numbers, perhaps they were a little more rational.
The accessibility in the engine bay is better on the S than on the Chim however, our feeling, is that this is a bit more difficult to find good parts for them. TVR employees seemed really to take car-parts on random shelves. With the Chimaera and the "huge" production numbers, perhaps they were a little more rational.
Thanks for the replies so far!
I appreciate the Chim is an 'easier' car to own...spare parts, drivability etc.
I may well still revert back to buying a Chim, but thought I'd give the S a go. It doesn't have to be a V8, although I may change my mind if i get to drive one vs a V6.
I do like wedges, but that may come later when i get back into the fold, I'm not that mechanically minded but did manage with the Chim.
Anyway, I need to find someone local who has an S. I'll be contacting my local TVRCC to see when their next meet is etc.
Cheers,
Guy.
I appreciate the Chim is an 'easier' car to own...spare parts, drivability etc.
I may well still revert back to buying a Chim, but thought I'd give the S a go. It doesn't have to be a V8, although I may change my mind if i get to drive one vs a V6.
I do like wedges, but that may come later when i get back into the fold, I'm not that mechanically minded but did manage with the Chim.
Anyway, I need to find someone local who has an S. I'll be contacting my local TVRCC to see when their next meet is etc.
Cheers,
Guy.
Andy V8S said:
Guy
I have a V8S which is going on sale next week, unfortunately I am based in Bedfordshire so not really local to you.
I am happy to email you a copy of my add and some photos if you are interested.
Hope this does not contravene any PH rules.
Andy
Hi Andy, thanks for the reply.I have a V8S which is going on sale next week, unfortunately I am based in Bedfordshire so not really local to you.
I am happy to email you a copy of my add and some photos if you are interested.
Hope this does not contravene any PH rules.
Andy
Yes that would be great. I really have done any research on the V8S as i was expecting to start on the S1,2,3 side...but I do love a V8!
Thanks,
Guy.
cliffords said:
Have a look at a Xk convertible Jag. Plenty at that price are very very good indeed. I paid £10k for mine a few months ago. It's so much more of a car than any of the three TVR vehicles I have owned. They are much better value than a TVR.
Yeah but then I'd have to change the title of my post 
FWIW, we had a 1988 S2 for a few years and then changed it for a 1998 Chimaera 450 in 2004. The increase in power made little difference but in terms of road noise, comfort and general handling the Chim was a revelation and it was a much better place to be for a long journey. In comparison the S2 ride felt like a Caterham, something to be endured. The Chim must have been ok as we still have it 20 years later although most of it has been modded or renewed in that time. £££!!
Having owned 3 chimaera prior to my current griffith I'd say the chimaera would be the most easy to live with, they are quick enough in any engine size and practical enough to cover a lot of miles in, I used them to commute 12k miles a year a long time ago.
A friend of mine had an S2 many years ago when they were really inexpensive, it sounded lovely but wasn't that quick and would feel less so nowadays, they feel a little less finished inside then a chimaera.
Hope this helps your decision making
A friend of mine had an S2 many years ago when they were really inexpensive, it sounded lovely but wasn't that quick and would feel less so nowadays, they feel a little less finished inside then a chimaera.
Hope this helps your decision making
Thanks again for the replies.
My previous Chim was my daily drive so no issues with comfort / reliability etc.
But as this time it will be a second car, the S is quite appealing.
Maybe an S3 would be a good start...I still need to drive one but work is getting in the way of my social life!
My previous Chim was my daily drive so no issues with comfort / reliability etc.
But as this time it will be a second car, the S is quite appealing.
Maybe an S3 would be a good start...I still need to drive one but work is getting in the way of my social life!
I've been lucky enough to own a few S', a couple of Chimaeras and even a Griffith 500. The S Series with the V6 makes incredible noises when wound up a bit, but it squats badly and isn't the best handling car. I liked the power of the Chimaera and the comfort for going on long drives (I'm in the USA so we drive long distances). The Griffith is the first car that I have felt nervous driving because you really have to be careful not to overcook it in most gears.
The Chimaera is definitely more evolved than the S Series, but under the surface they're very similar cars. The Chimaera body is beautifully original and the S is a clever example of retro-styling before it was a thing.
If I had to buy my 'forever' TVR and choose between the S and Chimaera, I would look for a V8S. In fact, I would buy the one at James Agger's, because although it has some miles on it, it looks stunning. The V8 power combined with styling that will never go out of style is a real sweet spot to me. A very exclusive club too - V8S production was very limited.
Either way you can't go wrong!
The Chimaera is definitely more evolved than the S Series, but under the surface they're very similar cars. The Chimaera body is beautifully original and the S is a clever example of retro-styling before it was a thing.
If I had to buy my 'forever' TVR and choose between the S and Chimaera, I would look for a V8S. In fact, I would buy the one at James Agger's, because although it has some miles on it, it looks stunning. The V8 power combined with styling that will never go out of style is a real sweet spot to me. A very exclusive club too - V8S production was very limited.
Either way you can't go wrong!
Gassing Station | General TVR Stuff & Gossip | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff