Discussion
I am now faced with a tough decision, I have saved enough money to afford a good speed six engined car but I'm in two minds on what to do?
I currently own a 400 Chim (high mileage) but a recent spent a fortune on a body-off chassis restoration, plus I love the car to bits, especially the bags of torque throughout the rev range, the only problem is that I'm bored of the performance and want something faster so my option are:
1)Sell the Chim and buy a good T350T (~£25k)- Nice car, not as practical (not very roomy!) as the chim but stunning looks, unique and great performance. Not too sure on the maintainance and servicing costs, I would look at touring the car across europe.
2)Sell the Chim and buy a good Tuscan Mk1 or Mk2 - Extreme looks, awesome performance but I have concerns about reliability, build quality, servicing and maintenance costs and handling issues (mk1).
3)Keep the chim, replace the engine with a new V8developments 5.0 litre lump with performance cam and stage 3 heads (~330bhp), upgrade the brakes and suspension, induction, cooling systems and exhaust for about £10 (then probably buy a run around and put the rest into property).
Has anyone been in the same position and has can anyone comment on what would be the best choice in terms of maintenance costs, driving pleasure, depriciation costs or on the other hand what would you do?
Bone thread I know, but I'm interested in peoples opinions on the 3 cars and the 3 options facing me. I am interested on anyones experience with a well moded chim and how the performance and handling compared to a basic tuscan (mk1&2) or T350.
Thanks, Gary
I currently own a 400 Chim (high mileage) but a recent spent a fortune on a body-off chassis restoration, plus I love the car to bits, especially the bags of torque throughout the rev range, the only problem is that I'm bored of the performance and want something faster so my option are:
1)Sell the Chim and buy a good T350T (~£25k)- Nice car, not as practical (not very roomy!) as the chim but stunning looks, unique and great performance. Not too sure on the maintainance and servicing costs, I would look at touring the car across europe.
2)Sell the Chim and buy a good Tuscan Mk1 or Mk2 - Extreme looks, awesome performance but I have concerns about reliability, build quality, servicing and maintenance costs and handling issues (mk1).
3)Keep the chim, replace the engine with a new V8developments 5.0 litre lump with performance cam and stage 3 heads (~330bhp), upgrade the brakes and suspension, induction, cooling systems and exhaust for about £10 (then probably buy a run around and put the rest into property).
Has anyone been in the same position and has can anyone comment on what would be the best choice in terms of maintenance costs, driving pleasure, depriciation costs or on the other hand what would you do?
Bone thread I know, but I'm interested in peoples opinions on the 3 cars and the 3 options facing me. I am interested on anyones experience with a well moded chim and how the performance and handling compared to a basic tuscan (mk1&2) or T350.
Thanks, Gary
4535jacks said:
I am now faced with a tough decision, I have saved enough money to afford a good speed six engined car but I'm in two minds on what to do?
I currently own a 400 Chim (high mileage) but a recent spent a fortune on a body-off chassis restoration, plus I love the car to bits, especially the bags of torque throughout the rev range, the only problem is that I'm bored of the performance and want something faster so my option are:
1)Sell the Chim and buy a good T350T (~£25k)- Nice car, not as practical (not very roomy!) as the chim but stunning looks, unique and great performance. Not too sure on the maintainance and servicing costs, I would look at touring the car across europe.
2)Sell the Chim and buy a good Tuscan Mk1 or Mk2 - Extreme looks, awesome performance but I have concerns about reliability, build quality, servicing and maintenance costs and handling issues (mk1).
3)Keep the chim, replace the engine with a new V8developments 5.0 litre lump with performance cam and stage 3 heads (~330bhp), upgrade the brakes and suspension, induction, cooling systems and exhaust for about £10 (then probably buy a run around and put the rest into property).
Has anyone been in the same position and has can anyone comment on what would be the best choice in terms of maintenance costs, driving pleasure, depriciation costs or on the other hand what would you do?
Bone thread I know, but I'm interested in peoples opinions on the 3 cars and the 3 options facing me. I am interested on anyones experience with a well moded chim and how the performance and handling compared to a basic tuscan (mk1&2) or T350.
Thanks, Gary
What about a Tamora? Spd 6 engine, soft top like the Chimp, easier to drive than a Tuscan and all the extra power you crave.I currently own a 400 Chim (high mileage) but a recent spent a fortune on a body-off chassis restoration, plus I love the car to bits, especially the bags of torque throughout the rev range, the only problem is that I'm bored of the performance and want something faster so my option are:
1)Sell the Chim and buy a good T350T (~£25k)- Nice car, not as practical (not very roomy!) as the chim but stunning looks, unique and great performance. Not too sure on the maintainance and servicing costs, I would look at touring the car across europe.
2)Sell the Chim and buy a good Tuscan Mk1 or Mk2 - Extreme looks, awesome performance but I have concerns about reliability, build quality, servicing and maintenance costs and handling issues (mk1).
3)Keep the chim, replace the engine with a new V8developments 5.0 litre lump with performance cam and stage 3 heads (~330bhp), upgrade the brakes and suspension, induction, cooling systems and exhaust for about £10 (then probably buy a run around and put the rest into property).
Has anyone been in the same position and has can anyone comment on what would be the best choice in terms of maintenance costs, driving pleasure, depriciation costs or on the other hand what would you do?
Bone thread I know, but I'm interested in peoples opinions on the 3 cars and the 3 options facing me. I am interested on anyones experience with a well moded chim and how the performance and handling compared to a basic tuscan (mk1&2) or T350.
Thanks, Gary
Shep
I picked up my 2006 Tuscan 2 Convertible for less than 25k with all the benefits of the later engine and build quality improvements. Saw a 2006 Tamora for 25k as well.
As far as European driving, cant say my Chimaera was any better or worse than my Mk1 Tuscan or my Mk2 (all been brilliant), and I'm based in Germany and Switzerland, let alone plenty of holiday trips to France and Spain.
Tough decision but plenty would envy you.
As far as European driving, cant say my Chimaera was any better or worse than my Mk1 Tuscan or my Mk2 (all been brilliant), and I'm based in Germany and Switzerland, let alone plenty of holiday trips to France and Spain.
Tough decision but plenty would envy you.
I went from a 97 400 I'd owned and loved for 4 years to a T350t a year and a half ago after being in exactly the same dilema as you. I looked very seriously at the Power supercharger which would have bought the Chims performance to near that of the 350, BUT after driving the T car my mind was made up in no time at all. It's so much more precise, handles way better and just feels more 'supercar' than the Chim ever could. I miss the low down torque but the way the S6 revs is grin inducing. Yes it's more fragile than the Chim but properly maintained and it shouldn't let you down. Try and gor for a late 2004 onwards engine (make sure it is an 04 build not registered) or a rebuilt early car and you should have no problems. Running costs are around 1.5 to 2 times that of the Chim but IMHO well worth it and theres no way I'd go back much as I do miss my old Chim.
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