Daily Driver ?

[Higgins23]

Which would be more reliable(and fun) as a daily driver, a early 90's Lotus Esprit or a TVR Chimera ? Thanks, Higgins23

[DustyC]

Try asking the same in the TVR general forum to get a fair opinion.

I dont know enough about the Lotus to comment but can tell you that I drive my Griff with the roof down 99% of the time and Im always grinning, even if it rains

(altough as a daily driver I have a Golf TDi)

[mustard]

Speaking Honestly I'd have to say the Chimera, as

a) Your Buying a newer car with the TVR

b) They are mechanically simpler

Both are not with out there little problems and luck can play a big part

[DustyC]

Leading on from what Mustard said;

The Chim is not as rare and so perhaps easier to get parts for too.

[h2dca]

Higgins23 said:

Which would be more reliable(and fun) as a daily driver, a early 90's Lotus Esprit or a TVR Chimera ? Thanks, Higgins23

Both totally different cars, I have owned both marques and for reliability not much between them they both had no real issues through 24 months of ownership apart from

89 Esprit SE - 1 x Breakdown, non starter at home due to siezed back pressure valve as I had left it standing for many weeks - WD40 job and away

90 Griffith - Reoccuring problem of cutting out in traffic, numerous garages could not find problem turned out to be the rad fan sensor cutting in at too higher temp and shutting down the fuel injection system

As for fun, hood down noisy fun or fast and excellent handling, drive both and then choose, it's the only way and a personal choice. If like me you own one then more to the other and back again.

[jacko lah]

What's all this worry about realiability.
Buy a Skoda ocatvia 1.9 tdi if that's your criteria.
Buy the car that's most fun, join the RAC and enjoy it. Personally I'd go Esprit but what do I know ?

[mpx]

The most important question is what sort of daily driving do you do? Anywhere near city gridlock (eg London) forget it. The Esprit will get hot and bothered stuttering and impossible to creep fwd in traffic, making progress difficult and embarassing. The TVR will simply overheat until it dies or you do of the stress of watching the temp guage.

I used an 86 Turbo Esprit as a daily car in the early 90's. The only difficulty was the milage I was doing which meant more services and expenditure that I could really support at the time. But I did get the services done and the car was great - and I've still got it and still enjoy it - tho much less frequently these days! My brotherinlaw has stayed true to TVR...but they have all boiled in traffic!

[Higgins23]

Greatly appreciate all the advice. Higgins23