Options and that

[cajun]

Test drove a 4.5 last April - bin savin for a new Chim 5 ever since. Any advice on the options? Specifically: Hydratrak PAS Also keen to hear any nightmare or dream come true paint coulour stories -I''ve seen one or two chims in colours I''m sure seemed like a good idea at the time but...

[Don]

I know purists say no PAS but if you intend to actually USE the car (i.e. drive down to the shops, go on days out etc) get it - parking is a lot easier. Oh - I didn't get Aircon - what a mistake. 5 litres of red hot metal right next you keeps the car cosy and comfortable even with top off all winter and in spring and autmun. Come the summer.....the vents blow luke warm air and you roast. I know you can take the top off - but in Britain we have warm moist wet weather a lot of the summer. You can't take the roof off 'cos it'd get the lovely interior wet (you don't matter of course!) and its 28C in the cabin...sweaaaaaateee. So..get the aircon - you need it. Full leather? Its an option...

[TVR2+2]

Chim 5 is an excellent choice. I wouldn't bother with Hydratrak, but I do think PAS is necessary (I thought it was standard). Having driven a car with heated seats, I would DEFINITELY make this top of my option list next time. It would make topless motoring in the winter much more pleasant. My Chimaera is very susceptible to stone chips, so I would protect the grille and bonnet area (can't remember the name of the option). I probably would go for rear speakers next time round as well.

[RichB]

1) I spec'd full leather 'cos I didn't want plastic in the car, and despite what people might say you can tell the difference.

quote:I know purists say no PAS but if you intend to actually USE the car (i.e. drive down to the shops, go on days out etc) get it - parking is a lot easier.

2) I opted for no PAS 'cos i) it's less to go wrong and ii) I actually prefered it to the PAS, oh and I had an excellent "day out" yesterday at Goodwood, managed to park in the field ok, and again at the pub on the way back no probs'

quote:Oh - I didn't get Aircon - what a mistake. 5 litres of red hot metal right next you keeps the car cosy and comfortable even with top off all winter and in spring and autmun. Come the summer.....the vents blow luke warm air and you roast. etc...

3) Agreed about the air-con, I didn't spec it (again more to go wrong) but in hindsight I'd should have gone for it, 'cos boy it does get hot in there! Rich...

[dixonat]

1) Totally agree about the full leather, all you have to do is breath in and you’ll know you’re in a full leather car (the vinyl also has a pattern in it something real leather doesn’t have) 2) My 5L doesn’t have aircon and it does get hot however I get the impression that the aircon on a Chim is not the best but, as I don’t have any I can’t say for sure. 3) I have PAS and would get it again.

[Cajun]

Thanks 4 for replies. I had already settled on AC and shall now seriously consider full leather as a result. I enjoy the leather on my current car (B-mer)on a daily basis, even tho' it cost a packet to specify. Also helps resale I suppose. If I'm lucky I'll be in a TVR by March.

[richb]

Regards the PAS I am told this has been improved since I bought my Griff (delivered 03/99 but the cars we tested were 97/98 models). Firstly bear in mind I was stepping out of an S3c so even a non-PAS Griffith felt light by comparison. Both my wife and I tested a number of Griffiths and Chimaeras with and without PAS and found the PAS gave too much assistance, consequently the car would follow the camber and go wandering off across the road, or if it hit a pot-hole it was too easily deflected from the straight line. I agree it is heavier at parking speeds but as I don’t use it for work that’s no problem and once rolling I’m happy with it. If you are specing a car from new other little things to consider are; gold badges, delete ash trays, rear speakers, leather lined doors (as opposed to carpet) and I believe leather lined roof panel (mate of mine’s Chimaera has this), oh and don’t bother with Hydratrack is the general concensus. Good Luck – Rich…

[xain]

I've not noticed any of the warm air woes over the summer and I drive mine in London rush-hour traffic for a chunk of the journey. Maybe they improved the air feed on later models (Mine's 97). As for PAS, I almost wished I had it after a while, I loved the feel without it to begin with but as the Bridgestones wore out they got very heavy for London parking. Then I got new tyres (Nokians this time) and the difference in steering!! The grip seems as good, despite the fact there is 7mm more tread blocks on them now!

[apache]

never heard of Nokians, are they cheap, grippy wet/dry, decent looking?

[manek]

None of the above. Just use mobile phones a lot... :-) -Manek-