TVR Chimaera & Lotus Elise - What could possibly go wrong?

[supersarbs]

Great pair of cars you and your dad have there. I'll follow your updates with interest.

[Mr E]

We ran an Alfa an an Elise for about 5 years. Neither car ever let us down.

[Zoobeef]

Nice cars! I have a friend with a vx220 turbo and a tvr tamora for herself.

I'd like a tvr but I don't want to get rid of any hing I already have so I need to somehow make it sound like a good idea to the Mrs to get one

[carphotographer]

What trackday was that at Goodwood ?

I had a couple of S1 Elises - fantastic cars and despite that I've got a Caterham now I miss the Elise.

[Synchromesh]

Very much approve of your Lotus, especially since the drive of it the other week. Obviously it's never going to set the world alight in a straight line (and nor was it ever supposed to), but the delicacy of the handling is something else! Can't wait to have it on track, where I think we'll be able to surprise some far more powerful cars

Never been the biggest TVR fan (I'll hand in my PH membership on the way out), but love the spec, and noise, of the Chimaera

[Tickle]

Cracking pair!

Still not had the pleasure of TVR ownership, maybe one day.

Spot on about the Elise, not much comes close for driving pleasure.

[Synchromesh]

Dalto123 said:

II've also done a couple of SELOC runs (highly recommended group) and let fellow PH'er Synchromesh have a drive in the better weather we had recently. I'm sure he'll agree that it is good fun, but perhaps not so much as his latest acquisition (get a thread up James!)

It is good fun.

Thread will be up when I've got pics, which relies on getting a chance to clean the thing!

[coopedup]

Great update, thanks very much

[Jonrav]

Great read and a good update. These are two cars that I too would love to own, I just wish that I had the money + space to keep and run them!

[james_gt3rs]

I can recommend Lotus-on-track if you want to take it on trackdays.

[gf15]

If you get a fan over ride switch for the TVR, it works wonders, hit heave traffic, turn it on, and temp stays below 90. Best & cheapest mod for a Blackpool V8.

[Yazza54]

Nice pair, I too have a major TVR itch but I just keep thinking that an entry level chim would be a disappointment. Love the S1, would be very tempted to drop a VVC engine in if I were you.

[TR4man]

Enjoyed reading that, thanks for posting!

[kiethton]

So 15k miles in the slowtus and only 3 pairs of new trousers!?!?

In seriousness, very nice may have to pick your brains on TVR's some time soon depending on which way the insurance assessor goes...

[Codswallop]

Lovely pair and very interesting to read your thoughts

Horrible question, but if you had to pick one, which would it be?

I'm contemplating getting either an Elise (probably S2) or a Chimaera as a weekend car next year, and really not sure what style of car I'd prefer...

I've got a light(ish) roadster, and a big V8 at the moment, and not sure if I'd prefer a GT in the TVR style or something even lighter than my MR2 roadster

[Toilet Duck]

Love the look of the AWI wheels, I think the colour works well against the bodywork.

Must be a real arduous decision deciding which of those two cars to take out each drive, must be a real pain

[Codswallop]

Thanks for the info. I think I'm leaning towards the Chim, but that changes often. I'll have to try both and decide I suppose. What a chore that will be

I tried getting into and out of an S1 Elise at the Leeds Castle supercar siege a few years ago, and I did take a perverse amount of pleasure from the difficulty of the task. It certainly adds a sense of occasion (along with the view of the wings), and light cars just feel nice to drive.

But as you say, V8 giggle is hard to resist

[Cerberaherts]

Cracking pair of cars. I run an a Lotus and a TVR myself. I've had my Cerbera since 2010, it's been trouble free, though it's a weekend car really. My wife runs a supercharged Exige as her daily and is addicted to it. As you have found with your two, both mine are great but in very different ways. Both are an occasion to drive. Incidentaly, she ditched her boxster s as she quickly became bored of it. Here are mine....

Edited by Cerberaherts on Tuesday 3rd January 23:09

Edited by Cerberaherts on Tuesday 3rd January 23:12

[Cerberaherts]

Dalto123 said:

Codswallop - You're very welcome. I'm not the greatest at writing down my thoughts, but they're both lovely cars. I noticed from your profile that you appear to be in Kent? If you wanted a closer look at either car, I'm sure something could be arranged (and sway your decision )

CerberaHants - I think you may well have the perfect combination there! Absolutely love the Cerb, what's it like to drive? I've been a passenger in an Exige S2 like your wife's and was hugely impressed and also drove this S3 Supercharged Elise earlier last year which is very similarly powered - Just need to wait 15 years for the depreciation to make it affordable!



Agreed point on the Boxster S. There wasn't anything wrong with Dad's at all, it was a lovely car, but it lacked the character and sense of fun of the TVR.

Thanks dalto. The Cerbera is a 4.5 red-rose car, so it's a bit of a handful. If you fancy a ride out in it sure we could arrange something over one of the TVR meets in the summer...

[Codswallop]

Dalto123 said:

Codswallop - You're very welcome. I'm not the greatest at writing down my thoughts, but they're both lovely cars. I noticed from your profile that you appear to be in Kent? If you wanted a closer look at either car, I'm sure something could be arranged (and sway your decision )

Thanks for the offer Dalto123 - I was based in Kent until a few days ago, but am in the process of relocating to Cornwall at the moment. Should complete on my new place by end of January hopefully, and then thoughts can move back to re-organising my fleet