Now I don't know WHAT to do! Need help from Tivvy massive!
Discussion
I have had a hankerin' for a 4.5 Chimaera since 2005 and this year I am going to do it. Easy. NOT! Have just had a review of the Cerb classifieds on PH and that car is gorgeous! Sorry to seem like a complete numpty guys but since it has the same power plant as the Chim, is the performance similar? Is there any reason why I should opt for one rather than the other?
Thank a million for any suggestions!
Thank a million for any suggestions!
johnniem said:
I have had a hankerin' for a 4.5 Chimaera since 2005 and this year I am going to do it. Easy. NOT! Have just had a review of the Cerb classifieds on PH and that car is gorgeous! Sorry to seem like a complete numpty guys but since it has the same power plant as the Chim, is the performance similar? Is there any reason why I should opt for one rather than the other?
Thank a million for any suggestions!
Thank a million for any suggestions!
Chimaera's have Rover V8's.
Cerbera's have either AJPV8's or the Speed 6.
Running/servicing costs on a Cerb are typically higher than a Chimp.
ntel said:
Wow, Dougc wins prize for fastest typist 
Reading it back it also sounds a bit snippy too - no offence intended!!
The Chim and Cerb are 2 very different cars. Apart from the obvious i.e. one has a roof
there are practicality and cost of ownership differences too. Typically the Chim will cost less to run than the Cerb but this isn't set in stone. The best thing to do is talk to a few owners, get to a meet local to you and kick some tyres.As NTEL will tell you (I bought his 450 12 months ago) the Chim is a very good car. I do not regret buying mine and it will be a very long time before I sell it. BUT, I have been looking at Cerbera's in a different light recently and do think they are a rather special car too, but there again, all TVR's are.....
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Apologies to the Tivvy posse for not knowing the power plants are different, next time I shall do all my research before asking for help 
It sounds as if the cerbera may be a little too heavy on the pocket but jeez she is so good looking! I will attend a few TVR meets before taking any plunge
It sounds as if the cerbera may be a little too heavy on the pocket but jeez she is so good looking! I will attend a few TVR meets before taking any plunge
teedubya said:
As NTEL will tell you (I bought his 450 12 months ago) the Chim is a very good car. I do not regret buying mine and it will be a very long time before I sell it. BUT, I have been looking at Cerbera's in a different light recently and do think they are a rather special car too, but there again, all TVR's are.....
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And the Bugger wouldn't let me buy it back
So the wife got a Tamora instead.
I am lucky enough to have both a Chimaera and a Cerbera at the moment, although the Chimaera is 4.0 not 4.5 as you are looking for. Yes, the engines are different and I believe that generally the Cerbera running costs are higher. The radical difference is the way it drives!! 
There is no comparison between the two, but they are both wonderful.
Obviously the running costs will have to come into it, but get out driving both of them and see if that helps you. Personally, I think the Chimaera is the easier car of the two to drive well,but given the choice, I nearly always jump in the Cerbera!
I'm not sure that is very much help to you, but do drive both cars and see how you feel when you're driving them, I'm sure there will be an obvious favourite for you!
There is a TVRCC Meet at The Ace Cafe on the third Wednesday of each month, which might be handy for you and I'm sure everyone will be happy to help you with your decision!
Enjoy!
There is no comparison between the two, but they are both wonderful. Obviously the running costs will have to come into it, but get out driving both of them and see if that helps you. Personally, I think the Chimaera is the easier car of the two to drive well,but given the choice, I nearly always jump in the Cerbera!
I'm not sure that is very much help to you, but do drive both cars and see how you feel when you're driving them, I'm sure there will be an obvious favourite for you!
There is a TVRCC Meet at The Ace Cafe on the third Wednesday of each month, which might be handy for you and I'm sure everyone will be happy to help you with your decision!
Enjoy!
Although the Chim roof can be a bit tricky to remove and stow, it goes back on easily.
If you get the roof off the Cerb - you are in trouble
On a serious note, I love the Chim for the open-top driving, and the 450 has plenty of grunt. But as you have seen, and others will testify, the Cerbera is a bloody lovely motor car.
Now, the Tuscan... mmm, next year may be
Good luck with your hunt
If you get the roof off the Cerb - you are in trouble
On a serious note, I love the Chim for the open-top driving, and the 450 has plenty of grunt. But as you have seen, and others will testify, the Cerbera is a bloody lovely motor car.
Now, the Tuscan... mmm, next year may be
Good luck with your hunt
In the nicest possible way and with NO offence to others...........
I think a potential owner might be more interested in handling and running costs rather than what others think? Looks and sound are (IMHO) a small part of it. I couldn't give a tinkers whether people turn and look as I pass by, in fact I'm happier if they don't.
I plumped for the Chimaera. First a 4.0 and now a 5.0 and was heavily influenced by ease and cost of maintenance. Performance came into it too of course but up to a point I felt that they were all bloody quick so what was the difference? Once I got used to the 4.0 and wanted some more 'go' I got the 5.0.
Mine is all road use, it's my only car. If I were using it on a track or only for high days and holidays I might alter my priorities but for what I need the Chimaera suits me.
I think a potential owner might be more interested in handling and running costs rather than what others think? Looks and sound are (IMHO) a small part of it. I couldn't give a tinkers whether people turn and look as I pass by, in fact I'm happier if they don't.
I plumped for the Chimaera. First a 4.0 and now a 5.0 and was heavily influenced by ease and cost of maintenance. Performance came into it too of course but up to a point I felt that they were all bloody quick so what was the difference? Once I got used to the 4.0 and wanted some more 'go' I got the 5.0.
Mine is all road use, it's my only car. If I were using it on a track or only for high days and holidays I might alter my priorities but for what I need the Chimaera suits me.
gazzab said:
Flintstone said:
In the nicest possible way and with NO offence to others...........
I think a potential owner might be more interested in handling and running costs rather than what others think?
I think a potential owner might be more interested in handling and running costs rather than what others think?
Maybe you could provide some info re handling and running costs?
Handling info would be interesting but it is also very subjective as we all want and expect different things from our cars. Running costs are always going to be high for such motors anyway and I am currently running a Jag XJR so costs are less critical.
The principal advice is to be try them out. Sounds like good advice to me. I may see some of you guys at a meet sometime soon. And may I say whilst I am here, you guys have been great. I shall be proud to be part of the Tivvy posse! I'll let you know what happens....
They are both very quick cars ... it's just that one is more very quick than the other.
If you like the look of both I think it boils down to one simple decision - do you want a soft top?
If you're not bothered, get a Cerb. Outrageously fast, great looking, with a bonus 2 rear seats if you have small kiddies.
The only reason I returned to a Griff was that missed having a soft top.
If you like the look of both I think it boils down to one simple decision - do you want a soft top?
If you're not bothered, get a Cerb. Outrageously fast, great looking, with a bonus 2 rear seats if you have small kiddies.
The only reason I returned to a Griff was that missed having a soft top.
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