Now What?

Author
Discussion

andymadmak

Original Poster:

15,096 posts

285 months

Monday 11th March 2002
quotequote all
Dilemma time!
I've had my 400se for a few years now (had a Chim 4.3 before that) and I love it to bits.
True, it's not all smooth and curvacious like the new stuff but its a really involving drive, even more so than my old Chim.
The thing is though, I think it might be time for a change, the old girl is 11 now, and I don't know what to get next or even if I should stick with the Wedge.
Things I love about the 400se:

The noise at idle
No Cats
The noise at 2500rpm
Quite rare
The noise at 5000rpm
The looks, in a lesbian tennis player sort of way.
The fact it terrorises other drivers when I come up behind them
The noise when going really hard
All the thumbs ups, Wows! Wickeds! and other such stuff I get when I take it out.

So the question is, what do I get next?
Don't think I want a Chim again, and a Cerbs out cos the roof don't come off. Not certain about a Griff.
Should I go for a used Tuscan or the new Tomato? Or is there any thing else out there with two seats, no roof, that goes like an Exocet missile whilst making noises that make my girlfriend go moist?
Please, nobody say an Elise or Westfield - not enough aural stimulation for her indoors if you know what I mean!
All advice gratefully received.
Andy 400se

horse

393 posts

291 months

Monday 11th March 2002
quotequote all
quote:

The looks, in a lesbian tennis player sort of way.




quote:

So the question is, what do I get next?


How about a Marcos if a Tiv won't suit?

500 GRF

99 posts

287 months

Monday 11th March 2002
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well if it's not a TVR then what about an AC Cobra, not the £80 grand jobbie but you can get a new one for about £30k - can't remember the make though.

plotloss

67,280 posts

285 months

Monday 11th March 2002
quotequote all
Second hand Viper?

Not the greatest car in the world, and certaintly not the car for a shrinking violet but a lot of fun (in a straight line).

Matt.

andymadmak

Original Poster:

15,096 posts

285 months

Monday 11th March 2002
quotequote all
Not sure about Marcos now they've gone futt, and I never liked the Fiesta door handles (although I think the handles on the 400 are Cortina aren't they?!)
A Cobra might be fun, but the "Kit Car" thing is a bit of an off putter.
S/h Viper sounds promissing. Hmmm. Anyone care to enlighten me on Dodge's finest when compared to my Wedge?
Andy 400se

plotloss

67,280 posts

285 months

Monday 11th March 2002
quotequote all
I've not been in a 400SE, but used to have a Viper RT/10.

They are astonishingly quick in a straight line but come to a corner when travelling and its time to whip out the fake bushy white beard, don the captains hat, a quick blast of the steam whistle and its prepare for 'Boat mode' job. Dont get me wrong, it perfoms in corners but nothing like a Lotus or even a new Vette.

Build quality is good, but not outstanding, its pretty bullet proof and will certaintly get you noticed. The fuel however would worry me over here, I used to pay 93 cents a US gallon so it didnt worry me, but at 76.9p a litre its more of a concern! Lest we forget its an 8 litre V10.

On the whole though its less of an out and out enthusiasts sports car and more of a happy medium between sports coupe and supercar.

Matt.

gb61390

1,879 posts

297 months

Monday 11th March 2002
quotequote all
Andy, if you're serious about considering the Tamora then go and drive one and see what all the fuss is about.
But why do you refer to it as 'Tomato'? Bit derogartory isn't it? Especially for something you haven't even driven yet!
Cheers..... Andrew

tvradict

3,829 posts

289 months

Monday 11th March 2002
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quote:

But why do you refer to it as 'Tomato'? Bit derogartory isn't it? Especially for something you haven't even driven yet!



I think he was refering to the one featured in EVO Months ago! Can't remember when exactly, but it was the red press prototype!! Looked like a Tomato to me!!
However, since the customer cars have been delivered and pictures have been appearing on here. I love it. I want one! NOW! In some colours it does look but in other s in the DB's!!

Anyway, just my tuppence...

Cheers
Stuart!

.mark

11,104 posts

291 months

Monday 11th March 2002
quotequote all
Andy,
Keep the TVR so what if it's 11? I love those models. I'll never sell the Chimaera, but when the numbers come up a Wedge will be in the HUGE garage with all the other top kit.
Why haven't I won the lottery yet? Do you actually have to BUY a ticket or something?

andymadmak

Original Poster:

15,096 posts

285 months

Monday 11th March 2002
quotequote all
quote:

But why do you refer to it as 'Tomato'? Bit derogartory isn't it? Especially for something you haven't even driven yet!
Cheers..... Andrew




It wasn't meant to be derogatory. I actually sat in the red press car last year when it was at the Hillfoot open day. Frankly I thought it looked dreadful then. I agree that it looks soooooo much better now in customer specification colours/trims.
Still can't get over the rear exhaust diffuser. Wonder if it would look better in polished stainless or even carbon fibre?
Anyhow, I s'pose I'd best drag myself along to the dealer and test drive it then (sigh!.)
Andy 400se

500 GRF

99 posts

287 months

Monday 11th March 2002
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Dropped my car off at Mole Valley this morning for it's 6k service and I was having a chat with one of the guys there who told me that they have had orders for 50 (yes thats FIFTY) Noble M12's so far (I reckon that is nearly in a year) and guess how many Tomora's..................just 3. There is alot you can say about this and reasons for it but, as they say, "them are the facts". This car unreal apparently.

Nacnud

2,190 posts

284 months

Monday 11th March 2002
quotequote all
Easy - get a SEAC !

Everything you like about your 400se, only even louder and even more brutal (and that's just the looks )

Unusual in that there are three SEACs on the market at the moment, so you even get a choice.

anonymous-user

69 months

Monday 11th March 2002
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There's a yellow one at Castle TVR, but it hasn't got the big rear spoiler.

Saw it today.

JMorgan

36,010 posts

299 months

Monday 11th March 2002
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Would like to get a 450 SEAC but why go from a Chimera to a 400? Just wondering why.

andymadmak

Original Poster:

15,096 posts

285 months

Tuesday 12th March 2002
quotequote all
Why go from a Chim to a Wedge?
Well I had the Cim from new. It was my first TVR and it was great. Nice and reliable, once I had found a decent service place!
Sold it cos I thought I would get a Cerbera (I was running the TVR as a company car at the time) but panicked when I saw the build quality on the early ones (it broke down on the test drive too!)
Then moved jobs to an employer with a non TVR company car policy! Decided to buy my own but wanted a change from the Chim. Tried a Griff and but I was a bit luke warm about it. (don't know why) Then I was at Team Central one day and saw the Wedge. Never really looked at them till then, but I liked it for some reason.
Made the absolutely fatal error of letting the salesman start it up for me.....................Need I say more?
It was interesting to compare the Chim and the Wedge though, The Chim is very civilised in comparison. The Wedge is like a wild animal, and I reckon it makes a better weekend OHMYGODWHERESTHEDRYCLEANERS car for that reason.
Andy 400se

JMorgan

36,010 posts

299 months

Tuesday 12th March 2002
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kevinday

13,231 posts

295 months

Thursday 14th March 2002
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Keep the wedge, and the wedge

andymadmak

Original Poster:

15,096 posts

285 months

Thursday 14th March 2002
quotequote all
Spoke to a friend in the US last night about importing a Viper. He used to have one, said it was great but sounded like an angry vacuum cleaner at full chat!
I'm not sure if I want to be a 150mph hoover!
Still, 'er indoors could get the housework done a bit quicker
Are there no other choices out there?
Andy 400se

plotloss

67,280 posts

285 months

Thursday 14th March 2002
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Andy,

Not sure about the Tax situation but to pyhsically ship a car from Miami to Southampton costs $1000 all in.

The Vacuum cleaner quote is about right as well!

Matt.