TVR Chimaera - Your thoughts please

[Maz]

Evening Gents,

I'm not too happy with the purchase of my Alpina,.

I miss owning a convertible and I want something a little more exciting.

The Alpina is plenty fast but very dull.

Today I went to view a 2000 W TVR Chimaera 4.0L, it has covered 24k mile with a full service history,.

The car is in excellent condition and the previous owner has really looked after it, I drove it and the engine sound is just something out of the world!

Handles beautifully has loads of Torque and feels like a real sports car!

I have told the guy that I'll give him a decision on tuesday whether I'm going to buy it or not.

My question to you guys is WOULD YOU?

 

[Maz]

Can you get a Griffith 500 for your budget?

I've been in a Griff, Chimera and a Cerbera and the Griff was the best IMO.

I can, but for what this Chim would cost me a Griff would be over 12 years old!

And I really can't justify spending the extra to buy a similar age Griff because the whole point of looking at TVR is to get away from Porsche territory for now!

I did want a Tuscan but everyone and everyones dog is telling me that it will blow up!

 

[Maz]

Luckily I have a company car so this will only be used on nice days and going for a blast!

And going to and from work if I work a Saturday,.

(I work about 3 miles from home)

 

[Maz]

Yeah, I'd probably have one (am looking around at the moment, but need to have a good look at a Cerb before I decide) but I'd go for the 500. If it's for a "toy" I would go for the Griffith anyway, so what if it's older, it's still a much more exciting car to drive than the Chim and with a TVR it's all about the driving experience, not the usual considerations such as mileage, age, running costs, depreciation and so on.

If it was a more daily drive, then the Chim makes a more... tractable... choice. It's more comfortable, easier to drive and lighter in both steering and clutch. The Griff, on the other hand, is a brute

Problem being I'm coming from a BMW Auto and the Chim felt like a brute to drive to me!

Also I think a newer Chim will be more resellable in 6 months time when I get sick of it.

 

[Maz]

Griff without a doubt.

However Maz, don't take this the wrong way, but judging from your car antics of the past this might very well be your last car... TVRs tend to bite, hard and Griffs do that with little warning. If you do get one, be careful

I'm 23 now, finally got a clean license and I drive a lot more sensibly than I used to.

I very rarely drive fast these days,.

To throw a spanner in the works I'm going to have a look at a VX220 Turbo!

Griff does nothing for me, looks too old and for the amount of money I'm looking to spend I can't justify a car that old!