WHAT TO REPLACE A TVR CHIMAERA 500 WITH?

rockits

rockits

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After buying a lovely TVR Chimaera 500 just over a year ago I have finally had a bit of a chance to to drive it a bit the last couple of months. I have got to know it much more and it is a really raw and intoxicating beast that is for sure. It was rolling road tested at 320bhp when it had its full refurb a couple of years back and it feels all of that and more. I have not used more than 75% throttle yet and that is scary. I cannot fault the car and the way it is. It is raw, intoxicating, involving, uncompromising and everything many might want in a 3rd car or weekend toy. I am not sure if I'm getting old but I have come to the conclusion it is too raw and intoxicating for what I am looking for.

It is an amazing car and thrill. So raw and alive but I think a little too much for me. Not the speed but how pared back and back top basics it is. Of course a TVR is all of things as a default but this 500 is another level up from the previous 400's I have had. So I have decided I am going to look to replace it. I did drive a Tuscan 4.0 Speed Six before I bought my first Chimaera 400 and really liked it. So I am not going to rule out a Tuscan or maybe a Tamora Speed Six.

It is a shame as I spent a while finding this particular Chimaera 500 and took a while to work out a deal with the seller. It had a full body off chassis refurb, with engine/gearbox/diff rebuild, new suspension, brakes, lines, full interior retrim and loads more. I believe the refurb costs were something like £16k! It really is a beast but maybe I went a little too far with this 500 as it is a real step up over the 400's to a different ball game.

My question is has anyone else done the same with same/similar cars. I am looking for a fun weekend toy and not one that is a great daily as well but nothing as raw and as uncompromising as I have found the Chimaera 500 to be. Ideally a manual, only needs 2 seats, a 6 or 8 cylinder would be great but keeping an open mind. Don't really want a convertible ideally but will if required. The targa/convertible format in the TVR's is a great option. I'll be using the Chimaera money and would use it all and maybe add more for a better or the right car maybe upto £30k max price ideally. So anything I guess from £15k-£30k. If there was something really really special I might push the boat out further. Don't really mind how old or new it is.

Out of all the searching around so far these seem to be possible options:
TVR Tuscan
TVR Tamora
Lotus Evora V6 S
Porsche Cayman S (R would be great but maybe too pricey.
Porsche 911 Carrera 2S 997
Mazda MX5 RF ND
BMW Z4M Coupe

Any experiences, thoughts or ideas?
 
Twinspark

Twinspark

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If you don’t mind the LHD I’d look at a Corvette or a Viper. Corvettes can be a bit tame at stock but from all accounts I’ve heard the Viper is a wild ride.
 
Oneball

Oneball

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11,106
This was mine. Don’t even &&@£(( think about it. 75427

if you don’t like the Chim you won’t like this plus all those things people oh and ahh about like the dash, rotary window switches are an absolute pain in the ****.

In the words of my Ms “was that the shite one made in the 1960s?”
 
rockits

rockits

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9,172
Oneball said:
This was mine. Don’t even &&@£(( think about it. View attachment 75427

if you don’t like the Chim you won’t like this plus all those things people oh and ahh about like the dash, rotary window switches are an absolute pain in the ****.

In the words of my Ms “was that the shite one made in the 1960s?”
Click to expand...

You didn't have a good ownership experience with it then?

I like the Chimaera but think the 400's I had weren't quite so raw as the 500. I found the Speed Six I drove in the Tuscan a little bit smoother and more traceable also easier to drive.
 
Oneball

Oneball

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11,106
rockits said:
You didn't have a good ownership experience with it then?

I like the Chimaera but think the 400's I had weren't quite so raw as the 500. I found the Speed Six I drove in the Tuscan a little bit smoother and more traceable also easier to drive.
Click to expand...

Wouldn’t say it was bad. They’re a lot rawer than a Chimera, you only thought it was tractable coz all the power is at the top end. The real thing I didn’t like was the interior ergonomics, they’re a right pain.
 
Oneball

Oneball

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11,106
Oh and the windows don’t drop half the time when you close the door. Every one will have chips out of the windscreen pillar where the windows clobbered it.
 
rockits

rockits

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9,172
CatmanV2 said:
I always wanted a TVR, but rather think I'd better not....

C
Click to expand...

I'd heartily recommend a TVR as there is nothing like them. However they are not to be entered into lightly. The 2nd Chimaera 400 I had was pretty good. Just always wanted a 500. Maybe the 450 is the sweetspot.
 
Oneball

Oneball

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11,106
On the plus side nothing except a 250 GTO will get as much attention as a Tuscan. I once had a kid crossing the road with his mum crossing just stop in the middle and point, he was still the in the middle of the road gawping when the lights changed.
 
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