WHAT TO REPLACE A TVR CHIMAERA 500 WITH?

Motorsport3

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Good shout....always had an issue with those headlights though! Are they changed on the later cars now? Wonder if you can retrofit the new ones to the old cars.

Yes, I think 2018/19 cars and convertibles had the conventional lights but you may need £40k to get those.
 

Chimaera500

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189
I would agree that the 500 is the one to have to give that full 100% TVR experience. It does indeed deliver on that in spades no question. It is just that I don't think I quite want that now.

I have a ton of pics from Mark Hunter from the original restoration/rebuild that was complete by Steve Darvill @ SD Autotec. Also a few of my own added in. I think the restoration costs seemed to be £19k apparently! Wow!!

There is a link to a folder of pics here:

Stunning car. Are you sure you don't just need a little more time to bond with it? I would really struggle to let that car go. Its (I think) Formula red as well, which I have always loved on the Chim and Griff. I dont think it will be hard to find a new owner for this car! Id be so tempted if I hadn't just bought my Gransport :)
 

rockits

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9,167
Stunning car. Are you sure you don't just need a little more time to bond with it? I would really struggle to let that car go. Its (I think) Formula red as well, which I have always loved on the Chim and Griff. I dont think it will be hard to find a new owner for this car! Id be so tempted if I hadn't just bought my Gransport :)

I agree it must be one of the better Chimaera 500's out there after the recent spend. I have waited until I have driven it a few bit the last month or so to get to know it better. I think I have had enough time to know now. It is not perfect and would need a respray to be so but in my experience many are much worse. It won't be one of the most expensive ones out there either as I bought it quite well I think. I am sure there will be enough interest hopefully.

With the work completed and full engine rebuild to new specs it has been rolling road tested so has a known high output of 320bhp. I understand many seem to be down on claims so produce much less often.
 

urquattrogus

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838
I went from my Griff 500 to a Z3M Coupe, love the Z3M.

Mine is an S50 with the cable throttle and no driver aids. Lots to chose from at the moment from £20k to £40k.

Otherwise I'd be tempted by an early Jag F Type R Convertible, or Perhaps an SL63 Mercedes with the M156 6.2 V8.
 

Andyk

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61,040
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?

Out of that little lot Evora for me buddy. The GT S has to be on the list as its about the same price but......all on your list are sports cars and the GT is not. It's a GT car so it sure it's what you are after.....and I would add the Jaguar F Type R. What's not to like beautiful V8 small coupe.
 

rockits

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9,167
I'm a big fan of the F Type after driving all the models round Milbrook on an Evo/Jaguar launch day. Never driven a GT S so not sure if it won't be too heavy or less sharp to what I would like. I am keeping the XJL so have something big and comfortable but still interesting. I'll have to get out and get driving a few including the Evora to see if it is still too hardcore for my needs.
 

zagatoes30

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20,763
Aston Vantage would be my choice but you have already had one of those, a Cayman S is a very accomplished bit of kit and would be my second choice.
 

rockits

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9,167
I am sure I will have another Vantage again but would try to seek one out with twin plate clutch, Bamford Rose headers and map, then suspension/dampers upgrade. If I could find one with that all done it would be the perfect car but couldn't justify the cost of doing it myself.
 

Andyk

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61,040
I am sure I will have another Vantage again but would try to seek one out with twin plate clutch, Bamford Rose headers and map, then suspension/dampers upgrade. If I could find one with that all done it would be the perfect car but couldn't justify the cost of doing it myself.

They are pretty rare in the 2nd hand market.....Only seen about two for sale in the last few years. People tend to keep hold of them. The other option would be a Prodrive Vanatge. Again don't come up often but have the same power is the Bamfird Rose upgrade........or what about a 4.7 that start around 33k on Autotrader. Also notice that 4.3 Vantage price have risen slightly since coming out of lockdown.....
 

zagatoes30

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20,763
Andy and I pretty much agree on the Vantage it is one of the best looking sports coupes out there, it is plenty fast enough for most (especially in manual form) and has that unstated feel that a lot of its competitors don't. A 4.3 is perfectly acceptable in most cases but the modified Bamford Rose, Prodrive or N400 / 420 versions are just a little bit better. Are most 4.7s not the 7 Speed sports shift gearbox? must admit never driven a 4.7 so can't comment on how they drive
 

rockits

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9,167
I agree with the Andy camp totally. The Vantage V8 4.3 Manual is the best drivers car I've driven. I prefer the original older car as really not a fan of that newer facelift centre console. Also not a fan of that cheesy emotional control unit key thing. It is 90% the perfect car. As Mike @ MR mentions I think it needs a couple of minor tweaks to make it spot on. The clutch, the dampers and the extra breathing just would lift it from 90% to 100% I think. If I had another it would still be the 4.3 Manual. I need nothing more than that.
 

Guy

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2,003
I remember when Richard Grace had an F Type for sale. On its own it looked nice but then parked next to a GTS it looked dull, inside and out. It would need to be a V12 Aston to be considered against a Granturismo and even then I would prefer a Strad. I think you need to nail down the unique requirements to narrow your search or just accept regular change to experience it all!
 

rockits

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9,167
So..... You've sold your chimaera... Or you're selling it?

Not sold and not even advertised yet but it will be going to make way for incoming. Not sure if it will be traded in against incoming or sold first privately so not listed for sale yet.
 

Andyk

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61,040
I agree with the Andy camp totally. The Vantage V8 4.3 Manual is the best drivers car I've driven. I prefer the original older car as really not a fan of that newer facelift centre console. Also not a fan of that cheesy emotional control unit key thing. It is 90% the perfect car. As Mike @ MR mentions I think it needs a couple of minor tweaks to make it spot on. The clutch, the dampers and the extra breathing just would lift it from 90% to 100% I think. If I had another it would still be the 4.3 Manual. I need nothing more than that.

The Bamford Rose upgrade really do release the 4.3....but...you need 10k to do everything on the list...……Think I would go N420 with the carbon seats which seem to start around 38k......but then a 4.3 at say 27k with all the BR upgrades would be something special.
 

foibles

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Davidt99

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184
For less than £30k you could buy the blue CL63 AMG that's on Autotrader. 700bhp should be enough for most people. :D