Forget The Spice Girls - Why The TVR Chimaera Is My Perfect 90's Soundtrack
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- Опубликовано: 6 сен 2024
- In today's video, I drive the TVR Chimaera 400, talk about why I think it could be a better car than the Griffith and discover whether the "lowly" 4L Rover V8 is still enough to put a smile on your face.
#TVR #Chimaera #V8
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A convertible with the roof down and heater going on a cloudless day in the cold is one of life's great driving experiences. The loss of TVR is saddening.
I've had the top down in my MX-5/Miata in 15 degree F weather. -9C. Stayed warm, gloves not needed.
@@3ducs RX-5? The kit car?
See also, top down on a summers night.
@@Emil-sh6sq or perhaps a dorito powered MX? 😏🤔
@@Emil-sh6sq Oops! MX-5!
I own a Griff 500. I can't describe how good these V8 TVR's are - whether Chimaera or Griff, it doesn't really matter. It's quick, but that's not the point - it's not what it does, but HOW it does it. It makes the kind of rumble that causes squirrels to fall from trees, it's got analogue dials that flicker, and with rear wheel drive and no driver aids, it will happily try to kill you if you misbehave - but the intoxicating noise, the connected driving experience, and the lack of modern refinement are a wonderful antidote to the dull perfection of today's 'sewing machines' - it's brutal, exhilarating and a real event - the smiles just keep coming mile after mile. Built by a team of folk in the automotive capital of the world (Blackpool) - it might leak, it might have occasional niggles, bits occasionally need glueing back on and the wipers are atrocious, but nothing (other than death or possibly another TVR) would persuade me to ever part with her. Sadly never to be repeated in today's world - Peter Wheeler got the formula spot on.
Brilliantly put
Absolutely agree with all that you said, I now own a 2001 Chimaera 4.5, always puts a grin on my face ever-time I turn the key 👌👍
Pure poetry 👌
I’m sold! I NEED A TVR!!
Spot on - if you might be interested in starring in a driving video on your Griff, give me a shout 😎
As usual, video is a must!! Trying to buy a Chimaera 400 but need to know chassis corrosion status … Cheers from France!!
Here in the USA, TVRs are scarce… if you see one at all, it will be an older one at a car show. But I was very fortunate to take a trip to the UK in 2001, where I spent a week with a lovely family in Blackpool. Through sheer chance, we happened on a new Tuscan at a service station and struck up a conversation with its custodian, who happened to be a factory test driver. In less time than it takes to tell, we’d been invited for a factory tour. What a treat. Everything was as you said… the cars were essentially hand built in a shed, but the atmosphere there was electric, and the staff were obviously very proud of their company and product. When we parted, the very pleasant receptionist loaded me up with brochures and other memorabilia. So needless to say, I have a place in my heart for TVR.
You could tell he was a TVR test driver by the greying hairs and thousand yard stare
I live in Spain and Work in Gibraltar, saw a guy driving through the border this morning in a TVR Tuscan on UK plates, had to salute his bravery for A) Buying a TVR B) Bringing it all the way over here with little to no expertise round here C) The Summer heat D) Dailying it! What a guy!
Double thumbs up I think !
He's either brave, stupid or is a TVR technician!
I drove my TVR S2 to the south of France and back in 1992. What a trip. It only over heated once
The summer heat, in November?
I have a Rover P5B Coupé in Portugal. Point B hits a nerve! :)
The weird thing is that I watched this video and then I bought a Chimaera, which is superb. And I now am still watching this video
Had one, it was just over a year old, the windows leaked, the top leaked, water would find its way into the footwell when it pi**es down, the electrics were questionable, the windows wouldn't wind all the way up without help, it got through more water than a fire engine. But I loved it! a real marmite car the TVR.
I actually prefer the Chimaera to the Griffith, which is why I've owned a 4.5 for 14 years. I never tire of that engine note.
And I've just bought another! One can never have too many TVRs.
As a 24 year old Chimaera owner, it's taught me a lot about mechanics. Within the first few weeks of owning it I had the top end off, replacing the valley gasket. Lovely cars, and surprisingly easy to tinker with
As a 70 year old I am so pleased that a 24 year old thinks like me !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!You are going places young man not sure where but you are going L.O.L.......................Where ever you go in the T.V.R. does not matter a tad you are in a T.V.R. Thats all that really matters is it not ???????????????????????????????????
I'm glad to see another young person like myself is willing to take on the responsibility of a TVR. I'm 22 and have just bought my dream, a Tamora. Slightly harder to tinker with than the chim mind... but all good fun to play with and learn. Hopefully see you at some events in the future! Off to read my workshop manual now!
@@Nathan.Guthrie I turned 16 last month and recently I've been watching so much videos on these tvrs. They're just such enthusiastic, analog cars with a great community behind them. Hopefully i will get my own Chimaera in the future.
Lovely review James. I can't disagree with any of it. I grew up with TVRs. My father was the 'works' racing driver for TVR for some 18 years, starting with the very first 350i (converted from a 280i Tasmin) right through to the Speed Twelve (the weapons grade one, not the later Cerbera Speed Twelve). As such he had many TVR road cars and being so close to the factory, none of them were standard. The last one, a 1997 Cerbera, was built to the still-born Cerbera GT specification.
I now own this very car and it's an absolute delight. No, it isn't cheap to run but it's rare (word is only around 9 GT spec cars were made) and immensely satisfying to drive. It takes time to master and operate it smoothly but it's incredibly rewarding. I live in Geneva and even ran the car here for a year. Yes, it broke down once because one of the coil packs failed (it's off a Saxo VTS - go figure) but such is the availability of parts I was on the road again very quickly. The Cerbera V8s in particular are seen as the sketchiest TVRs with a reputation for not just biting the unwary, but fully tearing them a new one. It's not really deserved. The first time I drove the Cerbera, I was 21 years old and it was about 18 months old and still belonged to my father at the time. My car back then was a Fiat Cinquecento. Not even the Sporting one, just base spec. All 39bhp of it. My father lent me the Cerbera for a weekend where I planned to drive it a 360 mile round trip to Bristol and back. Somewhat anxious, I asked my dad if I'd be okay going from my Cinquecento to something with over ten times the power and only about 30% more weight. His response was "It's only as fast as you drive it. It'll out-accelerate, out-brake and out-handle just about anything else on the road so if you crash it, you're most probably doing something stupid". That still rings in my ears every time I get in it today. Yes, you can wring its neck but you have to be very aware that if you run out of talent or something happens, it's down to you and you only to keep it on the black stuff. Mutual respect is probably the best way to sum it up. Keep up the great work...! Rup
Great reading your post, you were obviously born and bread into the TVR scene.
Your dad must have had some great stories from over the years 😉
Owning that Cerbera must make you very proud and I can only imagine the smile it
must put on your face to still being able to own the keeys to it and take it out for a drive.
Enjoy it.
4.5 with sports exhaust, power steering and leven interior bits, in starmist blue with magnolia.
Classic.
Griff owner here. Fantastic, spot-on review! Made me smile almost as much as a drive in my Griff :)
Thanks Nick!
@@JayEmmOnCars Great review. Made me want one.
Best sounding v8 that come from the UK in the 90s
But it's kind of an American V8
It's actually an American V8- design bought from Buick by Rover .
@@robertstone9988 true but a UK built car in a way
@@M0NSTR25BEN American V8s and British roadsters go together like jam and toast
Nice to see someone 'get' the Chimaera. They're ace!
drove mine to goodwood from norway in 2012, had a blast and a service with new suspension at racing green tvr, then drove it on the nurburgring and abck to norway. Not a hitch. Then did stelvio pass and swarzwald in 2014. Still no problems. So many smiles by miles. Mine was yellow, plenty of videos on my channel.
90s TVRs are just so beautiful but at the same time muscular and manly/geeza. I LOVE them so much! Even the early wedge shapes are cool, even the Ford V6 powered ones. But the 90s ones are it for me personally, personified in the Cerbera but Griffiths and these are all close behind. The UK is a sadder place ever since the death of TVR and I really hope that we do get an eventual rebirth before the end of noisy, petrol powered sports cars. A TVR EV would just be sacrilege.
I own a starmist green over biscuit Chimaera 500 with just over 50k miles from new. It’s recently had a new cam, modern ecu, new injectors, exhaust, suspension, and a few other bits. I love it, it’s a keeper, I’ll pass this one on to my kids when I can’t drive any more.
I had two Griffiths - the 4.3 then the 5 - both amazing cars. The 5 did break down - snapped throttle cable in London on the way back home from Le Mans... but I drove back home by wrapping the cable round my hand - to Nairn in NE Scotland; 100s of open top, great fun miles in the best sounding car!
JayEmm is the King of TVR on YouTUbe
Thanks Lars! I need to try some older ones next year
@@JayEmmOnCars really hope to see you in some of the wedge shaped ones👍
I was behind one once rolling through a small town and I loved the sound but was thrilled with how it was setting off all the parked car alarms.
Mine does exactly the same.
@@paulleach5894 have you done the NC500 if you do, I'd love to be taken for a spin.
This is so special, very masculine type of car
You're not wrong! That exhaust note is addictive. It makes you want to change down.... 😀
I have owned tvrs for over 20 years and I just love them 😍
what a mega thing, what a noise. I have two in. my village, a distant rumble always pricks my ears up, the sound of thunder as they go up the hill is awesome. God loves a TVR.
Amazing car, the TVR Chimaera was best car I've ever owned and driven and still very much miss it to this day. Mine was very similar to the one in the video, and was very reliable in the 7 years I'd had it. The noise is the best part, hearing this one brought back the memories and I am definitely buying another when the time is right. Thank you for sharing. 🙂
I have a green Chimaera with biscuit interior but the soundtrack is not the same. Bought it 10 years ago and I haven't had big issues, just common failure you can have on other cars from this age (alternator, radiator, relays...). I love this car. Thanks for your videos always very pleasant to watch.
I absolutely loved my Chimaera,one of the best sounding cars of all time in my view. The roof was a piece of piece to remove and was a great design in my view. I regret ever selling it about ten years ago and people still remember it. It was tiny with very forgiving suspension that was fantastic for all the local B roads. One day I’ll have another,or a Griff….or a Tuscan…….or a t350….. or a Sagaris….or I what I really want is a 4.5 V8 Cerb!
Watched this video on Friday. Went and bought a 96 400 in green over biscuit today (Sunday)!
Beautiful car!
Love that! How are you getting on with it so far?
@91amh loving it! It's so raw, it sounds fantastic...and (at the moment) everything works!
I started my TVR journey with a Cooper Green Chim 450 (complete with biscuit interior which smelt of skunk after the carpets were left sodden by the previous owner). Now own a Tuscan and a Cerbera V8, and agree with pretty much everything you say in this vid. One big exception though - the Speed 6 is actually a pretty reliable engine once rebuilt properly - there is a good understanding of the things which went wrong with the engines originally and a rebuild now should address them.
I definitely miss the sound and user friendliness of the Rover V8. The inhouse TVR engines are amazing but they have to be driven hard to make sense - the Rover V8 is in its element cruising and burbling around and just making you happy with your place in the world. I am quite happy to wave a spanner about but the Tuscan and Cerbie scare me and I leave it to a grown up. The Chim was ace, you just took it apart, swore at it and put it back together again and it was always better than when you started and didn't cost the Earth. 😁
I miss the days of TVR ownership. It was an event every time I sat behind the wheel, absolutely loved it. I had the factory press 450 Chim, in Halcyon Midas Yellow with a purple full leather interior.
Such an under rated car!
Started with a 400, now have a 500!
Should be worth a lot more!!! 🙂
I had a Griffith 500 and used it as my daily for 3 years and 41k miles. The fusebox flooded and had to be replaced, the steering column seized, the throttle cable snapped, and the camshaft wore out, but it never left me stranded. Despite all that, it was actually pretty reliable.
After 10 Alfas, 4 Suds, Alfetta GT, Alfetta saloon, 75, 90, 164, GTV, I bought a second hand 4.5 Chimaera in 2003, a 1998 model with power steering. I loved the car so much, I moved on to a 3.6 Tamora, and ended my TVR adventures with a very low mileage second hand 2006 Tuscan 2 convertible. I may have been lucky, but all my cars were mostly very reliable, and the pleasure of owning such fine driving machines far outweighed the occasional inconvenience. I kept them properly serviced by expert mechanics who were able to deal with the foibles of each car. During a long motoring life, I have sought out cars, at a reasonable price, which have provided motoring pleasure. I thoroughly enjoyed the review and completely understand why J loved the Chimaera. By the way not only was Peter Wheeler very tall, but he also ensured that the boots of all models could take at least one set of golf clubs!
God, the hairs are standing up on the back of my neck with those sounds!
Liked the Chimaera but went for a Griffith 500 instead and loved it, still regret selling the car to this day !
Wonderful soundtrack! I'm almost choking on the petrol fumes!😉
Outstanding review. I have a 500 Chim and all sorts of other cars and bikes. It’s got 90k on it but had a rebuilt at 84,000 miles. This is the only car that I have that is an absolute keeper. My rule is that I never drive it with the roof up. I’m 6’5” and there is no buffeting, but all the benefit of an open top. I wish Porsche could learn a lesson from this for their Targa.
Always wanted one of these. Maybe one day. Prices have always been low compared to a lot of cars but always a bit high for me.
My favourite 90s car
This video sums why I have had two Chimaera's, and still own my second. There is literally NOTHING available at the price point of a Chimaera that comes even close to it in terms of performance and enjoyment. Other than a different model TVR, I would need to spend £50k+ really to get anything that comes close to how it makes you feel. I know you can get Boxster's for less, but they do not have the same visceral feel to them, and I have owned a Boxster. I sold it to get back in a TVR.
Bloody fucking beautiful, sound.
Thank you James! Thank you!
I’ve been here since your first video, literally, i found you on CarThrottle, and i wasn’t able to see all your videos over the time, but i have to say this is my favourite of yours.
It’s because you reviewed my dream car, a car i bought last year indeed, almost identical looking and feeling TVR Chimaera 400. And what review it was, i’m so glad you liked it, thank you for choosing a “lower spec” Chimaera with 400 and showing that it has all the guts to be a proper TVR. Sometimes i go feeling that not having 450 or 500 it makes it a less of a car.
I have to say, even a for a not UK resident like me, being far away on the other side of Europe, and having single TVR in country and in ratio of hundreds of miles, without any TVR specialist or garage, the TVR Community, or more specific the Chimaera community is the most wonderful bouns you get with the car, and they stretch their helping hand over across the globe.
When you go TVR you might go mad, but you never go back 😎
Welcome back :)
@@JayEmmOnCars oh dont’t worry, i’m a regular for past few years :)
I miss my griff but still remember the broken ribs from poor pedal judgement on a roundabout in the wet.
Commuted my 500, 80 miles a day for 18 months, all seasons. Absolutely zero problems in my ownership, great cars
I had a metallic green one with beige leather until recently. Had it for seven years too. Drove it all over Europe, perfectly reliable. Fabulous car. One of the best soundtracks in motoring too. 👍👍
Always wanted a Chimaera. Convinced me to start hunting after watching this. Thanks!!
I had one back in 2001 for around 18 months. Not a single problem. Picked it up on a Saturday and the following Thursday went on a 2500 mile round trip drive to Italy. It's all about the noise...
The chimaera is the great undiscovered British classic, the 4.5 is the one to go for before they shoot upwards past £20k,
My 400 was the classic British racing green with a biscuit interior! It was a little fragile but I loved it, made an excellent choice for trips to Le Mans and the 'spin it ' straight...
The Cerbera is terrifying and in the phallic purple my friend had……. striking 🙂 but, the Chimera has the soundtrack to die for, the Cerbera left me cold. I would also prefer the glorious big six……
I’m not sure if a friends Chimera was breathed on, but in his hands (ex BTC driver) it went like a stabbed rat 🙂🇬🇧
Nice one John and Philip! I think he liked it! 😂
Having just sold the Griff for a T350c I know come summer I am going to want something with the roof removed! A Chim is a good option. Everything in my gut says you’ll have a Chim on the driveway in due course! I’ll have to try to get the guys at Sprint HQ to try to get an interview with you in Sprint if you have the time.
As a Mustang Fox body fan I know the Borg Warner T5 very well.
Nice but loads of trouble called Trevor. Got a friend who had one. Always something that was broken
I've owned a Tuscan for 10 years, no trouble at all. Bad rep came from largely from factory issues (and whiney Richard Hammond). Pre owned cars are usually problem free if looked after and serviced properly. Most TVR owners will tell you the same thing.
Sounds like the car equivalent of the spitfire.
Mine does
Spot on. I've owned bmws x porche convertibles x that's how I see my chimaera . Such a tonic to drive and uniquely different. Not for everyone if you're used to the modern feel and convenience . Took me a while to acclimatise to them but now will never be without one. Love em.
Haven't even watched the full video yet... saw TVR and knew I would be clicking the thumbs up. And yes, I'd agree, the Chimaera is the nicer looking car. The chassis are also very handy if you can find one with a V5 from a dismantled (but not scrapped) car - can make a cool project car out of it, like a retro looking special of some sort.
Il never forget seeing a purple paradise Chimaera on the cover of TopGear magazine in 1998. It's a beautiful machine. It looks great, sounds awesome, goes like stink and handles fabulously.
So Glad you reviewed this along with Rich from up n down as since my mother passed and my life is not dominated with care responsibilities I am looking to buy a TVR. 1 because I am from Blackpool and know many who worked at the factory and 2 because I have a few tuned Rover Motors in my Land Rovers and they are a joy. This is going to be the realisation of a dream for My son and I to drive around Europe visiting some of the sights and also race circuits.
Having driven from Blackpool to Italy this year in my 1999 W140 which was great I still want to do it in a sports car. Time for healing I think. Love your stuff keep it coming.
Awesome car. Thank you for showcasing these older cars. Only ever seen TVR in Gran Turismo games. Nice video. Keep up the good work.
There is no way on Gods earth I’d let mine go for £20k. The very best I’d say are at least£25K. Apart from false hope, what a fabulous review. The quicker cars are like Jekyll and Hyde, mines dyno’d at 333bhp and 377 ftlbs of torque and it does embarrass exotica off the line. But it will bimble around at low speeds very happily, saying that it is running an emerald ecu. I keep looking at the classifieds but there is genuinely nothing comes close value wise. The car makes people smile when you drive it, people stop and talk at the petrol station. But above all else when you hear the v8 my god you don’t want to hear anything else.
what did you do on the car to reach 333 hp? thanks
@@guitariste47 emerald k6 ecu mapped by Joulz, v8developments engine rebuild with stealth cam, smooth bore induction, blended trumpet base. Clive Ford y-piece and manifolds, act- sports exhaust.
Great video - simple as!
A chap down the road from me has one in burgundy with gun-metal wheels. He keeps in immaculate condition and often see him working on it, beautiful car.
Customer :- How many airbags is there?
TVR :- Airbags? Sorry!!
Would still love one .
I remember seeing one of these in Hong Kong 20 years ago on the way from the airport
Had a family friend who used to own one and took me out on spin in it. His Chimera ABSOLUTELY FLEW. He’d tinkered with it a bit but my word would it go. Scary as a kid 😂
The RV8 has been a constant in my life for about 30yrs now and I have an awful lot of love for that engine. It is also one of the best sounding engines that money can buy imho. But the Chimaera to me was always the logical progression of the British 'hairy chested' sportscar. Find a good one and I'd have it in a heartbeat...
The openings narration is just - perfect - on this one!
Takes me back to my own experience of owning a very similar TVR Chimera that I owned for 5 years(11 years ago now)..
Fun happy times..
Lovely cars people from all walks of life like to see them. I think your review was positive and you are right the rover powered ones are cheaper to keep. Still one formidable power to weight ratio in the 5 litre ones, after 25 years new cars keep getting heavier! Tvr had very light weight, all of them even the old ones. The tuscan challenge race cars are 900kg and 550 HP!
I went to a village car show once and there were various Merican cars, Mustangs, Chevelles, Cobras etc. But the best sounding car that day was a TVR. B-e-a- utiful.
Girls Aloud had a Tamora & Tuscan in their video instead (Something Kinda Ooh)! There is also ONE Chimaera with a Speed 6 engine, & a few with various LS engines.
Thanks J, I knew this had had something done to get that sound, reminded me of my old one! 🙏🙏
John Surtees (I think) said a few years back, a Chimaera is the best 'classic' British sports car you can buy in a magazine test.
Brilliant vid, need to get a wedge and an S series on next!
Thanks for this. 👏👏 I agree, my plan is that this will be my next car.
@@thelimey351 do it! I did and it’s incredible!
Fantastic exhaust note on the old V8 TVR's.
If you like that sound try a equal length manifold 4.3 Griffith, that’s even better and something very special. Loved the video and car, I even read all comments to date. Well done
Hurrah, he’s finally reviewed a Chimaera! Great review. Personally I think the exhaust on this is too loud and the standard has the best note.
Great video 👍
The best TVR when taking all criteria into consideration. Lovely
I own a 2001 4.5 Chimaera and just love it, this was a lovely review which i very much enjoyed, lots of facts and well put over, thank you. 👌
IT'S A SIGN!!!!! I am on the internet right now looking for a Griff/Chim, and tussling with which one to go for (also have to wait until my '83 BMW635 has been sold as need to make some space for a TVR....anyone interested?) Had a great blast in my mate's Griff a few months ago, running from Norwich to Pendine Sands for the Hot Rod races. An epic journey in baking hot weather, with absolutely no issues at all with the car. And the sound....oh the sound of it! Great video!
Made up you’ve done this
Owned mine over 3 years it’s the 5 litre one sbd whilst I don’t drive it as much as I should when I do it’s for drivings sake through north wales . Great noise and great experience and a really reliable car
Great vid Jay. Your enthusiasm for the car is evident and infectious.
This put a big smile on face watching this review, especially the soundtrack from the mic at the rear end, i have a 400 de-cat Chimaera and the sound is great from the drivers seat but i don't get to hear that V8 from outside the car so hearing and seeing the drive by shots confirmed that there is not much out there that sounds better, maybe a AMG Merc V8 or a Ferrari V12.
Great car, have one myself, always good, mostly terrifying, never relaxing but wonderful noise and weight 👍👍
An average Chim 400 in proper tune will produce an honest 230bhp, plus 250ft/lbs of torque, on the rolling road, so hardly sluggish, pulling that 1000-1100 kilos. Lovely cars.
I’m absolutely sold on a Chimera! Me n my Fiancé saw a stunning bright red one yesterday and it looked glorious! A bit later on our walk, we bumped into this chap we know, who has a tuned and turboed Cerbera with 442bhp AT THE WHEELS! Hehe! We got chatting about TVRs in general and he explained why Chimeras are so relatively cheep and it’s simply because so many were made!
I loved watching this vid Jay! That sound!!! I just need to raise some cash to buy one, but with nine cars currently, I’m sure I can raise £20k for a good one, quite easily! I’m 45 and thinking “life’s too short” and yeh, maybe it’s a midlife crisis lol, but who cares! My Mrs is a proper petrol head like me and she really wants us to get one! Even better 😁
Love TVRs , they are so hairy Chested, the owners are great and nice talk to.
This car sounds like an American muscle car and looks great. You should get one of these Jayem
Had mine for 24 years. Reliability miles better than other cars I’ve had in that time, including Aston Martin and Audi.
I loved my 5ltr used it as a daily for 2 years, broke down once when the immobiliser failed, had to get rid when my commute went from 3.5 to 35 miles each way😢
The hard cut to you looking into the camera saying friends had me laughing like a nutter in the kitchen whilst making dinner. 😄
I rebuilt scores of these in the 90’s, very basic and perfect as an enthusiasts car, yes certain areas are a little suspect but if your happy to roll your sleeves up and have ago, almost anything on the car can be fixed cheaply.
TY 🙏🙏
I love your "whys" about this car....I have a '04 BMW 645Ci SMG conv and its my #135 car since my first '51 Morris Minor 1000 when I was 14...CRAZY. The Bimmer, being in Canada is in storage December to April....hence no rust... It is BY FAR the most fun, fast and otherwise delightful car I have ever owned....
Ha, that SMG box gets a mention in my next video...
The car I always chose in the Gran Turismo 1 Special Stage Route 11 arcade race.
I got the dubious job of taking a part exchange Chimaera back to the TVR factory in Blackpool circa 2001. It was the most terrifying, difficult, uncomfortable, noisy, and fearful contraption I'd ever strapped myself into. It was an utterly horrible thing and I hated it with a passion. But I will remember and treasure that drive for the rest of my life. It was absolutely wonderful, glorious and magnificent all at the same time. Funny how something you hate can make you so happy.
I call bullshit.
I've driven several Chimaeras and owned a 4.5 example for over a few yrs.
They are not uncomfortable in any way, shape or form - I'm 6'5 and big build yet had no issues, my friend at 5"4 equally had no discomfort, even my Mum found it acceptable.
Sure they're loud when you boot them, but pootling around town on a waft of throttle they have a nice burble and on a run they're surprisingly good and refined (especially with the roof up) even with a sports exhaust.
You say difficult and fearful but again I refute that. I found them comparable to a more powerful mx5 but better in almost every way except fuel consumption.
The boot is large, they're reliable if used regularly, aren't difficult to get in or out of, the handling is excellent - car has plenty of grip and when it does go the slide is progressive and easy to catch.
In my experience the car was just superb and extremely reliable. Easy to use, fast (my 4.5 had some tweaks and made a genuine 310 bhp) yet I'd have happily let a novice driver have a go
@@th3b0untyhunter I was 21 at the time and hadn't been driving for more than a couple of years. A car like that to an inexperienced driver is, I assure you, terrifying. I'm also partially disabled, with bone, joint and muscle problems. A car comfortable for you is agony for someone else. The ride was brutal, and it hurts like hell getting into and out of anything low slung like that. Plus that car had a number of defects, hence why it was going back to the factory. I had to hold it in gear because it kept popping back out again, and there was little in the way of synchromesh left. It was an absolute pig to drive because it was in poor mechanical condition, which is why I drew the short straw as the junior member of the team to deliver it.
@@matthewgodwin3050 I have fibromyalgia and early onset arthritis so I have an understanding about the pain driving can cause.
However ive driven probably 6 or 7 examples and owned 1. The ride is not harsh, certainly no worse than an e36 or e46 M3's and by far better than the recent M240i or JCW Mini Cooper S ive had (jcw was so bad for my health it had to go)
Yes low slung can be a little difficult for entry/exit , but the Chim isn't too bad at all on that front - Peter Wheeler was 6'6" and insisted all the later cars were suitable for tall people (which in turn can also help the disabled).
If you were 21 then it may have been a little daunting sure, but they are not terrifying in fact quite the opposite.
The age thing though kinda proves your story bullshit.
I worked Motor trade for many many years, its a little easier now but getting trade cover for anyone under 25 has always been an issue and the rare policies that did allow it were very specific about what under 25's could drive and they NEVER included convertibles, powerful, sports cars or prestige
@@th3b0untyhunter At the dealership I worked for, you had to be 21 for the company insurance. There were no restrictions. Sounds like you're just sore because I don't like a car you like. To be honest, I couldn't care less.
Stunning design, absoloute timeless
Magical music !!! l;ove it!
God, that sounds nice!
It sounds really good when you put the boot in😁👍
i had a metalic sound ,turned out to be the exhausts tapping the stainless plates under the transmission tunnel .
A very under rated car