Anyone here gone from Chimaera 400 to Boxster/Cayman S? - Page 1 - Boxster/Cayman - PistonHeads UK

Evening, As per the title really - has anyone here made the move from a 4l Chimaera to either a Boxster or Cayman S? How have you found it? Was it the right choice? I'm intending to sell my Chim next month and the S version of the above is a possibility for replacement (987 guise I think - 55 plus?) Is the S noticablt quicker than the chim? I adore TVRs but am just so nervous about the S6 that would be the natural upgrade for me. What are the common faults on them? running/service costs etc? I had a 55 plate 2.7 for a month as a hire car about a year or so ago and it felt a fair bit slower than the TVR and one of the key reasons for selling up is the need for more power/speed as well as something a little more modern. Budget will be 25k ish.

Very different cars. You'll be lucky to find someone who's made that exact same move, I'd have thought. Not having driven either, I wouldn't be the best person to advise, but if you are used to TVR's, I would expect the other two to be a bit more timid than what you're used to. Better built and more refined, but the price to pay will be performance I'd have thought. If you're ok with that... do it. Adam

adaM3 said: Very different cars. You'll be lucky to find someone who's made that exact same move, I'd have thought. Not having driven either, I wouldn't be the best person to advise, but if you are used to TVR's, I would expect the other two to be a bit more timid than what you're used to. Better built and more refined, but the price to pay will be performance I'd have thought. If you're ok with that... do it. Adam Straight line performance perhaps...

I made the leap from Chimaera 400 to Boxster S, albeit several years back. Never looked back once. Straight line pace all but identical. Handling different planet. Chimaera very pretty and a nice low rev burble, but once you get the revs up, the Boxster sounds better (but much quieter). Chimaera never broke down. Drained its battery once, but the Boxster has done that too, so 1-1 on that front! Having said all that, it depends what you want. They are very different and there will be plenty of people who tell you to stick with what you have. I'm just not one of them!

I have done this, gone from a 4.0 Chimaera to a 2.7 Boxster and back to a 4.5 Chimaera. The Boxster is a great car and much better for every day use, but as mine was just a weekend/fun car I found the Tvr felt that much more special, and more involving to drive, even if a little more thirsty. Never had any reliability issues with the TVR and lost a lot less on depreciation. Also if you are reasonably competant, servicing and most repairs can be carried out youself. some would say that is half the fun of the ownership experience. Where with the Porsche I felt I was on a very expensive merry-go-round, keeping up the OPC servicing and taking out the extended warranty in fear of any major mechanical failure which could cost a fortune to repair. The other thing I always noticed was the general negetive attitude towards Boxsters by the general public. Whereas the TVR would generate positive comments and interest the poor old Boxster was always referred to as "The poor mans 911" or even worse still the occasional resentful, and even insulting comments were noticed. I never felt comfortable leaving the car in a public place, fearing some sort of vandalism by the jealous scummy brigade.

Holy thread resurrection, Batman! Zippee, what did you do in the end? Just considering a similar move, but slightly worried a cayman may be a bit clinical after a chim’

Yes I did and wouldnt go back. 2 very diff cars.

Thanks, I have just been for a blast around the countryside ans come back with a huge grin on my face - so maybe I am not ready yet. I dont really like top down motoring so initially i was thinking t350, but i am a bit apprehensive of the speed six So started looking at 996, and although 911 is iconic, i think the cayman might be a better bet. I need to go and have a drive i think

Back in the 2000’s, I jumped from a T350C into a 987.2 Boxster S. The Tiv was hugeley charismatic with TVR Power exhaust and fully adjustable Nitrons, a bit of a handful but quite entertaining and rewarding to drive. Great car. The Boxster was initially a bit characterless in comparison and for a little while, I wondered what the hell I’d done! However with every drive, finding the levels of grip and how far you could push it, the depth of engineering of the Porsche really won me over. They are quite simply brilliant drivers cars. Since that initial foray into the Porsche world, I’ve been lucky enough to own about 10 or so different models, incl 911’s, GT3 etc… But for pure driving pleasure, the Boxster & Cayman models are about perfect for size, power and handling. I doubt you’d regret the move. Edited by MrVert on Sunday 18th February 18:13

I tried a 996 before I got the T350C…..my daily at the time was a 3.2 V6 TT….I know, I know….. (also had an Elise 111S which I was looking to swap out of). The 996 didn’t feel as special as the TT , the cabin quality was nowhere near as high and despite the TT’s humble Golf underpinnings….It didn’t feel much quicker or engaging….. As soon as I tried the T350C, I knew it was for me. It was exciting, loud, fast, a bit mental and a bit scary! Everything the 996 was not. Maybe I drove a bit of a dud 996, wrong spec etc etc, but initial impressions counted and until 5 yrs later I didn’t even look at another car. Drove a Boxster S, instant game changer for me, perfect blend of engine performance, handling, sound etc. Definitely drive a Boxster / Cayman S, then drive a 996. You’ll know which one is right for you. Edited by MrVert on Sunday 18th February 18:31

I went from a 2001 Chimaera 450 to a 2003 Boxster 986S in 2005. I loved the Tiv but my wife wasn’t so keen - lots of funny little quirks such as seat belts that locked when you were on any form of slope and petrol spilling into the boot whilst filling up. I probably never drove it to its true potential as it demanded respect. The Boxster was a game changer - brilliant build quality, useable performance and actually better than a 911 as a drivers car. I know of a number of people who’ve gone back to a Boxster after owning a 911. The Boxster is also really practical car with its two boots - we’ve travelled all over Europe in ours. Now onto my fourth Boxster.

sawman said: Just considering a similar move, but slightly worried a cayman may be a bit clinical after a chim’ Guilty - went from a Chimaera to a Boxster S. Keep in mind that having a 'convertible' TVR is not the same as a Boxster, no faffing about with the contents of the boot when you want the roof off, just press a button at less than 30mph, job done. What I am saying is don't choose the Cayman over a Boxster based on your Chimaera roof experience, IMO the Boxster does it all and very well. Having owned and driven both for years IMO the Boxster is a far better car.

So different cars. GTS 4.0 daily and T350C weekend/special. Very lucky to have the choice. TVR like a dose of adrenaline dumped in the system....

981Boxess said: sawman said: Just considering a similar move, but slightly worried a cayman may be a bit clinical after a chim’ Guilty - went from a Chimaera to a Boxster S. Keep in mind that having a 'convertible' TVR is not the same as a Boxster, no faffing about with the contents of the boot when you want the roof off, just press a button at less than 30mph, job done. What I am saying is don't choose the Cayman over a Boxster based on your Chimaera roof experience, IMO the Boxster does it all and very well. Having owned and driven both for years IMO the Boxster is a far better car. Good point, i had an mx5 years ago and drove it top down much more as it was so easy to do. Last weekend was a lovely day, but the boot was full of bags so the roof stayed on the chim.

sawman said: Good point, i had an mx5 years ago and drove it top down much more as it was so easy to do. Last weekend was a lovely day, but the boot was full of bags so the roof stayed on the chim. It isn't only that you go out for a drive look up and it looks 50:50 for rain (any day in the UK), another roof off day lost. Buy a Boxster S, it's the obvious answer