Considering changing from Chimaera to C5
Discussion
I currently have a 1994 TVR Chimaera 500, running on coil packs and Megasquirt ECU. Lots of other tweaks to the engine, brakes, suspension and far from standard. Apparently putting out about 320bhp according to the previous owner, which is close to what TVR stated for the 500 but quite a bit above what a standard 500 runs at.
It is used as a weekend car, with the occasional commute in good weather, for passenger rides with the Sporting Bears Car Club and attending other car shows and events. I do try and use it all year, picking my days over the winter.
I am always pondering on the 'what next' question? I keep coming back to the C5 in my search for something else that is relatively affordable, quick, a little bit different, will draw donations for passenger rides at the Bears events, and gives a sense of occasion when you drive it.
The Chimaera is unlikely to go down in value. Taking in to account the purchase price and money spent on it, I am in profit based on the last valuation I had. Whatever is next needs to be at a point where prices are relatively stable or on the way up as I do not want a car that will lose value significantly.
I think I should be able to sell my TVR and get a C5 for similar money, perhaps needing a bit extra if I go for a convertible.
Has anyone made the same switch or owned both cars and would be happy to offer their opinions, comparisons etc?
How does the targa C5 compare to the convertible in terms of practicality and the degree of desirability?
Are there any specific models in the range to aim for such as the Anniversary edition, or options that are desirable or to be avoided?
What are parts like for the C5, both cost and availability? One advantage of the Chimaera is that most of the mechanicals are Rover V8 and Ford so bits are still relatively easy to get.
Still not actually been in a C5 yet either as driver or passenger. I had made contact with the Corvette owners club before Christmas and got the impression they pretty much stop for the winter. I will try and get along to one of their monthly meetings when the weather improves.
Thanks in advance for any replies.
It is used as a weekend car, with the occasional commute in good weather, for passenger rides with the Sporting Bears Car Club and attending other car shows and events. I do try and use it all year, picking my days over the winter.
I am always pondering on the 'what next' question? I keep coming back to the C5 in my search for something else that is relatively affordable, quick, a little bit different, will draw donations for passenger rides at the Bears events, and gives a sense of occasion when you drive it.
The Chimaera is unlikely to go down in value. Taking in to account the purchase price and money spent on it, I am in profit based on the last valuation I had. Whatever is next needs to be at a point where prices are relatively stable or on the way up as I do not want a car that will lose value significantly.
I think I should be able to sell my TVR and get a C5 for similar money, perhaps needing a bit extra if I go for a convertible.
Has anyone made the same switch or owned both cars and would be happy to offer their opinions, comparisons etc?
How does the targa C5 compare to the convertible in terms of practicality and the degree of desirability?
Are there any specific models in the range to aim for such as the Anniversary edition, or options that are desirable or to be avoided?
What are parts like for the C5, both cost and availability? One advantage of the Chimaera is that most of the mechanicals are Rover V8 and Ford so bits are still relatively easy to get.
Still not actually been in a C5 yet either as driver or passenger. I had made contact with the Corvette owners club before Christmas and got the impression they pretty much stop for the winter. I will try and get along to one of their monthly meetings when the weather improves.
Thanks in advance for any replies.
I have had both a 2001 C5 coupe and a C5 Z06.
Never had a TVR, always bothered about reliability with them.
Neither car broke down on me, service items are relatively cheap.
There are upgrades for everything, price does the same.
I daily drove the C5 coupe for 4 years without a problem, even in snow.
The Z06 I didnt have to run throught winters due to having a car for work.
I'm on my 4th Corvette now, a C6 Z06, cant recommend them highly enough.
Dave.
Never had a TVR, always bothered about reliability with them.
Neither car broke down on me, service items are relatively cheap.
There are upgrades for everything, price does the same.
I daily drove the C5 coupe for 4 years without a problem, even in snow.
The Z06 I didnt have to run throught winters due to having a car for work.
I'm on my 4th Corvette now, a C6 Z06, cant recommend them highly enough.
Dave.
I had a Griff 500 and later a C5 convertible. The Griff acceleration was better than the C5, as was the noise :-) However, in every other respect the C5 was better - it didn't break down, it didn't try to throw me off the road at every opportunity, etc. The Griff interior was more dramatic, but C5 build quality was way better. The roof was also much more practical on the C5 than the Griff, and much more water-tight...the only leak I ever had was when high winds pulled the window way from the seals when the car was parked in v heavy rain and a few drops got onto the seat.
I have owned 2 chimaera's, a 400 and a 450 in the past ( now own a tasmin and tuscan S ). Also currently own a 2005 C6 targa auto.
Both of my chimaera's were bought at the cheaper end of the market so were not all that relaible. C6 has been 100% reliable.
The chimaera's felt quicker and were certainly noisier. The C6 is more of a head turner than even my tuscan S.
Being an accountant, the chimaera is probably a better investment than the C5,
The fact I would consider swapping my C6 for your chimaera, probably sums up which I prefer !
Both of my chimaera's were bought at the cheaper end of the market so were not all that relaible. C6 has been 100% reliable.
The chimaera's felt quicker and were certainly noisier. The C6 is more of a head turner than even my tuscan S.
Being an accountant, the chimaera is probably a better investment than the C5,
The fact I would consider swapping my C6 for your chimaera, probably sums up which I prefer !
Thanks everyone for the feedback so far. It has not made the decision any easier.
Touching all the imitation wood near my desk, the Chimaera has never let me down as in a breakdown on the road. It has had a couple of large bills, one for a new roof as the fabric was shot, and one for a new diff. Other than regular service items and tyres, it has not been too bad for the running costs.
I try and do as much of the work on my car as possible, but do know my limits. I actually enjoy that part of owning a car and being a bit tight, I begrudge paying specialists for work I can do myself.
I am going to try and get to a corvette meeting on Sunday in Warwickshire, and hopefully, try and get a run in one or two. The next hurdle is checking to see if the car actually fits in the garage. On paper, it fits, but I need to check I can open the doors enough to get in and out.
The idea of swapping the chimaera for a c6 is tempting, but unless I have completely misjudged the market, the C6 is out of my price range. The Chimaera was last valued at £15k.
Touching all the imitation wood near my desk, the Chimaera has never let me down as in a breakdown on the road. It has had a couple of large bills, one for a new roof as the fabric was shot, and one for a new diff. Other than regular service items and tyres, it has not been too bad for the running costs.
I try and do as much of the work on my car as possible, but do know my limits. I actually enjoy that part of owning a car and being a bit tight, I begrudge paying specialists for work I can do myself.
I am going to try and get to a corvette meeting on Sunday in Warwickshire, and hopefully, try and get a run in one or two. The next hurdle is checking to see if the car actually fits in the garage. On paper, it fits, but I need to check I can open the doors enough to get in and out.
The idea of swapping the chimaera for a c6 is tempting, but unless I have completely misjudged the market, the C6 is out of my price range. The Chimaera was last valued at £15k.
I'm in solihull by bham airport. You are welcome to come and have a butcher's around my c5 and I can take you for a spin. It's an auto if that makes the difference. It's modified a fair bit looks wise but standard engine still just a fruity exhaust. Pm me if you want..
The corvette owners club meet you suggest is a start , a few c5s there but a lot are standard looking cars which I always tjink look like they are on stilts.
The corvette owners club meet you suggest is a start , a few c5s there but a lot are standard looking cars which I always tjink look like they are on stilts.
Sinatra21 said:
I'm in solihull by bham airport. You are welcome to come and have a butcher's around my c5 and I can take you for a spin. It's an auto if that makes the difference. It's modified a fair bit looks wise but standard engine still just a fruity exhaust. Pm me if you want..
The corvette owners club meet you suggest is a start , a few c5s there but a lot are standard looking cars which I always tjink look like they are on stilts.
Many thanks for the very kind offer. I will see how I get on at the meeting on Sunday. Are you going to the meeting on Sunday?The corvette owners club meet you suggest is a start , a few c5s there but a lot are standard looking cars which I always tjink look like they are on stilts.
philipbrown123 said:
' The idea of swapping the chimaera for a c6 is tempting, but unless I have completely misjudged the market, the C6 is out of my price range. The Chimaera was last valued at £15k. '
I would have said a chimaera 500 was at least £18K and I would accept that for the C6.
Sent you a PM I would have said a chimaera 500 was at least £18K and I would accept that for the C6.
How about a C4? You would have plenty of change to maintain it or you could get that nice ZR1 from Claremont and be faster than a C5 with all that retro appeal.
I had a go in a Chim 400 but the C4 felt more suited to a long Euro trip and perhaps a little more solid. Mine has a 6 speed ZF gearbox, LSD and electronic bilsteins as standard. I paid £7500 and in 2 years it owes me a little over £10k but I've had to put a new clutch in and tackle some typical old car maintenance issues. I have managed over 20k miles, a hillclimb and a trip to Spa in that time though!
Everyone loves the car, it always gets waves & comments when I'm out. Personally I'm a 90's kid, so I was pushing Bburago C4's around the carpet and I love the retroness of it. If I was to replace it, I'd like a C5Z06 but I'm saving for a house instead! It's a matter of taste but I think the C5 looks blobby and an awkward age where it's dated but not appealingly dated. I wouldn't consider a C4 a step down and maybe it'd be nice to put some money in the bank at the same time? Likewise, the prices of C3's are right up there, it's surely only a matter of time until the C4 is more appreciated? I doubt you'd lose out on that ZR1 for instance. Anyway, I'm in Cardiff if you want to come and have a go
I had a go in a Chim 400 but the C4 felt more suited to a long Euro trip and perhaps a little more solid. Mine has a 6 speed ZF gearbox, LSD and electronic bilsteins as standard. I paid £7500 and in 2 years it owes me a little over £10k but I've had to put a new clutch in and tackle some typical old car maintenance issues. I have managed over 20k miles, a hillclimb and a trip to Spa in that time though!
Everyone loves the car, it always gets waves & comments when I'm out. Personally I'm a 90's kid, so I was pushing Bburago C4's around the carpet and I love the retroness of it. If I was to replace it, I'd like a C5Z06 but I'm saving for a house instead! It's a matter of taste but I think the C5 looks blobby and an awkward age where it's dated but not appealingly dated. I wouldn't consider a C4 a step down and maybe it'd be nice to put some money in the bank at the same time? Likewise, the prices of C3's are right up there, it's surely only a matter of time until the C4 is more appreciated? I doubt you'd lose out on that ZR1 for instance. Anyway, I'm in Cardiff if you want to come and have a go
FelixP said:
How about a C4? You would have plenty of change to maintain it or you could get that nice ZR1 from Claremont and be faster than a C5 with all that retro appeal.
Please excuse the ignorance what is a ZR1? Cannot find anything in the for sale section at Claremont so must be looking for the wrong thing. Any chance you can send a link to the ZR1?mark387mw said:
This one? http://claremont.corvette.co.uk/?p=5858
Thanks - not sure that is still for sale as it is not shown in the current stock list. Will get in touch with them later.Gassing Station | Corvettes | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff