Discussion
I am soon to get a Chimaera but I am aware that on occaision their reliability has a little less than perfect. I can happily live with this situation, but I know my other half will make my life a misery should it cost us too much money, and spend too long off the road.
I have seen a number of companies that offer warranties for second hand cars, but after looking at their websites they all seem a bit dodgy to me. Has anyone else used such a warranty service, or heard any good/bad stories?
As usual all of your help is much appreciated.
TC
I have seen a number of companies that offer warranties for second hand cars, but after looking at their websites they all seem a bit dodgy to me. Has anyone else used such a warranty service, or heard any good/bad stories?
As usual all of your help is much appreciated.
TC
I was in the same situation. bought a 94 chimaera from a dealer rather than privately, largely because of the reputation for (un)reliability and the warranty they offered.
I'm afraid it is the luck of the draw. My suggestions would be
speak to the dealer that has maintained it
don't buy one without a fsh
don't buy one with stupidly low mileage, as it won't have had the bugs fixed, and unused engines always degrade
don't expect it to be a BMW for finish and build quality.
finally
don't even get into the situation of having to go through the cost of it with the wife. If it is that marginal, I'd suggest buying a diesel Golf. Just don't go there. It is like the people who calculate their mpg - what's the point?
good luck
R
PS the premium I paid for the dealer security was wasted - I have had no major problems
I'm afraid it is the luck of the draw. My suggestions would be
speak to the dealer that has maintained it
don't buy one without a fsh
don't buy one with stupidly low mileage, as it won't have had the bugs fixed, and unused engines always degrade
don't expect it to be a BMW for finish and build quality.
finally
don't even get into the situation of having to go through the cost of it with the wife. If it is that marginal, I'd suggest buying a diesel Golf. Just don't go there. It is like the people who calculate their mpg - what's the point?
good luck
R
PS the premium I paid for the dealer security was wasted - I have had no major problems
I recently bought a Chim from Adrian Blyth. Cost a bit more than private but Adrian provide HIS OWN warantee for 3 months. OK this is not very long but even TVR are outsourcing their warrantee (to Warrantee Holdings). This means that when Adrian sells a car he puts his own money on the line for three months - better be confident that you are only selling 'good ones'. I picked-up the car last Friday (only a week!!) and I have already covered almost 1000 miles. I am driving to France over x-mas and will cover a further 2000 miles... By the end of the 3 months period I'll know if it is a good one. So far I believe it is: drove up North under the rain, sat in traffic in London... no worries (touch wood) 
Having said that I also purchased an additional 12 months warrantee (can't remember who with, I think they're called MotorInsurance Direct or something like this).
Having said that I also purchased an additional 12 months warrantee (can't remember who with, I think they're called MotorInsurance Direct or something like this).
I have a Warranty Holdings 12 months warranty. Two major points:
1. You must have your car serviced at the right intervals or they will not pay up for problems
2. They will only pay for "mechanical failure". There is extensive small print about what this is, and various parts are excluded. (And a stone through my radiator didn't qualify).
Having said that, from a past thread on here people have successfully claimed from them, and they seem to be the warranty providers many TVR dealers use.
I think it probably is worth it for your first year of TVR ownership, especially to reassure you know who (there should be a winking smiley here, but when I click on the Smiles legend nothing happens!)
1. You must have your car serviced at the right intervals or they will not pay up for problems
2. They will only pay for "mechanical failure". There is extensive small print about what this is, and various parts are excluded. (And a stone through my radiator didn't qualify).
Having said that, from a past thread on here people have successfully claimed from them, and they seem to be the warranty providers many TVR dealers use.
I think it probably is worth it for your first year of TVR ownership, especially to reassure you know who (there should be a winking smiley here, but when I click on the Smiles legend nothing happens!)
I had an interesting run-in with WHA. They only pay up (apparently) for "book labour", ie what TVR say it takes to change/fit a component. This is often during build when things can be done much more easily.
As a result, several jobs take 3 times longer. Eg, they only allow something like 2 hours to swap a gearbox.
I ended up having to pay the difference, and not having been warned up-front I was a touch miffed. I think that if labour is covered under warantee, it should be the full labour. If it takes an hour to change a fan cos the radiator has to come out, then they should
pay an hour's labour, not 15 minutes "cos you can swap the fan in 15 mins if the radiator hasn't been fitted yet!"
Hmmph!!
As a result, several jobs take 3 times longer. Eg, they only allow something like 2 hours to swap a gearbox.
I ended up having to pay the difference, and not having been warned up-front I was a touch miffed. I think that if labour is covered under warantee, it should be the full labour. If it takes an hour to change a fan cos the radiator has to come out, then they should
pay an hour's labour, not 15 minutes "cos you can swap the fan in 15 mins if the radiator hasn't been fitted yet!"
Hmmph!!
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