Im going to buy a Chimaera - comments please
Discussion
I have always dreamed of owning a TVR. I am considering buying a Chimaera 4ltr for around £12k. I would greatly welcome any comments - costs, how you have found it to live with etc.......advice.....
I would probably use most days unless i get another cheap fiesta or something to potter around in.
Thanks
I would probably use most days unless i get another cheap fiesta or something to potter around in.
Thanks
Look at loads of them before buying one.
Invest in a driving day if you are looking to improve your skills.
Get it checked by a TVR specialist.
IF you need a car every day, then it may be wise to invest in a 'back up' car. It can also be wise to not blow your whole budget on the car, keep a little aside for repairs that may come up.
Costs: Expensive but worth it.
I have paid on average 1k pa Insurance, same on servicing.
Living with it ? Fantastic. Most people in my street know when I am going out (and that is With Double Glazing
). It is a pleasure to drive, just be cautious in the wet. You will also have to get used to people staring at you as you drive along, and kiddies waving and shouting 'nice car mister'
Edited by Jason F on Thursday 13th December 21:53
Invest in a driving day if you are looking to improve your skills.
Get it checked by a TVR specialist.
IF you need a car every day, then it may be wise to invest in a 'back up' car. It can also be wise to not blow your whole budget on the car, keep a little aside for repairs that may come up.
Costs: Expensive but worth it.
I have paid on average 1k pa Insurance, same on servicing.
Living with it ? Fantastic. Most people in my street know when I am going out (and that is With Double Glazing
). It is a pleasure to drive, just be cautious in the wet. You will also have to get used to people staring at you as you drive along, and kiddies waving and shouting 'nice car mister' Edited by Jason F on Thursday 13th December 21:53
If you are buying an older car then there are plenty of independant specialists around who charge a lot less than the main dealers and know TVR`s inside out - depends on where you are in the country - but can put you in touch with a few if you want.
At the end of the day you just have to go for it - get the car checked out first and then enjoy!!
Neal
W9 TVR
At the end of the day you just have to go for it - get the car checked out first and then enjoy!!
Neal
W9 TVR
One other thing no one has mentioned yet, this site is great for info but even better, go along to your local owners club meeting and talk to some owners face to face. Plenty of advice available face to face and you will probably meet someone happy to help you find the right car for you. Chimps CAN be used as every day cars and as long as you are prepared to give them a bit of TLC they dont necessarily cost the earth to run. Good Luck!!
quote:
are repairs and running costs really that much? i have seen people advertising that they have just spent £2k on service etc....i cant really afford that to be honest...
They are likely to be, especially on an older car. I didn't think my reliable 1994 'S' cost me that much to run until I added it up. I've averaged £1700 a year using non-franchised specialists.
My advice would be:
If you can afford it, do it.
If you can't afford it, do it anyway
If you get a reliable beast you won't regret it. Make sure you look around and check out 99% of the posts in this forum. I think you'll find pretty much everything you'll ever need to know!
- ChimaeraWolf
- P56 SAH - Black Chimaera 4.0
If you can afford it, do it.
If you can't afford it, do it anyway
If you get a reliable beast you won't regret it. Make sure you look around and check out 99% of the posts in this forum. I think you'll find pretty much everything you'll ever need to know!
- ChimaeraWolf
- P56 SAH - Black Chimaera 4.0
Assuming you are interested in serious motoring, do it. You may find it more expensive than you expect, but you won't regret it.
In 50 years time, your grandchildren will be in awe of anyone who had a petrol car, never mind a stupidly powerful one.
Alternatively, buy a Nissan Micra. Your grandchildren may, however, have a different view.
In 50 years time, your grandchildren will be in awe of anyone who had a petrol car, never mind a stupidly powerful one.
Alternatively, buy a Nissan Micra. Your grandchildren may, however, have a different view.
Go into this with your eyes wide open. No point deluding yourself. Insurance and servicing will be steeper than with an ordinary car.
Nonetheless you can contain the costs. If you've got a bit of mechanical sense you'll get to know your car quite quickly and will be able to catch problems before they cost you a fortune, or at least before they catch you off guard. If you are prepared to do some work on the beast yourself then so much the better.
These cars are not complicated and people on this site seem to find the same old problems occuring. Bit of advertising here: get a copy of Steve Heath's book on Chimaeras and Griffiths (available from the TVRCC). It's an invaluable guide and will give you an excellent checklist to cover with any potential purchase and a great reference for when the bloody thing decides to sulk.
Taking my brain out of gear for a bit, if you have to make the odd sacrifice to finance a Chimaera, but you love cars and don't mind giving it extra attention, then I'd say the sacrifice is well worth it. I've never had a car before that I pat and talk to. Its like having a Labrador puppy. An affectionate and rewarding companion ... that sometimes pisses in your shoes.
Nonetheless you can contain the costs. If you've got a bit of mechanical sense you'll get to know your car quite quickly and will be able to catch problems before they cost you a fortune, or at least before they catch you off guard. If you are prepared to do some work on the beast yourself then so much the better.
These cars are not complicated and people on this site seem to find the same old problems occuring. Bit of advertising here: get a copy of Steve Heath's book on Chimaeras and Griffiths (available from the TVRCC). It's an invaluable guide and will give you an excellent checklist to cover with any potential purchase and a great reference for when the bloody thing decides to sulk.
Taking my brain out of gear for a bit, if you have to make the odd sacrifice to finance a Chimaera, but you love cars and don't mind giving it extra attention, then I'd say the sacrifice is well worth it. I've never had a car before that I pat and talk to. Its like having a Labrador puppy. An affectionate and rewarding companion ... that sometimes pisses in your shoes.
Jamie, good luck to you....
If your budget's £12K then you're talking about an early Chimaera so it'll be cheaper for you to use an Independant Specialist rather than a main dealer.
Don't listen to people who tell you they're not every day cars! I bought a second hand 4.0L three years ago and have used it every day since! It's always been serviced at a main dealer for between £400-£600 depending on the service.
I'll be advertising it in Jan but's it's a 97/P so will be just outside your budget?
Cheers...... Andrew
If your budget's £12K then you're talking about an early Chimaera so it'll be cheaper for you to use an Independant Specialist rather than a main dealer.
Don't listen to people who tell you they're not every day cars! I bought a second hand 4.0L three years ago and have used it every day since! It's always been serviced at a main dealer for between £400-£600 depending on the service.
I'll be advertising it in Jan but's it's a 97/P so will be just outside your budget?
Cheers...... Andrew
Saw the comment earlier - but it is very correct. TLC is what they need. You cant treat them with the distain that you can a Mondeo or Vectra. The best thing to do is to ensure that everything is working and should anything stop working or fail - get it fixed ASAP. Normally nothing major, but it is good to keep on top of any problems as they can quickly spin out of control and affect other things.
Good servicing from an independant is worth its weight in gold and make sure that you do get one check out first by someone that knows. In general though most things are fixable and usually not that expensive if you are prepared to shop around / check it out yourself.
I dont use mine everyday as it would cost a fortune in petrol (thats my mileage and not the car). So I run a TD as my other car. But, it is still worth keeping a cheap runaround in case the TVR is ever of the road for a period of time....
Other than that - they are excellent fun. Oh, and dont get one if you dont want the attention - everyone looks!!
Cheers,
Paul
Good servicing from an independant is worth its weight in gold and make sure that you do get one check out first by someone that knows. In general though most things are fixable and usually not that expensive if you are prepared to shop around / check it out yourself.
I dont use mine everyday as it would cost a fortune in petrol (thats my mileage and not the car). So I run a TD as my other car. But, it is still worth keeping a cheap runaround in case the TVR is ever of the road for a period of time....
Other than that - they are excellent fun. Oh, and dont get one if you dont want the attention - everyone looks!!
Cheers,
Paul
quote:
Sorry to keep plugging my business, but have you thought of hiring a 4.0 Chim to see what it is like to use day-to-day?
That is possibly a very expensive option. If you goto a Club meet someone will be quite happy to take you out in their car (maybe not drive it tho)
That Labrador quote is a classic !!
Edited by Jason F on Friday 14th December 12:51
To re-iterate one of the previous comments. Get the car checked by someone who knows what they are looking at. Some bits of V8 TVR's are very expensive to fix. I didn't and have had to spend quite a lot on my 4.0 Griff to get it sorted.
1) Diff leaking all over the place - needed rebuild and seals
2) Gearbox leaking. When taken apart realised the clutch was finished
Exhaust blew after 3 months
Camshafts knackered (rattly top end). Have to replace the shaft, followers, timing bits, rocker shafts and rockers. Believe there are a lot of bits in a V8
Total bill (over 18 months) £3600
The car is pretty sorted now but be careful with older vehicles.
1) Diff leaking all over the place - needed rebuild and seals
2) Gearbox leaking. When taken apart realised the clutch was finished
Exhaust blew after 3 months
Camshafts knackered (rattly top end). Have to replace the shaft, followers, timing bits, rocker shafts and rockers. Believe there are a lot of bits in a V8
Total bill (over 18 months) £3600
The car is pretty sorted now but be careful with older vehicles.
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