First weekends ownership....
Discussion
Well, as some of you know the dreaded 'dexdringle' (i.e. me) finally bought a Chimaera (see - I'm not a tyre kicker after all !) and I collected it yesterday (Saturday) from Chuckh who - as I've said before and I'll say again - really is a top bloke.
The car is in superb condition for a 9 year old and came with loads of history. Has lots of alloy bits too which is nice as the dark blue interior looks better for a bit of brightening up - no alloy dials etc you see being an early one (1993 4 litre). The only thing that's (maybe) wrong with it is a whining from the rear which I'm guessing may be the diff - unless the cat's wedged under the wheel arch - I haven't seen him since I fired it up !! (just kidding cat lovers he's clawing my leg as I write). Otherwise it's fine and goes like Billy-o (as my dad used to say). Oh yes and, of course, the noise is to die for. I can't believe how many people wind down their windows as you go past - I thought it was just me who did that !! I have to oblige by gunning it a bit of course - rude not to.
The handbook goes on about a remote key fob but I don't have one - should I ? The instructions for manually setting the alarm with the key will require me to get some sort of degree before understanding I think (or maybe I'm just a bit thick ?)
Only one worrying moment when overtaking when I (stupidly) hit the rev limiter in third (don't ask about the speed). The car was good and hot at the time (always shows between 70 and 90 on temp gauge which I understand is about right) but I started panicing about the oil pressure which seemed a little lower (probably cos it was warm) at 15/20ish when idling and 35/40 ish on the move. I think this was higher when I looked before but the car was cooler then and I hadn't clocked the gauges when hot before. Restart after half an hour when cooler showed idle at 30psi though so no harm done (I'm guessing the odd rev limiter bounce won't do any long term damage ?). I'm not some nutter honest - I'd usually keep to 5k max revs - I just got caught out this time....
Dex
The car is in superb condition for a 9 year old and came with loads of history. Has lots of alloy bits too which is nice as the dark blue interior looks better for a bit of brightening up - no alloy dials etc you see being an early one (1993 4 litre). The only thing that's (maybe) wrong with it is a whining from the rear which I'm guessing may be the diff - unless the cat's wedged under the wheel arch - I haven't seen him since I fired it up !! (just kidding cat lovers he's clawing my leg as I write). Otherwise it's fine and goes like Billy-o (as my dad used to say). Oh yes and, of course, the noise is to die for. I can't believe how many people wind down their windows as you go past - I thought it was just me who did that !! I have to oblige by gunning it a bit of course - rude not to.
The handbook goes on about a remote key fob but I don't have one - should I ? The instructions for manually setting the alarm with the key will require me to get some sort of degree before understanding I think (or maybe I'm just a bit thick ?)
Only one worrying moment when overtaking when I (stupidly) hit the rev limiter in third (don't ask about the speed). The car was good and hot at the time (always shows between 70 and 90 on temp gauge which I understand is about right) but I started panicing about the oil pressure which seemed a little lower (probably cos it was warm) at 15/20ish when idling and 35/40 ish on the move. I think this was higher when I looked before but the car was cooler then and I hadn't clocked the gauges when hot before. Restart after half an hour when cooler showed idle at 30psi though so no harm done (I'm guessing the odd rev limiter bounce won't do any long term damage ?). I'm not some nutter honest - I'd usually keep to 5k max revs - I just got caught out this time....
Dex
Welcome to Chim ownership Dex,
After all the "Should I, shouldn't I" stuff are you happy with the first weekend of ownership ?
As trefor said the oil and temperature seem fine and the whine could be the fuel pump or the diff. My fuel pump whines like a b*****d but is contant pitch - if it varies with speed its the diff.
After all the "Should I, shouldn't I" stuff are you happy with the first weekend of ownership ?
As trefor said the oil and temperature seem fine and the whine could be the fuel pump or the diff. My fuel pump whines like a b*****d but is contant pitch - if it varies with speed its the diff.
Thanks guys
Bob - I can't stop grinning. Am amazed by the sheer violence of the pace (and noise). Even the noise of the starter motors and the way it comes to life....it just doesn't get any better does it this side of a Ferrari ? Drove down a narrow road with old properties fronting the road both sides and the sound bouncing off the walls was amazing (apologies to the residents of Bewdley - it won't happen again - honest....).
The car is sooooooo beautiful. I could just look at it all day (yes - I know this is a bit sad). Great colour too - eclipse blue - like Paris blue but a bit bluer - like the photo's of the sea in a holiday brochure sort of blue. No PAS though so I'm bl**dy knackered !!
Rear whine only when rolling (not when stationary so it must be the diff ?). If so, I understand this is a Sierra part ? (Anyone got any idea of price + fitting ? or what happens if and when when it finally gives up the ghost ?)
So yes - I'm truly taken. Going out isn't so much a journey as an experience. Luckily it's a second car so the novelty's likely to be long lived (esp as first car is a Rover 416 auto !!).
In the words of Chandler "Oh........my........god....."
Dex
Bob - I can't stop grinning. Am amazed by the sheer violence of the pace (and noise). Even the noise of the starter motors and the way it comes to life....it just doesn't get any better does it this side of a Ferrari ? Drove down a narrow road with old properties fronting the road both sides and the sound bouncing off the walls was amazing (apologies to the residents of Bewdley - it won't happen again - honest....).
The car is sooooooo beautiful. I could just look at it all day (yes - I know this is a bit sad). Great colour too - eclipse blue - like Paris blue but a bit bluer - like the photo's of the sea in a holiday brochure sort of blue. No PAS though so I'm bl**dy knackered !!
Rear whine only when rolling (not when stationary so it must be the diff ?). If so, I understand this is a Sierra part ? (Anyone got any idea of price + fitting ? or what happens if and when when it finally gives up the ghost ?)
So yes - I'm truly taken. Going out isn't so much a journey as an experience. Luckily it's a second car so the novelty's likely to be long lived (esp as first car is a Rover 416 auto !!).
In the words of Chandler "Oh........my........god....."
Dex
quote:
Yeah, you won't get over it either. I've had mine (c400) for 14 months, and 12000 miles, and its every bit as much an event as it was the day I drove her home from the garage a year ago. And I've had a year's trouble free motoring to boot. Enjoy the Spring/Summer !
Totally agree. I've had my Chimaera over three years and every time I have those niggling doubts, I go for a drive. Doubts evaporate within seconds of turning the key!
Congratulations! Just wait until you get a nice sunny day and an open road. They are great cars and have so much presence. You will get kids waving at you from the back of daddy's car whenever you overtake and people asking "How do you get in it?" etc etc.
I've had mine nearly 4 years - and every time I think of selling it I reign myself in, go for a drive and think "No way!". Enjoy.....
I've had mine nearly 4 years - and every time I think of selling it I reign myself in, go for a drive and think "No way!". Enjoy.....
quote:
Drove down a narrow road with old properties fronting the road both sides and the sound bouncing off the walls was amazing (apologies to the residents of Bewdley - it won't happen again - honest....).
Was that whispering street by any chance?
So where do you live, I used to live in Bewdley...
Matt
The beast is ... well, there are few words to fully explain.
Awesome. That's a word and it's one that I'd use as a description but it wouldn't suffice.
Probably still got the rose-tints on but this is the best car I've ever owned bar none. Even the starting experience as Dex said is like nothing else - it's like you're gonna start a bloody jet up – all whirrs and clinks and electrics buzzing – then silence.
Then you turn the key and the machine bursts into life – even just backing it out of the garage is an experience my neighbours have me repeating gain and again.
The temps/pressure/ seem fine. I never take it over 2200rpm before the gauge gets to 50 or so and then never above 3000 until about ten minutes driving and the oil and internal bits have warmed up a tad and have only gone over 4000 a couple of times as want to get fully used to handling etc before I let rip ! cleaned it at the weekend and it's not got hardly a mark on it.
I'm often to be seen shaking my head in disbelief that I actually own it. Sound familiar Dex?
As everyone says, Matt, the grin factor is awesome (there's that word again).
Anyone got a better one-word description of their TVR?
Mike
I know this sounds daft but why do I seem to trundle along on a dual carriageway at 70/80 in the Chimaera when I'd be doing 85/90 in my Passat?
Inward contentment they call it
>> Edited by MikeyT on Monday 4th March 17:09
>> Edited by MikeyT on Monday 4th March 17:11
The beast is ... well, there are few words to fully explain.
Awesome. That's a word and it's one that I'd use as a description but it wouldn't suffice.
Probably still got the rose-tints on but this is the best car I've ever owned bar none. Even the starting experience as Dex said is like nothing else - it's like you're gonna start a bloody jet up – all whirrs and clinks and electrics buzzing – then silence.
Then you turn the key and the machine bursts into life – even just backing it out of the garage is an experience my neighbours have me repeating gain and again.
The temps/pressure/ seem fine. I never take it over 2200rpm before the gauge gets to 50 or so and then never above 3000 until about ten minutes driving and the oil and internal bits have warmed up a tad and have only gone over 4000 a couple of times as want to get fully used to handling etc before I let rip
! cleaned it at the weekend and it's not got hardly a mark on it. I'm often to be seen shaking my head in disbelief that I actually own it. Sound familiar Dex?
As everyone says, Matt, the grin factor is awesome (there's that word again).
Anyone got a better one-word description of their TVR?
Mike
I know this sounds daft but why do I seem to trundle along on a dual carriageway at 70/80 in the Chimaera when I'd be doing 85/90 in my Passat?
Inward contentment they call it
>> Edited by MikeyT on Monday 4th March 17:09
>> Edited by MikeyT on Monday 4th March 17:11
Grin factor = awesome
I wholeheartedly agree. I cant wait until summer, I'll look like I slept with an upside down coat hanger in me gob!
Glad you are loving it, hope to see you on one of the PH meets in the future.
As for one word TVR ownership, 'Entertaining' would be my submission!
Matt.
I wholeheartedly agree. I cant wait until summer, I'll look like I slept with an upside down coat hanger in me gob!
Glad you are loving it, hope to see you on one of the PH meets in the future.
As for one word TVR ownership, 'Entertaining' would be my submission!
Matt.
quote:
Thanks guys
Bob - I can't stop grinning. ...
Dex, Tell me about it
6 months of ownership and I still grin at the mere thought of getting it out the garage !!! And whats worse is that it gets better the more you apporach the limit. I agree with MikeyT on the revs be cool until the engines warm and then give it some welly ! Its taken me a few month to get confidence at getting the back end out - and its even worse when it happens without trying ! Scary ! I wish you many 000s of miles of carefree, grinnng motoring 
Hi guys
I started from cold y'day and got 45 psi oil pressure which seems about right when the oil is cold. Whilst I only just touched the rev limiter on Sunday, having read some of the max revs threads I was worried about the fragility of these engines at revs and got a bit paranoid about oil seals etc !! I guess they're quite tough after all and the occasional rev limit experience shouldn't cause the thing to expire. It's probably hit it before in it's 40k mile history.
Trefor - I'll get the 'whine' checked - I guess it could be a bearing but knowing my luck it'll be the diff.
Chimpboy - I went over the bridge through the town (around the church) and then hung a left turn towards Cleobury. It was just after this turn (before the left for Wyre Hill) that the 'event' took place. I've never heard anything like it - god knows what a proper tunnel must be like !!
Graham - yes I've seen yours (I think). I'm only about 5 miles from you - back towards Kinver. Perhaps I'll stop if I see your car parked up next time I'm passing ??
Otherwise WOWeeeeeeeee
Dex (Dave)
I started from cold y'day and got 45 psi oil pressure which seems about right when the oil is cold. Whilst I only just touched the rev limiter on Sunday, having read some of the max revs threads I was worried about the fragility of these engines at revs and got a bit paranoid about oil seals etc !! I guess they're quite tough after all and the occasional rev limit experience shouldn't cause the thing to expire. It's probably hit it before in it's 40k mile history.
Trefor - I'll get the 'whine' checked - I guess it could be a bearing but knowing my luck it'll be the diff.
Chimpboy - I went over the bridge through the town (around the church) and then hung a left turn towards Cleobury. It was just after this turn (before the left for Wyre Hill) that the 'event' took place. I've never heard anything like it - god knows what a proper tunnel must be like !!
Graham - yes I've seen yours (I think). I'm only about 5 miles from you - back towards Kinver. Perhaps I'll stop if I see your car parked up next time I'm passing ??
Otherwise WOWeeeeeeeee
Dex (Dave)
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