Should I/Shouldn't I?
Discussion
My previous car was a corrado VR6 and I loved it. Sounded great, superb handling but getting a bit old. About 18 months ago I started thinking about what to replace it with. I came very close to buying a 4.0 Chimaera but bottled it! I had heard the horror stories and after driving a few on test drives I really thought that I could have driven my Corrado quicker. I then moved to the centre of London, and my sensible side got the better of me. I bought a Merc SLK. Now before you all 
, it's beautifully built and for London driving perfect. The problem comes when I get out on the open road......the Merc is boring
I now need to raise a bit of cash and reckon that after a bit of financial juggling, I could be looking at Chimaera or possibly a Griffith
. I've just returned from Mole Valley having had a blast in a Chimaera 500 and yep, it was awesome, but there are still some doubts.
I need balanced advice please. I do spend a lot of time in traffic and it will be my only car. I would like to use it everyday to and from work, about 10 miles round trip but will this knacker it up? I was thinking the 4.0 would handle this better than a 5. But that 500 was wicked, so do I get a 450 as a compromise? I don't know!!!!!!!!!!!!
I'd be grateful too if you could let me know of any horror stories, I bought the Merc knowing it wouldn't break. Also what are they like to sell on. There are some very cheap ones about, is this because they can't be sold on?
All advice/suggestions gratefully received and no funnies/"you've only got yourself to blame" comments about my SLK. I like it....OK!
, it's beautifully built and for London driving perfect. The problem comes when I get out on the open road......the Merc is boring I now need to raise a bit of cash and reckon that after a bit of financial juggling, I could be looking at Chimaera or possibly a Griffith
. I've just returned from Mole Valley having had a blast in a Chimaera 500 and yep, it was awesome, but there are still some doubts. I need balanced advice please. I do spend a lot of time in traffic and it will be my only car. I would like to use it everyday to and from work, about 10 miles round trip but will this knacker it up? I was thinking the 4.0 would handle this better than a 5. But that 500 was wicked, so do I get a 450 as a compromise? I don't know!!!!!!!!!!!!
I'd be grateful too if you could let me know of any horror stories, I bought the Merc knowing it wouldn't break. Also what are they like to sell on. There are some very cheap ones about, is this because they can't be sold on?
All advice/suggestions gratefully received and no funnies/"you've only got yourself to blame" comments about my SLK. I like it....OK!
I have used my 1998 4.0 Chimp nearly every day for 2 years and it has been great. I spend a lot of time in traffic and it never overheats. I do about 15K miles a year and it is good for everyday. Bits occasionally fall off but the garage I use glues them back on for me. It is no VW but the horror stories are very rare - I expect many of these come from people who expect a tiv to run like a Toyota!
I would advise on going for a post 1998 facelift car as lots of niggles where addressed then. I often wish I had gone for the 5.0 but given my high mileage the 4.0 is more sensible - it is a standard Rover unit and is much more driveable and full throttle is so viscious in any gear at any speed ( under about 120) that I am not sure I would USE the 5.0 that much.
As for costs my partners in my firm all drive NORMAL cars and the Tiv costs about the same to run as their Jeeps, Mercs and Beemers.
I would recommend Chimp ownership because even two years on I grin like a madman when the exhaust bellows and the scenery blurs!
Johnny
I would advise on going for a post 1998 facelift car as lots of niggles where addressed then. I often wish I had gone for the 5.0 but given my high mileage the 4.0 is more sensible - it is a standard Rover unit and is much more driveable and full throttle is so viscious in any gear at any speed ( under about 120) that I am not sure I would USE the 5.0 that much.
As for costs my partners in my firm all drive NORMAL cars and the Tiv costs about the same to run as their Jeeps, Mercs and Beemers.
I would recommend Chimp ownership because even two years on I grin like a madman when the exhaust bellows and the scenery blurs!
Johnny
I'm not sure that this is the right site for an unbiased opinion !
Like you, I have thought about buying a Chim for some time. I look at this site (and others) on a regular basis. As an everyday car, I dont think that the Chim is the right choice. If you need the car for work, and do not have alternative transport, then I doubt that the TVR will prove as reliable as your Merc. Your fuel cost will almost double as well if you buy a 5.0. A lot of owners seem to buy a cheap runabout and use the TVR for pleasure only. The money you save on fuel and increased depreciation (the marker hates high mileage TVR's) will pay for a cheap car like an older Fiesta of Ka.
I to have heard the horror stories. I spend time on the EVO forum, and two recent Chim owners have not had a partucularly smooth ride (1 breakdown and 1 £450 bill) within a few weeks of ownership. You have to remember that people complain more that they complement though...I think if you got into TVR ownership with your eyes open, then you will enjoy the experience. If you are looking to turnkey reliability and SLK running costs, then look elsewhere (Honda S2000 ?)
>> Edited by douglasr on Sunday 17th February 09:51
Like you, I have thought about buying a Chim for some time. I look at this site (and others) on a regular basis. As an everyday car, I dont think that the Chim is the right choice. If you need the car for work, and do not have alternative transport, then I doubt that the TVR will prove as reliable as your Merc. Your fuel cost will almost double as well if you buy a 5.0. A lot of owners seem to buy a cheap runabout and use the TVR for pleasure only. The money you save on fuel and increased depreciation (the marker hates high mileage TVR's) will pay for a cheap car like an older Fiesta of Ka.
I to have heard the horror stories. I spend time on the EVO forum, and two recent Chim owners have not had a partucularly smooth ride (1 breakdown and 1 £450 bill) within a few weeks of ownership. You have to remember that people complain more that they complement though...I think if you got into TVR ownership with your eyes open, then you will enjoy the experience. If you are looking to turnkey reliability and SLK running costs, then look elsewhere (Honda S2000 ?)
>> Edited by douglasr on Sunday 17th February 09:51
I think the Chim *is* a viable every day car, just as long as you don't expect it to cosset in the same way as a Merc, and give it a good run regularly.
In town and traffc the slightly softer setup of a 4.0 or 4.5 might give the old bones an easier ride, but I have a 5, and still couldn't care less
Fuel costs doubling? Perhaps, but that's under your control to a degree. I get over 26mpg on motorway runs, correspondingly less if I boot it or drive around town.
In town and traffc the slightly softer setup of a 4.0 or 4.5 might give the old bones an easier ride, but I have a 5, and still couldn't care less
Fuel costs doubling? Perhaps, but that's under your control to a degree. I get over 26mpg on motorway runs, correspondingly less if I boot it or drive around town.
Having owned both the 4 litre and a 5 litre, I would recommend either for everyday use as they are both useable cars. I could not think of a better everyday car as long as you are prepared to foot the running costs (which to me were worth every penny). I had the 4 litre first then after the first year of ownership, was looking for more power, the dealer said that I could play around with the 4 litre but would be better off buying the 5 litre... and WOW, I never looked back and kept the car for 3 years. Never did I have a problem with either car (pretty rare I know) so don"t hesitate if your asking me, go out and buy the latest one you can for your budget and enjoy..
That's a hard one. I had a Golf VR6 before the Chimaera, and it was a joy. Can understand your apprehension.
I've had a 4 litre for a couple of years. For the last year or so, the Chimaera was a simply a weekend car, but as of next week he is back to full time daily motoring.
There are some basic issues to consider when using the Chimaera every day in town;
- There are no bumpers to absorb minor navigation marks
- Getting it in and out of the garage is a pain; I could leave the Golf outside on the road
- The clutch is quite heavy, and they do not crawl along happily (mine tends to lurch if crawling in first, so I have to dip the clutch). Can be hard work
- You are very unlikely to be able to give him a good blast.
- Wet weather and snow not exactly prime TVR conditions
But;
Think of the pleasure when
- the sun is out, and you can drive to and from work with the roof down
- You go out of town / on holiday and have a real blast
- You go to track days
It's all a balance, good luck with your decision.
One thing is for sure - you won't get bored with a TVR.
Richard
>> Edited by yum on Sunday 17th February 20:07
I've had a 4 litre for a couple of years. For the last year or so, the Chimaera was a simply a weekend car, but as of next week he is back to full time daily motoring.
There are some basic issues to consider when using the Chimaera every day in town;
- There are no bumpers to absorb minor navigation marks
- Getting it in and out of the garage is a pain; I could leave the Golf outside on the road
- The clutch is quite heavy, and they do not crawl along happily (mine tends to lurch if crawling in first, so I have to dip the clutch). Can be hard work
- You are very unlikely to be able to give him a good blast.
- Wet weather and snow not exactly prime TVR conditions
But;
Think of the pleasure when
- the sun is out, and you can drive to and from work with the roof down
- You go out of town / on holiday and have a real blast
- You go to track days
It's all a balance, good luck with your decision.
One thing is for sure - you won't get bored with a TVR.
Richard
>> Edited by yum on Sunday 17th February 20:07
I bought a Chimaera as a third car - high days and holidays. However, the more I drive it the more I realise that it is actually really easy to live with. Now, I would be hesitent to use it in London traffic (that is me as I hate driving in London) but there are plenty of people that do use them in London with no real problem.
Servicing isnt that bad with an independant and the purchase price is actually quite reasonable - a friend of mine just bought a new Mini Cooper for more than I paid for mine!!! So costs are containable...
Engines - well this is really personal opinion. A 500 will be more lumpy in traffic than a 400 and a 450 is a good balance between the two. However, lets not forget that a 400 will give you pretty alarming performance in comparison with anything else on the road. Then again, for some, they just have to have the fastest.....
Me, I have a 400HC and it more than fast enough for me. I dont need to go faster. Mine you a Tuscan S would be nice....
Cheers,
Paul
Servicing isnt that bad with an independant and the purchase price is actually quite reasonable - a friend of mine just bought a new Mini Cooper for more than I paid for mine!!! So costs are containable...
Engines - well this is really personal opinion. A 500 will be more lumpy in traffic than a 400 and a 450 is a good balance between the two. However, lets not forget that a 400 will give you pretty alarming performance in comparison with anything else on the road. Then again, for some, they just have to have the fastest.....
Me, I have a 400HC and it more than fast enough for me. I dont need to go faster. Mine you a Tuscan S would be nice....
Cheers,
Paul
I had the same concerns as you. I'd wanted a Griff 500 for years but the stories about cost and unreliability put me off. I've had a BMW 325 for a year and thought bugger it...go for the TIV...if it doesn't work out, at least I'd have tried it. So I sold the beemer....then went on the lookout for a Griff with all the history. I know I've only had mine for a couple of months so I'm still in the honeymoon period...but its fantastic! Its no more pricey than my last car, I drive it everyday to work (London to Woking) and its been great. Providing you get a well sorted car I'm sure you'll be fine....
Thankyou Gentlemen, I'm almost convinced. I was starting to think along the lines of "you only once" and all that. If it goes pear shaped then I can always get something sensible. I'm thinking the 4.5 is the one, so I shall be giving Mr Ingleby (findasportscar.co.uk) a shout to see what he can do. Has anybody used him before?
I'm off now to get a quote from Manning's so I shall let you know if and when I purchase, or more to the point advice with problems!
Anyone want to buy a pristine Merc SLK?
I'm off now to get a quote from Manning's so I shall let you know if and when I purchase, or more to the point advice with problems!
Anyone want to buy a pristine Merc SLK?
I've had my Chimaera 500 since last June. I use it almost every day and commute to the City in it. We also have a "sensible" Ford KA which is supposed to be for commuting and popping up to the shops in. Unfortunately, it sucks and I love the Chimaera. No matter how bad your day has been at work you can jump in the TVR and blast away your problems. Ok so you are breathing noxious fumes, the clutch is heavy, and you don't look quite so cool with the roof down stuck in traffic.
My previous car was a 98 BMW 535i steptronic which was very comfortable! Oh yeah and my dad liked it which meant it had to go. The BMW cost me £50 a week in petrol but the TVR is only £35 a week doing the same milage. Also TVR servicing costs are cheaper than at BMW.
My previous car was a 98 BMW 535i steptronic which was very comfortable! Oh yeah and my dad liked it which meant it had to go. The BMW cost me £50 a week in petrol but the TVR is only £35 a week doing the same milage. Also TVR servicing costs are cheaper than at BMW.
I for one...
live in London,
drive a Chimaera 450 in traffic regularly - once a week,
go for a blast when I feel like - erm.. when I mean whenever I can,
5000 miles covered in 3 months,
I have no garage so my car is parked on the street,
no problems other than a few niggles (adjusting windows, changing starter motor, .., i.e nothing that couldn't have waited a few month until the next service),
there cars *are* reliable provided you look after them,
there are many reputed independant who will look after you car for a very reasonable of money,
check www.adrianblyth.co.uk ,
you'll never regret it !
PS: Apologies to fellow pistonheaders as I seem to always write the same thing !!
live in London,
drive a Chimaera 450 in traffic regularly - once a week,
go for a blast when I feel like - erm.. when I mean whenever I can,
5000 miles covered in 3 months,
I have no garage so my car is parked on the street,
no problems other than a few niggles (adjusting windows, changing starter motor, .., i.e nothing that couldn't have waited a few month until the next service),
there cars *are* reliable provided you look after them,
there are many reputed independant who will look after you car for a very reasonable of money,
check www.adrianblyth.co.uk ,
you'll never regret it !
PS: Apologies to fellow pistonheaders as I seem to always write the same thing !!
quote:
I have a 96 4.0 and it is fine in traffic. But a 5.0 has a high lift cam so will be slightly harder to drive at idle speeds!
I'm not so sure of that: I'm beginning to suspect that there's a wide viariation in driveability generally. I find my 500 very easy to live with in traffic: not entirely free of snatch/jerk*, but not bad at all. Others can be real bears.
I confess that I find myself wondering if mine's had the Mark Adams treatment in a previous life...
*) No sniggering there at the back.
marshy, it would be interesting to find out what cam profiles yours has.....this would make the difference we see between a smoothy like yours and a bear like mine. Having said that, I was joining the A14 north at my favorite slip road (you know where) floored it to pass some Vectra driver in a coma and it bellowed like a nutter, span the wheels and tried to headbutt the horizon, I was quite impressed, alarmed even, so it has all the get up and go I need and maybe I have to compromise the tractability in town for this
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