I've been recommend a Chimaera...
Discussion
Hi all!
Following this thread: http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a... I thought I'd head over here for some advice.
My budget of ~£10k should see me to a decent facelift Chimaera 400 as I understand it. This uses the Rover V8, which I'm told is a reliable and relatively simple old unit.
I just have a few questions, hopefully you can help me with...
1. Is the 4.0 the pick of the Chimaera range? The car will be used for weekend fun and the odd sunny commute, maybe the odd road trip with the missus or to Le Mans if I get one in time this year!
2. How reliable are they, are there many known problems and are they easy to fix? Are there any hugely expensive issues that I should consider?
3. Performance - whats the 4.0 like? I'm sure it will be quick enough as I currently drive an E46 320D, although I do also ride an Aprilia RST1000...! For instance, a friend of mine has an E46 M3 - although clearly very different cars, how will the Chimaera compare performance wise? Both are performance RWD vehicles, after all...
4. Running costs - what are they like? What sort of MPG do you get from one driven swiftly but sensibly? Road tax? Servicing costs/intervals? Are there any specific insurance schemes worth looking at?
Anything else you think I should know, please do tell - and pics are always welcome!
Following this thread: http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a... I thought I'd head over here for some advice.
My budget of ~£10k should see me to a decent facelift Chimaera 400 as I understand it. This uses the Rover V8, which I'm told is a reliable and relatively simple old unit.
I just have a few questions, hopefully you can help me with...
1. Is the 4.0 the pick of the Chimaera range? The car will be used for weekend fun and the odd sunny commute, maybe the odd road trip with the missus or to Le Mans if I get one in time this year!
2. How reliable are they, are there many known problems and are they easy to fix? Are there any hugely expensive issues that I should consider?
3. Performance - whats the 4.0 like? I'm sure it will be quick enough as I currently drive an E46 320D, although I do also ride an Aprilia RST1000...! For instance, a friend of mine has an E46 M3 - although clearly very different cars, how will the Chimaera compare performance wise? Both are performance RWD vehicles, after all...
4. Running costs - what are they like? What sort of MPG do you get from one driven swiftly but sensibly? Road tax? Servicing costs/intervals? Are there any specific insurance schemes worth looking at?
Anything else you think I should know, please do tell - and pics are always welcome!
The 4.0 Chimaera is the most common model so there are plenty about, therefore you will have plenty to choose from and will find a decent facelift one for that price.
Insurance can be very reasonable depending on whether it is a second car/weekend car, etc, maybe only a couple of hundred quid. Try Hagertys, A Plan and A Manning for some quotes. Car Tax is £180 still I think. Reliability is good but be prepared for the odd bit of 'fiddling' !!
An M3 is an awesome machine and with another 100 bhp more will be a bit swifter.
Good mpg can be had from a 4.0 even a 5.0 can return good mpg on a long run. Obviously things detoriorate when the toe goes down.
I feel ashamed to put a plug in but here goes, mines up for the same price as a 4.0 -
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/440606.htm
Once you're use to the power of a 4.0 you'll start modding and spend thousands, go straight for the 5.0 !!
Insurance can be very reasonable depending on whether it is a second car/weekend car, etc, maybe only a couple of hundred quid. Try Hagertys, A Plan and A Manning for some quotes. Car Tax is £180 still I think. Reliability is good but be prepared for the odd bit of 'fiddling' !!
An M3 is an awesome machine and with another 100 bhp more will be a bit swifter.
Good mpg can be had from a 4.0 even a 5.0 can return good mpg on a long run. Obviously things detoriorate when the toe goes down.
I feel ashamed to put a plug in but here goes, mines up for the same price as a 4.0 -
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/440606.htm
Once you're use to the power of a 4.0 you'll start modding and spend thousands, go straight for the 5.0 !!
Edited by SimonV8ster on Thursday 3rd April 12:11
All the information you are looking for is already on here. Just have a ‘search’.
Quick bit of info to get you started:
1. We all think our cars are the best. Personally I have a 4.5. Reason being I believed it to be the best I could afford at the time. A sorted 4.0 will be faster than a poor 4.5 – Is it the pick? – Probably not, but certainly plenty quick enough
2. As with all cars, they can have problems. Most can be reasonably easily overcome. Some have never had problems some are never out of the garage. But in general, most have now been on the road long enough to be reliable vehicles.
3. Each one depends. Just don’t rely on the TVR stated figures. Test drive them and feel for yourself
4. My combined mpg is 20. Lowest per fill has been 12.25 highest 25 – Road tax is unaffected by the co2 due to age so c.£200 If 2nd car have a look at mannings for insurance
Buy on condition rather than engine size. More important the chassis looks good… Looks at as many as you can and not buy the first because it looks good.
Hope this helps.
Quick bit of info to get you started:
1. We all think our cars are the best. Personally I have a 4.5. Reason being I believed it to be the best I could afford at the time. A sorted 4.0 will be faster than a poor 4.5 – Is it the pick? – Probably not, but certainly plenty quick enough
2. As with all cars, they can have problems. Most can be reasonably easily overcome. Some have never had problems some are never out of the garage. But in general, most have now been on the road long enough to be reliable vehicles.
3. Each one depends. Just don’t rely on the TVR stated figures. Test drive them and feel for yourself
4. My combined mpg is 20. Lowest per fill has been 12.25 highest 25 – Road tax is unaffected by the co2 due to age so c.£200 If 2nd car have a look at mannings for insurance
Buy on condition rather than engine size. More important the chassis looks good… Looks at as many as you can and not buy the first because it looks good.
Hope this helps.
SimonV8ster said:
The 4.0 Chimaera is the most common model so there are plenty about, therefore you will have plenty to choose from and will find a decent facelift one for that price.
Insurance can be very reasonable depending on whether it is a second car/weekend car, etc, maybe only a couple of hundred quid. Try Hagertys, A Plan and A Manning for some quotes. Car Tax is £180 still I think. Reliability is good but be prepared for the odd bit of 'fiddling' !!
An M3 is an awesome machine and with another 100 bhp more will be a bit swifter.
Good mpg can be had from a 4.0 even a 5.0 can return good mpg on a long run. Obviously things detoriorate when the toe goes down.
I feel ashamed to put a plug in but here goes, mines up for the same price as a 4.0 -
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/440606.htm
Once you're use to the power of a 4.0 you'll start modding and spend thousands, go straight for the 5.0 !!
I just tried A Manning but they won't insure under 25's unfortunately, never mind the fact I've had "performance" cars before and ride a 1000cc motorcycle!! Darn insurance!Insurance can be very reasonable depending on whether it is a second car/weekend car, etc, maybe only a couple of hundred quid. Try Hagertys, A Plan and A Manning for some quotes. Car Tax is £180 still I think. Reliability is good but be prepared for the odd bit of 'fiddling' !!
An M3 is an awesome machine and with another 100 bhp more will be a bit swifter.
Good mpg can be had from a 4.0 even a 5.0 can return good mpg on a long run. Obviously things detoriorate when the toe goes down.
I feel ashamed to put a plug in but here goes, mines up for the same price as a 4.0 -
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/440606.htm
Once you're use to the power of a 4.0 you'll start modding and spend thousands, go straight for the 5.0 !!
Edited by SimonV8ster on Thursday 3rd April 12:11
Anyway, back to the cars - fiddling is fine, I enjoy that, its just major headaches/rebuilds I'd rather avoid! I'd like a 5.0 but given its my first TVR and the insurance troubles I'm already having, a 4.0 may be more suitable.
Shame the M3 will be swifter - I think from a standing start the Chimaera may still do well, but in the bends I'd expect a decades' worth of development to start shining through!!
WazzaL said:
All the information you are looking for is already on here. Just have a ‘search’.
Quick bit of info to get you started:
1. We all think our cars are the best. Personally I have a 4.5. Reason being I believed it to be the best I could afford at the time. A sorted 4.0 will be faster than a poor 4.5 – Is it the pick? – Probably not, but certainly plenty quick enough
2. As with all cars, they can have problems. Most can be reasonably easily overcome. Some have never had problems some are never out of the garage. But in general, most have now been on the road long enough to be reliable vehicles.
3. Each one depends. Just don’t rely on the TVR stated figures. Test drive them and feel for yourself
4. My combined mpg is 20. Lowest per fill has been 12.25 highest 25 – Road tax is unaffected by the co2 due to age so c.£200 If 2nd car have a look at mannings for insurance
Buy on condition rather than engine size. More important the chassis looks good… Looks at as many as you can and not buy the first because it looks good.
Hope this helps.
Cheers for the info! Sounds like a 4.0 will do me just fine. Is it a case of lowest mileage isn't always best with these cars then? Some that have actually been used and had the problems sorted may be a better bet?Quick bit of info to get you started:
1. We all think our cars are the best. Personally I have a 4.5. Reason being I believed it to be the best I could afford at the time. A sorted 4.0 will be faster than a poor 4.5 – Is it the pick? – Probably not, but certainly plenty quick enough
2. As with all cars, they can have problems. Most can be reasonably easily overcome. Some have never had problems some are never out of the garage. But in general, most have now been on the road long enough to be reliable vehicles.
3. Each one depends. Just don’t rely on the TVR stated figures. Test drive them and feel for yourself
4. My combined mpg is 20. Lowest per fill has been 12.25 highest 25 – Road tax is unaffected by the co2 due to age so c.£200 If 2nd car have a look at mannings for insurance
Buy on condition rather than engine size. More important the chassis looks good… Looks at as many as you can and not buy the first because it looks good.
Hope this helps.
Hi Mike, for your info, you will see 4.0 and 4.0HC advertised, the standard 4.0 has 240 bhp and the HC has reprofiled cams to give an extra 35bhp (275) as standard. Prices are more or less the same although HC's possibly slightly higher. Everything else about the cars is the same.
Power steering was optional so I suggest you try one with and one without to see which you prefer.
Power steering was optional so I suggest you try one with and one without to see which you prefer.
AC Motors said:
Hi Mike, for your info, you will see 4.0 and 4.0HC advertised, the standard 4.0 has 240 bhp and the HC has reprofiled cams to give an extra 35bhp (275) as standard. Prices are more or less the same although HC's possibly slightly higher. Everything else about the cars is the same.
Power steering was optional so I suggest you try one with and one without to see which you prefer.
275 bhp from a 4.0.... hmmm. supercharger? nitrous?Power steering was optional so I suggest you try one with and one without to see which you prefer.
real figures are probably 50+ hp less. tvr are naughty liars
Edited by thegman on Thursday 3rd April 17:35
Cheers all!
tom_loughlin said:
Hi Mate, I was in exactly the same position as you...swore I'd have my first TVR before I hit 25.
Are you getting rid of your beemer? I am looking for a 320d, and have a 4.0 Chimp for sale.
Drop me a line if you're getting rid of yours.
Tom
And yes I would be getting rid of the 320D...what's your Chimaera like?Are you getting rid of your beemer? I am looking for a 320d, and have a 4.0 Chimp for sale.
Drop me a line if you're getting rid of yours.
Tom
AC Motors said:
Just quoting the figures from the owners manual, but I'm sure you are right.
My advice to all TVR owners is never to have their car put on a rolling road. Don't get me wrong, the power to weight and torquey, low down power delivery make these cars fast and feel faster, but in terms of pure BHP I think people who get it tested are generally dissapointed.Edited by thegman on Friday 4th April 09:06
900T-R said:
thegman said:
My advise to all TVR owners is never to have their car put on a rolling road.
Depends on your expectations. 
Let the driving experience do the talking not a printout!
I'm 23 and bought a 400 about 6 months ago now. It is brilliant, nothing wrong so far, but coming up to a 12k service which will set me back around 600 quid (and a couple of other pennies i'm sure too!). Insurance can be a bit on the lumpy side; mine's come in at about 1500 quid a year but that partly due to only having held my license for a year. Haggerty's had said at the time if i had another year of experience/NCB that number would be halved.
As previously said in here go and see loads, you get a fair idea of what you like and what floats your boat pretty quickly and I'm sure (as will have happened for most of us in here) when you see the one for you, it won't be a hard descision to make!!!!!!!!
As previously said in here go and see loads, you get a fair idea of what you like and what floats your boat pretty quickly and I'm sure (as will have happened for most of us in here) when you see the one for you, it won't be a hard descision to make!!!!!!!!
thegman said:
AC Motors said:
Just quoting the figures from the owners manual, but I'm sure you are right.
My advice to all TVR owners is never to have their car put on a rolling road. Don't get me wrong, the power to weight and torquey, low down power delivery make these cars fast and feel faster, but in terms of pure BHP I think people who get it tested are generally dissapointed.Edited by thegman on Friday 4th April 09:06
For the 400 TVR quoted 240bhp at the fly (too many think this is a wheel figure). My 97 400 (totally standard engine wise) with 56k on the clock has been on 2 sets of rollers each time generating around 228-230 fly and 180 at the wheels.
To me that doesn't seem a bad set on a 10 year old car!
Zippee said:
thegman said:
AC Motors said:
Just quoting the figures from the owners manual, but I'm sure you are right.
My advice to all TVR owners is never to have their car put on a rolling road. Don't get me wrong, the power to weight and torquey, low down power delivery make these cars fast and feel faster, but in terms of pure BHP I think people who get it tested are generally dissapointed.Edited by thegman on Friday 4th April 09:06
For the 400 TVR quoted 240bhp at the fly (too many think this is a wheel figure). My 97 400 (totally standard engine wise) with 56k on the clock has been on 2 sets of rollers each time generating around 228-230 fly and 180 at the wheels.
To me that doesn't seem a bad set on a 10 year old car!
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