Me again... 19 Year old going for a Chim...

Me again... 19 Year old going for a Chim...

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Discussion

QBee

20,904 posts

143 months

Monday 21st April 2014
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You have asked for our opinions and now have them. Your money, your call. We will be here to help you if/when you run into problems.

TVRJAS

2,391 posts

128 months

Monday 21st April 2014
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QBee said:
Your money, your call. We will be here to help you if/when you run into problems.
I just ran into problems... Unexpected bill of £2300 can you help please Anthony rolleyes

jojackson4

3,026 posts

136 months

Monday 21st April 2014
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TVRJAS said:
QBee said:
Your money, your call. We will be here to help you if/when you run into problems.
I just ran into problems... Unexpected bill of £2300 can you help please Anthony rolleyes
He may be able to get the vat backlaugh

QBee

20,904 posts

143 months

Monday 21st April 2014
quotequote all
TVRJAS said:
QBee said:
Your money, your call. We will be here to help you if/when you run into problems.
I just ran into problems... Unexpected bill of £2300 can you help please Anthony rolleyes
Oh dear. What appears to be the problem, dear chap? Anything to do with the exhaust manifold issue we diagnosed?

TVRJAS

2,391 posts

128 months

Monday 21st April 2014
quotequote all
QBee said:
TVRJAS said:
QBee said:
Your money, your call. We will be here to help you if/when you run into problems.
I just ran into problems... Unexpected bill of £2300 can you help please Anthony rolleyes
Oh dear. What appears to be the problem, dear chap? Anything to do with the exhaust manifold issue we diagnosed?
yes

Engine had to come out to drill tap out bolt... Added just over £1k to the bill i was expecting. As vat has been mentioned almost £400 was to them and I can't claim it back weeping

Rib

2,548 posts

188 months

Tuesday 22nd April 2014
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SILICONEKID346HP said:
Younger people take chances ,they like the buzz ,probably think its a computer game .

At that age I would of been very happy with an immaculate road tax exempt triumph spitfire with overdrive .

They are still cheap and have not gone up in price like other marques ,in fact I`m after one my self to sit next to the TVR .

A 19 year old would look cool in something like that . .
Exactly what I had, except it had a stage 3 2L injection straight 6 under the bonnet, most people thought I would kill myself, never even spun it on the road. Track days are your friend, learn the limits of your car and get a feel for the balance and how to handle it if the back does step out.

I don't mind people reminding me to take care but do sometimes find it insulting people judge me because o my age. In fact I remember the 2nd time I went to a local meet the organiser said 'blimey! still alive!?' knowing him now I know its just abit of banter but was abit annoying at the time.

The rover V8 is nothing special, use it daily and it will probably be happier than not being used for weeks on end, as long as you give it a good run out now and then and get it all up to temp and blown out it should be fine, just make sure you have abit of cash in the bank in case there are any hidden bills lurking.

I wouldn't go for the black box though!

Milky400

1,960 posts

177 months

Tuesday 22nd April 2014
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unfortunately statistics speak for themselves....

Not knowing the OP it is difficult to judge.

A friend of mine was killed in his Lotus Elan when he was to young, when i got the news i remeber talking to a mate about and we both said things along the lines "i bet he took the corner to fast" etc. when it was actually the 59 year old man coming the opposite direction on the wrong side of the road.

If the OP is a sensible as he says then i see no reason not to. But they can be very expensive to run, and at that age a big financial commitment.


m4tti

5,426 posts

154 months

Tuesday 22nd April 2014
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Everyday winter driving.... Think rain, think salt, think brine, think rust, think big chassis bill. Unless you have the skill and the space to do the work yourself.

Others will likely disagree, but I can't think of anything worse than getting up on a winter morning where it's pishing down and having to drive a tvr to work. I'm not familiar with chimaeras but in the tuscan you'd need to get up each morning 100% switched on. The moment you aren't is the time it will bite you.


zacherynuk

353 posts

132 months

Tuesday 22nd April 2014
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m4tti said:
Everyday winter driving.... Think rain, think salt, think brine, think rust, think big chassis bill. Unless you have the skill and the space to do the work yourself.

Others will likely disagree, but I can't think of anything worse than getting up on a winter morning where it's pishing down and having to drive a tvr to work. I'm not familiar with chimaeras but in the tuscan you'd need to get up each morning 100% switched on. The moment you aren't is the time it will bite you.
Maybe it's an age thing, but I do like my warm bum, drinks holders and podcasts more and more.


If my commute was ~2 miles I would be embarrassed to be driving to work ESPECIALLY as a 19 year old... that's a 5 minute cycle or slow 15 minute jog. Hell, it's only a 35 minute stroll....

Milky400

1,960 posts

177 months

Tuesday 22nd April 2014
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I'm with you on that.....

QBee

20,904 posts

143 months

Tuesday 22nd April 2014
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Nah, I bought a TVR to do my bit for the environment, and decatted it to make sure..... nono

swallet

453 posts

142 months

Tuesday 22nd April 2014
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m4tti said:
Everyday winter driving.... Think rain, think salt, think brine, think rust, think big chassis bill. Unless you have the skill and the space to do the work yourself.

Others will likely disagree, but I can't think of anything worse than getting up on a winter morning where it's pishing down and having to drive a tvr to work. I'm not familiar with chimaeras but in the tuscan you'd need to get up each morning 100% switched on. The moment you aren't is the time it will bite you.
This.

Rib

2,548 posts

188 months

Tuesday 22nd April 2014
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Been there done done that with my spitty which I'd say was worse than the tvr! I look back and wonder how I did it (75miles a day!) but at the time it seemed normal. At that age you've not been spoilt for ut German luxury by then lol

Chris71

21,535 posts

241 months

Wednesday 23rd April 2014
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Go for it. My first car was a sports car and I didn't die in a firey inferno once.

Do make sure you give it a proper run regularly, though. Could you find a long way to work perhaps?

Also, as someone else has said, you could consider an S-Series as an alternative. I actually preferred my S3 to the Chimaera 500 I've got now. Lighter, more chuckable and your money goes a lot further.

That and the bicycle option. When I lived in London I practically gave up on commuting by car because it was so boring in the traffic. Saves fuel and engine wear for the weekend.

DIB350

220 posts

194 months

Wednesday 23rd April 2014
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I have an S3 with a 24v Cossie lump and it's an absolute riot. Very quick and like a go cart in corners.

MC00K

Original Poster:

62 posts

131 months

Wednesday 23rd April 2014
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Chris71 said:
Go for it. My first car was a sports car and I didn't die in a firey inferno once.

Do make sure you give it a proper run regularly, though. Could you find a long way to work perhaps?

Also, as someone else has said, you could consider an S-Series as an alternative. I actually preferred my S3 to the Chimaera 500 I've got now. Lighter, more chuckable and your money goes a lot further.

That and the bicycle option. When I lived in London I practically gave up on commuting by car because it was so boring in the traffic. Saves fuel and engine wear for the weekend.
I would consider owning any TVR, I love them all, the Cerbera being my dream must have car, but the cerb is a bit 'too' hardcore for someone my age right now, although I was quoted £2500 Third Party Fire And Theft!. The Chimaera has been my choice as a first TVR for many reasons, quite widely available, cheap and of course that soundtrack...

I have never been a fan of run of the mill cars, since I can remember I have always loved kit cars, hot rods and classics in general, I want a car I can really look after and actually have something to spend my money on! I want a real enthusiasts car, a conversation piece, something people will take a second look at.

I have ambitions to start an automotive blog, In fact I have already got my site up and running, it will be used to document my ownership of my first TVR (that is the plan anyway), countless videos from all the events I plan to attend, road trips (planning a euro trip!) and anything else I can think of.

This is a logo I have come up with just to get the idea across..



As for finding the right car, I am planning to visit Racing Green Cars this weekend as they have quite a selection to look at, still not sure if I would be best going for a lower mileage, say 15,000 or above the 50,000 mile mark? The idea being the higher mileage TVR'S may have had all the necessary work already carried out..?

I understand all the concerns some of you have with running it as a daily through winter etc, and my short commute to work but I assure you I will do everything necessary to keep it on the road. (longer 10 mile windy route to work, letting it warm up for 10 minute before setting off) As for the rust problems with the chassis, I guess that is just what you have to deal with when owning such a car, the heavy clutch and winter driving does not put me off, only a week ago have I fixed the heater in my Saab, the whole winter I had to either drive with a 1 inch clear patch on my windscreen or drive one handed whilst wiping with all 4 windows right down!

Hope this clears a few things up..

swallet

453 posts

142 months

Wednesday 23rd April 2014
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I think we should end the topic here!
You clearly have a huge amount of passion and whatever happens you are getting your TVR. I salute your dedication and I hope it is all you dream it will be.
Certainly lots of food for thought over the last 4 pages. Once you've found one you like let us know.



As many have said buy on condition NOT mileage.

Good Luck!

speedtwelve

3,510 posts

272 months

Wednesday 23rd April 2014
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MC00K said:
letting it warm up for 10 minute before setting off
I wouldn't if I were you. The car will be much happier if you set off shortly after start and keep the engine load down while it warms up naturally on the road. Labouring the engine at low-revs, say a large throttle input at 20-30mph in 5th gear puts a lot of load on bearings before the oil has warmed-up properly though, so take it easy when you do drive off. I use part-throttle and keep mine below 3000rpm and light engine load until both the water temp and oil pressure gauges stabilise. I've heard that Rover V8 cam lobe longevity may also improve if you drive-off after start rather than have it idling for 10min at 1000rpm.

I've had my Chim 5 years now, far longer than any other car I've owned. Have fun.

Chris71

21,535 posts

241 months

Thursday 24th April 2014
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DIB350 said:
I have an S3 with a 24v Cossie lump and it's an absolute riot. Very quick and like a go cart in corners.
I can imagine. Mine was an allegedly-standard S3, but it felt pretty healthy - the guy I sold it to had previously owned a 4.0 Chim and he was quite shocked how well the S3 went. On a twisty road you'd have to be trying pretty hard to pull out a significant gap, I reckon. Always thought the Cosworth engine in an S3 (plus some bigger brakes and an LSD) would make a superb car.

Back on topic - OP, if you do get a Chim I'd advise going for one with power steering. Half the cars I saw either had problems with their power assistance or had done in the past and that was one of the reasons I went for unassisted steering. To be fair, I think this contributes to the feeling of heft compared to the S3, and you need biceps of steel to wind on corrective lock in a hurry (which can be quite a common occurrence with a 500 on a damp day).

QBee

20,904 posts

143 months

Thursday 24th April 2014
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....and the first thing to do when you do get one is to go and have a full four wheel alignment done. It's about £100. The suspension on Chims is sensitive to incorrect settings. By aligning it properly (full TVR specialist computer alignment, not Kwik Fit on a bad day alignment) it will turn from a car that's trying to kill you into a car that's fun to drive. driving