How long have you had it?
Discussion
Bought mine when a single man in 2002. She was 2 years old and had 300 miles on the clock.
Kept her for 5 years, loved her, met many girls, and even the eventual wife, in her.
Had to sell her to fund a work placement to Australia for a year, 2005 - you know, clear credit cards, pay for airfares, accommodation, etc.
Came back and...
...bought a Mazda MX-5 (great car, actually).
A year or so later saw my old car up for sale again from the bloke who had bought it from me.
The rest is history, as they say.
Still got her. And the wife.
Kept her for 5 years, loved her, met many girls, and even the eventual wife, in her.
Had to sell her to fund a work placement to Australia for a year, 2005 - you know, clear credit cards, pay for airfares, accommodation, etc.
Came back and...
...bought a Mazda MX-5 (great car, actually).
A year or so later saw my old car up for sale again from the bloke who had bought it from me.
The rest is history, as they say.
Still got her. And the wife.
After wanting one since they were first manufactured, I finally took the plunge at 62 and bought one 18 months ago.
After carefully scrutinising this this site(brilliant) I have now done all the recommended things to the car, Steve Edwards roof and Lupo faired in headlights, battery and fuse box repositioned behind the seats, roll bar, sleeved exhaust, full suspension upgrade, WMS brake upgrade, Corrado mirrors and a great trip down to the Le Mans Classic last year.
I had sworn I wouldn't upgrade the engine (it's a 4 litre) but as I have no winter projects now, I weakened and now have a 4.6 P38 in the garage partially stripped.
Is it a form of illness!!
I might add, my wife likes it as well, what more can I ask for!!
After carefully scrutinising this this site(brilliant) I have now done all the recommended things to the car, Steve Edwards roof and Lupo faired in headlights, battery and fuse box repositioned behind the seats, roll bar, sleeved exhaust, full suspension upgrade, WMS brake upgrade, Corrado mirrors and a great trip down to the Le Mans Classic last year.
I had sworn I wouldn't upgrade the engine (it's a 4 litre) but as I have no winter projects now, I weakened and now have a 4.6 P38 in the garage partially stripped.
Is it a form of illness!!
I might add, my wife likes it as well, what more can I ask for!!
SMB said:
No intent to sell, now a weekend and summer car. Just too many memories of days out and trips to say goodbye.
Know the feeling, washed the car on Sunday and just sat in the garage looking at it, and remembering the good times we've had together, I thought after the chassis referb, because the the money I'd then sunk into the car it was going to be a 'forever' car but quite out the blue a new itch has surfaced. Just checked and for me its 9 years and with 79k miles on the clock 45k are mine. Keep it on the road all year round, after all only going to save around £100.00 so why not even if its only a once a month blast.
Amazing thing is that the only time it let me down was after a 6 week winter layup due to weather and holiday it would not start, turned over fine but no fuel pump. Had to use wife's Fiat Coup for a meet which was o/k. After a bit of a flaff on closer inspection the fuel pump fuse had corroded and formed a hair line crack which was not easily visible - fuse replacement and burst into life.
Oily bits which have needed attention during ownership have been exhaust manifold gaskets twice, second time due to retaining bolts loosening and rocker steel pads cracking and dropping off, again happened twice causing a little tick noise which progresses into something more attention seeking.
Once a year main service including waxoil at Indie £350.00, intermediate service by me, oil and filter change and good look around checking all the moving bits, replace anything looking a bit suspect, varies between £70.00 to £150.00 depending on what need doing.
Still looks good, but starting to require cosmetic work which I am going to address this year. Not going to spend silly money, but recon a £3.5K budget will bring it back to like new.
Amazing thing is that the only time it let me down was after a 6 week winter layup due to weather and holiday it would not start, turned over fine but no fuel pump. Had to use wife's Fiat Coup for a meet which was o/k. After a bit of a flaff on closer inspection the fuel pump fuse had corroded and formed a hair line crack which was not easily visible - fuse replacement and burst into life.
Oily bits which have needed attention during ownership have been exhaust manifold gaskets twice, second time due to retaining bolts loosening and rocker steel pads cracking and dropping off, again happened twice causing a little tick noise which progresses into something more attention seeking.
Once a year main service including waxoil at Indie £350.00, intermediate service by me, oil and filter change and good look around checking all the moving bits, replace anything looking a bit suspect, varies between £70.00 to £150.00 depending on what need doing.
Still looks good, but starting to require cosmetic work which I am going to address this year. Not going to spend silly money, but recon a £3.5K budget will bring it back to like new.
I came to the party late, only 2 years and 8 months ago, but I am making up for that with 25,000 miles (including 15 track days) so far. I am not using it as a daily driver (well, occasionally, when i simply cannot resist). Drive it all year round, had a lovely 41 mile drive on Christmas morning on fast country roads. Roof off, heater turned up, scarf and hat on, what's not to like?
Oh, all right, photo called for
Oh, all right, photo called for
& there was me thinking I was the biggest stick in the mud of them all!
14 years & 10 months, owned from new
I'd always loved Chimaera's (& Griffs!), but decided I absolutely had to have one when I saw a fleet of them parked by the track at Silverstone for some Tuscan racing. I went to the motorshow in October 1999 (when it was still held at the NEC), & eventually ended up on the TVR stand talking to he principal of my local dealer. It was the last day of the motorshow, & I was unaware that it was also the last day I could order a 4 litre car - I wasn't bothered about having a larger engine because maximising the speed wasn't a priority for me, I was coming from a Corrado VR6 so a 4 litre was big enough & I just wanted the Chimaera experience. I also wanted a new brand new car, I guess everyone would like to have the factory fresh experience at least once, & what better way to do it (... haven't done it since though!!) I was unsure my finances could stretch to it on the day, but was told there were plenty of unregistered 4 litre cars in the dealer network so didn't need to do anything at the show.
I found a car I liked, but to cut a long story short I ended up back with the dealer principal I'd met at the show & was allowed to spec a 4 litre car in exactly the way I wanted, still got the spec sheet. I'm not sure if it is the last 4 litre, but was lead to believe that it probably was. I think the factory must have been short of orders at the time because my car was delivered to the dealer just before Christmas, which was great if I could have paid for it! They kindly kept it for me until March so I could have a 'W' reg, but was the longest couple of months in my life!
14 years & 10 months, owned from new
I'd always loved Chimaera's (& Griffs!), but decided I absolutely had to have one when I saw a fleet of them parked by the track at Silverstone for some Tuscan racing. I went to the motorshow in October 1999 (when it was still held at the NEC), & eventually ended up on the TVR stand talking to he principal of my local dealer. It was the last day of the motorshow, & I was unaware that it was also the last day I could order a 4 litre car - I wasn't bothered about having a larger engine because maximising the speed wasn't a priority for me, I was coming from a Corrado VR6 so a 4 litre was big enough & I just wanted the Chimaera experience. I also wanted a new brand new car, I guess everyone would like to have the factory fresh experience at least once, & what better way to do it (... haven't done it since though!!) I was unsure my finances could stretch to it on the day, but was told there were plenty of unregistered 4 litre cars in the dealer network so didn't need to do anything at the show.
I found a car I liked, but to cut a long story short I ended up back with the dealer principal I'd met at the show & was allowed to spec a 4 litre car in exactly the way I wanted, still got the spec sheet. I'm not sure if it is the last 4 litre, but was lead to believe that it probably was. I think the factory must have been short of orders at the time because my car was delivered to the dealer just before Christmas, which was great if I could have paid for it! They kindly kept it for me until March so I could have a 'W' reg, but was the longest couple of months in my life!
19 months for me at the end of this month covering 10,500 miles.
Not sorn but the month of January have only done 50 miles due to having the man flu so just not been out and about.
Thoroughly enjoyed the Chimaera experience and the TVR gatherings that I never had time for with my Two previous TVR's.
Back Home event was my 1st TVR event with the Chimaera and then Three Thunder in tunnels,Burghley House,Blenheim Palace,Donington Classic,about Six Shelsley Walsh and since joining the TVRCC Fifteen WWM regional meets. So their not just a car they open you up to a fantastic social side that I have again thoroughly enjoyed.
Costs wise not the cheapest things to run when you pile a few miles on them and have to use the specialists to fix your niggles.I have never kept a blog on a car before but have done with this car.All costs have accumulated to £8,065 in 18 months but we have £2,826 of fuel included but averages out at £448 a month.(£425 when it changes in a few days)
But when putting depreciation into the equation then it makes them a little Gem,I paid £11k had a written valuation about 4 months ago by a TVR specialist for £11,500 and my Insurance gave a written valuation for £12k.
Roll on Spring/Summer
Not sorn but the month of January have only done 50 miles due to having the man flu so just not been out and about.
Thoroughly enjoyed the Chimaera experience and the TVR gatherings that I never had time for with my Two previous TVR's.
Back Home event was my 1st TVR event with the Chimaera and then Three Thunder in tunnels,Burghley House,Blenheim Palace,Donington Classic,about Six Shelsley Walsh and since joining the TVRCC Fifteen WWM regional meets. So their not just a car they open you up to a fantastic social side that I have again thoroughly enjoyed.
Costs wise not the cheapest things to run when you pile a few miles on them and have to use the specialists to fix your niggles.I have never kept a blog on a car before but have done with this car.All costs have accumulated to £8,065 in 18 months but we have £2,826 of fuel included but averages out at £448 a month.(£425 when it changes in a few days)
But when putting depreciation into the equation then it makes them a little Gem,I paid £11k had a written valuation about 4 months ago by a TVR specialist for £11,500 and my Insurance gave a written valuation for £12k.
Roll on Spring/Summer
Had mine near enough exactly 1 year now, covered approx 2000 miles and had a great time in it, especially the summer, loved taking it to work early mornings with roof off and once there I'm like a celebrity as everybody loves it and wants a ride in it haha!
Only had 1 problem which was a wire rubbing through which caused something to short and the injectors sticking on. A quick check over by Jason at Powers and a couple of hours labour later and it was good as gold.
I've had the exhaust manifold gaskets replaced and a full service at Powers, which was good for piece of mind as they inspected it from top to bottom and confirmed then that it was a goodun with no faults to report.
The car had a couple of mods when I bought it, but I've had the pre cats removed and whacked a lovely Clive Y piece in for good measure, otherwise it's just been machine polished and detailed to within an inch of it's life since I've had it.
At some point I'd like to really look at the suspension / handling side and upgrade shocks and whatever needs to be done to get it glued down properly.
Love it though, there are only a couple of motors now I'd even entertain swapping it for!
Only had 1 problem which was a wire rubbing through which caused something to short and the injectors sticking on. A quick check over by Jason at Powers and a couple of hours labour later and it was good as gold.
I've had the exhaust manifold gaskets replaced and a full service at Powers, which was good for piece of mind as they inspected it from top to bottom and confirmed then that it was a goodun with no faults to report.
The car had a couple of mods when I bought it, but I've had the pre cats removed and whacked a lovely Clive Y piece in for good measure, otherwise it's just been machine polished and detailed to within an inch of it's life since I've had it.
At some point I'd like to really look at the suspension / handling side and upgrade shocks and whatever needs to be done to get it glued down properly.
Love it though, there are only a couple of motors now I'd even entertain swapping it for!
raceboy said:
Just been through my vast file of service history and since June 1999 it's relieved me of £22,000
£1375 a year doesn't sound quite as bad!
That's just service/maintenance not tax, insurance, petrol etc.
Worth every penny.
I'll try and break it to you gently... But adding that lot is another £40k£1375 a year doesn't sound quite as bad!
That's just service/maintenance not tax, insurance, petrol etc.
Worth every penny.
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