Off shopping for Chimaeras tomorrow
Discussion
Hello all,
Thought I'd introduce myself as a potential Chimaera owner, (so at the moment, sorry, I'm just an interloper on this forum).
The itch won't go away, and the urge to scratch it has become overwhelming. Had a test drive in a Chim 400 last weekend - at a local dealer - premium price but actually needed quite a lot doing ("oh don't worry sir, we'll put it through the workshops before you take it"). Oil pressure never got above 15, down on power, rev counter leaping about all over the shop, mirrors, windows, indicators and interior fan all u/s. Not that impressed. Walked away.
However, speaking to some other (better) dealers (sadly about a 3 hour drive away) I am feeling reassured. Driving a tidy sounding 450 in the morning and a very nice looking 500 in the afternoon.
My guess is, I'll be back here on Friday announcing some news...
Thought I'd introduce myself as a potential Chimaera owner, (so at the moment, sorry, I'm just an interloper on this forum).
The itch won't go away, and the urge to scratch it has become overwhelming. Had a test drive in a Chim 400 last weekend - at a local dealer - premium price but actually needed quite a lot doing ("oh don't worry sir, we'll put it through the workshops before you take it"). Oil pressure never got above 15, down on power, rev counter leaping about all over the shop, mirrors, windows, indicators and interior fan all u/s. Not that impressed. Walked away.
However, speaking to some other (better) dealers (sadly about a 3 hour drive away) I am feeling reassured. Driving a tidy sounding 450 in the morning and a very nice looking 500 in the afternoon.
My guess is, I'll be back here on Friday announcing some news...
Welcome 
With regard to the one you've already looked at - the it's my understanding pretty much all the rev counters jump about. All the RV8 TVRs I've driven did.
When you said "u/s", I assume you mean unserviceable? Most of those, if not all, are serviceable/fixable. It might not have been as bad as you thought. Are you handy with the spanners?
Have fun with the 450 (the best variant
) and the 500 
Let us know how the test drives go.
With regard to the one you've already looked at - the it's my understanding pretty much all the rev counters jump about. All the RV8 TVRs I've driven did.
When you said "u/s", I assume you mean unserviceable? Most of those, if not all, are serviceable/fixable. It might not have been as bad as you thought. Are you handy with the spanners?
Have fun with the 450 (the best variant
) and the 500 Let us know how the test drives go.
Thanks Caduceus,
Yes, I did mean unserviceable, but I take your point, they could all be fixed. I was just a little disappointed that the dealer was asking top dollar but putting it up on the forecourt with all of these faults still present. It was a case of "we'll fix what you find" which bothered me. The test drive was a series of silly frustrations (for example, there were no indicators, but I couldn't open the window to signal, and having to sit waiting to turn right made me feel a bit of a sitting duck, especially as the rear view mirror had fallen off!) To be honest though I was more concerned about the lack of grunt, I guess the camshaft was probably on its way out (53,000 miles).
I'm fairly handy with spanners (although electrics were never my strong point) and I am going into TVR ownership with my eyes open (as in, I expect to see all of these faults and more during my ownership) but it did make me wonder about the dealer.
In contrast, the calls I have made to the other dealers have been more along the lines of "yes, it had a whole bunch of stuff wrong when we took it in, but we've fixed it all now, everything works and we'll give you a 12 month warranty anyway"
So far, it sounds like it will be worth the trip!
Yes, I did mean unserviceable, but I take your point, they could all be fixed. I was just a little disappointed that the dealer was asking top dollar but putting it up on the forecourt with all of these faults still present. It was a case of "we'll fix what you find" which bothered me. The test drive was a series of silly frustrations (for example, there were no indicators, but I couldn't open the window to signal, and having to sit waiting to turn right made me feel a bit of a sitting duck, especially as the rear view mirror had fallen off!) To be honest though I was more concerned about the lack of grunt, I guess the camshaft was probably on its way out (53,000 miles).
I'm fairly handy with spanners (although electrics were never my strong point) and I am going into TVR ownership with my eyes open (as in, I expect to see all of these faults and more during my ownership) but it did make me wonder about the dealer.
In contrast, the calls I have made to the other dealers have been more along the lines of "yes, it had a whole bunch of stuff wrong when we took it in, but we've fixed it all now, everything works and we'll give you a 12 month warranty anyway"
So far, it sounds like it will be worth the trip!
Ah, I thought you meant the indicators were fast (bulb gone) or floppy stalk. But the fact they didn't work at all is very poor. Also the broken rear view mirror. How did it pass an MOT? Yeah, I'd be worried too by the sounds of it.
Hopefully the next two will be more sorted and in a drive away worthy condition.
Hopefully the next two will be more sorted and in a drive away worthy condition.
Quick Update - All dealers are not the same!
Had a busy day yesterday (drove over 500 miles without including the test drives) and whilst it was a long day, it was a totally different experience. Two dealers stood out (Neil Garner Performance Engineering and Woody at TVR101). Both had really good, straight honest cars, weren't even the slightest bit pushy about getting the sale, and I would be delighted to be a customer of either of them.
I now have the dilemma - do I go for low mileage, fewer owners, higher price vs 90k miles, but loads of extras and really well-sorted for a bit less money (both 450's).
Honestly torn, both drove well, slightly worried about the resale value of the leggier one, but then I'd be buying it for less.
Do I go and look at more or will I just confuse the issue further?
(Ancillary question: whilst these were no slouches, the 450's still don't seem all that fast to me, should I be looking at a 500?)
Had a busy day yesterday (drove over 500 miles without including the test drives) and whilst it was a long day, it was a totally different experience. Two dealers stood out (Neil Garner Performance Engineering and Woody at TVR101). Both had really good, straight honest cars, weren't even the slightest bit pushy about getting the sale, and I would be delighted to be a customer of either of them.
I now have the dilemma - do I go for low mileage, fewer owners, higher price vs 90k miles, but loads of extras and really well-sorted for a bit less money (both 450's).
Honestly torn, both drove well, slightly worried about the resale value of the leggier one, but then I'd be buying it for less.
Do I go and look at more or will I just confuse the issue further?
(Ancillary question: whilst these were no slouches, the 450's still don't seem all that fast to me, should I be looking at a 500?)
A good 4.0 litre doesn't hang about compared to other makes! The 450 should only be 10-15% down on power compared to a 500 so maybe ask if a cam change has ever been done?
If it's the choice of the 2 on the websites, be aware that the blue one at TVR101 having the non standard lights, although better, may affect future resale. Not that you are looking that far ahead I bet, but some insurance companies can be very awkward about non-standard parts, even if it's an improvement.
If it's the choice of the 2 on the websites, be aware that the blue one at TVR101 having the non standard lights, although better, may affect future resale. Not that you are looking that far ahead I bet, but some insurance companies can be very awkward about non-standard parts, even if it's an improvement.
Dont be worried about the high mileage to much, overall condition of the car is the key.
Helps if full history,but a lot of high mileage babes out there, have generally had an engine rebuild of some description in their time.
Alot will agree,that once you learn how to drive a TVR(its not the same as an ordinary car),you will get the true reflection on how mad they can be.
The 450 is supposedly the best overall engine for drivability and performance upgrades,however for me,the shear anger of the 500 engine at full potential,was always in my mind,when i personally had a 400 which i modified to 285BHP, but still longed for a 500,which i now have
End of the day,they are all special in their own right,go on take the plunge and join the MAD MAD and extremely friendly world of TVR ownership
Helps if full history,but a lot of high mileage babes out there, have generally had an engine rebuild of some description in their time.
Alot will agree,that once you learn how to drive a TVR(its not the same as an ordinary car),you will get the true reflection on how mad they can be.
The 450 is supposedly the best overall engine for drivability and performance upgrades,however for me,the shear anger of the 500 engine at full potential,was always in my mind,when i personally had a 400 which i modified to 285BHP, but still longed for a 500,which i now have
End of the day,they are all special in their own right,go on take the plunge and join the MAD MAD and extremely friendly world of TVR ownership
FlyingPanda said:
I now have the dilemma - do I go for low mileage, fewer owners, higher price vs 90k miles, but loads of extras and really well-sorted for a bit less money (both 450's).
People asking the same question on here are always encouraged to buy on condition, exactly what I did. My car is a 1998 450 and I got it cheap at the time (March 2010) but I have had a body off chassis refurb including new outriggers and a cam change done since then. I bought the car cheap but knew it was going to be a good one once I had competed the work that I had been advised would be needed if it hadn't been done before then.The cam change (moved from a VERY worn original to latest 885 from Dom) has transformed the car and it is now a noticeably quicker 450 than it was
If you have a chance to drive a 500 then do so but remember better maintained cars will always drive better than poorly maintained ones. Before I had my cam changed a well sorted 400 would make mine look slow and generally perform better.
caduceus said:
Welcome
With regard to the one you've already looked at - the it's my understanding pretty much all the rev counters jump about. All the RV8 TVRs I've driven did.
Mine doesn't. Never did, either (I've had it for the best part of a decade). Early car with ETB gauges, FWIW.With regard to the one you've already looked at - the it's my understanding pretty much all the rev counters jump about. All the RV8 TVRs I've driven did.
Jumping tach sounds like a faulty earth at the tach and/or ignition.
900T-R said:
caduceus said:
Welcome
With regard to the one you've already looked at - the it's my understanding pretty much all the rev counters jump about. All the RV8 TVRs I've driven did.
Mine doesn't. Never did, either (I've had it for the best part of a decade). Early car with ETB gauges, FWIW.With regard to the one you've already looked at - the it's my understanding pretty much all the rev counters jump about. All the RV8 TVRs I've driven did.
Jumping tach sounds like a faulty earth at the tach and/or ignition.
CHIMV8 500 said:
Dont be worried about the high mileage to much, overall condition of the car is the key.
Helps if full history,but a lot of high mileage babes out there, have generally had an engine rebuild of some description in their time.
Alot will agree,that once you learn how to drive a TVR(its not the same as an ordinary car),you will get the true reflection on how mad they can be.
The 450 is supposedly the best overall engine for drivability and performance upgrades,however for me,the shear anger of the 500 engine at full potential,was always in my mind,when i personally had a 400 which i modified to 285BHP, but still longed for a 500,which i now have
End of the day,they are all special in their own right,go on take the plunge and join the MAD MAD and extremely friendly world of TVR ownership
As above mentioned by on condition. If you can find a car that has had the body off, and the chassis totally restored and all its ancillaries either replaced or refurbished like the diff or gearbox, with a top end engine rebuild, by a reputable firm like Neil Garner's, then you have the base to build your idea car. A full respray and interior trim issues can be easily sorted.Helps if full history,but a lot of high mileage babes out there, have generally had an engine rebuild of some description in their time.
Alot will agree,that once you learn how to drive a TVR(its not the same as an ordinary car),you will get the true reflection on how mad they can be.
The 450 is supposedly the best overall engine for drivability and performance upgrades,however for me,the shear anger of the 500 engine at full potential,was always in my mind,when i personally had a 400 which i modified to 285BHP, but still longed for a 500,which i now have
End of the day,they are all special in their own right,go on take the plunge and join the MAD MAD and extremely friendly world of TVR ownership
. Well, finally gone and done it! Spent another weekend of test drives and finally found 'the one'! Ended up going for a low mileage but thoroughly cherished example. Damn sure I paid too much, but it drove so well and looked so straight that I couldn't resist.
Picking it up next Saturday. Excited would be one word to use, but there are many others!
If anyone has any knowledge of S337LLR please get in touch!
Picking it up next Saturday. Excited would be one word to use, but there are many others!
If anyone has any knowledge of S337LLR please get in touch!
Cor blimey govner, you've really gone and done it there 
That looks like a beauty
The interior light works, good start
If the car gets under your skin and you fall for it, your starting position seems a very very good choice to me.
Under bonet pics would be good, price, hmmm, your business but you don't buy a V8 car that looks anything like that and goes like a Tvr should to cheaply in my opinion.
Congratulations
That looks like a beauty
The interior light works, good start
If the car gets under your skin and you fall for it, your starting position seems a very very good choice to me.
Under bonet pics would be good, price, hmmm, your business but you don't buy a V8 car that looks anything like that and goes like a Tvr should to cheaply in my opinion.
Congratulations
ChilliWhizz said:
Welcome to TVR ownership
Looks like you've bought what many have come to realise is the fastest colour - Highland Pearl (or very close to it) Car looks beautiful....
So, er, wotcha gonna modify first
That's got me tickled, give the man a chance Richard, Looks like you've bought what many have come to realise is the fastest colour - Highland Pearl
(or very close to it) Car looks beautiful.... So, er, wotcha gonna modify first
I'd say it's nigh on perfect, the handbrake lever could do with upgrading
but wait, it appears to work, leave it well alone. The colour is a bonus
Did you get a good look at it underneath Flying Panda.
what engine size etc, looks very original and the better for it
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