Do I really want a Chimaera? Part 1

Do I really want a Chimaera? Part 1

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Discussion

tamago

Original Poster:

532 posts

261 months

Friday 25th October 2002
quotequote all
Until I sat in my friends Halcyon Blue 4.0 in the heat of Kuala Lumpur, I never considered buying a TVR. That ride last year changed my whole perception of TVR's and when I came back from Malaysia, I was looking through all the car mags and have been PH virtually everyday. Also decided to buy "the bible" and join the TVRCC just to see the classifieds in SPRINT...

I know this is a room mainly for fellow owners to air their problems in order for others to help but coming from a series of European/Japanese cars, it appears to me that the problems the average Chim owner experiences would seriously diminish the potential ownership prospects. This is because:
1- Private money is going into this purchase and it will be a T reg or later (I have a private plate) so it will be around £20K at least, even though winter is coming.
2 - Potential servicing intervals (6000 miles is very short!)
3- It will have to live outside (albeit behind electronic gates as I don`t have underground parking) and I am reading about leaks/milky glass water in footwells due to water ingress etc
4- The ease of reselling these cars, I am sure everyone appreciates TVRs but by and large the motoring public are a conservative lot and wouldn't seriously consider a TVR due to their perception of being unreliable and expensive to fix.

So the dilemma I am now facing is whether my hard earned cash should go into:
a) Honda 2000 - I love the styling and the engine of this car, personally the bad press is not warranted.
b) Lotus Elise series 2 (there are top finance packages out there so I for £10K I could opt for a 111S with air-con!)
c) BMW M3 E36 (unadvenurous but the "sensible" option).
It appears that even buying a Chim can be hit and miss ... My mind changes almost daily, heart says Chim and head says S2000/Elise/sensible rag top.
Help, I am having second thoughts! It is a lot of money and I don`t want to spend £20k on trouble. I guess I only live once, but I don`t want to live and regret it!!

I can't be the only one in this dilemma!?!

Any words of inspiration!??!!

>>> Edited by tamago on Friday 25th October 00:50

HarryW

15,150 posts

268 months

Friday 25th October 2002
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You're along time dead, thats all I'll say . I'm sure you'll make the right decision .

Harry

shadowninja

76,253 posts

281 months

Friday 25th October 2002
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the other ragtops may leak, the lotus is just as unreliable (apparently ) and are just as unlikely to be bought by the conservative public. I was in a similar position to you over 3 years ago and just went "buggerit" and gave my local dealership a large wad of cash (ok it was a banker's draft but that doesnt sound so good ). Despite occasional problems, I would have done it again. I don't think an Elise or S2000 wouldn't have made me feel happier as they dont have the same "grunt". The M3 is too sensible

And besides, they all don't sound as nice as my TVR, and I've heard them all with and without sports exhausts. ("Not bad" is the best that I can use to describe the sound!)

Take a risk, you'll regret it in years to come if you dont and wonder "what if I had bought one..." but by then circumstances might have changed and your lifestyle dictate that you can't have one!

Good luck

Turbo100

49 posts

278 months

Friday 25th October 2002
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Buy the Chimaera. I had a 1998 4.5 Chimaera that was the most wonderful car i've ever owned. I've driven all the other cars you have mentioned and quite frankly wouldn't even consider buying any of them after the Chimaera. It wasn't perfect all the time but then which cars are, but for the vast majority of the time it was impeccable, it didn't leak, didn't have any major problems, didn't overheat ( and I live in Australia with 40 degree heat a common occourence so the A/C runs virtually all summer, even with the top off). Just go and buy it, you won't regret it. I sold mine to buy a Tuscan. Happy motoring.

Gerrard

300 posts

265 months

Friday 25th October 2002
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As they say in the ad, "Just do it" - you'll never regret it. I sold my 99T Chim 400 on Tuesday (for two reasons only, unemployed for three months and girlfriends 3yr old didn't fit) - I didn't have a single problem with it, apart from my own stupidity, and will be returning to the fold as soon as practibly (sp?) possible. It lived outside under a Leven Tech cover in all weather. I too tested all the aformentioned vehicles (along with a few other "popular" convertibles) before returning to the TVR dealer but not one was a spot on the Chim.

Best car I've ever owned and/or driven!

mattbird

3 posts

259 months

Friday 25th October 2002
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I have driven all of the cars you mentioned.... and own a Chimaera (98S 450)

You will not get a better car than the Chimaera for smiles per mile.

It is a sports car and so expect sports car servicing costs.

Mine is reliable/dry.... I spend on average £1000 a year in servicing costs.

I did get a bit of white mist on the windscreen due to water getting under the laminate but that was replaced recently on insurance (picked up a chip which turned into a crack).

If you are looking for a fun sports car you have to go for the Chimaera.

incorrigible

13,668 posts

260 months

Friday 25th October 2002
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If it's going to live outside, why not get a Cerb ?

If it has to be convertable S2000 is the sensible choice, but you only live once

rowland

24 posts

259 months

Friday 25th October 2002
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I'm in a similar quandry, had a pre-cat Griff and sold it (bad move), now have Westfield SEight - a total hoot, biggest grin factor per pound sterling ever; I like the Elise but you have to be a gynaecologist to get in and out of it with the hood up,
Westy too anti-social for the wife, at this time of year it can be very cold; in reality it's four-wheeled motor-bike.
So, to have more room boot space than the Griff (just) it looks like my next toy must be a Chimera
Remember, people do not stop playing because they get old, they get old because they stop playing.
Go for the TVR because if there a cameras about you can still enjoy the noise.

douglasr

1,092 posts

271 months

Friday 25th October 2002
quotequote all
I had exactly the same choice...and bought an S2000. In the end I didn't even test drive the Chimeara, because I really wanted one and knew that the V8 would sell it.

My main reasons for choosing the S2000 were as follows:

1. I have owned 3 Honda's and they have been totally reliable. Unfortunately this means I now hate cars that suffer niggles and are potentially unreliable.
2. The servicing costs are 40% of a Chimaera. The fuel cost are about 60% of a Chimaera.
3. There is only one TVR dealer in Scotland. The franchise changed hands around the time I was ready to buy. There is only one specialist any where near me.
4. The S2000's hood goes up or down in 6 seconds - proved very useful this summer. It doesn't leak one drop, even in driving rain on the motorway.
5. Resale - the S2000 holds its value better than most cars (it was listed as second to the Boxster in Autocar a few months back). Chimaera residuals are good, but resale is difficult (especially in a limited market like Scotland.
6. TVR warranty and customer service is lacking. (Honda recently discovered that S2000's used on track suffered oil starvation on the No4 cylinder. They issued a recall, fitted a modified oil bolt and added 12 months warranty on the engine).

So, I let my head rule my heart (if you can call an S2000 a purchase made with the head).
If you live near a good dealer, have access to good specialist and have the mind-set that forgives niggles and occasional failures, then the TVR case is extremely strong.
If you have any doubts, test drive the Lotus, the S2000 and the Chimaera and buy the one you like best, before the sunny weather returns and prices firm up.

For info on the S2000 got to www.s2ki.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?s=5eeff927051efd5ae33ab1188441886d&forumid=25


>> Edited by douglasr on Friday 25th October 11:36

>> Edited by douglasr on Friday 25th October 11:37

yum

529 posts

272 months

Friday 25th October 2002
quotequote all

douglasr said: I had exactly the same choice...and bought an S2000. In the end I didn't even test drive the Chimeara, because I really wanted one and knew that the V8 would sell it.



Fantastic logic - don't test one in case you like it and want to buy one!

beano1197

20,854 posts

274 months

Friday 25th October 2002
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My boss has an S2000. Accompanied by all sorts of problems:

Vibrations in gearbox/clutch which the dealers just cannot cure, and then the rear suspension collapsed big time on him on the motorway (resulting in a 540 degree spin!).

Now - one car doesn't mean a trend, but just goes to show that even what you might consider the most reliable aint guaranteed!

incorrigible

13,668 posts

260 months

Friday 25th October 2002
quotequote all

yum said:

douglasr said: I had exactly the same choice...and bought an S2000. In the end I didn't even test drive the Chimeara, because I really wanted one and knew that the V8 would sell it.

Fantastic logic - don't test one in case you like it and want to buy one!

I disagree, if you know you're that weak willed that an engine note will sell it to you (and you've already decided you'd prefer the Honda) Why put yourself through it

Lifes too short not to have a TVR IMHO, but would I buy one if I didn't have a garage ? tricky one

Scruffle

3,757 posts

260 months

Friday 25th October 2002
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incorrigible said:



You big girl.

I'm surprised you can get anything else in your garage anyway... with all that stuff in it...

Edited


>> Edited by Scruffle on Friday 25th October 12:15

plotloss

67,280 posts

269 months

Friday 25th October 2002
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My Chim is on the street all year round no problems whatsoever. My advice: Get one and damned quickly as you'll not regret it.

I tried the S2000 and didnt much fancy it, a bit too sewing machine for me. Added to which I had no need for the Barbicide holders.

Matt.

>> Edited by plotloss on Friday 25th October 12:17

N17 TVR

2,937 posts

270 months

Friday 25th October 2002
quotequote all



I tried the S2000 and didnt much fancy it, a bit too sewing machine for me. Added to which I had no need for the Barbicide holders.




Or the handy mousse storage pouch...........

Anyone for a demi wave ?

Frottage

3,757 posts

260 months

Friday 25th October 2002
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Do I really want a Chimaera?


I don't bloody know do I.

markh

2,781 posts

274 months

Friday 25th October 2002
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Lifes one tricky dission after another, how do we survive! now seeing I have no idea, should I have and an indian or a Chinese tonight?. Should I ware blue socks or..........

dreamcar

80 posts

281 months

Friday 25th October 2002
quotequote all
Get one - I bought mine new in 1999, a 450. It's done 42000 now and I still love it. I'm doing 700 miles a week at the moment and it's perfect.

Last week drove from Worthing to Glossop to do some work and came back over the snake pass, roof off, fleece on, and thought - it doesn't get much better than this. 600 mile round trip in 2 days and quite comfy and a decent boot so I can carry my work gear around.

Servicing seems to always be about £600 and I reckon I get the same economy as my Volvo T5 - about 22 - 25mpg if you do a lot of fast long runs.

It's reliable if you use them, don't think about the residuals cause of high mileage, and just enjoy it. Look after it well - always service it on time, check oil regularly and be gentle when engine is cold and all seems well.

It was my dream for many years and circumstances let me buy one. It was scary to buy a dream car - will it live up to expectations, but it has far exceeded them.

I've driven it to Spain, France, Italy, and it has never let me down (touching all wood in sight)

Buy one!

Paul

The jiffle king

6,894 posts

257 months

Friday 25th October 2002
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Just been through the same problem, but ended up with the Chim. After 3000 miles in 6 weeks, I am sooooo glad that I went for this choice. I didn't want 2nd best, and the noise on start-up sells it!!

Go for it!!!

cockers

632 posts

280 months

Friday 25th October 2002
quotequote all

Do I really want a Chimaera?


Yes, you do.