Just bought my first TVR this morning

[jsr]

Just bought my first TVR this morning - a rather nice 4.0 Chimaera in Atlantic Halcyon Blue. I know you're not supposed to buy the first example you look at, but it's the colour i wanted and mechanically it's excellent.

The interior is a little untidy, but the test drive really sold it!

Already got a list of things to fix however. It would be much appreciated if you could point me in the right direction for companies in the Essex area who could help and what sort of cost i'll be looking at. In particular, is this something CDL can do as i live a mile or two from them.

- electric mirrors don't work
- passenger door doesn't open from outside
- fuel gauge moving eraticly
- chassis needs to be waxoyl'd

Also, how much would new carpets cost and also new seats - doesn't need to be done, but something i might consider at a later date.

Pick the car up next Saturday - it'll be the longest 7 days of my life. Cant wait

[HarryW]

Firstly, welcome , secondly I know its the colour you like but the list you have so far could grow quiet quickly once you've owned the car for a few weeks. What I'm trying to say is, are you sure its the 'right' car for you Can I assume the price reflected the condition and list of to do things + some .
If it didn't then there are plenty of cars out there that are begging for buyers, it is a chimaera buyers market at present, hang on in there.

If however you are totally happy with the car and take offence in any way to what I've just said above, then enjoy and forget I ever said them .

Harry

[pies]

CDL have some spare engineers at the mo as they are not going to Oz.

[jsr]

Price of the TVR was good and they knocked off £1000 straight away when i mentioned the bits to be done. Also got more than what i wanted for my trade in, so all-in-all it was a good purchase.

Just checked HPI and it's all clear and the low mileage is genuine.

I'm well happy

[HarryW]

jsr said:

I'm well happy

Thats the main thing

H

[Nick P]

congrats...I have the same model and dont regret it for a minute....I have had it a year now and EVERY time I drive it, it puts a smile on my face..

[Ballistic Banana]

jsr said:

- electric mirrors don't work

Possibly a faulty relay

jsr said:

- passenger door doesn't open from outside

Dont know that one, sorry

jsr said:

- fuel gauge moving eraticly

Most likely to be a dodgy earth or the sender in the tank is very loose.

jsr said:

- chassis needs to be waxoyl'd

Can get it done fro under a tin or do it yourself with a Waxoyle kit from Halfords.Also might be worth rubbing down any loose stuff and hammeriting it aswell. There is some other stuff thats meant to be quite good, try a search through the TVR forums using the Nav bar above.

jsr said:

Pick the car up next Saturday - it'll be the longest 7 days of my life. Cant wait

Yep it always is

Good luck

Simon

[tonyrec]

Congrats on the choice of car and of course the colour.

You should budget on around £400 for new carpets but out of the list of faults i would get the door opening fixed asap.
Its the most serious,will get you into trouble with the BiB (if examined of course) and is a Prohibitionable (PG9) Offence.

Good luck but as many will tell you on here, the next 7 days will ddrraagggggggg.

[UpTheIron]

jsr said:

- passenger door doesn't open from outside -

What year car? What model door opener - i.e. mechanical push button above rear wheel arch (ish) or electronic button/switch on the wing mirror?

I guess it works OK from the inside...if it is the earlier version then it is quite likely that the cable has snapped / detached itself. Happened to my 1993 Chim when I had it.

[Evo]

Wait till it's the night before,my wife sent me out of the bedroom

Congrats and welcome to TVR ownership I've had my 4.0 Chim for one week now. come friday night and I can't wait until Saturday to take it out for a spin.

>> Edited by Evo on Saturday 25th October 19:44

[cosmoschick]

Well done!

I've got a 4.0L Chim in cosmos blue Like you, the colour sold it to me but the condition of the car was sound both inside and out.

Lots of sleepless nights until you take delivery but it'll be well worth the agonizing wait

Enjoy

[Voltaire53]

jsr said:

Just bought my first TVR this morning - a rather nice 4.0 Chimaera in Atlantic Halcyon Blue. I know you're not supposed to buy the first example you look at, but it's the colour i wanted and mechanically it's excellent

Just wanted to say welcome to the world of TVR ownership ... and what a fine colour choice you have made (though is it not Atlantis Halcyon)

[RichardR]

tonyrec said:

You should budget on around £400 for new carpets but out of the list of faults i would get the door opening fixed asap. Its the most serious,will get you into trouble with the BiB (if examined of course) and is a Prohibitionable (PG9) Offence.

On that basis, surely the car is unroadworthy in which case (working on the assumption that you're buying from a dealer) you should get them to sort the door before you take delivery. (Sounds like it could also have the potential to be expensive).

Hope you survive the next week without turning into an emotional wreck!

[jessica]

I remember it well no sleep,sweating,inability to concentrate,unable to eat. feeling sick and excited all at the same time.

yup u got it.. That first fizzy feeling of TVR ownership.....
Wait for the second part of the condition it's called Coathanger mouth

[RichardR]

jessica said:

Wait for the second part of the condition it's called Coathanger mouth

[chris43]

jsr said:

Just bought my first TVR this morning - a rather nice 4.0 Chimaera in Atlantic Halcyon Blue. I know you're not supposed to buy the first example you look at, but it's the colour i wanted and mechanically it's excellent. The interior is a little untidy, but the test drive really sold it! Already got a list of things to fix however. It would be much appreciated if you could point me in the right direction for companies in the Essex area who could help and what sort of cost i'll be looking at. In particular, is this something CDL can do as i live a mile or two from them. - electric mirrors don't work - passenger door doesn't open from outside - fuel gauge moving eraticly - chassis needs to be waxoyl'd Also, how much would new carpets cost and also new seats - doesn't need to be done, but something i might consider at a later date. Pick the car up next Saturday - it'll be the longest 7 days of my life. Cant wait

[chris43]

Try Coverdale for carpets,
aprox £150 for full set & you fit them.
Or, as I did, just buy the carpet from them by the metre & have the carpet made in sections if it does not all need replacing.
They will post you samples of the carpet in whatever colour you want.
Welcome to the most helpfull bunch of idiots you could wish to have verbal intercourse with!!!

[Incorrigible]

jsr said:

- electric mirrors don't work

Depending on the year, there's either a relay in the drivers door or mirror control unit behind the stereo. this and fuses, or wiring in the door are the most common faults I've heard of

jsr said:

- passenger door doesn't open from outside

Either the switch on the mirror, the solenoid or a fuse again, out with the multi-meter

jsr said:

- fuel gauge moving eraticly

When you're in the Passenger B-pillar checking the door solenoid, check all the wiring to and from the boot, if erratic is eiterh reading right or a false empty this could be your problem (check all the rear lights work after you've done this)

jsr said:

- chassis needs to be waxoyl'd

As before

jsr said:

Pick the car up next Saturday - it'll be the longest 7 days of my life. Cant wait

[antonyb]

Steve Heaths bible on the chim/griff sorts nearly all of my problems like these out pronto. Its a really good buy.

[M@H]

jsr said:

Just bought my first TVR this morning - a rather nice 4.0 Chimaera in Atlantic Halcyon Blue. I know you're not supposed to buy the first example you look at, but it's the colour i wanted and mechanically it's excellent. The interior is a little untidy, but the test drive really sold it! Already got a list of things to fix however. It would be much appreciated if you could point me in the right direction for companies in the Essex area who could help and what sort of cost i'll be looking at. In particular, is this something CDL can do as i live a mile or two from them. - electric mirrors don't work - passenger door doesn't open from outside - fuel gauge moving eraticly - chassis needs to be waxoyl'd Also, how much would new carpets cost and also new seats - doesn't need to be done, but something i might consider at a later date. Pick the car up next Saturday - it'll be the longest 7 days of my life. Cant wait

JSR many congrats on your purchase..

Can I ask a slightly odd question though.. did you conciously choose to buy through a dealer (I'm assuming you did) and not privately.. is the private market a bit too much of an unknown..?

Much appreciated,
Matt
(and an immaculate Blue 1993 4.0 that is on the private market at the moment, hence the question)


>> Edited by M@H on Wednesday 29th October 16:54