Do I really want a Chimaera? Part 2

Do I really want a Chimaera? Part 2

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tamago

Original Poster:

532 posts

261 months

Saturday 28th December 2002
quotequote all
Just a quick update to all you kind souls that replied to my post a few months back : www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=20446&f=8&h=0
Guess what - I bought one and am currently into my first full day of ownership. What a complete blast she is, a year 2000 450 in Starmist Blue and magnolia hide...
First comment arrived this morning...a neighbour (lovely granny type person) walked past and said "that's a nice car...sports car isn't it..."
Later on, hit the Selfridges sales and parked off a sidestreet, someone just came up and paid a really nice compliment after surveying the car thoughtfully...Made me all warm inside!

One thing I have experienced quite a few times today are the number of cars that attempt to race you even though you are happily minding your own business. Especially those with bolt on bits and bobs...I was expecting this but I convinced myself that would not indulge, except that this red Fiat turbo coupe was right up my boot and refusing to budge...had enough and dropped into second and did what all BMWs do during rush hour, dived into bus lane and emerge about a zillion cars ahead and poor old Fiat driver got caught in the lights...

One thing I have noticed is how much I need to keep the fan override on in the London traffic just to keep the water temp guage hovering around 75-80. Personally I get a bit uncomfy seeing it hit 90, although judging by previous posts, this seems quite acceptable...

Other niggles? Noisy PAS pump when parking and an alarm LED that doen't seem to flash when armed...will get this looked at and hope no one tells me that "they all do that sir...!!"

And finally should mention the nice man who did so much to sell me the car...credit where it is due, James Agger is a very nice man and devoted hours of personal attention to me (even drove from Nottingham to London to let me test drive the car) - I would have no problems getting another car from him again, maybe a Cerbie soon? Yummy!



>>> Edited by tamago on Saturday 28th December 20:07

shadowninja

76,253 posts

281 months

Saturday 28th December 2002
quotequote all
congrats on the purchase! nice weather (considering the time of year) you had today too. not noticed the boy racers trying to egg me into racing, personally, but if you ever decide to prove someone that their car isnt as quick as yours at the traffic light grand prix thing remember to make sure you've practiced your race starts and gear changes... don't wanna go letting down the side now

Shuggie

33 posts

257 months

Sunday 29th December 2002
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Tamago, check your PAS fluid level. My PAS was making a bit of a noise, especially when cold. PAS fluid level dropped considerably! PAS hoses (high and low pressure) were leaking, got Andy from APM to fix it (thanks mate), Hugh

plipton

1,302 posts

257 months

Sunday 29th December 2002
quotequote all


One thing I have noticed is how much I need to keep the fan override on in the London traffic just to keep the water temp guage hovering around 75-80.

Try changing the otter switch for one a few degrees cooler. I live on Guernsey (driving in town all the time) and had the original fail and boil over. Added an over-ride switch at the same time.

From memory (and this could be wrong so check) the standard temp is something like 95 on 91 off. I put in a 93 on 89 off switch (bought from lucas). This makes the fan come on much more frequently and keeps the needle hovering around 75 - 80 degrees. So far no problems.

Like I say this is from memory - I can check if you decide to go down this road.

the dodger

2,375 posts

262 months

Monday 30th December 2002
quotequote all
75-80 deg is too cold for the engine. You need it around 90-95 for optimum performance - even higher will not be harmful as long as it doesn't boil or loose coolant.

jamer

1,329 posts

290 months

Monday 30th December 2002
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Glad to see Tamago is happy with the car and crusing the bus lanes of London

One thing he failed to mention was the fact that when I came down to london to show him ones of my TVR's we swapped over and I locked the keys in the boot when i took my coat off.... class -

I always liked the proffesional service


Anyway happy New Year to everybody

jamer

1,329 posts

290 months

Monday 30th December 2002
quotequote all
Glad to see Tamago is happy with the car and cruising the bus lanes of London

One thing he failed to mention was the fact that when I came down to london to show him ones of my TVR's we swapped over and I locked the keys in the boot when i took my coat off.... class -

I always liked the proffesional service


Anyway happy New Year to everybody

---------------------------------------------------

The drink this lunchtime was obviously a mistake as everything seems to be in duplicate



>> Edited by jamer on Monday 30th December 14:46

plipton

1,302 posts

257 months

Monday 30th December 2002
quotequote all

the dodger said: 75-80 deg is too cold for the engine. You need it around 90-95 for optimum performance - even higher will not be harmful as long as it doesn't boil or loose coolant.



Hence the 93-89 otter - what the gauge reads is 75 - 80. The engine runs in the low/mid 90s for the majority of the time.

On a long run the gauge reads around 70-75 degrees (motorway for 2 hours). If this is OK with standard airflow through the rad then I can't see a need for much higher temp in town.

GasBlaster

27,427 posts

278 months

Tuesday 31st December 2002
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Plipton, congrats on managing to drive a Chimp in Guernsey. 35mph limits, narrow lanes, no decent roads can't make it easy! How do you do it?

plipton

1,302 posts

257 months

Tuesday 31st December 2002
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GasBlaster said: Plipton, congrats on managing to drive a Chimp in Guernsey. 35mph limits, narrow lanes, no decent roads can't make it easy! How do you do it?

Er... 35....never break the limit !!!!

Narrow roads - yes - the lane I live in is 6'3" wide at its norrowest. And the chimp is ......driven carefully along it.

Thank god for France only 2 hours away on the ferry with great big empty roads.

chimburt

751 posts

258 months

Wednesday 1st January 2003
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congratulations and a very happy new year to you

good choice and good luck.

there are lots of threads on cooling but 95 is not a problem as long as those fans keep going.

have fun

robkola

1,589 posts

263 months

Thursday 2nd January 2003
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Tamago - where are you in London?

T'will be the season soon again to join the Surrey people on their runs . . . . .

Yep - you don't want to keep the engine temperature toooo low . . .

tamago

Original Poster:

532 posts

261 months

Thursday 2nd January 2003
quotequote all
Robkola - Am based in East London - (Canary Wharf) and usually around there/City/Central London. Have you gone to any of the City meets at Dirty Dicks at Liverpool St?

Surrey meets sounds appealing - especially as the A3 is very accessible from where I am! But I really wish it would stop raining...See you soon!

trackdemon

12,149 posts

260 months

Thursday 2nd January 2003
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Tamago, glad to hear you took the plunge in the end! Give me a shout if you fancy a blast after work anytime...
How do you find the DD's crowd? Haven't been down myself but keep meaning to get back on the mail list...

paulbellchambers

39 posts

277 months

Thursday 2nd January 2003
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I hope that you have as much fun I have with mine - 450 in Starmist Blue with Magnolia/Blue hide. Great fun and always put a smile on my face.

The noise is likely to be the PAS fliud level. Need to check it now and again and top up if required - the right level does make a big difference to the noise that the steering makes!!

robkola

1,589 posts

263 months

Friday 3rd January 2003
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Hope you keep an eye out for johno's fine Griff in your area.

Haven't made it to the City yet - was waiting for Shoreditch to re-open for the past year!



tamago said: Robkola - Am based in East London - (Canary Wharf) and usually around there/City/Central London. Have you gone to any of the City meets at Dirty Dicks at Liverpool St?

Surrey meets sounds appealing - especially as the A3 is very accessible from where I am! But I really wish it would stop raining...See you soon!


tamago

Original Poster:

532 posts

261 months

Friday 3rd January 2003
quotequote all
thanks for all the replies everyone - looking forward to all aspects of TVR ownership!

Trackdemon - thanks and hope to see you roaring around the Wharf soon!

Robkola - Shoreditch is now open! Dare I say it but the mad roadworks over the last few months have resulted in a rather neat 2 way system and you can cut through Commercial Road from Old St in no time...!

As luck would have it I haven't spotted any other TVR's in the last week, except a grey Cerbie passing me while in the pissing rain while I was waiting outside M&S at Moorgate...

gasblaster

27,427 posts

278 months

Friday 3rd January 2003
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Plipton, I was in (on) Guernsey a few weeks ago and saw a Lambo Diablo there... now that must be a challenge on those roads!!