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...
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!
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?)
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!
ClassiChimi said:
That's got me tickled, give the man a chance Richard, 
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
Yes, had it up on the ramps for over an hour! My main worry was that it was still on the original outriggers, so I wanted to get as good a look as possible (which as you know, you can't really do!). I used the 'tap' test, as in, I tapped them with a spanner all down each side and they all rang out beautifully , which I guess the rusty ones wouldn't do. It is a low mileage car (<30k) and looks to have been pampered all of its life. It still has the original TVR toolkit complete with gloves in the boot! I'm told it's had some paint due to stone chips, but that's been done flawlessly and there is no sign of any accident damage underneath. 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
It's a '98 450. The most surprising thing is how much better it seemed to drive than the others I tried, even ones with similar mileage. I guess I may just have got lucky there!
In terms of mods, funny enough this is the only one I tried that hadn't had the Levern alloy bits fitted, and they do look nice, so that might be a thought...
I was also wondering if black allloys and a red hood would look better...oh no.....here we go....is there a slippery slope emoticon?
TR4man said:
The photos don't do it justice, the colour combination of the paint and the mulberry (?) interior was stunning.
Yes, it's a tricky colour to photograph as in some shots it looks grey and n others it takes on a kind of bronze hue. These pics were just from my phone, but I'll take some proper ones with a real camera when I get it home next weekend!
Journey home went well apart from awful traffic on M1. Was getting a bit warm but fans always kicked in as needed (but pleased to find I have an override switch hidden under the steering column, just in case!)
Things I have learned so far:
Chimaeras don't really like sitting in traffic, and neither do I.
The heater reflects what is happening in the engine bay, so you almost don't need a temp gauge.
People look at you funny at filling stations when you appear to be filling the boot up with fuel
They are actually really smooth and comfortable (on standard wheels and tyres)
The throttle needs a really hefty shove to get it properly moving, but it will really reaaaaaally move when you ask it
You can adjust the height of all the pedals for perfect heel and toeing
Fish tailing out of junctions is fun
Your better half's first trip with the roof off shouldn't be just after she's had her hair done
Things I have learned so far:
Chimaeras don't really like sitting in traffic, and neither do I.
The heater reflects what is happening in the engine bay, so you almost don't need a temp gauge.
People look at you funny at filling stations when you appear to be filling the boot up with fuel
They are actually really smooth and comfortable (on standard wheels and tyres)
The throttle needs a really hefty shove to get it properly moving, but it will really reaaaaaally move when you ask it
You can adjust the height of all the pedals for perfect heel and toeing
Fish tailing out of junctions is fun
Your better half's first trip with the roof off shouldn't be just after she's had her hair done
s p a c e m a n said:
Open the bonnet, throttle linkage is up next to the passenger wiper. There are 2 big heavy duty springs on it for people driving range rovers with boots on, remove one spring. Quickest, cheapest and best modification you can do
Thank you for that, yes - made a big difference!Had a quick 5-hour blast today (I know, we were only going out for 'an hour or so').
Other than a slight struggle with the alarm (wouldn't set, then wouldn't unset) all went very well...
Steamstar said:
Hello, I'm new to this forum. I owned this car for 5 years, always good to me, I'd have it back in a blink of an eye if I could it was that good. Hope you're still enjoying it.
Hi Steamstar, thanks for your message and great to hear from you. I have sent you a separate response, but I’m sorry to say she won’t be leaving me any time soon!All the best
FP
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