Newbie needs some honest advice
Discussion
Hello to all PHer's
I find myself needing the advice of the people in the know. I am in the hunt for my first TVR, I had set my heart on a Cebera but have been advised a more sensible introduction is a Chimaera. I have a real soft spot for both and therefore have a dilemma.
I have upto 13k ish to spend with a potential limited period (under 2 years) to enjoy my new baby before houses etc will take priority.
So what do you think? All comments welcome!
I find myself needing the advice of the people in the know. I am in the hunt for my first TVR, I had set my heart on a Cebera but have been advised a more sensible introduction is a Chimaera. I have a real soft spot for both and therefore have a dilemma.
I have upto 13k ish to spend with a potential limited period (under 2 years) to enjoy my new baby before houses etc will take priority.
So what do you think? All comments welcome!
Personally I am in favour of the Cerbie, but maybe I am biased 
However in your situation I'd go with the Chimp anyway, for three reasons
- For the 13k you are more likely to get a sound car
- Given the short enjoyment period, the Chim has the convertible roof on offer
- You can buy the Cerbie later, when you need a family car (four-seater)
However in your situation I'd go with the Chimp anyway, for three reasons
- For the 13k you are more likely to get a sound car
- Given the short enjoyment period, the Chim has the convertible roof on offer
- You can buy the Cerbie later, when you need a family car (four-seater)
sweeper said:
Personally I am in favour of the Cerbie, but maybe I am biased
However in your situation I'd go with the Chimp anyway, for three reasons
- For the 13k you are more likely to get a sound car
- Given the short enjoyment period, the Chim has the convertible roof on offer
- You can buy the Cerbie later, when you need a family car (four-seater)
However in your situation I'd go with the Chimp anyway, for three reasons
- For the 13k you are more likely to get a sound car
- Given the short enjoyment period, the Chim has the convertible roof on offer
- You can buy the Cerbie later, when you need a family car (four-seater)
This is sound advice. I had a Chim and I would have another in a flash. For 13k, you should be in decent 450 or 500 territory which would be a superb first TVR!
I'm a roof off chap but if you really want a Cerbera get a Cerbera, no brainer really. 
It depends how much on-going maintenance budget you have really. £13k would get you a very nice Chim with a year's running costs left over. I don't know how far it would go with a Cerbera, but I'm fairly sure it's safe to say less far. Plus, being able to take the roof off adds an extra dimension to the experience.
I'm by no means a Chim fanboy, but I'd say if you're torn between the two you'd definitely be better off going for the Chimaera. Your money will go further, you're probably less likely to have any mechanical issues (which will be cheaper to fix if you do), they're arguably a better handling car in stock form (I'm led to understand) and you get the same sort of practicality with the added bonus of al fresco motoring.
I'm by no means a Chim fanboy, but I'd say if you're torn between the two you'd definitely be better off going for the Chimaera. Your money will go further, you're probably less likely to have any mechanical issues (which will be cheaper to fix if you do), they're arguably a better handling car in stock form (I'm led to understand) and you get the same sort of practicality with the added bonus of al fresco motoring.
GRIFFITH !!!!!!I was in a similar dilema was hooked on the Cerb, any looked at many, however there were a few barriers that prevented me from buying, i.e speed 6, cost of engine rebuild, Maintenance cost, chassis etc.
Whilst they still have problems the Chim was a more straight forward purchase and i have not regretted it.
The chim just feels right for a tvr newbie. The open top driving experience is a real bonus too, especially in winter.
Whilst they still have problems the Chim was a more straight forward purchase and i have not regretted it.
The chim just feels right for a tvr newbie. The open top driving experience is a real bonus too, especially in winter.
Hi there,
I purchased my first TVR Chimaera nearly three years ago. After speaking to members of the TVR Car Club realised i needed to be careful not to buy an old dog. I blew the budget in the end purchasing a 98 Chimaera 500 which had been fully restored and built on a brand new chassis.
Speak to your local TVR Car Club members and ask for advice, they know the brand and may even know of a sound car for sale.
If you increase your budget i am about to sell my TVR Chimaera 500 (1998). Starmist blue, magnolia leather. MINT!
I purchased my first TVR Chimaera nearly three years ago. After speaking to members of the TVR Car Club realised i needed to be careful not to buy an old dog. I blew the budget in the end purchasing a 98 Chimaera 500 which had been fully restored and built on a brand new chassis.
Speak to your local TVR Car Club members and ask for advice, they know the brand and may even know of a sound car for sale.
If you increase your budget i am about to sell my TVR Chimaera 500 (1998). Starmist blue, magnolia leather. MINT!
The standard TVR buying adice is condition condition condition. On this basis and all the reasons stated above plus your budget the Chimaera makes the logical choice. And of course TVR people ALWAYS make logical choices 
I would advocate Chim first and Cerbera a bit further down the line when the initial big stuff is out of the way and you can look at a longer term choice of car (or cars
).
However, I would also add it depends on what you want from the car, what you will use it for (weekends only, town commutes etc), and to an extent how you drive. I have never driven a Chim 400 or a 450 Cerb But I imagine the driving experiences are light years apart. Again, not from personal experience but I understand the AJP V8's and speed six engines, not having the low end grunt of the RV8's will urge you to use the higher revs to get the power and speed. The grunty RV8 however can make you into a bit of a lazy driver (beware of this also as it can catch you out and not in a good way).
If you do decide to go the Chim route then, again depending on what you expect from the car, you need to decide on engine size. Camps seem to be divided on the 400, some have bought them and been disappointed that they're not as quick as they were expecting, others have been perfectly happy. As you probably know, TVR used a bit of poetic licence in stating power outputs. Of course there are those who bought a 500 and weren't happy...
Whatever your choice, good luck with it, and be sure to post pics soon as you have it
Cheers,
Chili
I would advocate Chim first and Cerbera a bit further down the line when the initial big stuff is out of the way and you can look at a longer term choice of car (or cars
).However, I would also add it depends on what you want from the car, what you will use it for (weekends only, town commutes etc), and to an extent how you drive. I have never driven a Chim 400 or a 450 Cerb But I imagine the driving experiences are light years apart. Again, not from personal experience but I understand the AJP V8's and speed six engines, not having the low end grunt of the RV8's will urge you to use the higher revs to get the power and speed. The grunty RV8 however can make you into a bit of a lazy driver (beware of this also as it can catch you out and not in a good way).
If you do decide to go the Chim route then, again depending on what you expect from the car, you need to decide on engine size. Camps seem to be divided on the 400, some have bought them and been disappointed that they're not as quick as they were expecting, others have been perfectly happy. As you probably know, TVR used a bit of poetic licence in stating power outputs. Of course there are those who bought a 500 and weren't happy...
Whatever your choice, good luck with it, and be sure to post pics soon as you have it
Cheers,
Chili
My personal preference would be a good Wedge over a Chimaera or Griff - and you might be able to afford to hang onto it after 2 years too. With the solid roof the Cerb is totally different.
Best thing to do is try a few different ones and when you find one you like get it inspected by someone like Rob Ingleby (findasportscar.co.uk), especially if you can't get the car on a ramp yourself to inspect the whole chassis.
If you get a good one, you shouldn't regret whichever model you buy. Enjoy the search.
Best thing to do is try a few different ones and when you find one you like get it inspected by someone like Rob Ingleby (findasportscar.co.uk), especially if you can't get the car on a ramp yourself to inspect the whole chassis.
If you get a good one, you shouldn't regret whichever model you buy. Enjoy the search.
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