TVR chimaera as daily driver

[C2james]

So could you use a chimaera as a daily driver, I'd love to get one next year and was wondering if anybody else does use one daily. I wouldn't be solidly everyday I'd use it but several times a week and probably a good blast on weekends, so do any of you guys use them or would it be a bit silly?

Cheers

[tomsugden]

I had a TVR 350i as my only car, and used it everyday regardless of weather. I'd imagine a chimp is going to be much more refined. Go for it.

[300bhp/ton]

C2james said:

So could you use a chimaera as a daily driver, I'd love to get one next year and was wondering if anybody else does use one daily. I wouldn't be solidly everyday I'd use it but several times a week and probably a good blast on weekends, so do any of you guys use them or would it be a bit silly?

Cheers

I don't see why not. Would be no different to running a classic car as a daily and plenty of people do that. Most of the oily bits are all from other cars, so should be robust and reliable.

Just use common sense with regards to maintenance and preventive maintenance. And remember it is a hand-built sports car.

[McSam]

Garlick!


He uses his not as a daily, but at least frequently, and it doesn't seem to need pampering too much. With a good one I imagine you'd be fine, but I would want a backup car just in case.

[Alex]

Did 41k miles in three years in my Griff 500.

[nonuts]

Using it more will almost certainly mean it works better than the ones that are left for weeks and months between uses. I'd have no hesitation in using one as a daily and know at least one person that did for quite some time.

[pmanson]

I know that BobThePlanner used to use his a daily driver...


I use mine a couple of times a week, i'd use it more often but due to the amount of business mileage I do it wouldn't be cost effective.

Phill

[300bhp/ton]

That's a good point about fuel. While the RV8 can see 25mpg+ you are more likely to be nearer 18-20mpg if you make use of having a V8.

I also tend to run my RV8 on super unleaded although it's not a requirement.

[C2james]

Yeah I know Garlick uses his regularly and I know I will probably on average 20mpg, I've started looking at all the things that go wrong. If I can get one it will be a great 21st birthday present.

[pmanson]

C2james said:

Yeah I know Garlick uses his regularly and I know I will probably on average 20mpg, I've started looking at all the things that go wrong. If I can get one it will be a great 21st birthday present.

One thing I will say (having had mine 6 months or so) that part of the ownership experience is fixing the little niggles when things go wrong / car isn't running right etc.

If you want something that you can get out of the garage and just drive it may not be the car for you...

You also need to keep a good budget back for running costs - service / MOT etc. At the end of the day they are not new cars.

Mine is a 97 R, it will need new out rigggers (£1,500) next year and ideally a new roof (£500) at some point.

Mine is parked up in the office car park now and I love it - as long as you go into with your eyes open you can't go wrong.

[C2james]

I know it could be expensive, I will probably only run it for 2ish years so hopefully I won't lose much money and if I pick carefully hopefully won't cost much in terms of running. Although saying that I will buy one and the engine will probably blow up.

[qualityscrew]

In ten years I used six different TVRs as daily drives, including a Chimaera for two. Great fun, all of them!

[Rude-boy]

Very doable and it could even be enjoyable if you can sort things like making it waterproof and making the heating/cooling work properly.

[McSam]

I'm suddenly not a big fan of yours, James..

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/4142287.htm

[Chris71]

It can be done - and like most cars they seem to respond well to regular running - but it will obviously take more commitment than running a modern mass produced car.

The good bits:

• Grin factor
• Big boot and reasonable interior space
• Reasonably relaxed motorway cruiser
• Relatively comfortable interior
• Half decent demisting, heater etc.
• Cheap insurance and VED
• Hoods are relatively watertight as specialist convertibles go

The not so good bits:

• Even on a run they struggle to better 20 mpg. I'd hazard a guess at around 15 mpg in town
• You will get noticed (not great if you have to park in a dodgy area or if you neighbours object to the sound of a V8 starting up every morning)
• You'll need to look after the chassis very carefully if you're using it in the wet or on salted roads. The outriggers rust for a pastime and they're expensive to repair
• TVR specialists tend to be quite expensive and service intervals are short - of course, if you're mechanically competent you can get round this by doing your own servicing and keeping a record with all the receipts etc.

Also, bear in mind, while their lairy reputation is somewhat overstated you need to be comfortable with the lack of ABS and traction control in slippery conditions.

ETA I'd add as a general observation that it depends a lot on your commute. The novelty of driving a special car starts to wear off if you're trudging through the suburbs at 20 mph. In that case I personally wouldn't bother. If, however, you start your day blasting across the Pennines or something then I'd say get it bought...

Edited by Chris71 on Monday 20th August 17:08

[C2james]

McSam said:

I'm suddenly not a big fan of yours, James..

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/4142287.htm

Oh god that's lovely, seems a little cheap. Cheers for the pointers about running.

[ph1l5]

I use mine as a daily driver. Just about to push 98k miles she has not missed a beat (I do have to take the really long way home on a sunny day though)

[Marlin45]

McSam said:

I'm suddenly not a big fan of yours, James..

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/4142287.htm

Is that all these go for now!!!! Bargain

[Rude-boy]

Chris71 said:

ETA I'd add as a general observation that it depends a lot on your commute. The novelty of driving a special car starts to wear off if you're trudging through the suburbs at 20 mph. In that case I personally wouldn't bother. If, however, you start your day blasting across the Pennines or something then I say get it bought...

100% agree. The CS would not be anywhere near as much fun if I didn't have a 7-8 mile drive on a nice little B road to work.

With the TVR the boot is great and practical but remember that unless yo buy an old roof and split it Targa style (and put up with the problems doing that) that boot becomes a pain in the arse everytime you want to take the roof off. The whole thing needs to be emptied to get the roof panel in, and even then it tends to be one of those jobs you have to get the knack to do quickly.

One other minor point is that if you are likely to have to drive over many sleeping policemen forget it, or accept that you are going to have to run it well jacked up or spend you spare cash on new back boxes.

[C2james]

Luckily i will be just around the corner from goodwood with no speed bumps that I've seen so far in Chichester, and 2 mins away from nice sweeping country lanes to give it a good blast.