What do we think to the current Chimaera market?
Discussion
Chimaera's have been flat for years, one of the few models that totally missed out on the inflation of the last few years.
There's one or two specialist dealers that can get away with charging £20k and still have a client list but to actually sell one privately I reckon you've got to be under 10k unless it's a 450/500/430BV and in very good condition.
On the flip side they look extremely good value to me compared to lots of over inflated crap. Someone mentioned Boxsters, it's not that long ago that you could get a running and driving one of those for £1k, my mate bought an S for 3k a few years ago. Nice cars but not a patch on a V8 TVR and a joke at 5 grand for a ropey 2.5.
There's one or two specialist dealers that can get away with charging £20k and still have a client list but to actually sell one privately I reckon you've got to be under 10k unless it's a 450/500/430BV and in very good condition.
On the flip side they look extremely good value to me compared to lots of over inflated crap. Someone mentioned Boxsters, it's not that long ago that you could get a running and driving one of those for £1k, my mate bought an S for 3k a few years ago. Nice cars but not a patch on a V8 TVR and a joke at 5 grand for a ropey 2.5.
keynsham said:
I wrote those figures and maybe it wasn't a DB5. That was he car that was stick in my mind but the numbers were correct for an Aston of some type. The point is not the car make anyway but the fact that the prices are slipping.
You have made a valid point there will be a lot of people who assumed paying anything for a car was acceptable because it will always go up.Some are going to find out that isn’t always the case the hard way.
Belle427 said:
The Boxster S of a certain year has a terrible reputation too, there was a fella recently in readers cars that bought one and it basically had engine failure some time later.
I think he sold it on with a huge loss.
The issues are blown out of proportion but do still exist.
There have been a couple of well documented issues with the Porsche flat six, the fact they have sold so many over so many years will always make it seem worse than it actually is.I think he sold it on with a huge loss.
The issues are blown out of proportion but do still exist.
It doesn’t compare in any way to what went on with the TVR Speed 6, which ultimately brought the company down.
Porsche cars with extended warranty and full Porsche service history had nothing to worry about, owners who decided to run them on the cheap were left more exposed. So no doubt a few might have come unstuck.
981Boxess said:
Belle427 said:
The Boxster S of a certain year has a terrible reputation too, there was a fella recently in readers cars that bought one and it basically had engine failure some time later.
I think he sold it on with a huge loss.
The issues are blown out of proportion but do still exist.
There have been a couple of well documented issues with the Porsche flat six, the fact they have sold so many over so many years will always make it seem worse than it actually is.I think he sold it on with a huge loss.
The issues are blown out of proportion but do still exist.
It doesn’t compare in any way to what went on with the TVR Speed 6, which ultimately brought the company down.
Porsche cars with extended warranty and full Porsche service history had nothing to worry about, owners who decided to run them on the cheap were left more exposed. So no doubt a few might have come unstuck.
swisstoni said:
Porsche’s engine woes are a better kept secret than those of the Speed Six that’s for sure.
The Speed 6 issues have probably only really been of interest to TVR owners, TVR indies and those profiting from rebuilds.If you asked anyone outside the TVR world what the Speed 6 is they would probably think it was a posh blender.
981Boxess said:
swisstoni said:
Porsche’s engine woes are a better kept secret than those of the Speed Six that’s for sure.
The Speed 6 issues have probably only really been of interest to TVR owners, TVR indies and those profiting from rebuilds.If you asked anyone outside the TVR world what the Speed 6 is they would probably think it was a posh blender.
Porsche (like any relatively large maker) were, and are, able to keep a lid on their engine issues because there isn’t a small group of owners all talking to each other.
Porsches are all over the world with many owners thinking it’s just them who’s got some engine problem and the dealer is taking care of it.
That's just deluded. I'm no Porsche fan, but seriously? What proportion of cars built had Porsche's alleged engine problems, or in fact affected any other manufacturer?
Now compare that with TVR. It was virtually every Speed 6 built at the time. Not only that, the factory rebuilds went bang time after time, because there wasn't a fix, or even an understanding of the problem. Did that happen with Porsche or anyone else?
Not only that, the factory turnaround on rebuilds was slow, and there were allegations of parts being taken from customer's cars back at the factory to be used to complete new cars so that they could be sold, but were otherwise awaiting parts from suppliers who wouldn't supply, because their bills hadn't been paid. Did that happen with Porsche or anyone else?
And above all, what has any of this got to do with Chimaera values 20 odd years later? A car that didn't ever have the Speed 6 engine!
It's a bit like saying - don't buy fish from Waitrose because John Lewis bedroom furniture isn't the best!
Now compare that with TVR. It was virtually every Speed 6 built at the time. Not only that, the factory rebuilds went bang time after time, because there wasn't a fix, or even an understanding of the problem. Did that happen with Porsche or anyone else?
Not only that, the factory turnaround on rebuilds was slow, and there were allegations of parts being taken from customer's cars back at the factory to be used to complete new cars so that they could be sold, but were otherwise awaiting parts from suppliers who wouldn't supply, because their bills hadn't been paid. Did that happen with Porsche or anyone else?
And above all, what has any of this got to do with Chimaera values 20 odd years later? A car that didn't ever have the Speed 6 engine!
It's a bit like saying - don't buy fish from Waitrose because John Lewis bedroom furniture isn't the best!
Edited by LucyP on Wednesday 18th October 17:02
LucyP said:
And above all, what has any of this got to do with Chimaera values 20 odd years later? A car that didn't ever have the Speed 6 engine!
When people hear TVR they don't necessarily think specific models. The Speed Six was such a fiasco it inevitably stained the marque. That'll have a hangover to other models too 
I can list Porsche 911 engine problems. I had one once. Early 911's had magnesium engine casings that the cylinder head studs pulled out of, later 911SC had snapping cylinder head studs and hydraulic Cam chain tensioner failures, 3.2's had failing conrod bolts, 968's leaked oil everywhere (actually they all do that!), 993 had variomatic intake failures, 996 the infamous IMS bearing, 997's cracked cylinder liners, etc, etc. Most if not all of these failures destroy the eingines too!!
So maybe TVR's own engines are not so bad after all!!!
So maybe TVR's own engines are not so bad after all!!!
keynsham said:
I can list Porsche 911 engine problems. I had one once. Early 911's had magnesium engine casings that the cylinder head studs pulled out of, later 911SC had snapping cylinder head studs and hydraulic Cam chain tensioner failures, 3.2's had failing conrod bolts, 968's leaked oil everywhere (actually they all do that!), 993 had variomatic intake failures, 996 the infamous IMS bearing, 997's cracked cylinder liners, etc, etc. Most if not all of these failures destroy the eingines too!!
So maybe TVR's own engines are not so bad after all!!!
Early Cayennes had bore scoring as well. So, new engine. No improved components mind, just a new engine.So maybe TVR's own engines are not so bad after all!!!
keynsham said:
So maybe TVR's own engines are not so bad after all!!!
The lowest mileage S6 failure that I am aware of was a Tuscan which had 281 miles on the clock. No internet myth, fact, I was there when they were unloading it.PW should have stuck to crate engines, sadly his ego got the better of him and if he hadn’t found the Russian mug he would have lost his shirt over it.
981Boxess said:
keynsham said:
So maybe TVR's own engines are not so bad after all!!!
The lowest mileage S6 failure that I am aware of was a Tuscan which had 281 miles on the clock. No internet myth, fact, I was there when they were unloading it.PW should have stuck to crate engines, sadly his ego got the better of him and if he hadn’t found the Russian mug he would have lost his shirt over it.
The engine, rebuilt properly with the correct bits, is a good engine.
Almost all engines will have had these corrections by now.
Edited by swisstoni on Sunday 22 October 20:19
Neil1323bolts said:
Well I’m very tempted by a chimaera, seems almost to good to be true 15k for a decent example, problem is I would probably have to get rid of my vx turbo to make room for it in the garage. I think I need a little drive out in one to see what all the fuss is about !
these cars complement each other. The VX is a pure driving machine whereas the Chimeara is pure theatre. The TVR's cabin is an event and the noise just heavenly, but the VX is by far a better driving tool. different itch. get a bigger garage!CABC said:
Neil1323bolts said:
Well I’m very tempted by a chimaera, seems almost to good to be true 15k for a decent example, problem is I would probably have to get rid of my vx turbo to make room for it in the garage. I think I need a little drive out in one to see what all the fuss is about !
these cars complement each other. The VX is a pure driving machine whereas the Chimeara is pure theatre. The TVR's cabin is an event and the noise just heavenly, but the VX is by far a better driving tool. different itch. get a bigger garage!I bought an Elise 111R back in march but still hanker after another Chim, problem is i dont have the space for 2!
Im not that sold on the Lotus to be honest, its a complete weapon on the road but probably belongs on a track.
Neil1323bolts said:
Well I’m very tempted by a chimaera, seems almost to good to be true 15k for a decent example, problem is I would probably have to get rid of my vx turbo to make room for it in the garage. I think I need a little drive out in one to see what all the fuss is about !
Present market, lack of confidence from owners and a shrinking market of probable owners all adds upto cars being out there you couldn’t hope to modify to that standard for the money. Top end cars are now being offered at prices upto 5-10k less than what it’s cost to keep it to this high end standard over many years.
So more than ever before well owned and maintained cars with upgrades and often problems known to these cars resolved or indeed removed with better stuff and engine rebuilds but most importantly a solid chassis or confirmed body off chassis treatment are now coming to market privately for affordable money as there is nothing that sits in the market place like them.
A test drive is a must as is a list of things you need to check or ask about.
Not all TVR are equal so testing a good car from a well known dealer and hopefully well set up would be a good benchmark.
Belle427 said:
Im not that sold on the Lotus to be honest, it’s a complete weapon on the road but probably belongs on a track.
Something I have never understood, cars are getting more powerful/faster and bigger. Most roads in this country I have driven on are ancient and in a grim state.So where do people get to cane 3/4/500 bhp cars without driving like complete tools if they are not on a track? If they are going to be on a track why not just have a purpose built trackday car instead and do the job properly?
981Boxess said:
Belle427 said:
Im not that sold on the Lotus to be honest, it’s a complete weapon on the road but probably belongs on a track.
Something I have never understood, cars are getting more powerful/faster and bigger. Most roads in this country I have driven on are ancient and in a grim state.So where do people get to cane 3/4/500 bhp cars without driving like complete tools if they are not on a track? If they are going to be on a track why not just have a purpose built trackday car instead and do the job properly?
But, the feel through the steering wheel and chassis is just amazing and life affirming, even at the speed limit(ish).
The TVR is also life affirming at the same speeds, for different reasons.
for 500hp I agree, there is a joy, but also a frustration. The oft quoted phrase that the throttle isn't an on/off switch doesn't work for me. most of the 500hp+ cars I've driven have been good but a bit numb, and would benefit from a diet for driving pleasure.
I'm reminded of an American comment on TVR, "oh, our Corvettes have the same power". And a tonne extra pig iron.
Gassing Station | Chimaera | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff