My first car - Chimeara 400
My first car - Chimeara 400
Author
Discussion

NewChimBoy

Original Poster:

84 posts

185 months

Wednesday 18th May 2011
quotequote all
Just bought my very first TVR on Monday and have just logged into the "forum" for the first time as well. Checked the car over as best I could as I know little about the finer detail.
It's the 1999 400 Cooper green Chim with the very low mileage. Thing is I'm driving it (her) back from Kings Lynn to Northumberland tomorrow and am wetting myself that something should go wrong.
The car is very clean and goes fine but has only been used on short local journeys. I intend to take it very easy coming back but is there anything I should know or any advice on offer to ease my worried brow ?
It will go straight into Hexham H.C for a service when I get back.

anonymous-user

84 months

Wednesday 18th May 2011
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Is this your first car? eek

Risotto

3,933 posts

242 months

Wednesday 18th May 2011
quotequote all
NewChimBoy said:
Checked the car over as best I could as I know little about the finer detail.
Such as how to spell its name... wink Only kidding, I'm sure the journey will be fine, just enjoy it! Having said that, it wouldn't hurt to take a few basic precautions like checking all the fluids and tyre pressures before setting off. You could also take a few basic tools, tow rope, etc. Do you have breakdown cover? Many providers do cheap deals but it'll cost far more if you find yourself having to take out cover after a breakdown rather than before.

Edited by Risotto on Wednesday 18th May 15:29

Waxwork Jock

350 posts

222 months

Wednesday 18th May 2011
quotequote all
Risotto said:
Such as how to spell its name... wink Only kidding, I'm sure the journey will be fine but it wouldn't hurt to take a few basic precautions like check all the fluids and tyre pressures before setting off. You could also take a few basic tools, tow rope, etc. Do you have breakdown cover?
Just be carefull with the Tyre pressures 24lbs should do it any more and it could hurt
Graeme

M@H

11,298 posts

302 months

Wednesday 18th May 2011
quotequote all
Risotto said:
Such as how to spell its name... wink Only kidding, I'm sure the journey will be fine, just enjoy it! Having said that, it wouldn't hurt to take a few basic precautions like checking all the fluids and tyre pressures before setting off. You could also take a few basic tools, tow rope, etc. Do you have breakdown cover? Many providers do cheap deals but it'll cost far more if you find yourself having to take out cover after a breakdown rather than before.

Edited by Risotto on Wednesday 18th May 15:29
Tow rope !? I reckon that would be a quick way to knacker your nosecone if you tried to tow a chim - what would you fix it to ?

Breakdown cover thumbupsmile

ROOODBOY

4,611 posts

225 months

Wednesday 18th May 2011
quotequote all
Don't beleive all the horror stories, if it's been looked after then they are much like many other older cars.

As said above, I would just check the under bonnet fluids and tyre pressures and enjoy the drive home!


Milky400

1,960 posts

208 months

Wednesday 18th May 2011
quotequote all

It will be fine, as said ignore the horror stories, all you read about is problems. Not many Post to say how reliable the car has been. had mine for 3 years and never let me down.

Don't worry just enjoy

angry jock

1,005 posts

229 months

Wednesday 18th May 2011
quotequote all
NewChimBoy said:
Just bought my very first TVR on Monday and have just logged into the "forum" for the first time as well. Checked the car over as best I could as I know little about the finer detail.
It's the 1999 400 Cooper green Chim with the very low mileage. Thing is I'm driving it (her) back from Kings Lynn to Northumberland tomorrow and am wetting myself that something should go wrong.
The car is very clean and goes fine but has only been used on short local journeys. I intend to take it very easy coming back but is there anything I should know or any advice on offer to ease my worried brow ?
It will go straight into Hexham H.C for a service when I get back.
Ive had a couple of similar long drives after buying mine. Richard at HHC will look after you and it will be nice having another Tiv to look out for in Northumberland! Enjoy your drive back and welcome to the club!driving

NewChimBoy

Original Poster:

84 posts

185 months

Wednesday 18th May 2011
quotequote all
Yes this is my first TVR (Chimaera - terrible spella me). Also trying to get the hang of the forum. Apologies if text ends up in the wrong place.
I do have break down cover and tow rope but thanks for advice on nosecone and checking levels & tyre pressures.
Just thought it's difficult keeping your speed down to 70MPH on a motorway these days; always seem to end up in inside lane with numpties.
Yes looking forward to getting back home to begin the sorting out.
Regular visitor to Pistonheads but never been onto "Forums". Have spent all p.m. reading comments which have filled me with dread and laughter alike.
Is it best to have top up when doing motorway driving ?


.Mark

11,104 posts

306 months

Wednesday 18th May 2011
quotequote all
NewChimBoy said:
Is it best to have top up when doing motorway driving ?
Depends how dirty the inside of the car is. If there is lots of rubbish etc. anything over 90 usually sees it cleaned out nicely smile

Enjoy the drive back, it's just a car, it won't kill you, you'll make it kill you if you go beyond your limits. The cars limits are pretty extreme.

M@H

11,298 posts

302 months

Wednesday 18th May 2011
quotequote all
NewChimBoy said:
Is it best to have top up when doing motorway driving ?
Petrol - yes
Roof - depends on the weather, it gets hot in these cars on long runs with the roof on.

ph1l5

5,027 posts

232 months

Wednesday 18th May 2011
quotequote all
Don't be a homo, roof down all the way. Have fun with her and post up some pics.

NewChimBoy

Original Poster:

84 posts

185 months

Wednesday 18th May 2011
quotequote all
So roof down then although it could be a bit blustery inside ? The forecast is for dry weather tomorrow so I presume roof down it is. Trying to post a picture but size limit is between 5 & 6MB and limit is 2MB.
Advice please.

M@H

11,298 posts

302 months

Wednesday 18th May 2011
quotequote all
NewChimBoy said:
So roof down then although it could be a bit blustery inside ?
Roof dowm with back hoop up and windows up is not blustery at all - enjoy the journey smile

gifdy

2,078 posts

271 months

Wednesday 18th May 2011
quotequote all
Until you get used to it, don't accelerate going round corners. Straighten her up then boot it. If the roads are damp, this x2.

Chris99

354 posts

190 months

Wednesday 18th May 2011
quotequote all
+1 for roof down, although I find it less blustery with the rear hoop down and windows 2/3 down.

And fill up if the petrol gauge gets to 1/4 full.

Most of all enjoy!!


NewChimBoy

Original Poster:

84 posts

185 months

Wednesday 18th May 2011
quotequote all
Thanks for all of the advice. Hopefully I shall have an event free journey apart from enjoying myself that is.
Will persevere with the photo shots and will get back online tomorrow with an update ... that is if I'm not still cleaning and polishing !
Cheers.

NewChimBoy

Original Poster:

84 posts

185 months

Wednesday 18th May 2011
quotequote all
Just one further query about my journey back to Northumberland from Kings Lynn.
Can someone tell me about this "hot start" problem that seems to affect TVR and what I do about it if it raises it's head on my journey back ??

ph1l5

5,027 posts

232 months

Wednesday 18th May 2011
quotequote all
It's all about Kama, and I doubt you would have a hot start problem. If you do just let it cool down. Do you need to know how to put petrol in it wink

tonys

1,080 posts

253 months

Wednesday 18th May 2011
quotequote all
M@H said:
NewChimBoy said:
Is it best to have top up when doing motorway driving ?
Petrol - yes
Roof - depends on the weather, it gets hot in these cars on long runs with the roof on.
laughlaughlaughlaugh

Don't get hung up about some of the things you read, all cars can have 'issues', especially if not maintained and even then they still can if they are maintained.
If you get a problem with hot start, then just let it cool a bit until you are in a better position to look into it. As others have said, basic checks like you would for any other car, fluids, tyres, keep an eye on the gauges when driving and, depending on your experience, take it easy until you get used to it. It'll be fine - enjoy it - that's what they're about.

As far as roof is concerned, purely personal. If it's down and you think it's a bit blustery, you can either slow down or put the roof up. Depends what you want.

Or you could do what Griff owners do - wear a nylon headscarfsmile