Chimaera for everyday use, 10-15k p.a. Sensible?
Discussion
Hello,
I am considering purchasing a Chimaera, either a 400 or a 500, and need some hard advice. I aim to use this machine as my main vehicle and would expect to cover about 10-15k p.a. I wouldn't be storing it in a garage as I have my MkIII Spitfire in there but if you guys tell me it's necessary I will cover the Chimaera at night.
Is it sensible to use a Chimaera as an everyday car?
As I have little experience in inspecting these cars I will buy from an independent dealer "David Hendry Cars" in Malmesbury Wiltshire to get some dealer warranty. Does anyone have experience of this dealership?
I am considering purchasing a Chimaera, either a 400 or a 500, and need some hard advice. I aim to use this machine as my main vehicle and would expect to cover about 10-15k p.a. I wouldn't be storing it in a garage as I have my MkIII Spitfire in there but if you guys tell me it's necessary I will cover the Chimaera at night.
Is it sensible to use a Chimaera as an everyday car?
As I have little experience in inspecting these cars I will buy from an independent dealer "David Hendry Cars" in Malmesbury Wiltshire to get some dealer warranty. Does anyone have experience of this dealership?
yes you can use it everyday. I used my old S3 daily and also the chim when I first got it. Its a fairly easy sports car to use everyday - comfy, with a big boot. 10 - 15k a year will cost a fair bit in both petrol and servicing costs, let alone any other niggles you may have with the car.
Like all cabrios, some chims leak, some dont. Personally I would be inclined to cover it or get another garage built - even if its only a £700 job from argos that you bolt down into some concrete.
Like all cabrios, some chims leak, some dont. Personally I would be inclined to cover it or get another garage built - even if its only a £700 job from argos that you bolt down into some concrete.
My wife used to run our Chimaera as an everyday car. The main problems in doing so are:
1) Servicing comes around often and isn't cheap.
2) When something goes wrong with it you are without transport - and something will go wrong with it.
3) When something goes wrong with it you can find that your local complement of independent service businesses and/or dealers are fully booked out for the next month and you can be without the car for that time.
That's the down side. And its a big one. The upside is that the car
1) Sounds brilliant
2) Goes like stink
3) Looks brilliant
4) Is more like a "proper" car than people give it credit for if you keep on top of its maintenance.
We've had a bad run recently with the car back on the road for the first time in five months...but its so wonderful when its working.
Consider very carefully whether or not you need a runabout...
1) Servicing comes around often and isn't cheap.
2) When something goes wrong with it you are without transport - and something will go wrong with it.
3) When something goes wrong with it you can find that your local complement of independent service businesses and/or dealers are fully booked out for the next month and you can be without the car for that time.
That's the down side. And its a big one. The upside is that the car
1) Sounds brilliant
2) Goes like stink
3) Looks brilliant
4) Is more like a "proper" car than people give it credit for if you keep on top of its maintenance.
We've had a bad run recently with the car back on the road for the first time in five months...but its so wonderful when its working.
Consider very carefully whether or not you need a runabout...
I use mine every day.. Approx 25K last year, due to that it has been serviced every 3 months, I've had no bad problems and mpg is no worse than most MPV's.
It lives out side 90% of the time at worst I had 2 inches of water in it
That taught me to seal the roof more often 
I would say go for it.. Worry about the cost another day
It lives out side 90% of the time at worst I had 2 inches of water in it
That taught me to seal the roof more often I would say go for it.. Worry about the cost another day
bloody hell! my local independants have a 3 month wait for a service!Don said:
3) When something goes wrong with it you can find that your local complement of independent service businesses and/or dealers are fully booked out for the next month and you can be without the car for that time.
Yeap
very greatfull to my local PH award winning indie for accepting my car the day it went bang 
Just a shame it's gone bang in such away to throw all current plans out the window
If you really do 'need' a car everyday and have no other means of transport it can be a problem at times
Has nobody offered a "No - you want a Griff" yet! Mine has been an everyday car for nearly three and a half years. I've never regretted it.
I'm now considering moving on and am well aware that the high mileage will be a factor in the sale, but that still hasn't dampened my enthusiasm for using it as an everyday car!
Go for it!
(Alright, I'm going back to my own forum now before you all moan
)
I'm now considering moving on and am well aware that the high mileage will be a factor in the sale, but that still hasn't dampened my enthusiasm for using it as an everyday car!
Go for it!
(Alright, I'm going back to my own forum now before you all moan
)beano500 said:
Has nobody offered a "No - you want a Griff" yet! Mine has been an everyday car for nearly three and a half years. I've never regretted it.
I'm now considering moving on and am well aware that the high mileage will be a factor in the sale, but that still hasn't dampened my enthusiasm for using it as an everyday car!
Go for it!
(Alright, I'm going back to my own forum now before you all moan
ah, the pro-griff camp.... I dont think you'll find much difference in the mechanics, seeing as though they are the same car under the skin
plus I would say the chim is the better everyday car due to the boot being much larger. Griff a stunning car and seemingly depreciation proof at the moment, but if I had the choice of one to use daily it would be the chim.
You'll be selling the Spitfire when you have the Chimaera, so don't worry about the garage space. When we had a Griff500 and a number of older TVRs, the older ones only ever got used on some trackdays, otherwise we always took the Griff. The Spitfire will seem so slow and antiquated after a while (not to mention the handling and brakes!).
You might as well sell it now and use the money to buy a better Chimaera!
davidy
You might as well sell it now and use the money to buy a better Chimaera!
davidy
'fraid to say I love old cars so the Spitfire won't be going. I will be getting a TR3 in the future.
Yep, they seem slow and they are antiquated but I get a lot of enjoyment from driving them.
Thanks everyone for your replies they are really useful.
Just got my insurance quotes and while enormous, I have a history of speeding fines (no points at the moment but a history nonetheless), the whole thing is begining to look like a goer.
Yep, they seem slow and they are antiquated but I get a lot of enjoyment from driving them.
Thanks everyone for your replies they are really useful.
Just got my insurance quotes and while enormous, I have a history of speeding fines (no points at the moment but a history nonetheless), the whole thing is begining to look like a goer.
Well now.... MrsHobbit and I use a Chim 400 as an every day car, and it sits outside on the driveway as I have a 1972 Triumph GT6 convertible in the garage.......
....as long as you waterproof the roof and make sure the various bits and bobs are sealed (search the forums, they are your friend) all will be well. Ours is dry now after a little fettling and assistance from PHers (thanks all ).
Cheers,
TheHobbit
....as long as you waterproof the roof and make sure the various bits and bobs are sealed (search the forums, they are your friend
) all will be well. Ours is dry now after a little fettling and assistance from PHers (thanks all ). Cheers,
TheHobbit
Just to agree with previous posts - they are good fun for everyday driving, but cost fair bit to run. I probably did 25K miles last year and was let down once by an alternator going bang (but if I'd have got a new one when I heard the bearing going, I'd be OK), and also needed an emergency radiator replacement. chris neils did that as a while u wait job.
so far my most reliable & fun car. and loud. and mad. and no roof.
get one, or two.
so far my most reliable & fun car. and loud. and mad. and no roof.
get one, or two.
I ran my shim as a sole company car for about 3 year and left her out side never geave a problem...
since i bought a disco for everyday use and leave the chim in the garage she complains like hell, now everytime i take her out i get a problem... this weekend was a split fuel line...
The moral is, use them everyday and their fine.
nevermind golf clubs you can get about 6 computers in a Chimaera GLDV ( giving it large delivery van)
since i bought a disco for everyday use and leave the chim in the garage she complains like hell, now everytime i take her out i get a problem... this weekend was a split fuel line...
The moral is, use them everyday and their fine.
nevermind golf clubs you can get about 6 computers in a Chimaera GLDV ( giving it large delivery van)
mine doesn't cost any more to run than my Omega estate..... on a run its as economical as the Omega, the Omega's last service was £700...... and the tyres for the Chim are cheaper than the ones on the Omega..... I recon we do £15k a year in each, and I know whcih I prefer driving, rain* or shine.
* there's a mini roundabout in Swindon that is extremly slippery when wet..... although I'll be ready for it next time
* there's a mini roundabout in Swindon that is extremly slippery when wet..... although I'll be ready for it next time
TheHobbit said:
Well now.... MrsHobbit and I use a Chim 400 as an every day car, and it sits outside on the driveway as I have a 1972 Triumph GT6 convertible in the garage.......
....as long as you waterproof the roof and make sure the various bits and bobs are sealed (search the forums, they are your friend
Cheers,
TheHobbit
Hmmmm, a GT6 convertible. A spit with the straight 6 GT6 engine shoe horned in?
Did Mr. Paul Cull do this for you?
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