Chimera Advice Needed
Discussion
Hi all, first time poster in this section 
Im trying to perswade my dad into getting a Chimaera 4.0, and it seems to be going pretty well (I hope). I managed to get him to look at a 4.5 at a dealer and he loved the way they look and sounded, then they went back on their promise of letting him out for a drive
Anyway the only thing he keeps bringing up is the reliablility, being a bit cynical he says 'All TVR's are unreliable'. Having read loads of stories (some not so good) on reliability, I was hoping you could prove him wrong. He mentions that a lot of them have low mileages because they are boken down. I show him ones with him mileages (I saw one with 190,000 miles for sale and one with 130,000 recently)and that shuts him up
Also could you tell me what else to look out for on one of these cars. I know that the chassis is an important factor and that needs to be done every year. What else should we look out for on one of these cars, and if you dont mind my asking how much on average does servicing come to and running on a years basis come to (will be used as a 3rd car on some weekends)that would be appreciated.
With hope we'll be in a Chimaera soon
Phil
Im trying to perswade my dad into getting a Chimaera 4.0, and it seems to be going pretty well (I hope). I managed to get him to look at a 4.5 at a dealer and he loved the way they look and sounded, then they went back on their promise of letting him out for a drive
Anyway the only thing he keeps bringing up is the reliablility, being a bit cynical he says 'All TVR's are unreliable'. Having read loads of stories (some not so good) on reliability, I was hoping you could prove him wrong. He mentions that a lot of them have low mileages because they are boken down. I show him ones with him mileages (I saw one with 190,000 miles for sale and one with 130,000 recently)and that shuts him up
Also could you tell me what else to look out for on one of these cars. I know that the chassis is an important factor and that needs to be done every year. What else should we look out for on one of these cars, and if you dont mind my asking how much on average does servicing come to and running on a years basis come to (will be used as a 3rd car on some weekends)that would be appreciated.
With hope we'll be in a Chimaera soon
Phil
Dalto123 said:
Also could you tell me what else to look out for on one of these cars. I know that the chassis is an important factor and that needs to be done every year. What else should we look out for on one of these cars, and if you dont mind my asking how much on average does servicing come to and running on a years basis come to (will be used as a 3rd car on some weekends)that would be appreciated.
Phil
If you do the chassis every year it will be expensive, I think you may have misunderstood somebody's post!Phil
I'm only 4 months in to my ownership but I had kind of budgeted for around 2k a year.
As for reliability I understand the Rover V8 to be one of the better ones.
Take a look at my Chimaera buyer's guide for some of the basics.
On reliability they way I see if is that most Chimaera breakdowns are one of about 5 common problems. All of these problems can be avoided or at least made less likely with regular maintenance.
Things like the 100 amp fuse. This causes regular problems but if you replace it often enough (or move/remove it) then you're unlikely to have that problem. Similarly for issues around cooling and the known hot-start issue. They're generally avoidable given a bit of effort.
On reliability they way I see if is that most Chimaera breakdowns are one of about 5 common problems. All of these problems can be avoided or at least made less likely with regular maintenance.
Things like the 100 amp fuse. This causes regular problems but if you replace it often enough (or move/remove it) then you're unlikely to have that problem. Similarly for issues around cooling and the known hot-start issue. They're generally avoidable given a bit of effort.
I agree with theaxe regarding avoiding the well known common problems, of which there are only a few.
Maybe I just imagine it, maybe it's because we are still in love, but mine has given me no major issues in 96k plus miles.
But I have always driven it just about as often as possible, even in winter.
That I now more often avoid driving it in heavy rain and snow is less to do with preserving the car, and more to do with preserving my miserable hide.
The engine is about as reliable as any other Rover V8.
If as jamesogt says you budget about £2k per year, and assuming dad finds one in reasonable condition, there is no reason it shouldn't keep running for many years.
If you planned on just having one for a couple of years, not modifying or 'improving' it, and again assuming finding one in good condition, it should cost nothing like 2k to just keep it on the road.
I know I will get shouted at for this, and some owners will be able to provide (very good) examples to the contrary, but as with many small volume production cars, the design and build quality generally improves with later production cars of the same model.
Maybe I just imagine it, maybe it's because we are still in love, but mine has given me no major issues in 96k plus miles.
But I have always driven it just about as often as possible, even in winter.
That I now more often avoid driving it in heavy rain and snow is less to do with preserving the car, and more to do with preserving my miserable hide.
The engine is about as reliable as any other Rover V8.
If as jamesogt says you budget about £2k per year, and assuming dad finds one in reasonable condition, there is no reason it shouldn't keep running for many years.
If you planned on just having one for a couple of years, not modifying or 'improving' it, and again assuming finding one in good condition, it should cost nothing like 2k to just keep it on the road.
I know I will get shouted at for this, and some owners will be able to provide (very good) examples to the contrary, but as with many small volume production cars, the design and build quality generally improves with later production cars of the same model.
A lot of them will be low mileage because they are 2nd, 3rd or 4th etc. cars, weekend or summer 'toys', or maybe even 'summer weekend' toys.
Maybe the owners are using a 'reliable' BMW/Jag as an everyday car. Just have a look at the issues they get (turbos, fuel pumps (BM); gearboxes, electric handbrakes, tensioners, rust, alloy body/paint 'corrosion' etc (Jag), to name just a couple of other makes. That doesn't mean that they're not good cars, simply that most makes have 'issues', even Honda had problems with their CVT type gearboxes - but their owners tend not to post on internet forums
I also seem to recall reading something about Toyota a while ago, or did I just dream that
If you buy one, buy on condition. Don't get too hung-up about age/engine size etc.; even the newest are 10 years old now.
Maybe the owners are using a 'reliable' BMW/Jag as an everyday car
. Just have a look at the issues they get (turbos, fuel pumps (BM); gearboxes, electric handbrakes, tensioners, rust, alloy body/paint 'corrosion' etc (Jag), to name just a couple of other makes. That doesn't mean that they're not good cars, simply that most makes have 'issues', even Honda had problems with their CVT type gearboxes - but their owners tend not to post on internet forums I also seem to recall reading something about Toyota a while ago, or did I just dream that
If you buy one, buy on condition. Don't get too hung-up about age/engine size etc.; even the newest are 10 years old now.
The chassis outriggers will rust and need replacement at some point.
The camshaft will wear and need replacement at between 40,000-100,000 miles after the last one.
The hood and some parts of the interior may become tatty with use. You may have to stick carpets back on at some point.
The Meta immobiliser (if still present) might get you in trouble, also the 100A fuse (if fitted). If you want unconditional reliability, get the immobiliser & wiring checked out pre-emptively.
The idle may be all over the place and the engine may shunt at low speeds. Often, the culprit is a dirty stepper motor, sometimes it's a result of a sensor, ignition parts etc. being out of kilter. Stick it on a rolling road and let the likes Mark Adams sort it out.
The cars are less tolerant to substandard cooling system functionality than your average car as you have a honking big engine producing lost of heat in a small fibreglass housing. Keep on top of maintenance and you'll have no problem, neglect will lead to a costly bill sooner rather than later.
Apart from that, a Chimaera that has been run and maintained properly is tough as old boots, and about as easy to get going again if it won't work.
The camshaft will wear and need replacement at between 40,000-100,000 miles after the last one.
The hood and some parts of the interior may become tatty with use. You may have to stick carpets back on at some point.
The Meta immobiliser (if still present) might get you in trouble, also the 100A fuse (if fitted). If you want unconditional reliability, get the immobiliser & wiring checked out pre-emptively.
The idle may be all over the place and the engine may shunt at low speeds. Often, the culprit is a dirty stepper motor, sometimes it's a result of a sensor, ignition parts etc. being out of kilter. Stick it on a rolling road and let the likes Mark Adams sort it out.
The cars are less tolerant to substandard cooling system functionality than your average car as you have a honking big engine producing lost of heat in a small fibreglass housing. Keep on top of maintenance and you'll have no problem, neglect will lead to a costly bill sooner rather than later.
Apart from that, a Chimaera that has been run and maintained properly is tough as old boots, and about as easy to get going again if it won't work.
I believe you can massively reduce the number of silly little break-downs and minor malfunctions by getting underneath the car once or twice a year and checking things over. For example, I'm in the middle of doing precisely that - and one of the first things I noticed was that the little plastic box housing the 100A fuse was hanging open and therefore exposed to water and road muck. That was a failure waiting to happen, but it won't now! Cleaning the stepper motor is another example. Many of these pre-emptive maintenance tasks take little or no skill (which is just as well, in my case) and not much time - but they will potentially save you headaches, time and money.
But a TVR owner will always be the butt of jokes about unreliability. There's no escaping that; you've just got to embrace it and play along with it.
But a TVR owner will always be the butt of jokes about unreliability. There's no escaping that; you've just got to embrace it and play along with it.
The best way to keep a TVR in top fettle is to drive it often and regularly 
In almost 3 years and 14,000 miles - my only problems have been a flat battery (stupidly didn't plug trickle charger in at start of ownership) and the "hot start" issue and that was fixed by the mod-wise kit.
The cars that have problems are ones used as "garage queens" taken out once in a blue moon or as other posters say don't do basic checks on the oil, coolant, fuses, wiring, plugs, stepper motor, 100 amp, battery etc... You will need to replace parts as and when they fail/wear out but that’s the same for any car.
My biggest tip is - don't overdo it with the loud pedal until everything is warmed up, engine oil, clutch oil, breaks, gearbox oil - at least 5 minutes. I fully believe this approach has kept my 400 in fine shape.
Finally if you're not mechanically sound a good service from a reputable TVR sepcialist once a year in my opinion is worth every penny.
In almost 3 years and 14,000 miles - my only problems have been a flat battery (stupidly didn't plug trickle charger in at start of ownership) and the "hot start" issue and that was fixed by the mod-wise kit.
The cars that have problems are ones used as "garage queens" taken out once in a blue moon or as other posters say don't do basic checks on the oil, coolant, fuses, wiring, plugs, stepper motor, 100 amp, battery etc... You will need to replace parts as and when they fail/wear out but that’s the same for any car.
My biggest tip is - don't overdo it with the loud pedal until everything is warmed up, engine oil, clutch oil, breaks, gearbox oil - at least 5 minutes. I fully believe this approach has kept my 400 in fine shape.
Finally if you're not mechanically sound a good service from a reputable TVR sepcialist once a year in my opinion is worth every penny.
my experience of 2 years ownership is that it isnt unreliable as such, it broke down only once and that was the 100 amp fuse, however there always seems to be something on it that needs replacing or starting to wear out, windows, shocks seals etc not to mention my diff needed a referb at a cost of a grand, its making another noise now from the transmision ( i'm hoping its the diff not right cos thats under warrenty) but could be the gearbox, that will be another 600 quid, a few leaks in the roof and engine bay needed attention after finding puddles in the drivers side footwell and it still leaks now, back lights needed re sealing, plus servicing or running costs and from the threads i read on here these seem relitvly common, but you could be lucky, or me not very lucky, i just see the volume of posts on the chimaera forum here seems to be far more than others, but we could just chat more on here, oh i nearly forgot the starter needed replacing too, i think thats it, im not selling though regardless of the cost, its great fun with the roof down and sounds awesome, i just like to think the more i keep it uptogether, the more like a new car it will be, mine is a 97 400 by the way. ps i still spent 2 grand on upgrades too, but thats my choice and well worth it
What else is your dad thinking about?
In terms of reliability the TVR has been much better so far than my old Boxster S (x2) It is also cheaper to service ie front discs and pads for the Boxster is almost £500 and they have to be changed regular as they rust badly. The Chimaera nowhere near that for stock discs and pads
I am a bit of a serial car changer and the Chimaera is the first car I can see my self hanging on to for a good while nothing else has came close to the stupid grin the Chimaera does every time I take it out
In terms of reliability the TVR has been much better so far than my old Boxster S (x2) It is also cheaper to service ie front discs and pads for the Boxster is almost £500 and they have to be changed regular as they rust badly. The Chimaera nowhere near that for stock discs and pads
I am a bit of a serial car changer and the Chimaera is the first car I can see my self hanging on to for a good while nothing else has came close to the stupid grin the Chimaera does every time I take it out
ewan221 said:
What else is your dad thinking about?
In terms of reliability the TVR has been much better so far than my old Boxster S (x2) It is also cheaper to service ie front discs and pads for the Boxster is almost £500 and they have to be changed regular as they rust badly. The Chimaera nowhere near that for stock discs and pads
I am a bit of a serial car changer and the Chimaera is the first car I can see my self hanging on to for a good while nothing else has came close to the stupid grin the Chimaera does every time I take it out
Ewan,In terms of reliability the TVR has been much better so far than my old Boxster S (x2) It is also cheaper to service ie front discs and pads for the Boxster is almost £500 and they have to be changed regular as they rust badly. The Chimaera nowhere near that for stock discs and pads
I am a bit of a serial car changer and the Chimaera is the first car I can see my self hanging on to for a good while nothing else has came close to the stupid grin the Chimaera does every time I take it out
I have been offered a 2001 Boxster 3.2 S in Part Ex for my Chimaera. It is black with black leather interior, 89k miles, FSH, what would estimate the value to be. If I were to have a look, other than the front brakes, what else should I look out for?
I had never considered one before - always thought of them to be hairdressers' cars - but always like to discount cars for sound reasons.
Your input would be much appreciated.
Cheers,
Ged
Ive had my chim since 1999, in the first 2 years I did 30k in it although much less in later years.
It spent 5 years living out side at the side of a main road and was driven in all weathers...
In that time it's had a water pump and a wiper motor... I did damage the diff but that was in avoiding action on a track day..
I stripped it down to the bare chassis this year and it's in remarkably good condition only needing reprinting. Even the suspension bushes are fine...
It spent 5 years living out side at the side of a main road and was driven in all weathers...
In that time it's had a water pump and a wiper motor... I did damage the diff but that was in avoiding action on a track day..
I stripped it down to the bare chassis this year and it's in remarkably good condition only needing reprinting. Even the suspension bushes are fine...
J400GED said:
ewan221 said:
What else is your dad thinking about?
In terms of reliability the TVR has been much better so far than my old Boxster S (x2) It is also cheaper to service ie front discs and pads for the Boxster is almost £500 and they have to be changed regular as they rust badly. The Chimaera nowhere near that for stock discs and pads
I am a bit of a serial car changer and the Chimaera is the first car I can see my self hanging on to for a good while nothing else has came close to the stupid grin the Chimaera does every time I take it out
Ewan,In terms of reliability the TVR has been much better so far than my old Boxster S (x2) It is also cheaper to service ie front discs and pads for the Boxster is almost £500 and they have to be changed regular as they rust badly. The Chimaera nowhere near that for stock discs and pads
I am a bit of a serial car changer and the Chimaera is the first car I can see my self hanging on to for a good while nothing else has came close to the stupid grin the Chimaera does every time I take it out
I have been offered a 2001 Boxster 3.2 S in Part Ex for my Chimaera. It is black with black leather interior, 89k miles, FSH, what would estimate the value to be. If I were to have a look, other than the front brakes, what else should I look out for?
I had never considered one before - always thought of them to be hairdressers' cars - but always like to discount cars for sound reasons.
Your input would be much appreciated.
Cheers,
Ged
.Fast, (not as fast as my chim).
Excellent handling,
Beautiful build quality,
Super comfy, good seating position even for my 6' 2" frame,
Quicker over country A & B roads cause you have all the safety features, (traction, stability etc),
I absolutely loved it, shame there's a million other ones out there and that particular one was £44K!
Oh, and when I handed it back, my chim felt like an old dog, (which it isn't) that's progress for you!
ewan221 said:
What else is your dad thinking about?
In terms of reliability the TVR has been much better so far than my old Boxster S (x2) It is also cheaper to service ie front discs and pads for the Boxster is almost £500 and they have to be changed regular as they rust badly. The Chimaera nowhere near that for stock discs and pads
I am a bit of a serial car changer and the Chimaera is the first car I can see my self hanging on to for a good while nothing else has came close to the stupid grin the Chimaera does every time I take it out
Well my dad has a 944 Cabriolet at the moment he wants to move on from (love that car). He saidd he wanted something a bit more basic, and loves the Westfield. But having got him to go and see a TVR I want to perswade him that these are great cars. I love TVR's yet never been in one In terms of reliability the TVR has been much better so far than my old Boxster S (x2) It is also cheaper to service ie front discs and pads for the Boxster is almost £500 and they have to be changed regular as they rust badly. The Chimaera nowhere near that for stock discs and pads
I am a bit of a serial car changer and the Chimaera is the first car I can see my self hanging on to for a good while nothing else has came close to the stupid grin the Chimaera does every time I take it out
He did like the Boxster 'S' though. Interesting you mention the costs, I've read they're quite high on them. Hopefully it'll be the TVR that wins th battle Edited by Dalto123 on Tuesday 29th November 12:28
Goaty Bill said:
J400GED said:
<snip>
I had never considered one before - always thought of them to be hairdressers' cars - but always like to discount cars for sound reasons.
<snip>
Looks to me like you found two 'sound' reasons already I had never considered one before - always thought of them to be hairdressers' cars - but always like to discount cars for sound reasons.
<snip>
Ged
Dalto123 said:
Hi all, first time poster in this section
Im trying to perswade my dad into getting a Chimaera 4.0, and it seems to be going pretty well (I hope). I managed to get him to look at a 4.5 at a dealer and he loved the way they look and sounded, then they went back on their promise of letting him out for a drive
Anyway the only thing he keeps bringing up is the reliablility, being a bit cynical he says 'All TVR's are unreliable'. Having read loads of stories (some not so good) on reliability, I was hoping you could prove him wrong. He mentions that a lot of them have low mileages because they are boken down. I show him ones with him mileages (I saw one with 190,000 miles for sale and one with 130,000 recently)and that shuts him up
Also could you tell me what else to look out for on one of these cars. I know that the chassis is an important factor and that needs to be done every year. What else should we look out for on one of these cars, and if you dont mind my asking how much on average does servicing come to and running on a years basis come to (will be used as a 3rd car on some weekends)that would be appreciated.
With hope we'll be in a Chimaera soon
Phil
Get yourselves up to Norfolk and have a look at my Chimaera 400...............then buy it, everyone's a winner, job done! Im trying to perswade my dad into getting a Chimaera 4.0, and it seems to be going pretty well (I hope). I managed to get him to look at a 4.5 at a dealer and he loved the way they look and sounded, then they went back on their promise of letting him out for a drive
Anyway the only thing he keeps bringing up is the reliablility, being a bit cynical he says 'All TVR's are unreliable'. Having read loads of stories (some not so good) on reliability, I was hoping you could prove him wrong. He mentions that a lot of them have low mileages because they are boken down. I show him ones with him mileages (I saw one with 190,000 miles for sale and one with 130,000 recently)and that shuts him up
Also could you tell me what else to look out for on one of these cars. I know that the chassis is an important factor and that needs to be done every year. What else should we look out for on one of these cars, and if you dont mind my asking how much on average does servicing come to and running on a years basis come to (will be used as a 3rd car on some weekends)that would be appreciated.
With hope we'll be in a Chimaera soon
Phil
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