Chimaera Daily Driver - Realistic Option?
Discussion
Hi guys,
I've been doing my research and after reading “they’re actually not all that unreliable” I think I will take the plunge and buy a 4.0 Chimaera.
However, I would really appreciate your thoughts if using one as a daily driver is a realistic option. My commute is approx 15 miles each way, so really not far to get a full run out.
The car would only be a summer option and for the winter months I will go back to my Clio Williams.
My question is whether I will need to keep both cars on the road throughout the summer in case of the TVR having some 'issues'.
I’ve done my reading on the potential disasters and maintenance but I’m fortunate enough to have a garage and a disheartened father/mechanic at my disposal.
I'm sure you get the same newbie questions conctantly but I can't find a thread to answer my exact question.
Thanks in advance,
Dan
I've been doing my research and after reading “they’re actually not all that unreliable” I think I will take the plunge and buy a 4.0 Chimaera.
However, I would really appreciate your thoughts if using one as a daily driver is a realistic option. My commute is approx 15 miles each way, so really not far to get a full run out.
The car would only be a summer option and for the winter months I will go back to my Clio Williams.
My question is whether I will need to keep both cars on the road throughout the summer in case of the TVR having some 'issues'.
I’ve done my reading on the potential disasters and maintenance but I’m fortunate enough to have a garage and a disheartened father/mechanic at my disposal.
I'm sure you get the same newbie questions conctantly but I can't find a thread to answer my exact question.
Thanks in advance,
Dan
I used my first Chimaera as a daily for three years all through the year.
It was a pleasure.
I only stopped because I wanted a Tuscan and the Chimaera got sold to pay for the Tuscan engine rebuild.
They are also a really good touring car.
I bought another Chimaera last year to become my daily and reduce miles on my mk2 Tuscan.
As said, buy on condition.
It was a pleasure.
I only stopped because I wanted a Tuscan and the Chimaera got sold to pay for the Tuscan engine rebuild.
They are also a really good touring car.
I bought another Chimaera last year to become my daily and reduce miles on my mk2 Tuscan.
As said, buy on condition.
Edited by so called on Wednesday 4th July 00:44
Tips from a five week owner....A few weeks overlap would be a wise move to get the car thoroughly sorted - you might be luckier than me, but mine, despite having been serviced and MOT'd by the supplying dealer prior to collection, and having a tip top chassis and good engine, has has a few little niggles and is presently off road having perished fuel pipes changed. No advisories on the MOT......
Buy on age and condition, as said above, but if I was starting again I now would take it straight to a TVR specialist (if you don't buy it from one in the first place) and have it thoroughly checked over before going anywhere. Mine was frankly dangerous. Also, get the wheel alignment checked (mine felt horrendous until that was sorted), make sure the tyres are good, check the pressures (because TVRs run at 22/24, not the standard 30ish), and you will have a lovely every day car that will get you to work smiling and proud.
Buy on age and condition, as said above, but if I was starting again I now would take it straight to a TVR specialist (if you don't buy it from one in the first place) and have it thoroughly checked over before going anywhere. Mine was frankly dangerous. Also, get the wheel alignment checked (mine felt horrendous until that was sorted), make sure the tyres are good, check the pressures (because TVRs run at 22/24, not the standard 30ish), and you will have a lovely every day car that will get you to work smiling and proud.
Hi, I have been using my chimaera 400 as my daily drive and it's fantastic. If you are a serious buyer I know a chimaera for sale that could be perfect if you have the budget.
Dravvy said:
Hi guys,
I've been doing my research and after reading “they’re actually not all that unreliable” I think I will take the plunge and buy a 4.0 Chimaera.
However, I would really appreciate your thoughts if using one as a daily driver is a realistic option. My commute is approx 15 miles each way, so really not far to get a full run out.
The car would only be a summer option and for the winter months I will go back to my Clio Williams.
My question is whether I will need to keep both cars on the road throughout the summer in case of the TVR having some 'issues'.
I’ve done my reading on the potential disasters and maintenance but I’m fortunate enough to have a garage and a disheartened father/mechanic at my disposal.
I'm sure you get the same newbie questions conctantly but I can't find a thread to answer my exact question.
Thanks in advance,
Dan
I've been doing my research and after reading “they’re actually not all that unreliable” I think I will take the plunge and buy a 4.0 Chimaera.
However, I would really appreciate your thoughts if using one as a daily driver is a realistic option. My commute is approx 15 miles each way, so really not far to get a full run out.
The car would only be a summer option and for the winter months I will go back to my Clio Williams.
My question is whether I will need to keep both cars on the road throughout the summer in case of the TVR having some 'issues'.
I’ve done my reading on the potential disasters and maintenance but I’m fortunate enough to have a garage and a disheartened father/mechanic at my disposal.
I'm sure you get the same newbie questions conctantly but I can't find a thread to answer my exact question.
Thanks in advance,
Dan
I've been considering the same, however would be coming across to the UK to buy & then drive it back to Geneva. I'm not going to have long in the UK.
How much maintenance do they need? Is the 400 a standard rover v8? Or has it been modified by the people in Blackpool?
I was looking at a 99 with 68k miles on it. Is there anything specific to look out for?
Thanks in advance,
Nick
How much maintenance do they need? Is the 400 a standard rover v8? Or has it been modified by the people in Blackpool?
I was looking at a 99 with 68k miles on it. Is there anything specific to look out for?
Thanks in advance,
Nick
Thank you all for your comments. It's definitely given me a more positive image.
I should probably mention my budget is around 8-9k mark. Perhaps this is on the lower end of the market but I'll take my time inspecting and doing any necessary work before I drive it. I also have a TVR specialist just done the road.
I'll be looking to buy mid July.
Thanks for the tyre pressure tip. Once purchased I'll need to dive into the forum and dig out any service advice / maintenance tips.
Regards,
Dan
I should probably mention my budget is around 8-9k mark. Perhaps this is on the lower end of the market but I'll take my time inspecting and doing any necessary work before I drive it. I also have a TVR specialist just done the road.
I'll be looking to buy mid July.
Thanks for the tyre pressure tip. Once purchased I'll need to dive into the forum and dig out any service advice / maintenance tips.
Regards,
Dan
Essentially just treat it as any 10-15 year old car & replace all the electrical consumables which are quite cheap eg plugs, leads/coil, dizzy cap, rotor arm, main relays, clean stepper, 100amp fuses and potentially replace fuel pump & starter motor.
IMO these are the main causes for most reliability related issues & none are expensive to replace.
TVR did fettle the RV8 at differnet stages & flavours, but essentailly it remians a tried & tested engine pretty bullet proof which can be used daily if maintained correctly.
IMO these are the main causes for most reliability related issues & none are expensive to replace.
TVR did fettle the RV8 at differnet stages & flavours, but essentailly it remians a tried & tested engine pretty bullet proof which can be used daily if maintained correctly.
Haha, Ropps, no bias on that then 
ha. In fairness to the OP though, his is a very well sorted car !!
As far as daily driveability, don't even hesitate on that front. As long as you check levels etc you'll be absolutely fine.
Mine was a right mess when i got it and i'm actually really enjoying sorting it all out myself. I personally think that half of the fun of having these cars is that things do go wrong with them, but the community on here is great and any issues you have you'll be able to sort, or get advice on sorting, very easily !!
HTH
AJ
ha. In fairness to the OP though, his is a very well sorted car !! As far as daily driveability, don't even hesitate on that front. As long as you check levels etc you'll be absolutely fine.
Mine was a right mess when i got it and i'm actually really enjoying sorting it all out myself. I personally think that half of the fun of having these cars is that things do go wrong with them, but the community on here is great and any issues you have you'll be able to sort, or get advice on sorting, very easily !!
HTH
AJ
Dravvy, like quietlybonkers, I've only had mine for a few weeks. I wrestled with all the same questions re running one as a daily especially as my commute is through the London grind. And i have to say, coming from a modern Japanese sportster, the first few days were a bit nerve wracking: would it start? will it stay started? will it over heat? what's that noise from the engine/gearbox/diff (delete as appropriate)? will the wipers work (yes - just)? will it leak when it rains (yes it did -fixed now)? will i pee off the neighbours when I pull away in the morning (probably)? The list goes on but I needn't have worried, it's been faultless (touch wood!).
And anyway, none of that matters because it's brilliant! Driving it to work and back every day is an absolute joy and then you've got the weekends to play. I thought about getting a Boxster as a 'sensible' choice as a daily but I'm glad I didn't. In the chimp, every journey is an occasion.
I say, go for it
And anyway, none of that matters because it's brilliant! Driving it to work and back every day is an absolute joy and then you've got the weekends to play. I thought about getting a Boxster as a 'sensible' choice as a daily but I'm glad I didn't. In the chimp, every journey is an occasion.
I say, go for it
AJV8 said:
Couldn't Agree more. Stuart, where about in London are you ? I've seen a couple scattered around the Clapham/Balham area recently.
AJ
Hi AJ, not me I'm afraid. I'm up in north London and rarely venture south of the river! Used to be in Balham a lot though and it seems to attract Tivs for some reason. Always used to see one or two.AJ
Cheers!
I use mine as a daily driver , about the same distance as your proposing each way every day.
Its feasible given all the advice above, and so long as you dont mind the petrol but I expect youve already done those maths.
The only day that stopped me using mine was when the snow was too deep and was over the bottom scoop.
Its feasible given all the advice above, and so long as you dont mind the petrol but I expect youve already done those maths.
The only day that stopped me using mine was when the snow was too deep and was over the bottom scoop.
We've had our Chim over 9 years and it's been my daily drive for most of that.
Reliability has come from regular use and maintenance. I've had a few failures but they've been easy to fix. So far we've had:
The smiles are worth it.
Today was my son's schools' sports day and I drove him home in the Chim. He was happy as larry. My wife drove the Peugeot home...
Reliability has come from regular use and maintenance. I've had a few failures but they've been easy to fix. So far we've had:
- top ring sheared off front spring/damper unit - replaced front spring/dampers
- immobiliser relay died - replaced immobiliser
- alternator died - replaced alternator
The smiles are worth it.
Today was my son's schools' sports day and I drove him home in the Chim. He was happy as larry. My wife drove the Peugeot home...
I can vouch for the Chimaera as a daily driver - used mine as such for past 3 years with a daily commute of 35-40 miles round trip. It's now done about 130k and has been a blast. I cover about 7-8k per year but it's been very reliable - only let me down twice - once when the battery gave up the ghost and also a break in the wiring to the fuel pump....oh and the 100amp alternator fuse blew...so er ok 3 times. You can bank on spending about £1500+ per year though to keep it in good order if you're driving it every day. Go for it
laserblues2 said:
I've been considering the same, however would be coming across to the UK to buy & then drive it back to Geneva. I'm not going to have long in the UK.
How much maintenance do they need? Is the 400 a standard rover v8? Or has it been modified by the people in Blackpool?
I was looking at a 99 with 68k miles on it. Is there anything specific to look out for?
Thanks in advance,
Nick
Nick..chassis condition is pretty much the key. Most of the mechanicals can be sorted by a decent spanner man.How much maintenance do they need? Is the 400 a standard rover v8? Or has it been modified by the people in Blackpool?
I was looking at a 99 with 68k miles on it. Is there anything specific to look out for?
Thanks in advance,
Nick
[quote=laserblues2
I was looking at a 99 with 68k miles on it. Is there anything specific to look out for?
Thanks in advance,
Nick
[/quote]
Gerofffff! That one's mine. Seriously, that is exactly the description of mine.
So check the usual things - get it up on a ramp and check the chassis and outriggers for rust, check the service history has at least 13 TVR specialist stamps - its every 5k miles. Listen to it, drive it and see how it handles, fall in love with it, open your wallet. Then take it to a TVR specialist and pay for a thorough checkover the day you get it. Then you can take it back to the supplying dealer and get them to fix the problems. If buying privately, still have it checked. Mine was dangerous on two counts but I got lucky and lived to tell the tale.
I was looking at a 99 with 68k miles on it. Is there anything specific to look out for?
Thanks in advance,
Nick
[/quote]
Gerofffff! That one's mine. Seriously, that is exactly the description of mine.
So check the usual things - get it up on a ramp and check the chassis and outriggers for rust, check the service history has at least 13 TVR specialist stamps - its every 5k miles. Listen to it, drive it and see how it handles, fall in love with it, open your wallet. Then take it to a TVR specialist and pay for a thorough checkover the day you get it. Then you can take it back to the supplying dealer and get them to fix the problems. If buying privately, still have it checked. Mine was dangerous on two counts but I got lucky and lived to tell the tale.
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