Early Chimaera not as popular?

[ktm301p]

Hi all,

What is the general consensus on the early Chimaera's? Specifically 1993-1995 models. Are they not as sought after and popular as the cars manufactured in the late 90's?

Thanks,
Alex

[brett84]

93's are the best model

[SMB]

ktm301p said:

Hi all,

What is the general consensus on the early Chimaera's? Specifically 1993-1995 models. Are they not as sought after and popular as the cars manufactured in the late 90's?

Thanks,
Alex

The main reason you see more of the late 90 s is that the sales volumes were just higher then. All the running gear is exactly the same on a 94-96 car as the later ones, it's just cosmetic changes. In reality during the production height, quality of things like chassis coating dropped and early cars have better chassis protection than ones from 97-99.

[shake n bake]

I guess its just personal taste as well, i prefer the look of the 2nd generation cars, i think the grill and rear bumper flow a bit better. Just my opinion and not wishing to upset any of the earlier generation car owners:-) We've all got the same cars in essence!

[SMB]

shake n bake said:

I guess its just personal taste as well, i prefer the look of the 2nd generation cars, i think the grill and rear bumper flow a bit better. Just my opinion and not wishing to upset any of the earlier generation car owners:-) We've all got the same cars in essence!

Not upset at all, I've had my car nearly 19 years , so must be fine for me! I saw the changes as they came out, but never tempted to change. I do suspect that some decide on power steering availability which became standard on later models , and also many early cars suffered because people chose more traditional colours (read boring), people became more .adventurous later. The reds are probably the best of the mk1 shape colours, yellow, bright blue, silver on the later cars.

[TVRJAS]

This might be worth a quick read...

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=111...

Related to T5 gearbox and serpentine change over. Post from Graham highlights many things.

[shake n bake]

SMB said:

Not upset at all, I've had my car nearly 19 years , so must be fine for me! I saw the changes as they came out, but never tempted to change. I do suspect that some decide on power steering availability which became standard on later models , and also many early cars suffered because people chose more traditional colours (read boring), people became more .adventurous later. The reds are probably the best of the mk1 shape colours, yellow, bright blue, silver on the later cars.

I love to hear when people have had there cars for such a long time, its nice to know that there are owners out there that still love there cars like the day they collected them!
How many miles have you covered over the years?

[TVRJAS]

SMB

Amazing... 19 years and not bored of it yet,a credit to the Chimaera when the majority of owners these days are swapping every 2-3 years on their PCP deals.

Have you ever kept another car this long? Or can you think of any other car you would keep that long?

[SMB]

I've not done enough miles to be honest , it's a pampered 2nd car, for weekends and holidays, aprox 25k in total and serviced about every 1000 miles, really don't want to think that has cost in mobil1!. It's used regularly and I'm just doing a refresh of the rubber hood seals, vacuum pipes, belts etc. too many memories of good days out to sell.

As for that other thread I have to correct some of the items graham listed there


From his post
The serpentine has a better oil pump system. - Correct serpentine came in mid 94

lots of advantages in the facelift car, around late 95/96 - sweeping statement based on the below, a lot of which is incorrect

Chassis and suspension as griff 500 - there were options of std and sport suspension set up, 5 litre cars had the griffith brakes pre facelift, the 400s slightly smaller but a bolt on upgrade to the later. Only change to the chassis it's self was the addition of roll bar mounting points. Any original shocks, springs, would have been replaced by now. Actual suspension arms the same on all models after the early griffith.

rear arb - all chimaeras have a rear arb, only the early griffith went without
bigger brakes - depended on model see above

revised nose with horizontal slat and different indicator housings - correct although the radiator lost stone protection.

revised bonnet with more vents- no, same side vents, bonnet looked more bulbous due to extension at the rear towards the windscreen

rear boot lid longer lip - yes, small extension

rubber bumper strip now part of body in grp.- yes, body coloured , more prone to parking damage than the rubber insert

t5 gearbox- this came in mid 94, not with the mk2
BTR Diff - came later than initial mk2 builds

different radio panel and swithces in dash, silver rim dials ( lots of half and half cars here)

door opener moved from next to gear leaver to further back.- changed in 94 when gearbox changed from rover to t5

external door buttons lost key hole, and then moved to mirrors..- key from 93-94 , button behind door 94-96, 96 onwards under mirror


Probably lots more...


imho the T5 box is easier to live with and the serp engine makes life a little easier... the earlier GKN diff can be harder to find parts for and the later brakes are well worth having

so If I were you look for something 96 /97 ( they seem to have the best chassis)

but what ever you do check the chassis.. twice... - agreed

G

[SMB]

TVRJAS said:

SMB

Amazing... 19 years and not bored of it yet,a credit to the Chimaera when the majority of owners these days are swapping every 2-3 years on their PCP deals.

Have you ever kept another car this long? Or can you think of any other car you would keep that long?

No other cars for anywhere near this long 6-7. Years max otherwise.

Modern cars are very effective at what they do, yes the chimaera is quite basic but there is no more pleasing experience to driving, than have the car balanced and flowing properly beneath you. Modern cars are fine for everyday, but don't require skill to drive smoothly. Get the gear changes, throttle brakes and steering right in a chimaera and it's you that's done it.

I have a very effective daily drive, it's great for what I ask it to do, but to get the sense of making a machine feel right, the machine needs to not be doing it all!.

[anonymous-user]

The bonnet vents in the later cars, post 96, are larger, as well as having a higher trailing edge to the bonnet.

[SMB]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Hmmm, looked at mine and some mk2s, there is a slight difference but mine also seem larger than other mk1s. Perhaps human variation kicked in.

[AV8]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Yes, there is a noticeable difference in the size of the vents.

Don't forget the different boot hinges. There are 3 different types.

[portzi]

imho the T5 box is easier to live with and the serp engine makes life a little easier... the earlier GKN diff can be harder to find parts for and the later brakes are well worth having

so If I were you look for something 96 /97 ( they seem to have the best chassis)

but what ever you do check the chassis.. twice... - agreed

G

[/quote]

I have an early 96 facelift model. my chassis looked great from underneath, not a sign of rust, even when on a 2 post lift, there were few signs of rust. It was only when I decided to do a body lift, I found the top rails were rotten, as they disappeared under the manifolds and along the body. Its just something you cant see until the body is lifted

[Johnny 89]

Here's a few photographs of my early Chimaera. Absolutely nothing wron with an early Chim in a bright colour

[SMB]

Johnny 89 said:

Here's a few photographs of my early Chimaera. Absolutely nothing wron with an early Chim in a bright colour

Exactly what I mean, I really think that yellow suits thew cars, Was it originally yellow or changed at some point? If it was original it was a brave decision by the original owner at the time.

[Johnny 89]

SMB said:

Exactly what I mean, I really think that yellow suits thew cars, Was it originally yellow or changed at some point? If it was original it was a brave decision by the original owner at the time.

It was originally yellow and registered April '94. A brave individual indeed



The car is very original in fact. After more than 20 years the only changes have been the front grille and a K&N air filter as far as I know!

And the wheel colour of course..

Edited by Johnny 89 on Wednesday 13th August 11:29

[ktm301p]

Thanks chaps, my father and I knew about the styling changes and gearbox update from the first Chim we had which was a later model - but we were not put off getting an earlier version as we did do with our current Chim which is a '93 4.3 model.

I'm just surprised as we've now put our Chim up for sale, and have so far had very little interest in it whatsoever over the past 4 weeks or so. Ours is in pristine condition throughout and has only covered 13,000 miles and has 3 owners in total, the previous two being father and son. I don't mean to plug the advert by detailing this, but want to gauge your opinions on why this might be - and whether anyone else has had similar experiences selling their Chimaera?

[mab1]

ktm301p said:

Thanks chaps, my father and I knew about the styling changes and gearbox update from the first Chim we had which was a later model - but we were not put off getting an earlier version as we did do with our current Chim which is a '93 4.3 model.

I'm just surprised as we've now put our Chim up for sale, and have so far had very little interest in it whatsoever over the past 4 weeks or so. Ours is in pristine condition throughout and has only covered 13,000 miles and has 3 owners in total, the previous two being father and son. I don't mean to plug the advert by detailing this, but want to gauge your opinions on why this might be - and whether anyone else has had similar experiences selling their Chimaera?

Price, I suspect. You are in the top 5 highest priced private sales in the classifieds - for less money there are later 450/500s with substantial upgrades. You are also competing with dealers who are selling warrantied cars. I think most people in this market value key upgrades over very low mileage..

My 93 400 with new shocks, outrigger, cam, bushes and a host of other work sold for sub £10k at a dealer - he sold it within 3 days of me part exchanging it....

All IMO of course.

[RDJ]

I prefer the early cars as they are the only ones that came with the 4.3 engine

For me they hit the sweet spot with this engine and a lot of quality engineering went in to it compared with the later bigger stuff

I've owned Chimaeras of all flavours but the 4.3 is the one that does it for me. Consistantly strong power output and very keen to rev, with a nice broad spread of torque.

Edited by RDJ on Thursday 14th August 15:04