To Buy Or Not To Buy?
Discussion
Hi Antony,
You wont regret it. Use it every day and you should et good reliabilty. Fuel is obviously going to be more expensive than your pug
Otherwise nor real differences... Oh yes, insurance, depending on where you go.
Have a look at these threads, my experiences anyway...
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?f=13&h=&t=8044
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?f=13&h=&t=8954
You know you want to!
H
You wont regret it. Use it every day and you should et good reliabilty. Fuel is obviously going to be more expensive than your pug
Otherwise nor real differences... Oh yes, insurance, depending on where you go. Have a look at these threads, my experiences anyway...
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?f=13&h=&t=8044
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?f=13&h=&t=8954
You know you want to!
H
so you think running it evey day is a good thing? i plan to drive to the train station and back (i work in london) which is about a 9 mile round trip... btw, i see you bought yours from Adrian Blyth, I am currently waiting for a finance quote on this Chimaera 4.0 1997/P from them - www.adrianblyth.co.uk/tvr.asp (2nd down from top) 
Its good to see the apparently excellent feedback about the dealer.
>> Edited by antonyb on Sunday 28th July 20:47
>> Edited by antonyb on Sunday 28th July 20:48
>> Edited by antonyb on Sunday 28th July 20:49
Its good to see the apparently excellent feedback about the dealer. >> Edited by antonyb on Sunday 28th July 20:47
>> Edited by antonyb on Sunday 28th July 20:48
>> Edited by antonyb on Sunday 28th July 20:49
Anthony, had my 95 4HC for just over a month now and use everyday for the 12 mile each way jaunt to the station. No worries at all (apart from the neighbours commenting on the lovely sound she makes at 5.30!).
When I asked on this site about daily driving I was advised to be a bit wary about the battery, I'm not an expert but I believe that the "plastic" body means that there is no natural earth and 12 miles is about what the battery needs to charge to charge itself. 9 should be ok though if the battery is fine.
For finance, also go to www.directline.co.uk as they will do car loans with or without balloons and I found they were much cheaper than finance houses or banks.
Good luck and have fun.....
>> Edited by jacksdad on Monday 29th July 11:00
When I asked on this site about daily driving I was advised to be a bit wary about the battery, I'm not an expert but I believe that the "plastic" body means that there is no natural earth and 12 miles is about what the battery needs to charge to charge itself. 9 should be ok though if the battery is fine.
For finance, also go to www.directline.co.uk as they will do car loans with or without balloons and I found they were much cheaper than finance houses or banks.
Good luck and have fun.....
>> Edited by jacksdad on Monday 29th July 11:00
Antony,
I wouldn't want to put you off, but you should be prepared for much higher expenses. These cars are not your average hot hatch, and it will drain your wallet, whether you use it every day or not. But performance and grin factor - you'll never look back (it's hard to turn your head under those g-forces!). There's nothing else in the purchase or maintenance price brakcet that comes any where near.
I've just serviced mine, at £1200 this is hardly your average mondeo service. It had two new shocks and some brake pipes on top of a full service, and that was at an independent not a main dealer. You might think this is a one off, but in my 3 years of ownership I seem to have some sort of one off every year (tyres, alarm faults, new battery, wishbones rusty, rear shocks etc). Friends and family think I'm mad - but they've not driven it!
I wouldn't want to put you off, but you should be prepared for much higher expenses. These cars are not your average hot hatch, and it will drain your wallet, whether you use it every day or not. But performance and grin factor - you'll never look back (it's hard to turn your head under those g-forces!). There's nothing else in the purchase or maintenance price brakcet that comes any where near.
I've just serviced mine, at £1200 this is hardly your average mondeo service. It had two new shocks and some brake pipes on top of a full service, and that was at an independent not a main dealer. You might think this is a one off, but in my 3 years of ownership I seem to have some sort of one off every year (tyres, alarm faults, new battery, wishbones rusty, rear shocks etc). Friends and family think I'm mad - but they've not driven it!
AnthonyB
The upsides of TVR ownership are all very well chronicled. They start on every journey when you sit inside and turn the key. After a year of ownership every journey is still a sense of occassion. The noise, looks, reception from other drivers are all unparalled at this price.
We also all hear a lot about the downsides too and I suspect that (certainly as far as the Chimaera is concerned) there is a real tendency for some people (especially non-TVR owners) to overplay the unreliability argument.
I can only speak from personal experience and tell you that I have had my 1999 4.0 for a year and not had a thing go wrong apart from the (common) fault of the starter motor being cooked in v. hot weather.
6K service intervals are a down-side but if you go to a good independent, a full service (every 12K) should cost you no more than £350 and an interim about £200.
Chimaeras and Griffs have been around for a fair while such that TVR ironed out the big problems yonks ago. I would be inclined to get someone like David Batty or Rob Ingleby to locate you a good model (certainly cheaper and more reliable than an RAC inspection) and don't be afraid to walk away from a car if you are in anyway uncertain - there's plenty out there at the moment.
David.
The upsides of TVR ownership are all very well chronicled. They start on every journey when you sit inside and turn the key. After a year of ownership every journey is still a sense of occassion. The noise, looks, reception from other drivers are all unparalled at this price.
We also all hear a lot about the downsides too and I suspect that (certainly as far as the Chimaera is concerned) there is a real tendency for some people (especially non-TVR owners) to overplay the unreliability argument.
I can only speak from personal experience and tell you that I have had my 1999 4.0 for a year and not had a thing go wrong apart from the (common) fault of the starter motor being cooked in v. hot weather.
6K service intervals are a down-side but if you go to a good independent, a full service (every 12K) should cost you no more than £350 and an interim about £200.
Chimaeras and Griffs have been around for a fair while such that TVR ironed out the big problems yonks ago. I would be inclined to get someone like David Batty or Rob Ingleby to locate you a good model (certainly cheaper and more reliable than an RAC inspection) and don't be afraid to walk away from a car if you are in anyway uncertain - there's plenty out there at the moment.
David.
I bought a 4.0 97P last year ... its been great fun, but has racked up a few bills along the way. Nothing major, but lots of stupid things like temp and oil pressure sender, a sensor in the distributor, a big service and some minor ones, new front wishbones, tyres, shagged alarm controller and siren ... all adds up to several grand, mainly labour charges. London steet parking wallops you on the insurance too.
By my standards, an expensive toy ... but still very happy with it. I sincerely hope that the car is now better sorted than when I bought it ...
I would strongly recommend finding a good independent garage run by an enthusiast to look after the car. The level of service is better and significatly cheaper than the official dealers I've come across. On a car that has covered any distance I'd rather see tangible signs of careful ownership rather than put much faith in a FTVRSH log book.
By my standards, an expensive toy ... but still very happy with it. I sincerely hope that the car is now better sorted than when I bought it ...
I would strongly recommend finding a good independent garage run by an enthusiast to look after the car. The level of service is better and significatly cheaper than the official dealers I've come across. On a car that has covered any distance I'd rather see tangible signs of careful ownership rather than put much faith in a FTVRSH log book.
Before I bought my 98 450 Chimaera I had a Alpine BMW 850 (450 Hp!!) Now that was an unreliable car. Each service above £1500 and a new box at £5K. Comparably TVR is cheap and reliable. Most TVR Faults are simple to remedy. Electrical faults usually conector come off, overheating fault cured by new radiator (free from dealer - TVR Castle, Stanstead). With a car like this is was always my intention to pay the dealer for the car so I had someone to shout at when it went wrong. I have been back with 3 faults, the last one was a broken alternator fuse, so flat battery but easy to fix. I drive the car regularly (12K pa) and it costs about 50p per mile, including depreciation and financing interest.
Ive got a 98 Chim, had it about 10 months. I dont use it every day, but have done about 5000 miles in it so far at weekends. No real problems. Had a sticky boot lock that cost £50 or so in labour to fix. No other problems. The last service (previous owner) cost approx £550, and thats with nothing being done to it- so more expensive that the average car. Fuel is a big cost at 15-20 mph (4.0 litre). The roof does not leak, so ok to leave out in the rain. Get a bit of wind coming through the doors through when moving, so you get cold legs etc in winter- but has a good heater so ok there. I also have AC which is great for hot days with the roof down- keeps you cool.
Just go and get one, but keep a few thousand in the bank for insurance and petrol, servicing etc.
Dave
Just go and get one, but keep a few thousand in the bank for insurance and petrol, servicing etc.
Dave
AntonyB - so what's the news? Did you make a decision?
Today was the first time I drove my 450 with the roof on since getting the car last weekend, and that's because it was absolutely chucking it down. It's so easy to take off the panel and stow it that I expect most of my miles will be top-off rather than top-on. I need to hear that beautiful v8 sound and removing the roof panel maximises the pleasure (why should the pedestrians have all the fun!). Have managed to put around 300 miles on in the past 4 days - it's a totally addictive experience. Don't hesitate - go for it!
Hutch
Today was the first time I drove my 450 with the roof on since getting the car last weekend, and that's because it was absolutely chucking it down. It's so easy to take off the panel and stow it that I expect most of my miles will be top-off rather than top-on. I need to hear that beautiful v8 sound and removing the roof panel maximises the pleasure (why should the pedestrians have all the fun!). Have managed to put around 300 miles on in the past 4 days - it's a totally addictive experience. Don't hesitate - go for it!
Hutch
antonyb Have you had a look in the Members section, Members Cars?
There is a database available for owners to enter running costs of their cars and it calculates a p/mile figure. In your case for a Chimaera 4.0 try www.pistonheads.com/members/fleet.asp?m=3&model=Chimaera+4.0&s=c&submit=++Show++
as a start (may have to type that in full) and click on each car for a breakdown of costs. Rummage around in the drop down and look up similar models for more examples
There is a database available for owners to enter running costs of their cars and it calculates a p/mile figure. In your case for a Chimaera 4.0 try www.pistonheads.com/members/fleet.asp?m=3&model=Chimaera+4.0&s=c&submit=++Show++
as a start (may have to type that in full) and click on each car for a breakdown of costs. Rummage around in the drop down and look up similar models for more examples
You mention driving to the train station in it everyday at 4.5 miles? I don't think that's very good for any car let alone a TVR as it can't possibly have time to warm up and you'll end up with exhaust fumes and stuff corroding the exhuast from the inside out as it won't be warm enough to burn them off.
I could be wrong and if I am I am sure someone will tell me / you...
I would go for an everyday car (£300 jobby, buy it with MOT and Tax and use that to and from the station) or even a moped and take my TVR out at weekends.
>> Edited by GingaNinga on Wednesday 31st July 15:29
I could be wrong and if I am I am sure someone will tell me / you...
I would go for an everyday car (£300 jobby, buy it with MOT and Tax and use that to and from the station) or even a moped and take my TVR out at weekends.
>> Edited by GingaNinga on Wednesday 31st July 15:29
quote:
Fuel is a big cost at 15-20 mph (4.0 litre). The roof does not leak, so ok to leave out in the rain. Get a bit of wind coming through the doors through when moving, so you get cold legs etc in winter- but has a good heater so ok there. I also have AC which is great for hot days with the roof down- keeps you cool.
Just go and get one, but keep a few thousand in the bank for insurance and petrol, servicing etc.
Dave
Might help your fuel consumption if you don't try to air condition the world with your hood down!
quote:
Fuel is a big cost at 15-20 mph (4.0 litre).
Dave
That is not an normal figure, either Dave is caning it all the time or he has a problem. 20 - 21 mpg is more normal, up to 26mpg on a steady run. Again, check the figures in the Members Cars for a comparison from several owners, don't take my word for it.
quote:
You mention driving to the train station in it everyday at 4.5 miles? I don't think that's very good for any car let alone a TVR as it can't possibly have time to warm up and you'll end up with exhaust fumes and stuff corroding the exhuast from the inside out as it won't be warm enough to burn them off.
I would go for an everyday car (£300 jobby, buy it with MOT and Tax and use that to and from the station) or even a moped and take my TVR out at weekends.
>> Edited by GingaNinga on Wednesday 31st July 15:29
what do people think on this one - i cant stand the thought of buying such a beautiful car and driving an 1982 fiesta 5 out of 7 days in a week!
Also what about the winter? Do they start ok if covered but outside? Even if driven with care is the massive power output still a problem?
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