Can I afford a Chimera?

[Podie]

The various posts about the glut of Chimera's on the market has got me thinking. I've been looking to move into TVR ownership with an S series car, and was intending to buy at the beginning of next year.

My concern is not of the purchase price, but of the associated running costs.

Are there any specialists out there that can maintain a Chimera (say a 4.0 for example) on a sensible budget - or am I playing out of my league here?

Could anyone enlighten me as to the expected annual running costs for a 4.0?

Any thoughts / comments will be much appreciated.

[joospeed]

answer depends where in the country you are or how far you are prepared to travel for cheaper servicng.

[Podie]

Currently reside in Essex, but often over towards Surry (esp Guildford)... I do about 1500 miles a month at the moment, but this is likely to drop to a (slightly) more sensible 1000 fairly soon.

[incorrigible]

I can't see how the running costs could be any more than an "S" (apart from the two extra spark plugs on a service) All the consumables on the running gear are cheap (discs, pads, bearings, bushes, etc) the servive items are standard Land Rover and they must take about the same amount of time to perform any given task

S and Chim (I guess) both like an oil change every 3000 miles or so.

Wait till Steve H reads this you'll get a proper answer then

[N17 TVR]

Podie

Your'e not seriously thinking of ditching the Thunder are you ?

p.s. It's spelt Chimaera

[edited to remove the words fanny batter]




>> Edited by N17 TVR on Tuesday 17th September 15:58

>> Edited by N17 TVR on Tuesday 17th September 16:00

[incorrigible]

quote:
answer depends where in the country you are or how far you are prepared to travel for cheaper servicng.

Jools,
Is there any fundamental difference between a chim service and an S service then ?? maybe a check of the stepper motor, I can't see much more

[Scruff400]

It varies mate.

Before you dismiss this as another Scruffy ejaculation, I would consider this,

If it's your 'daily', factor in the difference in cost of fuel between your current (40 in a puma) and intended (20ish).
Also the fact that you'll probably want to pamper it a bit (Mobil1 = £30.00).
A service will be £300ish - every 6000 miles.
Occaisionally bits wear out - Tyres, any wear (pun intended) between £85 - 160 each, and every 6000 - 20,000 depending how you drive it (..!). Brakes also wear out. Bulbs need replacing. Bastards try to mate the car with their tow hooks, etc.
If you do these things yourself you obviously save £££ but a bloke in a set of overalls could charge anywhere between £20 and £60 per hour. Taking the exhaust off takes bloody ages, believe me!!!
Then my gearbox broke (£400 recon my old one - no labour!) put in new comp clutch at the same time £300, and it looks like my rads started to leak again. A recore looks like £100.
You also have to insure it!!

I'd stick a grand in the bank.

I'm not sure about the green fees in your area.

[incorrigible]

Fair point Scruff, I've got through a set of rear tyres in 2000 miles, but it was new and I was excited, but I'd have been the same if I'd bought an S.

Wasn't the question "Would it be much more to run than an S ?" not "Would it be much more to run than a Puma ?"

[N17 TVR]

quote:

I'm not sure about the green fees in your area.

Scruff, let the golf thing go.....I'm beginning to get tee'd off. The hole thing is pointless, you are talking a load of balls and you have a bunker mentality. There is a fair-way to go before you get the rub of the green. Get it ironed out, because at the moment you can't see the woods for the tees.




>> Edited by N17 TVR on Tuesday 17th September 16:25

[M@H]

Podie.. you copying me mate.. ??

PS do you know how I can shift my Puma ?

Cheers
Matt.

[Scruff400]

quote:
Fair point Scruff, I've got through a set of rear tyres in 2000 miles, but it was new and I was excited, but I'd have been the same if I'd bought an S.

Wasn't the question "Would it be much more to run than an S ?" not "Would it be much more to run than a Puma ?"

Well he has a Puma (Thunder). And the immediate shock factor (fuel, insurance and little squeeks and rattles) would be the same whether he bought a Chimaera or an S variant (V8S would be nice..).

My advice is the same for either S or Chimaera (it really isn't a chimp):

Stick a grand in the bank. Oh, and buy a tube of Black silicone rubber..

[Scruff400]

quote:

I'm not sure about the green fees in your area.

Scruff, let the golf thing go.....I'm beginning to get tee'd off. The hole thing is pointless, you are talking a load of balls and you have a bunker mentality. There is a fair-way to go before you get the rub of the green. Get it ironed out, because at the moment you can't see the woods for the tees.


Edited by scruff to remove the words 'Fcuk off N17'.

>> Edited by N17 TVR on Tuesday 17th September 16:25


>> Edited by Scruff400 on Tuesday 17th September 16:32

[incorrigible]

quote:
PS do you know how I can shift my Puma ?

Get a TVR to tow it

[Fer]

We are becoming aware of the golf between your opinions. Perhaps it is time to drive forward and putt this behind you.

[incorrigible]

quote:
Well he has a Puma (Thunder). And the immediate shock factor (fuel, insurance and little squeeks and rattles) would be the same whether he bought a Chimaera or an S variant (V8S would be nice..).

My advice is the same for either S or Chimaera (it really isn't a chimp):

Stick a grand in the bank. Oh, and buy a tube of Black silicone rubber..

OK, OK,
I didn't understand the question but in my defence, we're talking about TVRs here and someone must have an ironic streak the size of the Gazza strip to call a Puma "Thunder"

Meanwhile, back at the conversation....

Does it cost much more to run a Chim than an S ?

Vote now, I think not.

[Jason F]

My S cost 500 to insure (Classic) in the first year, I replaced the wishbones at 300 quid and that is all that I spent on it (Sold it before its next service).

My first year Chimaera owning was 1500 insurance , 1200 service, about 18 to the Gallon, 260 on two rear tyres ( No idea how they wore out so fast ) A few other bits and bobs went wrong, so another 200 or so went there too..

All in all I'd say the Chimaera is a fair bit more to run than an S.

I guess what you need to do is find out how much insurance is (Esp for 12k miles p.a.), and can you afford the petrol to run it that much, and you will need two services per year on that mileage. I don't think it will be a cheap running car with that sorta distance..BUT, if you can afford it (sell the Dog, House, Wife) then it is well worth it

>> Edited by Jason F on Tuesday 17th September 16:58

[Paul V]

Should imagine the S would be slightly better on fuel and insurance but that's something you have to take into consideration, also you can get a S for £5k+ where as you’d pay £12k+ for a chimaera, I’d buy a S then trade up after a few years. That’s what I’m doing and I’m glad I had the S first, also you shouldn't lose much on a S.

>> Edited by Paul V on Tuesday 17th September 17:11

[Scruff400]

I don't think there'll be a difference between running costs of a 4.0 griff, a 4.0 chimaera or an S.
The running costs between Puma and S, and Puma and Cerbera, i think would be a little more IMHO. and only mildly guessing.

Mr Corrigible, see you Sunday!

[Podie]

Jeez, where do I start? Firstly, thanks for all the replies.

I've had a quick nose on the web and it seems that an S service (6k) can be had for around £100 less than that of a Chim.. and £150 less for the 12k... hence my question.

Apologies for missing the "e"... will refer to said car as "chim" forthwith.

Am I thinking of ditching the Thunder? er... yep. Nothing wrong with it in the slightest, although it is a bit hairdressery in some ways... just want to move on up the ladder I suppose. I've spent years building up my no claims to full and hit 25 at the end of the month - gotta take opportunities when you get the chance.

Green fees are fine... (I assume we're talking the same thing here?)

M@H - not copying you mate... can't be... haven't even had an S yet! .. as for shifting the Puma? er.. I'll give it some thought... haven't crossed that bridge yet!

Calling a Puma a Thunder... irony.. hmm... maybe. Who cares? Suppose it sounds better than "barrel scrappings" or "special edition"..

I've budgeted for the difference between a Puma and an S... and have spent some considerable time researching the S, reading the forums, asking questions and reading Mr Heath's fine publication (what %age of his 520 do PH'ers ACTUALLY own? ).. but until today had fully disregarded the Chim as a viable option... hence this thread.

>> Edited by Podie on Tuesday 17th September 17:25

[Scruff400]

quote:
My S cost 500 to insure (Classic) in the first year, I replaced the wishbones at 300 quid and that is all that I spent on it (Sold it before its next service).

My first year Chimaera owning was 1500 insurance , 1200 service, about 18 to the Gallon, 260 on two rear tyres ( No idea how they wore out so fast ) A few other bits and bobs went wrong, so another 200 or so went there too..

All in all I'd say the Chimaera is a fair bit more to run than an S.

Based on the above!! £1200 service - that's a point, a service for a car that you lovingly look after yourself: the TVR stamp in your book will cost £280+, a service for a car that's been thrashed (no offence), sorry.. needs respray for stone chips, needs new brakes and pads (and lines), new clutch. Needs the UJs fettling, new wishbones, welding to exhaust/new exhaust... could happen to an S as well as a Chimaera, that's my point

I'm off to see how mungo's getting on..