Discussion
hello folks, a quick question
I have driven BMW M3's for the last few years, but now I fancy a change to something a bit more 'seat of your pants' and british, such as the Chim/griff or Esprit/Elise (i do like the Chim best though).
I'm obviously used to the odd nasty service bill with the M3's, so cost isn't nescessarily the issue, but at least the BM's were reliable. I've read the reviews and heard the gossip about TVR reliability, and it seems to be a very mixed bag.
My question is can I use a Chim as an everyday car for my journey to work (only 5 'queue free' miles mind, but will be throughout the winter), or will I be regularly calling a taxi and cursing?
looking forward to your replies!
I have driven BMW M3's for the last few years, but now I fancy a change to something a bit more 'seat of your pants' and british, such as the Chim/griff or Esprit/Elise (i do like the Chim best though).
I'm obviously used to the odd nasty service bill with the M3's, so cost isn't nescessarily the issue, but at least the BM's were reliable. I've read the reviews and heard the gossip about TVR reliability, and it seems to be a very mixed bag.
My question is can I use a Chim as an everyday car for my journey to work (only 5 'queue free' miles mind, but will be throughout the winter), or will I be regularly calling a taxi and cursing?
looking forward to your replies!
I've just cleared 6 months trouble free, every day driving. Well almost 
The only problem was recently when I pulled the handbrake on too hard and couldn't release it (last time I eat weetabix for breakfast!). Called a spanner waving friend who managed to free it with brute force rather than resorting to the the toolbox.
The only problem was recently when I pulled the handbrake on too hard and couldn't release it (last time I eat weetabix for breakfast!). Called a spanner waving friend who managed to free it with brute force rather than resorting to the the toolbox.
As an owner for 3 years, mine has never let me down. Five miles isn't really long enough, and the engine wear may be significant in the long term, but that's true of any car.
You may find, however, that your five miles may become a longer trip as you "go for a spin" on the way home.
Chimaeras aren't ideal for snowy or wet conditions, so a light right foot and use of higher gears than normal pays dividends.
If you buy carefully you won't regret it, and with the current used prices, the smiles per pound quotient is fantastic.
R
You may find, however, that your five miles may become a longer trip as you "go for a spin" on the way home.
Chimaeras aren't ideal for snowy or wet conditions, so a light right foot and use of higher gears than normal pays dividends.
If you buy carefully you won't regret it, and with the current used prices, the smiles per pound quotient is fantastic.
R
Well I've been using my 94 Chimaera everyday now since May so not had any really bad weather yet but it's my only car and I've got no other way of getting to the office
(5 queue free miles now the roadworks are finished
)
and I've had no real problems, in fact I think it's running better now than when I used it as a weekend play thing, only thing is the service intervals are coming around a bit quicker than I would like.
As soon as funds allow I'm getting a motorbike to do the journey on, probably just in time for winter
(5 queue free miles now the roadworks are finished
) and I've had no real problems, in fact I think it's running better now than when I used it as a weekend play thing, only thing is the service intervals are coming around a bit quicker than I would like.
As soon as funds allow I'm getting a motorbike to do the journey on, probably just in time for winter
thanks for your replies gents, keep them coming, I want to get as much info as possible from people who 'actually know'.
The only other horror stories I have seen, based on about 2 hours reading this entire forum! is some cars have rotted underneath? My budget will is around £15k so I will be buying a Chim 4.0 around 1996, 1997. Is this rotting a particular problem with certain years, or is it all how the car has been maintained. I really don't want to be performing any 'body off' restorations - ay.
P.S I don't have a garage.
The only other horror stories I have seen, based on about 2 hours reading this entire forum! is some cars have rotted underneath? My budget will is around £15k so I will be buying a Chim 4.0 around 1996, 1997. Is this rotting a particular problem with certain years, or is it all how the car has been maintained. I really don't want to be performing any 'body off' restorations - ay.
P.S I don't have a garage.
quote:
P.S I don't have a garage.
I don't either. As long as you can keep it dry inside it's not a problem, as you will have read, Fabsil or suchlike, plenty and often.
On mine there was a gap at the bottom/back of the door window by the hood hinge that could let in water, I think I have found a cunning fix for this and will let all know if it ever rains again.
P.S. I'm thinking of having a garage built soon. Not because I really want to put the car in it (although useful when it starts to rain half way through polishing) but the shed is getting full!
5 years is about normal for there life span What you need is a car that's been looked after by an enthusiast, with all the ongoing issues dealt with as they come up. Effectively, one that's been driven, rather than sat in the garage.
I -- er -- happen to have one for sale that fits just that descrption, as it happens...
More here: www.pistonheads.com/ads/displayAd.asp?advertId=6079
I -- er -- happen to have one for sale that fits just that descrption, as it happens...
More here: www.pistonheads.com/ads/displayAd.asp?advertId=6079
Absolutely no reason to be concerned about daily use of a tvr - after all its just a bin load of parts off other daily use cars - rover, ford, vauxhall, citroen etc 
I'd be inclined to ensure the engine's reached proper operating temp before gunning it the 5 miles to / from the office.
Nothing's more irritating than trivial faults that get in the way of routine use - reliability is everything - so a bit of attention to:
battery (if in doubt chuck it out and have the local battery shop grovel down the footwell to replace it);
coil (life shortened by being broiled - easy to have output checked)
starter motor (fit a heat-shield to prevent it BBQing itself or go for the exhaust wrap);
check the stepper motor for crud that screws up smooth running;
Thompsons the canvas every couple of months to stop water getting in and the irritating problem of foggy screen when driving in the rain;
seal all the holes where cables penetrate the bulkhead and inspection hatch over the clutch master cylinder and around the brake master cylinder;
I invested in a Covercraft Weathershield cover - takes less than a minute to fit/remove www.covercraft-europe.com/car.html but you could opt for the roof cover only
Pretty simple stuff really but it'll give you confidence that when you go out on a dark morning you can enjoy the drive to work rather than wait for the RAC to arrive.
We're here to help you move over to open top driving - and BTW you'll park the lotus idea as soon as you've driven a chim!!
Good luck
Hutch
I'd be inclined to ensure the engine's reached proper operating temp before gunning it the 5 miles to / from the office.
Nothing's more irritating than trivial faults that get in the way of routine use - reliability is everything - so a bit of attention to:
battery (if in doubt chuck it out and have the local battery shop grovel down the footwell to replace it);
coil (life shortened by being broiled - easy to have output checked)
starter motor (fit a heat-shield to prevent it BBQing itself or go for the exhaust wrap);
check the stepper motor for crud that screws up smooth running;
Thompsons the canvas every couple of months to stop water getting in and the irritating problem of foggy screen when driving in the rain;
seal all the holes where cables penetrate the bulkhead and inspection hatch over the clutch master cylinder and around the brake master cylinder;
I invested in a Covercraft Weathershield cover - takes less than a minute to fit/remove www.covercraft-europe.com/car.html but you could opt for the roof cover only
Pretty simple stuff really but it'll give you confidence that when you go out on a dark morning you can enjoy the drive to work rather than wait for the RAC to arrive.
We're here to help you move over to open top driving - and BTW you'll park the lotus idea as soon as you've driven a chim!!
Good luck
Hutch
Been mulling over this issue for a couple of days now, keep seeing "reliability" being used too often when talking about TVRs in the motoring press.
However, where else can you get a car with Ferrari / Porsche rivaling performance for a fraction of the cost? Forget those jap-nutter-turbo things as they are all 4-door... so for the performance you are actually not spending too much. What you gain in not spending as much money, you should be careful on running costs. Just cos its got a Rover V8 doesnt mean that it will be cheap to service and run - though it certainly doesnt have to be expensive by any stretch...
The figures speak for themselves. Say for example you do 12000 miles per year you are looking at one minor and one major service per year. At a good independant you should be aiming for £400 for the minor and £600 for the major. Insurance will be fine if you shop around but is very dependant on your age and location. But considering that I can insure mine for £450 a year its not that bad.
Tyres can be a pain as old SO2's are getting harder to find so you might need to jump to other brands which are more expensive (and might need to change 4 rather than just 2). But on a Griffith and Chimaera they arent that low on the profile so aim for around £120 a corner - and not the £200 or so for some very low profile ones you can get nowadays.
Fuel wont be too bad either. Aim for anything between 20 - 25 MPG depending on driving style and size of engine. But in general it isnt as frightening as some 4x4s though.
Buying one in the first place isnt going to be a problem either. Been around for a few years and therefore plenty at indies and dealers as well as private. You can pay anything from £12K to £32K so the pick is yours. I would say get the newest and biggest engine you can - but buy on condition, not colour or location. Bought mine for £13K and spent £2K on servicing & repairs so far. Ok, so it has let me down once, but this isnt bad for a year and 12,000 miles. In fact costs less to run than a Vectra 2.5 that I had....
To sum up - you can get a lot for not a lot of money. Dont scrimp on servicing and buy the best you can find and it should be OK. I use mine every day and as I mentioned, only let me down once in a year. Not bad really is it - oh, and the Vectra let me down 3 times in the same time!!!
Do it - you wont regret it. Nothing else is as involving and entertaining. Typically british and worth every penny...
Cheers,
Paul
However, where else can you get a car with Ferrari / Porsche rivaling performance for a fraction of the cost? Forget those jap-nutter-turbo things as they are all 4-door... so for the performance you are actually not spending too much. What you gain in not spending as much money, you should be careful on running costs. Just cos its got a Rover V8 doesnt mean that it will be cheap to service and run - though it certainly doesnt have to be expensive by any stretch...
The figures speak for themselves. Say for example you do 12000 miles per year you are looking at one minor and one major service per year. At a good independant you should be aiming for £400 for the minor and £600 for the major. Insurance will be fine if you shop around but is very dependant on your age and location. But considering that I can insure mine for £450 a year its not that bad.
Tyres can be a pain as old SO2's are getting harder to find so you might need to jump to other brands which are more expensive (and might need to change 4 rather than just 2). But on a Griffith and Chimaera they arent that low on the profile so aim for around £120 a corner - and not the £200 or so for some very low profile ones you can get nowadays.
Fuel wont be too bad either. Aim for anything between 20 - 25 MPG depending on driving style and size of engine. But in general it isnt as frightening as some 4x4s though.
Buying one in the first place isnt going to be a problem either. Been around for a few years and therefore plenty at indies and dealers as well as private. You can pay anything from £12K to £32K so the pick is yours. I would say get the newest and biggest engine you can - but buy on condition, not colour or location. Bought mine for £13K and spent £2K on servicing & repairs so far. Ok, so it has let me down once, but this isnt bad for a year and 12,000 miles. In fact costs less to run than a Vectra 2.5 that I had....
To sum up - you can get a lot for not a lot of money. Dont scrimp on servicing and buy the best you can find and it should be OK. I use mine every day and as I mentioned, only let me down once in a year. Not bad really is it - oh, and the Vectra let me down 3 times in the same time!!!
Do it - you wont regret it. Nothing else is as involving and entertaining. Typically british and worth every penny...
Cheers,
Paul
Can't tell from the profile what part of the country you are in - but if it's "traffic free" journey - you can't be in town!
I also use mine every day within West London and like all the other contributions say - if you look after it - it should be fine. Remember that most these threads are to discuss problems rather than the immense pleasure they give, I love mine because it's simple - no bull electrics, air bags, ABS, all those novelty items galore and find it as comfortbale as any big 4 door luxury car! If you study the bible enough and read the threads - most problems are very simple to diagnose. Like they say, if you live near one of the many great independants they will look after you and your wallet should you need it .. . but the ROI (Return on Immense-pleasure) is fantastic.
>> Edited by robkola on Wednesday 2nd October 12:14
I also use mine every day within West London and like all the other contributions say - if you look after it - it should be fine. Remember that most these threads are to discuss problems rather than the immense pleasure they give, I love mine because it's simple - no bull electrics, air bags, ABS, all those novelty items galore and find it as comfortbale as any big 4 door luxury car! If you study the bible enough and read the threads - most problems are very simple to diagnose. Like they say, if you live near one of the many great independants they will look after you and your wallet should you need it .. . but the ROI (Return on Immense-pleasure) is fantastic.
>> Edited by robkola on Wednesday 2nd October 12:14
quote:
Is this rotting a particular problem with certain years, or is it all how the car has been maintained. I really don't want to be performing any 'body off' restorations - ay.
A rare problem which you can easily avoid by having the car checked by a specialist before buying (David Batty highly reccomended if your based in the south, Joolz if your further north).
As others have mentioned, be gentle if your going to use the car for short journeys. I trot the few miles in to work in mine but always let her warmup for 5mins before heading off, then keep it under 2500rpm until at running temp.
My running costs have been a little more than expected but thats due to a) doing more miles than I intended (inevitable!) b) needing tyres sooner than expected (£520 for the set).
thanks for your help so far, especially some of the longer replies, most informative.
I am looking to buy this month, but truth be told I've never even sat in one! Are ther any decent dealers around that I can go and see a couple. I live in West London, by the A40 - Ruislip.
Are the bigger engnes more reliable? or just more fun?
I am looking to buy this month, but truth be told I've never even sat in one! Are ther any decent dealers around that I can go and see a couple. I live in West London, by the A40 - Ruislip.
Are the bigger engnes more reliable? or just more fun?
Go to Adrian Blyth - regular advertiser on this site - as an excellent source to start with. He has an excellent selection, is very knowledgeable and can help you refine your selection. He is a dealer and obviously wont be 100% independant, but is very helpful.
I didnt get mine from him - but found that in my dealings he was reasonable, helpful and certainly what I needed. An excellent start and fairly local. Dont start with the dealers yet. Not that they are bad or anything, but they do have a party line to comply with and therefore not as objective as someone like an indie....
My opinion of course...
Cheers,
Paul
I didnt get mine from him - but found that in my dealings he was reasonable, helpful and certainly what I needed. An excellent start and fairly local. Dont start with the dealers yet. Not that they are bad or anything, but they do have a party line to comply with and therefore not as objective as someone like an indie....
My opinion of course...
Cheers,
Paul
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