Discussion
Hi Folks
I am just at the transition between teasing myself about buying a Chimaera, and actually preparing to splash out. Having read the forum I'm looking for a little advice ( I know a lot of people ask on here!).
I'm keen to buy a car that is fairly young as it seems that most of the problems were sorted on the later models ie 4.5 and 5.0. The price difference seems to be about £2000-£2500 for cars with the same plate and mileage. Basically, is the extra 500cc really worth it. The car will be used in the summer and to be honest, I'm probably not a good enough driver to explore it's full potential. I'm interested in potential depreciation comparisons, general driving impressions etc. The stuff to look out for technically is really well covered elsewhere in the forum!
Thanks
I am just at the transition between teasing myself about buying a Chimaera, and actually preparing to splash out. Having read the forum I'm looking for a little advice ( I know a lot of people ask on here!).
I'm keen to buy a car that is fairly young as it seems that most of the problems were sorted on the later models ie 4.5 and 5.0. The price difference seems to be about £2000-£2500 for cars with the same plate and mileage. Basically, is the extra 500cc really worth it. The car will be used in the summer and to be honest, I'm probably not a good enough driver to explore it's full potential. I'm interested in potential depreciation comparisons, general driving impressions etc. The stuff to look out for technically is really well covered elsewhere in the forum!
Thanks
Nice Noise said:
is the extra 500cc really worth it.
Oh
There is no "huge" differences in the Chim range, as verified at Vmax at the weekend, theres a good vid in the vamx section called "2 Tivs" as well, the 500 has better 3rd gear grunt, thats the only noticable place, or on a really really long runway would sort them out as well...
Spend more time looking for a sorted car than worrying about the engine size, drive lots and go for it...
Theres a really nice well sorted fast yellow one on the classififeds as well...
>> Edited by Hughesie2 on Wednesday 20th July 13:55
When buying a TVR there are three important things to consider - condition, condition and condition.
I went looking for a good one and found some seriously ropey examples (including a main dealer car with a hole in the outrigger
)... I found myself a nice 4.5 and I'm happy.
Is there a difference in the 500cc I'm down..? Yep, it hasn't got the same low down grunt or the "kudos" of having a 500. A 450 is still a nippy car, so don't discount them. Actually, you'll probably find a 400 is a quicker car point-to-point.... all horses for courses.
Get yourself to a TVRCC meet, and have a nose around and go and drive a few. If you're Essex based, then I'm happy to take you for a blat.
I went looking for a good one and found some seriously ropey examples (including a main dealer car with a hole in the outrigger
)... I found myself a nice 4.5 and I'm happy. Is there a difference in the 500cc I'm down..? Yep, it hasn't got the same low down grunt or the "kudos" of having a 500. A 450 is still a nippy car, so don't discount them. Actually, you'll probably find a 400 is a quicker car point-to-point.... all horses for courses.
Get yourself to a TVRCC meet, and have a nose around and go and drive a few. If you're Essex based, then I'm happy to take you for a blat.
The key thing is that you are at a "transition". That means a change in state, so you must've already decided to buy one! Get a 4.0, a 4.5 or a 5.0, it doesn't matter, they're all faster than a quick thing moving swiftly. Just find one whose price looks right then go and see it. If you're not confident about what you're looking for, take someone along who knows what's what. Once you've seen one you feel good about, buy it, then just drive it a lot.
Podie said:
When buying a TVR there are three important things to consider - condition, condition and condition.
I went looking for a good one and found some seriously ropey examples (including a main dealer car with a hole in the outrigger
Is there a difference in the 500cc I'm down..? Yep, it hasn't got the same low down grunt or the "kudos" of having a 500. A 450 is still a nippy car, so don't discount them. Actually, you'll probably find a 400 is a quicker car point-to-point.... all horses for courses.
Also don't discount a 400 if the condition is great.
My 400 for me is the right colour, condition and it sounds
When looking for my Tiv, I ended up driving 7 of them, back-to-back, over the space of 2 days, and all on the same route, and in the same weather conditions (Cool and dry.
I drove three 400's, two 450's, and two 500's, from Fernhursts, and from Adrian Blyth.
Here's what I found:
(1) Variability - the 400s were all different from each other, as were the 450's, and 500's. I mean really different feel and performance.
(2) the 450 and 500 felt noticeably more "muscular" than the 400.
(3) In absolute terms, the sorted 500 (which I eventually bought!)was definitely more accelerative, and more, well, responsive than the sorted 450 I drove.
However, I think in real-world driving, on real-world roads, there is nothing to separate them
For me, it came down to the fact that I just knew that knowing I did not have the full-fat 500 version would always nag at me...whether I'd got a 400 or a 450....but that's just just one of my many persomality defects.
I drove three 400's, two 450's, and two 500's, from Fernhursts, and from Adrian Blyth.
Here's what I found:
(1) Variability - the 400s were all different from each other, as were the 450's, and 500's. I mean really different feel and performance.
(2) the 450 and 500 felt noticeably more "muscular" than the 400.
(3) In absolute terms, the sorted 500 (which I eventually bought!)was definitely more accelerative, and more, well, responsive than the sorted 450 I drove.
However, I think in real-world driving, on real-world roads, there is nothing to separate them
For me, it came down to the fact that I just knew that knowing I did not have the full-fat 500 version would always nag at me...whether I'd got a 400 or a 450....but that's just just one of my many persomality defects.
oggs said:
When buying a TVR there are three important things to consider - condition, condition and condition.
I went looking for a good one and found some seriously ropey examples (including a main dealer car with a hole in the outrigger
Is there a difference in the 500cc I'm down..? Yep, it hasn't got the same low down grunt or the "kudos" of having a 500. A 450 is still a nippy car, so don't discount them. Actually, you'll probably find a 400 is a quicker car point-to-point.... all horses for courses.
Also don't discount a 400 if the condition is great.
My 400 for me is the right colour, condition and it sounds
I drove a 450 and a 500 before finally settling on the 400 I have now. Ok, so the 500 was a bit quicker but to be honest, I didn't find the 450 much different to my 400.
Could have been coz it wasn't running quite right, I don't know, but i'd like to think it's coz my 400 is well sorted
And of course, it was the perfect aerodynamic colour greatly increasing it's speed
wizzpig said:
Also don't discount a 400 if the condition is great.
My 400 for me is the right colour, condition and it sounds
Ditto - love my 400. It was in perfect condition, the perfect colour combo and it sounds
You can also get the power down on the twisties with less risk of the back stepping out. I test drove a 500 and found it a bit twitchy (although admittedly all that requires is time getting used to the car and adapting driving style to suit).
Whichever you get, provided it's well sorted, isn't going to disappoint
Nuggs said:
Whichever you get, provided it's well sorted, isn't going to disappoint
Nuggs, you have a very nice car, great noise and you know how I feel about silver. Just a litre away from perfection......
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