Should I sell the Elise sport 160 and get a 4.5 chimera?

[piooly]

Hi TVR people. I usually post on the Lotus stuff but I am looking at joining the dark side.

I have a very nice 2001 Y plate elise sport 160. It had a few mods and is a great car. However I'm thinking of selling it and getting a chimera 4.5 of griffth 500. My old man has a cerbera 4.2 so I'm not a TVR virgin. I'd the sound of the rover V8 but I could do with a bit of help. I can do all the servicing, thats not a problem, it will just for the parts but all the labour will be me.

How reliable is the rover V8 and does this reliabilty change between the 4.0 and 4.5 & 5.0 ?

Is the gearbox good? Electrics? Suspension?

Generally what are the main areas for concern on a chimera?


I'd apprieciate any help you can give me.

cheers.

[Trellis]

piooly said:

Hi TVR people. I usually post on the Lotus stuff but I am looking at joining the dark side. I have a very nice 2001 Y plate elise sport 160. It had a few mods and is a great car. However I'm thinking of selling it and getting a chimera 4.5 of griffth 500. My old man has a cerbera 4.2 so I'm not a TVR virgin. I'd the sound of the rover V8 but I could do with a bit of help. I can do all the servicing, thats not a problem, it will just for the parts but all the labour will be me. How reliable is the rover V8 and does this reliabilty change between the 4.0 and 4.5 & 5.0 ? I've owned all three and there was zero difference in reliability. IMHO thats going to be a consensus opinion. Is the gearbox good? yes - good for much more bhp than these engines in standard form will put out. Electrics? I havent had a single electrical glitch in 3 cars Suspension? now thats a different story! I'd do some searches on the forums about suspension. Personally I think its the achilles heel of these cars - but of course relatively cheap upgrades are available! Generally what are the main areas for concern on a chimera? make sure it doesnt leak for a start - but its hard for me to quote concerns - Ive had 100% reliable fun motoring out of my cars!!! If you like the handling when you test drive - go for it!!! I'd apprieciate any help you can give me. cheers.

[piooly]

I think you missed tyhe response?

[hughesieII]

piooly said:

I think you missed tyhe response?

I think he responded in the response though...

[andy-w]

Just go for it...you will not regret it!!!

V8 is a solid engine...gearbox was good enough for cosworth!!! what more do you want

[stegefal]

If you're capable neough to do a lot of the work required to maintain the car and are familiar with the Marque, I'd do it every time.

Have you had an opportunity to drive one yet? I think it will be a completely different ride to the little, nippy, Elise.

[Mr Jenks]

piooly said:

Hi TVR people. I usually post on the Lotus stuff but I am looking at joining the dark side. I have a car. However I'm thinking of selling it and getting a chimera 4.5. I'm a virgin. I'd apprieciate any help you can give me. cheers.

Just do it, on both questions

[jonka]

I got my first tvr only a month ago a chim 450 best thing ive ever done, only wish id don,it 10 years ago.LIve life go for it,you wont regret it................

[piooly]

hughesieII said:

piooly said: I think you missed tyhe response? I think he responded in the response though...

Oh yeah, didnt see that. Cheers guys I think I best get to a dealer and go for a spin !

[Don]

4.5 Chimaera is a great car - but boy will it be different from your current steed.

Test drive to make sure you *really* want to do it. The Chimaera *does not* have "on rails" cornering. It *does* have fantastic straight line squirt. If you're someone who likes touring it is a wonderful, wonderful, practical, fun, roof-off, sunshine-and-a-V8 car. If you're a trackmeister you should keep the 160.

Drive one. If it suits you I guarantee you will LOVE it to bits. But you need to make sure it will suit you.

[225]

And as for the improvement in sound.....

[Al 450]

Yes!

Bought my 450 a couple of months ago and I'm loving it. I did consider an Elise but as it would be my everyday car I couldn't live with the lack of space. Going to Le Mans this year so wanted a tourer.

Also Elises are common as muck nowadays, TVR's stand out a little more.

Rather than repeating everything, search these forums for all the common answers. Buy on age, condition and service history rather than mileage. I think it's worth getting the latest you can afford as they were constantly evolving.

Preventative maintenance is the key to reliability.

[mak]

listen to mr don, he's hit the nail on the head. i like too drive and the old chimaera is a beast in 5ltr form BUT! your gonna throw money at it making it handle as i'm trying to do and along your average b road your elise will kill it but its got a lot of other charms, life's about trying things and i've owned a lot of nice cars but never bought a car from reading forums just my heart so if u dont like it just flog it and move on mate its just another car to add to your list of life.

[redleicester]

Don is spot on, also just picking holes in your original post - the Cerbera has the AJP V8, the Chims have the Rover V8, so if you're expecting a Chim to sound the same you'll be disappointed! I'm sure you already know this, but just thought I'd flag it up.

I've had both a Chim and a Cerb, and now lacking for any TVR I can't help but dream of owning another every waking minute!

[kennyhep]

as with all tiv's check the chassie (pardon the spelling) very carefully, rust on outriggers and suspension mounts is common if not waxoyled regularly. i got my 1st chim 450 last year having waited over 10 years to get one and i still get a grim the size of the channel tunnel everytime i drive it, and my kids love the sound when i open it up a bit, which is most of the time. I can live with the water leakage, the high running costs and the constant little things that need done,just starting it up gives you goose bumps, even the folks next door admire it. So come on over to the dark side!!

[Rum Runner]

As Noddy from Slade sang 'Cum on and feel the Noize'