Buying my first
Discussion
Hi everyone, Im looking to buy my first Chim. Im looking at 95-97 but not too sure what to avoid, I hear about engine rebuilds etc but not too sure whats bad and good.
If anyone has any advice it will be greatly recieved.
If I get one in time I will take it down to Le Mans.
Cheers
G .
If anyone has any advice it will be greatly recieved.
If I get one in time I will take it down to Le Mans.
Cheers
G .
Check out my buyer's guide for some handy info: TVR Chimaera Pages.
Edited by theaxe on Tuesday 13th June 11:02
You might like to come along to your local TVRCC meet. Our lot often take out prospective buyers to see what they think of the different models. We're lucky in Surrey as we're spoilt for choice, the local tuners and an alarm/ICE specialist is making an appearance this month. If you need anymore help contact me or your RO through their PH profile or see TVR General Gassing as most meet reminders are on there.
Good luck with your purchase!
Karen
Good luck with your purchase!
Karen
I sold my Alfa GTV 3.0 V6 a couple of months back - as I needed an estate for my flat renovation. However, an Audi A4 Avant doesnt quite cut it, and I am thinking of getting a Chimaera at the end of the summer... also at the lower end of the market. Is the lack of power steering on some cars a big issue? I imagine it being fairly heavy, and also putting prospective buyers off, but would be keen to get the views of owners on PH!
Cheers
Cheers
speedy1889 said:
Hi gshock, I am also looking to buy my first Chim. Have been impressed by an independent TVR dealer in Fernhurst. They'll sell you one fully prepared or one that isn't with a list of the faults!
This is where i bought mine, a fully prepared 450, and i can confirm that the car has run over 4k miles in 4 months faultlessly, driven mostly in an "enthusiastic" way. You will pay more than a private purchase, but the peace of mind for my first Tiv was high on the list of priorities, and the Fernhurst warranty is excellent.
Took mine to the Chim rolling road day recently, and the results confirmed a "very sound" motor" (quote from Charlie) which was most pleasing.
One other suggestion i would share with anyone in your position is to budget for some specialist instruction. I drove the first 1500 miles quite carefully, then took a Ride Drive day, followed by an Ultimate Car Control day. They are both fantastic fun AND provide you with some basic skills to help enjoy safer (and faster!) driving.
Oh yes, and i've been driving almost 30 years.
Good luck and have great fun.
David
nig-gtv said:
I sold my Alfa GTV 3.0 V6 a couple of months back - as I needed an estate for my flat renovation. However, an Audi A4 Avant doesnt quite cut it, and I am thinking of getting a Chimaera at the end of the summer... also at the lower end of the market. Is the lack of power steering on some cars a big issue? I imagine it being fairly heavy, and also putting prospective buyers off, but would be keen to get the views of owners on PH!
Cheers
Why wait until the end of the summer???
That's when you will want one to around in.... PS If you're interested, mine is about to go on the market - tried to email but you're profile won't let me.
WWESTY said:
I sold my Alfa GTV 3.0 V6 a couple of months back - as I needed an estate for my flat renovation. However, an Audi A4 Avant doesnt quite cut it, and I am thinking of getting a Chimaera at the end of the summer... also at the lower end of the market. Is the lack of power steering on some cars a big issue? I imagine it being fairly heavy, and also putting prospective buyers off, but would be keen to get the views of owners on PH!
Cheers
Why wait until the end of the summer???
PS If you're interested, mine is about to go on the market - tried to email but you're profile won't let me.
I need the estate all summer, and cant justify running two cars unfortunately. I guess demand probably tapers off at the end of the summer too so I'd get a better car for the money.
Cheers for heads up on the profile - I've updated it.
nig-gtv said:
I sold my Alfa GTV 3.0 V6 a couple of months back - as I needed an estate for my flat renovation. However, an Audi A4 Avant doesnt quite cut it, and I am thinking of getting a Chimaera at the end of the summer... also at the lower end of the market. Is the lack of power steering on some cars a big issue? I imagine it being fairly heavy, and also putting prospective buyers off, but would be keen to get the views of owners on PH!
Cheers
Nig-gtv,
I am planning to sell my 3.0 GTV early next year, and buy a A.R. 147 for the daily / practical stuff, and a have the Chimaera for fun.
I thought i'd wait till winter before i buy mine (hoping thy'll be cheaper then)
I'll be interested to hear how you get on, especially as an ex GTV driver...
Good luck.
gshock said:
Hi everyone, Im looking to buy my first Chim. Im looking at 95-97 but not too sure what to avoid.
..well you've just spanned the pre-facelift and post-facelift years there (96 into 97) so do you ahve a preference..?
gshock said:
I hear about engine rebuilds etc but not too sure whats bad and good.
If anyone has any advice it will be greatly recieved.
If I get one in time I will take it down to Le Mans.
Cheers
G .
What do you hear about engine rebuilds..? If you have heard all the press about the speed six engine and the multiple rebuilds, then just forget it, the Rover lump is pretty good and other than camshaft changes there isn't really much call for rebuilds on the RV8
Buy on condition, condition and condition.. Oh and look at them underneath before on top.
Cheers,
Matt.
nig-gtv said:
I sold my Alfa GTV 3.0 V6 a couple of months back - as I needed an estate for my flat renovation. However, an Audi A4 Avant doesnt quite cut it, and I am thinking of getting a Chimaera at the end of the summer... also at the lower end of the market. Is the lack of power steering on some cars a big issue? I imagine it being fairly heavy, and also putting prospective buyers off, but would be keen to get the views of owners on PH!
Cheers
I'm pretty sure someone answered this on this thread - saying that it would be heavy if driving in town, but fine on the open road. However, unless I am going blind, the post has been deleted or edited... wierd!
Anyway, next question - has anyone retrofitted PAS - is it a Rover rack and system? Or is this just too much hassle?!
nig-gtv said:
I sold my Alfa GTV 3.0 V6 a couple of months back - as I needed an estate for my flat renovation. However, an Audi A4 Avant doesnt quite cut it, and I am thinking of getting a Chimaera at the end of the summer... also at the lower end of the market. Is the lack of power steering on some cars a big issue? I imagine it being fairly heavy, and also putting prospective buyers off, but would be keen to get the views of owners on PH!
Cheers
I'm pretty sure someone answered this on this thread - saying that it would be heavy if driving in town, but fine on the open road. However, unless I am going blind, the post has been deleted or edited... wierd!
Anyway, next question - has anyone retrofitted PAS - is it a Rover rack and system? Or is this just too much hassle?!
Yup was in a thread started by me, see here:
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=259617
I went for non-pas in the end for a couple of reasons I preferred the feel of the heavier steering at speed and someone on the thread (above) stated that a PAS rebuild costs in the region of £900 and I simply figured, "fine, one less thing to go wrong then".
Have to say I am very happy and the non PAS has not really been an issue (you re-adjust very quickly) the only thing I would say is that I would not want to have to parallel park to many times, cos then it is very heavy!!
Matt
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