New buyer , and new 2 pistonheads!
Discussion
Thanks 4 the help on my previouse topic, im now going to buy my dream car after buying the bible, what sort of car should i start looking at , iv driven a mates old 93 chim 4L( 2years ago, when the love affare started).i have a buget of around 12k bit more if needed. Looking on the classifiedes iv seen a 1999 4L with about 53k on clock for 11.5 grand is this a good start or should i set my sights abit higher on a 4.5L or 5L engin?. should i do the cheaks myself ? or get a tvr engineer to do it 4 me.thanks 4 the help.
Hi, first and foremost buy on condition above age, mileage, PAS, aircon or engine size. You'll get more enjoyment out of a top notch 4litre than a knackered 5l.
If you do a search of threads in the past 6months or so, there have been plenty of folks asking similar questions to you.
If you want to get someone to inspect a car for you both Rob Ingleby and James Agger have many satisfied customers and if you call them discuss what you want etc, they can help find the right car.
And most of all when you do get one, ENJOY!!!
Regards
Iain
If you do a search of threads in the past 6months or so, there have been plenty of folks asking similar questions to you.
If you want to get someone to inspect a car for you both Rob Ingleby and James Agger have many satisfied customers and if you call them discuss what you want etc, they can help find the right car.
And most of all when you do get one, ENJOY!!!
Regards
Iain
The 5 litre has much more accessible on-road performance IMHO, being a torque monster, so I have to disagree with the previous comment. When I traded my 4l for a 5 I remember that, even while still running in, every time I squeezed the accelerator the surge forward just put an instant grin on my face.
its true i dont have much experience driving high performance cars, 4L is probably more than enough for me , i havent driven anything to compare, just didnt want too after buying a 4L then want a 5L!.
Also i am suprised how the prices differ so much on cars with similar age , should i be put off buy high milage and service history not all tvr or use this as bargening tool to get the newest best conditiond model at the lowest price.
i guess there is no point buying one with FTVRSH if i then go on to get it serviced some place els.
Also i am suprised how the prices differ so much on cars with similar age , should i be put off buy high milage and service history not all tvr or use this as bargening tool to get the newest best conditiond model at the lowest price.
i guess there is no point buying one with FTVRSH if i then go on to get it serviced some place els.
Yep, I'd say 4L is fine but then I would, wouldn't I?! However, I didn't buy a Chim for the power alone so am not bothered about having a 5L model. It's plenty feisty enough for me - it can roar ferociously or purr sweetly, whatever you want from it or the conditions allow. I overtake a lot and it's certainly been able to devour everything in its path without hesitation!
I bought on condition not age (from a classic/sports car showroom). The mileage was below average but not too low. It also came with fsh together with various original receipts, invoices and other useful documentation dating back to the original owner. I probably paid slightly over the odds but it was completely stress-free because I was as certain as I could be that I was getting a really good example of a Chim which was later confirmed by Austec when it went in for a service. Had a hiccup at the beginning of ownership which was more or less rectified by having a new ECU fitted - the only major hassle being the warranty company.
Good luck in your search.
I bought on condition not age (from a classic/sports car showroom). The mileage was below average but not too low. It also came with fsh together with various original receipts, invoices and other useful documentation dating back to the original owner. I probably paid slightly over the odds but it was completely stress-free because I was as certain as I could be that I was getting a really good example of a Chim which was later confirmed by Austec when it went in for a service. Had a hiccup at the beginning of ownership which was more or less rectified by having a new ECU fitted - the only major hassle being the warranty company.
Good luck in your search.
victormeldrew said:
The 5 litre has much more accessible on-road performance IMHO, being a torque monster, so I have to disagree with the previous comment. When I traded my 4l for a 5 I remember that, even while still running in, every time I squeezed the accelerator the surge forward just put an instant grin on my face.
Well Victor,
working for a well known Track Day company, I can tell you that I've both seen and watched the lap times as they go round the circuit flat-out and there aint a lot in it. The 5L is slightly faster over the course of a lap (very low single digit seconds faster) but not enough to justify the £1k or more sometimes wanted for a 5L over a 4L.
Buy on condition Stuart, forget spec and even to a dgreee colour - if the car is in top notch condition (for the money) then you'll be fine. Personally speaking, James Agger is your man, I wouldn't touch the other bloke with a proverbial bargepole. Have a good read of the buyers guide in the Bible, it'll give you some handy hints and tips.
In terms of the wildy varying costs, every owner has their own idea of what their car is worth, and chances are they're all wrong! Some will be under selling, some over, so it's up to you to lock down a budget and then get the best you can afford, be it buying a cheap one with money in your pocket to tidy it up, or knocking on the top limit of your budget to get the best you possibly can. Dont forget, even a mint car can suddely land you with a substantial bill, so be prepared to shell out without warning!
Looking at www.jamesagger.com, in the stock list he has a 5.0l 98 car and a 4.0 94 car coming in, either of which could suit you down to the ground.
Good hunting!
In terms of the wildy varying costs, every owner has their own idea of what their car is worth, and chances are they're all wrong! Some will be under selling, some over, so it's up to you to lock down a budget and then get the best you can afford, be it buying a cheap one with money in your pocket to tidy it up, or knocking on the top limit of your budget to get the best you possibly can. Dont forget, even a mint car can suddely land you with a substantial bill, so be prepared to shell out without warning!
Looking at www.jamesagger.com, in the stock list he has a 5.0l 98 car and a 4.0 94 car coming in, either of which could suit you down to the ground.
Good hunting!
Chugger, The Bible is a book by Steve Heath about the ins and outs of the TVR Chimaeras and Griffiths. Sadly as yet it doesn't cover the Speed6 cars such as the Tuscan, Tamora, T350 etc.
If you're after a Tamora, go and have a poke around the Speed6 forum - lots of owners on there who'll give you the lowdown. Best of luck, they're lovely cars!
If you're after a Tamora, go and have a poke around the Speed6 forum - lots of owners on there who'll give you the lowdown. Best of luck, they're lovely cars!
Edited by redleicester on Monday 12th June 09:47
IM said:
victormeldrew said:
The 5 litre has much more accessible on-road performance IMHO, being a torque monster, so I have to disagree with the previous comment. When I traded my 4l for a 5 I remember that, even while still running in, every time I squeezed the accelerator the surge forward just put an instant grin on my face.
Well Victor,
working for a well known Track Day company, I can tell you that I've both seen and watched the lap times as they go round the circuit flat-out and there aint a lot in it. The 5L is slightly faster over the course of a lap (very low single digit seconds faster) but not enough to justify the £1k or more sometimes wanted for a 5L over a 4L.
The difference in price is down to supply and demand - there are a lot more 4L cars.
Edited by victormeldrew on Monday 12th June 10:13
I'd get someone to give you a hand looking if you're not used to looking at TVR's alot. I've bought a 4ltr because I wanted the most simple one I could find but would look at a 5ltr in a couple of years maybe. A 4ltr is still very fast but not quite as fast...but then, how fast do you need to go?!
victormeldrew said:
I did say on-road chap! Not that I concur with your track day analysis, it doesn't tie in with my track day experiences (Donington and Silverstone). Probably true at Knockhill or Three Sisters though. On the road though, as I said (having had one of each), there IS a major difference.
It is TRUE at Brands Hatch & Oulton Park, Bedford Autodrome & Cadwell Park.
I have a 4L for precisely this reason - I'd seen both and wasn't convinced the 5L was worth the extra. Neither were the technicians who I work with who are specialists in 'serious' track day cars. Although, to be honest, none of them would by a Chimaera for a track day car given all of the alternatives currently available.
Anyway, 'On-Road' as you say, in everyday driving in the UK there is no way in a 5L you could shake me off your tail in a 4L. You would certainly beat me away from the lights - given our reaction times were equal - but you wouldn't be able to pull far enough away from me before you came up to another junction/lights (whatever) to leave me wondering where you'd got to.
You'd need a bloody long straight piece of road (ie the M1) to really see the difference. I'm afraid I'd be in your rear view mirror all of the time. Have a look at the 0-60 times and Top Speeds for both here: www.pistonheads.com/tvr/chimaera/
I'm afraid your 'gut feelings' that the 5L is 'significantly' faster On-Road are not justified by the technical stats from either TVR or my experiances.
Now a ferrari...
Look sat the merits of each car, and as stated afore, buy on condition 
I went looking for a 5.0 and bought a 4.5. Subsequent rolling road figures have shown that it's pushing out more power than a lot of 5.0 cars - there is a lot of variation out there.
I wanted a blue one... I bought a red one - why? It was the best car available at the time.
I disagree with the mileage thing - I'd rather buy a well used, looked after car than a garage ornament that looks nice and doesn't have a stonechip on it.
Get a specialist to check the car over - and make sure you understand what they are checking and how they do it. I've seen services offered when people don't even put them on a ramp! (which IMO is imnperative).
Do your research, and remember you don't have to buy the first car you've seen. Buy with your head (rather than your heart once someone has started the engine) and you'll do OK. A good car will bring and a bad one will ruin you financially and make you wonder why you ever bothered...
I went looking for a 5.0 and bought a 4.5. Subsequent rolling road figures have shown that it's pushing out more power than a lot of 5.0 cars - there is a lot of variation out there.
I wanted a blue one... I bought a red one - why? It was the best car available at the time.
I disagree with the mileage thing - I'd rather buy a well used, looked after car than a garage ornament that looks nice and doesn't have a stonechip on it.
Get a specialist to check the car over - and make sure you understand what they are checking and how they do it. I've seen services offered when people don't even put them on a ramp! (which IMO is imnperative).
Do your research, and remember you don't have to buy the first car you've seen. Buy with your head (rather than your heart once someone has started the engine) and you'll do OK. A good car will bring
and a bad one will ruin you financially and make you wonder why you ever bothered...Gassing Station | Chimaera | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff