Chimaera Nerves

[thegman]

Hi,

Am seriously thinking about getting a Chim but after my friends Cerb snapped a crank and then spontaneously combusted I'm a little nervous. So some stupid questions:

If I decide to buy privately - who can I hire to take a look a look at the car and make sure it is sound? I know I could ask the RAC but I really want somebody with more Chim experience. Is there anybody on this forum who would can be hired?

I don't want to spend more than 12.5k - I have heard condition is everything. How new (what year) do you think I could get for this - think I want a 450 or 500. My target is a 1998-2000 450 with < 40,000 miles. Is this realistic? I don't want a project.

Any advice much appreciated. I am a little apprehensive but the excitement of getting one is pushing me forward.

[Cider Andy]

Your budget should just about see you in a car of your choice! Contact Rob Ingleby for advice on searching, he seems to have a good reputation around here for finding the right car at the right price.

[fluffychim]

Rob Ingleby - www.findasportscar.co.uk is worth a call. He found me a cracker a few years ago (unfortunately at the time I couldn't raise enough pennies to go ahead)

Or join the TVR Car Club and have talk to some members and a look through the classifieds.

Hope this helps

Jane

[CaptiV8ted]

Gasman,

Remember, the RV8 is a lot tougher than an AJP. If I were you I wouldn't get too swayed by the <40k miles bit. I suspect you've read about cams failing around that mileage and are looking to avoid it. If you can find one with a few more miles that has a new cam already, don't dismiss it. I just missed a peach of one last year. It had done 53k, had a new cam, a few upgrades and was immaculate. I ended up buying one with 39k and guess who had to change his cam at easter time?! Condition is everything. If you're fairly happy with a set of spanners then don't be afraid of the RV8. It's fairly simple - just a thumping great engine in a light car. The AJP is quite a complex bit of kit and there's no manual you can buy for that I believe. You certainly won't be able to nip down to your local Land Rover parts supplier and buy just about all you'll ever need!

Hope this helps,



Nick

[VictorMeldrew]

The RV8 cars (Chim/Griff) may as well be a different marque to the later AJP cars, they use bought in and rebuilt Range Rover engines which are (with a few sad and notable exceptions ) bombproof. The AJP angines were made in house, with certain parts allegedly made with material from the office boys cheese sandwiches (which Ned didn't get to first), and are whatever the opposite of bombproof is.

Don't let the poor reliability of engines with one bank of not quite enough cylinders put you off buying a proper car with the engine in the layout of the Gods. V8 rule.

[Chassis 33]

I suspect you're mates Cerb was an early (pre 1997ish) 4.2 car which did have a habit of lunching cranks, and proceeding to take most of the remainder of the engine with it, however the RV8 in the Chimmy is a totally different kettle of fish, and so long as you treat it right, ie dont rev the balls off from cold, dont live life at the redline etc, you'll be rewarded with a very strong dependable engine in a very good car, especially at budget you're aiming at.

When looking at a car, ignore mileage, ignore spec, buy a car on condition, condition, condition.

Regards
Iain