Air Con-how good is it?

[colinrob]

Looking to buy my next chimaera how good is the air conditioning, I got very hot driving my 4.0 this summer, is it worth waiting to get one with air con?

[GarryM]

I have it in my Griff and think it's pretty good. Excellent with roof on (but why have the roof on?) and moderately succesful at keeping your feet cool with the roof off. I don't drive it much when it's damp/raining but on the few occasions I have it is superb at keeping front and rear screens clear. HTH

[colinrob]

I will very rarely drive it with the roor on, I was just so hot this summer with the roof off (and the wife was moaning saying she'd rather be in the bmw mini)!!!!!!!

[anonymous-user]

I have a/c, nice to boast that you've got it, but you probably wouldn't use it in the summer much as you'd have the roof off.

It maybe good for clearing the windows, but mine is in the garage most of the time and doesn't usually go out in bad weather.

The A/C can leak, mine lasted about 9 months between charges and that was £85+VAT at TVR.

Just had it regassed for £35

[GarryM]

One instance where I do use it in the summer with roof off is when stuck in a traffic jam or queue. Obviously nothing like air con in a tin top but it does make a difference (only prob is you have to watch the water temp as it can cause it to overheat)

[brentstevens]

Had my 99V 4.0 Chim with aircon since February. With top on, use the A/C to demist on rainy days.
During the amazing hot sunny days this summer, have had the luxury of cool air blowing on bare feet.
Just returned from 2 weeks in France touring various wine growing areas. Weather was superb and the A/C was on every day.
No doubt the hairy chests will say it's a waste of cash but for me it's worth every penny.

[shortlad]

My experience of A/C is that it will need regassing on a regular basis as they tend to leak. Never let it dry out as the fluid maintains the pipe work (so I was told).

My x-wife had an import MX5 and an Alfa Spider while I was with her and it was a bonus to have.

I looked at a car when looking for mine that had it but the car wasn't the one for me and ended up buying the right car and rely on the no-roof type of air con.

I would defo choose the car with it if there was 2 cars side by side one with and one without that were the 'right' cars.

I would never have a tin-top without these days though.

[5ltr-chim]

Got it - first rule - MUST use for at least a few minutes every month without fail even if the cars not getting used in the winter. This stops the seals drying out which in turn causes gas leaks.

Chimaera's don't usually have an air duct in the drivers footwell so won't help in cooling those roasing feet..

Useful for demisting though