A bit of Chimaera advice (please!)...

[rj1983]

Hi all,

Great forum!!!

I would really appreciate some pearls of wisdom as I'm planning on buying my first TVR (and sports car for that matter) In approximately 3 months.

Settled on a TVR (despite numerous people saying I was mad due to reliability issues) as I've ALWAYS wanted one, don't mind a bit of heartache along the way, and of course have a pair of ears!

I have about £6-8k to spend and my thoughts based on what I've read are:

-I think a Chim would be best - I want something with a reasonable boot so it's at least vaguely practical.
-Due to limited budget would be looking at a 93 - 95 model and may get a 450 if i was really lucky but most likely to pick up a 400.
-It's worth paying a few hundred quid for an expert to do an inspection so you don't end up with a dog of a car.
-Probably worth doing some kind of track day or race training so I have a better idea of the limits, and are therefore am less likely to wrap it round a tree.

I'd really really appreciate:

1. A sense check on the above - comments, other ideas etc
2. An idea of how much more I'm going to have to pay for waiting 3.5 months
3. Any other good places to find them other than here, ebay and autotrader

Thanks in advance!

[batman0404]

I got a 95 Chim from a dealer with a good reputation and knowledge of working on the cars.
It has a full history and a limited powertrain warranty. Yes, you can get a limited warranty for a 14 year-old TVR...
If you have the above covered, I'm not sure I'd spend the extra for an inspection.
You might be looking a little higher than 6k though.
Hope this helps.

[debaron]

I'd try to get a Serpentine Engined one (1996 onwards) - Land Rover made some significant changes to the engine so the 'Serp' is an evolvement and an improvement on the the original many feel.

Here's a useful thread

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?f=9&a...

[GJR]

Hi rj1983 and welcome.

First off.... if you can stretch the funds to a Griff you'll be much happier !

But still.... if you find a well sorted Chim you'll have great fun. There are plenty of buyer's guides around such as the one by Steve Heath, also definately worth getting his book/workshop manual. I feel duty bound to mention the guides and resources on The Griffith Pages, but there's also plenty of info on The Chimaera Pages.

Don't dwell too much on people going on about reliability issues. Yes TVR's (like all performance cars, inc. Porsche!) can have reliability issues, but on the whole most cars will have had any niggles sorted by now assuming they have been well looked after.

BUT.... go in with your eyes open. There are some bad cars out there, and after reading the buyer's guides, if you are still not sure what to look for / check, it might be worth taking someone with you who knows their way around TVR's. The main thing that you'll hear is to look for chassis and mechanicals condition. They are far more important than mileage for instance.

If you can it's probably a good idea to do some kind of performance car driving course especially if you've not anything like a TVR before. You'll hear it said that two seemingly identical cars will drive differently, so it's a good idea if you can to test drive a few and not to buy the first one you see. I guess dealers will ask for higher prices compared to private sales, though in theory you can have more confidence in what you are getting from a dealer?!? Can't see that there is anything wrong with using Autotrader or eBay.... as long as you can check the car out !?!?

What ever you choose make sure it's the best you can find and have fun !!

[rj1983]

Great stuff, thanks.

I was thinking about a Griff but I think they're just out of my price range. Plus the boot on the Chim looks massive and I'm planning on driving it down to mates place in France for a summer holiday.

Thanks for the info - I'm just going to have to be really patient and do plenty of research!

[glow worm]

You don't state your location, but might be worth going to a TVR Club meeting and speaking to owners...you never know someone might know about a private sale.

[rj1983]

Just north of Brighton, West Sussex...

Thanks again

[S7Paul]

For your budget, stick to a Chim. Griffs aren't bad, but many owners seem to be so exasperated by them that they've taken to sawing their roof panels in half - how strange.

[im]

rj1983 said:

Just north of Brighton, West Sussex...

Thanks again

How far north of Brighton?

There's a very strong TVR contingent in the Horsham/Crawley area who meet up occasionally for blasts out. I'm sure you'd be welcome to come along and have a look & chat & quick blast up and down the dual carriageway for a junction or two.

[hurststeve]

I live "just north of Brighton" (Hurstpierpoint in case it wasn't obvious), and I've just bought a 1998 450 for your budget. Would be happy to chat if you'd like.

[Lesw.]

Hi. Good luck in your search. You will join a lot of happy smiling faces. However, do not assume that because the boot is large it is easy to use. If you wish to take advantage of top-down motoring the lid has to go into the boot FIRST. Then your luggage to fill the empty space. It rains in France - so you need to put the lid back on top! All the luggage has to come out of the boot !! This requires some thought, and some planning of how to make the maximum use of the space and make the job more effecient. I am afraid there is no single answer as it depends on the shape and consistency of your luggage. Ours tends to be dominated by boxes of wine and an overnight bag. It is possible, but the arrangement on the Wedge was much better, except that you still got wet in the Wedge when the top was on the hood!!
All the best. Les.

[rj1983]

Steve, I'm in Hassocks actually! A chat some time would be great, how long did it take you to find yours?

Les, thanks for the heads up (no pun intended!) re the lid, I had no idea...so for motorway cruising you recommend taking the roof off entirely? That is a bit of a pain but hopefully I'll be lucky with the weather! While I'm on the subject of motorway cruising how do they fare? I appreciate it'll be reasonably thirsty but what about comfort over a long journey?

Thanks again chaps

[lifebegins@400]

rj1983 said:

Steve, I'm in Hassocks actually! A chat some time would be great, how long did it take you to find yours?

Les, thanks for the heads up (no pun intended!) re the lid, I had no idea...so for motorway cruising you recommend taking the roof off entirely? That is a bit of a pain but hopefully I'll be lucky with the weather! While I'm on the subject of motorway cruising how do they fare? I appreciate it'll be reasonably thirsty but what about comfort over a long journey?

Thanks again chaps

Comfort is excellent for a number of reasons - firstly, if you're a bit on the gangly side you'll still fit in easily, secondly, the seats are very supportive and there is enough room under the clutch to rest your foot once your cruising along - more important than it sounds as chassis design doesn't allow a foot rest to the side of the pedal. Lastly, by TVR standards they don't have particularly stiff suspension which means you don't feel every bump at high speeds - in fact it really smooths out nicely - that's relative of course, you'll develop a sixth sense for potholes once you've crashed over a few!

I've driven from London to Cumbria with one 10 min stop for fuel and suffered not the slightest ache or pain

[hurststeve]

I've sent you a mail. Took me about a week to find mine, and I looked at two on the same day. Probably not recommended - I'm sure the sage advice is to look at lots and take ages over it, but I get impatient.