do they last a week
Discussion
I'll post again on saturday once we've had ours for a week 
Seriously, I don't know what Porsche ownership is like, but I've gone into TVR ownership with eyes open. Ours gets driven every day, and will do around 15k miles a year, coz we can't afford to have it as a weekend car (Triumph fills those boots). If you're happy to open the bonnet once a week and check the fluid levels, and generally peer around the engine bay looking for anything that may need attention, then that is probably a minimum.... others may disagree? Personally, I'm happy with this. The grin factor more than makes up for it, and I'm used to checking the levels on the Triumph every time I drive it anyway.....
Seriously, I don't know what Porsche ownership is like, but I've gone into TVR ownership with eyes open. Ours gets driven every day, and will do around 15k miles a year, coz we can't afford to have it as a weekend car (Triumph fills those boots). If you're happy to open the bonnet once a week and check the fluid levels, and generally peer around the engine bay looking for anything that may need attention, then that is probably a minimum.... others may disagree? Personally, I'm happy with this. The grin factor more than makes up for it, and I'm used to checking the levels on the Triumph every time I drive it anyway.....
SiH said:
...rather pricey upkeep don't you think?
Yours pedantically, Simon
Not if he's done 50,000 miles in it!
And for our Spanish friend (because I don't get to use it much)
By the way, I've seen some of his other posts and don't actually think Anthony is a troll. Rather the question was a bid daft.
>> Edited by .Mark on Thursday 18th December 18:26
majesticproperti said:
as some of you might know i am looking to buy a chim when my porsche is sold but i am getting worried. Has any one had one on the road for longer than a week with out something going wrong or is it just virgen nerves i am felling.
Stop feeling up that virgin and buy one now. The Chimeara and Griffith are the two easiest to live with cars thanks to their simplicity, and mine has had 3 major probs in over 3 years, diff, fuel pump and a lambda, all covered by extended warranty JFDI
50,000 miles on £3K!! The Holy Grail of economy that we all dream of!
By the way, TT Tim, saw the pics in the other posts and they look pretty stonking!
Just to add my tuppence worth to the reliability thing, I've had my Chim for about 4 months now, and other than servicing it hasn't required any major outlay. I had to replace the otter switch as the one in it was both of the wrong temperature range and was also on its way out. The wipers give me a bit of grief from time to time (think the park switch might need a liberal dose of WD40), but otherwise it's a cracking little motor and I'd recommend getting one to anyone (as I frequently do to anyone that listens to me for more than 5 minutes about it!!)
By the way, TT Tim, saw the pics in the other posts and they look pretty stonking!
Just to add my tuppence worth to the reliability thing, I've had my Chim for about 4 months now, and other than servicing it hasn't required any major outlay. I had to replace the otter switch as the one in it was both of the wrong temperature range and was also on its way out. The wipers give me a bit of grief from time to time (think the park switch might need a liberal dose of WD40), but otherwise it's a cracking little motor and I'd recommend getting one to anyone (as I frequently do to anyone that listens to me for more than 5 minutes about it!!)
majesticproperti said:
as some of you might know i am looking to buy a chim when my porsche is sold but i am getting worried. Has any one had one on the road for longer than a week with out something going wrong or is it just virgen nerves i am felling.
Me - three TVRs over 6.5 years. Problems: 1 x flat battery, 1 x leaking radiator. A better record than my BMW in fact, although granted the TVR doesn't do the same mileage.
Buy one!
I've done about 30,000 miles this year in my Chim, and spent about £2,500 on repairs and £1,000 on servicing, but no engine problems whatsoever and it's never broken down on me.
All the repairs have been mainly to do with the final transmission (UJ's, diff etc) and I put it all down to the car getting to the age (well milage) when things start to wear out - it's done about 90,000 now.
I've had total trouble free motoring for about 6,000 miles recently.
The only reason people get the idea that they're unreliable is that we generally only post on here about our cars when something has gone wrong. Maybe there should be more "it's still going fine" type posts.
Go for it!! Buy one! They're bags of fun.
All the repairs have been mainly to do with the final transmission (UJ's, diff etc) and I put it all down to the car getting to the age (well milage) when things start to wear out - it's done about 90,000 now.
I've had total trouble free motoring for about 6,000 miles recently.
The only reason people get the idea that they're unreliable is that we generally only post on here about our cars when something has gone wrong. Maybe there should be more "it's still going fine" type posts.
Go for it!! Buy one! They're bags of fun.
majesticproperti said:
as some of you might know i am looking to buy a chim when my porsche is sold but i am getting worried. Has any one had one on the road for longer than a week with out something going wrong or is it just virgen nerves i am felling.
Couple of questions.
If you brought a TVR and intended to run it in Spain, where would you get it serviced?
And depending on your answer to the above question, how would you go about getting essential replacements parts as and when they were required?
In all honesty I would be nervous about taking my TVR to Spain, let alone owning one there.
majesticproperti said:
as some of you might know i am looking to buy a chim when my porsche is sold but i am getting worried. Has any one had one on the road for longer than a week with out something going wrong or is it just virgen nerves i am felling.
27 months ownership - two problems left me stranded (ECU and clutch slave cylinder). Had HT leads fail on me but that didnt leave me stranded. Other than that routine servicing and and over 18K miles. Currently looking at one of the cheapest cars I have ever run.....
So running a total that makes 38 weeks (or 9 months) between problems - not quite what you are suggesting.
Troll maybe?
I'm not going to dignify that question with an answer. But seeing as you started this thread I'll pass on the secret.
If you want one, you'll know it. If you don't then a test drive will tell you whether you do or not.
Big Al. said:
In all honesty I would be nervous about taking my TVR to Spain, let alone owning one there.
Interesting point that. I haven't gone to Spain in mine - yet. Made me think about the message that you sometimes get about cars and especially TVRs, because you're right to raise the point, Big Al, but it does need to be put in context.
Three years ago, I very nervously moved up to a TVR from a reliable old piece of Bayerische's work. It was to be my only car. The people I worked with at the time egged me on - but mostly because they considered me a complete loony anyway. Friends weren't particularly vocal, but then they never like to tell you when your being an idiot, in their eyes.
One man put it firmly in perspective for me, I'd known him for about ten years and he ran a garage and secondhand car dealership (although had recently parted company with the sales side and left that to concentrate on the part that he liked). One of the commonest phrases I have heard him start his sentence with in all the questions I've been asking over the years is "It's only". He even described the Speed 6 engine recently in terms that I understood - and I know very little about what goes on under a bonnet!
Anyway, I digress, but "only" to explain that I was very nervous, not being so rich that I could afford to throw money away and wanting every day, reliable transport.
I took the plunge.
I can't fix anything more complicated than sticking various liquids in various places and doing a check that nothing's fallen off. But none of it is rocket science*. In fact, through a series of minor issues, I have become quite knowledgeable about the workings of my car, I sold off my "reliable back up" (a nice shiney Yamaha R6) because I wasn't using it enough(!) and it's easy to forget that feeling of taking the plunge.
I last experienced that nervous feeling when I jumped off a pier laden with diving kit. I don't do heights, I am scared of water and there was a big crisis in my mind. But other people have jumped off that jetty....
....with PHers at the end of your fingertips, why people are running TVRs all over the world! It's only a car after all - and none of it is difficult!
It's just that some of us know the value of the professional.
*Disclaimer: "rocket science" is only sticking two elements in a big box with a hole on one side - so most things are more complex.
Yes mate, drive mine every day (almost) doing 6-7K a year, had it since Jan and apart from 1 relay (£4) nothing failed at all. (Touch wood).
Bought the car with a leaking sump and damaged CV boot which were replaced/ fixed by the vendor garage.
Do it, use it and get ready for the permagrin expression !!!!
Bought the car with a leaking sump and damaged CV boot which were replaced/ fixed by the vendor garage.
Do it, use it and get ready for the permagrin expression !!!!
have to be honest, majestics original question is one that strikes a cord with me, whilst I can see the 'upside' and the thrill a trevor brings, by goal of perhaps buying a Chimaera in couple of years is slightly tainted by the fact as to whether its a good way to financial ruin on a modest budget!.. the bills/problems do seem to be regular and quite expensive! maybe some of those special 'TVR' glasses are required and everything will be fine
mustard said:
have to be honest, majestics original question is one that strikes a cord with me, whilst I can see the 'upside' and the thrill a trevor brings, by goal of perhaps buying a Chimaera in couple of years is slightly tainted by the fact as to whether its a good way to financial ruin on a modest budget!.. the bills/problems do seem to be regular and quite expensive! maybe some of those special 'TVR' glasses are required and everything will be fine
I can understand your worries however, if you can find a good indipendent to do the servicing, costs shouldn't be that bad (excluding Optimax). I know people who've paid more to have and Alfa or BMW serviced than I pay for mine. Parts for a Chim are fairly easy to come by, mainly Ford/ Vauxhall and the Rover V8 is not a complicated engine. Labour is always the highest factor and again, a good indipendent will be less than a dealer.
Have a look around and get some quotes ! You'll never regret it once you get one
Oh yes, almost forgot, USE IT.......if you leave it lying around with nothing to do it will get bored and break itself.
>> Edited by li'l pugs on Friday 19th December 08:17
Owned the car for a little over two and a half years (now approaching 51K on the clock), never been left stranded and don't expect to. Keep on top of the maintenance and you'll be fine. Spoke to Ben Samuelson once and he said their press 5.0 Chimaera managed 130K, so I've some distance to go yet.
Steve.
Steve.
I will have had mine for a week tomorrow - and it ain't bust yet! I love it, a fantastic motor, and when (not if) it does let me down, to be quite honest I will not be concerned. It can be fixed, but the pleasure of driving and owning a machine like this far, far outweighs any niggling little problems I may have in the future.
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