Hi guys, new here - 1998 Chimera 5.0

[POC]

Hi all, my name is Paul, I have just purchased a lovley 1998 TVR Chimera 5.0 with 15k on the clock and a full history.

I am due to pick this beast up on sat/monday.

What should I be looking out for on this car, it drives very well and pulls like a train (even compared to the impreza P1 I have just sold), it is clean (deep mica red with dark grey leather) and appears to be in very good general condition.

This is my first time in a TVR, I have heard all the usual horror stories about reliability but I am sure 90% are generaly unfounded and blown out of proportion.

Any advice would be appreciated, esp about driving this think in the damp/wet

Thanks in advance

Paul

[yum]

Hi, and welcome

Good choice of chimaera colours!

Usual story with such a car, especially coming from a P1 - don't expect it to corner quite so well, especially when wet. Take it very gently when emerging from T junctions in a hurry...

Have fun

R

[lovemytvr]

Hi Paul - welcome. Where did you get your car from (garage or private) Mica Red is a lovely colour - enjoy and enjoy and enjoy - get out asap whilst the weather is good and drive the long way everywhere!!

All the best
Neal W9 TVR

[simpo one]

Don't forget your copy of the Steve Heath bible - bedside reading for all new TVR owners. In fact, I might just have a copy for sale...

[pbrettle]

Agree with the comments already posted. I have only a 4.0HC and in wet, and not forgetting those times where it has been dry for ages and then rains, you have to be careful. I have had the back out wildly a couple of times - nothing that an instant panic and coming off the gas wont cure. But it is a fine line when you do that, too fast and coming off too suddenly will cause it to spin. You dont really need to think about this kind of stuff so much with the P1.

Also, enjoy. They are fast, good looking, massive torque and easy to drive. Shame the weather has taken a little turn for the worse, but you will love it in the sun blasting past a few cars on your favourite A road. In fact you dont need to use that much revs - its all in the torque...or is that talk.

Cheers,

Paul

[rthierry]

Paul,

Congrats on your recent purchase. The 500 is mighty beast. I have had my 450 for about 8 months now and I am still grinning and pinching myself in disbelief when I walk towards the Chimaera on a car park. I have covered a healthy 11.5k miles over this period and the car never had a serious mechanical failure - so that's it for reliability! However, you should pay attention: make sure you check the oil regularly (1 litre per 1000 miles seems a common feature), a have it looked after by committed and reputable professionals (plenty of good references in these pages). Finally, you may want to join the TVR Car Club - lots of good events and a really friendly bunch.

As far as the driving goes, it is worth remembering you now have a car that enormous grip but even more power / torque. However, the good things about TVRs is that you really feel where the limits are. Oh, and it is a lot lower than your P1, so mind those humps.

Enjoy BIG time.

Cheers

Roms

[RolexBlue]

Welcome to the mad house Paul!

You're gonna love owning a TVR - how many cars have made you smile just from washing it? If you need any help then post it heres at PH and one of the many will answer it for you - this place has saved me time over.

Have fun and be save
Paul

[robkola]

Agree with all posts - just learn to love it! It's amazingly easy to do so and the more you learn about it (no sealed engine bays etc) the more you appreciate.
Any niggles you'll probably find them all covered here!

We'll assume the tyres aren't bald when you first take her out in the rain! The newer Chimaeras haev very true throttle feeds, so don't slam your foot to the floor. First time it rains on the car - touch all the carpets to check if you have any leaks!

Get used to one fuel (ie Optimax) as well (IMHO).

[jellison]

Paul,
mine is a 98 500 as well. I got mine in Nov 01 and never had the Ice light go out for all the journeys I did in the first 2 months (was going to work very early). So watch it in the winter, drive it but short shift very early! Once Dry it is pretty easy to get used to the power. Just don't go nuts in the lower gears to often (you can feel it wearing out!). Keep it below 5500 (just noise and no pwer over that). Get a TVR service first time then find a good specialist - i use Raven - Excellent. Get a Roll cage in the rear if serious about going Fast, and pos bigger brakes (4 pots a waste of time unless replacing the master cylinder / pedals etc, AP 285 rotors and better pads.

Drive it alot - don't keep in the garage all the time.

Enjoy.
Jon

[bigjarvxxx]

Hi Paul,

I've had my 97 Chim 500 for about 4 months and it's been fantastic and that's just the rumble. It leaks a bit so check for damp carpets behind the seats. Just had a huge bill for replacing the front wishbones due to corrosion. Have a quick check when you pick the car up mind had cracked on the OS top just as it disappears through the inner wing.

Have fun.

Jarv

[david010167]

Well I have a Griff 500, but my advice is simple:

o Enjoy her
o Be careful with all the power:
o in the wet
o and in the dry
o service regularly
o enjoy her

welcome to the club.

David M5 TVR

[POC]

WOW, now that is what a call a friendly welcome! Thanks guys!

I am looking forward to being part of this community!

I bought the car on a private sale and am due to pick it up the weekend. I am used to powerful cars (my last 4 cars have been over 300bhp) but I understand this is a very different car.

I am sure I will be posting alot wondering why the car is doing this and that!

Thanks for the welcome and info guys

Paul

[SBudden]

Many congratulations on your new purchase!

Might be worthwhile investing in some 'Rain-X'. By the sounds of it, the rainy season is upon Blighty again. No change there then...