Chimaera Prices
Discussion
Johnniem said:
Remember ULEZ will apply to all areas inside the N & S circular from October 2021. I have no idea what exemptions you'll have when living inside that zone.
Yup. No exemptions (at least not until it is 40 yo), 12.50 every time I want to drive it. That is one thing suggesting a SLK55 AMG might be a better bet for 12k...rockits said:
Integroo said:
Did you ever get round to pulling together all the paperwork on yours and posting an ad?
Sorry, no. I will do though. I will see if I can make a start today and get over.Most of the last week has taken all my spare time outside work putting all the purchase of Macs old 450 together with Greenside Cars. Disappointingly it has fallen out of bed as of last night suddenly.
ks , sure you can live without PAS but why? That's because you're too muscular in the upperbody area!
Give me the power steering any time.
I can only quote a race driver who drove my 4.6 chimaera on track. "Great car, great power but what's going on with the steering? So heavy it is impossible to make corrections fast enough. If you want to make any improvements on this car, fit power steering!"
I do agree that they do feel light at speed but then the non PS ones to as well and I think this is in the design, (or lack of) of the car.
Give me the power steering any time.
I can only quote a race driver who drove my 4.6 chimaera on track. "Great car, great power but what's going on with the steering? So heavy it is impossible to make corrections fast enough. If you want to make any improvements on this car, fit power steering!"
I do agree that they do feel light at speed but then the non PS ones to as well and I think this is in the design, (or lack of) of the car.
Now I no longer have a Chimaera 'sans' power steering, I have to agree with your opinion. 
I don't do track days but on my last car, apart from at low speeds, I didn't find the lack of pas an issue 90% of the time and yes, it did give more feel when cruising. BUT, when you try to take a right or left turn into a side road at highish speed (tyres just about squeaking), the steering was so hard, I thought for a moment I wouldn't make the turn! You can compensate with a bit of prior planning but PAS is easier. I can only imagine how tough a track day would be without it. My arthritic shoulder aches just thinking about it!
For gentle driving, no PAS is OK in my opinion but for rapid direction changes or at very low speeds, it really is a help. I'm 6 ft 2 in by the way and 96kg (15 st in 'old' money).
I have driven worse however, a friend's 1990 Lotus Esprit Turbo SE with no pas felt like you had completely flat tyres at low speed. Ridiculous!
I don't do track days but on my last car, apart from at low speeds, I didn't find the lack of pas an issue 90% of the time and yes, it did give more feel when cruising. BUT, when you try to take a right or left turn into a side road at highish speed (tyres just about squeaking), the steering was so hard, I thought for a moment I wouldn't make the turn! You can compensate with a bit of prior planning but PAS is easier. I can only imagine how tough a track day would be without it. My arthritic shoulder aches just thinking about it!
For gentle driving, no PAS is OK in my opinion but for rapid direction changes or at very low speeds, it really is a help. I'm 6 ft 2 in by the way and 96kg (15 st in 'old' money).
I have driven worse however, a friend's 1990 Lotus Esprit Turbo SE with no pas felt like you had completely flat tyres at low speed. Ridiculous!
Edited by ianwayne on Thursday 15th August 10:32
There's not a lot of difference between the two racks apparently. I believe it is 2 turns of the PS and 2 1/4 turns of the non-PS .
I tried to measure the difference but it all depends on the stops that are fitted to the individual racks.
Actual feel on the road seem very similar.
I have converted my car to the Subaru rack a few years ago from the standard TVR PS rack, (which had play in it and there wasn't any parts available) and it feels very similar.
Out of interest I have driven other PS Chimaeras and it's surprising how some feel light and some heavier, I have no idea why!
I tried to measure the difference but it all depends on the stops that are fitted to the individual racks.
Actual feel on the road seem very similar.
I have converted my car to the Subaru rack a few years ago from the standard TVR PS rack, (which had play in it and there wasn't any parts available) and it feels very similar.
Out of interest I have driven other PS Chimaeras and it's surprising how some feel light and some heavier, I have no idea why!
phazed said:
There's not a lot of difference between the two racks apparently. I believe it is 2 turns of the PS and 2 1/4 turns of the non-PS .
I tried to measure the difference but it all depends on the stops that are fitted to the individual racks.
Actual feel on the road seem very similar.
I have converted my car to the Subaru rack a few years ago from the standard TVR PS rack, (which had play in it and there wasn't any parts available) and it feels very similar.
Out of interest I have driven other PS Chimaeras and it's surprising how some feel light and some heavier, I have no idea why!
According to the bible it's 2.2 turns v 2.5.I tried to measure the difference but it all depends on the stops that are fitted to the individual racks.
Actual feel on the road seem very similar.
I have converted my car to the Subaru rack a few years ago from the standard TVR PS rack, (which had play in it and there wasn't any parts available) and it feels very similar.
Out of interest I have driven other PS Chimaeras and it's surprising how some feel light and some heavier, I have no idea why!
Mine (PAS fitted) is heavy at low speeds and light at high speeds. Read quite twitchy for light. Geometry has been checked and is spot on, but it doesn't have the little chin spoiler under the front valance, which allegedly makes a difference.
For long term ownership, non pas is something I'd wouldn't absolutely refuse again, if everything else was good. Just that you need to be aware of the differences.
The pas racks are now unobtanium I believe, but the non-pas are still available, so in the years to come, non-pas cars may be the easier to maintain. Pas fluid leaks seem quite common too, giving the wide range in 'actual' assistance of these cars.
Just that you need to be aware of the differences.The pas racks are now unobtanium I believe, but the non-pas are still available, so in the years to come, non-pas cars may be the easier to maintain. Pas fluid leaks seem quite common too, giving the wide range in 'actual' assistance of these cars.
For comments like (too light at speed)
exactly who makes large corrections at speed anyway ? a huge handful of steering non PAS or PAS or otherwise is still a large handful of turning be it light of weighted I'm Confused.com , plus the Scooby conversion is no more weighted than a fully functional TVR pas system and I have driven two with said conversion
exactly who makes large corrections at speed anyway ? a huge handful of steering non PAS or PAS or otherwise is still a large handful of turning be it light of weighted I'm Confused.com , plus the Scooby conversion is no more weighted than a fully functional TVR pas system and I have driven two with said conversion I had the pleasure of driving our friend Engineer John's wedge about a year and a half ago (yes it's orange) which he had fitted variable power steering to, so you could 'dial' the PS completely out (very heavy steering) or dial it completely in (twirl the wheel lock to lock with one finger whilst stationary), or anything in between... brilliant piece of kit............ little dially knob thingy just under the dash...
No PS on beastie, and she really is a handful on a twisty track, I know I'd be much quicker round Snetts with PS... (and a decent seat... and decent tyres.... etc etc)
No PS on beastie, and she really is a handful on a twisty track, I know I'd be much quicker round Snetts with PS... (and a decent seat... and decent tyres.... etc etc)
rockits said:
rockits said:
Integroo said:
Did you ever get round to pulling together all the paperwork on yours and posting an ad?
Sorry, no. I will do though. I will see if I can make a start today and get over.Most of the last week has taken all my spare time outside work putting all the purchase of Macs old 450 together with Greenside Cars. Disappointingly it has fallen out of bed as of last night suddenly.
I tried to send you a PM but your account doesn't seem set up to accept them. Maybe you can send me a PM with your e-mail and I can e-mail over the details? I can't really link or publish this on a public forum as it has tons of personal data on the invoices.
Not sure if I am even supposed to blank it out if I sent it privately. Anyone know about the data protection around previous owners car records and details? Easy to see in the flesh of course no issues but not sure if sending it to a 3rd party is OK? Any ideas anyone?
v8ben said:
Integroo said:
No PAS - views on whether it is essential? Guy that did my recent inspection suggested he wouldn't recommend anyone buy one without it.
No PAS on mine and I find it ok, however living in rural Devon does mean much slow speed work!Gassing Station | Chimaera | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff