Pick up My Chimaera tomorrow!!
Discussion
Well, the day has almost arrived, tomorrow I trade in my TF160 for a 1998 Rosso red TVR Chimaera 450! Since I test drove it last saturday, I havent been able to get it out my head!! A case of heart ruling head methinks!!
Thanks for all your advice you gave me a couple of weeks ago. I have managed to get a full service and one years TVR warranty, plus a great part ex deal from Kings TVR in Warwick. I cannot fault the salesman, who has been so helpful and not at all pushy.
I wish I could have kept the personal plate though, as what attracted me to it was the first 2 letters, CJ, are my initials, does the guy who part exed his Chim for a Tuscan come on this board??
My partner also loves the Chim, but she fell head over heels in love with a black Tuscan S!!! As I only design scale models for a living, we'll have to wait a while for that one! lol.
Now, I had better hunt for a decent car cover, is there any that you recommend?
I managed to insure the Chim for £719, which includes no claims protection and legal cover, which I thought was quite reasonable from privilege.com. ( my TF160 was £600, and I didnt have legal or no claims protection!!!)
Cheers
A very excited soon to be TVR owner
Thanks for all your advice you gave me a couple of weeks ago. I have managed to get a full service and one years TVR warranty, plus a great part ex deal from Kings TVR in Warwick. I cannot fault the salesman, who has been so helpful and not at all pushy.
I wish I could have kept the personal plate though, as what attracted me to it was the first 2 letters, CJ, are my initials, does the guy who part exed his Chim for a Tuscan come on this board??
My partner also loves the Chim, but she fell head over heels in love with a black Tuscan S!!! As I only design scale models for a living, we'll have to wait a while for that one! lol.
Now, I had better hunt for a decent car cover, is there any that you recommend?
I managed to insure the Chim for £719, which includes no claims protection and legal cover, which I thought was quite reasonable from privilege.com. ( my TF160 was £600, and I didnt have legal or no claims protection!!!)
Cheers
A very excited soon to be TVR owner
Without sounding patronising - take it easy for a week or two. Even now (nearly one year into ownership) I am still learning and expect this to continue for some time. Its the torque you see - so low down and accessible. Just a little too much of a dab on the throttle and weeeee, your off sideways...
Be careful and enjoy. Its probably one of the few cars that you can enjoy at any speed and brings a smile just looking at it.... oh, and the noise is a nice side effect.
One word of warning though - best check that you have some cash ready. You will just drive and drive and drive - and you'll end up putting loads of fuel in it. Oh, and dont forget the nip to Halfords for the weekend to get those wash / polish things. Cancel everything for the weekend and spend it polishing you penile exten... er sorry Car...
Cheers,
Paul
Be careful and enjoy. Its probably one of the few cars that you can enjoy at any speed and brings a smile just looking at it.... oh, and the noise is a nice side effect.
One word of warning though - best check that you have some cash ready. You will just drive and drive and drive - and you'll end up putting loads of fuel in it. Oh, and dont forget the nip to Halfords for the weekend to get those wash / polish things. Cancel everything for the weekend and spend it polishing you penile exten... er sorry Car...
Cheers,
Paul
Chris,
Welcome to the fold. Be prepared for a permanent
all day long!
I've just ordered a full waterproof cover from www.classicadditions.co.uk/ (now that winter is closing in), and I've also got just a hood cover from www.leventechnology.co.uk/
Have fun in you new beast!
Dave
1999 Chim 450
Welcome to the fold. Be prepared for a permanent
all day long! quote:
Now, I had better hunt for a decent car cover, is there any that you recommend?
I've just ordered a full waterproof cover from www.classicadditions.co.uk/ (now that winter is closing in), and I've also got just a hood cover from www.leventechnology.co.uk/
Have fun in you new beast!
Dave
1999 Chim 450
Thank you for the very helpful replies. I was told a couple of weeks ago on here that I would be grinning like a cheshire cat when I test drove one, and my fianee reminded me of that fact when I got back from the test drive, I was indeed grinng like the Cheshire cat!
I will take it easy in the TVR, the trouble with the MGTF160 was that I got use to the performance too quickly, didnt matter what you do in the car, it just always behaves, which got to be a bit boring!
I have no PAS though, hope it doesn't take too long to get use to the heavier steering!
Chris
I will take it easy in the TVR, the trouble with the MGTF160 was that I got use to the performance too quickly, didnt matter what you do in the car, it just always behaves, which got to be a bit boring!
I have no PAS though, hope it doesn't take too long to get use to the heavier steering!
Chris
quote:
Thank you for the very helpful replies. I was told a couple of weeks ago on here that I would be grinning like a cheshire cat when I test drove one, and my fianee reminded me of that fact when I got back from the test drive, I was indeed grinng like the Cheshire cat!
my better half keeps telling me of the grinned face I was pulling as I drove by her in mine before I bought it... she could tell from 10 yards I was going to buy it
lol,, my fiancee said that my mind looked made up too when I got back!! She loves the look of the car too, nice to have partner's who appreciate nice cars as much as you, also make's life easier!!! But she does have an MG too, a ZR 160 thingy, too boy racerish for me, but perfect for her, I have noticed no-one wants to race her in their Novas, presumably because they dont want to be beated by a girlie!!! She is also on the Chim insurance! I think it will be worth it just to see the looks on lad's faces as drives it!! lol.
The one thing that hasn't left my mind is, that when on the test drive, when I pushed the accelerator pedal, all the other cars seemed to have stopped!!!!
Chris
The one thing that hasn't left my mind is, that when on the test drive, when I pushed the accelerator pedal, all the other cars seemed to have stopped!!!!
Chris
Cheers N17 and d1bble , excited barely describes how I feel!!, hard to try and get work done ( even harder as I work from home!!)Keep thinking about owning a car that has 130+ bhp more than my little Tf 160!!
Will get some pics taken in the next week or so,, where do you display the pics?
Chris
Will get some pics taken in the next week or so,, where do you display the pics?
Chris
quote:
how did you put the pic on?
Chris
You need some web space to upload your piccie, does your ISP give you web space? If not you can use something like fotango, which is free.
Then just use the formatting code:
[pic] www.website/picture.jpg [/pic]
In your message and hey presto!
Well done . It is nice when the other half really likes it, One of the other benifits is that we end up travelling a lot faster without being reprimanded from the passenger seat. (Novel, but nice!).
Insurance through Sunninghill Insurance 01276 474 844, very competitive + under written by Norwich Union + full RAC cover.
I bought an external carcoon which includes a battery conditioner. Takes 5 minutes to set up / remove + seems bone dry inside. You can even put the car away wet and it comes out bone dry the following day. highly rated in the mags. www.carcoon.co.uk
My other half was a little concerned about the cover rubbing against the mirrors in breezy conditions, so she made me a pair of "Mirror Gloves" out of some new dusters, Sad but true & I think she had a point.
Enjoy it (after about 8 miles to warm it through!)
Insurance through Sunninghill Insurance 01276 474 844, very competitive + under written by Norwich Union + full RAC cover.
I bought an external carcoon which includes a battery conditioner. Takes 5 minutes to set up / remove + seems bone dry inside. You can even put the car away wet and it comes out bone dry the following day. highly rated in the mags. www.carcoon.co.uk
My other half was a little concerned about the cover rubbing against the mirrors in breezy conditions, so she made me a pair of "Mirror Gloves" out of some new dusters, Sad but true & I think she had a point.
Enjoy it (after about 8 miles to warm it through!)
I know just how you feel - I was the same and just before I was due to collect my chim I had to go abroad on business for 10 days! Imagine the emotional dilemma 
Still eventually the time came round and the excitement built up again. That was around 3 months ago and I still have to spend significant time out of the country. The chim anticipation still builds up at the end of each trip. I'm totally hooked and a sad case, so everyone around me keeps saying!
Have a great time and, based on my own early experience, take special care with that low-down torque - it can produce an interesting moment when pulling out to turn right at a T-junction in traffic, when you see a gap and know you need to be reasonably prompt! "Be progressive" is the motto - it's not all or nothing like your typical car.
Enjoy!
Hutch
Still eventually the time came round and the excitement built up again. That was around 3 months ago and I still have to spend significant time out of the country. The chim anticipation still builds up at the end of each trip. I'm totally hooked and a sad case, so everyone around me keeps saying!
Have a great time and, based on my own early experience, take special care with that low-down torque - it can produce an interesting moment when pulling out to turn right at a T-junction in traffic, when you see a gap and know you need to be reasonably prompt! "Be progressive" is the motto - it's not all or nothing like your typical car.
Enjoy!
Hutch
Thanks for the info on the car covers gf, have checked out the web site, may invest in one of those.
That must have been agonising, Hut, having to go away before you picked up your chim! I know I have to be very carful with the throttle, it has triple the torque of the TF160, I have noticed that all the smaller engined sports cars have not got much torque, and rely solely on upping the limits of the rev counter, which gets tiresome at times.
I have asked the dealer to adjust the throttle pedal, as I'm only 5'7", and I could just about reach it!!!
Have also noticed in the classifieds that all the car covers are now sold, typical!! lol.
Would it be wise to check the oil every week?, and what's the best oil for a 450?? Silly questions I know, but I have never had anything larger than a 1.8 until now!!!
No sleep tonight!!!
Chris
That must have been agonising, Hut, having to go away before you picked up your chim! I know I have to be very carful with the throttle, it has triple the torque of the TF160, I have noticed that all the smaller engined sports cars have not got much torque, and rely solely on upping the limits of the rev counter, which gets tiresome at times.
I have asked the dealer to adjust the throttle pedal, as I'm only 5'7", and I could just about reach it!!!
Have also noticed in the classifieds that all the car covers are now sold, typical!! lol.
Would it be wise to check the oil every week?, and what's the best oil for a 450?? Silly questions I know, but I have never had anything larger than a 1.8 until now!!!
No sleep tonight!!!
Chris
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