Do I take the plunge?
Discussion
Hello - I'm new to Pistonheads. Great web site, the info and general banter is great to read, really addictive stuff.
My query is general. I would dearly love to become a TVR owner. I have a friend who owns a Chim and quite frankly I'm green with envy. Those cars are the epitome of driving pleasure. I've looked at Jap stuff, turbo stuff etc, but I'm not a boy racer, never have been and never want to be. I want a classic piece of British Beef! The thing is, I don't have wads of cash lying around, and I am looking for a way to get into a Chim for around £10-11K and just enjoy the driving experience. I would like to work on the car myself, except the really tough stuff, and then I want to goto a specialist that doesn't charge the earth for a general service and occasional problem. I have the garage, the tool kits, and the desire to care for the car as if it were my first born, but am I being unrealistic, is TVR ownership only for those of us with a large disposable income?
My query is general. I would dearly love to become a TVR owner. I have a friend who owns a Chim and quite frankly I'm green with envy. Those cars are the epitome of driving pleasure. I've looked at Jap stuff, turbo stuff etc, but I'm not a boy racer, never have been and never want to be. I want a classic piece of British Beef! The thing is, I don't have wads of cash lying around, and I am looking for a way to get into a Chim for around £10-11K and just enjoy the driving experience. I would like to work on the car myself, except the really tough stuff, and then I want to goto a specialist that doesn't charge the earth for a general service and occasional problem. I have the garage, the tool kits, and the desire to care for the car as if it were my first born, but am I being unrealistic, is TVR ownership only for those of us with a large disposable income?
I was in an identical position to you. Eventually bought my chimaera with a high mileage (89000) from a dealer for 10.5k after a hugh amount of soul searching. I have defintely not regretted it. The car has been very reliable and it is my only car. I suggest a higher milage 4.0 Rover Engined car is a good bet. You only live once!
Cheers Ocean
Cheers Ocean
Just do it,
i've had mine for over a year now and have had a couple of niggles, all repaired or fitted by myself , it's woth having a bit of spare cash when you buy it incase a couple of faults arise, as for jap cars been there, done that, bored after a few months, the chimaera is the only car that has kept the grin on my face, that burbling sound, wind in yer face , and acceleration , what more can you ask for ?.
i've had mine for over a year now and have had a couple of niggles, all repaired or fitted by myself , it's woth having a bit of spare cash when you buy it incase a couple of faults arise, as for jap cars been there, done that, bored after a few months, the chimaera is the only car that has kept the grin on my face, that burbling sound, wind in yer face , and acceleration , what more can you ask for ?.
Being as you have the skills and the workshop to be able to the minor things yourself I would say go for it. The Chimaera sounds fantastic, looks the business, goes like stink and really does make you feel that you are driving something really special.
That's because it IS special. Special means big bills from time to time so even when it is running well and giving you no trouble be putting something by for the inevitable trip to the specialist for a sound fettling.
If you do. And you have the skills you say. Why not. You only live once and the car will give you back everything you put into it.
You're not buying a car. More of a way of life. And jolly good fun it is too.
That's because it IS special. Special means big bills from time to time so even when it is running well and giving you no trouble be putting something by for the inevitable trip to the specialist for a sound fettling.
If you do. And you have the skills you say. Why not. You only live once and the car will give you back everything you put into it.
You're not buying a car. More of a way of life. And jolly good fun it is too.
banjolucknicker said: Thanks to everyone who's replied. I kind of expected these answers. Anyone know of a good TVR specialist in the Reading/South East area I can speak to about servicing costs?
May I also just say that I am in deep envy of all of you who are looking forward to the drive home tonight!
The man you seek is Dave Batty Tel: 01483 811995.
He is a true mechanic, owns a Griff and treats customers cars as if they were his own.
He also does not charge like a wounded bull, which is something most of the dealers do.
Dave will also inspect any car you are considering buying for a small fee, well worth the trouble.
You gots to do it!
For years I have driven various Japo "sports cars" and to be fair to them they never go wrong, what they do lack is a bit of soul which the TVR has in abundance. I have been very fortunate to have driven many of the Italian exotics all with other people paying the bills as they were not my cars and they were great. But I have to say from my very limited experience of running a TVR, there is simply no other car like it, ask any one of the head cases on these pages. I won’t lie, they are not built very well and they are not the most reliable cars because of this. If you accept this and the little quirks included in the asking price you will be delighted with one.
If you can fix bits and pieces yourself it helps a lot, you will get all the help possible from some of the very knowledgeable people you find on here. I would try and resist the temptation of buying a cheap one, they tend to work out the dearest in the end. The real problem I have found with owning my Chim is I won’t leave the bloody thing alone, I am hoping Winter will help me cut down using it a bit. I have a Chim 400 which is probably the cheapest model to run and if I do not cane it constantly it does not use too much fuel – alas it tends not to work out that way.
Final bit of advice, if you have a relationship with someone who works in (better still owns) a Shell petrol station it makes the whole TVR experience much better.
Ivan
For years I have driven various Japo "sports cars" and to be fair to them they never go wrong, what they do lack is a bit of soul which the TVR has in abundance. I have been very fortunate to have driven many of the Italian exotics all with other people paying the bills as they were not my cars and they were great. But I have to say from my very limited experience of running a TVR, there is simply no other car like it, ask any one of the head cases on these pages. I won’t lie, they are not built very well and they are not the most reliable cars because of this. If you accept this and the little quirks included in the asking price you will be delighted with one.
If you can fix bits and pieces yourself it helps a lot, you will get all the help possible from some of the very knowledgeable people you find on here. I would try and resist the temptation of buying a cheap one, they tend to work out the dearest in the end. The real problem I have found with owning my Chim is I won’t leave the bloody thing alone, I am hoping Winter will help me cut down using it a bit. I have a Chim 400 which is probably the cheapest model to run and if I do not cane it constantly it does not use too much fuel – alas it tends not to work out that way.
Final bit of advice, if you have a relationship with someone who works in (better still owns) a Shell petrol station it makes the whole TVR experience much better.
Ivan
ribol said: You gots to do it!
For years I have driven various Japo "sports cars" and to be fair to them they never go wrong, what they do lack is a bit of soul which the TVR has in abundance. I have been very fortunate to have driven many of the Italian exotics all with other people paying the bills as they were not my cars and they were great. But I have to say from my very limited experience of running a TVR, there is simply no other car like it, ask any one of the head cases on these pages. I won’t lie, they are not built very well and they are not the most reliable cars because of this. If you accept this and the little quirks included in the asking price you will be delighted with one.
If you can fix bits and pieces yourself it helps a lot, you will get all the help possible from some of the very knowledgeable people you find on here. I would try and resist the temptation of buying a cheap one, they tend to work out the dearest in the end. The real problem I have found with owning my Chim is I won’t leave the bloody thing alone, I am hoping Winter will help me cut down using it a bit. I have a Chim 400 which is probably the cheapest model to run and if I do not cane it constantly it does not use too much fuel – alas it tends not to work out that way.
Final bit of advice, if you have a relationship with someone who works in (better still owns) a Shell petrol station it makes the whole TVR experience much better.
Ivan
Not a boy racer eh?? I tell you it's addictive. I've had mine modified twice already and next spring its going to be a 4.6 conversion---I MUST HAVE MORE POWER.
Just buy the thing!!
banjolucknicker said: Thanks to everyone who's replied. I kind of expected these answers. Anyone know of a good TVR specialist in the Reading/South East area I can speak to about servicing costs?
May I also just say that I am in deep envy of all of you who are looking forward to the drive home tonight!
Take your mate with you, to look at and inspect any car that you consider buying, if he/she has got one then he/she can guide you on your purchase.
Why don't you come along to the TVR berks meeting later in the month, i'm sure one of us would take you out for a spin...
Check out our site there's a chimaera for sale at £10k
might be worth a look.
Cheers,
Jon
www.tvr-berks.co.uk/
>> Edited by brightyellowtvr on Sunday 3rd November 09:16
Check out our site there's a chimaera for sale at £10k
might be worth a look.
Cheers,
Jon
www.tvr-berks.co.uk/
>> Edited by brightyellowtvr on Sunday 3rd November 09:16
Slightly over your budget but my 4.0 with 68k on the clock and a daily driver will meet your needs. A very sorted and well-documented car, both here on PH and in Sprint, it's for sale... www.pistonheads.com/ads/displayAd.asp?advertId=6079
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