Discussion
Most people believe that using these cars is the best answer. If you lay them up over winter or use then only once or twice a month, they do, on average, start to become unreliable. This is advice I have had from dealers and other drivers. My experience is that reliability has been good for me and I use the car every dry day.
If the car is well maintained and has been fettled by a knowledgable engineer then there is no reason why the car can't be completely reliable.
Remember, only bad news sells. It is true that TVRs have a reputation for unreliability but so do Ferraris (especially the older ones) and other exotica. You will always hear the bad stories trotted out repeatedly which reinforces the belief but in reality the Chimaera is extremely reliable once sorted out.
Remember, only bad news sells. It is true that TVRs have a reputation for unreliability but so do Ferraris (especially the older ones) and other exotica. You will always hear the bad stories trotted out repeatedly which reinforces the belief but in reality the Chimaera is extremely reliable once sorted out.
Hi I have been reading messages on this site for the last month, as I am nearly ready to buy my first TVR (Chimaera) but wondered about reliablity as some motor mags say it is poor. Also I want to drive into France with it. Any comments and advice appreciated
I've had my 5L for close to two years. I've done 19000 miles in her to date. The previous owner had done 24000. She's never let me down and I've had to use her several times when my wife's 'reliable' car has broken down to fetch bits and bobs for it. Maintenance work on her is more frequent than a regular car, but that's about all. I will be taking her to France twice this year. Forward planning is only where to get petrol and what TVR specific spares to take with me.
Steve.
I had my 4l Chimaera for a year, before swapping to a Tamora, and used it every day for work, and at the weekends. Not once would it not start and I never had any mechanical problems with it .... the only fault it had was that the petrol guage seemed to move from right to left far to quickly and it caused an inane grin to appear whenever I drove it.
I was in the same position, read the threads on here for over a year. Decided the best option was to by a "used" one, ie one that had been driven, and not taken out every other bank holiday to the shops and back. I believe as long as they are driven (they ARE drivers cars anyway) you will be fine. If there are any niggles, by now they should be sorted.
Besides, how can anyone have a car like this and NOT drive it?? I left for work 1 hour early today just to drive for an hour!!
Good luck!
Besides, how can anyone have a car like this and NOT drive it?? I left for work 1 hour early today just to drive for an hour!!
Good luck!
Hmmmm.....depends what type of car you are used to. I used to have an old n'th hand mini clubman estate. My Chimaera is more reliable than that.
However, I have had lots of annoying 'little' things fail over the years on the TVR although (fingers crossed) nothing to stop me driving the car. You will probably need to be prepared to learn how to fix simple problems (from kind users of this site and a copy of the Steve Heath book).
Cheers,
Crouchy
However, I have had lots of annoying 'little' things fail over the years on the TVR although (fingers crossed) nothing to stop me driving the car. You will probably need to be prepared to learn how to fix simple problems (from kind users of this site and a copy of the Steve Heath book).
Cheers,
Crouchy
Every car needs fixing from time to time, and I don't mind the myth that TVR's are unreliable as I know that my car does what it needs to and I enjoy driving it.
It needs no more attention than any other car, there are just fewer people who know about them.
Treat your car well and it will look after you. Everyones only jealous of the looks and performance anyway and let them have a go at reliability. I bet they secretly want one but daren't try!!
It needs no more attention than any other car, there are just fewer people who know about them.
Treat your car well and it will look after you. Everyones only jealous of the looks and performance anyway and let them have a go at reliability. I bet they secretly want one but daren't try!!
You Know its funny, you do tend to believe the bad press.
I've got a very reliable Chimaera, the most reliable car i've ever had, and will defend TVR reliability to the hilt...
but then again everytime i think of changing to a Cerb, Tuscan or T350 I think mmm no engine problems...
Maybe about time i listened to my own advice!!!!
I've got a very reliable Chimaera, the most reliable car i've ever had, and will defend TVR reliability to the hilt...
but then again everytime i think of changing to a Cerb, Tuscan or T350 I think mmm no engine problems...
Maybe about time i listened to my own advice!!!!
Another very happy owner here. Ten months and 13,000 miles in a used 450 with no problems. Worth looking around and definitely drive a few before you decide. I was looking for a 4l but the ones I tested were all completely different to drive, then tried a low mileage 450 which just felt like ‘the one’ straight away. Also use him as an everyday car. 
In 18 months the only problems I have had with my Chimaera are a battery that gave up the ghost (hardly a TVR issue) and the car alarm siren unit packing up (but that didn't affect the ability to drive the car).
Given the performance you get from these cars, the reliability is pretty amazing. As for enjoyment factor I know little else that comes close.
Get someone who knows what they are looking for to check over the car to give you piece of mind, and remember the original new price if you are buying second hand!!!
MC
Given the performance you get from these cars, the reliability is pretty amazing. As for enjoyment factor I know little else that comes close.
Get someone who knows what they are looking for to check over the car to give you piece of mind, and remember the original new price if you are buying second hand!!!
MC
Also I want to drive into France with it. Any comments and advice appreciated
Driving into anything is going to be bad for reliability, eg bushes, trees etc, but a whole country - thats going to make a mess.
Joke aside, 56K and going strong, never looked back, not that you need to. Actually why do TVR install rear view mirrors ?
This same question comes up every other day, but to (once again) add my two pennyworth, 2 and a half years, 20k miles, new battery, exhaust manifold gaskets, 4 tyres, one rad hose, regular servicing, totally reliable. Currently 73k miles on the clock of a 94 4.0HC. Watertight & reliable. Got it at HHC and fully recommend them.
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