First time buyer help please
Discussion
Hi All
I'm getting my first Chim as soon as possible, money burning a hole and i've been to see a few.
I've spent hours going through this and other forums but am still at a loss, can someone help please.
Ok, lots of Chims on the market at the minute, i'm only looking at the 7-8 bracket for now, i'm happy to spend in the future as work is going well and working on cars. But I can't be arsed to save any longer as i have the urge. Ok anyway. back to the point.
Is there much different in real world driving between the earlier 4.0 and later (with t5 box etc). As I can't seem to find the right 4.5 or 4.0HC in the price bracket i'm thinking get a nice 4.0 and play about with it once i'm used to it. Exhaust, cams, ecu etc (just like i did with a MK1 Escort I sold not too long ago).
I can't seem to find much comparison with SD1 and T5 boxes, apart from a longer 5th in the T5. Am i better off spending a little more on the later 4.0 or getting a better quality earlier? I am looking to keep the car so resale not too much of an issue
any experience appreciated.
Thanks
Brett
I'm getting my first Chim as soon as possible, money burning a hole and i've been to see a few.
I've spent hours going through this and other forums but am still at a loss, can someone help please.
Ok, lots of Chims on the market at the minute, i'm only looking at the 7-8 bracket for now, i'm happy to spend in the future as work is going well and working on cars. But I can't be arsed to save any longer as i have the urge. Ok anyway. back to the point.
Is there much different in real world driving between the earlier 4.0 and later (with t5 box etc). As I can't seem to find the right 4.5 or 4.0HC in the price bracket i'm thinking get a nice 4.0 and play about with it once i'm used to it. Exhaust, cams, ecu etc (just like i did with a MK1 Escort I sold not too long ago).
I can't seem to find much comparison with SD1 and T5 boxes, apart from a longer 5th in the T5. Am i better off spending a little more on the later 4.0 or getting a better quality earlier? I am looking to keep the car so resale not too much of an issue
any experience appreciated.
Thanks
Brett
Pre-T5 owners will be biased
T5 owners will be biased
There are so many different factors that make up a "good" TVR vs a "bad" one that you're best off test driving as many examples as you can until you find the peach that will stand out. It will happen to have either an SD1 or T5 box !
But but but:
You will find very quickly realise that the 4.0 is slower than you expected compared to modern cars, so if you're looking for the high performance to back up the reputation, you're better off either buying a 430/450/500 - and then you'll quickly realise that they're also slower than reputation led you to expect- or you can buy a £5000 project and spend £10k on proper power (300bhp), suspension and so on.
If you want a classic car to pose in that sounds the part, £8k is fine. If you want a high performance car that goes, handles and stops as it should, budget for at least £15k all in. If you want a modern Porsche beater then £20k Inc purchase price of £5k
Speaking from experience !
T5 owners will be biased
There are so many different factors that make up a "good" TVR vs a "bad" one that you're best off test driving as many examples as you can until you find the peach that will stand out. It will happen to have either an SD1 or T5 box !
But but but:
You will find very quickly realise that the 4.0 is slower than you expected compared to modern cars, so if you're looking for the high performance to back up the reputation, you're better off either buying a 430/450/500 - and then you'll quickly realise that they're also slower than reputation led you to expect- or you can buy a £5000 project and spend £10k on proper power (300bhp), suspension and so on.
If you want a classic car to pose in that sounds the part, £8k is fine. If you want a high performance car that goes, handles and stops as it should, budget for at least £15k all in. If you want a modern Porsche beater then £20k Inc purchase price of £5k
Speaking from experience !
Thanks All
I am looking for a project if i'm honest. I spent two years and about 10k on a £1000 MK1 escort and never actually drove it
. So I dont mind doing bits as and when, i've been out in a 450 and couple 400HC and did like the extra, so i think a drive in some more may be in order. Mechanics i like doing, interior and bodywork i can't be arsed with though so i think its a case of seeing what i can get for the cash really.
I'm trawling through the many many many pages of peoples upgrades now from cams, suspension etc etc there is lots of info out there which is always good.
I am looking for a project if i'm honest. I spent two years and about 10k on a £1000 MK1 escort and never actually drove it
. So I dont mind doing bits as and when, i've been out in a 450 and couple 400HC and did like the extra, so i think a drive in some more may be in order. Mechanics i like doing, interior and bodywork i can't be arsed with though so i think its a case of seeing what i can get for the cash really. I'm trawling through the many many many pages of peoples upgrades now from cams, suspension etc etc there is lots of info out there which is always good.
brett84 said:
Thanks All
I am looking for a project if i'm honest. I spent two years and about 10k on a £1000 MK1 escort and never actually drove it. So I dont mind doing bits as and when, i've been out in a 450 and couple 400HC and did like the extra, so i think a drive in some more may be in order. Mechanics i like doing, interior and bodywork i can't be arsed with though so i think its a case of seeing what i can get for the cash really.
I'm trawling through the many many many pages of peoples upgrades now from cams, suspension etc etc there is lots of info out there which is always good.
If thats the case buy any 4.0I am looking for a project if i'm honest. I spent two years and about 10k on a £1000 MK1 escort and never actually drove it
. So I dont mind doing bits as and when, i've been out in a 450 and couple 400HC and did like the extra, so i think a drive in some more may be in order. Mechanics i like doing, interior and bodywork i can't be arsed with though so i think its a case of seeing what i can get for the cash really. I'm trawling through the many many many pages of peoples upgrades now from cams, suspension etc etc there is lots of info out there which is always good.
Buy a 4.6 xbolted landrover engine and tweek it, then drop it in when its ready
Usual mods are
Trumpets/plenum/inlet manifold
Act induction
Cam
Heads
ECU
Do the above well and you should see you another 100bhp on top of a stock 4.0
I am just going that route of fitting a hotter engine and doing upgrades, like front brakes, dampers etc. If I were you, I would look for the right car, as said a 430,450 or 500 for a start.
Get it sorted ( there will always be some small niggles) fill up and enjoy the drive. I think it is much more fun sitting in the car than lying underneath to do some upgrades.
Get it sorted ( there will always be some small niggles) fill up and enjoy the drive. I think it is much more fun sitting in the car than lying underneath to do some upgrades.
Brett,
I have a 4Ltr Chimaera 1994 I bought 4 years ago low milage,67.500. I bought it because it was the best one I looked at inc garage cars.
I was looking to poss sell car next year, due to work commitments I have done only 390 miles since major TrackvRoad service April 2009, well over £1000.00 to bring back Tvr history. Has been garaged since service
The car has just had a full 12.000mile service 1 week ago, £600.00, full mot with 1 advisory, slight play on steering column not excesive. Just ready to tax Aug.
My only issue at present, see posts, is the drivers side elec motor seems to have packed in, trying to resolve that issue. £166.00 off CLEVERTREVOR.
My intention was to use the car over what is left of the summer ha ha, but would sell before then for right offer, I would be looking for £6.500 which I think is a more than fair price for car.
The car has other mods but starting to sound like car salesman. I run a drag race mini. a hill climb COX GTM, also have Subaru Ipretza wrx, so I like my cars.
The reason for selling is to purchase a TR6 off a close friend, who will wait till the TVR is sold, if not this year, next year.
If you are interested please contact, if you have found another car keep in contact as I will always help with any issues you may have, if I can.
KENHIND
I have a 4Ltr Chimaera 1994 I bought 4 years ago low milage,67.500. I bought it because it was the best one I looked at inc garage cars.
I was looking to poss sell car next year, due to work commitments I have done only 390 miles since major TrackvRoad service April 2009, well over £1000.00 to bring back Tvr history. Has been garaged since service
The car has just had a full 12.000mile service 1 week ago, £600.00, full mot with 1 advisory, slight play on steering column not excesive. Just ready to tax Aug.
My only issue at present, see posts, is the drivers side elec motor seems to have packed in, trying to resolve that issue. £166.00 off CLEVERTREVOR.
My intention was to use the car over what is left of the summer ha ha, but would sell before then for right offer, I would be looking for £6.500 which I think is a more than fair price for car.
The car has other mods but starting to sound like car salesman. I run a drag race mini. a hill climb COX GTM, also have Subaru Ipretza wrx, so I like my cars.
The reason for selling is to purchase a TR6 off a close friend, who will wait till the TVR is sold, if not this year, next year.
If you are interested please contact, if you have found another car keep in contact as I will always help with any issues you may have, if I can.
KENHIND
I'd say buy on condition. They do vary a lot and not always as priced or described, but an early 4-litre in tip top condition with a few mods may well end up being nicer to drive and faster than a rough 4.5.
By the time you're up to seven or eight grand you should have a fairly good choice of the earlier models and the later small capacity variants. My pick, if you can find a good one, would be a 430.
The 430s are quite rare (which in some respects adds to the appeal) and the general consensus is that a healthy one produces almost as much power as a 450 in the real world, while being the crispest, most responsive engine of the lot. Depending on what you've driven before you might find some of the standard engines a bit lazy - not in the amount of power, but the relaxed, torquey manner in which it's delivered. The 430 is rather racier than the others are as standard and that in itself can be more satisfying if you like that sort of thing! Yet despite this beaut of an engine (because they're early examples and they're 'only' 4.3-litres the 430s...) the 430s are barely worth any more than a 4-litre of the same age.
But whichever you go for, drive (and inspect) lots before you make your decision and buy on condition. Oh, and keep a contingency fund handy. Most of the pub myths are just that, but it's not inconceivable that a perfectly healthy engine could go pop on the drive home!
ETA Just to pitch in with the gearbox debate, the one pre-T5 car I've driven definitely felt different, but it wasn't that much worse I wouldn't say. As with all aspects, I suspect a well cared for LT77 is better than a knackered T5.
By the time you're up to seven or eight grand you should have a fairly good choice of the earlier models and the later small capacity variants. My pick, if you can find a good one, would be a 430.
The 430s are quite rare (which in some respects adds to the appeal) and the general consensus is that a healthy one produces almost as much power as a 450 in the real world, while being the crispest, most responsive engine of the lot. Depending on what you've driven before you might find some of the standard engines a bit lazy - not in the amount of power, but the relaxed, torquey manner in which it's delivered. The 430 is rather racier than the others are as standard and that in itself can be more satisfying if you like that sort of thing! Yet despite this beaut of an engine (because they're early examples and they're 'only' 4.3-litres the 430s...) the 430s are barely worth any more than a 4-litre of the same age.
But whichever you go for, drive (and inspect) lots before you make your decision and buy on condition. Oh, and keep a contingency fund handy. Most of the pub myths are just that, but it's not inconceivable that a perfectly healthy engine could go pop on the drive home!
ETA Just to pitch in with the gearbox debate, the one pre-T5 car I've driven definitely felt different, but it wasn't that much worse I wouldn't say. As with all aspects, I suspect a well cared for LT77 is better than a knackered T5.
Edited by Chris71 on Wednesday 27th July 12:54
anonymous said:
[redacted]
I'm not sure that I'd say the T5 is stronger - 5th gear breakages anyone? although that's more to do with the instalation than the box itself. IMHO the change is better (shorter, quicker) than the LT77. My LT77 has just been rebuilt, and no problems with parts at all. My 1994 M reg 400 has the T5 gearbox. Also happens to be in the classifieds, but i'll leave you to find it!
As for the 400 being slow - dont believe it. 0-60 in an easily repeatable 5.2s and 1/4 mile in late 13s simply cannot be considered slow. What i think people mean however is that there are more cars around that can do those sort of figures compared to when the Chimaera was first introduced (Impreza's/Evo's/M3's etc). These still only form a small % of cars on the road, so you will still be considerably faster than most of the cars on any given journey.
You have to work the gears a bit more than the larger engine cars, but the 4 litre is generally happier to rev (mine goes to 6,250rpm) so these cars can be made to really fly! It is only really in 5th that it feel slow, but since 4th is good for 130ish, i only ever use 5th for motorway cruising.
Hope you find the car you want.
As for the 400 being slow - dont believe it. 0-60 in an easily repeatable 5.2s and 1/4 mile in late 13s simply cannot be considered slow. What i think people mean however is that there are more cars around that can do those sort of figures compared to when the Chimaera was first introduced (Impreza's/Evo's/M3's etc). These still only form a small % of cars on the road, so you will still be considerably faster than most of the cars on any given journey.
You have to work the gears a bit more than the larger engine cars, but the 4 litre is generally happier to rev (mine goes to 6,250rpm) so these cars can be made to really fly! It is only really in 5th that it feel slow, but since 4th is good for 130ish, i only ever use 5th for motorway cruising.
Hope you find the car you want.
jsr said:
These still only form a small % of cars on the road, so you will still be considerably faster than most of the cars on any given journey.
Plus the torque of a big V8 gives it real world pace that most naturally aspirated engines will struggle to match.Although no standard Chimaera or Griff is a true supercar chase any more it is still a pretty rapid car. You're looking at about 260bhp/ton for a good 500, which is similar to a V8 Vantage or an M3 CSL.
Chris71 said:
Plus the torque of a big V8 gives it real world pace that most naturally aspirated engines will struggle to match.
Although no standard Chimaera or Griff is a true supercar chase any more it is still a pretty rapid car. You're looking at about 260bhp/ton for a good 500, which is similar to a V8 Vantage or an M3 CSL.
fair enough - should've qualified my statement of "slow" with the fact that i've already enjoyed >260/tonne, so both the 430 and 500 I've owned felt slower than I'd expected. Although no standard Chimaera or Griff is a true supercar chase any more it is still a pretty rapid car. You're looking at about 260bhp/ton for a good 500, which is similar to a V8 Vantage or an M3 CSL.
So, modifications : 388bhp/tonne via supercharged 5.0 chim, that'll do - for now
Anyway - i think everyone is giving the same advice - model/gearbox are important, but not as important as condition. Drive every single example you can before you choose
Edited by Jammy Dodger on Wednesday 27th July 15:57
jsr said:
My 1994 M reg 400 has the T5 gearbox. Also happens to be in the classifieds, but i'll leave you to find it!
As for the 400 being slow - dont believe it. 0-60 in an easily repeatable 5.2s and 1/4 mile in late 13s simply cannot be considered slow. What i think people mean however is that there are more cars around that can do those sort of figures compared to when the Chimaera was first introduced (Impreza's/Evo's/M3's etc). These still only form a small % of cars on the road, so you will still be considerably faster than most of the cars on any given journey.
You have to work the gears a bit more than the larger engine cars, but the 4 litre is generally happier to rev (mine goes to 6,250rpm) so these cars can be made to really fly! It is only really in 5th that it feel slow, but since 4th is good for 130ish, i only ever use 5th for motorway cruising.
Hope you find the car you want.
Don't disagree with the above. But.... BEWARE of the wolf in sheeps clothing.. Big (and some not so big) turbo diesels As for the 400 being slow - dont believe it. 0-60 in an easily repeatable 5.2s and 1/4 mile in late 13s simply cannot be considered slow. What i think people mean however is that there are more cars around that can do those sort of figures compared to when the Chimaera was first introduced (Impreza's/Evo's/M3's etc). These still only form a small % of cars on the road, so you will still be considerably faster than most of the cars on any given journey.
You have to work the gears a bit more than the larger engine cars, but the 4 litre is generally happier to rev (mine goes to 6,250rpm) so these cars can be made to really fly! It is only really in 5th that it feel slow, but since 4th is good for 130ish, i only ever use 5th for motorway cruising.
Hope you find the car you want.
That's right, turbo diesels. Even me, a driving God 
has been caught out. 0 - 60 in a tad over 5 seconds is all very well, particularly if you're into the traffic lights GP, but out in the real dual carriageway and motorway world... they are there... and they are waiting... be afraid.... be very afraid... Chilliman said:
Don't disagree with the above. But.... BEWARE of the wolf in sheeps clothing.. Big (and some not so big) turbo diesels That's right, turbo diesels. Even me, a driving God has been caught out. 0 - 60 in a tad over 5 seconds is all very well, particularly if you're into the traffic lights GP, but out in the real dual carriageway and motorway world... they are there... and they are waiting... be afraid.... be very afraid...
a merc E320Cdi (3 litre) kept up with my (at that point standard) 500 at 100+. My 500 was dynod at 245bhp at the wheels, so a strong one at that. That's right, turbo diesels. Even me, a driving God has been caught out. 0 - 60 in a tad over 5 seconds is all very well, particularly if you're into the traffic lights GP, but out in the real dual carriageway and motorway world... they are there... and they are waiting... be afraid.... be very afraid... Jammy Dodger said:
Chris71 said:
Plus the torque of a big V8 gives it real world pace that most naturally aspirated engines will struggle to match.
Although no standard Chimaera or Griff is a true supercar chase any more it is still a pretty rapid car. You're looking at about 260bhp/ton for a good 500, which is similar to a V8 Vantage or an M3 CSL.
fair enough - should've qualified my statement of "slow" with the fact that i've already enjoyed >260/tonne, so both the 430 and 500 I've owned felt slower than I'd expected.Although no standard Chimaera or Griff is a true supercar chase any more it is still a pretty rapid car. You're looking at about 260bhp/ton for a good 500, which is similar to a V8 Vantage or an M3 CSL.
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