I think my mind is made up to get a Chimaera
Discussion
Hi all,
after much surfing on here for years but never posting I recently joined and renewed my membership also in the TVR owners club. It is some ten years since I last was a member with them but have only just managed to be financially ready to buy one.
I have been looking at the Tamora's but after a chat with a few people and reading lots of discussions on line I have now decided that the Tamora is not for me and I am now going to go for a Chimaera. I spoke to Simon at Fernhurst and he was very helpful and went through different models etc and this took into account my budget etc.
Anyway I am hoping to get out over the next few days to Fernhurst to have a look at some of their cars but will be requiring any of your advice to help me with this very large purchase.
Thanks
Tich
after much surfing on here for years but never posting I recently joined and renewed my membership also in the TVR owners club. It is some ten years since I last was a member with them but have only just managed to be financially ready to buy one.
I have been looking at the Tamora's but after a chat with a few people and reading lots of discussions on line I have now decided that the Tamora is not for me and I am now going to go for a Chimaera. I spoke to Simon at Fernhurst and he was very helpful and went through different models etc and this took into account my budget etc.
Anyway I am hoping to get out over the next few days to Fernhurst to have a look at some of their cars but will be requiring any of your advice to help me with this very large purchase.
Thanks
Tich
Congratulations Tich, a fine choice ! Fernies have a huge selection of cars and a great reputation. They are also very expensive ! But then as with most things in life, you get what you pay for.... My car was originally supplied by Fernies, still got the Fernies kick plates on ! Which engine size will you be going for ? Best of luck, and welcome to the mad house 
The guys on here are great and I've learnt so much in the past year since getting my car. keep us all updated with your purchase.Thanks for the quick replies.
I am looking at going for the 4.0 engine.
The reason I decided on the Chimaera instead of the Tamora is due to engine issues. I know you can never be sure with anything but I am more confident with the things I have read about the Chimaera rather than the Tamora.
I also have to be very careful financially for the first five years I own my TVR and I think the Chimaera may be the safer option.
Tich
I am looking at going for the 4.0 engine.
The reason I decided on the Chimaera instead of the Tamora is due to engine issues. I know you can never be sure with anything but I am more confident with the things I have read about the Chimaera rather than the Tamora.
I also have to be very careful financially for the first five years I own my TVR and I think the Chimaera may be the safer option.
Tich
from me.
Well done mate. Good decision! Had mine 4 months now and loving it!
I would seriously consider the dealership route though. You will pay at least 4k over the car's value.
I looked around, asked lots of questions to private sellers. Once I found one I liked, I paid £100 to a TVR garage to give it the once over, in particular looking at the state of the chassis and outriggers. They gave me far more info than I would guess most dealers would.
They gave me the assurances I needed, also telling me the likes of Fernhurst would put my car on at more than 5k what I eventually agreed a deal for with the private seller.
Think about it. Is the 3 month warranty worth 4k+?
Whatever you decide, enjoy the car. They're beauties!!
I would seriously consider the dealership route though. You will pay at least 4k over the car's value.
I looked around, asked lots of questions to private sellers. Once I found one I liked, I paid £100 to a TVR garage to give it the once over, in particular looking at the state of the chassis and outriggers. They gave me far more info than I would guess most dealers would.
They gave me the assurances I needed, also telling me the likes of Fernhurst would put my car on at more than 5k what I eventually agreed a deal for with the private seller.
Think about it. Is the 3 month warranty worth 4k+?
Whatever you decide, enjoy the car. They're beauties!!
I wouldn't necessarily just stick to looking for one engine size. Unless there is a particular reason why you want a 400, and bearing in mind that the newest Chim is now 10years old, I would be inclined to put condition first, and if you'd be happy with a 400, then any of the others will do as well.
I looked at various 500s (Chims and Griffs), one 450 and a couple of 400s when I bought mine, eventually going for a 400.
I can understand why you might want to go via the dealership route, but if you are confident enough in your ability to seek out a decent one, you can still get it inspected as a back up. That way you maximise your market.
Whichever route you take, you'll enjoy it.
I looked at various 500s (Chims and Griffs), one 450 and a couple of 400s when I bought mine, eventually going for a 400.
I can understand why you might want to go via the dealership route, but if you are confident enough in your ability to seek out a decent one, you can still get it inspected as a back up. That way you maximise your market.
Whichever route you take, you'll enjoy it.
Ok everyone a quick update on my search for a Chimaera.
I have had a look around and I am off to see some cars today.
I have been up for hours already to exited to sleep and it is only 0545hrs now. Anyway a two hour drive ahead of me soon to get from Hastings to Guildford.
I will update you on my progress later!!! I am taking my camera to get some photos of condition etc.
Tich
I have had a look around and I am off to see some cars today.
I have been up for hours already to exited to sleep and it is only 0545hrs now. Anyway a two hour drive ahead of me soon to get from Hastings to Guildford.
I will update you on my progress later!!! I am taking my camera to get some photos of condition etc.
Tich
Great choice, and it'll be great to have you in the fold.
One thing worth noting thing though, it's not always worthgettimg too hung up on the engine size as, as with the variability of chims, then you might find a 400 or 400hc that performs better than a slower performing 450 and likewise for 450 to 500
Not to mention the possibility of a 430
Hope test drove day goes well and keep us all posted
One thing worth noting thing though, it's not always worthgettimg too hung up on the engine size as, as with the variability of chims, then you might find a 400 or 400hc that performs better than a slower performing 450 and likewise for 450 to 500
Not to mention the possibility of a 430
Hope test drove day goes well and keep us all posted
have another update. I went to Fernhurst yesterday and spent a good few hours there looking at all their TVR's. I then went for a test drive in the one that I thought was in the best condition inside and out. It was a nice drive lasting about 45 minutes. When I got back I then asked for the car to be put up on the ramps and it all seemed solid. I especially checked the outriggers and they were fine.
The guys have said the cars all washed underneath and any surface rust removed, painted and waxed up. The owner of Fernhurst, Grahamthen took my 19 year old brother out in one of the cars for 30 minutes while I looked around the other cars with Grahams son. He started up a couple of others with me so that I could hear the different engines etc. I was really impressed with the deep noise the cars with the sports exhausts had.
I then went home and had a think last night over a few beers and chatted with my wife. We both agreed it was a large purchase but what the hell.
This morning I rang them up and have just put a deposit down on my first TVR. They are also going to put a sports exhaust on it for me at no extra cost. Anyway I am really happy now and expect to pick it up next week end.
I can't wait. I will try and upload a few photos I took.
The guys have said the cars all washed underneath and any surface rust removed, painted and waxed up. The owner of Fernhurst, Grahamthen took my 19 year old brother out in one of the cars for 30 minutes while I looked around the other cars with Grahams son. He started up a couple of others with me so that I could hear the different engines etc. I was really impressed with the deep noise the cars with the sports exhausts had.
I then went home and had a think last night over a few beers and chatted with my wife. We both agreed it was a large purchase but what the hell.
This morning I rang them up and have just put a deposit down on my first TVR. They are also going to put a sports exhaust on it for me at no extra cost. Anyway I am really happy now and expect to pick it up next week end.
I can't wait. I will try and upload a few photos I took.
tich613 said:
have another update. I went to Fernhurst yesterday and spent a good few hours there looking at all their TVR's. I then went for a test drive in the one that I thought was in the best condition inside and out. It was a nice drive lasting about 45 minutes. When I got back I then asked for the car to be put up on the ramps and it all seemed solid. I especially checked the outriggers and they were fine.
The guys have said the cars all washed underneath and any surface rust removed, painted and waxed up. The owner of Fernhurst, Grahamthen took my 19 year old brother out in one of the cars for 30 minutes while I looked around the other cars with Grahams son. He started up a couple of others with me so that I could hear the different engines etc. I was really impressed with the deep noise the cars with the sports exhausts had.
I then went home and had a think last night over a few beers and chatted with my wife. We both agreed it was a large purchase but what the hell.
This morning I rang them up and have just put a deposit down on my first TVR. They are also going to put a sports exhaust on it for me at no extra cost. Anyway I am really happy now and expect to pick it up next week end.
I can't wait. I will try and upload a few photos I took.
Good stuff, I am sure you will be as besotted as we all are.The guys have said the cars all washed underneath and any surface rust removed, painted and waxed up. The owner of Fernhurst, Grahamthen took my 19 year old brother out in one of the cars for 30 minutes while I looked around the other cars with Grahams son. He started up a couple of others with me so that I could hear the different engines etc. I was really impressed with the deep noise the cars with the sports exhausts had.
I then went home and had a think last night over a few beers and chatted with my wife. We both agreed it was a large purchase but what the hell.
This morning I rang them up and have just put a deposit down on my first TVR. They are also going to put a sports exhaust on it for me at no extra cost. Anyway I am really happy now and expect to pick it up next week end.
I can't wait. I will try and upload a few photos I took.
Don't forget, we need to see pictures!
Well done Rich, you must be over the moon. 
Did you get the pictures of the Tam? It's a shame you couldn't pop down to see it yourself, it really does look like a good example.
Feel free to update me with e-mails on how Chim ownership is. I've got a few irons on the heat myself but they're looking like running against the grain of conventional advise posted here.
Did you get the pictures of the Tam? It's a shame you couldn't pop down to see it yourself, it really does look like a good example.
Feel free to update me with e-mails on how Chim ownership is. I've got a few irons on the heat myself but they're looking like running against the grain of conventional advise posted here.
Since my last post on here I never ended up getting the car due to job issues but these have now sorted them selves out and I am on the lookout again for a car.
I have sent an email to Fernhurst and will hopefully hear back tomorrow.
I will hopefully be a member of the TVR owners gang soon!!!
I have sent an email to Fernhurst and will hopefully hear back tomorrow.
I will hopefully be a member of the TVR owners gang soon!!!
But good luck with the renewed search hmmmm...that 1st and 2nd chassis picture showing the triangular plate and the chassis tubes look a bit "strange":
http://i55.tinypic.com/104rqqc.jpg
http://i52.tinypic.com/345y1ll.jpg
when you zoom the pictures in the above links, the cross-tube, near the triangular plate looks very rough / swollen, like fibreglass remainings or filler stick on the tube and /or the weld between the tube and plate has been filled with something.
i´m 80% sure the triangular blade and/or the crosstube had been heavily corroded and the holes had been closed with fibreglass!!!!
screwdrivers out, grinder out, clean that area and you will see if i´m right or wrong.
in which price range you bought that car?
http://i55.tinypic.com/104rqqc.jpg
http://i52.tinypic.com/345y1ll.jpg
when you zoom the pictures in the above links, the cross-tube, near the triangular plate looks very rough / swollen, like fibreglass remainings or filler stick on the tube and /or the weld between the tube and plate has been filled with something.
i´m 80% sure the triangular blade and/or the crosstube had been heavily corroded and the holes had been closed with fibreglass!!!!
screwdrivers out, grinder out, clean that area and you will see if i´m right or wrong.
in which price range you bought that car?
Edited by Comadis on Monday 31st October 21:56
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