Do I take the plunge!
Discussion
I currently own an RX-7 and RX-8 R3.
However, due to finally moving out I no longer require a daily driver.
I am very tempted to sell my current cars and purchase a Chimaera, though I have no mechanical knowledge whatsoever and TVR reliability isn't exactly praised.
On a hoon, I see single figure MPG out of both my Mazda's, additionally, tax on both my current vehicles combined is 740 a year, so running costs aren't a major issue.
Would a Chimaera be a suitable 'once a week' weekend drive, or does it require a lot more TLC than the rotaries I have now?
However, due to finally moving out I no longer require a daily driver.
I am very tempted to sell my current cars and purchase a Chimaera, though I have no mechanical knowledge whatsoever and TVR reliability isn't exactly praised.
On a hoon, I see single figure MPG out of both my Mazda's, additionally, tax on both my current vehicles combined is 740 a year, so running costs aren't a major issue.
Would a Chimaera be a suitable 'once a week' weekend drive, or does it require a lot more TLC than the rotaries I have now?
Im no good with a spanner and in one year of ownership my car hasnt let me down (touching lots of wood as I speak)
If you buy a good one it could more than just a weekend car if needed, they are very practical and plenty of owners use them on a daily basis.
The more they are used the better
Ive had an RX8, you will be in for a real treat with a Chimaera with all the available torque. Look at as many as you can and buy the best car you can afford.
If you buy a good one it could more than just a weekend car if needed, they are very practical and plenty of owners use them on a daily basis.
The more they are used the better
Ive had an RX8, you will be in for a real treat with a Chimaera with all the available torque. Look at as many as you can and buy the best car you can afford.
Sounds like you may be one of the few that would actually save money buying in to a TVR!
I had always dreamed of owning a TVR and it was an itch that can only be scratched in one way - by buying buying one. You can always sell it if things don't work out and at least depreciation isn't an issue like with mass produced cars.
One of the other reasons I wanted a Chimaera was that I also knew very little about mechanicals and I had hoped that running one would let me tinker a little. Don't get me wrong - I know my limitations and anything serious with electrics, gearbox, clutch or engine and it's best left to the pros. But these car are easier to work on than any modern car.
I have done brakes, suspension, radiator, drive shafts, bushes, ball joints, rod ends, brake lines etc myself and thoroughly enjoyed doing it as well.
You can look at my garage profile for a lot more info on my adventures over the last 4 years. In general the cost each year have been £400 insurance, £400 service, £220 road tax, £1000 fuel (on 3k per year and around 24mpg), essential repairs £250 and voluntary cosmetic spending £300. You could maybe spend a little less but you will definitely spend a lot more if you jump straight in and buy a lemon needing a new chassis/out riggers or other costly problems. So in short do some research on here about what to look for when viewing cars. It's an emotional time and when you start to view a couple of cars with the cash in your pocket your heart can begin to rule your head.
But get yourself a good one and get it set up how you want it and you will love every time you turn the key.
I had always dreamed of owning a TVR and it was an itch that can only be scratched in one way - by buying buying one. You can always sell it if things don't work out and at least depreciation isn't an issue like with mass produced cars.
One of the other reasons I wanted a Chimaera was that I also knew very little about mechanicals and I had hoped that running one would let me tinker a little. Don't get me wrong - I know my limitations and anything serious with electrics, gearbox, clutch or engine and it's best left to the pros. But these car are easier to work on than any modern car.
I have done brakes, suspension, radiator, drive shafts, bushes, ball joints, rod ends, brake lines etc myself and thoroughly enjoyed doing it as well.
You can look at my garage profile for a lot more info on my adventures over the last 4 years. In general the cost each year have been £400 insurance, £400 service, £220 road tax, £1000 fuel (on 3k per year and around 24mpg), essential repairs £250 and voluntary cosmetic spending £300. You could maybe spend a little less but you will definitely spend a lot more if you jump straight in and buy a lemon needing a new chassis/out riggers or other costly problems. So in short do some research on here about what to look for when viewing cars. It's an emotional time and when you start to view a couple of cars with the cash in your pocket your heart can begin to rule your head.
But get yourself a good one and get it set up how you want it and you will love every time you turn the key.
2500 miles around Germany/Austria this summer with the only incident being I reversed into a tree causing very slight fibre glass damage and totally self repairable.
As previous have said all cars can break down Chimaeras are no more likely to breakdown given a bit of regular due care and attention.
The Chimaera forum on here has some top notch people all more than willing to give advise or even lend parts to get you out of trouble.
As previous have said all cars can break down Chimaeras are no more likely to breakdown given a bit of regular due care and attention.
The Chimaera forum on here has some top notch people all more than willing to give advise or even lend parts to get you out of trouble.
Mine at the moment is more or less my daily drive, soon when I can sell my C3 it will be my daily drive.
At 143000 miles my Chim has not been standing for long.
Take the plunge and go for it as I did.
But go with someone with some knowledge when you look and buy, outriggers can look fine from the underneath but rot from the top. I knew mine would need doing when I bought it.
For the money you can buy a Chim you are buying a lot of car and smiles of fun.
At 143000 miles my Chim has not been standing for long.
Take the plunge and go for it as I did.
But go with someone with some knowledge when you look and buy, outriggers can look fine from the underneath but rot from the top. I knew mine would need doing when I bought it.
For the money you can buy a Chim you are buying a lot of car and smiles of fun.
Was going to write a verse as to why we drive these things but .....................
Had a dilemma with the better half and the Chimp, she hates it!!! Ok so she likes open top motoring so got her a SLK 350 manual, 270 BHP 6 speed all the mod cons, nice motor, but the other day drove them back to back, the reason we drive TVR,s is they are alive, you feel the road, the engine, the drive train, they respond to your every input, you don't feel remote, you can tell whats going on around you.
Some will call this agricultural, but its how's things were, could be construed old fashioned but..... simple, there is nothing hard with maintaining these cars, most things can be resolved by a competent mechanic and these pages and people are a wealth of knowledge to help you, go for it, if you like driving, you will love TVR
Had a dilemma with the better half and the Chimp, she hates it!!! Ok so she likes open top motoring so got her a SLK 350 manual, 270 BHP 6 speed all the mod cons, nice motor, but the other day drove them back to back, the reason we drive TVR,s is they are alive, you feel the road, the engine, the drive train, they respond to your every input, you don't feel remote, you can tell whats going on around you.
Some will call this agricultural, but its how's things were, could be construed old fashioned but..... simple, there is nothing hard with maintaining these cars, most things can be resolved by a competent mechanic and these pages and people are a wealth of knowledge to help you, go for it, if you like driving, you will love TVR
sheel said:
Was going to write a verse as to why we drive these things but .....................
Had a dilemma with the better half and the Chimp, she hates it!!! Ok so she likes open top motoring so got her a SLK 350 manual, 270 BHP 6 speed all the mod cons, nice motor, but the other day drove them back to back, the reason we drive TVR,s is they are alive, you feel the road, the engine, the drive train, they respond to your every input, you don't feel remote, you can tell whats going on around you.
Some will call this agricultural, but its how's things were, could be construed old fashioned but..... simple, there is nothing hard with maintaining these cars, most things can be resolved by a competent mechanic and these pages and people are a wealth of knowledge to help you, go for it, if you like driving, you will love TVR
Spot on :-) I drive mine after the Aston sometimes and it never fails to make me smile - TVRs are proper driving machines.Had a dilemma with the better half and the Chimp, she hates it!!! Ok so she likes open top motoring so got her a SLK 350 manual, 270 BHP 6 speed all the mod cons, nice motor, but the other day drove them back to back, the reason we drive TVR,s is they are alive, you feel the road, the engine, the drive train, they respond to your every input, you don't feel remote, you can tell whats going on around you.
Some will call this agricultural, but its how's things were, could be construed old fashioned but..... simple, there is nothing hard with maintaining these cars, most things can be resolved by a competent mechanic and these pages and people are a wealth of knowledge to help you, go for it, if you like driving, you will love TVR
Do it! I wanted one for 15 years, bought one last year and wish i had taken plunge sooner. I am a mechanical numpty yet after some tips on here removed plenum and rocket covers, fitted new fuel lines swapped leads and so on.
what u also get with a TVR is a great community and the general public love them. Not many people stop u in the petrol station to ask about your 911, or ask u to give it the beans from the lights! They do in the Chimaera!
what u also get with a TVR is a great community and the general public love them. Not many people stop u in the petrol station to ask about your 911, or ask u to give it the beans from the lights! They do in the Chimaera!
A bad TVR is usually the result of a BAD owner, not always the current owner, or even the previous owner, but Lack of preventative maintenance and servicing and general upkeep will result in it being unreliable.
I am not saying that nothing will go wrong, but I am saying in many cases there are tell tale signs and noises that if acted on speedily for a low cost, can turn into a large cost if left.
I personally would buy a known car from a known PH member as you can follow the history of the cars issues and repairs as well as upgrades etc, plus the majority of owners on here are enthusiasts and treat their cars as a member of the family and want the best for it.
You will not regret "taking the plunge" and the smile it will put on your face when you drive it is worth all the little "issues" you may encounter on the TVR journey.
Good luck and there is plenty of help on here if you get stuck.
Just remember, there is no such thing as astupid question, so long as you can accept a bit of urine extracting.
I am not saying that nothing will go wrong, but I am saying in many cases there are tell tale signs and noises that if acted on speedily for a low cost, can turn into a large cost if left.
I personally would buy a known car from a known PH member as you can follow the history of the cars issues and repairs as well as upgrades etc, plus the majority of owners on here are enthusiasts and treat their cars as a member of the family and want the best for it.
You will not regret "taking the plunge" and the smile it will put on your face when you drive it is worth all the little "issues" you may encounter on the TVR journey.
Good luck and there is plenty of help on here if you get stuck.
Just remember, there is no such thing as astupid question, so long as you can accept a bit of urine extracting.
Thanks for all the feedback guys! Though posting it in the TVR section sort of guaranteed encouragement!
I do love the Chim, I'm pretty sure it is the right one for me, though I would love a T350 but its just out of budget.
My budget would probably be somewhere between £8,000 and £9,500 - would this be sufficient to get a good example?
I'm very interested in moving forward with this, only issue being is I'm quite lucky to have an RX-7 Twin Turbo and a basically brand new RX-8, I'm a little unsure whether I'm shifting cars too soon! :S
I do love the Chim, I'm pretty sure it is the right one for me, though I would love a T350 but its just out of budget.
My budget would probably be somewhere between £8,000 and £9,500 - would this be sufficient to get a good example?
I'm very interested in moving forward with this, only issue being is I'm quite lucky to have an RX-7 Twin Turbo and a basically brand new RX-8, I'm a little unsure whether I'm shifting cars too soon! :S
LordGrover said:
I think you're the very embodiment of a chimp owner.
I knew this photo would come back to haunt me! Why did I post it on here :Pquattrophenia said:
Sounds like you may be one of the few that would actually save money buying in to a TVR!
That's exactly what I was thinking, man-maths have never been so accurate hahaThat's exactly what I was thinking, man-maths have never been so accurate haha
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Well I have heard about how thirsty those 1.3 wankle's can be and a litre of oil every 1000 miles doesn't help!
You ever had a go in one of those RX7 twin turbos with 450bhp? I always fancied a drive in one of those.
I think a lot of the 'TVR's are unreliable gossip' stems from the fact that although most TVR's are peoples pride and joy and are well maintained (not all), they are in general much older than your average everyday car and unless you are going to replace all the auxiliaries every service things are going to fail from time to time. Parts are generally well priced. I had an old Micra and they wanted £300 for a new alternator from Japan where as a new Range Rover one is £100 etc.
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