Looking for a Chimaera
Discussion
Morning all
After a year out of interesting motors I'm desperate to get back behind the wheel of something a bit different and I fancy going down the tvr route.
I've heard the chim 450 is the one to have but there doesn't seem to be many for sale.
If anyone knows of a well looked after car that isn't too likely to drop a big bill on me, let me know. I'm ideally after a 450 or 500, either BRG or Blue.
Budget is about £10k. Is that realistic?
After a year out of interesting motors I'm desperate to get back behind the wheel of something a bit different and I fancy going down the tvr route.
I've heard the chim 450 is the one to have but there doesn't seem to be many for sale.
If anyone knows of a well looked after car that isn't too likely to drop a big bill on me, let me know. I'm ideally after a 450 or 500, either BRG or Blue.
Budget is about £10k. Is that realistic?
Budget is about right.
The 450 is a little bit more powerful and the 500 is the best. but realistically, a healthy 400 is just as quick as a 500, and with fewer problems and more availability on parts.
There were huge fluctuations between the engines outputs even on the same day, so it can be a bit pot luck.
If you want a look around a 400 then your more than welcome to pop round for a cuppa.
The 450 is a little bit more powerful and the 500 is the best. but realistically, a healthy 400 is just as quick as a 500, and with fewer problems and more availability on parts.
There were huge fluctuations between the engines outputs even on the same day, so it can be a bit pot luck.
If you want a look around a 400 then your more than welcome to pop round for a cuppa.
Loads of debate on here on which one is the best to get but £10K will get you a very nice 400 or 450.
I know of a really nice 450 which needs a little work (steering rack, chassis) but even with this done it would be within your budget. Its had a respray so its mint to look at. Only downside is that its in Bristol and I see you are in Scotland.
If you are interested send me your email and I will send the details. I had it inspected and have a full report, no connection to the seller other than he is a really nice chap.
I know of a really nice 450 which needs a little work (steering rack, chassis) but even with this done it would be within your budget. Its had a respray so its mint to look at. Only downside is that its in Bristol and I see you are in Scotland.
If you are interested send me your email and I will send the details. I had it inspected and have a full report, no connection to the seller other than he is a really nice chap.
Prizam said:
Budget is about right.
The 450 is a little bit more powerful and the 500 is the best. but realistically, a healthy 400 is just as quick as a 500, and with fewer problems and more availability on parts.
Brave man.....be prepared to be flamed for that comment. The 450 is a little bit more powerful and the 500 is the best. but realistically, a healthy 400 is just as quick as a 500, and with fewer problems and more availability on parts.
Ive been told that my 400 is one of the better ones....would I like the extra grunt of a 450 or a 500???? Hell Yes
if I had to recommend it would be the 450 I am afraid 
but its all about condition so if an exceptional 400 sprung up 
No problem, didn't realise you were based in Scotland. Thats a long way for a cuppa.
Im based in Reading.
When i was looking for my Chim i test drove a 450 that was for sale from a dealer, felt great and was my first TVR drive but it was rotten underneath. Same day i drove a 400, and it felt even quicker than the 450 and pulled harder from a lower RPM. I ended up buying this one.
It might have been, and probably was a fairly poorly 450. But that's just the point. I couldn't see anything wrong with it engine wise, and it ran just fine. but the 400 was quicker.
Buy on condition etc etc...
Im based in Reading.
When i was looking for my Chim i test drove a 450 that was for sale from a dealer, felt great and was my first TVR drive but it was rotten underneath. Same day i drove a 400, and it felt even quicker than the 450 and pulled harder from a lower RPM. I ended up buying this one.
It might have been, and probably was a fairly poorly 450. But that's just the point. I couldn't see anything wrong with it engine wise, and it ran just fine. but the 400 was quicker.
Buy on condition etc etc...
Prizam said:
Budget is about right.
... but realistically, a healthy 400 is just as quick as a 500, ...
Where I comes from boy, them's is fightin words.... but realistically, a healthy 400 is just as quick as a 500, ...
StarmistBlue400 said:
Brave man.....be prepared to be flamed for that comment.
Flame On! 
Prizam said:
... Im based in Reading...
I'll be looking out for you...
OP, if you are regularly travelling the motorways of England, try to set yourself up a day of driving a 400, a 450 and a 500.
Mine's a modified 500 and lives where the A1 crosses the A46 (Bath to Lincoln road). If I type the place name someone will think I am being rude in an anagram. You are welcome to a blast around the lanes to experience the difference. It was a 400 before i modified it, so i can say that the 400 is pretty damned good, but the extra 80 bhp and 80 torques do make a difference, maybe not as big a difference as you would expect, but most noticeably in the grunt quotient.
And no, properly set up in the suspension department, the 500 is no more scary than the 400, or any quick light sports car for that matter.
Mine's a modified 500 and lives where the A1 crosses the A46 (Bath to Lincoln road). If I type the place name someone will think I am being rude in an anagram. You are welcome to a blast around the lanes to experience the difference. It was a 400 before i modified it, so i can say that the 400 is pretty damned good, but the extra 80 bhp and 80 torques do make a difference, maybe not as big a difference as you would expect, but most noticeably in the grunt quotient.
And no, properly set up in the suspension department, the 500 is no more scary than the 400, or any quick light sports car for that matter.
As I am sure you've heard many times, condition is everything with these cars - as there are many dogs out there.
My own experience is as follows.
When first looking at Chimaeras they all seemed very quick - tried 400, 430 and 450.
Bought a really nice 400 which I had for three years.
However, about four months ago, I swapped for a 500 which had not long had a new Stealth cam.
As you know, the 500 is all about grunt but mine and another I've since tried don't seem quite as smooth as the 400 which revs more easily.
Some say that the 450 is a good compromise - others say it's neither one thing or the other.
IMO, they're all great!!! Just buy on condition, hopefully in one of your preferred colours.
My own experience is as follows.
When first looking at Chimaeras they all seemed very quick - tried 400, 430 and 450.
Bought a really nice 400 which I had for three years.
However, about four months ago, I swapped for a 500 which had not long had a new Stealth cam.
As you know, the 500 is all about grunt but mine and another I've since tried don't seem quite as smooth as the 400 which revs more easily.
Some say that the 450 is a good compromise - others say it's neither one thing or the other.
IMO, they're all great!!! Just buy on condition, hopefully in one of your preferred colours.
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