At all possible? Chim as a second car for a 19 year old?
Discussion
I have had my first car now for 4-5 months, not the usual first car, it's a 1999 SAAB 9-3 2.2 TID 
But of course I am constantly thinking about my next car and have been mad about getting a TVR ever since I got my SAAB.
At first I was looking at wedges but recently Chimaera's have me hooked, I am planning to look at a couple on the weekend as I have not actually seen one in person and would like to get an idea on the size. Possibly a test drive?
My main concerns/questions I have are as the title says, is it possible? I am not like most teens, I do not drink, 'partying'/clubbing has no appeal to me whatsoever, which means now that I have just started full time at work I will have a lot of cash to splash, the only thing at the moment I am really spending money on is filling up every month.
So in my eyes, I think I would easily be able to afford the car and the running of it, BUT would I even be considered insurance on one? I have done a few online quotes the cheapest being £2600 which I am more than willing to pay, I am yet to attempt any classic insurance quotes as most want 21 year olds +.
The car would be a long term project, I would keep it as long as I possibly could, hopefully as a daily driver?! Surely if I have been quoted £2600 then it is possible, or will they refuse me when I call up to take the policy out?
But of course I am constantly thinking about my next car and have been mad about getting a TVR ever since I got my SAAB.At first I was looking at wedges but recently Chimaera's have me hooked, I am planning to look at a couple on the weekend as I have not actually seen one in person and would like to get an idea on the size. Possibly a test drive?
My main concerns/questions I have are as the title says, is it possible? I am not like most teens, I do not drink, 'partying'/clubbing has no appeal to me whatsoever, which means now that I have just started full time at work I will have a lot of cash to splash, the only thing at the moment I am really spending money on is filling up every month.
So in my eyes, I think I would easily be able to afford the car and the running of it, BUT would I even be considered insurance on one? I have done a few online quotes the cheapest being £2600 which I am more than willing to pay, I am yet to attempt any classic insurance quotes as most want 21 year olds +.
The car would be a long term project, I would keep it as long as I possibly could, hopefully as a daily driver?! Surely if I have been quoted £2600 then it is possible, or will they refuse me when I call up to take the policy out?
but you've got one ?You sound like you know what your doing and what you want. You're only young once so if you can afford it do it.
Try Manning for insurance, best prices by far but not sure how they would view a 19yr old
For what it's worth Ive got a Saab 93. Perfect car to go with a Chimaera because it makes you realise how bloody good the TVRi is
Try Manning for insurance, best prices by far but not sure how they would view a 19yr old
For what it's worth Ive got a Saab 93. Perfect car to go with a Chimaera because it makes you realise how bloody good the TVRi is
Knowing someone who owns a saab I would say you would save money on running costs, repairs,parts, service etc!
I wanted a TVR since passing my test in 1996 @ 17. I waited till done University, 3 kids and nice house,, then bought the Chimaera last year at 34!
if u can do it at 19 well done, the only thing with classic ins is no build up of no claims.
good luck , you won't regret it. They are even better than u imagined
I wanted a TVR since passing my test in 1996 @ 17. I waited till done University, 3 kids and nice house,, then bought the Chimaera last year at 34!
if u can do it at 19 well done, the only thing with classic ins is no build up of no claims.
good luck , you won't regret it. They are even better than u imagined
Surprised if you could get the Chim insurance for £2600. My son who is 19 in January got insurance for his "proper" mini cooper (1998) last December and it cost him £2880 (for third party fire and theft/ 10,000 mile limit and me as a named driver). He fancied a wedge first and foremost but I warned him he wouldn't get insurance. We tried Mannings who said they wouldnt insure on a classic policy 'till he was 25.
It used to be possible (back in the dark ages)
I had a Tuscan V6 when I was 19 and had to pay the insurance monthly. I was lucky in that I was working at sea so could beggar off for 4 or 5 months at a time to get the money to run the thing. Mind you it was so long ago that the biggest hazard on the roads then were the number of horses and carts getting in your way.
Started me off in "interesting motors" though so it wasn't a bad thing.
Coincidentally I had some Saab time too (about 20 years in total!) Would sell a kidney to get hold of a good 99T again - but you can keep the GM-defiled stuff thanks.
I had a Tuscan V6 when I was 19 and had to pay the insurance monthly. I was lucky in that I was working at sea so could beggar off for 4 or 5 months at a time to get the money to run the thing. Mind you it was so long ago that the biggest hazard on the roads then were the number of horses and carts getting in your way.
Started me off in "interesting motors" though so it wasn't a bad thing.
Coincidentally I had some Saab time too (about 20 years in total!) Would sell a kidney to get hold of a good 99T again - but you can keep the GM-defiled stuff thanks.
Edited by tuscan30 on Thursday 31st October 09:12
You sound similar to me at that age, I have always spent money on my cars rather than drinking etc.
insurance you will struggle with, there is a list of insurers on the general TVR section and who will insure certain age groups, most are a minimum of 21. the only one I managed to get a quote off at 23 was MSM. not saying its a dead no, always worth a try but dont be disheartened if you cant get insured.
Also have you ever owned a RWD car? if not I would question whether a TVR is the best one to start with with little road experience. if you do, get on a skid pan and a track day and learn about how a car really handles. I learnt a hell of a lot between passing my test and getting a TVR but had nothing but old rwd cars with no drivers aids.
1 last thing, why as a 2nd car? just go the whole hog and have it as a daily, they prefer to be kept running and then you have more money to spend on it
possible? not sure, but if you can, you only live once, and the chim is the best out the lot
insurance you will struggle with, there is a list of insurers on the general TVR section and who will insure certain age groups, most are a minimum of 21. the only one I managed to get a quote off at 23 was MSM. not saying its a dead no, always worth a try but dont be disheartened if you cant get insured.
Also have you ever owned a RWD car? if not I would question whether a TVR is the best one to start with with little road experience. if you do, get on a skid pan and a track day and learn about how a car really handles. I learnt a hell of a lot between passing my test and getting a TVR but had nothing but old rwd cars with no drivers aids.
1 last thing, why as a 2nd car? just go the whole hog and have it as a daily, they prefer to be kept running and then you have more money to spend on it
possible? not sure, but if you can, you only live once, and the chim is the best out the lot
A Chimaera is handful of car to drive, without a great deal of experience (I assume at 19 you aren't a track/race driver since age of 10 ?) the car can easily catch out those who haven't the skills to drive them properly. In the dry it can bite you if pushed, but just a little dampness, leaves, puddles etc it can catch you out very quickly if you are too exuberant. They have no driver aids, its just you 240 - 350 bhp, loads of torque and rear wheel drive.
My advice would be do it, get one but then you must get yourself some tuition & track experience to learn how to handle such a beast, I would hate for you to be off showing your a mate what it will do and have an incident out on the open road.
My advice would be do it, get one but then you must get yourself some tuition & track experience to learn how to handle such a beast, I would hate for you to be off showing your a mate what it will do and have an incident out on the open road.
blaze_away said:
A Chimaera is handful of car to drive, without a great deal of experience (I assume at 19 you aren't a track/race driver since age of 10 ?) the car can easily catch out those who haven't the skills to drive them properly. In the dry it can bite you if pushed, but just a little dampness, leaves, puddles etc it can catch you out very quickly if you are too exuberant. They have no driver aids, its just you 240 - 350 bhp, loads of torque and rear wheel drive.
My advice would be do it, get one but then you must get yourself some tuition & track experience to learn how to handle such a beast, I would hate for you to be off showing your a mate what it will do and have an incident out on the open road.
I agree, I was 32 when I got mine. The first weeks I did so many stupid things you wouldnt believe it.. including two incidents in one day that could have totalled the car and me. When the sun is shining an that v8 is singing and youre grinning from ear to ear you feel like a god about to destroy all the euroboxes around you... keep that in mind My advice would be do it, get one but then you must get yourself some tuition & track experience to learn how to handle such a beast, I would hate for you to be off showing your a mate what it will do and have an incident out on the open road.
Gotta start somewhere though.
I had a Sierra 2.0 GLS as my first company car when I was 19/20. OK, it wasnt powerful but it was RWD and huge fun. I was doing thousands of miles a month in all conditions and it taught me a lot.
Even though Ive had a lot of powerful RWD cars I am no driving God but dont find the Chimaera a handful.
The OP sounds a sensible chap and lets face it if you drive like a t
t you can do damage in any car.
I had a Sierra 2.0 GLS as my first company car when I was 19/20. OK, it wasnt powerful but it was RWD and huge fun. I was doing thousands of miles a month in all conditions and it taught me a lot.
Even though Ive had a lot of powerful RWD cars I am no driving God but dont find the Chimaera a handful.
The OP sounds a sensible chap and lets face it if you drive like a t
t you can do damage in any car.My first car as a teenager was a Ford Cosworth powered Lotus 7 Back in the day the performance difference between it and 99.9% of other cars on the road was staggering Then I started modifying it. As one does.... I survived that period of my life pretty much intact, despite a few unplanned off road excursions and the occasional pirouette
I would say do it if you can afford it, but take the advice above and get some professional tuition, both on and off road (er, on a track that is).
One last point, with regard to disposable income, not drinking/partying etc is very admirable, however there is something you should be aware of that can change your financial status overnight, something that can change your life, invariably not for the better, and usually before you even know its happened. It's called a woman.
Good luck,
Chilli
Back in the day the performance difference between it and 99.9% of other cars on the road was staggering Then I started modifying it. As one does.... I survived that period of my life pretty much intact, despite a few unplanned off road excursions and the occasional pirouette I would say do it if you can afford it, but take the advice above and get some professional tuition, both on and off road (er, on a track that is).
One last point, with regard to disposable income, not drinking/partying etc is very admirable, however there is something you should be aware of that can change your financial status overnight, something that can change your life, invariably not for the better, and usually before you even know its happened. It's called a woman.
Good luck,
Chilli
StarmistBlue400 said:
Gotta start somewhere though.
I had a Sierra 2.0 GLS as my first company car when I was 19/20. OK, it wasnt powerful but it was RWD and huge fun. I was doing thousands of miles a month in all conditions and it taught me a lot.
Even though Ive had a lot of powerful RWD cars I am no driving God but dont find the Chimaera a handful.
The OP sounds a sensible chap and lets face it if you drive like a tt you can do damage in any car.
In damp conditions a slight tweak of the loud peddle could easily send the car out of control.I had a Sierra 2.0 GLS as my first company car when I was 19/20. OK, it wasnt powerful but it was RWD and huge fun. I was doing thousands of miles a month in all conditions and it taught me a lot.
Even though Ive had a lot of powerful RWD cars I am no driving God but dont find the Chimaera a handful.
The OP sounds a sensible chap and lets face it if you drive like a t
t you can do damage in any car.SILICONEKID343HP said:
StarmistBlue400 said:
Gotta start somewhere though.
I had a Sierra 2.0 GLS as my first company car when I was 19/20. OK, it wasnt powerful but it was RWD and huge fun. I was doing thousands of miles a month in all conditions and it taught me a lot.
Even though Ive had a lot of powerful RWD cars I am no driving God but dont find the Chimaera a handful.
The OP sounds a sensible chap and lets face it if you drive like a tt you can do damage in any car.
In damp conditions a slight tweak of the loud peddle could easily send the car out of control.I had a Sierra 2.0 GLS as my first company car when I was 19/20. OK, it wasnt powerful but it was RWD and huge fun. I was doing thousands of miles a month in all conditions and it taught me a lot.
Even though Ive had a lot of powerful RWD cars I am no driving God but dont find the Chimaera a handful.
The OP sounds a sensible chap and lets face it if you drive like a t
t you can do damage in any car.Chilliman said:
SILICONEKID343HP said:
StarmistBlue400 said:
Gotta start somewhere though.
I had a Sierra 2.0 GLS as my first company car when I was 19/20. OK, it wasnt powerful but it was RWD and huge fun. I was doing thousands of miles a month in all conditions and it taught me a lot.
Even though Ive had a lot of powerful RWD cars I am no driving God but dont find the Chimaera a handful.
The OP sounds a sensible chap and lets face it if you drive like a tt you can do damage in any car.
In damp conditions a slight tweak of the loud peddle could easily send the car out of control.I had a Sierra 2.0 GLS as my first company car when I was 19/20. OK, it wasnt powerful but it was RWD and huge fun. I was doing thousands of miles a month in all conditions and it taught me a lot.
Even though Ive had a lot of powerful RWD cars I am no driving God but dont find the Chimaera a handful.
The OP sounds a sensible chap and lets face it if you drive like a t
t you can do damage in any car.If I owned an Insurance company I would't insure a 19yr old full stop on a sub 5 secs car.
Turning back time if I had my car at the age of 19 i'm pretty confident it would't of been in one piece very long.
You learn a lot as you mature through years of driving opposed to being a young inexperienced driver,there are too many situations when you want to show off or get egged on by others.That still happens at late 40's I just deal with it better
OP you say you don't drink which is good news but your obviously a petrol head and having so much power in a RWD car for a young driver is a dangerous cocktail for disaster.
As others have commented if the money is not an issue and you go ahead on the TVR experience then I also recommend that you book some training course.
Fingers crossed for you and ignore best you can when your drunk friend gets in the car and says go on then give it some
These cars are just as much fun and grin factor doing 40 in 3rd gear with foot just feathering the loud pedal for pops and bang override
Edited as just done a Parkers check on your car and it says 0-60: 10.3 top 124mph correct me if I am wrong.
These are in a different league: 0-60 times are more than half less than what your driving now and reach 150+ and are 500kg lighter. Be careful OP
Turning back time if I had my car at the age of 19 i'm pretty confident it would't of been in one piece very long.
You learn a lot as you mature through years of driving opposed to being a young inexperienced driver,there are too many situations when you want to show off or get egged on by others.That still happens at late 40's I just deal with it better
OP you say you don't drink which is good news but your obviously a petrol head and having so much power in a RWD car for a young driver is a dangerous cocktail for disaster.
As others have commented if the money is not an issue and you go ahead on the TVR experience then I also recommend that you book some training course.
Fingers crossed for you and ignore best you can when your drunk friend gets in the car and says go on then give it some
These cars are just as much fun and grin factor doing 40 in 3rd gear with foot just feathering the loud pedal for pops and bang override
Edited as just done a Parkers check on your car and it says 0-60: 10.3 top 124mph correct me if I am wrong.
These are in a different league: 0-60 times are more than half less than what your driving now and reach 150+ and are 500kg lighter. Be careful OP
Edited by TVRJAS on Thursday 31st October 16:47
Edited by TVRJAS on Thursday 31st October 16:53
TVRJAS said:
If I owned an Insurance company I would't insure a 19yr old full stop on a sub 5 secs car.
Turning back time if I had my car at the age of 19 i'm pretty confident it would't of been in one piece very long.
You learn a lot as you mature through years of driving opposed to being a young inexperienced driver,there are too many situations when you want to show off or get egged on by others.That still happens at late 40's I just deal with it better
OP you say you don't drink which is good news but your obviously a petrol head and having so much power in a RWD car for a young driver is a dangerous cocktail for disaster.
As others have commented if the money is not an issue and you go ahead on the TVR experience then I also recommend that you book some training course.
Fingers crossed for you and ignore best you can when your drunk friend gets in the car and says go on then give it some
These cars are just as much fun and grin factor doing 40 in 3rd gear with foot just feathering the loud pedal for pops and bang override
Edited as just done a Parkers check on your car and it says 0-60: 10.3 top 124mph correct me if I am wrong.
These are in a different league: 0-60 times are more than half less than what your driving now and reach 150+ and are 500kg lighter. Be careful OP
Yes you are correct on the stats, I understand the TVR is in a completely different league. Turning back time if I had my car at the age of 19 i'm pretty confident it would't of been in one piece very long.
You learn a lot as you mature through years of driving opposed to being a young inexperienced driver,there are too many situations when you want to show off or get egged on by others.That still happens at late 40's I just deal with it better
OP you say you don't drink which is good news but your obviously a petrol head and having so much power in a RWD car for a young driver is a dangerous cocktail for disaster.
As others have commented if the money is not an issue and you go ahead on the TVR experience then I also recommend that you book some training course.
Fingers crossed for you and ignore best you can when your drunk friend gets in the car and says go on then give it some
These cars are just as much fun and grin factor doing 40 in 3rd gear with foot just feathering the loud pedal for pops and bang override
Edited as just done a Parkers check on your car and it says 0-60: 10.3 top 124mph correct me if I am wrong.
These are in a different league: 0-60 times are more than half less than what your driving now and reach 150+ and are 500kg lighter. Be careful OP
Edited by TVRJAS on Thursday 31st October 16:47
Edited by TVRJAS on Thursday 31st October 16:53
I really appreciate all the replies/advice I am getting, and without a doubt if I ever do end up with one I will most definitely be attending performance driver training, basically anything I can to teach me about control etc.
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