Discussion
Hello all.
Newbie here having just traded my XKR for a Chimera 450. First imprssions, what a mistake I love the noise and looks but the wind rush, general clatter and agriculteral feel ohh dear.
Then suddenly last week I took the A5 to work instead of the M1, now I get it. The power is there I just need to tame/train it. The wind rush enhances the experience, and once you get it on its toes the manual steering all makes sense.
I arrived at work with not only the exileration that a quick blast gives you but a sense of releif I had survived, she hadnt killed me.
Looking forward to learning to tame the beast now and getting some road miles in. I know winter is not the best time to be driving but if you should see a Starmist Green Chim 450 driving gently through Milton Keynes you will know its me, and I am having the time of my life in it.
No doubt I will be leaning on all the learned people on the site for maint tips etc, but everyone seems freindly and looking forward to the experience.
Just one question, are all the throttles stiff or do I need to look at the cable, its not seized but needs a healthy shove to make the noise happen. Or is it a safety device to stop you mashing the throttle to hard ?
Newbie here having just traded my XKR for a Chimera 450. First imprssions, what a mistake I love the noise and looks but the wind rush, general clatter and agriculteral feel ohh dear.
Then suddenly last week I took the A5 to work instead of the M1, now I get it. The power is there I just need to tame/train it. The wind rush enhances the experience, and once you get it on its toes the manual steering all makes sense.
I arrived at work with not only the exileration that a quick blast gives you but a sense of releif I had survived, she hadnt killed me.
Looking forward to learning to tame the beast now and getting some road miles in. I know winter is not the best time to be driving but if you should see a Starmist Green Chim 450 driving gently through Milton Keynes you will know its me, and I am having the time of my life in it.
No doubt I will be leaning on all the learned people on the site for maint tips etc, but everyone seems freindly and looking forward to the experience.
Just one question, are all the throttles stiff or do I need to look at the cable, its not seized but needs a healthy shove to make the noise happen. Or is it a safety device to stop you mashing the throttle to hard ?
The other thing to do to thoroughly improve the driving experience is to have the ride height checked and then have a full four wheel alignment done. It will transform the handling without reducing the grin factor.
I spent yesterday throwing mine around Snetterton Race Circuit without once feeling it was trying to kill me. They handle really well if the suspension is properly adjusted.
If you need recommendations to a TVR expert in your area just shout.
I spent yesterday throwing mine around Snetterton Race Circuit without once feeling it was trying to kill me. They handle really well if the suspension is properly adjusted.
If you need recommendations to a TVR expert in your area just shout.
Edited by QBee on Sunday 17th November 16:51
TVM She is in for new front tyres next week once I have digested all the forum advice regarding whats best.
I currently have Toyo T1R on the back and Dunlops on the front, I understand there is a rating issue with the 15 inch T1Rs but am still reading the mass of available info.
I will get alighment and height checked at the same time.
Handling feels OK at present not as prone to understeer as Jag but I honestly dont feel I have pushed anywhere near the envelope yet. I am waiting for summer and track days for that.
I currently have Toyo T1R on the back and Dunlops on the front, I understand there is a rating issue with the 15 inch T1Rs but am still reading the mass of available info.
I will get alighment and height checked at the same time.
Handling feels OK at present not as prone to understeer as Jag but I honestly dont feel I have pushed anywhere near the envelope yet. I am waiting for summer and track days for that.
britpower100 said:
TVM She is in for new front tyres next week once I have digested all the forum advice regarding whats best.
I currently have Toyo T1R on the back and Dunlops on the front, I understand there is a rating issue with the 15 inch T1Rs but am still reading the mass of available info.
I will get alighment and height checked at the same time.
Handling feels OK at present not as prone to understeer as Jag but I honestly dont feel I have pushed anywhere near the envelope yet. I am waiting for summer and track days for that.
I have T1Rs all round and find them perfectly adequate for normal road use. Most Insurers of TVRs are aware of the problem with 15 inch wheels and accept T1Rs as being suitable.I currently have Toyo T1R on the back and Dunlops on the front, I understand there is a rating issue with the 15 inch T1Rs but am still reading the mass of available info.
I will get alighment and height checked at the same time.
Handling feels OK at present not as prone to understeer as Jag but I honestly dont feel I have pushed anywhere near the envelope yet. I am waiting for summer and track days for that.
Bill
Tinker,
Thanks for that,very useful, I can see its quite a contriversial topic but I think that during Winter they will be plenty good enough.
I take the point abouts tyre pressures when I picked it up it had appprox 30 psi all round, thankfully it still has the owners handbook and being a good boy I checked it and adjusted them before going to far.
QBee
Any advice about where to go in MK for service gladly recieved I am a newcomer to the land of roundabouts have just moved down from the frozen North.
Thanks for that,very useful, I can see its quite a contriversial topic but I think that during Winter they will be plenty good enough.
I take the point abouts tyre pressures when I picked it up it had appprox 30 psi all round, thankfully it still has the owners handbook and being a good boy I checked it and adjusted them before going to far.
QBee
Any advice about where to go in MK for service gladly recieved I am a newcomer to the land of roundabouts have just moved down from the frozen North.
Nosh said:
britpower100 said:
.............if you should see a Starmist Green Chim 450 driving gently through Milton Keynes you will know its me, and I am having the time of my life in it..
....and if you see a red one being driven less gently, then you know that's me 
Welcome
Nosh.
QBee said:
Where should he get it serviced, Nosh? I can only think of Str8Six at the moment, but that's the other side of Aylesbury, just across junction 6 of the M40.
I drove mine to Kent to get it serviced last.It's a trust thing I suppose.
I do the oil change myself though, as well as fitting new exhaust manifolds / Clives Y Piece (Mmmm!!), electrical stuff, brake discs/pads renewal and new stereo.
Never got my carpets done this year though - I will be going the Trim Tech up'north for that
Nosh
britpower100 said:
Hello all.
Then suddenly last week I took the A5 to work instead of the M1,
Am I the only one to think of Audi and BM first instead if the roads.... my first thought as I read was WOW ...commuting in an M1 !! Then suddenly last week I took the A5 to work instead of the M1,
...then I read on and felt a bit silly...
PS Went for a 'hoon' in the misty, damp and sh!t covered lanes this morning and also sighed with relief that I had an enjoyable time and survived....
pjac67 said:
britpower100 said:
Hello all.
Then suddenly last week I took the A5 to work instead of the M1,
Am I the only one to think of Audi and BM first instead if the roads.... my first thought as I read was WOW ...commuting in an M1 !! Then suddenly last week I took the A5 to work instead of the M1,
...then I read on and felt a bit silly...
PS Went for a 'hoon' in the misty, damp and sh!t covered lanes this morning and also sighed with relief that I had an enjoyable time and survived....
The "wind rush" mentioned should not be a normal part of Chimaera motoring although obviously it will never be as well insulated as a Jag. I'm assuming this is with the roof up of course 
Probably need to make sure the roof is on square and the rubber seals are actually meeting the door glass.
Probably need to make sure the roof is on square and the rubber seals are actually meeting the door glass.
I know this might sound strange but I would recommend a wet wintery track day ..... because ....
- 1 great to learn car control at lowish speeds
- 2 great to learn & get confidence in the wet in a safe environment
- 3 great to learn how much/little throttle you can safely use
- 4 great because the stress on the car in the wet is minimal (ie tyre wear, suspension, etc)
This may be the best time of year to get used to a car like this!
Far better to find the limits of grip on a greasy autumnal road when you're being cautious in a new car, rather than get used to it during the summer and then get horribly caught out when the weather deteriorates and you thought you'd mastered the car.
The throttle is naturally quite weighty compared to other cars, but it shouldn't be "stiff". People have described a method of lubricating the cable that involves disconnecting it at the engine end and using blu-tack to form a "funnel" around its end and slowly pouring oil into it. Might be worth a try before replacing it.
Far better to find the limits of grip on a greasy autumnal road when you're being cautious in a new car, rather than get used to it during the summer and then get horribly caught out when the weather deteriorates and you thought you'd mastered the car.
The throttle is naturally quite weighty compared to other cars, but it shouldn't be "stiff". People have described a method of lubricating the cable that involves disconnecting it at the engine end and using blu-tack to form a "funnel" around its end and slowly pouring oil into it. Might be worth a try before replacing it.
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