Starting to look
Discussion
Ok folks. Had a few interesting toys in the past including a couple of Wedges, I've had the Chim bug for a while now and sadly the last one I drove (about a year ago) put me off as it wasn't noisy or as fast as the wedge. In my opinion.
Also the seller said it was lovely, which it was ontop, but on the underside, very very tatty. Which for me was a no no.. I want to spend my hard earned cash on a toy not a bottomless pit..
So apart from having a good chassis, what else to look for on the Chims. What about electrics and alarms..
Good or bad. Can the alarm be removed.. I know of one with a slightly faulty remote, are they expensive or easy to buy and replace.
Your thoughts
It's really between the fun of another TIV or poss something German and sensible with again a V8
Si
Also the seller said it was lovely, which it was ontop, but on the underside, very very tatty. Which for me was a no no.. I want to spend my hard earned cash on a toy not a bottomless pit..
So apart from having a good chassis, what else to look for on the Chims. What about electrics and alarms..
Good or bad. Can the alarm be removed.. I know of one with a slightly faulty remote, are they expensive or easy to buy and replace.
Your thoughts
It's really between the fun of another TIV or poss something German and sensible with again a V8
Si
How's it going Simon,
When I got mine the alarm/immobiliser was knacked, maybe not a huge problem in itself but meant I couldn't lock the doors either. No key locks on the outside. Thought it may be a case of re-coding the remotes but actually ended up getting the full system renewed. Peace of mind that everything now works mind you.
Stuff to look out for will be very similar to your Wedges.
When I was looking, priority for me was that I found a car that had obviously been looked after. Big pile of history and receipts is a good start. Chassis I suppose has to be number 1. Beyond that I had a lengthy poke around the car, checked for the known damp areas, footwells, carpeted areas to the sides of the seat backs - maybe not costly to fix but can be a pain tracing leaks and getting rid of damp smell.
Get it on a run, make sure there's no overheating. Let it idle and check the fans switch on/off as they should. Have a good listen around the exhaust manifolds as well, replacing the gaskets is a pain of a job so better if you don't have to go there. Skin on my arms is still growing back!! Loads of threads on this.
Check there's no obvious or loud clonking from the back at low speed - diff bushes/mounting are known to wear or at least need tightened up - another pain to get to.
Lastly it'll grind noisily if you go straight from neutral to reverse... flick it into 5th then straight back to reverse. Common to them all and not a fault, just incase you think somethings up if your try one.
Anyway, give's a shout if a look around mine would help at all. Hope you're back in one for the next run!
Robin
When I got mine the alarm/immobiliser was knacked, maybe not a huge problem in itself but meant I couldn't lock the doors either. No key locks on the outside. Thought it may be a case of re-coding the remotes but actually ended up getting the full system renewed. Peace of mind that everything now works mind you.
Stuff to look out for will be very similar to your Wedges.
When I was looking, priority for me was that I found a car that had obviously been looked after. Big pile of history and receipts is a good start. Chassis I suppose has to be number 1. Beyond that I had a lengthy poke around the car, checked for the known damp areas, footwells, carpeted areas to the sides of the seat backs - maybe not costly to fix but can be a pain tracing leaks and getting rid of damp smell.
Get it on a run, make sure there's no overheating. Let it idle and check the fans switch on/off as they should. Have a good listen around the exhaust manifolds as well, replacing the gaskets is a pain of a job so better if you don't have to go there. Skin on my arms is still growing back!! Loads of threads on this.
Check there's no obvious or loud clonking from the back at low speed - diff bushes/mounting are known to wear or at least need tightened up - another pain to get to.
Lastly it'll grind noisily if you go straight from neutral to reverse... flick it into 5th then straight back to reverse. Common to them all and not a fault, just incase you think somethings up if your try one.
Anyway, give's a shout if a look around mine would help at all. Hope you're back in one for the next run!
Robin
Full alarm system by Carl Baker £550. Most of the rest is pretty reliable. In 15000 miles I have had an alternator £100, two 100 amp fuses £1 each, a door solenoid £40, fuel hoses (about £60 fitted), power steering hose £92 fitted, heater fan controller (fixed it myself with a soldering iron), otter switch £12.99.
The main wallet pain is the mods you end up doing because you just can't help yourself!
But on the later cars (98 onwards) it is very easy to get caught with outriggers. £1500-2000.
The main wallet pain is the mods you end up doing because you just can't help yourself!
But on the later cars (98 onwards) it is very easy to get caught with outriggers. £1500-2000.
Have you seen this?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TVR-CHIMAERA-5-LITRE-199...
I am NOT recommending in any way, it but if I was in the market and I could, I'd go look see....
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TVR-CHIMAERA-5-LITRE-199...
I am NOT recommending in any way, it but if I was in the market and I could, I'd go look see....
leerdam23 said:
Have you seen this?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TVR-CHIMAERA-5-LITRE-199...
I am NOT recommending in any way, it but if I was in the market and I could, I'd go look see....
+1 definitely worth a look!http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TVR-CHIMAERA-5-LITRE-199...
I am NOT recommending in any way, it but if I was in the market and I could, I'd go look see....
simboy1973 said:
Right folks gonna see a Chim soon, very soon..
If i do require a new alarm, anyone know who and how much for one in or around the Edinburgh area...
I needs facts prior to viewing, just incase.
Ta
Si
Have a word with Barry at TVR Ecosse he got my alarm sorted at very reasonable cost.If i do require a new alarm, anyone know who and how much for one in or around the Edinburgh area...
I needs facts prior to viewing, just incase.
Ta
Si
leerdam23 said:
Have you seen this?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TVR-CHIMAERA-5-LITRE-199...
I am NOT recommending in any way, it but if I was in the market and I could, I'd go look see....
Not a bad price at all!!! Somebody got a good deal.http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TVR-CHIMAERA-5-LITRE-199...
I am NOT recommending in any way, it but if I was in the market and I could, I'd go look see....
simboy1973 said:
Right folks gonna see a Chim soon, very soon..
If i do require a new alarm, anyone know who and how much for one in or around the Edinburgh area...
I needs facts prior to viewing, just incase.
Ta
Si
Which one? I've been to see a few in the scotland area and north(ish) of England recentlyIf i do require a new alarm, anyone know who and how much for one in or around the Edinburgh area...
I needs facts prior to viewing, just incase.
Ta
Si
I'm looking too. Some of the cars on the market really are quite rubbish.
Went to see one a few days ago from a dealer, just under 10k. I pulled what used to be metal from the chassis, found the coolant level to be non-existent and had cheap, budget tyres on the front wheels. The whole car was covered in swirl marks and the service record showed that it was serviced 3 times since the mid 1990's... Somebody kill me. End the pain.
Edited by MethylatedSpirit on Tuesday 28th January 12:08
Meth, I did the exact same from a well known dealer of the brand.. It drove ok, it had been someone's toy and alledgedly pride and joy. Looked lovely from the outside. Then I got it on the ramps. Oh, holy Christ..I'd be spending the min of another £3k to get the chassis upto spec. I want a car to use, not a hole to through good money into. I know you constantly spend cash on TVRS. Had a couple, but I ain't replacing chassis's. The one I'd seen needed work, also the inner wheel arch was rubbed away because the wrong size front tyres had been fitted and ignored. I wasn't offered a discount, but over and above I could have the chassis work done..
Doh, ok
Like you say, loads for sale, but a few nails. Gotta keep those peepers peeled. Hopefully the one on Thursday should be fine. I've heard good things. No doubt I'll update!
But I'm not rushing into anything.
I'm still toying with other brands. Our 350z cost nowt over the 4years of ownership other than servicing.
I owned 2 wedges during the time we owned the zed and still the zed cost a lot less than the wedges over the same period.
I like reliable - But I also want a noisy V8. !
Robin, cheers. Now I've got a rough figure to use.
Doh, ok
Like you say, loads for sale, but a few nails. Gotta keep those peepers peeled. Hopefully the one on Thursday should be fine. I've heard good things. No doubt I'll update!
But I'm not rushing into anything.
I'm still toying with other brands. Our 350z cost nowt over the 4years of ownership other than servicing.
I owned 2 wedges during the time we owned the zed and still the zed cost a lot less than the wedges over the same period.
I like reliable - But I also want a noisy V8. !
Robin, cheers. Now I've got a rough figure to use.
Evening all. Well my day off tomoz was going to be spent going to see a Chim. Sadly not now. The gent very kindly called to say that he had a wee change of heart which was fine. Saved me a long drive but I can fully appreciate how TIVS can get under your skin and how people can get attached to them. I've been in similar situations with toys.
So onward and upwards. It wasn't meant to be, as me auld mammy would say.
Si
So onward and upwards. It wasn't meant to be, as me auld mammy would say.
Si
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