should I ? shouldnt I?
Discussion
hello all.
im looking for some advice on buying a chimaera. ive wanted one for years and now im in a postion to afford one, albeit an early model.
the thing is ive been driving a BMW535i for about 4 years now and the reliability has been fantastic. Im terrified that a chimaera will give me a pain in the wallet on a regular basis. ive heard the TVR horror stories and want to know what to expect.. would appreciate your thoughts and experiences before i buy in april/may.
ive been looking at the classifieds on pistonheads for ages. i'll be looking for a 4 litre in mica blue (ive heard the blue ones are faster!!!?
much appreciated in advance
dani
im looking for some advice on buying a chimaera. ive wanted one for years and now im in a postion to afford one, albeit an early model.
the thing is ive been driving a BMW535i for about 4 years now and the reliability has been fantastic. Im terrified that a chimaera will give me a pain in the wallet on a regular basis. ive heard the TVR horror stories and want to know what to expect.. would appreciate your thoughts and experiences before i buy in april/may.
ive been looking at the classifieds on pistonheads for ages. i'll be looking for a 4 litre in mica blue (ive heard the blue ones are faster!!!?
much appreciated in advance
dani
have a good dig round on the search facility above and the faq's
this
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=148121&f=13&h=0
gives some pointers and there ar many helpful people to ask questions.
my conclusion is there are many people who know more about trevs than me so get an inspection as you'll end up with a right dog.
Go for condition as a priority.
Good luck!
J
this
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=148121&f=13&h=0
gives some pointers and there ar many helpful people to ask questions.
my conclusion is there are many people who know more about trevs than me so get an inspection as you'll end up with a right dog.
Go for condition as a priority.
Good luck!
J
Hi Tolly 
I'm sure there aren't too many people on here who would tell you to steer clear!
There's a lot of talk about TVRs being unreliable wallet-drainers. However, like Jem says, provided you get a good one (the best you can afford), it will undoubtedly provide you with years of pure, unadulterated driving pleasure.
As you're looking at a 4 litre, it's important to remember that 220(ish)bhp means that it's pretty unstressed. Also, many of the parts are mass-manufactured by the major marques and so many spare parts aren't too pricey.
The costs comes in with servicing (every 6,000 miles) and all the extras (I defy you not to spend at least £300 on Leven godies within the first 6 months of ownership!)
Mate, they're awesome cars and what I'm basically saying is:
DOITDOITDOIT
It will be quite a difference from the BM though, and a RideDrive day may be in order...
I'm sure there aren't too many people on here who would tell you to steer clear!
There's a lot of talk about TVRs being unreliable wallet-drainers. However, like Jem says, provided you get a good one (the best you can afford), it will undoubtedly provide you with years of pure, unadulterated driving pleasure.
As you're looking at a 4 litre, it's important to remember that 220(ish)bhp means that it's pretty unstressed. Also, many of the parts are mass-manufactured by the major marques and so many spare parts aren't too pricey.
The costs comes in with servicing (every 6,000 miles) and all the extras (I defy you not to spend at least £300 on Leven godies within the first 6 months of ownership!
) Mate, they're awesome cars and what I'm basically saying is:
DOITDOITDOIT It will be quite a difference from the BM though, and a RideDrive day may be in order...
Yep what they said.
If you can afford to do it and your lifestyle allows you to do it, then buy one! You may never get the chance again.
If you use it everyday it will be your reliable workhorse. Just be prepared for the odd time it may require a visit to the (specialist) garage. The only time I needed the AA was when the original alarm failed... had that removed immediately. Now that I think back over the 5 years ownership of one single everyday Chimaera, comparing the hours on the road to hours fixing stuff it must have been maybe 90:10. Quite good then
If you can afford to do it and your lifestyle allows you to do it, then buy one! You may never get the chance again.
If you use it everyday it will be your reliable workhorse. Just be prepared for the odd time it may require a visit to the (specialist) garage. The only time I needed the AA was when the original alarm failed... had that removed immediately. Now that I think back over the 5 years ownership of one single everyday Chimaera, comparing the hours on the road to hours fixing stuff it must have been maybe 90:10. Quite good then
I've just bought a 1995 Chimaera 4L (my first TVR). Most of the advice I received was along the lines of 'More expensive to run than the average family car (obviously) but a good one won't break the bank and you're unlikely to regret it'. Have gone for mine as a second car as I don't think I'd want to be commuting in it, and I have heard the occasional horror story. At the end of the day though, there's not many cars that turn heads (both visually and aurally) the way TVRs do. You know it makes sense......
Hi Dani,
I've owned my first Chimaera (a trophy blue 4.0) for a week now and was in a similar situation to you prior to that.
I have to echo everyones thoughts and say Just buy one, they are fantastic machines and I can't stop grinning everytime I drive it. You will definitely take a while to get used to it coming from your 535 as I did moving on from a Prelude, but you adapt more every mile. Just take it very easy with the power in this weather.
There are little niggles, constant bumps and rattles etc but these are more than compensated for by driving it. People turn to look as you drive through town and I've been waved at by countless other drivers this weekend, even white van men take the time to do this!!!
One thing you will notice though is the fuel consumption, I manage about 110 mile on half a tank of Optimax without driving hard.
The only other advice I would give is to either have one sourced (Rob Ingleby £600 flat fee) or find one yourself and have it HPI'd and inspected - Rob inspected mine and gave it the full thumbs up for £200. This is very much worth doing especially on the earlier models where chassis rust etc can be a problem.
Best of luck in your search
Tony
I've owned my first Chimaera (a trophy blue 4.0) for a week now and was in a similar situation to you prior to that.
I have to echo everyones thoughts and say Just buy one, they are fantastic machines and I can't stop grinning everytime I drive it. You will definitely take a while to get used to it coming from your 535 as I did moving on from a Prelude, but you adapt more every mile. Just take it very easy with the power in this weather.
There are little niggles, constant bumps and rattles etc but these are more than compensated for by driving it. People turn to look as you drive through town and I've been waved at by countless other drivers this weekend, even white van men take the time to do this!!!
One thing you will notice though is the fuel consumption, I manage about 110 mile on half a tank of Optimax without driving hard.
The only other advice I would give is to either have one sourced (Rob Ingleby £600 flat fee) or find one yourself and have it HPI'd and inspected - Rob inspected mine and gave it the full thumbs up for £200. This is very much worth doing especially on the earlier models where chassis rust etc can be a problem.
Best of luck in your search
Tony
You should 
In 2001 I changed from a reliable old Beemer to a "horror-story TVR" as you sort of put it! I went to look for something like an S3 and ended up with a Griffith 500. 50,000 very pleasurable miles later I parted with it and am now living with a Tuscan.
Amongst my better decisions in life
Anyway, you've found a good starting point for lots of information!
In 2001 I changed from a reliable old Beemer to a "horror-story TVR" as you sort of put it! I went to look for something like an S3 and ended up with a Griffith 500. 50,000 very pleasurable miles later I parted with it and am now living with a Tuscan.
Amongst my better decisions in life
Anyway, you've found a good starting point for lots of information!
Dani,
You should. I got mine after 6 months of indecision. Can't beleive I hesitated for so long, Just do it! I looked at ~6 and drove 4. It's important to drive a few, they do feel different. I eventually bought from Fernhursts who were a pleasure to deal with and have been very helpful since. Just posted a photo on my profile if you want to take a look....
>> Edited by The Beerhunter on Monday 17th January 21:30
You should. I got mine after 6 months of indecision. Can't beleive I hesitated for so long, Just do it! I looked at ~6 and drove 4. It's important to drive a few, they do feel different. I eventually bought from Fernhursts who were a pleasure to deal with and have been very helpful since. Just posted a photo on my profile if you want to take a look....
>> Edited by The Beerhunter on Monday 17th January 21:30
hello all. thanks so much for your advice. loads of good stuff to take in.
it seems even the people that have endured a horror or two still recommend getting one.
i wonder if spending the extra money at a dealer is a good idea? i could then drive a few on th same day and compare them, and if all goes t*ts up i have a bit more come-back. adrian blyth is about an hour away from me and ive heard them mention positively on this site.
if not then mr ingleby's name has popped up a couple of times so thats an option.
thanks agian, very much appreciated
cheers dani
it seems even the people that have endured a horror or two still recommend getting one.
i wonder if spending the extra money at a dealer is a good idea? i could then drive a few on th same day and compare them, and if all goes t*ts up i have a bit more come-back. adrian blyth is about an hour away from me and ive heard them mention positively on this site.
if not then mr ingleby's name has popped up a couple of times so thats an option.
thanks agian, very much appreciated
cheers dani
tollytuff said:
adrian blyth is about an hour away from me and ive heard them mention positively on this site.
Good reputation. Then you're also not far from Fernies. Either of these would be a good starting point and then there's also Mr Agger. You obviously pay a bit more than private, but not as much as a main dealer, you get a good choice, good service and a bit of peace of mind too...
All these people have a reputation to look after too.
Good luck.
I suspect that at this time of year Mr Agger will be topping up his tan in sunnier climes! 
Whereas Mr Blyth, will be deciding whether to put another coal on the fire!
If you are going to visit Blythy's emporium, make sure you ask for the younger, attractive and more virile of the two!
apprentice
Whereas Mr Blyth, will be deciding whether to put another coal on the fire!
If you are going to visit Blythy's emporium, make sure you ask for the younger, attractive and more virile of the two!
apprentice
Hi Tolly
Most of us on here are going to agree that you should go for it
I came from a string of silly Audis to TVR with the same slight concern as you about reliability.
Ive used my Chim 400 as my main car for 2 years including a daily commute and generally use it as much as possible. I can honestly say that it has been as reliable as any other car I have owned and has never let me down.
Servicing isnt cheap and should be budgeted for but you get to drive a fabulous british sportscar every day!
Dont rush into it, look at a few examples and you will be soon be grinning like the rest of us
Most of us on here are going to agree that you should go for it
I came from a string of silly Audis to TVR with the same slight concern as you about reliability.
Ive used my Chim 400 as my main car for 2 years including a daily commute and generally use it as much as possible. I can honestly say that it has been as reliable as any other car I have owned and has never let me down.
Servicing isnt cheap and should be budgeted for but you get to drive a fabulous british sportscar every day!
Dont rush into it, look at a few examples and you will be soon be grinning like the rest of us
snorky said:
I bought mine through Rob Ingleby - the fee sounded big at first but if you add up how much it would cost you in cash and time to visit and look at , say, 6 cars - there's your £600 gone already....plus Rob can usually negociate the price down a bit for you...
me too,
go to a dealer and drive some and/or go to rob when you know what you want. He will be most beneficial for you takign the pain out of negotiations buying with open eyes etc.
J
tollytuff said:
adrian blyth is about an hour away from me and ive heard them mention positively on this site.
I bought mine from Mr Blyth (although I dealt with the 'the younger, [marginally more] attractive and [allegedly] more virile of the two' - Hi Peter
). Nothing but happy miles since and nothing but praise for the service (not to mention how quickly they were able to turn the car around for me).
I understand that AB is very particular about his cars, as a visit to his stable will show.
Despite having done 30,000 miles (and therefore being nicely run-in), mine looked like it had never been driven - an absolute minter.
Go and pay them a visit (and don't forget your chequebook!!)
Edited for smelling pisstakes...
>> Edited by Nuggs on Tuesday 18th January 17:12
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