Chims - where to start?

[rico]

Finally seeing a new car on the horizon. Narrowed my choices down to a 964, Caterham or Chimaera. I think the Chim will take it due to it being more useable than a Caterham and better looking (esp interior) than the Porker.

However... where the heck do i start? There are dozens and dozens of Chimaeras for sale.

Does James Agger etc deal in Chimaeras? Heard good stories about him and similar agents. Would it be money well spent going with him?

Looking at lower end of the budget... £10-12k i guess.

As a first RWD car, would a 4litre be a safer bet than a bigger engined car?

Best thing is... if this job i'm looking into comes off the chim will be a daily driver

Thanks for any pointers.

[billynomates]

rico said:

Finally seeing a new car on the horizon. Narrowed my choices down to a 964, Caterham or Chimaera. I think the Chim will take it due to it being more useable than a Caterham and better looking (esp interior) than the Porker. However... where the heck do i start? There are dozens and dozens of Chimaeras for sale. Does James Agger etc deal in Chimaeras? Heard good stories about him and similar agents. Would it be money well spent going with him? Looking at lower end of the budget... £10-12k i guess. As a first RWD car, would a 4litre be a safer bet than a bigger engined car? Best thing is... if this job i'm looking into comes off the chim will be a daily driver Thanks for any pointers.

Don't waste your £s Chims are crap... I should know I've owed one for a year....and I rather like it

Search the posts-- loads of info out there

You may after a time grow to like them too.






Get one you won't regret it.

[rico]

billynomates said:

Search the posts-- loads of info out there

Yup. Been doing that this afternoon.

I have family near TVR Silverstone so might visit them one weekend and pop over for a test-drive or two of what they've got in stock.

Will be getting it serviced at TopCats most probably - heard good things about them and when i met them they were top people

I'll get Rob Ingleby or James Agger etc to inspect it.

[steve1c]

Test drive as many as you can. It's surprising how different they can feel. Also, when you find one you like, make sure it's been serviced regularly by a TVR or approved dealer. There's a lot to check, make sure one of the things you do look at is the chasis. If you can, take someone with you that knows a few things about TVR's/Chimaeras. Warning, they can eat your wallet, but oh boy, what fun! NOTHING comes close short of owning your own jet fighter and they're adictive. Enjoy but take it easy, and welcome!

[Ballistic Banana]

If you visit your local golf club you should find loads of examples to look over :runsbacktogriifithforum:

Joking aside I am glad you have seen the light and want to get a TVR. Chimps are mighty nice cars, I just prefer the looks of the Griff. basically the same underneath.
Saying that I am sure the caterham would be oudles of fun but like you say a little impractible.

Good luck with the search Rico

BB

[hut49]

History, drive-feel, mileage, color choice will probably be your main criteria (in that order) if you're looking to spend c£12k. Whether you find a 4.0, 4.5 or a 5.0 that scores highly on these, they will all provide buckets more power than anything else you've probably driven. Don't think the 4.0 is a soft touch. It's probably more driveable in the daily grind through traffic than a 5.0 but it depends what the majority of your driving will be. Using an experienced intermediary will hopefully avoid one that has been abused whether engine-wise or interior-wise. Several Chims I tested had obviously had wet carpets for much of their life and the smell when test driving them in the summer was diabolical. I would pay very special attention to the outriggers.

Assuming you go for the Chim - great choice

[ATG]

If you haven't done so already, get Steve Heath's Griff and Chim bible and have a read. That, plus an inspection by a pro ought to keep you well clear of lemons. I'd have a good wade through the receipts to see what's been done and get a handle on the costs. From your budget, I'd guess you'd be looking at a car with maybe 50k on the clock? Shouldn't come as too much of a surprise if items like the radiator, alternator, differential, water pump and its sodding gasket were in need of repair/replacing ... you should defintely be budgeting to deal with problems like that.