Taking the plunge
Discussion
Evening all
I am gradually giving into the inevitable and I am looking at getting a Chimaera 4.5, ideally the face lifted model.
I just have a question about the roof for the Chimaera, does it have panels that sit under the canvas that help protect agianst people slahing the roof and getting in?
The reason I ask is that a friend of mine had one years ago and he had some.
Also as it seems most didnt come with aircon how expensive/easy/advisable is it to get fitted?
Do you guys know of any good buying guides/sources of information (bar here of course ;) )
Cheers
I am gradually giving into the inevitable and I am looking at getting a Chimaera 4.5, ideally the face lifted model.
I just have a question about the roof for the Chimaera, does it have panels that sit under the canvas that help protect agianst people slahing the roof and getting in?
The reason I ask is that a friend of mine had one years ago and he had some.
Also as it seems most didnt come with aircon how expensive/easy/advisable is it to get fitted?
Do you guys know of any good buying guides/sources of information (bar here of course ;) )
Cheers
The main portion of the roof is carbon fibre covered in cloth. Only the rear portion with the "window" is coth only and could be slashed. Anything more solid than that I beleive has two extra seats and is called a Cerbera! 
Aircon isn't a common option as the roof does come off. Not an easy retrofit, and I doubt having aircon would increase the value. Supply and demand - no-one wants it so its worthless.
>> Edited by victormeldrew on Sunday 26th June 01:26
Aircon isn't a common option as the roof does come off. Not an easy retrofit, and I doubt having aircon would increase the value. Supply and demand - no-one wants it so its worthless.
>> Edited by victormeldrew on Sunday 26th June 01:26
victormeldrew said:
Anything more solid than that I beleive has two extra seats and is called a Cerbera!
>> Edited by victormeldrew on Sunday 26th June 01:26
LOL very true.
Just in the resarch phase at present, but the more I read obviously the more I am thinking aout it
I currently drive a remapped Leon Cupra R with about 260bhp and 290lb torque which I do like but I am at the stage of life where I have no ties and am able to own a "proper" two seater sports car.
Gradually reading through the forum and various websites and am going to join the tvrcc so hopefuly will be able to go into ownership with my eyes open as it were.
I'll try not to post newbie and repeated questions as I know how annoying they are!
welcome 225. 
tvrforever said:
victormeldrew said:
The main portion of the roof is carbon fibre covered in cloth.
Would be nice but I think that you'll find that it's glass fibre.
Yup indeed - but wouldn't it be nice if somebody did do a carbon fiber replacement???
Sorry guys but its definitely carbon fiber, just look at the weave on the inside!
19560 said:Really? I don't recall anyone coming up with a definitive answer to that old chestnut. The factory specs quoted carbon fibre. But they quote 340bhp for a 500 as well, so that ain't saying much.
The main portion of the roof is carbon fibre covered in cloth.
Would be nice but I think that you'll find that it's glass fibre.
I typed TVR into Amazon and bought everything that they did, eg [pic] http://images-eu.amazon.com/images/P/1852237961.01.LZZZZZZZ.jpg [/pic] and the bible second edition.
I wouldn't worry about a Chimaera being any more vulnerable to breakins than any other car with glass windows. Just dont leave valuables on display.
And IMO the easiest and cheapest way to get the carbon fibre effect on the inside of the roof panel would be to use carbon fibre matting in its construction!
I wouldn't worry about a Chimaera being any more vulnerable to breakins than any other car with glass windows. Just dont leave valuables on display.
And IMO the easiest and cheapest way to get the carbon fibre effect on the inside of the roof panel would be to use carbon fibre matting in its construction!
Hi People,
I have the pleasure of owning a 1998 4.5 Facelift model with the later rear lights and button-under-mirror entry..
Ive also got Air-Con.. Lucky chap that i am.. But no power steering.. Apparently the two were the same price as options and for some reason they buyer went for Aircon and not PAS..
I was a bit anti aircon when i got mine but one day in heavy rain and the inside steamed up like you wouldnt believe.. I turned the Air-con on and within 15 seconds, all clear so its now my friend again
Regarding the roof.. Well I do suspect it is actually carbon fibre.. As i dont believe it is astronomically dearer than the material used for the body and i think it is needed for strength in the event of the car rolling!! and it needs to be light so you can actually lift it into the boot!!
Looking at the weave, i dont think they would go to the expense of mimmicking the weave of carbon fibre on the panel instead of just giving a bit of Carbon Fibre..
Anyway, the usual advice stands.. Look and try a number of different cars as you will soon find what is a good one and what one isnt..
Mine drives great, goes like the clappers and makes you feel youve won the lottery..
But you do need to drive a few as its quite a different experience from say a 911 or a BMW M3 and you need to be sure it suits you..(sir!)
cheers,
Nick
I have the pleasure of owning a 1998 4.5 Facelift model with the later rear lights and button-under-mirror entry..
Ive also got Air-Con.. Lucky chap that i am.. But no power steering.. Apparently the two were the same price as options and for some reason they buyer went for Aircon and not PAS..
I was a bit anti aircon when i got mine but one day in heavy rain and the inside steamed up like you wouldnt believe.. I turned the Air-con on and within 15 seconds, all clear so its now my friend again
Regarding the roof.. Well I do suspect it is actually carbon fibre.. As i dont believe it is astronomically dearer than the material used for the body and i think it is needed for strength in the event of the car rolling!! and it needs to be light so you can actually lift it into the boot!!
Looking at the weave, i dont think they would go to the expense of mimmicking the weave of carbon fibre on the panel instead of just giving a bit of Carbon Fibre..
Anyway, the usual advice stands.. Look and try a number of different cars as you will soon find what is a good one and what one isnt..
Mine drives great, goes like the clappers and makes you feel youve won the lottery..
But you do need to drive a few as its quite a different experience from say a 911 or a BMW M3 and you need to be sure it suits you..(sir!)
cheers,
Nick
smedlen said:
And IMO the easiest and cheapest way to get the carbon fibre effect on the inside of the roof panel would be to use carbon fibre matting in its construction!
Lovely idea but there's no way it can be cheaper than chopped strand matting: higher material cost, higher cutting cost higher laying up cost - why not just one layer underneath? - Good idea that man. Actually I can't think of Carbon Fibre being used on any production TVR but don't let this spoil your enjoyment of your car.
19560 said:
Sorry guys but its definitely carbon fiber, just look at the weave on the inside!
That's just a fake covering on the inside. BTW that weave is also used in fibreglass and widely used in boats and the lightweight T350 shells.
If thats a fake covering its the best one I've seen, the depth through the resin and the look of the strands is exactly the same as the real carbon fibre mat I've used in the past.
Well so long as it has got the panels, I thought they were carbon fibre but thats just what my mate told me.
Don't know why but I am actually a bit apprehensive about buying one, never had that before about a car. I think that because it will be such a different experience to driving a "normal" car that I dont know what to expect. I just need to beat my head (and bank manager) into submission and I'll start seriously looking, I'm sure if I test drive one that will be that so I need to research first and don't just buy the first one I come across.
It doesn't help when every person I talk to about it tells me to "s0d it just do it"
Don't know why but I am actually a bit apprehensive about buying one, never had that before about a car. I think that because it will be such a different experience to driving a "normal" car that I dont know what to expect. I just need to beat my head (and bank manager) into submission and I'll start seriously looking, I'm sure if I test drive one that will be that so I need to research first and don't just buy the first one I come across.
It doesn't help when every person I talk to about it tells me to "s0d it just do it"
I know its not the topic of this thread but ill stand on the side of the fence which states the roof is carbon fibre. I have seen a lot of carbon fibre on racing bikes and cars in the past. I'm no expert but, the proof is in the pudding. just look at it! One of the reasons I bought the car was to go "Yeah......and look at the roof" when my mates got in!
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