Do I need to worry???
Discussion
Hello to all,
First post on here, straight to the point am looking at getting a 2nd hand Chimera (16k), I have heard the usual negative things about them but wanted to know from owners as alas I do not know any at present. Main query is the safety of the car, lacking in the side impact bars - how unsafe does this make the car in the event of a side impact compared to say a S2000 or 350z. Also please allay my fears on the realiabilty problems associated with the car and what should I be looking for when assesing potential buys.
thanks for any help or advice
First post on here, straight to the point am looking at getting a 2nd hand Chimera (16k), I have heard the usual negative things about them but wanted to know from owners as alas I do not know any at present. Main query is the safety of the car, lacking in the side impact bars - how unsafe does this make the car in the event of a side impact compared to say a S2000 or 350z. Also please allay my fears on the realiabilty problems associated with the car and what should I be looking for when assesing potential buys.
thanks for any help or advice
Strange question. I do not go out with the intention of crashing (neither does anyone). If that is your main concern then I suggest that TVR may not for you! But they do offer more protection than a bike. There are a lot of threads about things to look out for when purchasing without starting a new one.
The tusacn racer has a chassis bassed on the Griffith/Chimp and so is basically pretty tough.
Althoiugh you dont have the side impact bars in the door, the chassis runs just below and to the side of the seats and believe me(from experience) is quite a barrier.
Reliablity IMHO, most cars that have been about for a few years now would have had any (if any) gremlins ironed out although there ares some dogs out there. If its used regular and serviced regulary whether it be at an Dealer Indi or the competant owner you shouldnt go far wrong
BB
Althoiugh you dont have the side impact bars in the door, the chassis runs just below and to the side of the seats and believe me(from experience) is quite a barrier.
Reliablity IMHO, most cars that have been about for a few years now would have had any (if any) gremlins ironed out although there ares some dogs out there. If its used regular and serviced regulary whether it be at an Dealer Indi or the competant owner you shouldnt go far wrong
BB
Side impact protection is obviously not going to be up to the standards of a modern mass produced car, but I can't say it bother me particularly. It is something I am aware of, though, and so I try to avoid putting myself in situations where I could be T-boned by a 4x4 or fly sideways into a telegraph pole. But then I do that when driving my other cars too....
As for reliability, I've had a Chim (W reg, 34k miles)for two years now and the only problem was a dicky door solonoid that was fixed quickly and easily. Took it down to Le Mans 24h this year, crawling in stop start traffic for two hours getting out of the town on the way home in 34C temperatures, and not a hint of trouble.
If serviced and used regularly and sensibly, they are perfectly reliable -- and fantastic fun. Much more so than a pedestrian and boring 350Z, and much nicer sounding than an S2000
Hugh
As for reliability, I've had a Chim (W reg, 34k miles)for two years now and the only problem was a dicky door solonoid that was fixed quickly and easily. Took it down to Le Mans 24h this year, crawling in stop start traffic for two hours getting out of the town on the way home in 34C temperatures, and not a hint of trouble.
If serviced and used regularly and sensibly, they are perfectly reliable -- and fantastic fun. Much more so than a pedestrian and boring 350Z, and much nicer sounding than an S2000
Hugh
I shared some of your safety concerns before I bought mine a couple of months back now. I reconciled myself in that even though it's a high powered car, you don't have to go crazy... well not all the time at least! I've driven mine in wet and dry conditions and if you use common sense then you'll be fine.
I got some very good advice on what to look for from various posts on this site, and there's a full section in 'the bible'.. problem is I couldn't wait for my bible to arrive so went ahead anyway. Basically I went for full dealer service history (phone the dealer and speak to them about the cars history, HHC in my case, and even though it was a private sale, they were very good about this), sound bodywork and interior, sound chassis (little or no rust on outriggers etc), no obvious mechanical noises (engine, transmission and suspension) and a good test drive. Don't go for the first one you see, unless it's mint, have a look at a few to compare.
Whatever, there's always an element of risk. Mine's been very reliable, but save a few quid just in case, and you'll probably want to buy some bits and pieces to bring it up to your own spec anyway.
Good luck
I got some very good advice on what to look for from various posts on this site, and there's a full section in 'the bible'.. problem is I couldn't wait for my bible to arrive so went ahead anyway. Basically I went for full dealer service history (phone the dealer and speak to them about the cars history, HHC in my case, and even though it was a private sale, they were very good about this), sound bodywork and interior, sound chassis (little or no rust on outriggers etc), no obvious mechanical noises (engine, transmission and suspension) and a good test drive. Don't go for the first one you see, unless it's mint, have a look at a few to compare.
Whatever, there's always an element of risk. Mine's been very reliable, but save a few quid just in case, and you'll probably want to buy some bits and pieces to bring it up to your own spec anyway.
Good luck
I bought my Chimaera after seeing a picture of it on Piston Heads. The first time I actually saw the car, or sat in a TVR, was when I went to Cheshire to pick it up.No regrets,best heart lead decision I've ever made.Safety features, who the feck worries about them,if a formula 1 car aint got airbag, neither have I
Ballistic Banana said:
The tusacn racer has a chassis bassed on the Griffith/Chimp and so is basically pretty tough.
Yes it is very tough and GRP is far better than steel at absorbing energy. When it shatters and cracks, it absorbs the impact energy. Steel itself is not very good at this and will transmit impact energy well which is one of the reasons for all these safety aids.
So the combination of steel chassis and GRP is pretty good at accident survival.
BTW The tuscan racer has an immense roll cage in it which is really what makes it almost indestructable. It also appeared before the Griff and Chimaera were even thought about. The Griff/Chim chassis took a lot of the Tuscan design so really it was the other way round.
Ask yourself just how much protection a s2000 or z car would REALLY have in a t-bone by a 4x4. No more than a Chim. Best safety feature by far is advanced driver training (and lots of experience) - avoid getting shunted in the first place.
If you are looking for a sports car I'd have thought safety features would be low on the priority list anyway. Otherwise, aren't you really looking for a Merc SLK?
If you are looking for a sports car I'd have thought safety features would be low on the priority list anyway. Otherwise, aren't you really looking for a Merc SLK?
These cars are a little short of modern day safety features so if that is high up on your list of requirements they are probably not for you. You pays your money you takes your risks.
As far as reliability goes, mine is a 2000X, has not let me down once, does not leak and uses no oil or water. The key to a pleasant ownership experience is finding a good one in the first place, cheap ones can often end up costing more in the end. They are not cheap cars to run properly, invariably some people cut corners with maintenance leaving big bills waiting for the next owner so a proper inspection or warranty is a good investment.
Buy a good one and you will not regret it, buy a rough one and you probably will – good luck.
As far as reliability goes, mine is a 2000X, has not let me down once, does not leak and uses no oil or water. The key to a pleasant ownership experience is finding a good one in the first place, cheap ones can often end up costing more in the end. They are not cheap cars to run properly, invariably some people cut corners with maintenance leaving big bills waiting for the next owner so a proper inspection or warranty is a good investment.
Buy a good one and you will not regret it, buy a rough one and you probably will – good luck.
scared but happy said:
1 post 4 days ago! Perhaps he has been put off buying a Chimaera?
Maybe he already knows people do not go out with the intention of crashing, he may also already know cars offer more protection than bikes and the search engine may not have been working - just a thought.
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