Chimaera - Do I go for a 5.0? AND Warranties - any good?

[fimbo]

Hi everyone - I would appreciate your help on a couple of things before I purchase my first chimaera.

The car would be in daily use - home/train station/home, a round trip of about 16 miles (which includes a two-mile stretch of A-road where you can open the throttle) plus a blat a weekends - I've read on this forum that the 5.0 is a little more "stressed" than the other engine variants - does this mean I am likely to suffer more problems with this engine? Would the 4.5 be a better bet? Does anyone currently run a 5.0 on short journeys?

As an alternative to paying dealer prices (but wanting some peace of mind for at least the first 12 months) I was thinking of purchasing privately and getting a warranty. I was also thinking of getting Rob Ingleby to give any prospective purchase the 'once-over'. Any thoughts on warranties? What should I watch out for. Is it easy, for example, for the warranty company to say "wear and tear" and avoid paying the claim? Can anyone recommend a warranty company and the sorts of costs involved? Also, most PH's seem to praise Rob Ingleby on this forum. If anyone has any experience/comments they want to share but would prefer to do it off-forum, that fine: [e-mail]

Apologies for the number of questions - perhaps I should have posted more than one topic - no doubt you'll tell me. Any help you can offer is much appreciated.

Cheers

Neil

[M@H]

Thde 5.0 can be a bit more lumpy in traffic and gets hotter a bit quicker.. also its a bit more "laaarey" and you can light up the tyres a lot more easily in a 5.0 as to a 4.0. Personally I have stuck with a 4.0 as its "fast enough" (heresy I know) but without some of the "fun" of the 5.0 on damp surfaces which to be honest, on a dark winters night in the rain I could do without when simply wanting to get home from work.

Cheers,
Matt.

[chim666]

If I had my time again... I'd have gone for a 4.5 with PAS.
The 4 litre's fine really - plenty of poke for most days, but definitely would go for PAS.

BTW - Neil...YHM

>> Edited by chim666 on Monday 10th October 15:14

[225]

A lot of peeps run 5.0 daily with no problems and the same is true for all chims, condition is the key as a badly looked after 5.0 will be worse and probably slower than a good 4.0.

It seems Rob is very good and there are a number of people from what Ive seen who have used him and got good results, don't forget 4.5s as well. I went for a 4.5 as I could afford a newer and nicer 4.5 than just going for the bigger engine and from what Ive seen the ouput from mine is more or less on a par with the bottom spec 5.0s

[SharkyTVR]

I run a 500 as a daily driver and it is pretty smooth and well-mannered in traffic. It does however have a Mark Adams Tornado chip that ensures that its behaviour is exemplary - I would really recommend this upgrade, especially if you do get a 5.0

My advice, like others is ALWAYS buy on condition - logic would state that you are likely to get a better condition 4.0 or 4.5 than a 5.0 for the same money.

Whichever engine you end up with you won't be sorry, if you get a good one.

I drove 7 before I picked mine, incidentally. They were all totally different, and the one I bought was leagues better then the others (it also happenned to be the most expensive!).

[jellison]

[quote=225]A lot of peeps run 5.0 daily with no problems and the same is true for all chims, condition is the key as a badly looked after 5.0 will be worse and probably slower than a good 4.0.

Unless something major is wrong with it a 500 will NEVER be slower than a 400!

Best you can find private (dealer - why pay their premium - get an independant check if you find a car you like) - warranty's - waste of bloody time.

[jellison]

[quote=225]A lot of peeps run 5.0 daily with no problems and the same is true for all chims, condition is the key as a badly looked after 5.0 will be worse and probably slower than a good 4.0.

Unless something major is wrong with it a 500 will NEVER be slower than a 400!

Best you can find private (dealer - why pay their premium - get an independant check if you find a car you like) - warranty's - waste of bloody time.

[225]

jellison said:

[quote=225]A lot of peeps run 5.0 daily with no problems and the same is true for all chims, condition is the key as a badly looked after 5.0 will be worse and probably slower than a good 4.0. Unless something major is wrong with it a 500 will NEVER be slower than a 400! Best you can find private (dealer - why pay their premium - get an independant check if you find a car you like) - warranty's - waste of bloody time.

Pah what would you know you've got that silly yank engine in yours...

[Hughesie2]

I run a 500 as a daily driver, bought privately, had bits done to bring up to scratch but doesnt let me down now, just go in with your eyes open...

Incidentally, mine is a std 500 (well its as standard as a decatted Tiv will be), no tornado chip and mine behaves itself perferctly in traffic...

I drive in and out of London most days as well..

[beancounter]

Go for a 5.0l - I've run one as daily drive for 6 years and had 4.0l for a couple of years before that. Same mpg, similar sounds and so much more performance. Only noticeable difference around town is engine is less flexible and not content to do 30 in 5th whereas the 4.0l will. You do need PAS if you're ever intending to park the thing!

[Big Brin]

Personally I would go for a 5.0L. I have had a 4.0L and in my opinion there is no comparison as far as performance goes. I have driven a 4.5L which delivers it's power in a different way and I found it to be quite civilised.
As well as going to and from the station each morning, presumably you'll want some fun at the weekends. All variants bring smiles. I just feel I smile a bit more now with a 5.0L. I would also recommend going for as late a car as you can, but buy on condition. TVR use customer feedback to improve their cars. I think that the post 98 models have benefitted greatly from the 'development'.

Good luck!

Rgds, Brin

[fimbo]

thanks everyone for your contributions. My mind is made up to go for a 5.0 unless a stonkingly good 4.5 comes along. I hope to be a contributor to the forum in the near future.

[Hughesie2]

fimbo said:

thanks everyone for your contributions. My mind is made up to go for a 5.0 unless a stonkingly good 4.5 comes along. I hope to be a contributor to the forum in the near future.

I have a nice 500 up at the moment, Its yellow though, not everyones cup of tea, decatted, again not everyones cup of tea, lots of workdone but its gotta go, i'm in Herts if you fancy a nosey around it !!

[jellison]

Hughesie2 said:

fimbo said: thanks everyone for your contributions. My mind is made up to go for a 5.0 unless a stonkingly good 4.5 comes along. I hope to be a contributor to the forum in the near future. I have a nice 500 up at the moment, Its yellow though, not everyones cup of tea, decatted, again not everyones cup of tea, lots of workdone but its gotta go, i'm in Herts if you fancy a nosey around it !!

The Yellow ones are the fastest as well!

[Tiger]

jellison said:

[quote=225]A lot of peeps run 5.0 daily with no problems and the same is true for all chims, condition is the key as a badly looked after 5.0 will be worse and probably slower than a good 4.0. Unless something major is wrong with it a 500 will NEVER be slower than a 400! Best you can find private (dealer - why pay their premium - get an independant check if you find a car you like) - warranty's - waste of bloody time.

Have to agree with Jon, buying private makes a lot of sense money wise but hind sight is a great thing.

I bought my 1st TVR from a dealer for peace of mind. Now I know what to look for I will buy private and keep 1k back as my own warranty / fund.

I never used the warranty once

[Hughesie2]

jellison said:

The Yellow ones are the fastest as well!

Good domenuts too