Tvr 350i or chimaera
Discussion
I really want to buy a tvr and I like the wedges a lot but I think I'm leaning towards the chimaera. I've heard the chimaera is one of the more well built tvrs and I love the looks. Are there any reason I should get a 350i. I know about the chimaera having rust issues on the outriggers and sometimes having electrical problems, but is there anything else I should know about before buying either. Also this might be a dumb question but from a cost standpoint would it make more sense to buy one that's already imported (I live in the us)?
I've had 3 x Chimaeras, even the 4.0 is powerful in comparison. I've never owned 350i so you'd have to compare to discover the difference in build quality, but the biggest difference IMHO is that the Chimaera is available with power steering. Usually only from late 1995 on with the Serpentine engine (named after the serpentine aux belt that runs everything at the front of the engine).
There are derivatives of the 350i, the 390SE, 400SE and even those with 4.3 and 4.5 engines, though rare.
There are derivatives of the 350i, the 390SE, 400SE and even those with 4.3 and 4.5 engines, though rare.
I really like the shape of the wedges they have really grown on me.
The Chimaera is a bit more modern development wise but still more of a GT car that you cruise around in just listening to the noise.
They do have issues with the outriggers but most will have been sorted by now but still the No 1 thing to check along with chassis condition.
Electrics can be a bit flaky but once you have sorted the common issues they are fine, biggest issue is the ignition system as you cant buy high quality spares anymore.
The 400 is quick enough on the road and you stand a much better chance of finding a mostly restored one if you take your time, its a buyers market too for them so you can bag a bargain.
They suit a home tinkerer really as any small issues with electrics etc can turn into a real problem as a lot of people wont touch them, there is a lot of great advice here though.
Plenty of info here in the TVR sections
The Chimaera is a bit more modern development wise but still more of a GT car that you cruise around in just listening to the noise.
They do have issues with the outriggers but most will have been sorted by now but still the No 1 thing to check along with chassis condition.
Electrics can be a bit flaky but once you have sorted the common issues they are fine, biggest issue is the ignition system as you cant buy high quality spares anymore.
The 400 is quick enough on the road and you stand a much better chance of finding a mostly restored one if you take your time, its a buyers market too for them so you can bag a bargain.
They suit a home tinkerer really as any small issues with electrics etc can turn into a real problem as a lot of people wont touch them, there is a lot of great advice here though.
Plenty of info here in the TVR sections
The most annoying was the water leaks into the footwell. The brake fluid reservoir must be sealed in with the correct stuff or it tracks back into the area by the pedals. 2 / 3 (and my Griff) did this and had to be r-sealed. The other common issue is the plug extenders failing. Aftermarket ones are poor quality mostly, so I ditched them and use HT leads with angled plug ends to avoid the manifolds.
One of my Chimaera (and the Griff) had failed immobilisers. This were wired incorrectly at the factory and the relays pit and fail. It often means the car won't start when hot, and I mean not even turn over, It's hardly EVER the starter.
A new alarm / immobiliser is the best solution.
I've not had new outriggers, fortunately, but it is something you're aware of. The suspension arms often corrode right through too. There is so much stuff in the TVR area, PH was originally a TVR enthusiasts website.
One of my Chimaera (and the Griff) had failed immobilisers. This were wired incorrectly at the factory and the relays pit and fail. It often means the car won't start when hot, and I mean not even turn over, It's hardly EVER the starter.
A new alarm / immobiliser is the best solution.I've not had new outriggers, fortunately, but it is something you're aware of. The suspension arms often corrode right through too. There is so much stuff in the TVR area, PH was originally a TVR enthusiasts website.
sixor8 said:
One of my Chimaera (and the Griff) had failed immobilisers. This were wired incorrectly at the factory and the relays pit and fail. It often means the car won't start when hot, and I mean not even turn over, It's hardly EVER the starter. A new alarm / immobiliser is the best solution.
When I had mine - back in 2010 - I had exactly the same issue. I got stranded on a petrol station forecourt on Christmas Eve for an hour waiting for the damn thing to turn over. Happened loads of times, and like you it turned out be to an incorrectly wired immobiliser from the factory. Got rid soon after. A new alarm / immobiliser is the best solution.Most of these "design issues" will have been long since remedied/fixed by owners in the 25-35 years since they were built.
There is nothing that is not fixable on them.. chassis condition is clearly a worry, but is fixable at a price that us a fraction of what a rotten shell on a conventional vehicle- if it is fixable at all.
I had my Chimaera converted to coils and aftermarket ECU by Doms crew at Powers, runs much smoother, removed all electrical reliability gremlins, plus reliance on hard to source distributor parts.
As others gave said, if you are patient, you willbe able to pick a substantially restored example, or ho in with yours open and enjoy bringing a slighty tattier one back to glory.
There is nothing that is not fixable on them.. chassis condition is clearly a worry, but is fixable at a price that us a fraction of what a rotten shell on a conventional vehicle- if it is fixable at all.
I had my Chimaera converted to coils and aftermarket ECU by Doms crew at Powers, runs much smoother, removed all electrical reliability gremlins, plus reliance on hard to source distributor parts.
As others gave said, if you are patient, you willbe able to pick a substantially restored example, or ho in with yours open and enjoy bringing a slighty tattier one back to glory.
Gassing Station | Car Buying | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff