5 days ownershipt First breakdown.
Discussion
Just got back from weekend in hotel 140 miles away. Couldn't believe it but brokedown as entered hotel enterance. Ownership into 6th day. Bloody embaressing as was meeting 6 other friends for the weekend who just ripped the pi55 non stop.
Thankfully I joined AA 6 days ago. They came out and fixed the car. Ignition coil was to blame and was replaced. Also thankfully wife stood outside with car for 1 hour with AA man fixing it. Chap actually asked wife if they were Ford based engines!!!! Me thinks/hopes he was trying to be funny.(If he wasn't I'd be a little scared)
I on the other hand was out quad biking. Great fun. Muddy and good adrenaling rush on steep slopes. I can recommend a good place if required. Farmer with a "take no sh1t from anyone attitude.
Quote of the day was
"If I dont't like the look of some one that turns up unbooked I just tell em to **** off"
Priceless.
Thankfully I joined AA 6 days ago. They came out and fixed the car. Ignition coil was to blame and was replaced. Also thankfully wife stood outside with car for 1 hour with AA man fixing it. Chap actually asked wife if they were Ford based engines!!!! Me thinks/hopes he was trying to be funny.(If he wasn't I'd be a little scared)
I on the other hand was out quad biking. Great fun. Muddy and good adrenaling rush on steep slopes. I can recommend a good place if required. Farmer with a "take no sh1t from anyone attitude.
Quote of the day was
"If I dont't like the look of some one that turns up unbooked I just tell em to **** off"
Priceless.
Bought a TVR 280i in 1983 first weekend I had it fuel pump packed in.Bought a TVR 350i in 1985 first weekend bolt came out of gear selector.Bought a Cerbera in 1999 first weekend imobilser totally imobilised the car! It was beginning to get a bit spooky.However HHC came out on all three occasions and the cars never missed a beat after that.By the way I have bought two TVRs since and they got past the 1st weekend OK.
You guys are giving me the colly wobbles!
Supposed to be picking up my first TVR this weekend - a 99V Chimaera.
Should I give the AA a print out of my 180 mile route home before I set off? Also busy checking out all hotels too!
On a more serious note and as a newcomer to the TVR world, any tips on essential spares to keep in the boot.
Brent - the chances are you'll be fine.
It's the usual "take an umbrella with you if you don't want it to rain" syndrome though.
On a practical front, in addition to AA card, chuck out your spare wheel in favour of can(s) of Tyreweld. Worth having a drive belt, cos' they're not easy to source on a Sunday morning at 2am in the rain. Some 40amp fuses and a paper clip would also be useful. Rainex is a good insurance against wipers packing up too, while we're on the subject of umbrellas......
... there are impressive lists compiled by or for people travelling the continent, but only you know how much kit you're comfortable hauling around.
It's the usual "take an umbrella with you if you don't want it to rain" syndrome though.
On a practical front, in addition to AA card, chuck out your spare wheel in favour of can(s) of Tyreweld. Worth having a drive belt, cos' they're not easy to source on a Sunday morning at 2am in the rain. Some 40amp fuses and a paper clip would also be useful. Rainex is a good insurance against wipers packing up too, while we're on the subject of umbrellas......
... there are impressive lists compiled by or for people travelling the continent, but only you know how much kit you're comfortable hauling around.
Glad to hear you found a good one in the end Brent. Im sure you wont look back!!.
The great majority of Chimaeras seem only to suffer from minor faults if any so no need to worry too much.
P.S I was the chap with the Cooper Green Chim (non pas). Decided to keep mine as potential Cerbie running costs really started to scare me!!!
Maybe one day.....
Cheers,
Matt.
The great majority of Chimaeras seem only to suffer from minor faults if any so no need to worry too much.
P.S I was the chap with the Cooper Green Chim (non pas). Decided to keep mine as potential Cerbie running costs really started to scare me!!!
Maybe one day.....
Cheers,
Matt.
brentstevens said:
On a more serious note and as a newcomer to the TVR world, any tips on essential spares to keep in the boot.
There should be room for a tent and a fold-up bicycle if you don't take too much luggage
Only kidding, but it might help to take a mobile phone and an AA membership card with you just in case.
Sorry - kidding again. All I carry are a set of plugs, a litre of oil, a gallon of petrol and a few light bulbs, plus a multimeter and a few sockets. Never needed any of them yet (apart from the petrol, that is)
Grin is back thanks to MAC5.
Matt101 - thanks yr message - reckon I have found a good one. Awaiting Mr Ingleby's final thumbs up on Thursday, so fingers crossed.
Thanks to the others for their advice both serious and not quite so!!
Since I have been a PH, I have had quite a few chuckles - quite a few more than on a certain other forum (my last car was a Boxster).
Must go as have to fax my order off for 15 coils, 2 dozen spark plugs, 6 drive belts, cuddly toy, sandwich maker, tent etc etc.
Thanks all.I owe you one.
Yep, don't worry about it Brent.
Had my '95 Chimaera for a little over a month now and had 3000 miles of trouble free motoring. Just keep and eye on the fluid levels, and don't thrash the car above 2500 revs until it's nice and warm (i.e. water temp up and oil pressure dropped a bit). Usually about 15mins or 5-10 miles (whichever comes sooner) for me till I boot it!!
The only thing thats gone wrong is my ability to park up and get out of the car, instead, I drive an extra 50 miles for the pure hell of it!! £500 on petrol in one month! Think it's time to chill out for a bit!
>> Edited by dannyboyo on Wednesday 29th January 08:05
Had my '95 Chimaera for a little over a month now and had 3000 miles of trouble free motoring. Just keep and eye on the fluid levels, and don't thrash the car above 2500 revs until it's nice and warm (i.e. water temp up and oil pressure dropped a bit). Usually about 15mins or 5-10 miles (whichever comes sooner) for me till I boot it!!
The only thing thats gone wrong is my ability to park up and get out of the car, instead, I drive an extra 50 miles for the pure hell of it!! £500 on petrol in one month! Think it's time to chill out for a bit!
>> Edited by dannyboyo on Wednesday 29th January 08:05
I had to replace the coil on my 5L Chimaera recently too, it had developed a major misfire.
It is a common failure, but not too frequent - mine went after 6 years from new. Its not just the heat, the coil is mounted directly to the engine, so the vibes probably don't help longevity.
I am expecting the starter motor to cough before long, thats another common heat related failure - but again we're talking years here.
It is a common failure, but not too frequent - mine went after 6 years from new. Its not just the heat, the coil is mounted directly to the engine, so the vibes probably don't help longevity.
I am expecting the starter motor to cough before long, thats another common heat related failure - but again we're talking years here.
dannyboyo said: Yep, don't worry about it Brent.
Had my '95 Chimaera for a little over a month now and had 3000 miles of trouble free motoring. Just keep and eye on the fluid levels, and don't thrash the car above 2500 revs until it's nice and warm (i.e. water temp up and oil pressure dropped a bit). Usually about 15mins or 5-10 miles (whichever comes sooner) for me till I boot it!!
The only thing thats gone wrong is my ability to park up and get out of the car, instead, I drive an extra 50 miles for the pure hell of it!! £500 on petrol in one month! Think it's time to chill out for a bit!
>> Edited by dannyboyo on Wednesday 29th January 08:05
3k miles??
Glad to see she's getting the kind of treatment she always liked... 
manek said: 3k miles??
Haha!
I know, I've suprised myself. Service time has come around alot quicker than I expected!! Car's fine though, still loving it! Think I need to cut down a bit though, before I get slapped silly by my bank manager!! I'm going the Virginia Water on Sunday with a mate, you gonna make an appearance?
YESSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!
Made it the 180 miles home without any probs!!! Stopped worrying about 5 miles into the journey, turned the stereo off, listened to the V8 warble and grinned all the way home.
Still going to keep a couple of spares in the boot though!
Thanks for all your comments and advice.
Much appreciated.
Maybe I'll pluck up the courage to attend one of the meets soon - is there a maximum age limit? Owner that is not car!
Reckon mid Kent is my nearest I think.
Brent
Made it the 180 miles home without any probs!!! Stopped worrying about 5 miles into the journey, turned the stereo off, listened to the V8 warble and grinned all the way home.
Still going to keep a couple of spares in the boot though!
Thanks for all your comments and advice.
Much appreciated. Maybe I'll pluck up the courage to attend one of the meets soon - is there a maximum age limit? Owner that is not car!
Reckon mid Kent is my nearest I think.
Brent
brentstevens said: Maybe I'll pluck up the courage to attend one of the meets soon - is there a maximum age limit? Owner that is not car!
Reckon mid Kent is my nearest I think.
Brent
Hi Brent, no age limit they said I could go.
Why not come along tomorrow, to the Virginia Waters meet. Just a few PH'ers going along (119 last count).
Don’t pontificate GO!
See post,
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?f=13&h=&t=26742 for info.
It's going to be a brilliant day, trust me.
Big Al.
>> Edited by ABBTVR (moderator) on Saturday 1st February 19:14
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