Looking to Buy a Chim at the weekend!
Discussion
Hi,
I'm off looking at Chims this weekend, but as everyone who seems to be new to TVR I'm a little worried about reliability etc!!! Looking at a nice 98 model at Christopher Neils in Northwich Cheshire or I may go to Cheshire TVR who has a green 97, anyone dealt with these guys before? Its going to be a car for everyday use and as of yet I have no garage! Do I need to build one?
I need a little more persuation before I buy!
Cheers
I'm off looking at Chims this weekend, but as everyone who seems to be new to TVR I'm a little worried about reliability etc!!! Looking at a nice 98 model at Christopher Neils in Northwich Cheshire or I may go to Cheshire TVR who has a green 97, anyone dealt with these guys before? Its going to be a car for everyday use and as of yet I have no garage! Do I need to build one?
I need a little more persuation before I buy!
Cheers
The main thing to do is speak with the last owner and get an independent TVR specialist to inspect the car. Not the AA/RAC - they will not know the common TVR foibles.
Remember the Chimaera/Griffith have braking systems based on Ford parts, Rover V8 engines and transmission. It's the small things you need to watch out for, usually electrical.
Check the car is waterproof - look behind the driver's seat/under the carpets. If it smells musty then leaks.
It is best to garage them, but a decent car cover will also keep out the bad weather.
There is loads more advice on this site if you do a search.
Good luck. Oh, and don't but the first one you drive until you've driven another of the same ilk - just to make sure the first one isn't a dog!
Trefor/.
Remember the Chimaera/Griffith have braking systems based on Ford parts, Rover V8 engines and transmission. It's the small things you need to watch out for, usually electrical.
Check the car is waterproof - look behind the driver's seat/under the carpets. If it smells musty then leaks.
It is best to garage them, but a decent car cover will also keep out the bad weather.
There is loads more advice on this site if you do a search.
Good luck. Oh, and don't but the first one you drive until you've driven another of the same ilk - just to make sure the first one isn't a dog!
Trefor/.
I bought a Griff 500 from Christopher Neil a couple of years back. They were very helpful and let me take the car out for a test drive on my own - very trusting!
I also part exchanged a car against it but (stupidly) forgot to pay off the o/s finance before I picked up the Griff. Regardless they let me take the car away anyway as I promised to clear the debt the next week.
Very trusting again!
I also part exchanged a car against it but (stupidly) forgot to pay off the o/s finance before I picked up the Griff. Regardless they let me take the car away anyway as I promised to clear the debt the next week.
Very trusting again!
I use the Leven half-cover and it does the job.
You should invest in a warranty.
Will C.N. be your local dealer for servicing etc?
IF so - check out their prices etc and compare!
(ie let them sell it to you with full MOT and a full service complete no matter the mileage!) Could be worth a grand at least.
David Gerald did that for me . . . so I've taken it back there for 3 more services in the first year! (I use it a lot and it's money well spent!)
You should invest in a warranty.
Will C.N. be your local dealer for servicing etc?
IF so - check out their prices etc and compare!
(ie let them sell it to you with full MOT and a full service complete no matter the mileage!) Could be worth a grand at least.
David Gerald did that for me . . . so I've taken it back there for 3 more services in the first year! (I use it a lot and it's money well spent!)
Hi,
I'm off looking at Chims this weekend, but as everyone who seems to be new to TVR I'm a little worried about reliability etc!!! Looking at a nice 98 model at Christopher Neils in Northwich Cheshire or I may go to Cheshire TVR who has a green 97, anyone dealt with these guys before? Its going to be a car for everyday use and as of yet I have no garage! Do I need to build one?
I need a little more persuation before I buy!
Cheers
Hi
Not really made for everyday use though some do.IMHO takes the fun out of it doing the Escort run with a tiv. They are nice toys to be enjoyed as a treat every now and then and perhaps to take to track days when it becomes a hobby. But an everyday slogger--like using a racehorse on the milk round.
Not being garaged will add to your insurance bill, but not as much as building a new garage. If you're set on a TVR will a wet one be any less appealing? I would use a full car cover and make sure it's good quality, in the sun some can affect the paint, in the wind some can scratch it. I have a Leven hood cover for when I park it at work and rain's forecast, but it'd be a pain using the cover every day - taking it off when it's cold & wet is not the best experience when you're tired & hungry.
Mine is my main car, but I have access to a second car (missus's) and use that a lot in the winter. Mileage depreciates TVR's a lot, so owning an old banger as a second car may work out cheaper than putting 15k on it(especially as you'll have a back-up if the highly-strung Tiv needs attention). My Chimaera is not the most relaxing drive on a cold wet morning, so I save the mileage for times when I'll enjoy it most. Besides, going in car B means I can park on the flower beds by the main doors, instead of going right to the far end of the car park in the next county so that people with germs don't have to get near my pride & joy.
My car's been pretty good, no unplanned maintenance required, but I always hate saying that - tempting fate.
I'd second trying more than the one you buy.
Andy
Mine is my main car, but I have access to a second car (missus's) and use that a lot in the winter. Mileage depreciates TVR's a lot, so owning an old banger as a second car may work out cheaper than putting 15k on it(especially as you'll have a back-up if the highly-strung Tiv needs attention). My Chimaera is not the most relaxing drive on a cold wet morning, so I save the mileage for times when I'll enjoy it most. Besides, going in car B means I can park on the flower beds by the main doors, instead of going right to the far end of the car park in the next county so that people with germs don't have to get near my pride & joy.
My car's been pretty good, no unplanned maintenance required, but I always hate saying that - tempting fate.
I'd second trying more than the one you buy.
Andy
I disagree - as it's a lot cheaper than marriage/divorce/kids/cocaine addiction . . . and
is definately makes my smile every time I look at it (as compared to . . see above!!)
is definately makes my smile every time I look at it (as compared to . . see above!!)
manek said:
Since deciding to buy a TVR can never be called a rational decision, this may not be a bad thing...
Bought my 4.0 2000 Chim from C Neil in Nov and it has been fantastic. Good service very helpful and no probs to date.
Drive mine most days (not ice/Snow) and its a dream to Drive. Just been away on business for 2 weeks (ha missed the snow) and it started first time today.
I do keep it in the garage though, its a great car and deserves being looked after.
The thrill I get from driving it to work everyday is worth every penny. Go for it buy one and drive it as often as you can.... its as good as it gets
By the way are you looking at the imperial blue 98 Chim at C neils ? looks immaculate but mileage is quite high at 41k. My was a 2000 with 13k and I only paid £23k so you might want to shop around
Drive mine most days (not ice/Snow) and its a dream to Drive. Just been away on business for 2 weeks (ha missed the snow) and it started first time today.
I do keep it in the garage though, its a great car and deserves being looked after.
The thrill I get from driving it to work everyday is worth every penny. Go for it buy one and drive it as often as you can.... its as good as it gets
By the way are you looking at the imperial blue 98 Chim at C neils ? looks immaculate but mileage is quite high at 41k. My was a 2000 with 13k and I only paid £23k so you might want to shop around
Cheers Everyone,
Done a little more homework now and feel more confident!! Drove the Chrisopher Neil car, was amazed and now carry the smile......must now get one. The lad who tested the car before me bought it as I returned from the test. It wasn't the car for me anyway. I'm looking for the starmist green or deep red if anyone knows of one?
Done a little more homework now and feel more confident!! Drove the Chrisopher Neil car, was amazed and now carry the smile......must now get one. The lad who tested the car before me bought it as I returned from the test. It wasn't the car for me anyway. I'm looking for the starmist green or deep red if anyone knows of one?
JakeTVR said: Bought my 4.0 2000 Chim from C Neil in Nov and it has been fantastic. Good service very helpful and no probs to date.
Drive mine most days (not ice/Snow) and its a dream to Drive. Just been away on business for 2 weeks (ha missed the snow) and it started first time today.
I do keep it in the garage though, its a great car and deserves being looked after.
The thrill I get from driving it to work everyday is worth every penny. Go for it buy one and drive it as often as you can.... its as good as it gets
By the way are you looking at the imperial blue 98 Chim at C neils ? looks immaculate but mileage is quite high at 41k. My was a 2000 with 13k and I only paid £23k so you might want to shop around
They will listen to "offers" especially at this time of year. I got £1k off mine without having to break any arms.
Have a look at Cheshire TVR www.cheshiretvr.co.uk, they have a nice Rosso red 98 Chim 4.0 for £20k. It has 16000 miles and would be worth a look
Good luck with your search, its well worth the effort
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