Decisions decisions...

[spookybuz]

Hiya all. I know you''ve probably been asked this question loads of times but.... I''ve got a ceiling price of about £20000, and wondered whether this is enough for a "decent" Chimaera. I''ve test-driven a 98R 5.0L and was amazed and impressed etc etc, but it was out of my price range. Obviously, performance wise, it out-classes everything for the same price, but I''m a little worried about maintenance of the car. Don''t know much about them - in fact, I just want to clean it and drive it - but if their very expensive to run I might have to look elsewhere. Thanks very much.

[philr]

Chimaera 500 - good choice ! Aparently the key thing to go for is a 97 car, so you may just about find a nice P reg 500 with say 30k - 40k on the clock for your money in a private sale. Don't forget to budget in the following : Insurance should be somewhere abour £1k and you need to allow about £1k for servicing/maintenance per year. Then there is the petrol ! Super-unleaded is preferable for the 500 so that works out quite pricey when you might only average 20 MPG over the year.

[spookybuz]

Cheers, Phil. But are they more for sprocket-heads? (On my first posting, I meant I don't know much about motor mechanics). I've got loads of catalogues and technical data about TVRs, but it seems people like fixing them and taking them apart for fun!

[spookybuz]

quote:I Have just placed an ad in the classifieds for a Chim 500. If you are still interested its a 1999/S with PAS & 14.8K. Just in your price range I think.

Which classified is it in? Have u got a pic?

[sybaseian]

It's on this site - under cars for sale. But it's not a 340bhp model, but 320bhp. TVR detuned the engine slightly a few years ago to improve low rpm driveability. Ian - Chimaera 500

[Jeff Richards]

We were in the same position a year ago but with a little more money. We bought a P reg 5 litre in January and the car has been fantastic - terrific performance and roadholding and no problems at all. We need the extra seats of the Cerbera and we have the chance of a new 450 bhp at a great price and so are about to reluctantly sell the car through the club magazine. The car has full hide ally extras new tyres and 15 months parts warranty as well as FTVRSH etc and an optional TVR plate. If interested let me have your email addrss to [e-mail] and I will send piccies

[RobM]

Spooky: 1st chim i had, it needed no work for 2 yrs ( apart from service ). Which is better than the brand spanking pug 206gti i had the year before. It eventualy needed new brakepads and a clutch master cylinder, which i changed myself because of nostalgia reasons with me old dolly sprint. I suppose what i'm trying to say is I didn't have many problems and the problems I did have were relativly cheap to sort. I had the 400 for the 2 yrs though, then part exe'd to the 500. I think thats a good progression and 400's are no slouch. Hope this helps Rob