Help in making a decision required...
Discussion
Hello to you all, im hoping that i might be joining your numbers very soon...but i just need a little advise to make me cross the line into Chimaera ownership...ive always dreamt about owning a TVR and i just love the shape and performance of the Chimaera.... but i need you to tell me exactly what its like owning one..(i mean warts and all !!)as so many people seem to harp on about that they are soooo unreliable...so please anyone ,can you offer me your experience in Chimaera ownership...thanks in anticipation..
Herbie..
Herbie..
The less they are used the less reliable they become so buy it and drive it. Buy on condition, not mileage. Garage queens may look nice but things dry out, seize up and cause problems.
Yes, they have niggles but so far (on my second Chimaera) I've suffered only minor faults apart from a failed ecu. Given the type of car they are and they way they get driven it's only reasonable to expect things to wear out.
Yes, they have niggles but so far (on my second Chimaera) I've suffered only minor faults apart from a failed ecu. Given the type of car they are and they way they get driven it's only reasonable to expect things to wear out.
Depends how many mile you intend to do.
Average is 4,000, which make for (relatively) inexpensive motoring.
Say 1 service plus bit @ £1,000, 22 mpg & £75 per week depreciation.
Also (obviously) depends on the condition of the car bought.
Things do fall off & break, but the grin factor out weighs all this.
Average is 4,000, which make for (relatively) inexpensive motoring.
Say 1 service plus bit @ £1,000, 22 mpg & £75 per week depreciation.
Also (obviously) depends on the condition of the car bought.
Things do fall off & break, but the grin factor out weighs all this.
If you want to get in and drive lots of miles a year and use in all weather and never lift the bonnet and expect to service every 10,000 miles then they are not the best , if like most us your are a car enthusiast and no where the oil goes and get thing looked at when you first have problem then it will be fine , They are quite simple cars really most problems can be traced with help from the Bible (steve heath manual) or on hear .They are reliable but its thing like maybe the drivers window is slow going up,battery drain,old school alarms things like that which you do not get on modern jap motors is what people go on about .
I also saw a test report where they had said the dash board lights had failed , more like the separate switch had been knocked by his knee as its under the dash near the column.
Smoking barrels is right with figures to a point , if you buy right do your own work on the car it will cost you very very little apart form fuel but even that's no so bad if you take it easy I could get nearly 30mpg out of my 4.0hc. Depreciation again can be 0 if you buy right and sell right . I my opinion i think you will find the prices leveling out for the under 10k cars anyway .The Griff has been much talked about in recent press and the next big classic following on from the Cobra ( to a point ) , which should have Knock on effect for Chims . I think the Chim shape is ageing better than the Griff in some ways.
I also saw a test report where they had said the dash board lights had failed , more like the separate switch had been knocked by his knee as its under the dash near the column.
Smoking barrels is right with figures to a point , if you buy right do your own work on the car it will cost you very very little apart form fuel but even that's no so bad if you take it easy I could get nearly 30mpg out of my 4.0hc. Depreciation again can be 0 if you buy right and sell right . I my opinion i think you will find the prices leveling out for the under 10k cars anyway .The Griff has been much talked about in recent press and the next big classic following on from the Cobra ( to a point ) , which should have Knock on effect for Chims . I think the Chim shape is ageing better than the Griff in some ways.
Edited by Rum Runner on Thursday 14th June 22:56
Herbie, I've driven and owned my Chimaera for five years, every day, as my only car. Perhaps I'm in a good position to respond to some of your questions.
Do not be put off if you see that a car you like has had multiple owners. Some (possibly many) people just don't 'connect' or click with these machines after an impulse buy- thinking they're buying a luxury sports car that will take care of itself between services without any driver input.
Fact is, many of the 'problems' new owners encounter are more or less just niggles which can easily be fixed depending on the owner's understanding and knowledge of the relevant symptoms- and their willingness to diagnose and fix the niggle themselves.
This forum is your second point of reference for such diagnosis, the first being Steve Heath's book 'TVR Griffith & Chimaera Vol 2'- the 'bible'.
My car is nearing its 90'000th mile and feels as sharp and responsive as it's ever done but, yes, it has let me down a couple of times where I've needed a recovery service (100 amp alt fuse failure on M6. I replaced but needed AA to boost the battery and then when the starter motor spectacularly failed whist I was driving and the AA tow-started it to get me home. The first replacement part cost 10p, the second £120- and that's the way things generally are with these cars).
Most of my other niggles have been fixed by me. For example, three years ago the 15amp dash & headlamp fuse on the board kept blowing. I tracked the problem down to one of the backlit numberplate bulbs having failed. I discovered that the actual lamp holdier had split so I taped the 2 wires together and the fuse held. Knowing I was facing an MOT failure though, I researched where this lamp holder originates and found it's the same one Triumph used on the Stag Mk 2. Nice bloke on ebay had an online parts shop and £6 later all sorted. He even included the points and a new bulb!
I use the above to illustrate that we guys and girls, who intend continued longterm ownership, are not overly concerned about all the negative stories regarding the factory closure and current status of the company. Sorry to sound crude but V8 TVRs are generally a box of other manufacturer's bits. We're utter b*stards really
Go book yourself a test drive. An hour later, you'll know whether you wanna be a saint or a sinner
Oops, edited to change Triumph Spitfire to Stag!
Do not be put off if you see that a car you like has had multiple owners. Some (possibly many) people just don't 'connect' or click with these machines after an impulse buy- thinking they're buying a luxury sports car that will take care of itself between services without any driver input.
Fact is, many of the 'problems' new owners encounter are more or less just niggles which can easily be fixed depending on the owner's understanding and knowledge of the relevant symptoms- and their willingness to diagnose and fix the niggle themselves.
This forum is your second point of reference for such diagnosis, the first being Steve Heath's book 'TVR Griffith & Chimaera Vol 2'- the 'bible'.
My car is nearing its 90'000th mile and feels as sharp and responsive as it's ever done but, yes, it has let me down a couple of times where I've needed a recovery service (100 amp alt fuse failure on M6. I replaced but needed AA to boost the battery and then when the starter motor spectacularly failed whist I was driving and the AA tow-started it to get me home. The first replacement part cost 10p, the second £120- and that's the way things generally are with these cars).
Most of my other niggles have been fixed by me. For example, three years ago the 15amp dash & headlamp fuse on the board kept blowing. I tracked the problem down to one of the backlit numberplate bulbs having failed. I discovered that the actual lamp holdier had split so I taped the 2 wires together and the fuse held. Knowing I was facing an MOT failure though, I researched where this lamp holder originates and found it's the same one Triumph used on the Stag Mk 2. Nice bloke on ebay had an online parts shop and £6 later all sorted. He even included the points and a new bulb!
I use the above to illustrate that we guys and girls, who intend continued longterm ownership, are not overly concerned about all the negative stories regarding the factory closure and current status of the company. Sorry to sound crude but V8 TVRs are generally a box of other manufacturer's bits. We're utter b*stards really
Go book yourself a test drive. An hour later, you'll know whether you wanna be a saint or a sinner
Oops, edited to change Triumph Spitfire to Stag!
Edited by kenny Chim 4 on Saturday 16th June 21:00
h3rbi3 said:
as so many people seem to harp on about that they are soooo unreliable
I'd like to know just how many of those 'experts' have even sat in a Chimaera, let alone owned one? I know more Audi TT drivers that have problems than I do TVR owners but to all the Audi brand is bombproof.I've had mine 2 1/2 years and covered 20'000 miles. During that time I've had 2 proper breakdowns - First being a snapped clutch fork and 2nd being a 66p fuse that blew.
They are very reliable if used and serviced regularly. Remember the engine is an umpteen year old V8 and used in god knows how many cars, whilst most of the other parts are from Vauxhall, Land Rover and Ford. Theres little to go wrong TBH. Just get one that hasn't been abused and has been well cared for and you should be fine.
Most of the 'problems' tend to be build quality fitment, leaks where routine maintenance hasn't been properly carried out or electrical issues. Just remember that with these cars preventative maintenance is the key - if you notice something odd get it sorted before it becomes a big problem.
if you were to have a world class super model on your arm you know
1. its goner cost you money
2. its goner take your time up
3. its goner ride like the devil
4. its going to make you smile
5. its going to cry in the rain
6. its going to spank your ass every possible chance it gets
7. some scrot will want to touch it
8. you will never be happy with the girl next door ever again
9. if you had ever piloted a tiv you would know all these things
10. GET ONE U KNOW ITS A MUST DO THING IN YOUR LIFE, IF YOU DONT U WILL ALLWAYS WISH YOU HAD .
1. its goner cost you money
2. its goner take your time up
3. its goner ride like the devil
4. its going to make you smile
5. its going to cry in the rain
6. its going to spank your ass every possible chance it gets
7. some scrot will want to touch it
8. you will never be happy with the girl next door ever again
9. if you had ever piloted a tiv you would know all these things
10. GET ONE U KNOW ITS A MUST DO THING IN YOUR LIFE, IF YOU DONT U WILL ALLWAYS WISH YOU HAD .
Steve, ALL of these posts sum it up perfectly! 
Zippee though is spot on. TVR and especially the Chimaera received dreadful publicity about 8 - 10 years ago when they were at the peak of popularity and production. This included, if I recall correctly, a starring role on the BBC Watchdog programme where a couple of cars were actually in the studio with their owners harping on about how they had problems with water entering the cars, non-starting problems and probably other issues regularly covered in this forum.
Of course, these owners had bought the cars new and probably expected levels of reliability which the world by then had come to expect from 'modern' new cars. Except of course, these were never modern new cars in the sense that most people understand. They are limited production hand built English 'sports cars'. In fact, particularly the larger engined models could more accurately be viewed as as road legal racing cars. Once you start to do that, expectations change and are more easily met - exceeded in my case! So... the 'repuation' is largely a result of hearsay and wide media coverage rather than actual experience I would say. BUT it is important to acknowledge all that has been said by the people above and a great source of reference for a prospective owner can be found at http://www.chimaerapages.com/default.php Another good one, and one which I referred to when deciding upon my my Chim is http://tvr-chimaera.com/tvr_chimaera.htm
Steve Heath's book (a.k.a. The Bible) can be bought from the TVR Car Club at http://www.tvrbooks.co.uk/
Hope all this helps and if you find youself around J.5 of the MI in Herts and fancy a yack over a beer - message me! Good Luck!
Zippee though is spot on. TVR and especially the Chimaera received dreadful publicity about 8 - 10 years ago when they were at the peak of popularity and production. This included, if I recall correctly, a starring role on the BBC Watchdog programme where a couple of cars were actually in the studio with their owners harping on about how they had problems with water entering the cars, non-starting problems and probably other issues regularly covered in this forum.Of course, these owners had bought the cars new and probably expected levels of reliability which the world by then had come to expect from 'modern' new cars. Except of course, these were never modern new cars in the sense that most people understand. They are limited production hand built English 'sports cars'. In fact, particularly the larger engined models could more accurately be viewed as as road legal racing cars. Once you start to do that, expectations change and are more easily met - exceeded in my case! So... the 'repuation' is largely a result of hearsay and wide media coverage rather than actual experience I would say. BUT it is important to acknowledge all that has been said by the people above and a great source of reference for a prospective owner can be found at http://www.chimaerapages.com/default.php Another good one, and one which I referred to when deciding upon my my Chim is http://tvr-chimaera.com/tvr_chimaera.htm
Steve Heath's book (a.k.a. The Bible) can be bought from the TVR Car Club at http://www.tvrbooks.co.uk/
Hope all this helps and if you find youself around J.5 of the MI in Herts and fancy a yack over a beer - message me! Good Luck!
When Audi gave us are money back it went straght into a Cerbera. I had more problems in 4 months with the audi than 4 years of driving the Chimaera.Reliable or not??
Go to: http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?h=0...
to get your answer.
Buy and enjoy.
Regards from Holland.
Hans
Go to: http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?h=0...
to get your answer.
Buy and enjoy.
Regards from Holland.
Hans
Steve,
I don't think you will regret it. Chimaera's are best owned by enthusiasts as they do have niggles. However I have run mine for four years, three of those as my daily transport. I have never actually broken down, although it fail to start once, traced to an aftermarket alarm system. Be prepared for some big servicing bills. My worst was £1700, admittedly at a dealer with astronomic labour charges. Since then I have settled into using independents who charge mch less and probably know as much if not more than the dealers. Therefore my top tip is to find an independent you trust. Put a posting on this site with your location and someone will give you a recommendation.
At this present moment my front carpets are in the airing cupboard and a fan heater is in the car drying out the carpets after it got parked on a slpe in a downpour and leaked. However, dos this face look bovered
This car gives me more enjoyment than I could get from any car for even close to this money, so I just ut up with the niggles. In fact truth be known I quite enjoy the tinkering.
Enjoy, I'm sure this won't be your last posting. The support network on here is fantastic.
I don't think you will regret it. Chimaera's are best owned by enthusiasts as they do have niggles. However I have run mine for four years, three of those as my daily transport. I have never actually broken down, although it fail to start once, traced to an aftermarket alarm system. Be prepared for some big servicing bills. My worst was £1700, admittedly at a dealer with astronomic labour charges. Since then I have settled into using independents who charge mch less and probably know as much if not more than the dealers. Therefore my top tip is to find an independent you trust. Put a posting on this site with your location and someone will give you a recommendation.
At this present moment my front carpets are in the airing cupboard and a fan heater is in the car drying out the carpets after it got parked on a slpe in a downpour and leaked. However, dos this face look bovered
This car gives me more enjoyment than I could get from any car for even close to this money, so I just ut up with the niggles. In fact truth be known I quite enjoy the tinkering.Enjoy, I'm sure this won't be your last posting. The support network on here is fantastic.
Just my experience. I have had my Chim 5 years now, tends to do about 3000 miles per year. Most reliable car I have owned.
Some people say garage queens are less reliable. Not so in my case. It all depends how they are stored and driven. I lay mine up over the winter, but I go down the route of jacking up and putting on stands etc etc.
I do this to save the chassis, plus then during the winter I waxoil the chassis too.
In my opinion, it doesn't matter how many miles they have done, just how they are looked after.
Some people say garage queens are less reliable. Not so in my case. It all depends how they are stored and driven. I lay mine up over the winter, but I go down the route of jacking up and putting on stands etc etc.
I do this to save the chassis, plus then during the winter I waxoil the chassis too.
In my opinion, it doesn't matter how many miles they have done, just how they are looked after.
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