Chimaera V8 - but which one?
Discussion
Afternoon all,
I have allocated about £15k of "me" money, and am seriously considering a Chimaera as a dry weather fun car (oh the noise!). Probably only put a couple of thousand miles on a year burbling around the lanes on summer weekends.
But the question is which engine? I'm aware of 4.0, 4.3, 4.5 and 5.0.
Do they just get faster and louder as you go up the chain?
Are any of the above particulary suited / not best suited to the car?
Much variation in price / desirability?
Or does it just boil down to individual preference?
Any info or links to a thread where this has already been covered would be most appreciated.
Cheers.
I have allocated about £15k of "me" money, and am seriously considering a Chimaera as a dry weather fun car (oh the noise!). Probably only put a couple of thousand miles on a year burbling around the lanes on summer weekends.
But the question is which engine? I'm aware of 4.0, 4.3, 4.5 and 5.0.
Do they just get faster and louder as you go up the chain?
Are any of the above particulary suited / not best suited to the car?
Much variation in price / desirability?
Or does it just boil down to individual preference?
Any info or links to a thread where this has already been covered would be most appreciated.
Cheers.
What a great position to be in - you'll have fun making the choice too. Properly sorted each engine variety has loads of what you're looking for, so don't dismiss a really great condition 4.0 that has the full history and been cherished. Yes, you generally get more thump in the back with the 4.5 and 5.0 but the actual output from each engine (and its drive-ability) will depend on many factors and you can tell them apart very easily once you've driven a few. With that budget you should be picking from the best in class and I suggest you might want to give Rob Ingelby a call - I think he knows where the good ones are www.findasportscar.co.uk or 07799 142860.
plfrench said:
I think I'd be very tempted to buy a really spot on 4.0 and then pay TVR Power a visit for a cheeky supercharger conversion with the change.
I know that's what I would like to do
Yes that is the best idea, that way you buy on condition because the available power is not an issue.I know that's what I would like to do
Supercharged?? Whoa! You TVR PHers are a power-hungrey breed!! Sounds a bit lame, but not sure I'm ready for that sort of leap!
Some history.. I've never owned a TVR (or any "proper sporty" car for that matter!) I've recently had a BMW 330i Sport and before that various hot hatches. Nice, quite quick but I'm now moving away from a 'warm' daily driver. I've now gone into a cheap(ish) comfy TDI for the weekday job/commute in order to try and free up the money for a boys toy.
Originally thought about a used Boxster - but decided it would be fine it was my only car - but not exciting enough to be a dry-day toy.
Then I heard a TVR Chimaera start up in a country pub carpark - well, my knees went a bit wobbly and I immediately lost the jist of the group conversation!!
I want to open the garage door on a sunny Sunday morning and for it to be an 'event'!!
This one is making eyes at me and I think I'm be seduced..
I'll only be putting on a couple of thousand miles a year so I may not even lose that much a few years down the road...?
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/223611.htm
Some history.. I've never owned a TVR (or any "proper sporty" car for that matter!) I've recently had a BMW 330i Sport and before that various hot hatches. Nice, quite quick but I'm now moving away from a 'warm' daily driver. I've now gone into a cheap(ish) comfy TDI for the weekday job/commute in order to try and free up the money for a boys toy.
Originally thought about a used Boxster - but decided it would be fine it was my only car - but not exciting enough to be a dry-day toy.
Then I heard a TVR Chimaera start up in a country pub carpark - well, my knees went a bit wobbly and I immediately lost the jist of the group conversation!!
I want to open the garage door on a sunny Sunday morning and for it to be an 'event'!!
This one is making eyes at me and I think I'm be seduced..
I'll only be putting on a couple of thousand miles a year so I may not even lose that much a few years down the road...?
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/223611.htm
Hut49 said:
What a great position to be in - you'll have fun making the choice too. Properly sorted each engine variety has loads of what you're looking for, so don't dismiss a really great condition 4.0 that has the full history and been cherished. Yes, you generally get more thump in the back with the 4.5 and 5.0 but the actual output from each engine (and its drive-ability) will depend on many factors and you can tell them apart very easily once you've driven a few. With that budget you should be picking from the best in class and I suggest you might want to give Rob Ingelby a call - I think he knows where the good ones are www.findasportscar.co.uk or 07799 142860.
Thanks mate - very useful contactJR said:
No doubt someone will write an essay.
There are very few 4.3s or 5.0s. Nothing wrong with the 4.0s but the 4.5 is the most recent engine so has more developments plus a bit more power and torque and should be within your budget.
4.5 you say, I'll keep searching!There are very few 4.3s or 5.0s. Nothing wrong with the 4.0s but the 4.5 is the most recent engine so has more developments plus a bit more power and torque and should be within your budget.
Would the rarity of the 4.3 and 5.0 rule them out? Are they worth it if I can find one?
Appreciate that this is a bit of an essay subject!! If anyone can point me to a good newbie online Chimaera Buyers Guide, that would be magic!!
Cheers
I wouldn't bother with a 400 or a 450.We used to have a 400 and now that we have a 500 there is a lot of difference.There is a lot of newer 450 (2000 or 2001) around than 500 that have low mileage.I would go for a good 500.
Edited by the preacher on Friday 17th August 19:47
Edited by the preacher on Friday 17th August 19:49
Edited by the preacher on Friday 17th August 19:52
Edited by the preacher on Friday 17th August 19:54
Dr Mattt said:
Supercharged?? Whoa! You TVR PHers are a power-hungrey breed!! Sounds a bit lame, but not sure I'm ready for that sort of leap!
Some history.. I've never owned a TVR (or any "proper sporty" car for that matter!) I've recently had a BMW 330i Sport and before that various hot hatches. Nice, quite quick but I'm now moving away from a 'warm' daily driver. I've now gone into a cheap(ish) comfy TDI for the weekday job/commute in order to try and free up the money for a boys toy.
Originally thought about a used Boxster - but decided it would be fine it was my only car - but not exciting enough to be a dry-day toy.
Then I heard a TVR Chimaera start up in a country pub carpark - well, my knees went a bit wobbly and I immediately lost the jist of the group conversation!!
I want to open the garage door on a sunny Sunday morning and for it to be an 'event'!!
This one is making eyes at me and I think I'm be seduced..
I'll only be putting on a couple of thousand miles a year so I may not even lose that much a few years down the road...?
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/223611.htm
Thats expensive for an in-betweeny model - FYI when TVR facelifted the chim they did it in stages and the in between models came with various bits depending on what they had to hand. This one has the later rear lights and number plate but not the later headlights which are faired in under perspex covers (not sure when they came in though so I could be wrong here!). Also its low mileage for its age. As you will see if you troll a few threads these cars need to get a reasonably regular use to run well, 4-5k a year is probably average for a 'fun'car. Anything less and seals tend to dry out and you get more problems than expected. I know if I dont drive my chim for >3 weeks shes a bit of a bitch for a while until everythings run back in again.Some history.. I've never owned a TVR (or any "proper sporty" car for that matter!) I've recently had a BMW 330i Sport and before that various hot hatches. Nice, quite quick but I'm now moving away from a 'warm' daily driver. I've now gone into a cheap(ish) comfy TDI for the weekday job/commute in order to try and free up the money for a boys toy.
Originally thought about a used Boxster - but decided it would be fine it was my only car - but not exciting enough to be a dry-day toy.
Then I heard a TVR Chimaera start up in a country pub carpark - well, my knees went a bit wobbly and I immediately lost the jist of the group conversation!!
I want to open the garage door on a sunny Sunday morning and for it to be an 'event'!!
This one is making eyes at me and I think I'm be seduced..
I'll only be putting on a couple of thousand miles a year so I may not even lose that much a few years down the road...?
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/223611.htm
I reckon the earlier suggestion of a top nick 400 is the best. Buy it, enjoy it, put the spare cash in the bank. When you are used to it give the spare cash to TVR power and get the supercharger fitted.
Edited by bigdods on Friday 17th August 20:46
Dr Mattt said:
Hut49 said:
What a great position to be in - you'll have fun making the choice too. Properly sorted each engine variety has loads of what you're looking for, so don't dismiss a really great condition 4.0 that has the full history and been cherished. Yes, you generally get more thump in the back with the 4.5 and 5.0 but the actual output from each engine (and its drive-ability) will depend on many factors and you can tell them apart very easily once you've driven a few. With that budget you should be picking from the best in class and I suggest you might want to give Rob Ingelby a call - I think he knows where the good ones are www.findasportscar.co.uk or 07799 142860.
Thanks mate - very useful contactThe Chim you mentioned looks very nice but at 16k is a few grand overpriced IMHO - 14k max but 12-13 is more about ballpark. Many people (mechnics included) believe the 450 is the best of the engines and if I were looking again would be my choice.
Dr Mattt said:
Hut49 said:
I suggest you might want to give Rob Ingelby a call - I think he knows where the good ones are www.findasportscar.co.uk or 07799 142860.
Thanks mate - very useful contactI had Rob Ingleby inspect my car prior to purchase and I'm glad I did. I'd certainly use him again.
cs174
Interesting i had 4.0Hc and it sounded like a race V8 standard throughout. It was a little shunty around town and lumpy is tick over . The car was fairly spot on as X spanner shifter myself .
I then upgraded to the 500 ,which is so much smoother , it will pull clean form 1000 rpm and at constant low speed . The torque is in a different league, it is quieter , but probably not as racy sound which i would say is due to the longer stroke . I think though in the 4.0hc i had time to listen to the engine rev , in the 500 i don't have time as i am much more focused on where i am going and constantly grabbing another gear .
I also think from a investment point of view there are very 500's left so it maybe worth hanging on to a good one .
With regards to development the later 500's with black rocker covers are the same as the late 450 most have a crossbolted block .
I then upgraded to the 500 ,which is so much smoother , it will pull clean form 1000 rpm and at constant low speed . The torque is in a different league, it is quieter , but probably not as racy sound which i would say is due to the longer stroke . I think though in the 4.0hc i had time to listen to the engine rev , in the 500 i don't have time as i am much more focused on where i am going and constantly grabbing another gear .
I also think from a investment point of view there are very 500's left so it maybe worth hanging on to a good one .
With regards to development the later 500's with black rocker covers are the same as the late 450 most have a crossbolted block .
Edited by Rum Runner on Saturday 18th August 23:18
Rum Runner said:
Interesting i had 4.0Hc and it sounded like a race V8 standard throughout. It was a little shunty around town and lumpy is tick over . The car was fairly spot on as X spanner shifter myself .
I then upgraded to the 500 ,which is so much smoother , it will pull clean form 1000 rpm and at constant low speed . The torque is in a different league, it is quieter , but probably not as racy sound which i would say is due to the longer stroke . I think though in the 4.0hc i had time to listen to the engine rev , in the 500 i don't have time as i am much more focused on where i am going and constantly grabbing another gear .
I also think from a investment point of view there are very 500's left so it maybe worth hanging on to a good one .
I would certainly agree with you Rumrunner,the HC400 motor spins up a treat with that nice cammy sound on idleI then upgraded to the 500 ,which is so much smoother , it will pull clean form 1000 rpm and at constant low speed . The torque is in a different league, it is quieter , but probably not as racy sound which i would say is due to the longer stroke . I think though in the 4.0hc i had time to listen to the engine rev , in the 500 i don't have time as i am much more focused on where i am going and constantly grabbing another gear .
I also think from a investment point of view there are very 500's left so it maybe worth hanging on to a good one .
,and yes from a investment point of view the 500 it is,apart from the performance increase too
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