New to TVRS looking to buy a Chim need advice!!
Discussion
Hi been looking to buy a TVR Chim 4.0 or a 4.5 but everyone i speak to tells me that they have a bad reliability issue which is starting to put me off slightly i have driven a couple of 4.0 chims recently and loved them both. I have about 10k to spend.
would appreciated some honest help to put my mind at rest before i buy one
Cheers Maxboy3
would appreciated some honest help to put my mind at rest before i buy one
Cheers Maxboy3
Have the people you asked actually owned Chimaera's?
I think you'll find the response from here will be nice reassurance that they are reliable cars if looked after.
I've had a couple of niggly things, but nothing I couldn't sort by myself easily (with of course help from a great community)
Rich
I think you'll find the response from here will be nice reassurance that they are reliable cars if looked after.
I've had a couple of niggly things, but nothing I couldn't sort by myself easily (with of course help from a great community)
Rich
Edited by richy759 on Monday 3rd September 18:14
richy759 said:
Have the people you asked actually owned Chimaera's?
As Rich says! Most people who knock TVRs have never even sat in one let alone owned one.With the Chims the engine is a well proven 30 year old Land Rover unit, most of the other mechanicals are Ford or Vauxhall and they're pretty much a very basic car. Slightly different on the S6 engined cars obviously but the Chim is a relatively simple beast to look after.
Where abouts in the UK are you? If near Beds/Cambs I'd be more than happy to show you around mine one weekend and discuss ownership etc. Else, get along to your nearest TVRCC meet and most owners would also be willing to do the same...
Thanks for your replies no neither have owned TVRS but one does own a garage and has friends that have owned them. Still i am not going to let that put me off buying one i am just selling a BMW 328 that is not used now to boost the funds!! I have not looked yet but have you any rough ideas what a good insurance quote would be for a Chimaera worth roughly 10k i have been driving over 20yrs and have full no claims.
Cheers Maxboy3
Cheers Maxboy3
maxboy3 said:
everyone i speak to tells me that they have a bad reliability issue
Basically - rollocks! Look after it properly, attend to the well-known points of concern and it will be as reliable as any other car you could think of. Don't listen to scaremongerers listen to people that have at least 5 years of ownership - I had 5 years with one broken throttle cable (fixed by the side of the road) and a flat battery after 2 months of unintended non-use due to an extended business trip.Bought mine earlier this year knowing it needed some TLC, and it has (just spent £2K on it). Best thing I did though was to get a mechanical breakdown insurance for it. I wasn't going to when I bought it but am now glad I did as £1100 of the £2k wasn't planned for but was covered by the insurance. I'll be making sure I've got cover every year now if only to cover the labour costs which can be high.
Having said all of this I won't be selling the car anytime soon and have absolutely no regrets about buying it. Total enjoyment form looking at it in the garage to driving it on any roads at any speed in any condition......
Take the plunge and enjoy.
Having said all of this I won't be selling the car anytime soon and have absolutely no regrets about buying it. Total enjoyment form looking at it in the garage to driving it on any roads at any speed in any condition......
Take the plunge and enjoy.
I bought mine in April, its a 5ltr.
before i purchased i had the same worries as you.
I asked the owner if he would mind checking it into the garage (Levens) that had been servicing it for the last 4 years, and if anything needed doing we could negotiate on the price. He had no problems with that at all turned out to be a good one.
This is a great source here for anything to do with TVR.
I had a 2 year old M3 before the Chimeara, although a great car it did not make me smile quite as much, and the noise!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You will love it!
before i purchased i had the same worries as you.
I asked the owner if he would mind checking it into the garage (Levens) that had been servicing it for the last 4 years, and if anything needed doing we could negotiate on the price. He had no problems with that at all turned out to be a good one.
This is a great source here for anything to do with TVR.
I had a 2 year old M3 before the Chimeara, although a great car it did not make me smile quite as much, and the noise!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You will love it!
I've had mine for almost 12 months now and apart from one issue with the alarm, (Which only ended up costing £125), the only problems I've had with it are minor niggles, nothing thats stopped me using it.
Compared to my previous car, a BMW 330 coupe its been superb, that cost me a fortune over the 18 months I had it and didn't make me grin like the TVR does
Compared to my previous car, a BMW 330 coupe its been superb, that cost me a fortune over the 18 months I had it and didn't make me grin like the TVR does
[quote=Zippee
With the Chims the engine is a well proven 30 year old Land Rover unit, ............
[/quote]
Hate to be pedantic but the engine is a Buick sourced unit which the rights to manufacture were bought by Rover in the late 1960's and heavily modified to be a reliable power source for the P6 and P5. It was later put into Range Rovers and Land Rovers.
It has been used in many differnt models and is extremely reliable if looked after.
Same can be said for the rest of the Chimaera as a car.
With the Chims the engine is a well proven 30 year old Land Rover unit, ............
[/quote]
Hate to be pedantic but the engine is a Buick sourced unit which the rights to manufacture were bought by Rover in the late 1960's and heavily modified to be a reliable power source for the P6 and P5. It was later put into Range Rovers and Land Rovers.
It has been used in many differnt models and is extremely reliable if looked after.
Same can be said for the rest of the Chimaera as a car.
frazer guest said:
I have owned my 1995 4.0 Chim since mid March this year. I bought it for £7600 from Phillip Phodonnis, (good bloke), in North London with 59'000 on the clock. It has now done 66'000.
Faults and cost so far, bearing in mind that it is a 12 year old car having done 66'000 miles. Also bear in mind that the last owner proberly didnt look after it as well as they might.
12 month road tax = £175. Any car would need this.
MOT = £35. Again, most cars need an MOT.
Fuel. £45-£50 to fill up with super unleaded gives a range of about 220-250 miles.
Service shortly after I got it. £430. This rectified all but a few little niggles.
2x Front tyres. £175 fitted. All cars need tyres.
A pair of new number plates = £25. The old ones looked tatty.
New radio = £200 fitted. Nowt wrong with the old one, just wanted a new one.
Oil = £35(?). It has used about 2.5 litres in 6000 miles.
Hood Repair = £260. The hood proberly hadnt been refurbished since new, and it is a 12 year old car.
Full De-Cat = £740. You NEED the noise.
Broken throttle cable = £0. Fixed by the RAC.
2x New front lower wishbones with bushes = £180(?)
The car has recently suffered what appears to be head gasket failure. it goes in on the 11th September to have this and the 66'000 mile service done. I suspect it was an old perished coolent hose that caused the leak. Cost of repair as yet unknown, but again, bear in mind that this could have happened to any 12 year old car.
So to sum up, from my personal point of view, my TVR has not in anyway been unreliable or a money pit. Generally the people who tell you they are have never owned a TVR so have absolutly no idea of the running cost. Any 12 year old car, irrespective of the manufactorer is not going to be as reliable as a brand new VW. The Rover V8 engined TVRs are generlly very reliable providing that you buy a good one that has been well looked after. Parts supply is good, prices are pretty cheap and people capable of servicing them are plentyfull.
My advice would be to get yourself to your local meet and speak to the owners, (we dont bite, honest), who would be more than happy to show you the things to look out for. Also buy yourself a copy of Seve Heaths "Bible", as you will find plenty of 5* advice in there.
Edited again as my speeeling is crap.
fg where did you get your roof repaired?Faults and cost so far, bearing in mind that it is a 12 year old car having done 66'000 miles. Also bear in mind that the last owner proberly didnt look after it as well as they might.
12 month road tax = £175. Any car would need this.
MOT = £35. Again, most cars need an MOT.
Fuel. £45-£50 to fill up with super unleaded gives a range of about 220-250 miles.
Service shortly after I got it. £430. This rectified all but a few little niggles.
2x Front tyres. £175 fitted. All cars need tyres.
A pair of new number plates = £25. The old ones looked tatty.
New radio = £200 fitted. Nowt wrong with the old one, just wanted a new one.
Oil = £35(?). It has used about 2.5 litres in 6000 miles.
Hood Repair = £260. The hood proberly hadnt been refurbished since new, and it is a 12 year old car.
Full De-Cat = £740. You NEED the noise.
Broken throttle cable = £0. Fixed by the RAC.
2x New front lower wishbones with bushes = £180(?)
The car has recently suffered what appears to be head gasket failure. it goes in on the 11th September to have this and the 66'000 mile service done. I suspect it was an old perished coolent hose that caused the leak. Cost of repair as yet unknown, but again, bear in mind that this could have happened to any 12 year old car.
So to sum up, from my personal point of view, my TVR has not in anyway been unreliable or a money pit. Generally the people who tell you they are have never owned a TVR so have absolutly no idea of the running cost. Any 12 year old car, irrespective of the manufactorer is not going to be as reliable as a brand new VW. The Rover V8 engined TVRs are generlly very reliable providing that you buy a good one that has been well looked after. Parts supply is good, prices are pretty cheap and people capable of servicing them are plentyfull.
My advice would be to get yourself to your local meet and speak to the owners, (we dont bite, honest), who would be more than happy to show you the things to look out for. Also buy yourself a copy of Seve Heaths "Bible", as you will find plenty of 5* advice in there.
Edited by frazer guest on Tuesday 4th September 13:38
Edited again as my speeeling is crap.
Edited by frazer guest on Tuesday 4th September 13:43
Agree with all of the above - nearly 2 years of ownership and the only thing that has gone wrong was something that I broke myself cos I can be a twit at times. (Actually I said tw at but it was censored out. Didn't know t
t was a seriously 'naughty' word.)
Currently on my way to Spain in the Chimaera and full of confidence - well, fairly full of confidence.
t was a seriously 'naughty' word.)Currently on my way to Spain in the Chimaera and full of confidence - well, fairly full of confidence.
Edited by SpudMurphy on Tuesday 4th September 19:11
Quinny said:
You're not just buying a car, you're buying an experience.
If you just want a car to go from a to b, with no emotion don't get a TVR.
If on the other hand, you're a fairly outgoing sort of chap that takes things in his stride, you'ed like to stand out a bit, maybe meet some new people, actually like driving and the odd bit of tinkering, get a TVR.
I've owned my Griff since early 2001. I've done 37000 ish miles in it, and it's let me down once (coil)
It's had loads of minor issues, mostly electrical, fuses blowing, bad earths, stuff not working etc, but I just fix em as they appear, and treat it as an ongoing project. Its a hobby as well as a means of getting about.
These cars are not new anymore, mine is 13 years old, but I love driving it, I've got a Jeep that's far more comfortable, quieter, smoother cheaper to run etc. But thats not the point, the Tvr makes me feel like I'm actually doing somthing.
Plus there's a certain kudos about owning one.
Just the other day at a local car show, I overheard 2 guys looking at my Griff, One said to the other, "you wanna steer clear of those, they're mental, only real nutters drive one of them, they're so fast its unbelievable"
Made me smile that that was his perception, total nonsense of course, many many cars now days are as quick if not quicker than a TVR, but again thats not the point.
I could go out tomorrow and buy a Mitsiubaru EVO 25 that would absolutly anhialate my Griff, but would I want one????
Thats well written Quinny and wise words indeed.If you just want a car to go from a to b, with no emotion don't get a TVR.
If on the other hand, you're a fairly outgoing sort of chap that takes things in his stride, you'ed like to stand out a bit, maybe meet some new people, actually like driving and the odd bit of tinkering, get a TVR.
I've owned my Griff since early 2001. I've done 37000 ish miles in it, and it's let me down once (coil)
It's had loads of minor issues, mostly electrical, fuses blowing, bad earths, stuff not working etc, but I just fix em as they appear, and treat it as an ongoing project. Its a hobby as well as a means of getting about.
These cars are not new anymore, mine is 13 years old, but I love driving it, I've got a Jeep that's far more comfortable, quieter, smoother cheaper to run etc. But thats not the point, the Tvr makes me feel like I'm actually doing somthing.
Plus there's a certain kudos about owning one.
Just the other day at a local car show, I overheard 2 guys looking at my Griff, One said to the other, "you wanna steer clear of those, they're mental, only real nutters drive one of them, they're so fast its unbelievable"
Made me smile that that was his perception, total nonsense of course, many many cars now days are as quick if not quicker than a TVR, but again thats not the point.
I could go out tomorrow and buy a Mitsiubaru EVO 25 that would absolutly anhialate my Griff, but would I want one????
Being a previous BMW owner I drove them not expecting anything to go wrong - and nothing did apart from minor stuff. TVR ownership is definitely about involvement and really getting to know the car. I'm new to TVR ownership and have much to learn. I went in with a subjective and hopefully a realistic mind before committing myself. I enjoy fussing and tinkering (albeit of limited mechanical knowledge - if I don't know how it works I'll ask or employ an expert is my philosophy
)so suppose I'm getting there as a TVR owner. I've got a whole list of things to do, change, replace etc but thats all part of the enjoyment of ownership. Hopefully I will keep my time spent on the Chim. at sensible levels - other than driving it and thats at any opportunity because last thing I want is the wife saying, "There's three people in this relationship" 
Quinny said:
You're not just buying a car, you're buying an experience.
If you just want a car to go from a to b, with no emotion don't get a TVR.
If on the other hand, you're a fairly outgoing sort of chap that takes things in his stride, you'ed like to stand out a bit, maybe meet some new people, actually like driving and the odd bit of tinkering, get a TVR.
I've owned my Griff since early 2001. I've done 37000 ish miles in it, and it's let me down once (coil)
It's had loads of minor issues, mostly electrical, fuses blowing, bad earths, stuff not working etc, but I just fix em as they appear, and treat it as an ongoing project. Its a hobby as well as a means of getting about.
These cars are not new anymore, mine is 13 years old, but I love driving it, I've got a Jeep that's far more comfortable, quieter, smoother cheaper to run etc. But thats not the point, the Tvr makes me feel like I'm actually doing somthing.
Plus there's a certain kudos about owning one.
Just the other day at a local car show, I overheard 2 guys looking at my Griff, One said to the other, "you wanna steer clear of those, they're mental, only real nutters drive one of them, they're so fast its unbelievable"
Made me smile that that was his perception, total nonsense of course, many many cars now days are as quick if not quicker than a TVR, but again thats not the point.
I could go out tomorrow and buy a Mitsiubaru EVO 25 that would absolutly anhialate my Griff, but would I want one????
Spot on, it is an experience. Lots of people have asked me since getting the car 'whats the fastest you've been in it?' and I have to explain that to be honest, I haven't even thought about trying!If you just want a car to go from a to b, with no emotion don't get a TVR.
If on the other hand, you're a fairly outgoing sort of chap that takes things in his stride, you'ed like to stand out a bit, maybe meet some new people, actually like driving and the odd bit of tinkering, get a TVR.
I've owned my Griff since early 2001. I've done 37000 ish miles in it, and it's let me down once (coil)
It's had loads of minor issues, mostly electrical, fuses blowing, bad earths, stuff not working etc, but I just fix em as they appear, and treat it as an ongoing project. Its a hobby as well as a means of getting about.
These cars are not new anymore, mine is 13 years old, but I love driving it, I've got a Jeep that's far more comfortable, quieter, smoother cheaper to run etc. But thats not the point, the Tvr makes me feel like I'm actually doing somthing.
Plus there's a certain kudos about owning one.
Just the other day at a local car show, I overheard 2 guys looking at my Griff, One said to the other, "you wanna steer clear of those, they're mental, only real nutters drive one of them, they're so fast its unbelievable"
Made me smile that that was his perception, total nonsense of course, many many cars now days are as quick if not quicker than a TVR, but again thats not the point.
I could go out tomorrow and buy a Mitsiubaru EVO 25 that would absolutly anhialate my Griff, but would I want one????
Coming out of having two Audi's, I used to click the remote, jump in, put the stereo on and drive off in orderly German fashion!
Now in the TVR, just getting in and starting up is an occasion, never mind once you're moving! And I rarely even put the face on the stereo, even if I do, I turn it off pretty quickly, that V8 noise!!!
tucker20 said:
Quinny said:
You're not just buying a car, you're buying an experience.
If you just want a car to go from a to b, with no emotion don't get a TVR.
If on the other hand, you're a fairly outgoing sort of chap that takes things in his stride, you'ed like to stand out a bit, maybe meet some new people, actually like driving and the odd bit of tinkering, get a TVR.
I've owned my Griff since early 2001. I've done 37000 ish miles in it, and it's let me down once (coil)
It's had loads of minor issues, mostly electrical, fuses blowing, bad earths, stuff not working etc, but I just fix em as they appear, and treat it as an ongoing project. Its a hobby as well as a means of getting about.
These cars are not new anymore, mine is 13 years old, but I love driving it, I've got a Jeep that's far more comfortable, quieter, smoother cheaper to run etc. But thats not the point, the Tvr makes me feel like I'm actually doing somthing.
Plus there's a certain kudos about owning one.
Just the other day at a local car show, I overheard 2 guys looking at my Griff, One said to the other, "you wanna steer clear of those, they're mental, only real nutters drive one of them, they're so fast its unbelievable"
Made me smile that that was his perception, total nonsense of course, many many cars now days are as quick if not quicker than a TVR, but again thats not the point.
I could go out tomorrow and buy a Mitsiubaru EVO 25 that would absolutly anhialate my Griff, but would I want one????
Spot on, it is an experience. Lots of people have asked me since getting the car 'whats the fastest you've been in it?' and I have to explain that to be honest, I haven't even thought about trying!If you just want a car to go from a to b, with no emotion don't get a TVR.
If on the other hand, you're a fairly outgoing sort of chap that takes things in his stride, you'ed like to stand out a bit, maybe meet some new people, actually like driving and the odd bit of tinkering, get a TVR.
I've owned my Griff since early 2001. I've done 37000 ish miles in it, and it's let me down once (coil)
It's had loads of minor issues, mostly electrical, fuses blowing, bad earths, stuff not working etc, but I just fix em as they appear, and treat it as an ongoing project. Its a hobby as well as a means of getting about.
These cars are not new anymore, mine is 13 years old, but I love driving it, I've got a Jeep that's far more comfortable, quieter, smoother cheaper to run etc. But thats not the point, the Tvr makes me feel like I'm actually doing somthing.
Plus there's a certain kudos about owning one.
Just the other day at a local car show, I overheard 2 guys looking at my Griff, One said to the other, "you wanna steer clear of those, they're mental, only real nutters drive one of them, they're so fast its unbelievable"
Made me smile that that was his perception, total nonsense of course, many many cars now days are as quick if not quicker than a TVR, but again thats not the point.
I could go out tomorrow and buy a Mitsiubaru EVO 25 that would absolutly anhialate my Griff, but would I want one????
Coming out of having two Audi's, I used to click the remote, jump in, put the stereo on and drive off in orderly German fashion!
Now in the TVR, just getting in and starting up is an occasion, never mind once you're moving! And I rarely even put the face on the stereo, even if I do, I turn it off pretty quickly, that V8 noise!!!
Must admit I get a buzz everytime I fire it up!I was planning to change the stereo as I am an avid Radio 2 listener (Yep its an over 40's thing
)but admittedly since having the Chim. I'm not bothering turning the radio on because its as if it is getting in the way of the real music!frazer guest said:
Paul M said:
frazer guest said:
Hood Repair = £260. The hood proberly hadnt been refurbished since new, and it is a 12 year old car.
Edited again as my speeeling is crap.
fg where did you get your roof repaired?Edited by frazer guest on Tuesday 4th September 13:38
Edited again as my speeeling is crap.
Edited by frazer guest on Tuesday 4th September 13:43
A lot of the stiching around the rear screen had come loose, plus the rear screen itself was very "milkey" and hard to see out of. Bellowski's fitted a new rear screen for just under £260 inc VAT. In and Out in less than a day.
I have since heard of a firm up Huddesfield that apparently does them for £80 + VAT, but have no idea if they are any good.
I'm sure that if you started a topic on TVR gemeral stuff, someone would be able to reccomend an outfit in your neck of the woods. If not, have a gander in the Yellow Pages and pay a few places a visit first to see what they are like, and the quality of their work. I wouldnt go for the cheapist, as they might not be the best.
HTH.
Sorry for the thread hijack.
Hello,
Firstly I have had to start a new profile as have moved work and lost my old work e-mail and therefore way of getting my password!
Bought a 5ltr in Feb this year and have a few issues with it. First issue was that the engine would constantly cut out under power, after a while the garage managed to track it down to a wire rubbing against the engine block causing a short. This was covered under the year long warranty that came with the car.
Next issue was with a relay failing, this ended up with battery being replaced which paid for myself.
Door buttons/relays went next - paid to have them replaced.
gasket on left bank has just gone - hopefully getting it replaced this weekend, again this wont come under the warrently. Battery has failed again.
More worryingly it appears that the paint has started to fall off the drivers door - this obviously is not under the warranty.
It has been recovered by the RAC twice.
Constant alarm issues.
I bought it to use on weekend etc.... but have not been able to drive it much as most of the issues have arrisen whilst trying to get it to its home up North. There have been a lot of smaller issues (bits of trim falling off, leaks, intruments failing etc...) that you just get used to.
Would I buy one again? Yes, but would not pay for a "fully workshop prepared" one with a "1 year warranty" as most of the things that have gone wrong are not covered. Buy a good one privately and use the £2,000 - £3,000 saving on any issues! If you do go via a dealer get one as close as possible to your home.
All in all do it as you will love it. Just try to avoid a complete dog.
Firstly I have had to start a new profile as have moved work and lost my old work e-mail and therefore way of getting my password!
Bought a 5ltr in Feb this year and have a few issues with it. First issue was that the engine would constantly cut out under power, after a while the garage managed to track it down to a wire rubbing against the engine block causing a short. This was covered under the year long warranty that came with the car.
Next issue was with a relay failing, this ended up with battery being replaced which paid for myself.
Door buttons/relays went next - paid to have them replaced.
gasket on left bank has just gone - hopefully getting it replaced this weekend, again this wont come under the warrently. Battery has failed again.
More worryingly it appears that the paint has started to fall off the drivers door - this obviously is not under the warranty.
It has been recovered by the RAC twice.
Constant alarm issues.
I bought it to use on weekend etc.... but have not been able to drive it much as most of the issues have arrisen whilst trying to get it to its home up North. There have been a lot of smaller issues (bits of trim falling off, leaks, intruments failing etc...) that you just get used to.
Would I buy one again? Yes, but would not pay for a "fully workshop prepared" one with a "1 year warranty" as most of the things that have gone wrong are not covered. Buy a good one privately and use the £2,000 - £3,000 saving on any issues! If you do go via a dealer get one as close as possible to your home.
All in all do it as you will love it. Just try to avoid a complete dog.
Gassing Station | Chimaera | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff