A Year of Ownership
Discussion
To celebrate our first year of Chim ownership and to, hopefully, answer those who might ask "can you use a Chim as a daily driver" or "are they reliable" I thought I copy here a mini-diary of what has happend over the last 12 months
[i] Bought from Fernhursts on the glorious Saturday morning that was the 7th October 2006. Roof down all the way home with my son riding shotgun - unable to remove the smile from his face!
21/10 - only done 700 miles so far, no worries, leaks, problems - magic!
29/10 - what did we do at weekends before we had the Chim? Now with added wooden steering wheel which looks the mutts nuts and feels great (in my paws anyway!)
19/11 - 2000 miles up!! Oil still clean, hardly used any. No leaks, no failures and upto 25mpg!
8/12/06 - 3000 miles today! Developed a 'tack tack' noise so needs new exhaust gaskets
- off to Fernies Tuesday but will get pleny of (s)miles in before then!
13/12/06 - turned out to be holes in both manifolds - had both welded up, excellent job done, very good price too. Had the thumbs up on brakes, shocks and chassis too which is nice!
7/1/07 - 4000 miles this weekend!! Had a window switch go, replaced it. No other problems. Wondering whether I'm using it too much, but it is the wife's preferred form of transport (as a passenger, she doesn't drive)
1/2/07 - passed 5000 miles today - love this car!
4/2/07 - glorious Sunday, roof down, cruising gently around the New Forest. Had to leave the lad at home - not a happy person. Looks like I'm going to have to get a Cerbie as well so all 3 of us can go out in it ("so long as you get rid of the Laguna first" said wife!!)
17/2/07 Will pass the 6k miles today! Not bad for 4 months ownership - as you can tell, I'm seriously addicted! Car booked in at Fernies for its slightly overdue (mileage wise) service and chassis waxoyl. Car has way exceeded my expectations, especially with regards to reliability!
11/3/07 - 7000 miles passed this week, but will now be cut back as my contract 50 miles away has ended.
1/4/07 - okay, so my mileage hasn't dropped! 8000 miles today - as we went up 'zig-zag' hill in Dorset as it happens. We've used the Laguna once in the last 3 weeks! Only put 99 octane in and it runs nice and sweet.
7/5/07 - 9000 miles up!! I've got a new contract in London now though, so will certainly be using the Chim less from now on. Still a reliable as ever, nothing broken and oil still clean
7/6/07 - Time for an update I suppose. not many miles this month, around 500 or so - too busy at work, sadly. Have had the MOT done - passed with no problems at all :-) Managed to get the mpg down to 18 on the last tankfull - that was fun!
9/7/07 - Not many miles this month but have passed the 10,000 mile mark - not bad for 9 months motoring. No problems, but could do with giving it a damn good clean.
5/8/07 - Glorious weather this weekend, about 200 miles pootling around Hampshire's lanes - and shopping at M&S! Now over 11000 miles since October.
16/9/07 - About time I updated I suppose. 12,500 miles so far this year - in dire need of a clean and due for it's next service. Just so busy atm
and finally - on Sat the 6th Oct, the official annual milege was 13,058!! Now for that service!
[/i]
Not a bad year of motoring at all, mostly with the hood off, occasionally driving energetically - and with excellent reliability. Be it shopping, occasional commuting (ie when i'm not using the train) or driving just for the pleasure of it. Admittedly not driven EVERY day of the week, but nearly.
Shows you can use the Chim for daily use (providing you don't have to carry more than one passenger) without fear of it breaking.
If anyone is reading this wondering whether to risk getting a Chim, I'd say go for it, use it and enjoy it - both you and the car will thrive on it!
[i] Bought from Fernhursts on the glorious Saturday morning that was the 7th October 2006. Roof down all the way home with my son riding shotgun - unable to remove the smile from his face!
21/10 - only done 700 miles so far, no worries, leaks, problems - magic!
29/10 - what did we do at weekends before we had the Chim? Now with added wooden steering wheel which looks the mutts nuts and feels great (in my paws anyway!)
19/11 - 2000 miles up!! Oil still clean, hardly used any. No leaks, no failures and upto 25mpg!
8/12/06 - 3000 miles today! Developed a 'tack tack' noise so needs new exhaust gaskets
- off to Fernies Tuesday but will get pleny of (s)miles in before then!13/12/06 - turned out to be holes in both manifolds - had both welded up, excellent job done, very good price too. Had the thumbs up on brakes, shocks and chassis too which is nice!
7/1/07 - 4000 miles this weekend!! Had a window switch go, replaced it. No other problems. Wondering whether I'm using it too much, but it is the wife's preferred form of transport (as a passenger, she doesn't drive)
1/2/07 - passed 5000 miles today - love this car!
4/2/07 - glorious Sunday, roof down, cruising gently around the New Forest. Had to leave the lad at home - not a happy person. Looks like I'm going to have to get a Cerbie as well so all 3 of us can go out in it ("so long as you get rid of the Laguna first" said wife!!)
17/2/07 Will pass the 6k miles today! Not bad for 4 months ownership - as you can tell, I'm seriously addicted! Car booked in at Fernies for its slightly overdue (mileage wise) service and chassis waxoyl. Car has way exceeded my expectations, especially with regards to reliability!
11/3/07 - 7000 miles passed this week, but will now be cut back as my contract 50 miles away has ended.
1/4/07 - okay, so my mileage hasn't dropped! 8000 miles today - as we went up 'zig-zag' hill in Dorset as it happens. We've used the Laguna once in the last 3 weeks! Only put 99 octane in and it runs nice and sweet.
7/5/07 - 9000 miles up!! I've got a new contract in London now though, so will certainly be using the Chim less from now on. Still a reliable as ever, nothing broken and oil still clean
7/6/07 - Time for an update I suppose. not many miles this month, around 500 or so - too busy at work, sadly. Have had the MOT done - passed with no problems at all :-) Managed to get the mpg down to 18 on the last tankfull - that was fun!
9/7/07 - Not many miles this month but have passed the 10,000 mile mark - not bad for 9 months motoring. No problems, but could do with giving it a damn good clean.
5/8/07 - Glorious weather this weekend, about 200 miles pootling around Hampshire's lanes - and shopping at M&S! Now over 11000 miles since October.
16/9/07 - About time I updated I suppose. 12,500 miles so far this year - in dire need of a clean and due for it's next service. Just so busy atm
and finally - on Sat the 6th Oct, the official annual milege was 13,058!! Now for that service!
[/i]
Not a bad year of motoring at all, mostly with the hood off, occasionally driving energetically - and with excellent reliability. Be it shopping, occasional commuting (ie when i'm not using the train) or driving just for the pleasure of it. Admittedly not driven EVERY day of the week, but nearly.
Shows you can use the Chim for daily use (providing you don't have to carry more than one passenger) without fear of it breaking.
If anyone is reading this wondering whether to risk getting a Chim, I'd say go for it, use it and enjoy it - both you and the car will thrive on it!
Good post!
Mine was a daily driver for 3 years (just over 30k miles). In that time I was let down once (flat battery - hardly a TVR issue) and......thats it!
I had fully intended to buy an old wreck to use when I just didn't fancy using the TVR but it soom became apparent that I'd be wasting my money!
Mine was a daily driver for 3 years (just over 30k miles). In that time I was let down once (flat battery - hardly a TVR issue) and......thats it!
I had fully intended to buy an old wreck to use when I just didn't fancy using the TVR but it soom became apparent that I'd be wasting my money!
Ubernoober
Where abouts in southampton do you live, its ok i dont want your exact address.
I also live in southampton, and i too use mine every day.... I would not change it at all, it is F
g brilliant and the only item that let me down was the 100amp fuse on the bottom of the car, which seemed to take ages to find out about, usual change of alternator before finding out that the problem was a 50p fuse.
What colour car is yours as i dont seem to ever see many TVR's on the road around here......
Where abouts in southampton do you live, its ok i dont want your exact address.
I also live in southampton, and i too use mine every day.... I would not change it at all, it is F
g brilliant and the only item that let me down was the 100amp fuse on the bottom of the car, which seemed to take ages to find out about, usual change of alternator before finding out that the problem was a 50p fuse.What colour car is yours as i dont seem to ever see many TVR's on the road around here......
Bought my LHD 99 450 also one year ago and did appr. 10,000 trouble free beautiful miles.
Did 2 foreign trips. One to Croatia and Italy and the other one to the South of France and Spain.
I have found it utterly reliable, comfortable and above all, fun.
Have owned many different cars, but the Chimaera is by far the most rewarding to drive.
Take care all.
Did 2 foreign trips. One to Croatia and Italy and the other one to the South of France and Spain.
I have found it utterly reliable, comfortable and above all, fun.
Have owned many different cars, but the Chimaera is by far the most rewarding to drive.
Take care all.
Good post.... Congratulations on your first year!!
But before all the "just proves that these cars benefit from being used" brigade jump in - I'd also like to celebrate my year's ownership of my '99 500.
For various reasons I have only put a couple of thousand miles on her this year, but when I do go to my garage, unplug the Accumate and start her up - she growls into action, behaves perfectly and runs as sweet as a nut - everytime.
For me this says that if you look after these cars properly, then they will look after you - regardless of whether you run them everyday - or just have the occassional weekend of fun.
Or maybe it's just the Crystal Verdi versions that are this reliable??
But before all the "just proves that these cars benefit from being used" brigade jump in - I'd also like to celebrate my year's ownership of my '99 500.
For various reasons I have only put a couple of thousand miles on her this year, but when I do go to my garage, unplug the Accumate and start her up - she growls into action, behaves perfectly and runs as sweet as a nut - everytime.
For me this says that if you look after these cars properly, then they will look after you - regardless of whether you run them everyday - or just have the occassional weekend of fun.
Or maybe it's just the Crystal Verdi versions that are this reliable??
Fizzer said:
Good post.... Congratulations on your first year!!
But before all the "just proves that these cars benefit from being used" brigade jump in - I'd also like to celebrate my year's ownership of my '99 500.
For various reasons I have only put a couple of thousand miles on her this year, but when I do go to my garage, unplug the Accumate and start her up - she growls into action, behaves perfectly and runs as sweet as a nut - everytime.
For me this says that if you look after these cars properly, then they will look after you - regardless of whether you run them everyday - or just have the occassional weekend of fun.
Or maybe it's just the Crystal Verdi versions that are this reliable??
Thats the thing im slightly worried over. I only intend to use the Chim as my weekend toy for a Hoon every weekend. But I've found that even with my little 1.6 Astra left on the drive throughout the working week and fired up for some work on the weekend has suffered dramatically. Takes a while to get her performing how she used to but you just know that the downtime for car is doing more harm than good.But before all the "just proves that these cars benefit from being used" brigade jump in - I'd also like to celebrate my year's ownership of my '99 500.
For various reasons I have only put a couple of thousand miles on her this year, but when I do go to my garage, unplug the Accumate and start her up - she growls into action, behaves perfectly and runs as sweet as a nut - everytime.
For me this says that if you look after these cars properly, then they will look after you - regardless of whether you run them everyday - or just have the occassional weekend of fun.
Or maybe it's just the Crystal Verdi versions that are this reliable??
Guys,
I've got a Chim 450 late '98 - Avus Blue.
Live in Dibden Purlieu.
Going to the Hants TVRCC meet on Sunday at The Meon (A272/A32 X-roads). Then it might be off to the BTCC at Thruxton.
Nick
I've got a Chim 450 late '98 - Avus Blue.
Live in Dibden Purlieu.
Going to the Hants TVRCC meet on Sunday at The Meon (A272/A32 X-roads). Then it might be off to the BTCC at Thruxton.
Nick
Bunglist said:
Ubernoober
Where abouts in southampton do you live, its ok i dont want your exact address.
I also live in southampton, and i too use mine every day.... I would not change it at all, it is Fg brilliant and the only item that let me down was the 100amp fuse on the bottom of the car, which seemed to take ages to find out about, usual change of alternator before finding out that the problem was a 50p fuse.
What colour car is yours as i dont seem to ever see many TVR's on the road around here......
Where abouts in southampton do you live, its ok i dont want your exact address.
I also live in southampton, and i too use mine every day.... I would not change it at all, it is F
g brilliant and the only item that let me down was the 100amp fuse on the bottom of the car, which seemed to take ages to find out about, usual change of alternator before finding out that the problem was a 50p fuse.What colour car is yours as i dont seem to ever see many TVR's on the road around here......
Ironic...I can understand your concerns....
All I can say is I'm now on my third Chimaera, they have all been weekend toys - sometimes with extended periods in the garage, and I have never had any real problems with any of them.
I am not technically minded at all - so all the cars get is the annual service from my local indie, all they seem to do is let the old very clean oil out, and put some new very clean oil in...and I put the petrol in.... that's it!!
As mentioned though - my car is kept in a garage, and plugged to a trickle charger...which I would recommed if possible.
All I can say is I'm now on my third Chimaera, they have all been weekend toys - sometimes with extended periods in the garage, and I have never had any real problems with any of them.
I am not technically minded at all - so all the cars get is the annual service from my local indie, all they seem to do is let the old very clean oil out, and put some new very clean oil in...and I put the petrol in.... that's it!!
As mentioned though - my car is kept in a garage, and plugged to a trickle charger...which I would recommed if possible.
Fizzer said:
Ironic...I can understand your concerns....
All I can say is I'm now on my third Chimaera, they have all been weekend toys - sometimes with extended periods in the garage, and I have never had any real problems with any of them.
I am not technically minded at all - so all the cars get is the annual service from my local indie, all they seem to do is let the old very clean oil out, and put some new very clean oil in...and I put the petrol in.... that's it!!
As mentioned though - my car is kept in a garage, and plugged to a trickle charger...which I would recommed if possible.
Thanks Fizzer, that helps. I'm exactly the same when it comes to being technical so thats very reassuring. Cheers.All I can say is I'm now on my third Chimaera, they have all been weekend toys - sometimes with extended periods in the garage, and I have never had any real problems with any of them.
I am not technically minded at all - so all the cars get is the annual service from my local indie, all they seem to do is let the old very clean oil out, and put some new very clean oil in...and I put the petrol in.... that's it!!
As mentioned though - my car is kept in a garage, and plugged to a trickle charger...which I would recommed if possible.
Well, I can honestly say that after having owned my current "X" Reg Chim 400 for 5 years today it has been an absolute joy to own.
I have only replaced two items other than normal service items in that time. I replaced the battery when it was 5 years old, before it got the opportunity to let me down. I recently rebuilt the diff due to a noisy pinion bearing, it could have gone on for ages like that.
It has never failed to start once, missed a beat* or been wet inside - beat that!!
* how brave is that
I have only replaced two items other than normal service items in that time. I replaced the battery when it was 5 years old, before it got the opportunity to let me down. I recently rebuilt the diff due to a noisy pinion bearing, it could have gone on for ages like that.
It has never failed to start once, missed a beat* or been wet inside - beat that!!
* how brave is that
nawarne said:
Going to the Hants TVRCC meet on Sunday at The Meon (A272/A32 X-roads). Then it might be off to the BTCC at Thruxton.
Off to Thruxton anyway - got some Paddock passes for me and the lad 
If the weather stays dry (and so the car parks don't turn into quagmires) will be Tivvying our way there.
Hi all,
My first post, and I'm very glad to be making it about a car I have wanted for so long! 450 Chimaera.
Had a test in one a few months ago and could have bought it there and then. The misses claimed she couldn't reach the peddals, so I have booked her in to have her legs lengthened!. I forgot to tell her she wasn't going to be a named driver anyway!
Glad to hear your reports regarding reliability as it is the number one put off when it comes to TVR's (or is that just a TVR owners little secret?).
- What sort of garages would you consider when it comes to servicing and how
much for a service?.
- Where would you get any more serious problems rectified?.
- What sort of insurance costs would you think for 4,000 miles a year?.
Just dreaming for now, but definately one day!.
My first post, and I'm very glad to be making it about a car I have wanted for so long! 450 Chimaera.
Had a test in one a few months ago and could have bought it there and then. The misses claimed she couldn't reach the peddals, so I have booked her in to have her legs lengthened!. I forgot to tell her she wasn't going to be a named driver anyway!
Glad to hear your reports regarding reliability as it is the number one put off when it comes to TVR's (or is that just a TVR owners little secret?).
- What sort of garages would you consider when it comes to servicing and how
much for a service?.
- Where would you get any more serious problems rectified?.
- What sort of insurance costs would you think for 4,000 miles a year?.
Just dreaming for now, but definately one day!.
is not what's best for your pride and joy Had mine for year this month, still smiling, difficult not too though. Based in Lymington, not too far from a few of you posting on this thread.
Only problem with car was ECU shorted out on bad connection to earth, replaced for £100, now runs better than ever, used two to three times a week and most weekends.
Just fitted ACT induction Kit with K&N and other bits, see my thread on easy exhaust mod.
Very pleased
Only problem with car was ECU shorted out on bad connection to earth, replaced for £100, now runs better than ever, used two to three times a week and most weekends.
Just fitted ACT induction Kit with K&N and other bits, see my thread on easy exhaust mod.
Very pleased
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