Chimaera useage?!!

[jamesclarkson]

Hi i am keen to purchase my first TVR. Having read a fair bit about i think im going to go for 4.0 Chim as i see this as good entry into TVR ownership. I have a few high powered cars in the past and currently drive westfield everyday but it has become a little too much of a struggle recently. Realistically would a chim be daily driver, does anyone use theirs daily and how do you get on with it? Any advice would be kindly received.

Thanks in advance!

[T_Pot]

My 4.3 is my daily drive, and for the most i have no problems.

prob the only thing that does irritate me at times is the condensation inside during these wet and cold times.

[350Matt]

Condense on the inside is mostly likely due to water leaking into the cabin, if the car will be kept outside I'd invest in one of those hood covers/ umbrella type they can removed quickly and keep most of the water out when the hood and seal are in good condition.

Alternatively check all the water ingress points (use the search function ) and water seal the hood regularly, it is possible to make them more or less watertight

Matt

[T_Pot]

350Matt said:

Condense on the inside is mostly likely due to water leaking into the cabin, if the car will be kept outside I'd invest in one of those hood covers/ umbrella type they can removed quickly and keep most of the water out when the hood and seal are in good condition.

Alternatively check all the water ingress points (use the search function ) and water seal the hood regularly, it is possible to make them more or less watertight

Matt

wanna come check mine for me lol
your prob right, as my carpets are damp at times. the entire interior is being changed ths month so i do need to sort that soon

[quattrophenia]

I have been toying with the idea of getting a 4.5 chim as a weekend/occasional use car. The main problem is we already have 2 cars and both travel a fair distance to work. The only option really is to get 2 very economical run arounds to make it a more affordable and my misses would miss the heated seats!. One day.....

[paulathome]

Steve,
Chims do come with heated seats you know, If thats your only reason. Driven mine to work everyday
for the last three years without it letting me down ever, which is more than could be said of my BMW 540 that let me down four times in three years.(now sold......heap of poo)
Just a thought.
Cheers
Paul.

[T_Pot]

paulathome said:

Steve,
Chims do come with heated seats you know, If thats your only reason. Driven mine to work everyday
for the last three years without it letting me down ever, which is more than could be said of my BMW 540 that let me down four times in three years.(now sold......heap of poo)
Just a thought.
Cheers
Paul.

all of them or just selected lucky ones?

go on, please tell me something about my car i didnt know

[Dave 500]

T_Pot said:

all of them or just selected lucky ones?

Just selected ones mine doesn't have them.

[adavy]

I've has two 450s both of which are used every day come rain or shine. As long as you are careful, have them serviced properley and chassis treated before and after winter you should be fine.

[quattrophenia]

Everyone I know wants evo's, audi RS's or scubbys. People think I'm mad when I harp on about Tivs. I have always love a V8 rumble and the Chims is about the best. Even though the range is ageing, the shape is pretty ageless and still very pleasant on the eye.
I had 10 minutes in a Grif last month but have only ever been in a Chimaera for a few minutes (wasn't dissapointed).
I am so non-mechanical minded which is a worry when it comes to some of those 'minor' adjustments. However their reliability does seem to be a little over criticised.

[woolleson]

I use my 4L 2000 Chimaera daily, aprox 30 miles a day of mainly country/town roads with a few miles of motorway when the weather is bad.

So far she has been a joy (12 months), I even had her off road this weekend but I wouldn't recommend it, landrover she ain't . If you can afford the petrol and servicing........... just do it !!!! Nothing else will make that commute better.

The only thing is be very weary of the road conditions. Wet and greasy roads with all that torque can lead to a path of destruction. If it is not ideal then lay back on the right pedal . Even the "entry" 4L Chim was more than enough under the bonnet to clench even the best drivers bottoms. 3rd gear the other day 60 mph and too heavy a right foot and the back end fish tailed up the sip road

If you need more info just ask.................

Jason

[jamesclarkson]

I am also in the situation of potentally loosing the use of my garage! It concerns me that leaving the car outside would damage it and something that im not sure im keen on doing. Do any of you guys keep your car outside, i would of course buy a cover but do you see it as a problem?

[symphonysid]

i keep mine outside with a car cover - it's absolutely fine - there are lots of really good ones out there, but mine is from hamilton car classics - it's breathable and you can throw it on when it's wet. i've had no problems whatsoever in over 15 months/10,000 miles of ownership. best thing i ever did (car-wise!)

[jamesclarkson]

Brilliant thanks alot. Just need to try and find myself one now within my budget! Not gonna rush into it though im after that special one for me!!

[T_Pot]

its fiberglass, what harm can it come to ?


as said earlier, and a solution to my problem, get a cover.

[Paul M]

I use my Chim whenever I can - which is most days. Short commute to work and back of avout 20 miles. If not when I get home I'll take it out for a run. However, its kept garaged and not used on wet or frosty days - I'm still respecting it maybe a bit too much Another reason I only dry use it is after having it about a week I found the roof leaked and inside was soaked. I managed to dry out carpets etc. then re-proofed the roof. Since then I was caught in heavy rain once and ..... it remained bone dry inside but its still at the back of my mind not to use the Chim regularly in the rain 'cos I fear its going to leak I know I need to be brave!

[jamesclarkson]

Having heard the stories about chassis rot and other such issues and my experience in a frinds griff in Le Mans in the rain this year just worries me about the water tightness of it and also trying to limit the onslaught of rust. Owning a TVR has always been a dream i think i just need to bite the bullet!

[jdharris]

Go for it James! I bought my 500 in April 07 and it's my daily driver. I park it on the street in London where I live and drive it to work on the south coast where it sits on the street again outside a hotel at night. Sure I curse when I come out and there is a new stone chip or chink in the paint that some parking monkey has put in it but I don't let it put me off - I bought it for driving not for show. I knew it would be parked on the street so I deliberately bought based on mechanical rather than bodywork condition. I just make sure I keep on top of anything that needs doing. Just recently it has been letting in some water - traced it to the windscreen seal so that will get sorted in the next few days. Just go for it - you'll love it!

[DJ JULES]

Have had mine since Feb 07, my only car and I use mine everyday, rain shine snow floods. I also have a garage but the car is kept outside without a cover and is absolutely fine, just make sure you have it serviced regularly and you will be fine. I bought it to drive it and thats what i do

JULES

[damol]

Had mine 18 months, drive it every day to work and leave it outside. Absolutely no issues at all, a real pleasure and one of the few cars which puts a smile on my face every day!!

No regrets, highly recommend it!