All advice greatly appreciated-potential purchase
Discussion
Can anyone offer any advice on the potential purchase of a 93 Chimaera 4.0.
Its an early (ish) car but doesnt have power steering. Are they heavy without it? ie heavy enough to prevent the girlfriend from driving- stop sniggering, i would like her to be able to.
I realise its impossible to go over specifics without knowing more about the car, but anyone that can recount their experiences or impart advice would be most appreciated
Its an early (ish) car but doesnt have power steering. Are they heavy without it? ie heavy enough to prevent the girlfriend from driving- stop sniggering, i would like her to be able to.
I realise its impossible to go over specifics without knowing more about the car, but anyone that can recount their experiences or impart advice would be most appreciated
Have had a play with a non power steered car.
They are quite heavy to turn around when driving slowly or if you need to turn the steering wheel whilst stationary. But great when the car is rolling at a reasonable speed. - Certainly heavier than an Escort I had that didn't have PAS..
Personally I like to be able to enjoy driving it and I don't believe that the PAS effects the 'feel' all that much so prefered to save my work outs for the gym.
As a result I prefer those with PAS.
They are quite heavy to turn around when driving slowly or if you need to turn the steering wheel whilst stationary. But great when the car is rolling at a reasonable speed. - Certainly heavier than an Escort I had that didn't have PAS..
Personally I like to be able to enjoy driving it and I don't believe that the PAS effects the 'feel' all that much so prefered to save my work outs for the gym.
As a result I prefer those with PAS.
Cheers folks.
She is 5foot 8 but occasionally suffers from a bad shoulder (cue a massage from some horifically expensive spa somewhere-my bloody petrol money!)
A few more questions for those with the time/inclination
Are they fairly leak proof?
Who is best to insure with?
Are they as quick as I am led to believe? I have had a Westfield in the past, but require something a little more user friendly
Given that i shall be making the purchase early next week, would taking it to the Le Mans classic seem reasonable, or should i worry too much about reliability???
So many questions eh, but help gratly appreciated.
She is 5foot 8 but occasionally suffers from a bad shoulder (cue a massage from some horifically expensive spa somewhere-my bloody petrol money!)
A few more questions for those with the time/inclination
Are they fairly leak proof?
Who is best to insure with?
Are they as quick as I am led to believe? I have had a Westfield in the past, but require something a little more user friendly
Given that i shall be making the purchase early next week, would taking it to the Le Mans classic seem reasonable, or should i worry too much about reliability???
So many questions eh, but help gratly appreciated.
Power steering is a bit of bind when it comes to parking, but I had mine for 5 years or so without it and was fine. My other half struggled the couple of times she tried though (not when driving, it's fine, but when travelling slowly it's not so hot).
Are they fast? Well, yes. Fast enough to need to ease off when jumping onto roundabouts behind another car in case you catch them and rear end them. Fast enough to overtake pretty much if you want to. And in my 4.0 she was fast enough to keep up with a 355 who thought he'd lose me on a sliproad (until we hit 70 then I backed off, and he f*****d off!).
Le Mans? Yes, why not, plenty of room for luggage etc.
The thing I would say is make sure you both take it easy until you learn how to control her (they can snap out, and this is especially the case in rain).
Are they fast? Well, yes. Fast enough to need to ease off when jumping onto roundabouts behind another car in case you catch them and rear end them. Fast enough to overtake pretty much if you want to. And in my 4.0 she was fast enough to keep up with a 355 who thought he'd lose me on a sliproad (until we hit 70 then I backed off, and he f*****d off!).
Le Mans? Yes, why not, plenty of room for luggage etc.
The thing I would say is make sure you both take it easy until you learn how to control her (they can snap out, and this is especially the case in rain).
Jasandjules:
Great advice thank you!! Le Mans it is then!! First time to the classic, 16th year just completed at the 24h. Would always take it easy until i had at least half way leant it (which for my old westfield included driving every day for a year on a 40 mile commute-some good times, some bad, but always learning).
Suprisingly, I dont really want it to drive the doors off, i just fancy a change from the humdrum of commuting in a Passat (3000miles per month)and hey, i love the shape and the noise, so why not.
Thaks again for the advice.
Great advice thank you!! Le Mans it is then!! First time to the classic, 16th year just completed at the 24h. Would always take it easy until i had at least half way leant it (which for my old westfield included driving every day for a year on a 40 mile commute-some good times, some bad, but always learning).
Suprisingly, I dont really want it to drive the doors off, i just fancy a change from the humdrum of commuting in a Passat (3000miles per month)and hey, i love the shape and the noise, so why not.
Thaks again for the advice.
Littletidnock said:
Leak proof? no
Rubbish!!In answer to the OP the non PAS cars are a little heavy at slow speeds and so your other half may struggle a little. At speed this is negligible. The PAS cars TBH aren't overly assisted but they are a great help around town.
I may be around MK on saturday afternoon if you want a nose round mine/ask common questions etc... though mine is a facelift 97 with PAS.
Emsman said:
or should i worry too much about reliability???
Personally I wouldn't buy a 15 year old car then expect it to get me to LeMans and back a week later without a hitch. I'd give the car a total going over first, checking all electrics, cleaning connections/earths, checking fuel pipes, radiator/water pipes etc. Then I'd be confident.But if you do get stuck on the side of the Autoroute, bear in mind you're probably there because of shortcomings in maintenance over the last 15 years, and not due to the way the car was originally built in Blackpool.
It's true TVRs are not built like Audis - they're handbuilt with parts made to fit, and glue/sealant where engineering a bespoke fastener would be prohibitively expensive.
But they needn't be unreliable if properly maintained.
Thanks to everyone.
The deed is done, ive seen and inspected it, and committed to the purchase.
Thanks in particular for the offer to have a nose around one on Saturday near MK- really kind, thanks very much. Looks like Saturday is out of the question though, as I am going to pick her up. Starmist Green, full history and cant bloody wait!!!
May post a few piccies of the new pride and joy as soon as i work out the technology!!
Thanks to all again, if anyone has a good insurance company they can reccommend, it would be more than appreciated.
The deed is done, ive seen and inspected it, and committed to the purchase.
Thanks in particular for the offer to have a nose around one on Saturday near MK- really kind, thanks very much. Looks like Saturday is out of the question though, as I am going to pick her up. Starmist Green, full history and cant bloody wait!!!
May post a few piccies of the new pride and joy as soon as i work out the technology!!
Thanks to all again, if anyone has a good insurance company they can reccommend, it would be more than appreciated.
Emsman said:
Thanks to everyone.
The deed is done, ive seen and inspected it, and committed to the purchase.
Thanks in particular for the offer to have a nose around one on Saturday near MK- really kind, thanks very much. Looks like Saturday is out of the question though, as I am going to pick her up. Starmist Green, full history and cant bloody wait!!!
May post a few piccies of the new pride and joy as soon as i work out the technology!!
Thanks to all again, if anyone has a good insurance company they can reccommend, it would be more than appreciated.
Congratulations - I'm sure you'll love it. The deed is done, ive seen and inspected it, and committed to the purchase.
Thanks in particular for the offer to have a nose around one on Saturday near MK- really kind, thanks very much. Looks like Saturday is out of the question though, as I am going to pick her up. Starmist Green, full history and cant bloody wait!!!
May post a few piccies of the new pride and joy as soon as i work out the technology!!
Thanks to all again, if anyone has a good insurance company they can reccommend, it would be more than appreciated.
Insurance wise I'm with A-plan, though if it's a 2nd car and you do less than 6k a year I can pretty much guarantee you won't beat the premiums offered by Hagerty.
No problem about meeting up etc - though I'll most likely be in town between 2 & 5 so if you do feel you'll be back by then and fancy showing off/chatting about ownership then let me know.
Completely and utterly gutted.
The mortgage (and the funds for the car) did not land today due to a problem with house insurance, so all plans have been put back until tuesday (or wednesday latest).
In a foul mood.
Was looking forward to it no end- was even going to miss the pub so i could get on the road nice and ealry giving me the whole day to play. Now got to organise it around work.
Am i allowed to say *ollcks in this forum?
The mortgage (and the funds for the car) did not land today due to a problem with house insurance, so all plans have been put back until tuesday (or wednesday latest).
In a foul mood.
Was looking forward to it no end- was even going to miss the pub so i could get on the road nice and ealry giving me the whole day to play. Now got to organise it around work.
Am i allowed to say *ollcks in this forum?
griffter said:
Emsman said:
or should i worry too much about reliability???
Personally I wouldn't buy a 15 year old car then expect it to get me to LeMans and back a week later without a hitch. I'd give the car a total going over first, checking all electrics, cleaning connections/earths, checking fuel pipes, radiator/water pipes etc. Then I'd be confident.But if you do get stuck on the side of the Autoroute, bear in mind you're probably there because of shortcomings in maintenance over the last 15 years, and not due to the way the car was originally built in Blackpool.
It's true TVRs are not built like Audis - they're handbuilt with parts made to fit, and glue/sealant where engineering a bespoke fastener would be prohibitively expensive.
But they needn't be unreliable if properly maintained.
would def recommend a few shake down runs 1st,that includes most second hand cars not just TVR
good luck with your purchase.Gassing Station | General TVR Stuff & Gossip | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff