Decided to get a Chimaera, a few questions
Discussion
Hello all I'm sure the answer to my questions are on this forum but its much easier to start fresh.
1. which engine should I go for
2. what years are good to look for
3. What sort of money
4. Common problems
5. any good dealers people would suggest
6. insurance costs for a 31 yr old.
I think that's about it for now, I want a good one but don't mind getting my hands dirty as I have a hill climb sprint midget which I spend more time fixing than driving!
Thanks in advance.
1. which engine should I go for
2. what years are good to look for
3. What sort of money
4. Common problems
5. any good dealers people would suggest
6. insurance costs for a 31 yr old.
I think that's about it for now, I want a good one but don't mind getting my hands dirty as I have a hill climb sprint midget which I spend more time fixing than driving!
Thanks in advance.
1: I have a 4 ltr, but I would go for a 450 if i was looking to buy another
2: Earlier years had "Thicker" powder coating on Chassis, but later years have better front (IMO)
3: You can see them about for £6 k plus lately
4: Its a Tiv, therefore lucky dip!!!, iv'e had mine over 3 years, and only replaced a starter motor and a broken clutch fork, but you do hear horror stories, but with most Tivs, the more often you use, the better they are!
5: No Comment, bought mine private
6: Depends on NCB, but if you got a garage, normal prices apply, I don't and pay £700
My best recomendation is (if your in lower Essex)... make your way to Thorpe Bay sea front parking bays, opposite sailing club Sunday 12th October for the Mid Essex Tiv meet (2nd Sunday of the month, every month), and come along, very friendly bunch and can show you things to look for and take you out for a spin in a couple of differnt cars, if you come along ask for Steve (Me) or Shawn, I can give you a few pointers, but i am no expert, but will answer any questions i may have the answers to.
Good luck
FBC
2: Earlier years had "Thicker" powder coating on Chassis, but later years have better front (IMO)
3: You can see them about for £6 k plus lately
4: Its a Tiv, therefore lucky dip!!!, iv'e had mine over 3 years, and only replaced a starter motor and a broken clutch fork, but you do hear horror stories, but with most Tivs, the more often you use, the better they are!
5: No Comment, bought mine private
6: Depends on NCB, but if you got a garage, normal prices apply, I don't and pay £700
My best recomendation is (if your in lower Essex)... make your way to Thorpe Bay sea front parking bays, opposite sailing club Sunday 12th October for the Mid Essex Tiv meet (2nd Sunday of the month, every month), and come along, very friendly bunch and can show you things to look for and take you out for a spin in a couple of differnt cars, if you come along ask for Steve (Me) or Shawn, I can give you a few pointers, but i am no expert, but will answer any questions i may have the answers to.
Good luck
FBC
Edited by Fat Boy Chim on Tuesday 30th September 22:03
1) I have a 4.0 and I'm very happy with it. I don't see a huge difference in the 4.5 .. the 5.0 sounds scary.
2) Post 94 (Borg Warner gearbox) - otherwise any low-mileage with full history.
3) £10k
4) Sliding into the ditch on a wet day as a result of a heavy right boot, otherwise anything or nothing.
5) Fernhurst.
6) I pay £600.
Good luck!
2) Post 94 (Borg Warner gearbox) - otherwise any low-mileage with full history.
3) £10k
4) Sliding into the ditch on a wet day as a result of a heavy right boot, otherwise anything or nothing.
5) Fernhurst.
6) I pay £600.
Good luck!
I am only a recent owner myself, so unfortunately don't have answers to many of your questions. The only thing I would say is buy on condition and don't be too worried about miles on the motor. Most of the time the better ones have been used rather than wrapped in cotton wool!
From a dealer perspective I would recommend James Agger (http://www.jamesagger.com/default.asp). When I was looking I put his name into the search facility on here and it returned nothing but praise. I was confident enough to buy a Chimaera from him without viewing and he delivered it to Gatwick for me. It hasn't missed a beat since I have owned it and has had plenty of use in the short time it has been with me.
Insurance wise I got a great quote from Privilege, £357 fully comp with £250 excess. I am 29 with a few years NCD and the car is kept garaged.
Hope some of this was useful
Rich
From a dealer perspective I would recommend James Agger (http://www.jamesagger.com/default.asp). When I was looking I put his name into the search facility on here and it returned nothing but praise. I was confident enough to buy a Chimaera from him without viewing and he delivered it to Gatwick for me. It hasn't missed a beat since I have owned it and has had plenty of use in the short time it has been with me.
Insurance wise I got a great quote from Privilege, £357 fully comp with £250 excess. I am 29 with a few years NCD and the car is kept garaged.
Hope some of this was useful
Rich
rphilcox said:
I am only a recent owner myself, so unfortunately don't have answers to many of your questions. The only thing I would say is buy on condition and don't be too worried about miles on the motor. Most of the time the better ones have been used rather than wrapped in cotton wool!
Rich
That is a most useful comment Rich
in other words dont be scared of mileage 
That Daddy said:
rphilcox said:
I am only a recent owner myself, so unfortunately don't have answers to many of your questions. The only thing I would say is buy on condition and don't be too worried about miles on the motor. Most of the time the better ones have been used rather than wrapped in cotton wool!
Rich
That is a most useful comment Rich
in other words dont be scared of mileage Agree that cars that actually get used may look a little scruffier (stone chips, soft part of the roof, that sort of stuff) but usually drive better and are more reliable than garage queens. Of course, all hinges on maintenance - a sizeable folder of bills from better known specialists/dealers usually a good sign.
Personally I wouldn't discount a good 4 litre, but prefer the 4.3 (earlier models; comparatively rare) or 4.5 (from late '96). I find five litres rather too lairy to give any useable advantage on the road, but OTOH they can be a good base for modification as they already have the big valve heads, bigger inlet mainfold ports etc. and I'm sure they can be properly tamed.
Also personally, working with a budget of say £10-12K I'd personally get a cheaper one and spend money on mechanically sorting the car, proper suspension set up etc. when the time comes. Most of times I feel a more expensive example offers little more than nicer cosmetics and/or a lower number on the odo, while OTOH I've seen some cars that had some serious mechanical fettling lavished on them for not much more than the low end of the market.
Personally I wouldn't discount a good 4 litre, but prefer the 4.3 (earlier models; comparatively rare) or 4.5 (from late '96). I find five litres rather too lairy to give any useable advantage on the road, but OTOH they can be a good base for modification as they already have the big valve heads, bigger inlet mainfold ports etc. and I'm sure they can be properly tamed.
Also personally, working with a budget of say £10-12K I'd personally get a cheaper one and spend money on mechanically sorting the car, proper suspension set up etc. when the time comes. Most of times I feel a more expensive example offers little more than nicer cosmetics and/or a lower number on the odo, while OTOH I've seen some cars that had some serious mechanical fettling lavished on them for not much more than the low end of the market.
Edited by 900T-R on Wednesday 1st October 09:39
rphilcox said:
That Daddy said:
rphilcox said:
I am only a recent owner myself, so unfortunately don't have answers to many of your questions. The only thing I would say is buy on condition and don't be too worried about miles on the motor. Most of the time the better ones have been used rather than wrapped in cotton wool!
Rich
That is a most useful comment Rich
in other words dont be scared of mileage 
lodgey said:
Some really good advice, thanks.
I think I'll try and pop to one of the local meetings so i can get some advice of what to look for.
Also does anyone know of garages near Waltham Abbey who are good with TVR.
Cheers chaps
Hi JonI think I'll try and pop to one of the local meetings so i can get some advice of what to look for.
Also does anyone know of garages near Waltham Abbey who are good with TVR.
Cheers chaps
you have Castle TVR at Stansted that usually have a selection and Phillip Phondonis I think are in Edmonton these might be best for your budget. If you are think of buying from a dealer
Have you checked the classified on here there are plenty to choose from.
Or are you talking about servicing.
Trev
Phil, thats very kind of you mate.
Trev my purchase budget is 9k which leaves me with a bit to sort any problems, I would usually never buy a car from a dealer but TVR scare me, but I have always loved them, My Day had a couple a few years ago I think his first one was a 4.3 then had a 4.0, sadly he never let me have a try but I was was a lot younger!
Trev my purchase budget is 9k which leaves me with a bit to sort any problems, I would usually never buy a car from a dealer but TVR scare me, but I have always loved them, My Day had a couple a few years ago I think his first one was a 4.3 then had a 4.0, sadly he never let me have a try but I was was a lot younger!
Hi Jon
Lots to choose from on Classified and example from Fernhurst They always seems to have a good selection
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/714060.htm
with money to spare
Trev
Lots to choose from on Classified and example from Fernhurst They always seems to have a good selection
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/714060.htm
with money to spare
Trev
WOO5IE said:
Hi Jon
Lots to choose from on Classified and example from Fernhurst They always seems to have a good selection
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/714060.htm
with money to spare
Trev
That seems bloody cheap - especially for Fernies. They've got a 97 P plate 400 up for 10k!Lots to choose from on Classified and example from Fernhurst They always seems to have a good selection
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/714060.htm
with money to spare
Trev
PS - my 400s for sale if interested!! 97 Viper blue, FSH, V good chassis, 62k and uprated shocks, brakes & manifolds.
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