So, Chimaera's then....
Discussion
Hi
Simply put, and I know this has probably been asked before, but what do i look for when buying a Chim? Im now 25, 3 years no claims. Ive had the hot hatches (CTR), had the westfield, but now im looking to move onwards.
I dont earn megabucks, but 90% of what i earn, is disposable, and having just got back from le mans, as always, i find myself wanting a TVR! The chim is a reasonable way into TVR ownership, insurance is reasonable (£850), I have a garage and an old volvo for winter / beater duties.
I noticed a few chims in the classifieds for around £6k - £6.5k. Where is the catch with these?
I also notice a lot of TVR engines have been rebuilt at stupidly low mileages, again why? Abuse? Would i really need to rebuild it every 20k?
I know TVRs get a lot of stick about unreliability etc, but I love them, and now im 25 and in a reasonable position to own one, Id like to buy!
Any advice you TVR owners can offer me would be much appreciated. I hope its not too hard finding a good one!
Cheers
James
Simply put, and I know this has probably been asked before, but what do i look for when buying a Chim? Im now 25, 3 years no claims. Ive had the hot hatches (CTR), had the westfield, but now im looking to move onwards.
I dont earn megabucks, but 90% of what i earn, is disposable, and having just got back from le mans, as always, i find myself wanting a TVR! The chim is a reasonable way into TVR ownership, insurance is reasonable (£850), I have a garage and an old volvo for winter / beater duties.
I noticed a few chims in the classifieds for around £6k - £6.5k. Where is the catch with these?
I also notice a lot of TVR engines have been rebuilt at stupidly low mileages, again why? Abuse? Would i really need to rebuild it every 20k?
I know TVRs get a lot of stick about unreliability etc, but I love them, and now im 25 and in a reasonable position to own one, Id like to buy!
Any advice you TVR owners can offer me would be much appreciated. I hope its not too hard finding a good one!
Cheers
James
The old Rover V8 engines in the Chimaera & Griffith are pretty bomb proof. Even when they show signs of wear they just soldier on. If I was looking for a cheaper Chim, or any TVR for that matter, the first thing I'd look at is the chassis. Be fussy as the outriggers will cost a few squid to replace properly. The rest of the car is a mixture of Rover, Vauxhall and Ford so any decent garage will be able to look after it without too much difficulty. Go for it. 
Hi James,
I'm not sure about the current prices of a good/average Chimaera, but one thing to bear in mind is that it's a buyer's market at the moment, so there may not be a catch with those prices. On the other hand read the buyer's guides in the link below. Buy a car on mechanical and chassis condition, not mileage or the good/bad condition of the interior/exterior. Relatively minor cosmetic defects are generally cheaper to fix than the shock of finding you need a whole new chassis.
Some engines occasionally need re-builds but in general the Rover V8's are very robust and as long as they are well looked after they will be fine. Most people agree that TVR's (like most cars) are more reliable if they are driven regularly. I'd say that engines that are rebuilt with stupidly low miles on the clock are victims of lack of use. Seals, gaskets, pipes etc, rot over time and are usually replaced in due course during servicing. In older cars with low miles these issues may not be seen/expected/checked and then when pushing the car things fail.
And... as you'll hear a lot.... TVR's are no more or less reliable than most other high performance cars. Keep the car in good running order and you'll have a load of fun.
Have fun searching
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
I'm not sure about the current prices of a good/average Chimaera, but one thing to bear in mind is that it's a buyer's market at the moment, so there may not be a catch with those prices. On the other hand read the buyer's guides in the link below. Buy a car on mechanical and chassis condition, not mileage or the good/bad condition of the interior/exterior. Relatively minor cosmetic defects are generally cheaper to fix than the shock of finding you need a whole new chassis.
Some engines occasionally need re-builds but in general the Rover V8's are very robust and as long as they are well looked after they will be fine. Most people agree that TVR's (like most cars) are more reliable if they are driven regularly. I'd say that engines that are rebuilt with stupidly low miles on the clock are victims of lack of use. Seals, gaskets, pipes etc, rot over time and are usually replaced in due course during servicing. In older cars with low miles these issues may not be seen/expected/checked and then when pushing the car things fail.
And... as you'll hear a lot.... TVR's are no more or less reliable than most other high performance cars. Keep the car in good running order and you'll have a load of fun.
Have fun searching
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
pincher said:
pwd95 said:
...the outriggers will cost a few squid to replace properly.
What sort of costs would one be looking at for this? schmokin1 said:
BTW if you have another car as a beater and a garage, you should check hagerty insurance. 850 is a lot to pay for insurance. Mine is 260 fully comp for 5000 miles, although I am an old git!
You need to be over 30 now to get insurance with Hagerty unless your an existing customer. Also regards pricing, as has been said its a buyers market. Don't discount cars on price as some people are in need of cash etc etc recession, job losses etc etc. Check the car thoroughly though!!!
Most early 400 chimearas will be around £6-£7k, unless in v.good condition with upgrades, though as you can see in the classifieds the asking price will be dependant on how fast the owner wants to sell it!!
Spend a few weeks/months researching the car (as i did), get to know all the common issues that occur with TVR's and cars of this age and then get out and test drive some.
Knowledge is the key to making sure you don't end up with a money pit!!!
900T-R said:
pincher said:
pwd95 said:
...the outriggers will cost a few squid to replace properly.
What sort of costs would one be looking at for this? chim666 said:
900T-R said:
pincher said:
pwd95 said:
...the outriggers will cost a few squid to replace properly.
What sort of costs would one be looking at for this? 
Hi James,
Just got a Chim 500 my self. I'm 28 with 5 yrs no claims and got ~£440-£460 on fully comp, protected no claims insurance.
There are a lot of horror stories out there; and to be frank every one i've spoke to has said a lot Piston Head poster will scare you a little too much ( I was bricking it during my TVR purchase).
I picked up a brilliant Chim 500 from PH classifieds for £7900.
The price for new outriggers and wishbones that have succumbed to rust seems scary but I've got mine at RT Racing, right now, getting the chassis stripped down, coated in hammeright and waxoyl for £400. A damn sight cheaper than £1500 for new out riggers in a few years... and the treatment apparently lasts for a good 5 years.
Make sure the roofs in good order and it live outside quite happily, and the V8 works perfectly fine as a day to day runabout.
From my brief experience with my Chim it's a very easy car to keep if you can forgive it's thirst when you're a little too liberal with the application of your right foot.
Just got a Chim 500 my self. I'm 28 with 5 yrs no claims and got ~£440-£460 on fully comp, protected no claims insurance.
There are a lot of horror stories out there; and to be frank every one i've spoke to has said a lot Piston Head poster will scare you a little too much ( I was bricking it during my TVR purchase).
I picked up a brilliant Chim 500 from PH classifieds for £7900.
The price for new outriggers and wishbones that have succumbed to rust seems scary but I've got mine at RT Racing, right now, getting the chassis stripped down, coated in hammeright and waxoyl for £400. A damn sight cheaper than £1500 for new out riggers in a few years... and the treatment apparently lasts for a good 5 years.
Make sure the roofs in good order and it live outside quite happily, and the V8 works perfectly fine as a day to day runabout.
From my brief experience with my Chim it's a very easy car to keep if you can forgive it's thirst when you're a little too liberal with the application of your right foot.
Edited by Clueless_newb on Saturday 27th June 16:48
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