Chimera Reliability - what's it like?
Discussion
For a while I've been thinking about trading in the 944 and going for a Chimaera, but the one thing that keeps putting me off is people saying "it'll be in the garage more than on the road". However, I've never actually got the opinion form someone who has owned a Chimaera.
So to those Chimeara owners (both past and present) is their reputation for poor reliability well founded or completely unjustified?
Also, how many problems did you have with your car over how many years?
So to those Chimeara owners (both past and present) is their reputation for poor reliability well founded or completely unjustified?
Also, how many problems did you have with your car over how many years?
to many variable's im afraid. In short, I think nearly everyone's reaction will be 'they are reliable'. I've had 18 months of ownership with the following problems:
1 drive belt broken. Boiled the coolant. 5 minute fix.
1 fuse blown. 10 minute fix.
That's not to say things don't wear etc. I've just had my cam done after 46k. Lowish mileage cam wear does seem reasonably prevelant, but I'm led to believe this is also to do quality of original shaft used, and many last a lot longer.
Put it this way; it's a car I use 2-3 times a week, every time I step in it I expect it to start immediately and drive perfectly. Bar one time - the snapped belt abov - it has.
You should be more worried about things like condition of chassis on purchase...
1 drive belt broken. Boiled the coolant. 5 minute fix.
1 fuse blown. 10 minute fix.
That's not to say things don't wear etc. I've just had my cam done after 46k. Lowish mileage cam wear does seem reasonably prevelant, but I'm led to believe this is also to do quality of original shaft used, and many last a lot longer.
Put it this way; it's a car I use 2-3 times a week, every time I step in it I expect it to start immediately and drive perfectly. Bar one time - the snapped belt abov - it has.
You should be more worried about things like condition of chassis on purchase...
I've had mine for about two and a half years, and virtually everything I've done to it have been sorting out things (mostly non-essential) that previous owners should have done. This also demonstrated that having a valid (and recent) MoT certificate and a fully stamped-up service history is no guarantee that everything that should have been done has been done.
The only real niggles have been starting problems. These had two causes, a battery that was showing the correct voltage but had lost the power to crank the engine over fast enough, and a dodgy immobiliser (fixed by Carl Baker). Neither of these things actually caused a breakdown.
I also had a problem at the first MoT I put it through, in that the emissions were too high due to a slight misfire. Given that the history of the ignition system components was unknown, I replaced the plugs, plug extenders, HT leads, distributor cap, rotor arm, coil & ignition module. It's been fine since then.
It has yet to leave me stranded by the roadside, or fail to get me to my destination. So, my advice would be to get one, but buy very carefully and above all check the condition of the chassis.
ETA: Oops, nearly forgot, get a 450!
The only real niggles have been starting problems. These had two causes, a battery that was showing the correct voltage but had lost the power to crank the engine over fast enough, and a dodgy immobiliser (fixed by Carl Baker). Neither of these things actually caused a breakdown.
I also had a problem at the first MoT I put it through, in that the emissions were too high due to a slight misfire. Given that the history of the ignition system components was unknown, I replaced the plugs, plug extenders, HT leads, distributor cap, rotor arm, coil & ignition module. It's been fine since then.
It has yet to leave me stranded by the roadside, or fail to get me to my destination. So, my advice would be to get one, but buy very carefully and above all check the condition of the chassis.
ETA: Oops, nearly forgot, get a 450!
Edited by S7Paul on Monday 28th September 14:04
I have had my Chimaera (2001 4.5l) for 5 years now and the only problems I have had that have affected reliability is a dead battery and a temporary mis-fire due to a loose plug (and more recently a failed (original) HT lead - now replaced with Magnecors). Okay so I have got a few minor rattles but the noise tends to drown them out 
Martin
MartinNeglected to mention on my post. Mine is seemingly very-well looked after 10yr car. For a 10yr car it has been fantastic. As has been said buy on condition.
Buy a lemon, then expect a sour taste to be left in your mouth
Do plenty of reading/asking and you should be fine. Good luck! And - Do it!
Buy a lemon, then expect a sour taste to be left in your mouth
Do plenty of reading/asking and you should be fine. Good luck! And - Do it!
You can't say "Chimaeras are reliable" or "Chimaeras are unreliable" because they vary.
Ours has had periods where I've wanted to torch it.
It's also had periods where nothing has been a problem for two or three years at a go.
By now they are old cars. This means two things:
Previous owners will likely have sorted all the niggles.
Long term wear will now be leading to new, interesting and expensive faults that will need attention.
I've had a Chimaera for ten years. In that time a lot of stuff has gone wrong. It's important to remember, though, that for quite extended periods it has just worked.
Ours has had periods where I've wanted to torch it.
It's also had periods where nothing has been a problem for two or three years at a go.
By now they are old cars. This means two things:
Previous owners will likely have sorted all the niggles.
Long term wear will now be leading to new, interesting and expensive faults that will need attention.
I've had a Chimaera for ten years. In that time a lot of stuff has gone wrong. It's important to remember, though, that for quite extended periods it has just worked.
It really isn't a question that you can expect a reliable answer to - the cars are hand made and many over 10 years old. Even new I suspect the reliability would have been impacted by how hung over the dude building it was.
My experience has been a lot worse than many others on here. In the 6-8 months that I have owned it, I have had:
1) new radiator
2) New shocks
3) Engine mounts
4) Dif bush
5) Mistery engine failure which is waiting diagnosis and potentially could be a slipped liner
6) Most belts / hoses etc.
I thought I was careful when I bought, I used an independent inspection service and bought from a dealer.
Now, if I was to do it again, I would do the following:
1) get an independent assessment of the car, just not who I used
2) buy a car that has driven regularly over the past 2 years at least. Mine sat and did a few hundred miles over the two years previous to me buying it. This has meant that everything rubber and moveable has dried up and I have had to replace it (Belts, hoses, etc)
3) Make sure the chassis is 100%
4) Do not be afraid if it has sensible mods. The reality is that EVERYBODY drives these like they stole them. A decently modded car just means that the brakes / hoses / clutch / wheels etc won't need to be replaced by you any time soon.
Amazing cars however, once sorted, I believe that they are reliable
Shabs
My experience has been a lot worse than many others on here. In the 6-8 months that I have owned it, I have had:
1) new radiator
2) New shocks
3) Engine mounts
4) Dif bush
5) Mistery engine failure which is waiting diagnosis and potentially could be a slipped liner
6) Most belts / hoses etc.
I thought I was careful when I bought, I used an independent inspection service and bought from a dealer.
Now, if I was to do it again, I would do the following:
1) get an independent assessment of the car, just not who I used
2) buy a car that has driven regularly over the past 2 years at least. Mine sat and did a few hundred miles over the two years previous to me buying it. This has meant that everything rubber and moveable has dried up and I have had to replace it (Belts, hoses, etc)
3) Make sure the chassis is 100%
4) Do not be afraid if it has sensible mods. The reality is that EVERYBODY drives these like they stole them. A decently modded car just means that the brakes / hoses / clutch / wheels etc won't need to be replaced by you any time soon.
Amazing cars however, once sorted, I believe that they are reliable
Shabs
In response to Shabs post I should say that mine too has had new diff bushes/engine mounts, and a quite a few other things I forgot to mention, ball joints, couple of bushes etc.
However, I kind of expect a lot of this to be pointed out at the service of a 10yr old car that the owner is trying to keep like-new. I don't really class this as unreliability - more the inevitable upkeep of a high performance car, that isn't brand new.
I'm often suprised by the low service/maintenance costs people quote on here. Having no real facilities to do heavy work on the car myself I have spent a not inconsiderable amount of cash keeping the car it top nick.
Notwithstanding this, it doesnt let me down. So I say it's reliable.
However, I kind of expect a lot of this to be pointed out at the service of a 10yr old car that the owner is trying to keep like-new. I don't really class this as unreliability - more the inevitable upkeep of a high performance car, that isn't brand new.
I'm often suprised by the low service/maintenance costs people quote on here. Having no real facilities to do heavy work on the car myself I have spent a not inconsiderable amount of cash keeping the car it top nick.
Notwithstanding this, it doesnt let me down. So I say it's reliable.
Edited by winters on Monday 28th September 14:20
4 and a half years of ownership doing about 4000 miles per year, 100% reliable.
It was a good car when I bought it, I have looked after it and made sure it has been maintained and serviced.
Only extra costs have been improvements I have wanted to make to the radiator and cooling system.
It was a good car when I bought it, I have looked after it and made sure it has been maintained and serviced.
Only extra costs have been improvements I have wanted to make to the radiator and cooling system.
Hi there
I bought mine as a "rescue package". Had been left for a while. had been broken into and radio ripped (and I mean ripped) out.Carpets sodden and useless, dashboard veneer cracked, roof holed (to get to radio)etc etc.
However mechanically iy looked ok. Once started (on original battery), drove it all the way home from outside Manchester with no probs (~250miles)
That was 2 years ago. I have rectified all the above. With it being a rescue, I have no service history, however as I do the vast majpority of the work on the car myself, that doesn't concern me.
It has NEVER let me down ( now there's the kiss of death!!) however, I DO look after it. If there is something a bit tatty on it, when funds are available, I will replace that part. I have replaced the coil, spark plugs, cables, extenders, silicon hoses, two stage fans, timing belt etc etc. Now, none of these had actually failed when I replaced it, so I now have a full rack of spares to hand.
As far as reliability is concerned, I for one reckon that you get out what you put in. What you need to remember is, it is NOT an ultra-modern tin-top and will need a little TLC along the way.
I know all of this is OK if you can do the work yourself and don't have to pay for the pleasure, but if you are at all handy with the screwdriver and spanners then there is unmatched help on PH if you get into bother.
Get out and buy one, even rescue dogs can come good!!!
HTH
Phil
I bought mine as a "rescue package". Had been left for a while. had been broken into and radio ripped (and I mean ripped) out.Carpets sodden and useless, dashboard veneer cracked, roof holed (to get to radio)etc etc.
However mechanically iy looked ok. Once started (on original battery), drove it all the way home from outside Manchester with no probs (~250miles)
That was 2 years ago. I have rectified all the above. With it being a rescue, I have no service history, however as I do the vast majpority of the work on the car myself, that doesn't concern me.
It has NEVER let me down ( now there's the kiss of death!!) however, I DO look after it. If there is something a bit tatty on it, when funds are available, I will replace that part. I have replaced the coil, spark plugs, cables, extenders, silicon hoses, two stage fans, timing belt etc etc. Now, none of these had actually failed when I replaced it, so I now have a full rack of spares to hand.
As far as reliability is concerned, I for one reckon that you get out what you put in. What you need to remember is, it is NOT an ultra-modern tin-top and will need a little TLC along the way.
I know all of this is OK if you can do the work yourself and don't have to pay for the pleasure, but if you are at all handy with the screwdriver and spanners then there is unmatched help on PH if you get into bother.
Get out and buy one, even rescue dogs can come good!!!
HTH
Phil
Hiya – my Chimaera is a 1994, I am owner number 3 and have done 25k miles in the last 2.5 years of the total 58K. In that time she has been total reliable. My time with her has been a journey of tinkering and fettling to keep her running at her very best which I have found very rewarding, sometimes frustrating but always putting a big grin on my face. If it was my main car, and needed to pay someone to look after her I would be now broke, half insane and probably divorced. I purchased her through a dealer whom I had used before and trusted, she came with a huge list of upgrades and modifications and paid top price for her. She looks very pretty, and original from the outside, and has the performance that would shock a few quick motorcycles and performance cars of today, let alone 14 year old ones - Andy
To echo above, the only time mine has stopped unexpectedly at the side of the road is when it ran out of fuel.
Otherwise, the money I have put into it has been eitehr cosmetic reasons - roof, hood, wheels; preventative - all fluids, filters, belts and bushings replaced at purchase for my own peace of mind; user over-enthusiasm - clutch; and routine wear on a 14 year old car - steering rack refurb, door lock mechanism, fuel lines and outriggers.
Mine had a decent service history on purchase, but the previous owner was not in a position to cherish it as it deserved for the 18 months or so prior to me buying it. I knew what I was getting myself in for at the time, and the reduced price I paid allowed to me to spend a bit on getting it sorted. It's used 2-3 times a week as well, and I do not have to worry about "will it start, will it conk out in the outside lane, will something fall off it" any more than I do with my daily drive Volvo.
Don't expect to run these on a shoestring budget, but likewise if well chosen at purchase don't expect it to spend much time off the road battering your wallet.
Otherwise, the money I have put into it has been eitehr cosmetic reasons - roof, hood, wheels; preventative - all fluids, filters, belts and bushings replaced at purchase for my own peace of mind; user over-enthusiasm - clutch; and routine wear on a 14 year old car - steering rack refurb, door lock mechanism, fuel lines and outriggers.
Mine had a decent service history on purchase, but the previous owner was not in a position to cherish it as it deserved for the 18 months or so prior to me buying it. I knew what I was getting myself in for at the time, and the reduced price I paid allowed to me to spend a bit on getting it sorted. It's used 2-3 times a week as well, and I do not have to worry about "will it start, will it conk out in the outside lane, will something fall off it" any more than I do with my daily drive Volvo.
Don't expect to run these on a shoestring budget, but likewise if well chosen at purchase don't expect it to spend much time off the road battering your wallet.
Mine has been pretty much flawless over the last 5 years. Right up to last week when it cracked its 90k mile crankshaft. Just keep driving it regularly.
Thats why all ( sensible )Tiv owners have at least £3k in the bank for when something expensive happens, after 5 years of trouble free loonancy !
You do have this £££ put asside already dont you ?????
Thats why all ( sensible
)Tiv owners have at least £3k in the bank for when something expensive happens, after 5 years of trouble free loonancy !You do have this £££ put asside already dont you ?????
Edited by Chimune on Monday 28th September 17:00
Chimune said:
Thats why all ( sensible )Tiv owners have at least £3k in the bank for when something expensive happens, after 5 years of trouble free loonancy !
If I had a spare £3k it wouldn't be sitting around in the bank waiting to be spent on a car that probably won't need it anyway. Maintain it properly and look after it, and drive it regularly and you should'nt have too may hiccups! Oh and use the £3k to treat your Chim to several trips to the 'ring. You'll both enjoy it )Tiv owners have at least £3k in the bank for when something expensive happens, after 5 years of trouble free loonancy !
I bought one, suffered head gasket failure because there wasn't any coolant left in the system (leaky rad & water pump) - decided to go the whole hog and have the lump rebuilt, never a problem that stopped me from driving & enjoying it since. Even survived a nasty pinking episode because the ignition somehow managed to advance itself by 18 degrees(!) or so, but that's more a testament to the engine build than anything else. Oh, and I just replaced the coolant pressure cap - ironically a VW part.
Anyway, to have suffered no time off the road for two seasons and 11,000 miles so far was something of a novelty for me compared to my former cars (brand new company motors excepted). Never failed to start or run properly, no leaks, no parts falling off, no hiccups, no electrical glitches, nothing. Not bad for a 16 year old car with 117K miles.
Anyway, to have suffered no time off the road for two seasons and 11,000 miles so far was something of a novelty for me compared to my former cars (brand new company motors excepted). Never failed to start or run properly, no leaks, no parts falling off, no hiccups, no electrical glitches, nothing. Not bad for a 16 year old car with 117K miles.
Edited by 900T-R on Monday 28th September 18:27
In 7 years, 10,500 miles.
Fuel Leak in boot/welded tank
Speedo Transducer
Rocker gaskets
Wishbone & shocks
Hot start kit
Top ball joint
Drive shaft boots, Engine mounts, Handbrake switch, petrol gauge bulb investigation
OS/Mirror refitting, (came loose).
Headlight reflectors / Ignition leads
Total amount in Servicing and repairs from March 02 - Jan 09 - £7,082.89.
This year I have also had the immobiliser replaced, circa £170.
Fuel Leak in boot/welded tank
Speedo Transducer
Rocker gaskets
Wishbone & shocks
Hot start kit
Top ball joint
Drive shaft boots, Engine mounts, Handbrake switch, petrol gauge bulb investigation
OS/Mirror refitting, (came loose).
Headlight reflectors / Ignition leads
Total amount in Servicing and repairs from March 02 - Jan 09 - £7,082.89.
This year I have also had the immobiliser replaced, circa £170.
Gassing Station | Chimaera | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff