101 Questions?

[cliff123]

Hi, I'm a TVR novice, and hopefully about to find and buy my first Chimera 4.0 in the coming week or two, and am looking for a little advice.
1) Is Power Steering essential, or are the non-PAS cars light enough for my misses to drive. How great a difference does it make to the whole performance / feel of the car? Which would you choose?
2) As a TVR virgin, provided I'm careful, is buying a Chimera privately safe, or should I really definitely be buying from a garage?
3) If I buy private can you recommend a good warranty scheme, which I can buy into? (Is this possible?)
4) Which would you recommend buying: an older car with low mileage (20k), a newer car with higher mileage (50K)?
5) Is there, and where could I get nice air vents? Did TVR design this beautiful car and then just forget about the air vents and stick in any old plastic they found?
Thanks for your help.

[rat]

1) Power Steering
Important for parking unless you're used to it and have the matching gorilla arms, but not at speed

2) buying Chimera privately
Best to know what you're looking for. If you are mechanically minded then just read these pages to find out what to look for, otherwise take a friend who is or play safer with dealer/indy.

2.5) find a good dealer/indy who will ask a reasonable price and will give a hoot if they sold you a duffer.

4) older / newer
Condition

5) air vents?
TVR do raid parts bins to keep cost down, or at least they used to. You can get aluminum surrounds from Leven, but have not seen any complete replacements.

[TheHobbit]

cliff123 said:

Hi, I'm a TVR novice, and hopefully about to find and buy my first Chimera 4.0 in the coming week or two, and am looking for a little advice.

Cliff. Once you've got it, you won't want to get rid of it, I promise!... but don't buy the first one you drive!

cliff123 said:

1) Is Power Steering essential, or are the non-PAS cars light enough for my misses to drive. How great a difference does it make to the whole performance / feel of the car? Which would you choose?

Ours has PAS as its an every day driver, and MrsHobbit finds it easier. I think it drives just fine.

cliff123 said:

2) As a TVR virgin, provided I'm careful, is buying a Chimera privately safe, or should I really definitely be buying from a garage?

Theres nothing to stop you buying privatly, but if its your first tiv, I would recommend either getting someone you know who knows them to give it the once over, or preferably get the one you like inspected.... and *not* by the RAC/AA. Get Rob Ingleby or your local tiv dealer or specialist to check it over for you... many will do it for a minimal fee, and it's well worth it. We bought ours from a dealer (Peninsula) as we wanted the reassurance of dealer services and warranty.... that said, not all dealers are equal, and we shopped around for the one to buy from.

cliff123 said:

3) If I buy private can you recommend a good warranty scheme, which I can buy into? (Is this possible?)

Sorry, can't comment here.....

cliff123 said:

4) Which would you recommend buying: an older car with low mileage (20k), a newer car with higher mileage (50K)?

Condition, condition, condition.... oh, and service history.... not necessarily dealer history, but certainly specialist or dealer.

cliff123 said:

5) Is there, and where could I get nice air vents? Did TVR design this beautiful car and then just forget about the air vents and stick in any old plastic they found?

Dunno.... personally I like the car as it is.

All IMHO of course

[the dodger]

Those with PAS will say it's necessary, those without will say it's not (that includes me). I would definately not let this be a deciding factor. As mentioned it's Condition, Condition, Condition. Also a MUST is service history - all of it (but need not all be dealer, most indies are preferable especially after say, 5 yrs). When you find one you like, in excellent condition with history, drive it/try it. Then decide.

Alternatively give Rob Ingleby a call. He will find you something to suit to your spec/price. His number is 01280-706332 or 07799-142860 or visit www.findasportscar.co.uk He's a great guy too! (no, I'm not on commission!) Tell him Roger Walker sent you.

[shpub]

There's a buyers guide on my website www.tvrbooks.co.uk.
PAS is a personal thing. I wouldn't go back to nonPAS at all and there are quite a few people who have upgraded to PAS but I have not heard of any going the other way. Just try and decide for yourself.

Warrenty will be expensive unless the car is very new. May well be better off buying a car for less than your budget and keeping the balance as an emergency fund.

Garages will depend on the insurance company and where you live. Access to power is a good idea - see the battery chapter on the website on why you need a battery conditioner to prevent the battery going flat when not used.

Good luck
Steve