Chimera
13 October 2002, 08:16 PM
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Any good, considering buying one next year, will have about 13 grand , I reckon the 4.0 should do as I want performance with at MPG at least into double figures !
Any thoughts ?
Any thoughts ?
13 October 2002, 09:54 PM
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I'd have thought you'd get a decent early Chimaera for that money. From what I've heard they are more reliable than TVR's of old. Most are well cared for - have a look at Pistonheads for more info http://www.pistonheads.com/tvr/
Think you'll get well into double figures for mpg as long as you don't hit the loud pedal too much - which will be very hard. I'm hoping to get either a TVR in a couple of years time (Chim or Wedge)...
Think you'll get well into double figures for mpg as long as you don't hit the loud pedal too much - which will be very hard. I'm hoping to get either a TVR in a couple of years time (Chim or Wedge)...
13 October 2002, 10:02 PM
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A mate of mine ran one for 18 months or so; only problem AFAIK was a Fiesta trying to get inside with him at a roundabout; lots of expensive fibregalss repair and an XJR Sport as a hire car for a month!
He sold it for a new Elise and swapped that for a MY98 wagon (and some cash in the bank) if that's any help.
I test drove one (never even went out in my mate's) and was underwhelmed.
Fen
He sold it for a new Elise and swapped that for a MY98 wagon (and some cash in the bank) if that's any help.
I test drove one (never even went out in my mate's) and was underwhelmed.
Fen
13 October 2002, 10:53 PM
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Underwhelmed ?
What by the performance or just the car as a whole.
Originally wanted a Cerbera but I think they would be a little on the expensive side for me, Chimera is just about feasable, also the engines seem to last longer than 30 k !
What by the performance or just the car as a whole.
Originally wanted a Cerbera but I think they would be a little on the expensive side for me, Chimera is just about feasable, also the engines seem to last longer than 30 k !
13 October 2002, 11:48 PM
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Not nearly as quick as I'd expected. I was running a 911 at the time and it felt faster / better built / more characterful.
The dealer was desperate for me to try the 5 litre but I never did.
Fen
The dealer was desperate for me to try the 5 litre but I never did.
Fen
14 October 2002, 08:59 AM
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Drove a friends 4.0 and was underwhelmed by the performance. It just ain't that quick. Very dosile and forgiving and once you get used to the width it is a very nice car to drive. Great noise, lovely interior and cool looks.
But if you want quick go for a 5.0lt
But if you want quick go for a 5.0lt
14 October 2002, 10:17 AM
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4.0 is a bit underwhelming (I've driven a couple), but the 4.5 and 5.0 are the Mutts nuts.
Kev - Go for the chimp, not a Wedge (unless its a pristeen SEAC !!!) - there really is no comparison in build quality - I owned a an '88 350 for 12 months, and they're badly put together....but that noise.....ahhhh......sorry about the mess !!!!!
Kev - Go for the chimp, not a Wedge (unless its a pristeen SEAC !!!) - there really is no comparison in build quality - I owned a an '88 350 for 12 months, and they're badly put together....but that noise.....ahhhh......sorry about the mess !!!!!
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14 October 2002, 04:23 PM
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Nice car, **** poor build quality - doesnt matter, get the engine started and who cares!!
Older ones often need paint in many places, quite a few with poor re-sprays, great car for the weekend, I will be getting one when I buy a house with a garage!!
Older ones often need paint in many places, quite a few with poor re-sprays, great car for the weekend, I will be getting one when I buy a house with a garage!!
15 October 2002, 08:39 PM
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Nah, mines going to be an everyday car as I only do 130 miles a week to work, will keep my GTI just in case and it will live outside.
Iwill jhave to drive one but a 4.0 240 bhp V8 sounds (on paper)anything but underwhelming in such a light car.
Iwill jhave to drive one but a 4.0 240 bhp V8 sounds (on paper)anything but underwhelming in such a light car.
15 October 2002, 09:11 PM
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As Ferris Bueller once said "If you have the means I highly recommend you picking one up". Ok, he was talking about a Ferarri but what the hell.
Anyway, here's my Bro's 285 BHP 4.5 Chim. Totally awesome sound when he guns it
Anyway, here's my Bro's 285 BHP 4.5 Chim. Totally awesome sound when he guns it
16 October 2002, 08:33 AM
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Mark
As a current owner of a chim 450 (see pictures in markr1963's kind post) I can hopefully offer a few suggestions....
Basically you have to try before you buy; as they are all hand built the build quality and performance can vary quite a bit even for the same model and year.
As suggested earlier take a look at http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/ esp. he Chimaera section, plenty of friendly folk who will give good advice.
Also join the TVR Car Club (http://www.tvrcc.com) and get yourself down to a local section meeting. There you will be able to talk to owners and see their cars to get a better impression. You will also get a monthly magazine which has a large classifieds section.
As for comments regarding underwhelming performance only you can be the judge after you have tried for yourself. I doubt you'd be dissapointed.
markr1963 can certainly comment on chim 450 vs his WRX Wagon on some of the lanes around Cambridge :-) (OK it was dry with fairly straight roads ;-))
The build quaility of my chim is excellent (see pictures above) but it is 1999 model and is noticably better than a friends N -plate chim.
If I can help further let me know.
D
(aka FunkyGibbon on Pistonheads)
As a current owner of a chim 450 (see pictures in markr1963's kind post) I can hopefully offer a few suggestions....
Basically you have to try before you buy; as they are all hand built the build quality and performance can vary quite a bit even for the same model and year.
As suggested earlier take a look at http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/ esp. he Chimaera section, plenty of friendly folk who will give good advice.
Also join the TVR Car Club (http://www.tvrcc.com) and get yourself down to a local section meeting. There you will be able to talk to owners and see their cars to get a better impression. You will also get a monthly magazine which has a large classifieds section.
As for comments regarding underwhelming performance only you can be the judge after you have tried for yourself. I doubt you'd be dissapointed.
markr1963 can certainly comment on chim 450 vs his WRX Wagon on some of the lanes around Cambridge :-) (OK it was dry with fairly straight roads ;-))
The build quaility of my chim is excellent (see pictures above) but it is 1999 model and is noticably better than a friends N -plate chim.
If I can help further let me know.
D
(aka FunkyGibbon on Pistonheads)
17 October 2002, 10:53 PM
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That is a stunning looking car !
I am just reading a book on TVR history to start my research, well I started in the eighties by having original motor show pictures of the 350/390/450 SEAC on my walls !
Have had a look on pistonheads, its what convinced me not to bother even looking at the Cerbera, fantastic machine but at the price I would be looking at I couldnt take the risk of engine aggro, hence the requirement for a nice reliable Rover V8 in the milder state of tune.
I shall keep you posted, and many thanks for all the posts !
I am just reading a book on TVR history to start my research, well I started in the eighties by having original motor show pictures of the 350/390/450 SEAC on my walls !
Have had a look on pistonheads, its what convinced me not to bother even looking at the Cerbera, fantastic machine but at the price I would be looking at I couldnt take the risk of engine aggro, hence the requirement for a nice reliable Rover V8 in the milder state of tune.
I shall keep you posted, and many thanks for all the posts !
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