Tvr Chimera

[axnutty 10]

Having asked you all about Nissan Pulsars, I know am asking if anyone has anything to say about TVR Chimeras. Particuarly the earlier models (4.0litre) Good bad or indifferent comments welcomed.

[MrG 3]

Check for the quality and things that actually work, I had an S2 and even when new the body showed signs of star cracking etc. Fit and build was quite rubbish really but mine had tried and tested Ford underpinnings so mechanically was fine. They cost though, to upkeep and run, and some repairs are not as straightforward as you'd expect them to be.

 

But they sound great, look good but as with all sports cars of this ilk, do your homework thoroughly. Plenty out there on the TVR.

[marksorrento205 80]

Look the tits But from what I have heard the chassis are prone to rotting?

[allye 530 3 Cars]

Go like stink, sounds like nothing else, no way near as garish (read :look-a-twat) as other high performance cars, relatively cheap to buy and look fecking cool!

 

But as above, will require a good amount of up-keep, although I resent top gear banging on about how un-reliable they are but there is some truth!

 

(I always thought the S2 made a lot of noise but never went that quick! )

[MrG 3]

LOL on both the TG and the S2 comment. The S2 I had certainly went fast enough but then again I did have the heads ported and polished to try and free some more ponies, pretty difficult due to the Siamese style set up!

 

Personally I'd go for either a Griffith, T350 or a Cerbera

[axnutty 10]

Personally I'd go for either a Griffith, T350 or a Cerbera

 

 

How come MrG? I thought the Griff and the P2 Chimera are essentially the same car? Chassis is the same and teh Chimera has more engine choices and a bigger boot. Cerbera admitedly is ultimate value for money "super car."

[Bogsye 22]

Every now and again I get the TVR itch - Test drove a Chimera 4.5 between my Boxster and S2000. It was a hoot - it was as heavy as chuff with no PAS, but that added to the fun.

 

I'd probably be drawn to the Griff as it's production numbers are lower, and it's more likely to keep it's value. Chimeras seem to start pretty cheap.

I guess it depends on your intentions for it I suppose.

 

Out riggers always seem to be the issue - apparently need the wheels off to inspect properly on a Griff.

The starmist red seems to be a nightmare for fading, so if it gets damaged it horrendous to match up.

 

Cerb's I like as they are practical, but the engine would scare me off.

 

Brian

[oli-pug 6 2 Cars]

Personally, I'm not a big fan of Tvrs but I did work at a place specialising in them and my Dad has owned a few. He started with an S2 and stepped up to a Chimaera 500 2-3 years ago.

 

The S2 was a very nice car, white bodywork with navy leather and roof, diamond cut O.Z wheels, ACT exhaust and manifolds which sounded the tits, best thing he had done was a mod to the throttle linkage to improve response! Great fun car but always felt a bit uneasy in the bends probably down to the massive balloon tyres and worn out shocks.

 

Now has the Chimaera as he wanted "something" with a V8 Lovely car, GTS blue, magnolia leather, Nitrons etc... Also has PAS and AC which is rare I believe. He's done quite a lot of miles in it running up and down the country and it's being pretty bulletproof really. Only needed a new radiator and the usual servicing which is all very straight forward stuff.

 

It's definitely a car suited to cruising with the odd blast here and there, the power and effortless grunt is great if the engine is fit. All it really needs are some minor tweaks to the geo and it would be a really really capable car on track too.

 

The 4.0 litre I'm not sold on, I've driven a few and the engine always felt lack lustre and not punchy enough for me, but at the money they're at the moment still a good performance car for the money I suppose.

[MrG 3]

How come MrG?

 

I prefer the looks of them pure and simple. Not a big fan on the looks of the Chimera. I do fancy a T350 though, it looks so, er good.

[mainline 2 1 Cars]

Chassis outriggers as already mentioned, they are the biggest area of concern on the Chimera, as is the tubular chassis as a whole if the car has been used a lot in British winters. If the outriggers rot its an MOT failure and expensive repair bill. However, there are companies that specialise in repair sections (check Pistonheads classifieds) so its not a body off repair like it would be to replace the whole thing. The dashboards crack and the trim can perish, and obviously being a fibre glass car, you need to check for cracks or bad repairs. Check the hood for tears and leaks. Engines are pretty bulletproof as they are the Rover V8 derivatives, not the Speed 6.

 

I was very close to buying one when I got my VX. In fact my VX was from the local TVR Specialist (Harrogate Horseless Carriages) and I spent a bit of time driving various TVRs before I decided to go for the Vauxhall because of running costs etc.

 

Handling wise, they are not sublime like an Elise or VX220, they are nothing like as sweet in the corners, but they make up for it in one special way that doesn't need explaining. Noise. Compared with a Grif, the Chim is quite softly sprung, and more forgiving. I wasn't sure I had the skill to handle a Grif and I could see myself exiting stage left, through a hedge in one!

 

Just remember its a hand built car, they are all a bit cobbled together compared to a mass produced vehicle, and a lot more special.

 

Definitely go and take one for a spin though, but be warned you might not be able to resist if you do

[Tom Fenton 1,541]

A good mate of mine has a Griffith 500, I've driven it a couple of times, by god does it go, really quick. A bit scary on the handling front though I must say, certainly a thing to be treated with much respect.

All in all he has had a couple of minor problems with it but that is all, he uses it a lot as well most of the year.

Echo the comments above regards handbuilt cars and a bit of a cobble together, I fitted a new throttle cable and what a mare that was to do.

[Henry Yorke 269 3 Cars]

Maybe it is just me, but I think the TVR used to have a bit of an image problem. The people who used to drive them were Hackett shirt wearing city "rugger buggers" who lacked the taste to buy a Porsche at the time for the same money!

 

However I think they may now be a cheap way to get a supercar and everyone should enjoy large CC and rear wheel drive before the price of fuel goes totally through the roof. It really is something else compared to FWD. Certainly a box to tick.

 

As said the more individual models like the Griffith 500 will always command more money due to that enthusiast exclusivity and tend to be in better condition than the more common ones. I would just advise to look for one with as fewer owners as possible and preferably buy from a TVR club member as the standard faults will certainly have been known about and potentially addressed, a bit like we all know about inner wing rot on here.

[allye 530 3 Cars]

Maybe it is just me, but I think the TVR used to have a bit of an image problem. The people who used to drive them were Hackett shirt wearing city "rugger buggers" who lacked the taste to buy a Porsche at the time for the same money!

 

I disagree! Porsche is the super car of some one with no imagination who just follows the crowd, a TVR is bought by en enthusiast to drive the nuts off it!

[Henry Yorke 269 3 Cars]

I disagree! Porsche is the super car of some one with no imagination who just follows the crowd, a TVR is bought by en enthusiast to drive the nuts off it!

I knew it was a contentious statement and would split the views!

One is widely recognised as the pinnacle of German engineering and the other is (as Tom put it) "handbuilt cars and a bit of a cobble together"

Residual values tell me I am not alone in this thought

[mainline 2 1 Cars]

Residual values are about supply and demand, I think that the TVR low residuals are due to fears about reliability and the fact that the company has gone under which makes those who are maybe not real enthusiasts quite wary. Porsches have a much wider appeal as they are a status symbol, have an image as being bulletproof and are clearly very very good cars.

 

If you gave me £8k and said buy a Porsche or a TVR I think I'd go for a Chimera.

 

If you have me £20k I'd be torn between a 993 911 and the T350c

 

If you gave me £50k I'd have a Sagaris and some nice change!