Ive been looking at a tvr chimaera 4.0 as a fun weekend car. Has anyone got one or anything to look out for with them ?
I think they are going to gu up in value in the coming years

Check all electrics thoroughly and if you manage to find one that's never been backwards through a hedge your doing well, great car but not very forgiving. I used to know a guy who worked at a TVR dealership and spray shop... He was a very busy boy and often had cars back the same week they were sold, requiring a little more than t-cut.

Again great car but I wouldn't buy in the hope they will become a future classic.

Here's the wheeler dealers episode - about a Cerbera rather than a chim.

My bro in laws have one.

They are twin lads who have 16 cars between them.

They don't drink, smoke or go out, they just do cars 24/7.

They are both senior techs at Volvo and Mitsubishi.

They build their own engines etc.

The only time they ever felt like setting fire to a car was their chimera.

If you enjoy spanners and oil then your in for a real treat!!

When it roars tho, blimey!

Dave All things transport - big or small, UK or planetwide.
E-mail info@md-couriers.co.uk

I had one. What to look out for.
EVERYTHING
Great fun but if anything can go wrong it will.
Engine over heating
electrics
brakes
suspension
power steering

all in 6 months and only 48k on the clock.

What a car though

Buy an SL55

Jay 2020 Porsche Panamera Turbo Hybrid (V FAST)
2017 Range Rover Autobiography 5.0 V8
2018 JCW Mini Cooper
2018 Skoda VRS

I had one a few years ago. All I can say is it is to sports cars what the FFRR is to 4x4's... You would never buy one if you listen to other peoples advice but if you ignore them and just buy it because you fancy it and think it will be fun it will be the best thing you ever buy. I say go for it! I always regret selling mine.

A friend had one . . .
Driving along one day he could smell burning . . .
By the time he'd pulled over and got out it was engulfed in flame . . .

That being said, it wouldn't stop me but I prefer the Griffith !

 Where do you go after one of these . . . ?

Sounds like every drive is an adventure!

I had a 450 a good few years back and loved it, as long as you go into ownership expecting it to be a kit car rather than a mainstream production car, I think they will be a good investment.

The chassis is the biggest think to look at. Outriggers are visible, although much of the rest is quite hidden. If the outriggers are original and have been looked after, the chassis is usually OK.

The engines are very low tech and as long as the electrics work and you check it is not overheating, the rest is quite manageable from memory... 4.2 Supercharged Vogue SE

I had the TVR factory record for 2 engines in 11 days......

Great when they work. 2011 Stornaway Grey 5.0SC Autobiography

I owned one for 5 years, a 450

look out for outriggers , cooling issues , fans not coming on/off as they should, rear dampers have a tendency to snap

wishbones rot and need new suspension bushes regularly , engine mounts tend to deteriorate quickly .

check windows go up and down okay , check for hot start issue (won't start when requested after stopping for fuel , quite embarrassing on the forecourt but easily fixed)

all in all for me was an enjoyable ownership and if your okay on the tools shouldn't cost you anything to keep on top of things.

I owned a Griffith 500 and a Mk1 Tuscan 4.0 Red Rose which I regret selling.
Brilliant cars but fragile at times... Build quality is very dubious as well.

But it's a Marmite Brand... and I love 'em Regards
Mark

2009 D4; 1993 Classic 3.9 VSE

Thanks for the replies, the reliability issues sound just like a range rover !
Time for a serious think about it …

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see here

http://www.fullfatrr.com/forum/topic27221.html

Stan... sorry if I shouldn't have dome that.... :whistle:

Admin note: this post has had its images recovered from a money grabbing photo hosting site and reinstated  Pete
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2014 L405 Autobiography SDV8 4.4 Loire Blue Ebony interior
2011 L322 Vogue SE 4.4 TDV8 Baltic Blue. Parchment over Navy Interior. Sold
2012 L322 Autobiography 5.0 Supercharged Ipanema Sand, Jet Interior. Sold
2002 L322 Vogue 4.4 V8 Epson Green, Ivory over Aspen Interior (Fatty Offroader) Sold
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I was just about to suggest that...

I don't knowTVRs, but the Merc might be a bit tame compared to it. Tame in the way a kitty is less likely than a lion to bite your head off.