1994 TVR Chimaera 4.0 HC 4.0 HC V8 from UK and Ireland
Summary:
Expensive rubbish, and I mean rubbish
Faults:
Inlet manifold gasket leak.
Exhaust manifold gasket leak.
Worn camshaft.
Stepper motor faulty.
Alarm/immobiliser faults.
Door hinges sagging.
Bonnet hinges worn.
Bonnet catch broken.
Bonnet release cable snapped.
Throttle cable stretched.
Windscreen leaked.
Handbrake useless.
Worn differential bushes.
Seatbelts wouldn't pay out.
General Comments:
I have to admit I bought this car on a whim. The thought of having a big V8 in a light convertible blinded me to the fact that I bought a pig in a poke.
The engine coughed and spluttered, and never ran well, the diff bushes were slacker than a porn star's, it drank fuel like no other car I've heard of, and its claimed 0-60 in under 5 seconds is an absolute lie.
It sounded good for a 10 minute blast, but after this, the noise was stupidly loud, the cabin was hot and stuffy, but at the same time plagued by condensation, and the steering was outrageously heavy. And I'm comparing that to a Series III Landrover..
The central locking played up all the time, the battery flattened itself regularly, the wipers were useless (again, I'm comparing that to a Series III Landrover), the headlights were a joke (once again, I'm comparing that to a Series III Landrover).
All in all, I wish I'd never bought it.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No
Review Date: 26th October, 2010
8th Apr 2011, 05:59
Admit it, they're s****. Poorly made expensive rubbish. Don't kid yourself. OK, people look at them, but only with wonder that they're still going. Save yourself the heartache and buy a Porsche Boxster.
4th May 2012, 07:34
Indeed, my wife was saying the same thing only the other week, so I promised to keep my eye out for her a Boxster. Her manicured finger nails and blond hair tied back with her Gucci headscarf will set off the Boxster no end. Kylie should be clear as a bell on the stereo too, even with the roof down!
30th Jan 2011, 10:58
I own a TVR Chimaera, and my experience was completely different - what you should remember is that most cars that have done 90000 miles would have a fair few issues, however I wasn't a cheapskate, and shopped around for one with much lower mileage. Yes it cost more, but I got a whole better car for my money. If your engine was running correctly, for one thing it would use less petrol, the performance would be mindblowing.
As for the sound, I love it - it makes me smile all the time I am driving it - if you want a car that is exciting to drive, and turns heads wherever it goes, then a Chimaera is an ideal car. If you want to go to the shops in peace whilst listening to Radio2, then sell the Chimaera and get back in your Fiat Coupe, where no-one will notice you drive by!