TVR Chimaera: Back to the Nineties!

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The TVR Chimaera was launched in the early 1990s and would soon become one of the most distinctive and desirable sports cars of the era. But how does it stand up in 2020? Dan Prosser gets behind the wheel of this V8 British sports car in order to find out.
Read our TVR Chimaera Used Review:
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Pros
Fabulous performance and soundtrack from V8 engine
Big boot for a sports car
Rewarding to drive, so long as you are careful...
Cons
Lacks modern safety kit
Expensive to run
Rusty chassis and leaking roofs are common
The CarGurus verdict
A TVR Chimaera is without doubt a specialist car, and it needs the kind of owner who’s willing to put it up with its foibles. If you want a car that’s easy to use and easy to drive, perhaps something you can use every day but that can deliver a thrill or two when you’re in the mood, then you're probably better off looking elsewhere.
If, however, you’re after a car for high days and holidays that can deliver sheer, unbridled drama off the bat, and you’re prepared to take extra care when driving it, keeping in mind its lack of safety kit, then you’re in the right place.
Buy a well-maintained example and it should even be pretty dependable, and those simple mechanicals are easy to fix as and when they do go wrong. A good Chimaera is immensely rewarding, and on a sunny day it’s a wonderful thing to be able to bring out of the garage and enjoy.
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5 окт 2024

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Комментарии : 96

@glennturnbull8568 2 года назад

This is my old car which I sold about 10 years ago, replaced with a Tamora. Lovely to see a video on her. But I can’t say I ever found the steering numb! And no TVR had ABS, so get used to it, and drive accordingly. I drove it all over Europe, it was great, but the Tamora is a way better car, especially in the handling dept. Still with power steering and no ABS! Thanks for the video Dan.

@DadDoesCars 2 года назад

Hi Glenn - I'm the current owner of the car; I'm a motoring journalist and a regular contributor to CarGurus and lent the car to them for the video. Really great to hear from you, and to hear that the car has done some European road trips in its time! I've had a brilliant couple of years with the car but am thinking of selling toward the end of this year. Before I do, I wondered whether you'd like to see it again? If so, and assuming you haven't moved far from the address on the invoice in the history, I'm not a million miles away and could easily arrange it. Let me know.

@gobinduppal4429 3 года назад

I just don't get youtube, or rather those that use it. Dan and other auto journalists are so much more communicative, and interesting, with more varied experiences, than most mainstream youtubers, yet only 280 views as of now? wtf, and Dan is one of the best of the best. Always interesting content Dan!! Thanks for your content.

@FenderUsa 3 года назад

because he doesn't say "HEY GUYS IT'S YOUR BOY" at the start

@stephengriffin3376 3 года назад

@@FenderUsa That's not fair to the majority of youtube personalities, there's a 50% chance they might start with "WHAT IS GOING ON YOU TUBE!?" possibly followed by "IT'S YOUR BOY..." for good measure.

@flumoxeduk2379 2 года назад

RU-vid seems to promote people who you'd avoid in the pub, this guy id buy a pint👍

@ianshippen279 3 года назад

The Chimaera 4.0 is probably the best all-round car TVR made.

@philroyston4742 3 года назад

I had one as a daily driver for a couple of years in 97 and always regretted selling it. I stumbled upon it on eBay last year in a very sorry state, and after a fair bit of time and cash have it back running reliably and looking respectable again. Every drive in it is an event and not just because there is a finite chance you will need assistance from a recovery firm to get it back home. Mine has the manual steering rack which is very heavy at low speeds but great once you are up and running. The engine note is fabulous and dropping a gear through tunnels and under bridges is mandatory.

@2702simmo 3 года назад

Brave man to daily it. Mine does my head in after a week or so of daily use when my family’s broken

@brooksietyper 3 года назад

Sold my 1998 4.0 Chimaera 5 years ago. I massively miss it, I should never have sold it. Great video, you have captured the sound inside the car perfectly.

@graemetucker8150 3 года назад

TVR's are the antidote to the modern world. Wonderful throwbacks and proper sports cars. Into the 5th year of owning a Tuscan and its just something else, never to be repeated.

@angi733 3 года назад

Had a Griff 500 for a couple of years, non standard exhaust, used to do an evil laugh when I opened the taps fully! Chims are great value and should not be overlooked!

@garymansell4518 3 года назад

I owed a 450 for 13 years a wonderful car. If you look after one and drive it all year they are reliable and extremely rewarding. Buy the best you can afford.

@martinlaver007 3 года назад

I have a Griff 500. No plans to sell it! Great drive.

@dalamar6228 3 года назад

I've got one and I'm keeping it! The V8 sound is so addictive and Dan's right that above 4k rpm the engine really comes alive.

@kingcurry6594 3 года назад

Great review. I have one of these (a 4.5) and I love it to bits. It's wonderful in every way. Other cars come and go, but the Chimaera will be kept until I'm too old to drive it and then my son can have it. He steals it every opportunity he gets anyway.

@anthonywatkins2783 2 года назад

Just bought my 2001 model 4.5 litre Chimaera, just love it every time I get behind the wheel, makes me grin ear to ear, great review, keep them coming. 👍

@RichardOzanne 3 года назад

I've had 2 Chimaeras over the years (and a Tuscan). The 4 litre was good but the 450 was an absolute gem. The 500 (a mate had one) was too "bonkers" for my ham-fisted efforts. Overall a fantastic car that leaked like a sieve (into the passenger footwell where the ECU was located) and went through rear tyres at an alarming rate. Damn I loved that 450 !!

@goodfes 3 года назад

Great review. Had mine from new 1999. 450. Always been garaged, 23k miles and been a blast whenever I have used it. Try and get out every year and have been all over europe when I have. Very fortunate to find a local specialist who treats her well. Feel very proud to keep an original one going, the Peter Wheeler era was quite exceptional. Could have had a Porsche or Elise but chose the Trevor, don't regret it all! It does attract a lot of interest from former owners or those in the know (have always had positive reactions when driving through Europe). I think it was envisaged as a classic Grand Tourer, that it is.......

@ripvanallen 3 года назад

Ever since I was a school boy I promised myself a TVR, preferably a wedge but I now have an early chim 400, (no.16 in the production line according to the TVR specialist who supplied the car) its sublime to drive and although I’ve no doubt it’s slower than the speed six and AJP engines, it’s very revvy and as Dan says it really comes to life at the higher revs towards the redline, having only covered 28k miles it’s super tight and drives like new, I doubt I’ll ever part with it, this is a great and honest review in my experience 👌👍

@brattslapper Год назад

I Also had a Blue Beauty.. Loved it. One of the 5 TVRs I owned over the Years..

@nickloftus4188 3 года назад

Great review Dan, as always, and sums the car up nicely I'd say. Good to see an old TVR being covered on this channel. I'm on my second Griffith 500, had it for 9 years now and love it to bits. Every trip out feels like the first one ever and I use it weekly. I just can't get bored of the noise. The way the public react to TVRs is a massive bonus too. Mine's had quite a bit of general fettling and upgrading over the years, which to be fair they do benefit from, but there's really nothing else out there quite like them, especially at the price.

@JoJo-en7bn 3 года назад

Great review, TVR’s were lovely cars and it looked as if you enjoyed driving it.

@UserUser-vo2ky Год назад

I wish i never sold my 97 Chimaera, bought it as my only car so was my daily driver for 4 years. I know a lot of tricks like for example if you ever have a hot start problem where you turn the key and nothing happens wack in an upward direction the bottom of the passenger side dashboard while turning the ignition key, hit it a few times, it genuinely works. I absolutely loved that car, grey with red leather.

@swanblake 3 года назад

Quite a lovely thing. I hope there are more TVR reviews coming. A brand I have only started to learn about. So interesting and full of character. Great work

@Ken-mu3dc 3 года назад

Blake - these cars are so much fun to drive as long as you keep your wits about you!! If you fancy one go for it sooner rather than later because the values are going up.

@surrealtom 2 года назад

There's a new Griffith coming sometime soon, however the new TVR factory will be under partial government control, and consequently the production has been indefinitely delayed (when there's government involved, the words "speed" and "efficiency" don't exist).

@2702simmo 3 года назад

These are a great car. Had mine for over 2 years and I’ll only sell it for a Tuscan maybe. An event to drive and more reliable than the reputation makes out. I use mine to just go for long drives which clear the head completely The 400 here I found not quick enough when test driving but still nice to drive but the 500 I have is full of power and torque which is addictive I strongly recommend them to anyone who has always wanted one

@findingyourlightwithin6268 3 года назад

I owned a 1996 5L v8 20 years ago in British racing green with a magnolia interior. Every day I opened the garage door and saw it, I grinned. When I turned the key, I grinned. Beauty and the beast combined. What an experience! So funny when Subaru Imprezas pulled alongside at the traffic lights wanting to race ;-)

@X1GGE 3 года назад

Nice one Dan, enjoying the drive nation podcast too, cheers.

@DoubleDeckerAnton 3 года назад

I ❤ the rare Purple/Mauve colour featured with a Estoril Blue Z3M on the front cover of a '98 TopGear magazine.

@hemiwarrior6226 2 года назад

This was only one year ago and now you can't find a Chimera that has nothing wrong with it for under 10 quid. These things are gaining value FAST.

@cobaltbluearts Год назад

Why oh why have I not yet owned a TVR - they were and remain my all time favourite sports cars!?

@Feynman.R 3 года назад

I love TVR

@TG-pd3ft 3 года назад

I really wanted one of these back in the 90s, but even the stupid, reckless 22yo me, knew it would end badly... Still love that interior...

@TeaVR 3 года назад

I owned a 5.0 Chimp for a few years. Great cars - but in the modern world, I think I'd miss ABS and safety aids. Don't fancy a car where the driver's seat is bolted to fibreglass and the only thing holding you in is the seatbelt! Best driven and treated as a motorbike! Nice review Dan! Bet you wouldn't swap the A110 however ;)

@adamajpm8578 3 года назад

Great video! Please do a 4.5L AJP V8 Cerbera. Much more rabid but long wheelbase helps a lot. As these cars have all been around for so long, many of the niggles have been sorted or re-engineered solutions have been provided. Nothing like them!

@jl1912 3 года назад

This is a really interesting, well explained and balanced review. Really enjoyed watching it.

@ataaxa9809 Месяц назад

Great video and driving feelings! I am looking to get a Chimaera 400 and I am looking forward to test one in September!! Cheers from France

@SDH-g8g 3 года назад

Good review, that. I've driven a fair few Chimaeras (including that one) and that's a well-balanced and informed approach. Certainly better than most! That car actually rides little stiffer than a standard one, too, as it's running GAZ Gold adjustable dampers! Chimaeras really are good cars.

@garstanforddasilva9663 3 года назад

Good reportage. Honest and true…TVR is the ultimate, no nonsense, true drivers car. Most of the others are robot zombies in comparison.

@herme99 3 года назад

More 90's bangers please!

@reshapeddie 3 года назад

Fantastic review, Dan!

@pigeonpoo1823 3 года назад

Ahhh the 90s. Ive been thinking let's dust off the old plans for tvr's, 22B's, intergra type r, (but add in some abs and esp on a loose setting). Light, lithe and fun

@grahamw56 2 года назад

Good report sir. As anticpated in the comments section though, more of the people who evidently think that TVRs are the only performance cars in the world that should be begrudged the cost of proper servicing and maintenance...even 20 or 30 years after most (sarcasm) wonderful, reliable, tin boxes have lost almost their entire value, before having been recycled into 'white goods' .

@akerr911 3 года назад

You have broken me!! I’m now seriously considering coming out of my way e46 m3 and getting one.

@Ken-mu3dc 3 года назад

Ask Akker - I have driven both and believe me the TVR is much more entertaining. Go for it you won't regret it.

@CCGR-2024 3 года назад

I enjoyed your review, the TVR sounds like a fun little piece of kit, you made it sound like the perfect car to fling about on the back roads of New England where I live. Ever thought of trying to get ahold of a Triumph TR-5? You might enjoy it. Thanks for a great review!

@landl190372 Год назад

Whenever someone asks me whether I'm a good driver I'm happy to be able to report that I had one of these for three years, put 40k miles on it driving in all weather conditions, and lived to tell the tale. I'd love to have another go.

@jjefferyworboys8138 3 года назад

Excellent, interesting and informative. I will look at the Chimaera again.

@macbabes3835 3 года назад

I'm trying to convince my wife that we don't need a deposit on a house, we need a Chimaera instead.

@thezanzibarbarian5729 3 года назад

TVR, back in the days, was a company who'd make gorgeous looking cars that just had to be lusted after, but probably better avoided unless you had heaps of money to burn. And this Chimaera is certainly one of the better lookers. A British car that looks like it was around in the 1960's.

@thezanzibarbarian5729 3 года назад

@Bercilak de hautdesert - It's probably a good 25 years since I last heard of the TVR S. I likened them to MGB's on steroids. As for British Sports cars, I used to have, many decades ago, a 1.5 MG Midget. Not much grunt, but heaps of torque for such a small car. However, because it's weight distribution was probably 85% front and 15% rear (An empty air filled boot over the rear wheels didn't help!), its propensity to oversteer made it great fun. And on wet days, it was a hoot. The steering was really quick though, so catching the tail when it started to wag was quite easy. And, thankfully, I never had a moment when I ended up facing the way I'd just come. But like a lot of British cars, hidden rust was it's downfall. Though it still looked smart and clean when I sold it to someone who knew about the rust and wanted a "project". C'est la vie. Those days are sadly gone. But gone for good? Hmm... I'm not sure...

@surrealtom 2 года назад

In all fairness, the Chimaera is famed to be one of the more reliable TVRs, especially if its driven regularly.

@terrificspokesman7416 3 года назад

Maybe you should do a review of a TVR Cerbera with the lovely 4.5 TVR 450 AJV8

@martinbond461 2 года назад

I had a 500 back in 2002. I drove my mates Griffith and from that moment, I just had to get myself a TVR, and the 500 was the only one worth getting. Mine had chrome interior instead of wood and was in Purple Illusion paint. I would be worth more now than I paid for it if I'd kept it.

@jamesdavis8452 2 года назад

@Colin Gregson the 500 is quicker than the 450 . I know . Ive owned both

@cornishrider 3 года назад

Blackpool TCS! Love it.

@ab6026 2 года назад

I had mine about 2002/3. A 1 owner 400, ‘96 with power steering and 20k miles. It was great, great sound, comfy, fast and fun to drive BUT I got tired of it leaking into the cabin and soaking the carpets and some of the bonkers things like the battery/fuses down in the footwell and trying to fix a broken headlight when someone at the factory forgot to provide any way of getting to it from under the wing. The last straw was really the appalling handling in the wet. I would be the slowest person going round the roundabout for fear of it throwing me into the kerb with a bit of throttle.

@sholehan 2 года назад

Currently being auctioned on Collecting Cars! (i only know as I'm currently looking for one).

@squod1 3 года назад

F*** yeah!

@terrificspokesman7416 3 года назад

Beautiful car

@abridgingpanda7372 Год назад

"A steering wheel, for steering" The More You Know

@TheNeil20091 3 года назад

When sports cars were really small

@idin1976 3 года назад

Awesome video!

@jonathansmythe6273 3 года назад

the v8 from the buick scrap pile. Nice engine

@petespanel 3 года назад

So much so the yanks wanted it back, but we said no.

@lqgadam8392 6 месяцев назад

240 to 340hp are the 'TVR' figures. You don't get those sorts of outputs from a Rover, even with the changes TVR made, without putting your hand in your pocket.

@amathias8857 3 года назад

I had a Chimaera years ago and now I'm considering getting one as a daily as I hardly do any miles now...... This video is not helping that desire. 😂

@Silver-st2zq 3 года назад

Great designs shame not going anymore as far as i know?

@kastrachan1 3 года назад

TVR starting again under new ownership using Griffith name again. Totally new car. Much delayed due to subsidy for new factory in Wales. Car looks epic though.

@Silver-st2zq 3 года назад

@@kastrachan1 See what you mean looks and sounds real good 👍

@AlanP625 3 года назад

Guys - I had a 4.5 for 5 years - bought to replace my TVR S4. Interesting car, aside from overheating (every time) in traffic, being hit by the drive train every time you change gear , 18 miles to the gallon and constant worry about the frame rotting away. By the bye - the frames have a limited life anyway and do need replacing - something like a twenty year life I believe. Prices are starting to develop so if you have £15 to spend on a TIV...........borrow another 15 - 20 and get yourself an F-Type !!!!! - the 3.0 Litre Coupe's (2015 ish) are £30k plus and are staggering. Finally - you are always fighting a TVR - as Mr Clarkeson famously said - "owning a TVR is like owning a bear - perfectly fine till it decides the tear your head off - which it will"...........

@kingcurry6594 3 года назад

I would rather saw my testicles off with a hacksaw than swap my Chimaera 4.5 for a 3.0l F type.

@MrHistorian123 2 года назад

An F type is a good car, I agree. But a Chimaera 4.5 is a GREAT car. There is no way I would buy an F type ahead of a Chimaera.

@colingregson8653 10 месяцев назад

F type nice but two a penny. and you wont get people saying 'Nice car mate' .I'll stick to my Chimaera it has had a full body off chassis restoration 6 years ago and so far no sign of rust regular WAx Oils seems to do the trick. Going to visit Steve Edwards next Spring fo a bit of body fettling and a hard top targa fitting. The converstion look really nice.

@kastrachan1 3 года назад

Yes steering is not great. Engines are the real drama (I had a 500 for 7 years). Brave to drive in the wet! Not for grip but chassis rot! Many TVR owners boast of only driving in dry to save the car.

@brooksietyper 3 года назад

I commuted in mine for one day every two weeks rain or shine, even in the snow! Covered 15k over 3 years! It’s a great all rounder, even in the snow!

@2702simmo 3 года назад

I disagree about the steering I’ve always felt it’s really good

@kingcurry6594 3 года назад

A new chassis costs about £4-6k, depending on who does it and how much is done. Any car of comparable performance will cost much more (try a 2006 Vantage at c£35k) and you can get a slightly rotten Chim for £10k, leaving plenty spare or rebuilds. But a good application of waxoyl by an expert who knows all the nooks and crannies makes a big difference. My chassis was done 5 years ago and is still pristine.

@grahamw56 2 года назад

Look after the chassis properly, and it won't rot...as with everything else on these cars. I've had the pleasure (and necessary expense) of owning 4 TVRs.

@Marcke-tb1hb 3 года назад

A lot of car for around £15k. Make sure the chassis is mint or it’s already had the outriggers done. Buy one now before this kind of thing is outlawed by the appliance-on-wheels brigade.

@elfred8821 2 года назад

❤

@GymRatzzENT 3 года назад

Do you think people could fit in the back of the seats

@jamieduff1981 3 года назад

It's the Cerbera which had rear seats. I owned a Cerbera for a few years and had my young daughters in the back regularly and adults in the back twice. It's very cramped with adults in the back but more doable than, say, a Jag XK, Aston Martin DB9 or Mercedes SL.

@MrSunnyBhoy 3 года назад

So what would you say is the better car: this TVR or an MX-5?

@MrPlato123 3 года назад

Very different machines - back in the 90s a 5.0 Chimaera was quicker than a Ferrari Testarossa. Proper super car chaser. MX5 great car but not in the same league.

@2702simmo 3 года назад

I loved my mk1 Mx5 and used it as a daily . Perfect handling but I always craved some power. I now have a Chimaera 500 loads of power and 2 years on it’s still an event to drive . I wouldn’t daily it though

@Ken-mu3dc 3 года назад

TVR without a doubt!

@jamieduff1981 3 года назад

I've owned a Cerbera 4.5 and have a MX-5 now. The MX-5 is everyday reliable, very easy to live with and frankly has much better engineering in all respects. Anyone who can't have great fun in a MX-5 is probably just a terrible driver. Still, I'm considering getting a Chimaera to go with my MX-5. They're not that similar beyond the superficial features.

@kingcurry6594 3 года назад

The MX5 is a great car. The TVR is a great human achievement.