1998 TVR Chimaera 500 5.0

Summary:

Best British sports car money can buy

Faults:

Worn cam, both lambda sensors.

General Comments:

Just epic...

From the moment you turn the key, the big V8 roars into life, it's enough to put a big stupid grin on your face. You simply cannot get more thrills for the same money.

Sure, it's had a few minor issues, but nothing that's over costly to put right. Most issues with these have now been sorted, so there is not a lot to worry about.

The powder coating (or lack of) on the outriggers needs to be kept in check, but other than that, just routine servicing (allow 1k per year to do it properly).

Cheap enough to insure on a classic type policy, which will see you limited to 5k miles.

Super quick, with 60 coming up in a tad over 4 seconds if you can keep the wheels from breaking free. Remember that there is no traction control, so care is needed under hard acceleration in the wet. In the dry you will give a Ferrari 360 a run for its money.

Buy one now while prices are still sensible.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 14th July, 2015

16th Jul 2015, 18:42

Funnily enough, a mate of mine sent me a video today of a Cerbera having its exhaust replaced (his mate works for a kwick fit type place!), with the engine revving with no exhaust attached... it sounded like it would've woken the dead!!

1st Mar 2023, 23:41

I bet. Stunning cars, and the sound is like nothing else!

1998 TVR Chimaera 4.0

Summary:

Fantastic

Faults:

Only a couple of minor things, the windscreen wiper motor needed replacing along with the oil pressure gauge - both under warranty.

General Comments:

From the moment I drove it out of the show room the car has just got better and better. Yes it's had a few annoying little problems, but the sound of the engine, the handling and performance out weigh any such gremlins.

I've been bitten back once in the wet, a quick spin by over use of my right foot! I was warned to respect it in the wet however.

In the dry nothing can beat it especially on an open country road.

Other than that I use it every day, with a fuel consumption better than my V6 Golf and a boot big enough for 3 sets of clubs it's brilliant.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 12th January, 2003