Newbie: looking for assistance
Discussion
Hi - i am seriously looking at buying a chim and was hopign to get some pointers on what not to buy and what to look out for. I beleive from some basic looking about that a 4L post '96 is one fo the best options? Can anyone give me some pointers on what to look out for - tell tale neglect signs? Also what kinda money shoudl one pay, i was hoping to spend about 10K or so - if i am not on the planet just let me know!
I will need to keep the car outside due to garage restrictions i.e. i do not have one - how will it weather, am i made!
Any assistance would be great as i am trying not to default to the elise go-kart!
Cheers!
I will need to keep the car outside due to garage restrictions i.e. i do not have one - how will it weather, am i made!
Any assistance would be great as i am trying not to default to the elise go-kart!
Cheers!
I’ve moved this over to the Chim forum as your question is pretty specific. 
yes you should get a good 95'96' for £10,000. the first cars had rover gearboxes, normally the postion of the door open nob is in the middle on the later borg warner jobs, which are stronger.
Good chassis needed check outriggers and mounting points to body at front rear wheel arches. get it on a ramp if you can .Later 96 cars have bigger brakes, some cars full leather (mine 95' full leather).Also there is the 4.0lt H.c , more power and a liitle more money.Big must HPI for crash damage. Buy Steve Heaths mega manual for the Chim/Grif its all in there £30 and it will save you stacks.
Have a look at many , don't fall in love with the first one (unless its mint) or get carried away by the noise. You have to get a feel what you can get for your money.These cars are hard to judge on price some sheds can be £10500 and you could get a minter for £9500. The price means very little.As these cars get cheaper they are sometimes bought by the use and abuse brigade and have no knowledge ,and what they think is mint can be shed.
When you find a nice one you will love it.
Last tip be ready to travel around .
>> Edited by Rum Runner on Thursday 2nd March 01:34
Good chassis needed check outriggers and mounting points to body at front rear wheel arches. get it on a ramp if you can .Later 96 cars have bigger brakes, some cars full leather (mine 95' full leather).Also there is the 4.0lt H.c , more power and a liitle more money.Big must HPI for crash damage. Buy Steve Heaths mega manual for the Chim/Grif its all in there £30 and it will save you stacks.
Have a look at many , don't fall in love with the first one (unless its mint) or get carried away by the noise. You have to get a feel what you can get for your money.These cars are hard to judge on price some sheds can be £10500 and you could get a minter for £9500. The price means very little.As these cars get cheaper they are sometimes bought by the use and abuse brigade and have no knowledge ,and what they think is mint can be shed.
When you find a nice one you will love it.
Last tip be ready to travel around .
>> Edited by Rum Runner on Thursday 2nd March 01:34
Hi and welcome.
It may be worth your while to get someone to go look at it for you if you find one your interested in or even get someone to find one for you if you know what you want and how much etc, several people have done this before and a name i can remember is Rob Ingleby (sp) plus i think there are some others (you'll have to do a search).
As for the "no garage". There are also plenty of other TVR owners in the same catagory, a good coating of weatherseal on the roof and a good car cover will definately suffice.
hope this helps.
Glyn.
It may be worth your while to get someone to go look at it for you if you find one your interested in or even get someone to find one for you if you know what you want and how much etc, several people have done this before and a name i can remember is Rob Ingleby (sp) plus i think there are some others (you'll have to do a search).
As for the "no garage". There are also plenty of other TVR owners in the same catagory, a good coating of weatherseal on the roof and a good car cover will definately suffice.
hope this helps.
Glyn.
Just to back up what Hood said Rob's website is www.findasportscar.co.uk
hello and welcome.
Another bit of good advice would be to join the TVR Car Club and visit the local meeting. It doesn't say on your profile where you are, but all regions will make you welcome and there are always owners willing to take people out for a spin so you can get a feel for them. These cars changed every year and were gradually 'improved' through the years, however don't just buy on age or milage. Get the very best you can afford, and keep a contingency fund to cover those possible repairs.
I was in your situation some 18 months ago and wanted a post facelift car with the door buttons under the mirror, and had a similar budget to yours. They are about, and if you can wait, mine may be available in the spring for similar money!
Paul
Another bit of good advice would be to join the TVR Car Club and visit the local meeting. It doesn't say on your profile where you are, but all regions will make you welcome and there are always owners willing to take people out for a spin so you can get a feel for them. These cars changed every year and were gradually 'improved' through the years, however don't just buy on age or milage. Get the very best you can afford, and keep a contingency fund to cover those possible repairs.
I was in your situation some 18 months ago and wanted a post facelift car with the door buttons under the mirror, and had a similar budget to yours. They are about, and if you can wait, mine may be available in the spring for similar money!
Paul
Thanks for the advice so far, very encouraging and i am getting the feeling that i will be on the road for a while, i am presuming that the values will rise as spring comes up?
Sorry to be ignorant, but can you explain 'door open nob is in the middle on the later borg warner jobs'? I think the £30 book will be a good buy!
Is the 4ltr hc a better option or am i fine with any good quality 4ltr? I have come across Rob and am planning to give him and shout as a first port of call. I have been offered a '97 P with 40K for 9K, but partial service history, would that worry people for resale or are you best getting a fTVRsh? This is based in Perth Scotland and i am in Glasgow so probably be my first view, apart from one at a local 'from what i have heard dodgey dealer'!
Paul: will check out the local club as i like the idea and a good point of contact. What the detail on you car?
Thanks again and keep it coming if you have the time!
Scott
Sorry to be ignorant, but can you explain 'door open nob is in the middle on the later borg warner jobs'? I think the £30 book will be a good buy!
Is the 4ltr hc a better option or am i fine with any good quality 4ltr? I have come across Rob and am planning to give him and shout as a first port of call. I have been offered a '97 P with 40K for 9K, but partial service history, would that worry people for resale or are you best getting a fTVRsh? This is based in Perth Scotland and i am in Glasgow so probably be my first view, apart from one at a local 'from what i have heard dodgey dealer'!
Paul: will check out the local club as i like the idea and a good point of contact. What the detail on you car?
Thanks again and keep it coming if you have the time!
Scott
Firstly let me congratulate you on your excellent choice in potential motor!
You mentioned parking outside, it's not ideal but is perfectly possible. I recommend getting a quality (breathable) cover, I got mine from Hamilton Classic and it works really well!
I must also direct you over to TVR Chimaera Pages. It's a work in progress but I'd be interested to hear your feedback on what info should be there for those considering a Chim.
Good luck!
You mentioned parking outside, it's not ideal but is perfectly possible. I recommend getting a quality (breathable) cover, I got mine from Hamilton Classic and it works really well!
I must also direct you over to TVR Chimaera Pages. It's a work in progress but I'd be interested to hear your feedback on what info should be there for those considering a Chim.
Good luck!
Edited by theaxe on Tuesday 13th June 11:15
Hi Scott,
I got my chim 2 months ago & have been having a great time ever since.
My budget was similar to yours and I managed to get a very nice '98 for just a little over. At 10k there are a lot of dogs out there but some good ones too.
Depending on what you are used to the 4L has more than adequate performance. Even the standard 4L is considerably faster than most other cars on the road & the torque makes progress effortless.
About your Q with the service history, personally I would prefer FSH. Not fussed about fTVR sh as there are lots of good indies out there. Maybe someone else will have a better idea about the impact of the missing s/h??
Should also be fine outside, I keep mine under a cover & it doesn't seem to mind. For extra peace of mind I got the chassis prepped & waxoyled.
Look at and drive as many as you can, doesn't matter if dealer is dodgy etc as it all helps to benchmark the cars.
Good luck!
I got my chim 2 months ago & have been having a great time ever since.
My budget was similar to yours and I managed to get a very nice '98 for just a little over. At 10k there are a lot of dogs out there but some good ones too.
Depending on what you are used to the 4L has more than adequate performance. Even the standard 4L is considerably faster than most other cars on the road & the torque makes progress effortless.
About your Q with the service history, personally I would prefer FSH. Not fussed about fTVR sh as there are lots of good indies out there. Maybe someone else will have a better idea about the impact of the missing s/h??
Should also be fine outside, I keep mine under a cover & it doesn't seem to mind. For extra peace of mind I got the chassis prepped & waxoyled.
Look at and drive as many as you can, doesn't matter if dealer is dodgy etc as it all helps to benchmark the cars.
Good luck!
There is a good sounding 95 hc ,for £9995 0n page 3 of the classifieds 48,000miles , 1 previous onwer ,red ,sounds right ,never know until you get there.Don't no if its near your location.Or even better if the budget will stretch .
www.pistonheads.com/sales/65888.htm. Dark red £12,000 North Wales , looks very good
>> Edited by Rum Runner on Thursday 2nd March 10:19
>> Edited by Rum Runner on Thursday 2nd March 10:23
www.pistonheads.com/sales/65888.htm. Dark red £12,000 North Wales , looks very good
>> Edited by Rum Runner on Thursday 2nd March 10:19
>> Edited by Rum Runner on Thursday 2nd March 10:23
theaxe said:
how often do you use yours as i might only use it at weekends and the odd time during the week, hence the outside parking worry!
This is the usage pattern of mine (until the Summer anyway) and it's fine. I HIGHLY recommend chassis prep and Waxoyl though...
Agree with you there theaxe in a big way.
thinking about seeing this one: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dl
Taking the advice and seeing a few. want 9K but i have a feling it might be a bit of a dog. The 97 chianti with 16K on the clock is very nice. Not too sure about the '95 red, but there was nice green one a few down!
A lot to choose from, but colour is always a good starter and the '97 is nice! What the favourites?
Taking the advice and seeing a few. want 9K but i have a feling it might be a bit of a dog. The 97 chianti with 16K on the clock is very nice. Not too sure about the '95 red, but there was nice green one a few down!
A lot to choose from, but colour is always a good starter and the '97 is nice! What the favourites?
How about this one on page 6 of classifieds? www.pistonheads.com/sales/61500.htm. If I had the money, it would be mine! It's gorgeous! And sounds like its been looked after. Great colour.
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