Considering a Chim… coming from Caterham

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I’m toying with the idea of a Chimp….

I enjoy my 7 a lot, but it is possibly a compromise to far on todays potholed roads….

Budget 10-15k

V8 and TVR would be a nice itch to scratch before the end of pleasure motoring.

So, a few initial questions….

I’m 6’4 and no racing snake - I fit my SV fine, don’t know about the TVR.

What are the pure myths and the absolute realities of running one ?

It would be a fun car only, probably 3-4k miles annually.

Reliability/ handling ?

I’m sure these are centuries old questions to you guys, but I’m interested in the reality of owning one in today’s world.

I’m based not far from Milton Keynes, is there a good specialist locally ?

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I know it won’t match the 7 for handling, for sure.

I currently have a huge bee in my bonnet about ride quality, and the 7 is not great in the dept.

I considered a small hot rod, or 34 Plymouth ish, but I know that’ll never handle well.

Overall speed isn’t important, but who doesn’t love a V8?

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Thanks chaps….

Did they ever use black or dark leather ? Some of the magnolia interiors look very worn in the pics…

Can’t imagine that would be a cheap refurb either.

What’s the pick of the engines ? 400?

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Cheers for that….

Apart from chassis rot, any other scary issues ?

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Some good stuff here chaps,thanks. keep it coming

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Classic Chim said:

That ECU package looks good value.
Factor in new power cables from battery etc.

What engines in your 7.

Such different cars the advice must be to try a few Tvr out.
At 6’4 it’s touch and go wether you’d be comfortable or not though you can change seats and indeed you can lower the existing seats by about an inch by removing the blocks Tvr used to mount them to the runners.

Ford Sigma with Caterham 150 kit, rolling road proven 150hp

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e42 said:

I think you should just go for it! I’ve had 3 Caterhams and 5 TVRs, not really comparable except that all have been great fun to own. As others have said choose carefully, use experience from the folks here and do try not to buy the first one you look at unless it ticks every box! Life’s too short not to really

Kind of my thinking !

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One very important thing....

Can anyone give exact front to rear and mirror to mirror dims please ?

My garage is pretty tight, and this may or not be a deal breaker....

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sawman said:

Turn7 said:

One very important thing....

Can anyone give exact front to rear and mirror to mirror dims please ?

My garage is pretty tight, and this may or not be a deal breaker....

whilst I am in the garage, I have just measured mine - iit s 1.92m mirror tip to mirror tip (fairly straight tape measure) , the official length is 4.015 m - which seems to be about what mine measures

Thanks for that...

Just come in from the garage after giving the 7 a run up....

Will check the dims over the weekend as CBA to unlock all the security again now.

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8Speed said:

I've had a couple of Caterhams in the past (HPC then R300). Tremendous fun especially on track days. I eventually sold the R300 because it always tempted me to drive as fast as possible on the road and that's not always sensible (in my case at least). With my Griffith I can have a lot of enjoyment even when I'm not in a hurry, it's much more of an all round car.

Fully agree, and part of my thinking tbh...that ad Id really not want to get the end having not owned a V8/TVR

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Hmmm, my garage is going to very tight....

Door aperture is 2140mm

Length is 3630, but thats only to my work bench, I probably have about 650mm for the nose to slide into

Internal width 2460

Edited by Turn7 on Monday 1st January 15:45

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Keeping the Caterham wouldnt be an option tbh, its either or....

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Thoughts on this one please chaps


https://www.carandclassic.com/l/C1657695

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Good point about local club, what’s the nearest group to Dunstable ?

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Few more questions please gents….

What are these like for holding value ? Caterhams seem to hold value really well.

Do they have LSD as standard ?

What’s the insurance like , cost wise ?

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Thanks, very informative.

I’m a little wary of just riggers being done, as you suggest, if the riggers have rust, it’s likely elsewhere will have too.

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Like this....

https://www.jamesagger.com/listings/1995-m-reg-tvr...

Although the MOT history is a little vague...

Edited by Turn7 on Sunday 7th January 17:55

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For body off and I think, new chassis ? Its a little toppy, but you should get some sleep knowing the chassis isnt going to snap in half anytime soon....

Appreciate I am new to the market for these tho.

Edited by Turn7 on Sunday 7th January 18:38

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Any owners around Dunstable/Aylesbury ?

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miniman said:

Indeed, but you’d still start with a Mk2 with the better dashboard, nose and possibly rear, and the mirror door releases, right?

Ok, what are the year/model highlight differences please ?