buying advice 450
Discussion
keith-vznby said:
Hi decided to buy a chim 450 after much soul searching could you adise what to look out for on an early 2000 model cheers Keith
Buy car on best condition not lowest mileage unless your going to do a chassis body lift and mechanicals yourself? Good luck with your search.NTEL said:
Get yourself a boroscope and take a proper look at the outriggers. Looked at two 2000 models (both 450s) recently and both had holes in them.
I went to a TVRCC meet this weekend at Farnham and listened to a few blokes commenting on them getting underneath their cars and scrapping off the flaking powder coat and retreating. We all know that's all well and good but unfortunately it's the area's you can't scrap and paint which are the most problematic parts which the the body covers. A boroscope is a good idea for confirming a rotten chassis!!!!!I have an April 2000 registered 4.6,,,
Chassis,,,chassis.,,,chassis,
Later speedo's can be problematic, just make sure it's a smooth operation as you accelerate,, if it's bouncing it will need repair,,
I'm led to believe around this time of manufacture the Chimaera being fazed out,,,, they were being built on the Cerbera line,, so theoretically built by higher skilled technicians,,
So with any car that's 15 years old,, condition condition condition,,
Mine had been owned by one jpguy for years but simply drove it, put it away then drove it some more, maintantsnce was low on the list, it's all down to who's been looking after the car?
The later cars often employ the Malasian Body,,, that's a good thing, they have smoother lines and are really well constructed,,,
But it's simply the chassis which is the problem with the later cars,,,
As time goes by this becomes less an issue as all the cars will someday need chassis repairs,,,
It doesn't matter what year car your looking at,, outriggers are vital to inspect ! Alun
Chassis,,,chassis.,,,chassis,
Later speedo's can be problematic, just make sure it's a smooth operation as you accelerate,, if it's bouncing it will need repair,,
I'm led to believe around this time of manufacture the Chimaera being fazed out,,,, they were being built on the Cerbera line,, so theoretically built by higher skilled technicians,,
So with any car that's 15 years old,, condition condition condition,,
Mine had been owned by one jpguy for years but simply drove it, put it away then drove it some more, maintantsnce was low on the list, it's all down to who's been looking after the car?
The later cars often employ the Malasian Body,,, that's a good thing, they have smoother lines and are really well constructed,,,
But it's simply the chassis which is the problem with the later cars,,,
As time goes by this becomes less an issue as all the cars will someday need chassis repairs,,,
It doesn't matter what year car your looking at,, outriggers are vital to inspect ! Alun
Hi
Not quite sure what a borescope is going to do for you as some areas around the out-riggers are difficult to access even with a borescope.
So our-riggers aside, and based on my experience of owning a 4.5 for the last 11 years or so, things that can go wrong: Lambda Sensors, Clutch Master and slave cylinders, Brake master cylinder, Top front suspension ball joints, Engine sump oil leaks, Deterioration of Flexible fuel lines (Have been known to cause a fire under the bonnet on some cars)
Don't let this put you off as when you take the car out for a drive all these pale into insignificance, but you did ask the question
Not quite sure what a borescope is going to do for you as some areas around the out-riggers are difficult to access even with a borescope.
So our-riggers aside, and based on my experience of owning a 4.5 for the last 11 years or so, things that can go wrong: Lambda Sensors, Clutch Master and slave cylinders, Brake master cylinder, Top front suspension ball joints, Engine sump oil leaks, Deterioration of Flexible fuel lines (Have been known to cause a fire under the bonnet on some cars)
Don't let this put you off as when you take the car out for a drive all these pale into insignificance, but you did ask the question
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