I want one soon
Discussion
Erm....JFDI.
Seriously, I bought my first Chimaera when I couldn't really afford it. Well actually, I could afford it but the prospect of spending money on it petrified me. Thankfully my £12K 1993/L model served me well for 20,000 miles and needed nothing but standard servicing and a bit of TLC from myself.
I now have a 2000/W Chim which set me back almost £25k and is a vastly improved car, but in terms of enjoyment and running costs there isn't a world of difference.
Both were/are everyday cars doing around 15 - 20k pa.
I can't really comment on the move from an M3, other than you will find it a shock that is sometimes hard work, but ultimately rewarding.
What worries you about the purchase? Let us know and we can persuade you to go for it!
Seriously, I bought my first Chimaera when I couldn't really afford it. Well actually, I could afford it but the prospect of spending money on it petrified me. Thankfully my £12K 1993/L model served me well for 20,000 miles and needed nothing but standard servicing and a bit of TLC from myself.
I now have a 2000/W Chim which set me back almost £25k and is a vastly improved car, but in terms of enjoyment and running costs there isn't a world of difference.
Both were/are everyday cars doing around 15 - 20k pa.
I can't really comment on the move from an M3, other than you will find it a shock that is sometimes hard work, but ultimately rewarding.
What worries you about the purchase? Let us know and we can persuade you to go for it!
Fine choice! You'll find plenty to choose from in that range I'm sure. Private sale I'd guess that'll be about '95-'98.
Cars of that age have probably had the wrinkles ironed out by now, but I'm sure you'll find some hints around on here.
I was told to beware of early face-lift models ('97-early '98) but I can't remember what I would have neede to check. I'm not saying that such cars are a problem, I just understood that a lot need a couple of specific things fixing.
Cars of that age have probably had the wrinkles ironed out by now, but I'm sure you'll find some hints around on here.
I was told to beware of early face-lift models ('97-early '98) but I can't remember what I would have neede to check. I'm not saying that such cars are a problem, I just understood that a lot need a couple of specific things fixing.
UpTheIron said:
Erm....JFDI.
Seriously, I bought my first Chimaera when I couldn't really afford it. Well actually, I could afford it but the prospect of spending money on it petrified me. Thankfully my £12K 1993/L model served me well for 20,000 miles and needed nothing but standard servicing and a bit of TLC from myself.
I now have a 2000/W Chim which set me back almost £25k and is a vastly improved car, but in terms of enjoyment and running costs there isn't a world of difference.
Both were/are everyday cars doing around 15 - 20k pa.
I can't really comment on the move from an M3, other than you will find it a shock that is sometimes hard work, but ultimately rewarding.
What worries you about the purchase? Let us know and we can persuade you to go for it!
Not worried about the purchase - just what to go for, 400,450. PAS, prefered colours? Still keeping M3 though. Could go a bit higher on price range if necessary. Thanks everone for quick replies. You all seem a good bunch.
>> Edited by wrinkly on Saturday 1st November 00:11
wrinkly said:
Presently drive a M3
M3...
I've kept my 320i as the workhorse although will be upgrading it to a 325i sometime next year.
Saw my Trev in the showroom (Chim 400) and it was in mint condition with approx 38,000 on the clock. I was absolutely smitten and decided there and then it had to be mine! Put down a deposit but had a 2 week wait while the finances were sorted out and the car was serviced and prepared for delivery.
I agonised for those 2 weeks whether I'd done the right thing
I felt positively sick with excitement/nerves when collection day arrived. However I needn't have worried, less than 100 metres down the road ALL the doubts evaporated and I've NEVER regretted it for a single second. Personally, I'd buy on condition and not age and I'm more than happy with the performance of the 400 although I wouldn't mind getting my hands on a 500!!
Purrrrrfect...
Just do it, you won't regret it !!
My advice re 400, 450, 500.......the best you can find whatever it is. I test drove all 3 when I was looking and ended up with my 450 becuase it was the best one for the money I had............
Don't forget the running costs too....Optimax and muscle relaxent (for your coathanger grin)
>> Edited by li'l pugs on Saturday 1st November 14:56
My advice re 400, 450, 500.......the best you can find whatever it is. I test drove all 3 when I was looking and ended up with my 450 becuase it was the best one for the money I had............
Don't forget the running costs too....Optimax and muscle relaxent (for your coathanger grin)
>> Edited by li'l pugs on Saturday 1st November 14:56
Buy mine !! Its for sale in the N East....a tad more than your stated budget, but its the best around without a doubt. Only 12k miles and a minter. 
wrinkly said:
Not worried about the purchase - just what to go for, 400,450. PAS, prefered colours?
Personally my tactic is to get the best I can reasonably afford, so for the same money and all else being even you could have a later 4.0, an older 500 or any point in-between. However, the popular view is that the bigger the engine the better, and to get PAS. As for colour, choose the one you like most - after all you're buying it to please you and not the next owner, or even the PH gang for that matter!
I would keep an open mind. You might think you want a 500, but then suddenly a 450 or 400 might come along in the perfect colours and for the right price. You'll know it when you see it! (which is why you need to start seeing lots)
A lot of people think the 450 is the best all-rounder, plenty of useable grunt. PAS will add about £1,000 to the value but is over-rated in my opinion. The non power assisted rack is 2.4 turns lock to lock and is better on the road, the PAS rack is 2.2 turns lock to lock, given the higher ratio there isn't that much actual weight difference. Try them both see what you think.
Just remember history is crucial.
Good luck.
Just remember history is crucial.
Good luck.
wrinkly said:
I'm confused now. Perhaps I'd better buy two.
Maybe you can have too much advice - and of course people do tend to put their own preferences into the pot which may not be the same as yours (witness the Mac/PC debate) If I wanted to see/compare/learn about different examples, I'd rather talk to actual owners than a salesman with GRP to shift. That's why I think it's important to go and mingle at TVRCC meets and get a grassroots view. The Steve Heath 'bible' also has a section on what to look for when buying, and if you're serious, it's £30 well spent. It might take months to decide (and find) what you really want - and you can't do it by staying in and looking at a computer screen or reading mags!
But let's face it, as your problem goes, it's a pretty nice one!
Brian,
What are you looking for in a Chim ? Blistering acceleration - in which case get a 500 - or a good open top tourer - in which case a 450/430/400 ? All IMHO
For the budget you could get any of the above its up to you to decide.
What colours are you looking for - something that stands out as in purple/yellow or a blend into the background more blue/green ?
Drive a few as I drove a couple of 500s which were no better than my 94 400 before I settled on a Tuscan
Go for the one that drives the best and enjoy it. Don't be surprised when you do far more miles than you originally estimated either.
As said in other posts, go to a couple of TVRCC meetings and speak to a few owners, maybe blagg a couple of rides as well to get an idea of a good/bad car depending on owners comments.
Bob
What are you looking for in a Chim ? Blistering acceleration - in which case get a 500 - or a good open top tourer - in which case a 450/430/400 ? All IMHO
For the budget you could get any of the above its up to you to decide. What colours are you looking for - something that stands out as in purple/yellow or a blend into the background more blue/green ?
Drive a few as I drove a couple of 500s which were no better than my 94 400 before I settled on a Tuscan
Go for the one that drives the best and enjoy it. Don't be surprised when you do far more miles than you originally estimated either. As said in other posts, go to a couple of TVRCC meetings and speak to a few owners, maybe blagg a couple of rides as well to get an idea of a good/bad car depending on owners comments.
Bob
Brian
The next East Midlands TVRCC meeting is at lunchtime on Sunday (9th November) and will be at Lowdham, which is not far from you.
I suggest that you come along, you would be made most welcome - do you want a lift or to meet me beforehand?
I am old wrinkly myself so you would feel quite at home.
Please email me from my profile.
The next East Midlands TVRCC meeting is at lunchtime on Sunday (9th November) and will be at Lowdham, which is not far from you.
I suggest that you come along, you would be made most welcome - do you want a lift or to meet me beforehand?
I am old wrinkly myself so you would feel quite at home.
Please email me from my profile.
Bob the Planner said:Someone I was talking to at the weekend put the difference in acceleration between a 450 and a 500 as about 3 car lengths for 50-130mph (practical experience). Personally I suspect the difference would be pretty unnoticeable to someone like myself who hadn't had anything similar before I bought. It's going to feel pretty
Blistering acceleration - in which case get a 500 - or a good open top tourer - in which case a 450/430/400
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