£10k - £12k Chimaera - will this be asking for trouble?

£10k - £12k Chimaera - will this be asking for trouble?

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Squirrelofwoe

Original Poster:

3,181 posts

175 months

Tuesday 12th July 2016
quotequote all
Hopefully some of you knowledgeable people in this section can help me out.

I've wanted a Chim for around 10 years now- I kept putting it off on the basis that any meaningful money I saved really ought to be going towards a house deposit first, and the fact that due to renting for ages I was struggling to actually save any meaningful money... In the meantime I've watched their prices steadily rise further & further.

Anyway, I finally moved into my own house recently and have decided that with that major obstacle now out of the way, it's pretty much now or never to get a Chimaera.

My 10-12k budget is obviously very much at the lower end of the spectrum, but does still seem to throw up a decent number of examples. My question really is whether it's possible to get a decent, usable example at this price range, or will all of these be requiring a fair bit of immediate work? I know the chassis/outrigger condition is the biggie and I've read a fair about the common upgrades/fixes, but is there anything else specific to the Chim that I should be looking out for, checking on viewing etc?

It will be purchased as a second car as I need my estate for my mobile DJ business, but my commute to my day job is close enough (and along interesting enough roads) that I'd use the Chim instead whenever the weather was half decent. It certainly wouldn't be a garage queen, and in fact would live on my drive under a cover for most of the year, only getting stored in the dry over at my parent's place during the winter. Regular usability would very much be the main priority (along with making a good noise).

So realistically I'd be hoping to do roughly half of my annual mileage in it, up to around 6,000ish- British weather permitting!

I'm happy doing basic-moderate spannering myself as required, but I'm not someone who derives significant joy spending every weekend tinkering for the sake of it- I'd far rather be out driving. driving

Is this achievable with a £10-£12k Chimaera?

The short(er) version: I badly want to buy my first Chim, have a budget of £12k tops for purchase. Will be second car but used as much as the weather allows. I'm not seeking cosmetic perfection (it will be kept on my drive under a cover for 3/4 of the year), just one that will start most of the time, sound amazing, and put a huge smile on my face. Is this possible at this price?

All thoughts much appreciated smile

I was following Paul's thread http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a... with interest as we had been discussing our similar plans for Chimaera ownership on another thread over in GG.

pwd95

8,382 posts

237 months

Tuesday 12th July 2016
quotequote all
What you want is one that's had the new Meta Alarm upgrade by Carl Baker & an engine rebuild... wink

Seriously though, very doable. Each car needs to be judged on it's own merits. Even the £17k ones can suffer the same issues as the cheaper ones.

QBee

20,904 posts

143 months

Tuesday 12th July 2016
quotequote all
There are plenty for that money.
Don't be frightened by 50-100k milers as it just means it has been used regularly.
Only downside is that the higher mile cars put off potential purchasers at selling time.
Buy on condition, and do check the chassis, especially the outriggers.
Most PHers are decent honest people.

Ps engine rebuilds are more Cerbera/Speed 6 territory. The good ole Rangie engine in the Chim is good for 250,000 miles, though it will eat a couple of cams and clutches in that time.

Danattheopticians

375 posts

101 months

Tuesday 12th July 2016
quotequote all
Yes it'll get you a good use able 400. I bought mine for £9750 in November last year and it's been pretty good. Needed some routine maintenence so save a bit of cash incase some work needs doing. Mine was Cat D and didn't put me off because without being that wouldn't have been this good, it's a 2000 and only had 25000 miles at the time and was very good in and out. Also don't worry if it is high milage and old if you def want hpi clear but be sure of history. Good luck. A cheap one is currently for sale here http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016... and needs work but it'll leave you enough cash to sort if you don't mind a project.

Yex 450

4,583 posts

219 months

Tuesday 12th July 2016
quotequote all
pwd95 said:
What you want is one that's had the new Meta Alarm upgrade by Carl Baker & an engine rebuild... wink
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/tvr/chimaera/tvr-chimaera-john-eales-4-6-1998-r/5935970?v=c

whistle

Very nice 450 there for a good price thumbup

As has been said buy on condition and not mileage and preferably from a regular poster on here biggrin

Squirrelofwoe

Original Poster:

3,181 posts

175 months

Tuesday 12th July 2016
quotequote all
Yex 450 said:
pwd95 said:
What you want is one that's had the new Meta Alarm upgrade by Carl Baker & an engine rebuild... wink
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/tvr/chimaera/tvr-chimaera-john-eales-4-6-1998-r/5935970?v=c

whistle

Very nice 450 there for a good price thumbup

As has been said buy on condition and not mileage and preferably from a regular poster on here biggrin
Funnily enough that was the one that has brought forward my thinking by a couple of months! I assume that one is one of yours?! I do like the look of it a LOT, that interior combo is right up my street too.

I've no problem with high mileage having owned a 158,000 mile E30, a 140,000 mile Starion Turbo, and a 142,000 mile Accord Type R hehe

What is the chassis like on that one?- I apologize if I missed it among everything else in the (rather excellent) ad!

Yex 450

4,583 posts

219 months

Tuesday 12th July 2016
quotequote all
Squirrelofwoe said:
Yex 450 said:
pwd95 said:
What you want is one that's had the new Meta Alarm upgrade by Carl Baker & an engine rebuild... wink
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/tvr/chimaera/tvr-chimaera-john-eales-4-6-1998-r/5935970?v=c

whistle

Very nice 450 there for a good price thumbup

As has been said buy on condition and not mileage and preferably from a regular poster on here biggrin
Funnily enough that was the one that has brought forward my thinking by a couple of months! I assume that one is one of yours?! I do like the look of it a LOT, that interior combo is right up my street too.

I've no problem with high mileage having owned a 158,000 mile E30, a 140,000 mile Starion Turbo, and a 142,000 mile Accord Type R hehe

What is the chassis like on that one?- I apologize if I missed it among everything else in the (rather excellent) ad!
That one belongs to PWD so drop him a line to ask any questions. Regular posters on here look after their cars and that one had new outriggers fitted in 2004 and has been well looked after since according to the advert thumbup

Mine is also a 450 and about to have an engine upgrade as the 450 is a superb unit and you can get great BHP and better torque curves out of the engine with the right bits replaced wink

Milky400

1,960 posts

177 months

Tuesday 12th July 2016
quotequote all
As said it will get you an OK car. Look out for Chassis/outrigger issues. 98-00 cars suffer worse. Wouldn't worry to much about paintwork as the cover will soon ruin that. Maybe worth considering top cover. I run a small dehumidifier in mine in the colder months keeps everything inside the cabin that little bit fresher, however keep a eye on the leather drying if you do this.

kennybgr8

379 posts

141 months

Tuesday 12th July 2016
quotequote all
Good posts and agree with all that is said, there are plenty out there and still very under-priced, personally I tried to sell mine a few months ago (work reasons or lack off) with very few inquiries and had it advertised on PH, Auto trader, Nationally and locally, gladly did not sell, maybe being up in Scotland as there are certainly fewer TVRs here than south of the border I dont know but it still surprised me the lack of interest, there is that always that question how much, well they are well under price as is evident those on the market now,,,

pwd95

8,382 posts

237 months

Tuesday 12th July 2016
quotequote all
They're all different with different issues. Mine's a bit leggy cosmetically TBH & the diff will need doing in a year or two & this & that blah blah. But I've got to the point where I'd be happy to drive it to the end of the earth & back. Once you sort some of the basic issues they'll go forever.... scratchchin

Perhaps I'll put the price up a bit... hehe

Welshbeef

49,633 posts

197 months

Tuesday 12th July 2016
quotequote all
Christ I remember not that long ago when these were the £4.5-6k range (excl he 500) and the Cerbera starting at £7k with many at £10k.

Lovely cars head turning looks and noise and pretty loud colours too. However I cannot recall the last time I saw a Cerbera on the road (apart from driving to Silverstone classic) Griffith saw one yesterday as it happens first in maybe 5 years, Chimera I'm sure I've seen one within the last few weeks around Henley on Thames

caduceus

6,069 posts

265 months

Tuesday 12th July 2016
quotequote all
Yex 450 said:
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/t...

whistle

Very nice 450 there for a good price thumbup

As has been said buy on condition and not mileage and preferably from a regular poster on here biggrin
I wouldn't pay too much attention to the mileage figure. That engine has been refreshed and looks very healthy indeed. And that bodywork looks stunning... cloud9
That's an enormous amount of car for the money. Just make sure the outriggers and gearbox are sound. But to be honest at that money, I wouldn't be complaining if the box needed some money thrown at it. The rest is sound.

Seandenyer

320 posts

119 months

Wednesday 13th July 2016
quotequote all
Can have mine for 12k

jazzdude

900 posts

151 months

Wednesday 13th July 2016
quotequote all
I think your budget is very doable for a car with your requirements, although to get the best value perhaps you need to go private as the dealer markups will put you over budget.

I got what I think was a perfectly 'sorted' car that wanted for nothing for a price well under your budget merely because it had over 100k miles. But for me it had everything that a car with half the mileage will be needing done and has been spot on reliable since I bought it.

I was just like you and was very worried about buying a TVR as all you read on forums are the problems people have. Plus the fact that I don't live in the UK meant it was even 'riskier' as I couldn't see the cars myself. I thus used the services of Phil Phaedonos who inspected the car I wanted to buy and this also was money well spent. My chassis was perfect, and frankly apart from some small cosmetic tinkering I have driven the car nearly every day since I bought it.

However, a drink may also get you the services of someone on here who may be near the car you are interested in, who as an experienced owner should be able to spot a 'good one'. It never ceases to amaze me how helpful people are on this forum.

My advice to get the right car is look for regular maintenance and regular use, that there is evidence of the big jobs been done, outriggers, cam, cooling system and suspension bushes and and don't worry about low mileage. The easiest thing to do is check the Mot records online to see what was done and the mileage covered in the last 5 years. This will give you a very good indication on the condition of the car before you move on it further.

Phil will tell you of low mileage cars needing tons of work as sitting on drives all year in certain conditions wears cars out as much as using them does.

If you are putting 6k miles on it per year you will quickly eat into the premium you will pay for a low miler.

Squirrelofwoe

Original Poster:

3,181 posts

175 months

Wednesday 13th July 2016
quotequote all
Seandenyer said:
Can have mine for 12k
Is that in the classifieds, I don't remember seeing it? smile

Squirrelofwoe

Original Poster:

3,181 posts

175 months

Wednesday 13th July 2016
quotequote all
jazzdude said:


If you are putting 6k miles on it per year you will quickly eat into the premium you will pay for a low miler.
yes

This was very much my thoughts too.

pwd95

8,382 posts

237 months

Wednesday 13th July 2016
quotequote all
Sorry, bottled it again! What on earth would I replace it with at that price. Think I'll sell the old Vectra & just use it as my daily.
As you were...

QBee

20,904 posts

143 months

Wednesday 13th July 2016
quotequote all
For serious bhp/0-60/grin/rareness it's the best bang per buck by a country mile.

Squirrelofwoe

Original Poster:

3,181 posts

175 months

Wednesday 13th July 2016
quotequote all
pwd95 said:
Sorry, bottled it again! What on earth would I replace it with at that price. Think I'll sell the old Vectra & just use it as my daily.
As you were...
I thought the advert ninjas had been at work during the night hehe

Don't blame you though, I've been there before with one of my cars that I was letting go cheap simply because of high mileage.

Seandenyer

320 posts

119 months

Wednesday 13th July 2016
quotequote all
Squirrelofwoe said:
Is that in the classifieds, I don't remember seeing it? smile
Not in classifieds, I just don't seem to drive it enough,