Buying a chim advice please
Discussion
Really excited off to view a Chim tomorrow!
I had a T reg 450 for 4 years but the divorce forced the sale late in 2010!
Looking for some advice on the things to check, I read the bible cover to cover before I bought the last one and it was dream to drive and own.
Please can you add to the list if I’ve missed things I should be checking.
I’m looking at one with about 90K miles, full TVR service history up to mid 80k miles at the same dealer/garage I’m told. Its a w plate, mid 2000.
Chassis, out riggers, main rails just behind front wheels, seat belt mounts in rear arches. Check for any accident damage, all weld the same etc, any signs of repairs. I am prepared to do a body lift in the next few years if I have to.
Oil pressure, 40/45psi + when cold? Drop to about 15/20 when hot and go up to 40/45 when running along? This is where I’d really like to know what the “norm” is as these engines get older.
Cam noise? again advice please.
Temp gauge should run at 70-90? Fans cut in at 90-92 with it standing they should cut in and out?
Leaks around rad corners, water pump and anywhere else.
Widescreen “milkiness” signs of delamination.
Power steering leaks
All electrics work, windows, wipers, locking, lights etc etc
Carpets all dry.
Body work, bonnet hinges, doors dropped, general fit, damage on top of rear wings where people but the roof in and out of the boot, side of / rear wings if items in boot have damaged the side
General condition of hood, stitching, fit, rear window, stay bars
Dash, cracks in veneer,
General condition of seats and inertia trim, looks very good in pics.
The car is dark blue with cream inertia, just like my last one!
Many thanks, I’ll let you all know what its like
I had a T reg 450 for 4 years but the divorce forced the sale late in 2010!
Looking for some advice on the things to check, I read the bible cover to cover before I bought the last one and it was dream to drive and own.
Please can you add to the list if I’ve missed things I should be checking.
I’m looking at one with about 90K miles, full TVR service history up to mid 80k miles at the same dealer/garage I’m told. Its a w plate, mid 2000.
Chassis, out riggers, main rails just behind front wheels, seat belt mounts in rear arches. Check for any accident damage, all weld the same etc, any signs of repairs. I am prepared to do a body lift in the next few years if I have to.
Oil pressure, 40/45psi + when cold? Drop to about 15/20 when hot and go up to 40/45 when running along? This is where I’d really like to know what the “norm” is as these engines get older.
Cam noise? again advice please.
Temp gauge should run at 70-90? Fans cut in at 90-92 with it standing they should cut in and out?
Leaks around rad corners, water pump and anywhere else.
Widescreen “milkiness” signs of delamination.
Power steering leaks
All electrics work, windows, wipers, locking, lights etc etc
Carpets all dry.
Body work, bonnet hinges, doors dropped, general fit, damage on top of rear wings where people but the roof in and out of the boot, side of / rear wings if items in boot have damaged the side
General condition of hood, stitching, fit, rear window, stay bars
Dash, cracks in veneer,
General condition of seats and inertia trim, looks very good in pics.
The car is dark blue with cream inertia, just like my last one!
Many thanks, I’ll let you all know what its like
You've got it covered more or less but just two things bother me;
Sorry, but the oil pressure is not correct as that year car is a serpentine motor and should be nearer 30 psi hot idle if in good fettle. OK, dash gauges aren't exactly accurate so a direct gauge of sender should be used.
The other is, I think that car may be viewed by others and 'if' same car at the price is either an absolute bargain or a potential moneypit.
You sound like an enthusiast, wouldn't wanna see you burn. Then again you could just get lucky.
Sorry, but the oil pressure is not correct as that year car is a serpentine motor and should be nearer 30 psi hot idle if in good fettle. OK, dash gauges aren't exactly accurate so a direct gauge of sender should be used.
The other is, I think that car may be viewed by others and 'if' same car at the price is either an absolute bargain or a potential moneypit.
You sound like an enthusiast, wouldn't wanna see you burn. Then again you could just get lucky.
Sounds like my original tick list. If you can tick all those boxes off you wont go far wrong!
On the subject of oil pressure. My sender unit went last year and I did pay the ridiculous £40+ for the Racing Green one. It gives readings that are 15lb/inch above the old one when idling and cruising, so even I no longer have a clue what is the norm!
Good luck with your search. There have been 100+ cars for sale at this time of year previously. For some reason there are very few out there at the moment, but don't be impatient and hold out for a few months till the right one comes along - you have 3 months till summer!
On the subject of oil pressure. My sender unit went last year and I did pay the ridiculous £40+ for the Racing Green one. It gives readings that are 15lb/inch above the old one when idling and cruising, so even I no longer have a clue what is the norm!
Good luck with your search. There have been 100+ cars for sale at this time of year previously. For some reason there are very few out there at the moment, but don't be impatient and hold out for a few months till the right one comes along - you have 3 months till summer!
macdeb said:
Sorry, but the oil pressure is not correct as that year car is a serpentine motor and should be nearer 30 psi hot idle if in good fettle. OK, dash gauges aren't exactly accurate so a direct gauge of sender should be used.
I know dash gauges aren't accurate but every post I've read has a healthy engine recoding 15 at warm idle. My engine was rebuilt last year and also records 15 psi (hopefully it's in good fettle 
)Many thanks, its a good 45psi when cold and after a run didn't drop much on tick over, after a 100 mile trip and a good "BLAST up the A1 it was 30psi ticking over on the drive. 45psi when running even when really hot.
Just bought the w reg 450, 91K miles, the guy was a real gent, had arranged with the local garage for the use of the ramp.
All he's done for the last 4 1/2 years I think is put petrol in and maintain it regardless of cost.......... & use it on an odd sunny day!
Out riggers all look good, as does the main chassis rail. Body work........mint. one of the bonnet hinges has a little play but nothing to worry about yet.
Drivers seat a little tired but I've seen a lot worse.
Only thing I could say is it has a light coloured dash top..........oh and the radio doesn't work! not that I'll ever use it, the green light on the door release when you lock the doors doesn't light up.......... but hey all in all a w reg 450 at £7500 you can't expect perfection can you! I didn't even ask if he was open to offers!
It has full TVR history, just once service at 80K miles done at an independent sports car garage.
Brake discs are like new, big folder full of history........
A spare set of wheels, with good tyres but one badly scuffed..... but the wheels on the car are near perfect!
Just bought the w reg 450, 91K miles, the guy was a real gent, had arranged with the local garage for the use of the ramp.
All he's done for the last 4 1/2 years I think is put petrol in and maintain it regardless of cost.......... & use it on an odd sunny day!
Out riggers all look good, as does the main chassis rail. Body work........mint. one of the bonnet hinges has a little play but nothing to worry about yet.
Drivers seat a little tired but I've seen a lot worse.
Only thing I could say is it has a light coloured dash top..........oh and the radio doesn't work! not that I'll ever use it, the green light on the door release when you lock the doors doesn't light up.......... but hey all in all a w reg 450 at £7500 you can't expect perfection can you! I didn't even ask if he was open to offers!
It has full TVR history, just once service at 80K miles done at an independent sports car garage.
Brake discs are like new, big folder full of history........
A spare set of wheels, with good tyres but one badly scuffed..... but the wheels on the car are near perfect!
Whizz65 said:
Many thanks, its a good 45psi when cold and after a run didn't drop much on tick over, after a 100 mile trip and a good "BLAST up the A1 it was 30psi ticking over on the drive. 45psi when running even when really hot.
Just bought the w reg 450, 91K miles, the guy was a real gent, had arranged with the local garage for the use of the ramp.
All he's done for the last 4 1/2 years I think is put petrol in and maintain it regardless of cost.......... & use it on an odd sunny day!
Out riggers all look good, as does the main chassis rail. Body work........mint. one of the bonnet hinges has a little play but nothing to worry about yet.
Drivers seat a little tired but I've seen a lot worse.
Only thing I could say is it has a light coloured dash top..........oh and the radio doesn't work! not that I'll ever use it, the green light on the door release when you lock the doors doesn't light up.......... but hey all in all a w reg 450 at £7500 you can't expect perfection can you! I didn't even ask if he was open to offers!
It has full TVR history, just once service at 80K miles done at an independent sports car garage.
Brake discs are like new, big folder full of history........
A spare set of wheels, with good tyres but one badly scuffed..... but the wheels on the car are near perfect!
Just bought the w reg 450, 91K miles, the guy was a real gent, had arranged with the local garage for the use of the ramp.
All he's done for the last 4 1/2 years I think is put petrol in and maintain it regardless of cost.......... & use it on an odd sunny day!
Out riggers all look good, as does the main chassis rail. Body work........mint. one of the bonnet hinges has a little play but nothing to worry about yet.
Drivers seat a little tired but I've seen a lot worse.
Only thing I could say is it has a light coloured dash top..........oh and the radio doesn't work! not that I'll ever use it, the green light on the door release when you lock the doors doesn't light up.......... but hey all in all a w reg 450 at £7500 you can't expect perfection can you! I didn't even ask if he was open to offers!
It has full TVR history, just once service at 80K miles done at an independent sports car garage.
Brake discs are like new, big folder full of history........
A spare set of wheels, with good tyres but one badly scuffed..... but the wheels on the car are near perfect!
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