Chim 500 required, please help

Chim 500 required, please help

Author
Discussion

brownec

Original Poster:

10 posts

120 months

Wednesday 16th April 2014
quotequote all
Hi all

Ive just decided to register with PH but have spent many an hour on here researching Chim's and I'm now in the market for one (if finances allow!) and have settled on wanting a good 500.

Looking to spend a maximum of roughly £12k and I know i could just go to the classifieds and call someone. But I would rather see one that you guys may know of on here that has been treated right!

Im based in the Cotswolds but happy to travel the distance.

Any help would be appreciated smile


2 sMoKiN bArReLs

30,230 posts

234 months

Wednesday 16th April 2014
quotequote all
Going along to your local club meet might be a good start.

brownec

Original Poster:

10 posts

120 months

Wednesday 16th April 2014
quotequote all
Yes, good point. I will plan to do that going forward but in the mean time I was hoping view something over Easter.

Thanks for your suggestion

TVRJAS

2,391 posts

128 months

Wednesday 16th April 2014
quotequote all
brownec said:
Hi all

Ive just decided to register with PH but have spent many an hour on here researching Chim's and I'm now in the market for one (if finances allow!) and have settled on wanting a good 500.

Looking to spend a maximum of roughly £12k and I know i could just go to the classifieds and call someone. But I would rather see one that you guys may know of on here that has been treated right!

Im based in the Cotswolds but happy to travel the distance.

Any help would be appreciated smile
Hi brownec..

As 2SB suggested it...

Looking at your profile your based Midlands? The TVRCC meeting is being held this Sunday 20th at the Bulls head in Meriden CV7 7NN.

We start to roll in at about 12.00 and there will be many experienced folk to fire your questions at.

My first thought is 12k for a 500 would get you the very bottom end(If at all) and certainly rules you out from buying from the dealers.Prices are on the up and your choosing the well sort after one.

Come along on Sunday thumbup


brownec

Original Poster:

10 posts

120 months

Wednesday 16th April 2014
quotequote all
Thanks for the reply! I'll certainly see if i can make it to the meet!

Ive just been looking at this ad:

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/t...

I love the look of this one. But is it too cheap? The Tuscan lights really set it off ( I know they are 'marmite' but Ive really warmed to them!)

Ive looked through the chaps profile and looks like that he has done a lot of work on it.

Does anyone know the owner here?

TV8

3,118 posts

174 months

Wednesday 16th April 2014
quotequote all
The ad says Neil Garner is linked to the work done on the car so pop along and see him as he is relatively local to you. Arrange to met the seller there and get it on the ramps. Job done...hopefully!

TV8

3,118 posts

174 months

Wednesday 16th April 2014
quotequote all
Also, drop Phazed a message. He has a good car that may be for sale.

A900ss

3,245 posts

151 months

Wednesday 16th April 2014
quotequote all
That car is owned by a member of the Bristol TVRCC and he is only selling it as he is getting a 5.4 griff.

It sounds lovely and I've followed it a few times and can confirm that it's a quick car and well sorted.

Well worth a look at that price and I think it's a bit underpriced.

I'm based in the south Cotswolds and I'm happy for you to have a poke around mine (it's only a baby 450 though) but it needs to be at least a couple of weeks as my car has gone for a respray.

Best of luck.

TVRJAS

2,391 posts

128 months

Wednesday 16th April 2014
quotequote all
The one you have a link on..... As long as you know it was a 400 with upgrade,so the price is obviously reflected to that of an original 500.

Light upgrade as you say is Marmite,I can deal with the taste of Marmite but those lights are not for me,but you like them and that's what matters.

Your advantage is it has been owned by someone who know's the ins and out's about TVR's and that has to be a big plus.

See you at the Bulls Head if you can make it... Jas

PS.. Mine is only a 400 but if haven't been in one you may well be surprised... Happy to take you for a spin.

Edited by TVRJAS on Wednesday 16th April 23:45

pjac67

2,040 posts

251 months

Thursday 17th April 2014
quotequote all
brownec said:
Thanks for the reply! I'll certainly see if i can make it to the meet!

Ive just been looking at this ad:

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/t...

I love the look of this one. But is it too cheap? The Tuscan lights really set it off ( I know they are 'marmite' but Ive really warmed to them!)

Ive looked through the chaps profile and looks like that he has done a lot of work on it.

Does anyone know the owner here?
Hi Charles - I know Adam very well and as Karl says he is only selling because he has bought the 5.4 Griff at Neil Garners.

I know every penny Adam has spent on his car (more than his wife does...) and it is a VERY quick well set up, sorted car that has had a lot of love.

The 2 'biggies' ie engine and chassis are like new so you have great peace of mind.

IMHO its often better to buy a 'cheaper' sorted car with higher mileage than an expensive garage queen that has (potentially) stored up troubles through lack of use....

It is on the edge of 'too cheap/what's wrong with it' (he originally wanted £12k for it).... but Adam is hoping to take delivery of his Griff this weekend so it may well be at Neil Garners to view...

Andav469

957 posts

136 months

Thursday 17th April 2014
quotequote all
pjac67 said:
Hi Charles - I know Adam very well and as Karl says he is only selling because he has bought the 5.4 Griff at Neil Garners.

I know every penny Adam has spent on his car (more than his wife does...) and it is a VERY quick well set up, sorted car that has had a lot of love.

The 2 'biggies' ie engine and chassis are like new so you have great peace of mind.

IMHO its often better to buy a 'cheaper' sorted car with higher mileage than an expensive garage queen that has (potentially) stored up troubles through lack of use....

It is on the edge of 'too cheap/what's wrong with it' (he originally wanted £12k for it).... but Adam is hoping to take delivery of his Griff this weekend so it may well be at Neil Garners to view...
Good advice on mileage, it doesn't always mean low mileage being the better car!

My car is a 1999 Chimaera 500, in exceptional condition, only completed 34000 miles with a full service history and my engine has just had to be replaced, no obvious reason for the damage, so lack of use is probably the main culprit

swallet

453 posts

142 months

Thursday 17th April 2014
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Looks like an absolute bargain, as long as you can live with the light conversion.

I would have pegged that at £12k

sgrimshaw

7,311 posts

249 months

Thursday 17th April 2014
quotequote all
If I had the room to put it, I would grab that in an instant.

I could live with the lights, but the Leven dash would have to go.

Apart from that ... very nice.

brownec

Original Poster:

10 posts

120 months

Thursday 17th April 2014
quotequote all
Andav469 said:
Good advice on mileage, it doesn't always mean low mileage being the better car!

My car is a 1999 Chimaera 500, in exceptional condition, only completed 34000 miles with a full service history and my engine has just had to be replaced, no obvious reason for the damage, so lack of use is probably the main culprit
Wow! Im sorry to hear your bad news. I think this reinforces the fact that mileage obviously doesnt matter.

There isnt much around thats a 500 at the moment, and it looks like the one in the ad could be a goer? I think i'll give the owner a call and see if i can pop down and see it as it sounds like a few of you know him and thats good.

I'll keep you posted!

Cheers

Charlie

brownec

Original Poster:

10 posts

120 months

Friday 18th April 2014
quotequote all
Ok, update: Ive just had a good chat with the owner Adam. Sounds like he knows his stuff and apparently is on PH from time to time. Im going to view it today so just leaving now, fingers crossed! Will keep you guys posted smile

A900ss

3,245 posts

151 months

Friday 18th April 2014
quotequote all
Best of luck with it.

Start THAT car up and you will buy. I've followed it on a run out and it sounds fantastic.

ChilliWhizz

11,990 posts

160 months

Friday 18th April 2014
quotequote all
brownec said:
Ok, update: Ive just had a good chat with the owner Adam. Sounds like he knows his stuff and apparently is on PH from time to time. Im going to view it today so just leaving now, fingers crossed! Will keep you guys posted smile
ears

brownec

Original Poster:

10 posts

120 months

Saturday 19th April 2014
quotequote all
Morning all

I met with Adam yesterday (BigGriff540) and had a good look at the car. Its exactly as explained, the noise is fantastic! I fell in love with it instantly (tried my hardest to look cool and not give away my position smile) and to cut a long story short we struck a deal and the Chim was mine. I just need to sort the finance side of things out and agreed to pick it up once this is sorted.

However, its not this simple. The bank has declined my loan! So im in the process of trying to sort out other means of making it mine.

Ive agreed with Adam that the car is to remain for sale if/until i can sort it out. Im totally gutted and have been through too many emotions over the last 24hrs.

A big thanks to Adam, he has been a true gent for his understanding and help on trying to sort my financail situ out-something he is a bit of an expert in!

Charlie

JimChim500

270 posts

216 months

Saturday 19th April 2014
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Sorry to hear that. Hope you get your finance sorted soon !

BigGriff540

250 posts

141 months

Saturday 19th April 2014
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No problem Charlie

It was good to meet you anyway. I could tell you had your research done when you came to look at it, which is good as unfortunately others that have come have ranged from 'I'm just looking for a soft top to 'pootle' around in' to ' I'm looking for an Aston Martin'!!???. You are the first who genuinely appreciated the noise, it was a give away when you started laughing!

Hopefully we can sort out your financial situation but it may take a little time. If its not mine you end up buying I'll happily come along to view another with you as a 2nd opinion.

So guys the Chim is still up for sale and feel free to point anyone who isnt looking for the above to me!

Regards

Adam