Best way to buy a Chim? + Q for Chim owners in Essex!
Discussion
I've made a couple of posts in the Chim forums over the last year trying to justify buying one - but I've always backed out of the idea last minute.
The point has FINALLY arrived where as of early August I'll be buying my next car... Which I'd promised myself would be a 987 Boxster S... However, now that I've actually got the money, I keep looking back at the Chim
I have a £15,000 budget MAX, is it best to buy one at the lower end of the market (10k or less) and then use the spare money to get the Outriggers/Chassis sorted or is it best to spend a bit more and buy a nicer example in the first place?
My brain is telling me to just go for the better one to begin with, but at the same time I'd get piece of mind knowing the Outriggers and Chassis were both fresh!
Also, aside from the Outrigger/Chassis rot are there any prominent mechanical issues on the Chim and what kind of preventative maintenance options are there - and what are the rough costs from specialists (I have no mechanical ability, sadly!)?
Finally, I'm based in Brentwood, Essex - I know its asking a lot, but I don't suppose any relatively local owners could show me their Chims and let me go for a passenger ride (will pay fuel), I've never even sat in one before and if I do finally take the plunge I want to make sure its actually the car for me!
Cheers
The point has FINALLY arrived where as of early August I'll be buying my next car... Which I'd promised myself would be a 987 Boxster S... However, now that I've actually got the money, I keep looking back at the Chim
I have a £15,000 budget MAX, is it best to buy one at the lower end of the market (10k or less) and then use the spare money to get the Outriggers/Chassis sorted or is it best to spend a bit more and buy a nicer example in the first place?
My brain is telling me to just go for the better one to begin with, but at the same time I'd get piece of mind knowing the Outriggers and Chassis were both fresh!
Also, aside from the Outrigger/Chassis rot are there any prominent mechanical issues on the Chim and what kind of preventative maintenance options are there - and what are the rough costs from specialists (I have no mechanical ability, sadly!)?
Finally, I'm based in Brentwood, Essex - I know its asking a lot, but I don't suppose any relatively local owners could show me their Chims and let me go for a passenger ride (will pay fuel), I've never even sat in one before and if I do finally take the plunge I want to make sure its actually the car for me!
Cheers
Buy on condition - ALWAYS!
By your own admission you aren't handy with the spanners, so I'd suggest that a fixer-upper is probably not for you.
Specialist/Indie costs vary but expect to pay £70-100/Hour
Chassis/Outrigger repairs very quickly lead on to other little jobs "whilst you have the access" which often ends up in a full resto costing £££££'s
They all have their "quirks" but outside of the chassis issues, electrics are the Chimaera's achilles heal - check it all works then check it again when it is hot especially the cooling fans and starting circuit.
If you can, take someone along who knows these cars when viewing - a simple post on here will usually find you a willing owner in your area or even in the buyers area that will happily cast an eye over your prospective purchase.
By your own admission you aren't handy with the spanners, so I'd suggest that a fixer-upper is probably not for you.
Specialist/Indie costs vary but expect to pay £70-100/Hour
Chassis/Outrigger repairs very quickly lead on to other little jobs "whilst you have the access" which often ends up in a full resto costing £££££'s
They all have their "quirks" but outside of the chassis issues, electrics are the Chimaera's achilles heal - check it all works then check it again when it is hot especially the cooling fans and starting circuit.
If you can, take someone along who knows these cars when viewing - a simple post on here will usually find you a willing owner in your area or even in the buyers area that will happily cast an eye over your prospective purchase.
Echo the above. I brought an M5 which needed a lot doing to it. I thought I had budgeted for this but there was a lot more wrong with it than I thought . Buy one that's well sorted, your budget will by a good one with a little left as a slush fund just in case.
Even the most sorted will always need a little doing to it but also factor in mods 😄😄😄😄😄😄😄😄
I was considering a Boxster but after my first drive in a Chimaera I was hooked.
Even the most sorted will always need a little doing to it but also factor in mods 😄😄😄😄😄😄😄😄
I was considering a Boxster but after my first drive in a Chimaera I was hooked.
Many thanks for the replies guys!
For reference I have driven the Boxster S (2005 3.2 Manual) and was utterly underwhelmed at the time, but still really wanted it (I also HATED my RX-8 for the first few months I owned it, until I finally 'got' what it was about)!
Looks like I'll be going for one that's already quite well sorted + have a slush fund to fix any issues! Can't wait!
Those of you who offered to show me yours, many thanks! I work unsociable hours during the week and am racing this weekend so I'll PM you at some point next week and see if we can arrange something for a later date, it'd be great if you'd do that for me!
Just got to play the waiting game now - RX7 and RX8 will be gone by end of July/early August and I should be able to start Chim-hunting shortly after!
Well worth it though, I've loved my last 2 years with it and will genuinely be gutted to see it go. Same for the RX7 too but to a lesser extent.
For reference I have driven the Boxster S (2005 3.2 Manual) and was utterly underwhelmed at the time, but still really wanted it (I also HATED my RX-8 for the first few months I owned it, until I finally 'got' what it was about)!
Looks like I'll be going for one that's already quite well sorted + have a slush fund to fix any issues! Can't wait!
Those of you who offered to show me yours, many thanks! I work unsociable hours during the week and am racing this weekend so I'll PM you at some point next week and see if we can arrange something for a later date, it'd be great if you'd do that for me!
Just got to play the waiting game now - RX7 and RX8 will be gone by end of July/early August and I should be able to start Chim-hunting shortly after!
StarmistBlue400 said:
Nice R3 BTW. I used to have an RX8 with a Borla exhaust fitted. Loved that car and why I sold it to buy the mentioned M5 I don't know ??????
Cheers! They really are great cars... They're so much better than they have any right to be, especially with how awful they look on paper! 230bhp, 1400kg, 0-62 in 6.4 seconds.... and sub-20mpg!!! Well worth it though, I've loved my last 2 years with it and will genuinely be gutted to see it go. Same for the RX7 too but to a lesser extent.
PuffsBack said:
Wow you still got it! - My Californian Sage Chim is currently for sale at Bespoke. Hadn't seen it since I sold her back in 2006
Puff
Yep. It's one of those cars which is part of the family and I can't see myself ever selling it. Although doesn't get used as much as I'd like at the moment due to a house renovation, but that is coming to an end, so then it's Tivving time. Puff
I remember your Chim, not seen many in that colour. Was it really 2006 when you sold it? doesn't seem that long ago, but must be.
Hope all is well.
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ads said:
Yep. It's one of those cars which is part of the family and I can't see myself ever selling it. Although doesn't get used as much as I'd like at the moment due to a house renovation, but that is coming to an end, so then it's Tivving time.
I remember your Chim, not seen many in that colour. Was it really 2006 when you sold it? doesn't seem that long ago, but must be.
Hope all is well.
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Yep Chim was replace with a Griff 500, that lasted until 2009 when I called time on my TVR fix. However after a failed flirt with AMG I came to my senses and bought a Cerbera which was finally replaced a couple of months back with a SagarisI remember your Chim, not seen many in that colour. Was it really 2006 when you sold it? doesn't seem that long ago, but must be.
Hope all is well.
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PuffsBack said:
Yep Chim was replace with a Griff 500, that lasted until 2009 when I called time on my TVR fix. However after a failed flirt with AMG I came to my senses and bought a Cerbera which was finally replaced a couple of months back with a Sagaris
Excellent, these TVR's do get under your skin. Need to get myself to some meets this year. so hopefully catch you at some.
ads said:
Excellent, these TVR's do get under your skin.
Need to get myself to some meets this year. so hopefully catch you at some.
Yep would be good. I live up up on the Norfolk/Suffolk border now but might make a Mid Essex meet at some point. Haven't been to the new Witham location yetNeed to get myself to some meets this year. so hopefully catch you at some.
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