Anyone know this Chimaera?

[plfrench]

Hello all,

Finally taking my first steps towards Chimaera ownership.

This one has caught my eye:

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

Before I go an take a look, I was wondering if anyone knew of it and its history.

Also, would people recommend an inspection over and above assurances by Oakmere?

Thanks!

[bobfather]

Definitely needs an detailed chassis inspection. That's right in the middle of the period when TVR were doing their own powder coating. It looks completely original, no alloy extras, no engine bay improvements, it's quite expensive for a basic car. Paintwork looks good

[plfrench]

Thanks for the reply Bobfather. Question number one to Oakmere was going to be about the outriggers. There's no mention in the description which leads you to think they're original.

Do you have any recommendations for chassis inspections? The car is in Cheshire.

Thanks again.

[QBee]

A fresh MOT on purchase will at least ensure the outriggers are currently ok.....but,

When I bought my 1999 car it came with a fresh MOT.
My TVR specialist checked it over on day one and pronounced himself happy with the outriggers.

On day 366 it failed the MOT on holy outriggers (I blame the Catholic Church for this, as well as for being fed fish every bloody Friday ), and my TVR specialist pronounced his gast utterly flabbered.

[bobfather]

I really is better to do your own visual inspection. Best done by jacking up the passenger side front, removing the wheel and sticking a flat screwdriver along the top of the outrigger and try to poke the inner tube faces above the horizontal fixing plate. The latter is the biggest problem area because road muck builds up on top of the body fixing plates and encourages corrosion on the tubes right where you can't see or get to. A screwdriver will soon discover any nasty holes and you'll get a sense of the surface condition. Mine is a '99 with 60k miles. New outriggers were fitted three years ago

[sgrimshaw]

My 1999 is going in for outriggers next week.

Initially, I thought "That's a lot of money for a 1999 400", but looking through the PH classifieds prices seem to have risen somewhat .... is this just the summer price increase for convertibles or a sign that Chimaera values are picking up I wonder ??

[TJC46]

plfrench said:

Thanks for the reply Bobfather. Question number one to Oakmere was going to be about the outriggers. There's no mention in the description which leads you to think they're original.

Do you have any recommendations for chassis inspections? The car is in Cheshire.

Thanks again.

Oakmere themselves should put it on there ramp and let you inspect it yourself. If they will not, then buy a car from somewhere else.

If it's an independant chassis inspection then TORQUE RVT AT MIDDLEWICH [APPROX 8 MILES AWAY ] would be a good choice.

Do a deal with Oakmere subject to an independant chassis inspection [especially at that price] and again if they seem uninterested then walk away.

[Yex 450]

As mentioned above that is strong money for a 400 that the advert does not indicate has had the general remedial work on outriggers and/or chassis recently. It may well be a very well maintained car and run exceptionally well as a lot of 400's owned by people on here do but you really should have an expert look over the chassis and outriggers for you at that pricing point.

[simonwedge]

As said previously, looks like a nice original car but it's strong money. Colour combo is good. Dash veneers are breaking up though - I'd really have expected the dealer to have rectified those at that money.

Really needs a close chassis inspection. My personal experience is that especially if the car has been used in the wet with any regularity then it will likely need some chassis work.

[bobfather]

An MOT doesn't mean the outriggers are okay, most MOT garages don't know where to look. They do a quick visual of the underside of the chassis, that won't uncover the problem areas

[plfrench]

Thanks everyone for the replies.

Sounds like there should be some good bargaining to be done.

I'll start proceedings by asking them about the condition of the outriggers and see how they respond.

[mickh32]

With regard to outriggers let me tell you my tale. When I looked at the car the outriggers had been treated in black underseal to "keep them in good condition as they had just passed the mot" said the dealer. I was smitten because the car looked in such good condition overall. It was only when the ill handling beast went to an expert that he noticed the outriggers looked dodgy. A good look while it was on the ramp revealed holes that had been stuffed with paper and filled. One corner had a piece of plastic tube inserted in it before being filled. Needless to say the dealer replaced them when it was pointed out that the ministry would interested to hear of it. Have a really good look at chassis and outriggers before you buy and take a mate with you, two pairs of eyes are better than one.

[TV8]

I don't know the car or the owner but this is a lot of car for the money. http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/t...

Some 400s are faster than others. This car would be faster than most 500s

Respected dealer as well.

[plfrench]

Well, there is no sign of the outriggers having been done but they have stated the chassis appears in good condition from their inspections.

I'm intending to pop up next weekend to take a look assuming it is still available, but am not going to rush into anything. If I like what I see, then I'll get a proper inspection done to as suggested to give me more confidence.

[bobfather]

Even if the outriggers are okay they are still old and that is big money for a standard car. It would have to have a solid and detailed service history from a known TVR garage. Without that I'd be looking elsewhere. There are dozens of Chimaeras at that price that have the history available

[plfrench]

How about this one?

Seems like a good price for a 500, but again, no information about outriggers and the wording at the end of the ad about not being prepped for retail and no warranty makes me wonder about it.

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

[QBee]

It's Fernhurst - at least ask them. They won't want to sell you a car that's not roadworthy.

[plfrench]

I've dropped them a line. Looks pretty good in the pictures.

[Milky400]

There will be a reason why it's not being retail prepped....

[caduceus]

plfrench said:

How about this one?

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

What's up with that? That's silly cheap for a 40k 500 Chimaera