Thinking of buying a Chim
Discussion
The plan was to save up a bit 'till next year and then buy a Cerbera, but I'm concerned that I will over stretch myself financially. So I’m now looking at Chimeras.
I’ve spotted one for sale on PH that I’m going to enquire about. Having never even sat in a chim,
can someone suggest what are the main things to look for and also, can someone recommend a good person to inspect the car before I hand over my hard earned 
cash ?. I live in North Yorks btw.
Thanks, Tony.
I’ve spotted one for sale on PH that I’m going to enquire about. Having never even sat in a chim,
can someone suggest what are the main things to look for and also, can someone recommend a good person to inspect the car before I hand over my hard earned cash ?. I live in North Yorks btw. Thanks, Tony.
jigs said:
You'll be needing the Lone Ranger then, Tonto.
or more likely the Loan Arranger.
Nice one jigs.
chimburt, I did a search but couldn't find anything relating to inspections in the North Yorks area.
Will someone like Rob Ingelby or Jools be able to sort out an inspection way ooop north ?
Hi Tonto, 
before you even go out looking at cars for sale, get along to a local TVRCC meet or similar and chat to the owners etc.. As you've never sat in a Chimaera (and I believe never owned a TVR?) there's an awful lot more to these cars than "looks nice, goes fast".. its a bit more like a complex love affair with a gorgeous yet high maintenance woman.
TVR owners on the whole seem very happy to share their experiences (we all moan about them on here for starters
) so find out about what you are getting into, before using sellers cars as your "test drive" arena.
Plus all this info will give you a much better idea of what to look out for in potential purchases.
Oh, and don't buy the first one you see
(like everyone says, then ignores 
)
Cheers
Matt.
before you even go out looking at cars for sale, get along to a local TVRCC meet or similar and chat to the owners etc.. As you've never sat in a Chimaera (and I believe never owned a TVR?) there's an awful lot more to these cars than "looks nice, goes fast".. its a bit more like a complex love affair with a gorgeous yet high maintenance woman.
TVR owners on the whole seem very happy to share their experiences (we all moan about them on here for starters
) so find out about what you are getting into, before using sellers cars as your "test drive" arena. Plus all this info will give you a much better idea of what to look out for in potential purchases.
Oh, and don't buy the first one you see
(like everyone says, then ignores ) Cheers
Matt.
M@H said:
Hi Tonto,
before you even go out looking at cars for sale, get along to a local TVRCC meet or similar and chat to the owners etc.. As you've never sat in a Chimaera (and I believe never owned a TVR?) there's an awful lot more to these cars than "looks nice, goes fast".. its a bit more like a complex love affair with a gorgeous yet high maintenance woman.
Cheers
Matt.
Where do I sign for her ?
Thanks for the info all. I'm off to the local TVR dealer to arrange a test drive now, (its all of 150 metres away !). I certainly plan to join the local TVRCC though.
Hello Tonto and welcome
I assume you are going to HHC in Harrogate, I reckon you would be best to try all the three different engine sizes in the chim, I believe they have 400, 450, and 500's in stock at present (was there on Saturday myself). I bought a 400 chim first off (from Cheshire TVR, an indie who is well worth alook www.cheshiretvr.co.uk, his cars are good value and well prepared) then got the idea of a 500 into my head and swapped (bought the 500 from HHC in July - the mica blue R-reg one if you ever saw it). If your budget allows and you like the feel, etc (coming from power bikes you probably will!) of the more powerful ones, buying one now will save you a few quid if you ever did want to upgrade in the future. Thats not to say that the 400 is a slouch, it is still an absolute aeroplane 
I live near Wakefield and will gladly take you out in mine if you want
e-mail me through my profile 
Good luck with your search for 'the one'
I assume you are going to HHC in Harrogate, I reckon you would be best to try all the three different engine sizes in the chim, I believe they have 400, 450, and 500's in stock at present (was there on Saturday myself). I bought a 400 chim first off (from Cheshire TVR, an indie who is well worth alook www.cheshiretvr.co.uk, his cars are good value and well prepared) then got the idea of a 500 into my head and swapped (bought the 500 from HHC in July - the mica blue R-reg one if you ever saw it). If your budget allows and you like the feel, etc (coming from power bikes you probably will!) of the more powerful ones, buying one now will save you a few quid if you ever did want to upgrade in the future. Thats not to say that the 400 is a slouch, it is still an absolute aeroplane
I live near Wakefield and will gladly take you out in mine if you want
e-mail me through my profile Good luck with your search for 'the one'
tonto said:
Having never even sat in a chim,
The buying guide from Evo a few years ago was very useful to me even though I bought from a dealer which covered most of the points. If you email me I can post you a photocopy (which is all Evo have left ... I paid for mine) if you'd like.
Also, as suggested, get "The Bible" but when reading it remember that even the most reliable cars manuals will make it sound like they're a potential nightmare with the "what can go wrong" ... but best advice is to take one out for a spin; it got me to buy one!
Hi Mod500,
You are right, its HHC in Harrogate. Its a right pain living so close. I have to drool on a daily basis as I drive past. Have arranged a test drive on Friday (weather permitting). I think I remember seeing your car, but to be honest, at the time, I was only just starting to look at TVR's and I was looking for a Cerbera. Did they have the red R reg 4.2 when you got your chim ? I had a spin out in that. Great drive, but the car was a bit tatty. Talking of spins, the chap I was talking to today at HHC told me that someone took a 350C out for a test drive recently in the rain, got to the roundabout at the bottom of the hill and whilst selecting his exit road mashed his size nine into the shag pile ! Result... instant 360 spin 
. Luckily, he didn't hit anything.
BTW, thanks for the offer of a trip in your Chimera. I might take you up on that.
You are right, its HHC in Harrogate. Its a right pain living so close. I have to drool on a daily basis as I drive past
. Have arranged a test drive on Friday (weather permitting). I think I remember seeing your car, but to be honest, at the time, I was only just starting to look at TVR's and I was looking for a Cerbera. Did they have the red R reg 4.2 when you got your chim ? I had a spin out in that. Great drive, but the car was a bit tatty. Talking of spins, the chap I was talking to today at HHC told me that someone took a 350C out for a test drive recently in the rain, got to the roundabout at the bottom of the hill and whilst selecting his exit road mashed his size nine into the shag pile ! Result... instant 360 spin . Luckily, he didn't hit anything. BTW, thanks for the offer of a trip in your Chimera. I might take you up on that.
Hi Tonto
As far as the inspection goes, I used Rob Ingleby when I bought my Chimaera. He did a full inspection for me and provided a report commenting on the present condition and also highlighting any potential future 'costs'. Rob travels all over the country to find you the right car; the car I bought came from a guy in Southend-on-Sea. Driving it back home was great fun, Southend to Yorkshire on a Sunday morning! Do a search in the forums for more details of his services.
As far as your purchase goes, take the advice that has been given already, have a very good look around. The prices and quality of stock varies wildly from dealer to dealer. Even though HHC is just around the corner, I ended up getting my Tuscan from H L Gorner in Wigan, they're well worth drive over.
If you're planning to go to the local TVRCC meet I'll probably see you there.
It's probably of no assistance whatsoever but if you want a closer look at a Tuscan email me. Alternatively if you get over to Wigan in the next couple of days ask Mike to show you my car, it's over there at the moment.
Keep us all posted.
As far as the inspection goes, I used Rob Ingleby when I bought my Chimaera. He did a full inspection for me and provided a report commenting on the present condition and also highlighting any potential future 'costs'. Rob travels all over the country to find you the right car; the car I bought came from a guy in Southend-on-Sea. Driving it back home was great fun, Southend to Yorkshire on a Sunday morning! Do a search in the forums for more details of his services.
As far as your purchase goes, take the advice that has been given already, have a very good look around. The prices and quality of stock varies wildly from dealer to dealer. Even though HHC is just around the corner, I ended up getting my Tuscan from H L Gorner in Wigan, they're well worth drive over.
If you're planning to go to the local TVRCC meet I'll probably see you there.
It's probably of no assistance whatsoever but if you want a closer look at a Tuscan email me. Alternatively if you get over to Wigan in the next couple of days ask Mike to show you my car, it's over there at the moment.
Keep us all posted.
tonto said:
Hi Mod500,
You are right, its HHC in Harrogate. Its a right pain living so close. I have to drool on a daily basis as I drive past
BTW, thanks for the offer of a trip in your Chimera. I might take you up on that.
Yes, mine was for sale when the red 4.2 cerb (with v.loud exhaust?) and the lovely techno violet 4.5 they had were in.
A few of us are going out in Leeds on Saturday 13th Dec, you are most welcome to come along would be a good chance to find out about the different tivs and how they are to live with. Link is here www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=67328&f=65&h=0
Happy hunting
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