Should i worry about buying/selling a cat c chimera
Discussion
There's a real nice 450 chim that come up for sale that im having a look at today.
Ive been after a chim for a while now and after travelling 100,s if not 1000,s of miles over the last 6 months or so ive still not managed to find a good one. (im not expecting a new car btw)
Its started to put me off buying one, but this 450 looks real nice (but so did the rest)
The only down side is its a cat c car.
Where as it doesn't bother me it is a concern if when the time comes to sell on will I have problems.
selling it.
Options?
Ive been after a chim for a while now and after travelling 100,s if not 1000,s of miles over the last 6 months or so ive still not managed to find a good one. (im not expecting a new car btw)
Its started to put me off buying one, but this 450 looks real nice (but so did the rest)
The only down side is its a cat c car.
Where as it doesn't bother me it is a concern if when the time comes to sell on will I have problems.
selling it.
Options?
Well if you are happy with the car and it is definitely safe and sound then what's the issue? Presumably the price reflects the jaded history so you are getting it at a reduced price compared to similar non Cat vehicles and providing you take the same stance when selling I do not really see an issue as there will no doubt be another prospective bargain hunter along.
Of course the insurance of such cars can be problematic sometimes so do make enquires beforehand as to what value they would place on the car too and also that they will cover it, as some companies don't.
We owned a Nissan Micra some time back as a second car, from new, that had a minor bump on the rear which effectively wrote it off in the eyes of the insurers. (It was barely more than a scratch! - seriously) but did give some grief when we came to MOT as we had to go for a VIC (identity) check before we could sell it too. Was no problem at all for that and we chopped it in on a new car under the scrappage scheme for £1000+ with 200k+ miles on the clock. (Still on original discs, exhaust, battery, shocks etc - amazing!)
Anyway - you can read more about CAT issues here if you've not done so already.
http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/car-news/consumer-new...
Of course the insurance of such cars can be problematic sometimes so do make enquires beforehand as to what value they would place on the car too and also that they will cover it, as some companies don't.
We owned a Nissan Micra some time back as a second car, from new, that had a minor bump on the rear which effectively wrote it off in the eyes of the insurers. (It was barely more than a scratch! - seriously) but did give some grief when we came to MOT as we had to go for a VIC (identity) check before we could sell it too. Was no problem at all for that and we chopped it in on a new car under the scrappage scheme for £1000+ with 200k+ miles on the clock. (Still on original discs, exhaust, battery, shocks etc - amazing!)
Anyway - you can read more about CAT issues here if you've not done so already.
http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/car-news/consumer-new...
Edited by ThommoHawk on Sunday 24th May 08:10
You ask yourself....should i worry
I would Inspect the vehicle as any other, chassis condition one of the main concerns, but as for the damage, there should be no problem if the repair has been done professionally.
Looking at the auction site, the car does look good, but as you say they all do till you get there and start to inspect.
A good point is the pictures of the damage. I bought a Tvr S3 that was cat D on the register. It too had pictures of all the damage, and these proved invaluable when i eventually sold the car on.
Now for future resale, the car is always going to be a cat C on the register. The sale price should always reflect this.
If after inspection, you think the car is worth 8k then go for it. Only concern would be how much money you put into the car. Its always going to be an 8k car.
As the price of Tivs rise, and they have these past few years, the value/ cost to buy of an insurance loss car will rise but only marginally.
I would not compare the 8k price against the cost of a similar car not on the register.
I would ask myself is it worth 8k, and buy on that decision only.
As stated earlier, i have bought an insurance loss TVR and it was, for me at least, a fantastic entry into TVR ownership.
I would not have been able to buy one otherwise.
Would i buy an insurance loss car again?...........Yes but at the right price.
Edit to add....I'm sure there was a video taken by a following car, of this particular [or very similar] Chimaera in an accident.
It was pulling away from traffic lights and the driver had a moment and lost the rear end. The road was damp and the car went spinning across the road, and the lower front end was wiped out on the kerb.
The video was in or around the Oldham area, and the seller lists as being from Oldham.......coincidence, ....................or i have got it all wrong?....and maybe its a totally different accident/and car.
I would Inspect the vehicle as any other, chassis condition one of the main concerns, but as for the damage, there should be no problem if the repair has been done professionally.
Looking at the auction site, the car does look good, but as you say they all do till you get there and start to inspect.
A good point is the pictures of the damage. I bought a Tvr S3 that was cat D on the register. It too had pictures of all the damage, and these proved invaluable when i eventually sold the car on.
Now for future resale, the car is always going to be a cat C on the register. The sale price should always reflect this.
If after inspection, you think the car is worth 8k then go for it. Only concern would be how much money you put into the car. Its always going to be an 8k car.
As the price of Tivs rise, and they have these past few years, the value/ cost to buy of an insurance loss car will rise but only marginally.
I would not compare the 8k price against the cost of a similar car not on the register.
I would ask myself is it worth 8k, and buy on that decision only.
As stated earlier, i have bought an insurance loss TVR and it was, for me at least, a fantastic entry into TVR ownership.
I would not have been able to buy one otherwise.
Would i buy an insurance loss car again?...........Yes but at the right price.
Edit to add....I'm sure there was a video taken by a following car, of this particular [or very similar] Chimaera in an accident.
It was pulling away from traffic lights and the driver had a moment and lost the rear end. The road was damp and the car went spinning across the road, and the lower front end was wiped out on the kerb.
The video was in or around the Oldham area, and the seller lists as being from Oldham.......coincidence, ....................or i have got it all wrong?....and maybe its a totally different accident/and car.
Edited by TJC46 on Sunday 24th May 10:38
pwd95 said:
Had a cat c Griff a few years ago. Buy cheap, enjoy, sell cheap. Eazy.
If you want a straight 98 450, selling mine now for less than that...
I wish id seen this earlier im on my way to see it but where abouts are you?If you want a straight 98 450, selling mine now for less than that...
The seller told me he bought it off his mate who did lose the back end resulting in the damage.
bababoom said:
pwd95 said:
Had a cat c Griff a few years ago. Buy cheap, enjoy, sell cheap. Eazy.
If you want a straight 98 450, selling mine now for less than that...
I wish id seen this earlier im on my way to see it but where abouts are you?If you want a straight 98 450, selling mine now for less than that...
The seller told me he bought it off his mate who did lose the back end resulting in the damage.
TJC46 said:
...Now for future resale, the car is always going to be a cat C on the register. The sale price should always reflect this.
Yes and no, you can get it inspected by Autolign and get it downgraded to a 'condition inspected' category which means you can insure it as an uncategorised car, however you know it was a Cat C to start with so when you come to sell what you disclose is up to you.Well in short its now sat on my drive.
Ive been looking for one since August last year and looked at least 13 or so cars in that time.
Had ruled out buying a Cat c just due to the problems i may have when the time comes to sell.
But not once did i think of the cat c part of it on the drive home
The seller had his own garage with ramp and left me to it.
Slight bit of play from the rear diff mount which he pointed out and bit of a leak from the sump gasket, Not enough to worry about.
The history with the car is amazing with what i expect to be every bill since new including original bill of sale for 37k and a letter from TVR to the new owner.
Couple of faults i did find on the drive home through
The temp didn't go over 60 but the heaters are great and there's no dash lights.
So my advise would be like everyone has said buy on condition even if the best you find happens to be a cat c/d
Ive been looking for one since August last year and looked at least 13 or so cars in that time.
Had ruled out buying a Cat c just due to the problems i may have when the time comes to sell.
But not once did i think of the cat c part of it on the drive home
The seller had his own garage with ramp and left me to it.
Slight bit of play from the rear diff mount which he pointed out and bit of a leak from the sump gasket, Not enough to worry about.
The history with the car is amazing with what i expect to be every bill since new including original bill of sale for 37k and a letter from TVR to the new owner.
Couple of faults i did find on the drive home through
The temp didn't go over 60 but the heaters are great and there's no dash lights.
So my advise would be like everyone has said buy on condition even if the best you find happens to be a cat c/d
Edited by bababoom on Sunday 24th May 23:20
bababoom said:
Well in short its now sat on my drive.
Ive been looking for one since August last year and looked at least 13 or so cars in that time.
Had ruled out buying a Cat c just due to the problems i may have when the time comes to sell.
But not once did i think of the cat c part of it on the drive home
The seller had his own garage with ramp and left me to it.
Slight bit of play from the rear diff mount which he pointed out and bit of a leak from the sump gasket, Not enough to worry about.
The history with the car is amazing with what i expect to be every bill since new including original bill of sale for 37k and a letter from TVR to the new owner.
Couple of faults i did find on the drive home through
The temp didn't go over 60 but the heaters are great and there's no dash lights.
So my advise would be like everyone has said buy on condition even if the best you find happens to be a cat c/d
Good luck with your new purchase....am sure that it will all work out fine!Ive been looking for one since August last year and looked at least 13 or so cars in that time.
Had ruled out buying a Cat c just due to the problems i may have when the time comes to sell.
But not once did i think of the cat c part of it on the drive home
The seller had his own garage with ramp and left me to it.
Slight bit of play from the rear diff mount which he pointed out and bit of a leak from the sump gasket, Not enough to worry about.
The history with the car is amazing with what i expect to be every bill since new including original bill of sale for 37k and a letter from TVR to the new owner.
Couple of faults i did find on the drive home through
The temp didn't go over 60 but the heaters are great and there's no dash lights.
So my advise would be like everyone has said buy on condition even if the best you find happens to be a cat c/d
Edited by bababoom on Sunday 24th May 23:20
We own a Cat C Chimaera ....early car...lots history...runs sweet ...un messed with car...the accident damage necessitated a new chassis....so now better than many chimaeras out there running around on tired rusty metal...
The only problem I have found is the lovely has taken ownership as she loves it!
We bought on the basis that we know what it is and if we ever move it on she still will be a cat car...but as you found you look at loads of rubbish that may have had un recorded accident stuff done...so cat cars can be a sensible way to go...
Bare in mind that a paint job repair can write a car off ....costs of paint, labour and hire cars taken into account...
Good luck enjoy your new purchase...
p.s. you posted regards joining the TVRCC on another thread....if you want any info regarding membership benefits contact me happy to assist with any questions....I am one the organisers for the club for the Warwickshire and West Mids region
Steve G
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