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Blues
Original Poster
8,346 posts
88 months
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I've reached the sad conclusion that it is time to sell my much loved Chim after more than 6 years of fun.
The arrival of another convertible V8 in March last year has meant that the Chim just isn't getting used as much as it used to be, and it is time to move on.
My problem is setting a price. I can see what the standard 450s are selling for, but what premium for the SC? The system was professionally fitted by Racing Green 4 years ago, and brought the figures up to 425 bhp and 409 ft/lbs torque. From a power and drivability perspective, it has to be better than a Standard 500 - but perhaps i'm biased?
It has had the sensible mods - hot start kit, battery in boot, remote boot opener, HID lights, Nitrons, bigger brakes and Griff 500 clutch, but remains on standard wheels, and stock cam.
If you were in the maket for such a car, what sort of price would you realistically pay.
It is not advertised for sale yet, as it needs new veneer on the dash, which will get done as soon as I have time.
Thanks for your input
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Jon Brown
375 posts
53 months
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No idea on price, but would it not be better to remove the SC and sell this separetly?
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Ribol
9,169 posts
127 months
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Jon Brown said: No idea on price, but would it not be better to remove the SC and sell this separetly? Or if you decide to go this way, why not advertise the supercharger kit whilst it is still on the car and see what response you get. Any potential buyer would then be able to see it working on the car and know they are getting something that works, less of a gamble. You then take a hefty deposit to cover the labour charge for taking it off in advance  It leaves you less money to make up on the car and it will appeal to more people.
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450Nick
3,467 posts
81 months
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No I decided to keep mine in the end as I couldn't bare to sell it... I think mine's now a keeper... As for price point, it depends on condition, but I would take the price of a standard 450, then add to it the costs of the purchase price of the major mods (excluding installation) divided by 2. At the end of the day, it has had serious work done to it, and will well out-perform even a tuned Cerb or Sag up to ton and a bit. Having driven mine against a standard but very good Chim, mine is a completely different car in just about every respect, so the price has to reflect that. That said, you have a limited market, so expect it to take a while - especially as summer is drawing to a close...
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Blues
Original Poster
8,346 posts
88 months
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450Nick said: No I decided to keep mine in the end as I couldn't bare to sell it... I think mine's now a keeper... As for price point, it depends on condition, but I would take the price of a standard 450, then add to it the costs of the purchase price of the major mods (excluding installation) divided by 2. At the end of the day, it has had serious work done to it, and will well out-perform even a tuned Cerb or Sag up to ton and a bit. Having driven mine against a standard but very good Chim, mine is a completely different car in just about every respect, so the price has to reflect that. That said, you have a limited market, so expect it to take a while - especially as summer is drawing to a close... This makes a lot of sense Nick, thanks for your input. I'm pleased you arrived at the "keep it" conclusion. I was of this mind, until I bought the F430 Spider, in which I have driven almost 11k miles since I bought it in March last year, and I'm taking it down to Monza for the GP next week. I don't want to remove the SC kit and sell it separately, it just doesn't feel right, and I don't want to go through the whole rigmarole of having it removed and refitting all of the old kit - although I do still have it. I'd love to sell it to someone who will continue driving it and get the same great pleasure from it in it's current state. I'll do some sums, and see what number pops out.
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Goaty Bill
1,169 posts
20 months
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Blues said: This makes a lot of sense Nick, thanks for your input. I'm pleased you arrived at the "keep it" conclusion. I was of this mind, until I bought the F430 Spider, in which I have driven almost 11k miles since I bought it in March last year, and I'm taking it down to Monza for the GP next week.
I don't want to remove the SC kit and sell it separately, it just doesn't feel right, and I don't want to go through the whole rigmarole of having it removed and refitting all of the old kit - although I do still have it.
I'd love to sell it to someone who will continue driving it and get the same great pleasure from it in it's current state.
I'll do some sums, and see what number pops out. Just a suggestion (you may already thinking it); When advertising it, mention that you have all the original induction system etc. That would likely make it more attractive to a few that might otherwise 'walk on by'. Knowing I had the option either way would certainly make it a more attractive purchase to me, even though I imagine removing the SC would be a hard thing to want to do. 
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LordGrover
18,592 posts
81 months
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450Nick said: No I decided to keep mine in the end as I couldn't bare to sell it... I think mine's now a keeper... As for price point, it depends on condition, but I would take the price of a standard 450, then add to it the costs of the purchase price of the major mods (excluding installation) divided by 2. At the end of the day, it has had serious work done to it, and will well out-perform even a tuned Cerb or Sag up to ton and a bit. Having driven mine against a standard but very good Chim, mine is a completely different car in just about every respect, so the price has to reflect that. That said, you have a limited market, so expect it to take a while - especially as summer is drawing to a close...  Pretty much exactly what I thought. I have no interest in buying and famously crap at selling, but that seems like a sensible formula to me.
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Agent Orange
1,146 posts
115 months
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If it helps I'm currently at early stages of looking to get a Chim 400 or maybe 450 for a fun car and I've come to a couple of conclusions. Based on dealer websites, Autotrader and PH I'm seeing that standard, low mileage, face lift 400s are shifting quicker than I can arrange a viewing. ie. 2 weeks. Likewise with 450s. 500s do appear to be hanging around a lot longer before they sell. Anything modified or with mileage above 50K seems to hang around for a while and people are dropping their prices with these cars. I'm wondering if a part of the market is looking at Chims for investment in the belief the really good ones are likely to rise? Whilst I'm not directly answering your question what I would be prepared to pay is not much more than a standard 450 because I don't want a supercharged 450. And that might be the problem - you target market will be very specific. Someone wanting that power in a Chim will be looking at a 500 and maybe wary of a charger. That said good 500s appear to be advertised as anything from £12-20K and 450's quite a bit cheaper around £9-12K The other mods listed don't add any value but along side another identical 450 would sway me. I reckon a good starting price would be in the middle of a identically aged, condition, standard 450 and 500. But I'm in the camp that say revert it to standard and sell charger separately to widen your market. This modified 450 ad might help? http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/4070213.htm
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TV8
1,098 posts
44 months
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There was a s/c 450 for sale a couple of years ago for £10k that didnt sell despite having loads spent on it. I believe that TVR Power bought it in the end as they did all the work and the owner was keen to shift.
They might have got a better price for it with a warranty.
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Chilliman
3,408 posts
30 months
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I find this most interesting as I'm about to SC my already highly modified 500. The original 500 block went porous on me and rather than have it top hat linered and the original (not especially strong) crank reground (which it would have needed) I went for a new V8 Dev short engine which has a slightly shorter stroke and a slightly larger bore than the original block. This is a much stronger unit (also cross bolted) but based on the 'original is best' theory having it installed has detracted from the cars value :-( personally I'm not into buying a TVR as an investment as I enjoy driving mine too much so it's destined to become a high mileage example. Having said that there's much to be said for keeping it standard if that helps retain it's value thereby making it more affordable, lack of depreciation off setting maintenance costs during the ownership period. I paid 15k for the Chim in 2010, spent a rather large amount of dosh on the (excellent) engine rebuild, and am now spending more on the SC. Would i ever recover the money spent if i were to sell it? Undoubtedly no. Will the grin factor and fun be worth it? I bloody well hope so 
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Blues
Original Poster
8,346 posts
88 months
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TV8 said: There was a s/c 450 for sale a couple of years ago for £10k that didnt sell despite having loads spent on it. I believe that TVR Power bought it in the end as they did all the work and the owner was keen to shift.
They might have got a better price for it with a warranty. That was in Spain in think. Dom took the SC kit off, and used the car as a mule for one of his other ideas - might have been a turbo? Chilliman said: Would i ever recover the money spent if i were to sell it? Undoubtedly no. Will the grin factor and fun be worth it? I bloody well hope so Absolutely the right spirit. This was my idea, and the plan was to keep the Chim for ever. Then I accidently bought an F430 Spider. Hence the Chim not getting driven as often.
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haircutmike
6,713 posts
73 months
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Oh alright, I'll give you 10 for it!
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Blues
Original Poster
8,346 posts
88 months
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haircutmike said: Oh alright, I'll give you 10 for it!
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haircutmike
6,713 posts
73 months
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Blues said: haircutmike said: Oh alright, I'll give you 10 for it! Is that a yes or a no laugh?
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Blues
Original Poster
8,346 posts
88 months
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haircutmike said: Blues said: haircutmike said: Oh alright, I'll give you 10 for it! Is that a yes or a no laugh? Just a laugh ...
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Chilliman
3,408 posts
30 months
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Blues said: Then I accidently bought an F430 Spider. Hmm, that must have been a really nasty accident Hope you were OK Really fancy a Fezza, can afford one but just don't seem to be able to make the commitment... I made the statement when I was 18 years old, owning a Lotus 7 at the time, that one day I would own a Ferrari even if it meant living in a mud hut. That was 42 years ago  It doesn't have the same importance now, but having made that promise to myself so many years ago I feel an obligation to fulfill it.... I've never even been in a Fezza, but have a (birthday present) track day in a 360 at Silverstone this year... maybe that will be the decider... In the meantime I can't imagine anything being more fun than my Chim Confused of Norfolk
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haircutmike
6,713 posts
73 months
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Chilliman said: Blues said: Then I accidently bought an F430 Spider. Hmm, that must have been a really nasty accident Hope you were OK Really fancy a Fezza, can afford one but just don't seem to be able to make the commitment... I made the statement when I was 18 years old, owning a Lotus 7 at the time, that one day I would own a Ferrari even if it meant living in a mud hut. That was 42 years ago It doesn't have the same importance now, but having made that promise to myself so many years ago I feel an obligation to fulfill it.... I've never even been in a Fezza, but have a (birthday present) track day in a 360 at Silverstone this year... maybe that will be the decider... In the meantime I can't imagine anything being more fun than my Chim Confused of Norfolk Ruddy 'ell Richard, you're even older then me, and walking unaided! (when's the 360 day?).
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Chilliman
3,408 posts
30 months
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haircutmike said: Chilliman said: Blues said: Then I accidently bought an F430 Spider. Hmm, that must have been a really nasty accident Hope you were OK Really fancy a Fezza, can afford one but just don't seem to be able to make the commitment... I made the statement when I was 18 years old, owning a Lotus 7 at the time, that one day I would own a Ferrari even if it meant living in a mud hut. That was 42 years ago It doesn't have the same importance now, but having made that promise to myself so many years ago I feel an obligation to fulfill it.... I've never even been in a Fezza, but have a (birthday present) track day in a 360 at Silverstone this year... maybe that will be the decider... In the meantime I can't imagine anything being more fun than my Chim Confused of Norfolk Ruddy 'ell Richard, you're even older then me, and walking unaided! (when's the 360 day?). Yep, I was 60 in March  still think I'm 12 though Really don't know where the years have gone.... Not set a date yet for Silverstone, it's a few laps in a 360 and a few laps in an AMV8V.... both a bit slower in a straight line than the Chim, but will be great fun throwing them round corners
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sgrimshaw
3,074 posts
119 months
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Somewhere in the region of £15k - £20k depending on actual extent of SC installation / general condition / miles etc.
However, I think it would be an unlikely "first TVR purchase".
To get a fair price it needs someone who understands exactly what it is and particularly wants a supercharged car.
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graeme4130
835 posts
50 months
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I've only ever seen a couple come up, but I don't remember either going for much over standard
Maybe get some pics, spec and history up here and we'll value it
Do you still have the parts to return it to standard as that's got to remain an option
A chimaera is a specialist market, and an SCcR is specialist market within a specialist market etc etc
Glws
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