Quick straw Poll - Chimaera Purchases and Mileage.
Discussion
If you had three cars to select from to buy one of them,ONLY on the following information, which would you choose to buy:
1. 1993 K plate Chimaera 4.0, 13,000 miles from new. good condition for age. £11,000
2. 1993 K plate Chimaera 4.0, 33,000 miles from new. good condition for age. £11,000
3. 1993 K plate Chimaera 4.0, 53,000 miles from new. good condition for age. £11,000
1, 2 or 3? ..reasons for choice much appreciated.
Cheers,
Matt
>>> Edited by M@H on Thursday 4th March 14:47
1. 1993 K plate Chimaera 4.0, 13,000 miles from new. good condition for age. £11,000
2. 1993 K plate Chimaera 4.0, 33,000 miles from new. good condition for age. £11,000
3. 1993 K plate Chimaera 4.0, 53,000 miles from new. good condition for age. £11,000
1, 2 or 3? ..reasons for choice much appreciated.
Cheers,
Matt
>>> Edited by M@H on Thursday 4th March 14:47
. 
id choose no1 and did.my first tvr was a chim 5.0l and had 43k fsh etc on a 95n.it was nothing but trouble and age/use was starting to really tell.after i managed to get rid of it,i bought a 97 griff with only 8k on it,and its been a pleasure to own.it has many years left in it,as the mileage is still low even though ive used it as often as i like,and no reliability issues have arisen from the 'lack of use' syndrome you hear so much about.i often think this is fuelled by 'scaremongering' from people trying to offload high milers.i accept that not enough use isnt good for any car,but little use regularly is great.if all seems tight and sounds good as a low miler should then its allways going to be the more prudent buy,youll also have bought a much 'newer' car and itll have more life ahead of it.
i think the best bet is to drive them all and check that they have a full history with them, i have owned 4 tvrs all with differing mileage, the last being a 92 griff with 91000 on the clock, been to spain in it, france 4 times and italy this year, the only time it has let me down was a new alternator 2 years ago, so check them all out and then decide. my chim was 4 years old and had 25000 on the clock and was nothing but trouble so check it out thoroughly and decide.
I agree, low mileage priority. The people who say low mileage means more probs also believe a candle that is left burning will last longer than one that gets used when required. Ok maybe some probs will of been "sorted" with high mile'ers, but the candle will eventualy burn out and i would prefer a longer life. Only my opinion of course.
order would be 1 then 2 then 3 for me.
The history and story would have to really check out on 1 and 2 though. I would want to see every MOT for example to be sure that the Speedo wasn't broken for a sustained period. (When my car was new it had 2 replacement clocks within its first twelve months, and the clock has broken during the time I have owned the car).
Higher mileages wouldn't put me off, but in the certain knowlege that it does deter many, I would want to pay less.
The history and story would have to really check out on 1 and 2 though. I would want to see every MOT for example to be sure that the Speedo wasn't broken for a sustained period. (When my car was new it had 2 replacement clocks within its first twelve months, and the clock has broken during the time I have owned the car).
Higher mileages wouldn't put me off, but in the certain knowlege that it does deter many, I would want to pay less.
No. 3 2 and 1. i bought my Chim with 33k on it at 3 years old. It's now for sale with 51k on it. I still maintain buy on condition not mileage. Mostly a Tiv will be an enthusiasts car and therefore used and fettled with. If it's done unfeasably low mileage then it's likely been neglected - flat battery,corroded elecs,etc. Okay they're not all daily drivers, but there aren't many serious Tiv owners that do less than 5k a year - That's only 100 miles a week ffs!
2,3,1 for me, obviously you would check all the facts...history, how it drives, gut feelings etc.
As previously stated on here, higher mileage cars can be better, if they have a decent history, having stuff replaced as it wears out etc they should be fine.
My cars a 93 chim 4.3 with 80k on her, loads of history, had lots of work done over the years. Had a cylinder leakage and compression test done in October 03, all still strong (touch wood!!).
Steve. G.
As previously stated on here, higher mileage cars can be better, if they have a decent history, having stuff replaced as it wears out etc they should be fine.
My cars a 93 chim 4.3 with 80k on her, loads of history, had lots of work done over the years. Had a cylinder leakage and compression test done in October 03, all still strong (touch wood!!).
Steve. G.
The concensus seems to be 1 first and I'll go along with that if all other things about these cars would be equal.
There'd be 20,000 less miles wear on the interior of course ... which people forget. Seats with some hairy arsed petrolhead on 'em for 20,000 miles are going to look a lot worse I should think.
Never really understood this use 'em and don't lock 'em away attitude. I used mine sparingly for 18 months (6,000 miles) and it was no trouble at all.
I wouldn't have wanted to do 20,000 miles a year in it.
There'd be 20,000 less miles wear on the interior of course ... which people forget. Seats with some hairy arsed petrolhead on 'em for 20,000 miles are going to look a lot worse I should think.
Never really understood this use 'em and don't lock 'em away attitude. I used mine sparingly for 18 months (6,000 miles) and it was no trouble at all.
I wouldn't have wanted to do 20,000 miles a year in it.
shnozz said:
for the record - number 1. Buy on condition, but on the basis the description is accurate for each of them and near enough the same, I agree with Ben's comments in terms of any likely problems.
Correct. Mileage isn't a problem for the discerning owner who knows his onions. Unfortunatley however, it is and will always be an issue to dealers and the uninformed buyer. Most cars today will do 200,000 plus miles but dealers still put an emphasis on mileage. Resale is a huge factor in chosing a car unless you have money to burn.....
When Ace-T bought her 1994(L) Chimaera last year it had 10.5k miles on the clock and a full, main dealer history. Before the money came out, it had a thorough checkup at Joospeed and passed with flying colours. Since then it's run perfectly - only problem was a slightly sticky clutch, which was sorted when it went in for the 12k service.
So, that would be no. 1 then
So, that would be no. 1 then
Gassing Station | Chimaera | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff