Looking for my first Chimaera

[Skylark]

Good morning all, I am looking to purchase my first TVR, not got a big budget about £6,500 (cash) so wondered if anyone could recommend a good Chimaera for sale. There are a number on Pistonheads that look good, does anyone know any of these cars?

Thanks for you help and I am looking forward to joining the fold.

[potato muncher]

Skylark said:

Good morning all, I am looking to purchase my first TVR, not got a big budget about £6,500 (cash) so wondered if anyone could recommend a good Chimaera for sale. There are a number on Pistonheads that look good, does anyone know any of these cars?

Thanks for you help and I am looking forward to joining the fold.

The best thing to do is find out where your local TVRCC meeting place is and go along to the monthly meet.
Get talking to them and you will get good advice.
£6,500 will buy you a lot of car , but be prepaired for outrigger replacement on Chims at this price.
email me if you want a chat.
Malcolm

[CHIMV8]

A workmate is selling his 94 4.0L Starmist Red Chim for £9000.

Just had outriggers replaced and new camshaft.

She wants for nothing>

Taking her to Chatsworth next Sunday

[peaktorque]

Skylark said:

Good morning all, I am looking to purchase my first TVR, not got a big budget about £6,500 (cash) so wondered if anyone could recommend a good Chimaera for sale. There are a number on Pistonheads that look good, does anyone know any of these cars?

Thanks for you help and I am looking forward to joining the fold.

£3000 more than I spent on mine

A good history (a fat wad of receipts counts for more than FSH IMO), outriggers that don't look too crusty and a high mileage is a plus for me (cars that are used properly) and an engine that 'feels' and looks healthy.

[JonyTVR]

for this money you can get a good chim, you wont have outrigger replaced but I paid around this figure and mine were solid but the powdercoat was starting to flake off, this winter I have taken the chassis that I can get to back to bare metal and all is well, repainted with POR15 and they should be good for a number of years yet.

I went for a 430 which are very early cars, but the engine soooooooooo much sweeter than the lazy 400 IMO.

just go on condition, forget mileage, which would you prefer? one that has been used reliably everyday and maintained well, new suspension etc, or one that has 20K on the clock, barely moves, has crusty outriggers, possibly more unreliable as is sat around alot and 2K more to buy? These cars are straying into classic car territory now where mileage doesn't really count for much unless you don't have a clue.

go and see a few 1st, get rides in them or possibly drive them, get to know how they should feel (or shouldn't feel!) and you will be in a much better shape to buy one, and if possible take someone local who knows them well with you for a 2nd opinion who wont be taken in by a lovely V8 soundtrack as you will be.

[mab1]

My advice based on experience in the last few weeks is that there are potentally good cars around for your budget, but the straight ones with history are snapped very quickly.

I pick my first Chim up on Saturday in the end I found a good 93 400 with excellent history at a specialist, spent a couple of grand more than I was planning but decided it was worth it for peace of mind. To illustrate the point I viewed late morning and someone else was viewing early PM, no time to faff about on the decision. The dealer had sold 3 Chims that week alone.

[BIG SI Whixley]

Thanks to CHIMV8 for the posting above.
Picked up the car on Saturday from Steve @ SD Autotec, Boroughbridge, North Yorkshire
Can supply further photo's but as stated I will be at Chatsworth on Sunday if you (or anyone) would like to view the car.
Much works completed on the car - outrigger replacement including full chassis re-paint, camshaft replacement, 12,000 miles service to name but a few.
Give me a call - 07967 216364

[TJC46]

Paddy_N_Murphy said:

I keep getting drawn to this: http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C288403#

Sadly the biggest drawback is that I would have to get rid of my beloved MX5 NA I have had since 1997 ! 95,000 Happy Happy miles.

I would never sleep selling it ! I have some work to the bodywork that would have to be done at the end of this year. OR go TVR.......
Theory being the TVR can cruise better in more comfort. I think a little test driving required.

Test drive one and youll buy one.Its that simple.....now finding a good un....thats a different matter, but they are out there.
Best advice for any would be buyer, is get along to chatsworth this weekend, plenty of cars, and plenty of owners happy to answer any questions.

If you turn up in the mx5, youll have to park it out of site Either that or set up a chair and mirror and advertise your hairdressing business. sorry couldnt resist!

[Chimaeraman]

Skylark said:

Good morning all, I am looking to purchase my first TVR, not got a big budget about £6,500 (cash) so wondered if anyone could recommend a good Chimaera for sale. There are a number on Pistonheads that look good, does anyone know any of these cars?

Thanks for you help and I am looking forward to joining the fold.

Bought my first TVR (a Chim) on Saturday. I looked around all the usual places, read all the horror stories and looked at many pictures of chassis/outrigger rot. I decided that a specialist well regarded TVR dealer/servicer was the way to go. You pay more but I figure that you will save in the long run. I did not buy the car to have it going wrong every few months. Got an immaculate 2000 400 with FSH (the car was purchased from and has been maintained by the place I bought it from) brand new OEM chassis, new rad, full 18,000 service, MOT and 6 months parts and labour guarantee. Probably paid 2-3k more than private for it but I think I purchased peace of mind. Time will tell!!!!!

[Skylark]

Thank you all for your help and support, I will have a look around and see what I can find. Hopefully meet some of you in the future.