Discussion
See recent previous threads on this subject. Can't immediately find linky.
IMHO, the high milers can offer very good value for money. Frequently a lot of work has been done and the major components (engine, gearbox, shockers, back axle, etc.) have been replaced or rebuilt. Often the interior and bodywork has received attention too. Outriggers may well have been replaced too.
What is clear is that they have been used, rather than sitting in a garage awaiting repair. The car you're looking at is probably around 15 years old so at 100k that's just over 6.5k a year. Not really a lot, is it. It's simple, it goes!
Popular myth is that it won't command a high price because of a perceived high mileage. My advise would be to have avery good look at this possible bargain.
IMHO, the high milers can offer very good value for money. Frequently a lot of work has been done and the major components (engine, gearbox, shockers, back axle, etc.) have been replaced or rebuilt. Often the interior and bodywork has received attention too. Outriggers may well have been replaced too.
What is clear is that they have been used, rather than sitting in a garage awaiting repair. The car you're looking at is probably around 15 years old so at 100k that's just over 6.5k a year. Not really a lot, is it. It's simple, it goes!
Popular myth is that it won't command a high price because of a perceived high mileage. My advise would be to have avery good look at this possible bargain.
I've seen loads of TVR's with low milage, I have been told it is easy to disconnect the speedo, I have 70000 on my 1999 and it looks alot better than one's with 20 odd thousand miles on. so go with your heart, they are strong cars and if it all works well with 100 000 miles on it, go for it.
plangston said:
I've seen loads of TVR's with low milage, I have been told it is easy to disconnect the speedo, I have 70000 on my 1999 and it looks alot better than one's with 20 odd thousand miles on. so go with your heart, they are strong cars and if it all works well with 100 000 miles on it, go for it.
Mine's at 143K, had 106K on it when I bought it. It's had a total mechanical rebuild/upgrade since, it's had outriggers, a new roof and an 'extended' front end respray recently, but - dash panel and a clutch pedal rubber aside - the interior is all original. The leather looks great, the vinyl comes up as new after a quick wipe, the carpets are lovely, the steering wheel rim is shiny but intact and without scuffs or 'worn through' patches. So how comes that most of the ones I see with half the mileage or less look like pigs stables in comparison, with badly worn leather, discolourations, sill covers scratched to buggery, the odd tear etc.? Just owners' carelessness or something more sinister going on?
900T-R said:
plangston said:
I've seen loads of TVR's with low milage, I have been told it is easy to disconnect the speedo, I have 70000 on my 1999 and it looks alot better than one's with 20 odd thousand miles on. so go with your heart, they are strong cars and if it all works well with 100 000 miles on it, go for it.
Mine's at 143K, had 106K on it when I bought it. It's had a total mechanical rebuild/upgrade since, it's had outriggers, a new roof and an 'extended' front end respray recently, but - dash panel and a clutch pedal rubber aside - the interior is all original. The leather looks great, the vinyl comes up as new after a quick wipe, the carpets are lovely, the steering wheel rim is shiny but intact and without scuffs or 'worn through' patches. So how comes that most of the ones I see with half the mileage or less look like pigs stables in comparison, with badly worn leather, discolourations, sill covers scratched to buggery, the odd tear etc.? Just owners' carelessness or something more sinister going on?
OP advice - Buy on condition every time.
These cars needs to be used is forever trotted out but it's nonsense.
What they need is to be looked after appropriately if you want them to last and be rewarding to use when you choose so to do...
Edited by anonymous-user on Wednesday 3rd December 09:44
When studying Rover V8 engine longevity it helps to do so from the following starting point:
There is fundamentally no difference between the engine in a 4.0 or 4.6 litre Land Rover and your 4.0 or 4.6 litre TVR
The 5.0 litre needs different consideration, the ones I've seen have the bosses in the block for cross bolting but for some reason TVR didn't choose to drill & tap them, unlike the 4.0 & 4.6 litre serpentine variants crank failure is not uncommon on the 5.0 litre engine.
But sticking with the more common 4.0 & 4.6 litre variants the easiest way to gauge likely engine life is no more complicated than browsing the high mileage Range Rovers & Discoverys on Ebay.
A quick search will always yield a good supply of these aging off roaders still giving reliable service at and in excess of 150,000 miles. Also consider apparently TVR only took the better blocks which were all tested and then graded at the foundry, secondly a TVR Rover V8 is likely to have had a much easier life than the same engine fitted to a Land Rover.
How so?
Well lets be clear revs don't kill engines, however what does rapidly accelerate wear is the amount of work that engine has done. A Rover V8 fitted to a Land Rover must first pull 2 tons of bluff fronted vehicle through the air while turning all that power sapping 4x4 transmission, whereas the same engine in your TVR only needs to push along a much more aerodynamic two wheel drive car of almost half the weight.
The Rover V8 in that Land Rover will spend much more of its life under heavy loads, and that's before we factor in towing work which most V8 Range Rovers & Discoverys will inevitably get involved in. All this extra work has a big impact on engine longevity so if the 150,000 V8 Land Rover is common its not unreasonable to expect the same or better from your Rover V8 TVR.
Clearly good maintenance plays its part, but this is where the TVR should score again. When a Range Rover or Discovery gets to 100,000 miles or more it becomes virtually worthless so people understandably tend to skimp on the maintenance, a TVR on the other hand is an enthusiasts car so is far more likely to be maintained correctly (I'm mostly talking regular oil & antifreeze changes here).
There's a huge knowledge base out there on the Rover V8 so its strengths & weaknesses re very well understood, but if you really want to know how much service you can expect from your Chimaera engine you need only spend a short while studying the Land Rover classifieds where you'll find conclusive proof this engine can quite easily give 150 - 200,000 miles of reliable service if correctly maintained.
As such the OP shouldn't be unduly concerned by the 100,000 miles on his potential Chimaera purchase, just make sure the oil & antifreeze have been replaced to schedule, the engine isn't losing water and at that mileage the cam & followers have been replaced.
Other than that it's all about the other big bills that can hit you with a Chimaera:
Choose wisely and a TVR Chimaera represents the very best value classic British sports car by far.
So given that they are vastly undervalued right now and they can also be costly to put right (like any classic), don't be afraid to spend a couple of thousand more for the better car that will probably save you three times that over the next few years.
Finally when buying any used car it always helps to remember..... "Caveat Emptor"
I wish the OP good luck with his purchase
There is fundamentally no difference between the engine in a 4.0 or 4.6 litre Land Rover and your 4.0 or 4.6 litre TVR
The 5.0 litre needs different consideration, the ones I've seen have the bosses in the block for cross bolting but for some reason TVR didn't choose to drill & tap them, unlike the 4.0 & 4.6 litre serpentine variants crank failure is not uncommon on the 5.0 litre engine.
But sticking with the more common 4.0 & 4.6 litre variants the easiest way to gauge likely engine life is no more complicated than browsing the high mileage Range Rovers & Discoverys on Ebay.
A quick search will always yield a good supply of these aging off roaders still giving reliable service at and in excess of 150,000 miles. Also consider apparently TVR only took the better blocks which were all tested and then graded at the foundry, secondly a TVR Rover V8 is likely to have had a much easier life than the same engine fitted to a Land Rover.
How so?
Well lets be clear revs don't kill engines, however what does rapidly accelerate wear is the amount of work that engine has done. A Rover V8 fitted to a Land Rover must first pull 2 tons of bluff fronted vehicle through the air while turning all that power sapping 4x4 transmission, whereas the same engine in your TVR only needs to push along a much more aerodynamic two wheel drive car of almost half the weight.
The Rover V8 in that Land Rover will spend much more of its life under heavy loads, and that's before we factor in towing work which most V8 Range Rovers & Discoverys will inevitably get involved in. All this extra work has a big impact on engine longevity so if the 150,000 V8 Land Rover is common its not unreasonable to expect the same or better from your Rover V8 TVR.
Clearly good maintenance plays its part, but this is where the TVR should score again. When a Range Rover or Discovery gets to 100,000 miles or more it becomes virtually worthless so people understandably tend to skimp on the maintenance, a TVR on the other hand is an enthusiasts car so is far more likely to be maintained correctly (I'm mostly talking regular oil & antifreeze changes here).
There's a huge knowledge base out there on the Rover V8 so its strengths & weaknesses re very well understood, but if you really want to know how much service you can expect from your Chimaera engine you need only spend a short while studying the Land Rover classifieds where you'll find conclusive proof this engine can quite easily give 150 - 200,000 miles of reliable service if correctly maintained.
As such the OP shouldn't be unduly concerned by the 100,000 miles on his potential Chimaera purchase, just make sure the oil & antifreeze have been replaced to schedule, the engine isn't losing water and at that mileage the cam & followers have been replaced.
Other than that it's all about the other big bills that can hit you with a Chimaera:
- Chassis
- Clutch
- Diff
- Suspension
- Gearbox
- Power steering rack
- Trim (hood, carpets & seats)
- Body (fiberglass & paint)
Choose wisely and a TVR Chimaera represents the very best value classic British sports car by far.
So given that they are vastly undervalued right now and they can also be costly to put right (like any classic), don't be afraid to spend a couple of thousand more for the better car that will probably save you three times that over the next few years.
Finally when buying any used car it always helps to remember..... "Caveat Emptor"
I wish the OP good luck with his purchase
Buyer beware! Absolutely!
My quest for a chimaera has taken another turn. I've been offered a K reg chim with 27k on the clock apparently in very original condition. It's just been re commissioned after a three year lay up. The garage who are re commissioned the car have serviced it and obtained an mot.. The garage owners have looked after my car for years and I trust their judgement. The only thing that I'm not keen on is that the car hasn't any PAS. The chassis is good. The condition is excellent. I hope to view the car on sat.
Any thoughts on recommiission a car faster three years ( good or bad ) and the power steering. I think this car will be available for around 6k ? I think that's good value.
Your opinions are always welcome.
My quest for a chimaera has taken another turn. I've been offered a K reg chim with 27k on the clock apparently in very original condition. It's just been re commissioned after a three year lay up. The garage who are re commissioned the car have serviced it and obtained an mot.. The garage owners have looked after my car for years and I trust their judgement. The only thing that I'm not keen on is that the car hasn't any PAS. The chassis is good. The condition is excellent. I hope to view the car on sat.
Any thoughts on recommiission a car faster three years ( good or bad ) and the power steering. I think this car will be available for around 6k ? I think that's good value.
Your opinions are always welcome.
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