Looking for a bit of advice

[cjrob]

Hi all,

looking for a bit of advice, I live in Edinburgh and given Chimaera's are few and far between up here does anybody recognise these two cars or know anything about them to save me a potential wasted trip?

well aware I will have to travel to get the "right one" - budget is around £15k, I am edging towards £13k with a £2k to put anything right, it will be used as a weekend/euro trip car only

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/t...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...

thanks all

[bobfather]

The first one doesn't comment on chassis condition. Both of these cars are from the period when TVR were doing their own powder coating and so the chassis are an area subject to poor powder coat adhesion, outriggers may be hiding nasty corrosion, hence the second one having new outriggers. If the outriggers on the first one are original you may be able to negotiate a few grand off the price.

[JimTC]

The second one being a 450 would be a nice to have....

I would want to know who fitted the outriggers as elsewhere on these pages there have examples of poor quality of work. The other thing being that black Waxoyl can hide a multitude of sins.

Good luck.

[ray von]

The one on here is also on ebay but in a garage? May be wrong but could you actually get that chameleon type paint on a Chim in 98? I know you can get anything but I've never seen one. Mk3 headlights as well so could've had a respray.
As for the price anyone thinking they can maybe get £2k knocked off a £13k car can come and do my negotiations
On the second one. Agree with JimTC on who did the outriggers, however they were done in 2011, gonna get flamed here but I bet they're on there way out already. From a completely personal preference the shocks would put me off straight away
All just my opinion

[F1stato]

I'd be asking a lot of questions as to why the first one is in that colour and also why it has the mk3 headlights, its either had money "thrown" at it, which is rare for a 4 litre, or its had a front ender, second one is nice colour, check outriggers but if its passed 3 mot's then the original work must have been reasonable. Mine is that colour and it is very attractive and saleable, 450 is also the best engine, so I'd follow up on that first,

[portzi]

F1stato said:

I'd be asking a lot of questions as to why the first one is in that colour and also why it has the mk3 headlights, its either had money "thrown" at it, which is rare for a 4 litre, or its had a front ender, second one is nice colour, check outriggers but if its passed 3 mot's then the original work must have been reasonable. Mine is that colour and it is very attractive and saleable, 450 is also the best engine, so I'd follow up on that first,

Dont take it that an mot pass means good outriggers as there are many cars out there covered in waxoyl hiding lots of rust !! Just remember paintwork and interior are relatively an easy fix, chassis, engine, gearbox and diff work are the more tricky ones. Inspect chassis first if its covered in waxoyl you may have to scrap it off to see the true chassis condition.

Edited by portzi on Saturday 9th January 19:22

[macdeb]

You're in the right area price wise for a nice car. Modded headlights is not a sign of accident damage and is usually an owners choice [mine was a choice]. They both look like nice cars though I favour the 450 myself. Waxoil 'can' be used to cover stuff but, I used it on mine to the areas I can't clean easily. Good luck and keep us posted.

[ChilliWhizz]

kennybgr8 lives in Edinburgh and has a Chimaera, we've worked offshore together, top bloke, pm him I'm sure he'd be helpful....

Chilli

[Grey Ghost]

portzi said:

Dont take it that an mot pass means good outriggers as there are many cars out there covered in waxoyl hiding lots of rust !! Just remember paintwork and interior are relatively an easy fix, chassis, engine, gearbox and diff work are the more tricky ones. Inspect chassis first if its covered in waxoyl you may have to scrap it off to see the true chassis condition.

These passed 5 MOT's



As mentioned above passing an MOT is no guarantee that nasty surprises are not hidden away and also that new outriggers have been done correctly.

[cjrob]

Thanks all, I think I have discounted the 1st one, got a cracking response from the second advert, central tvr did the outriggers and the chap said he looked under the car at the last mot and the chassis was in good condition, the response was honest, full of information and it does seem like it's worth a visit.

Also found one of the Scottish tvr specialists very helpful and full of advice, certainly find the tvr community very friendly and helpful.

Now all I need to do is find some time to go and visit it!

Will keep you posted
Cheers

[portzi]

Grey Ghost said:

portzi said:

Dont take it that an mot pass means good outriggers as there are many cars out there covered in waxoyl hiding lots of rust !! Just remember paintwork and interior are relatively an easy fix, chassis, engine, gearbox and diff work are the more tricky ones. Inspect chassis first if its covered in waxoyl you may have to scrap it off to see the true chassis condition.

These passed 5 MOT's



As mentioned above passing an MOT is no guarantee that nasty surprises are not hidden away and also that new outriggers have been done correctly.

that's one stinking chassis grey ghost was that yours?. That's not fair on a buyer trying to get an honest car with supposedly a solid chassis which clearer was bodged.

[Grey Ghost]

portzi said:

Grey Ghost said:

portzi said:

Dont take it that an mot pass means good outriggers as there are many cars out there covered in waxoyl hiding lots of rust !! Just remember paintwork and interior are relatively an easy fix, chassis, engine, gearbox and diff work are the more tricky ones. Inspect chassis first if its covered in waxoyl you may have to scrap it off to see the true chassis condition.

These passed 5 MOT's



As mentioned above passing an MOT is no guarantee that nasty surprises are not hidden away and also that new outriggers have been done correctly.

that's one stinking chassis grey ghost was that yours?. That's not fair on a buyer trying to get an honest car with supposedly a solid chassis which clearer was bodged.

Yep, that was my one but have recently had a body off full refurb and new outriggers so all good now

[ray von]

Is that bodged? It looks to me like a good example of what I've thought for years. You can't see where they rust and no amount of enthusiastic cleaning, rubbing down, POR 15 or whatever is going to stop that.

[portzi]

ray von said:

Is that bodged? It looks to me like a good example of what I've thought for years. You can't see where they rust and no amount of enthusiastic cleaning, rubbing down, POR 15 or whatever is going to stop that.

My apologies,, l had to enlarge the picture as l thought the seat belt anchor bolt hole was a repair but as totally agree that this is hidden with body on!!!!!

[portzi]

Grey Ghost said:

portzi said:

Grey Ghost said:

portzi said:

Dont take it that an mot pass means good outriggers as there are many cars out there covered in waxoyl hiding lots of rust !! Just remember paintwork and interior are relatively an easy fix, chassis, engine, gearbox and diff work are the more tricky ones. Inspect chassis first if its covered in waxoyl you may have to scrap it off to see the true chassis condition.

These passed 5 MOT's




As mentioned above passing an MOT is no guarantee that nasty surprises are not hidden away and also that new outriggers have been done correctly.

that's one stinking chassis grey ghost was that yours?. That's not fair on a buyer trying to get an honest car with supposedly a solid chassis which clearer was bodged.

Yep, that was my one but have recently had a body off full refurb and new outriggers so all good now

Have you any pictures of your nice shinny chassis

[Grey Ghost]

portzi said:

Have you any pictures of your nice shinny chassis

Voila

Initial coat of rust protecting paint (technical name not known to a heathen like me )



Final coat of rubberized black paint to add to protective layer and make it easy to spot scrapes etc. at MOT/Service time