Considering a Chimaera
Discussion
Good Morning,
I have been considering a fun car for weekends and despite being a big TVR fan in the 90's, it wasn't something that had even crossed my mind. I had been looking at Elise, S2000, Z4 etc. It was only when I was playing around with Autotrader filters, 2 seat /convertible that a Chimaera came up. I loved the Chimaera back in the day, more than the Griffith. So this has got me seriously considering one.
I have read through the buyers guide and would be taking a mechanic friend with me.
Local to me, there are a couple of cars within my price range and I just wondered if either of these cars were known on here? I am hoping to take a look at them soon.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202203284...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202202242...
I have been considering a fun car for weekends and despite being a big TVR fan in the 90's, it wasn't something that had even crossed my mind. I had been looking at Elise, S2000, Z4 etc. It was only when I was playing around with Autotrader filters, 2 seat /convertible that a Chimaera came up. I loved the Chimaera back in the day, more than the Griffith. So this has got me seriously considering one.
I have read through the buyers guide and would be taking a mechanic friend with me.
Local to me, there are a couple of cars within my price range and I just wondered if either of these cars were known on here? I am hoping to take a look at them soon.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202203284...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202202242...
Morning. Good choice, I have always loved my TVRs, but, beware a bad one can be very bad indeed!
There are plenty on pistonheads, as well as auto trader. I personally tend to trust the Pistonheads, or other forum sales, hopefully enthusiasts keep their cars better.
In my view, you need one of two things to own a TVR, money to spend on maintenance or some personal skill in the area. TVRs are not inherently unreliable, at all, but, their condition goes downhill quickly if left uncared for.
I like to look if the owner has one or the other, see above. Personal preference again, if I can buy privately, I prefer. Although there are some great TVR dealers, my latest Griff came from James Agger, a superb dealer who only stocks the best, but of course the prices are high to match.
Ideally a wealthy TVR enthusiast who is selling! Best to buy from.
Then and obviously - condition, always look at the condition under the bonnet and chassis as well as the body and interior . Best cars are clean and well cared for everywhere.
Take a friend skilled in the art, also a good call. It is also possible to pay £250 for a report independently, I have done this in the past if the car is miles away, with some success.
Good luck!
Nic
There are plenty on pistonheads, as well as auto trader. I personally tend to trust the Pistonheads, or other forum sales, hopefully enthusiasts keep their cars better.
In my view, you need one of two things to own a TVR, money to spend on maintenance or some personal skill in the area. TVRs are not inherently unreliable, at all, but, their condition goes downhill quickly if left uncared for.
I like to look if the owner has one or the other, see above. Personal preference again, if I can buy privately, I prefer. Although there are some great TVR dealers, my latest Griff came from James Agger, a superb dealer who only stocks the best, but of course the prices are high to match.
Ideally a wealthy TVR enthusiast who is selling! Best to buy from.
Then and obviously - condition, always look at the condition under the bonnet and chassis as well as the body and interior . Best cars are clean and well cared for everywhere.
Take a friend skilled in the art, also a good call. It is also possible to pay £250 for a report independently, I have done this in the past if the car is miles away, with some success.
Good luck!
Nic
Thanks for the quick reply Nic
Sadly I am terrible at anything involving mechanics. Maybe this will force me to become better. Or empty my wallet getting someone else to do it for me
I completely agree with you that I also would prefer to buy from a private seller thats cared well for their car. I owned an Integrale for 16 years and the car never got overlooked. When I sold it, the new owner got a very good car.
Those two cars aren't too far from me in Essex and I didn't initially want to go too far to check a few out. I realise that sounds super lazy, but I have never even been up close to a Chimaera before. I might sit in it and hate it.
Andy
Sadly I am terrible at anything involving mechanics. Maybe this will force me to become better. Or empty my wallet getting someone else to do it for me
I completely agree with you that I also would prefer to buy from a private seller thats cared well for their car. I owned an Integrale for 16 years and the car never got overlooked. When I sold it, the new owner got a very good car.
Those two cars aren't too far from me in Essex and I didn't initially want to go too far to check a few out. I realise that sounds super lazy, but I have never even been up close to a Chimaera before. I might sit in it and hate it.
Andy
The first link shows a car with no power steering (no plastic fluid reservoir). There are long threads on the opinions as to whether or not it's a 'must.' I've had both and whilst the one without was a nicer drive at speed, it was very heavy to park. You need to try both really to see what suits you.
Also, the plastic headlamp covers on the first car were added later. Only the last couple of years (2001 - 02) was this standard. The stick-on number plate on the bonnet is to personal taste too......
Also, the plastic headlamp covers on the first car were added later. Only the last couple of years (2001 - 02) was this standard. The stick-on number plate on the bonnet is to personal taste too......
Edited by sixor8 on Friday 27th May 09:23
Many thanks for the replies.
I am learning a lot about different versions of the Chimaera in a short space of time.
I think I would prefer PAS. The headlamp covers and stick on number plate do bother to be honest.
My personal preference is the Green one, but it's quite expensive and sitting with a dealer. I like the colour and look of the green one a lot more.
It's early days though.
Does anyone care to have a stab at a fair price of the green one?
Looking on Ebay, PH, Autotrader, the prices are all over the place on them.
I am learning a lot about different versions of the Chimaera in a short space of time.
I think I would prefer PAS. The headlamp covers and stick on number plate do bother to be honest.
My personal preference is the Green one, but it's quite expensive and sitting with a dealer. I like the colour and look of the green one a lot more.
It's early days though.
Does anyone care to have a stab at a fair price of the green one?
Looking on Ebay, PH, Autotrader, the prices are all over the place on them.
Central aren’t a TVR specialist (it’s about 5 mins away from me) and it looks a bit expensive to me.
I’m just at the airport, going away for the weekend, but you are quite welcome to come and have a look/sit in/ride in mine if it might help you to point you in the right direction.
I’m just at the airport, going away for the weekend, but you are quite welcome to come and have a look/sit in/ride in mine if it might help you to point you in the right direction.
Edited by pincher on Friday 27th May 09:56
andyb28 said:
Many thanks for the replies.
I am learning a lot about different versions of the Chimaera in a short space of time.
I think I would prefer PAS. The headlamp covers and stick on number plate do bother to be honest.
My personal preference is the Green one, but it's quite expensive and sitting with a dealer. I like the colour and look of the green one a lot more.
It's early days though.
Does anyone care to have a stab at a fair price of the green one?
Looking on Ebay, PH, Autotrader, the prices are all over the place on them.
Depends on how it's been cared for, if its a good one with tidy chassis around £13k I'd say.I am learning a lot about different versions of the Chimaera in a short space of time.
I think I would prefer PAS. The headlamp covers and stick on number plate do bother to be honest.
My personal preference is the Green one, but it's quite expensive and sitting with a dealer. I like the colour and look of the green one a lot more.
It's early days though.
Does anyone care to have a stab at a fair price of the green one?
Looking on Ebay, PH, Autotrader, the prices are all over the place on them.
I've got a non PAS Griffith.
When I got it the steering was quite heavy at parking speeds, I checked the tyres (Toyos) which had full tread pattern and looked almost unused at first glance but when I checked the date were almost 10 years old.
I changed the tyres to new Rainsport 5 and the difference in weight at parking speeds was immense - manoeuvring is now no problem at all. I also prefer the feel of non PAS at speed and there are no worries about any leaking PAS system.
Personal choice of course but a reminder to check the age of tyres, this really makes a difference.
When I got it the steering was quite heavy at parking speeds, I checked the tyres (Toyos) which had full tread pattern and looked almost unused at first glance but when I checked the date were almost 10 years old.
I changed the tyres to new Rainsport 5 and the difference in weight at parking speeds was immense - manoeuvring is now no problem at all. I also prefer the feel of non PAS at speed and there are no worries about any leaking PAS system.
Personal choice of course but a reminder to check the age of tyres, this really makes a difference.
best advice for you, because believe me they can all look good in pics its not like the body gets dented or rusty , like mentioned a bad one will break your heart 
good luck with the search 
£15k should comfortably get you a decent, well-sorted car.
When I last bought one, I didn't see anything that was quite right in the classifieds so I posted a message on the Chimaera FaceBook group and got offers of a few cars that the owners were considering selling but hadn't actually listed anywhere.
When I last bought one, I didn't see anything that was quite right in the classifieds so I posted a message on the Chimaera FaceBook group and got offers of a few cars that the owners were considering selling but hadn't actually listed anywhere.
In both the ads you linked in your post there is no mention of chassis, either condition or if the outriggers have been replaced.
Outrigger replacement would be a must on any car i was intending to buy.
Personal thing i know, but i do not like the number plate stuck on the bonnet.
Good luck in your search and keep posting links of any cars you may be considering.
Outrigger replacement would be a must on any car i was intending to buy.
Personal thing i know, but i do not like the number plate stuck on the bonnet.
Good luck in your search and keep posting links of any cars you may be considering.
https://www.britanniacarsuk.com/detail/1247790/use...
I just bought that for nett £12k, just make sure if your getting it from a dealer you get a test drive from cold and a full 12 months ticket with it. This one was stood a while so it needed £900 of little bits (CV boots, bushes, fittings etc…) to get it through its MOT. Apart from some issues with the pass door it’s been great over the last few weeks.
I just bought that for nett £12k, just make sure if your getting it from a dealer you get a test drive from cold and a full 12 months ticket with it. This one was stood a while so it needed £900 of little bits (CV boots, bushes, fittings etc…) to get it through its MOT. Apart from some issues with the pass door it’s been great over the last few weeks.
KarlMac said:
https://www.britanniacarsuk.com/detail/1247790/use...
I just bought that for nett 12k, just make sure if your getting it from a dealer you get a test drive from cold and a full 12 months ticket with it. This one was stood a while so it needed 900 of little bits (CV boots, bushes, fittings etc…) to get it through its MOT. Apart from some issues with the pass door it’s been great over the last few weeks.
That looks immaculate tbf, you had a good buy there.I just bought that for nett 12k, just make sure if your getting it from a dealer you get a test drive from cold and a full 12 months ticket with it. This one was stood a while so it needed 900 of little bits (CV boots, bushes, fittings etc…) to get it through its MOT. Apart from some issues with the pass door it’s been great over the last few weeks.
KarlMac said:
https://www.britanniacarsuk.com/detail/1247790/use...
I just bought that for nett 12k, just make sure if your getting it from a dealer you get a test drive from cold and a full 12 months ticket with it. This one was stood a while so it needed 900 of little bits (CV boots, bushes, fittings etc…) to get it through its MOT. Apart from some issues with the pass door it’s been great over the last few weeks.
I saw that Karl - it looks a beaut. Whereabouts in our great city are you? I'm in Ecclesall if you want to pop by for a chat.I just bought that for nett 12k, just make sure if your getting it from a dealer you get a test drive from cold and a full 12 months ticket with it. This one was stood a while so it needed 900 of little bits (CV boots, bushes, fittings etc…) to get it through its MOT. Apart from some issues with the pass door it’s been great over the last few weeks.
KarlMac said:
https://www.britanniacarsuk.com/detail/1247790/use...
I just bought that for nett 12k, just make sure if your getting it from a dealer you get a test drive from cold and a full 12 months ticket with it. This one was stood a while so it needed 900 of little bits (CV boots, bushes, fittings etc…) to get it through its MOT. Apart from some issues with the pass door it’s been great over the last few weeks.
Looks very clean, lovely example. I just bought that for nett 12k, just make sure if your getting it from a dealer you get a test drive from cold and a full 12 months ticket with it. This one was stood a while so it needed 900 of little bits (CV boots, bushes, fittings etc…) to get it through its MOT. Apart from some issues with the pass door it’s been great over the last few weeks.
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