Buying Strategy
Discussion
Afternoon All,
Long time Chimaera fan and with a future house move and the avoidance of ULEZ, I now find myself in a position to buy one. I am looking for some advice on what buying strategy to take in terms of what end of the market and what receipts the car should come with. A few details;
- Budget of 20k (25k for something extraordinary)
- Long term investment (No desire for any other projects)
- Car would be used 2 days a week commuting and weekends
- Car will be garaged and I am mechanically capable
- I would not be phased by a DIY chassis restoration
- I would not be comfortable doing an engine build
- I wouldn’t attempt paint or upholstery but would do carpets
- I would entertain electrical niggles and troubleshooting
From what I’ve read on here, people advise to always buy top of the market as you will never recoup the you have paid on big restoration/service work. Given the fact numbers of these cars are relatively low, I feel that I will need to compromise on some parts of my wish list. So these are my questions;
- Would you prioritise getting the exact colour or try to budget a colour change later on given that these cars chip anyway? Had a few budget prices from Steve Edward’s who has painted a car for me previously.
- For that money, would you be looking at finding a car that has had a full chassis resto over just outriggers?
- Engine wise should I be looking for a V8D or Powers built or just standard maintenance with a top end refresh? Is this the one that could save me the biggest bill by getting a car with a rebuild already done? I would only be confident removing and refitting an engine.
- Ideally want a nice 4.6 but would you also consider a 4.0 with a view to just swapping bottom ends out later on?
- Would you look past the interior colour and again potentially budget changing that to your exact spec with wear in the future? Heard 3-4k mentioned without carpets.
For reference I’d like something with a bit of poke and would like to stay NA in keeping with heritage. I had told myself a 4.6 would satisfy my needs in one of the factory blue colours. Obviously aware that reduces my pickings somewhat so what love to hear the advise of those who have been in a similar position? I would also most likely add aftermarket brakes, suspension and engine management so I am wondering if I could snag a well modified example and tweak colours etc to my spec over time.
Many Thanks
Long time Chimaera fan and with a future house move and the avoidance of ULEZ, I now find myself in a position to buy one. I am looking for some advice on what buying strategy to take in terms of what end of the market and what receipts the car should come with. A few details;
- Budget of 20k (25k for something extraordinary)
- Long term investment (No desire for any other projects)
- Car would be used 2 days a week commuting and weekends
- Car will be garaged and I am mechanically capable
- I would not be phased by a DIY chassis restoration
- I would not be comfortable doing an engine build
- I wouldn’t attempt paint or upholstery but would do carpets
- I would entertain electrical niggles and troubleshooting
From what I’ve read on here, people advise to always buy top of the market as you will never recoup the you have paid on big restoration/service work. Given the fact numbers of these cars are relatively low, I feel that I will need to compromise on some parts of my wish list. So these are my questions;
- Would you prioritise getting the exact colour or try to budget a colour change later on given that these cars chip anyway? Had a few budget prices from Steve Edward’s who has painted a car for me previously.
- For that money, would you be looking at finding a car that has had a full chassis resto over just outriggers?
- Engine wise should I be looking for a V8D or Powers built or just standard maintenance with a top end refresh? Is this the one that could save me the biggest bill by getting a car with a rebuild already done? I would only be confident removing and refitting an engine.
- Ideally want a nice 4.6 but would you also consider a 4.0 with a view to just swapping bottom ends out later on?
- Would you look past the interior colour and again potentially budget changing that to your exact spec with wear in the future? Heard 3-4k mentioned without carpets.
For reference I’d like something with a bit of poke and would like to stay NA in keeping with heritage. I had told myself a 4.6 would satisfy my needs in one of the factory blue colours. Obviously aware that reduces my pickings somewhat so what love to hear the advise of those who have been in a similar position? I would also most likely add aftermarket brakes, suspension and engine management so I am wondering if I could snag a well modified example and tweak colours etc to my spec over time.
Many Thanks
I'm mid rolling restoration, I have the Steve Edwards roof so know the quality of his work (I'm a big fan).
My car is 30 next year and I've owned it most of its life. I neglected it for the first 20 years and now I'm going through the jobs one by one.
Get the best chassis you can. The chassis resto isn't expensive as such but the desire to change and fix and modify other bits at the same time soon adds up.
Get it running right. Mine is running an Emerald ECU. Never misses a beat and gives better MPG.
Suspension, good springs and dampers are fine, but having the geo set makes a huge difference.
Paint, I'm going full colour change at the moment, happy to share costs on this and anything else if you send me a DM.
Finally, engine size. I've never once wished my measly 4.0 had more power. Its sat at 258bhp and does everything I need from it.
So if I had a 5.0 with old chassis and a 4.0 with a great chassis I would go 4.0.
Try as many as you can, see what fits.
If I am nearby you are welcome to have a go in mine.
My car is 30 next year and I've owned it most of its life. I neglected it for the first 20 years and now I'm going through the jobs one by one.
Get the best chassis you can. The chassis resto isn't expensive as such but the desire to change and fix and modify other bits at the same time soon adds up.
Get it running right. Mine is running an Emerald ECU. Never misses a beat and gives better MPG.
Suspension, good springs and dampers are fine, but having the geo set makes a huge difference.
Paint, I'm going full colour change at the moment, happy to share costs on this and anything else if you send me a DM.
Finally, engine size. I've never once wished my measly 4.0 had more power. Its sat at 258bhp and does everything I need from it.
So if I had a 5.0 with old chassis and a 4.0 with a great chassis I would go 4.0.
Try as many as you can, see what fits.
If I am nearby you are welcome to have a go in mine.
Two people I would talk to are Giles Cooper, (ex-owner of the TVR Centre who still sells TVR's), https://www.gilescooperautomotive.co.uk/ and Mark Cosh, owner of Amore Autos, https://www.amoreautos.co.uk/. Both are very knowledgeable and happy to offer advice even if you don't buy from them.
For your budget i would be looking at finding a car that has had a full chassis restoration.
I unfortunately have just sold mine today. Ticked a few of your boxes, but was a standard 4.0ltr.
Having owned this car for 15 years, and done every single maintenance job on the car you can think off, they need to be maintained on a regular basis and
they need to be used.
It's not just the outriggers that rust. They rot the most, but every weld on the car will have rust.
Have a look at the picture. This was with new outriggers welded in, and just prior to the chassis being sent off for blasting and painting.
2nd picture shows finished chassis.
Full body off, new wishbones and bushes, brakes, fuel lines etc for your budget.
I unfortunately have just sold mine today. Ticked a few of your boxes, but was a standard 4.0ltr.
Having owned this car for 15 years, and done every single maintenance job on the car you can think off, they need to be maintained on a regular basis and
they need to be used.
It's not just the outriggers that rust. They rot the most, but every weld on the car will have rust.
Have a look at the picture. This was with new outriggers welded in, and just prior to the chassis being sent off for blasting and painting.
2nd picture shows finished chassis.
Full body off, new wishbones and bushes, brakes, fuel lines etc for your budget.
I would recommend you try and get a MK3 4.6 ... 'cos I've got one... paid £17k for it about 15 years ago with 10k miles from Mole Valley..It's now got about 30k miles and strong as an ox, burns no oil...mechanically just had a new clutch and rear billies but that's been about it (other than the search for Lambdas!!)... Cosmetically the new leather interior and upgrades cost me a fortune Mines a Malayan chassis and body with original chassis but I do take care of the chassis (I got a b
king from X-works last week for not doing it this year)
Your budget of £25 should just about do it
Ps You are correct TVRs 4.5 is in fact a 4.6
king from X-works last week for not doing it this year) Your budget of £25 should just about do it
Ps You are correct TVRs 4.5 is in fact a 4.6
Edited by glow worm on Friday 7th April 19:43
Yes to most of your observations.
25k should get you the best on the market and or a very low mileage original with solid riggers.
Replacement riggers alone will never be as comprehensive a job as a full chassis restoration as inevitably other areas of the chassis powdercoat is likely to have failed especially around welds and often the tubes underneath the manifolds suffer as heat breaks down the P coating.
Replaced riggers and fully shot blasted/ re coated chassis ensures most of these worries are removed for a long time to come.
In my estimation there is very little difference in a V8D engine as oppposed to a Powers rebuild.
In all honesty once you get to this level a decent Ecu is a must unless it’s going to be a Garage Queen and do very little mileage.
When you have a decent chassis, nice paint and a Powers or V8D engine, tidy interior there is only one other area that causes reliability issues and that’s the now aging ignition/ fuelling system. Mostly because spare parts and consumables are becoming hard to get hold of as simple things like distributor caps etc are often pattern and not long lasting.
I’d say you can have all this for 25k and save at least 10k over doing all this yourself.
A car with this level of excellence should be good to go for years.
25k should get you the best on the market and or a very low mileage original with solid riggers.
Replacement riggers alone will never be as comprehensive a job as a full chassis restoration as inevitably other areas of the chassis powdercoat is likely to have failed especially around welds and often the tubes underneath the manifolds suffer as heat breaks down the P coating.
Replaced riggers and fully shot blasted/ re coated chassis ensures most of these worries are removed for a long time to come.
In my estimation there is very little difference in a V8D engine as oppposed to a Powers rebuild.
In all honesty once you get to this level a decent Ecu is a must unless it’s going to be a Garage Queen and do very little mileage.
When you have a decent chassis, nice paint and a Powers or V8D engine, tidy interior there is only one other area that causes reliability issues and that’s the now aging ignition/ fuelling system. Mostly because spare parts and consumables are becoming hard to get hold of as simple things like distributor caps etc are often pattern and not long lasting.
I’d say you can have all this for 25k and save at least 10k over doing all this yourself.
A car with this level of excellence should be good to go for years.
s p a c e m a n said:
Interior colour change is honestly really easy if you can DIY enough to take the bits of trim off, it's more to the skill level of painting a wall than painting a car. Can be done in a weekend for a couple hundred quid so I wouldn't let interior colour or condition put me off a car.
Yes I’ve been reading up on a few threads about this recently. Wouldn’t be against trying it and giving the seats to a pro to do. sapper said:
Shameless plug, mine for sale, brand new V8 Developments 4.6 plus lots of work including chassis suspension, carpets etc etc, thousands spent and must go unfortunately.
I was looking at this yesterday, looks lovely. What colour is it exactly? Like the power figure! Unfortunately probably 3-6 months too early for me. Feeling much more informed having read through the responses. I think from this my priority list is going to be;
1. Chassis restoration done or body off outriggers done and a chassis scrub and touch up.
2. Some major engine work done as I’d rather have this on a high miler than a low mileage original engine.
3. Paint would be nice to have in good condition or i bite the bullet and get it done after getting some good use out of the car a few years down the line. Will probably encourage me to drive it more without worrying too.
4. Interior potentially change carpets myself and have a look at doing some panels myself to get the colour combo I’m looking for.
There are some great cars on the market at the moment but realistically probably 4-6 months too early for me. Typically is this time of year when people try to sell before the summer months come in? What is the market typically like towards the end of the year as this is when I’m likely to be ready?
Again appreciate all the words of wisdom, super forum!
Thanks
1. Chassis restoration done or body off outriggers done and a chassis scrub and touch up.
2. Some major engine work done as I’d rather have this on a high miler than a low mileage original engine.
3. Paint would be nice to have in good condition or i bite the bullet and get it done after getting some good use out of the car a few years down the line. Will probably encourage me to drive it more without worrying too.
4. Interior potentially change carpets myself and have a look at doing some panels myself to get the colour combo I’m looking for.
There are some great cars on the market at the moment but realistically probably 4-6 months too early for me. Typically is this time of year when people try to sell before the summer months come in? What is the market typically like towards the end of the year as this is when I’m likely to be ready?
Again appreciate all the words of wisdom, super forum!
Thanks
TJC46 said:
For your budget i would be looking at finding a car that has had a full chassis restoration.
I unfortunately have just sold mine today. Ticked a few of your boxes, but was a standard 4.0ltr.
Having owned this car for 15 years, and done every single maintenance job on the car you can think off, they need to be maintained on a regular basis and
they need to be used.
It's not just the outriggers that rust. They rot the most, but every weld on the car will have rust.
Have a look at the picture. This was with new outriggers welded in, and just prior to the chassis being sent off for blasting and painting.
2nd picture shows finished chassis.
Full body off, new wishbones and bushes, brakes, fuel lines etc for your budget.
And often it isn’t the areas of rust that you can see that are the concern. It’s the areas you can’t see, (tops of the rails directly under the floor).I unfortunately have just sold mine today. Ticked a few of your boxes, but was a standard 4.0ltr.
Having owned this car for 15 years, and done every single maintenance job on the car you can think off, they need to be maintained on a regular basis and
they need to be used.
It's not just the outriggers that rust. They rot the most, but every weld on the car will have rust.
Have a look at the picture. This was with new outriggers welded in, and just prior to the chassis being sent off for blasting and painting.
2nd picture shows finished chassis.
Full body off, new wishbones and bushes, brakes, fuel lines etc for your budget.
A chassis refurb is a very expensive job that can very easily snowball.
Well, whilst I’ve got the car in bits, I might as well replace the clutch, fit all new bushes, new fuel lines, brake lines, nee nuts and bolts, rebuild the diff, etc, etc, etc. It gets very expensive very quickly !
You could always take the buying process that I did.
Buy the first one that you see, then spend a fortune having a chassis refurb, new hood, new interior, upgrades, five figures spent, then have the RV8 drop a liner
Good luck. Pics when you get it as I still miss mine, (M407 EYG).
GRC85 said:
I was looking at this yesterday, looks lovely. What colour is it exactly? Like the power figure! Unfortunately probably 3-6 months too early for me.
The colour is Glacier Green. Sometimes it looks silver with a slight hint of green. I love the colour and it always gets commented on. It tickes every box on your wanted list apart from being blue.sapper said:
The colour is Glacier Green. Sometimes it looks silver with a slight hint of green. I love the colour and it always gets commented on. It tickes every box on your wanted list apart from being blue.
Good looking car if its the one in the classifieds I looked at.I find myself in the same position as the OP, possibly in the market for the right car. Was originally thinking Tuscan but to be honest I prefer how the Chimaera looks and sounds. Tricky cars for me to view as I'm in N.I.
Str8six have a mk3 4.5 on their site. Looks very clean but also top of budget, still trying to figure out values on the various model years etc.
I think people are just taking a chance with their high prices in the hope a buyer is there.
No offence intended.
Before covid you could pick a good 400 up for £10k to £15k, a 450 for £15k to £18k and a 500 £18k to £22k.
All roughly of course.
I'd personally just take your time as it is a buyers market for these cars due to the fuel costs and a bit of uncertainty over their reliability by first time buyers.
No offence intended.
Before covid you could pick a good 400 up for £10k to £15k, a 450 for £15k to £18k and a 500 £18k to £22k.
All roughly of course.
I'd personally just take your time as it is a buyers market for these cars due to the fuel costs and a bit of uncertainty over their reliability by first time buyers.
Obviously a top line highly maintained, prepped car including warrantee from a respected dealer is going to be at a premium price.
Buying from a long time owner is another way to get a top line car if that owner has been as fastidious as many are in not only servicing it but actively improving many aspects of the cars performance and reliability.
Any car that’s been looked after by one of the good TVR garages in conjunction with said owner should hold little secrets and often the best way to buy.
One quick way to build knowledge and real life experience is to visit a local or area Tvr meet. Often at a good pub car park
Kick tyres and look at most examples of these cars and owners talk candidly and openly discuss the costs
In a matter of minutes people can point you at what to look for and consider when buying one of these cars.
You will be made to feel at home and often find people who have owned many Tvr or just the one for the last 20 years because it’s never really broke down, mainly cos of the chaps looked after it.
I’ve very much changed my view of owning a Tvr and indeed if I had my time again I’d have saved for 6 months longer and bought the best car on the market or at least one with a complete chassis restoration. I’d have saved 10k
Oddly I also own a car very similar to the O/P good observations.
Chassis done, Powers engine and management. New clutch.
Late car 2000 W Reg year so a Mk3 but with MK2 headlights which also have brand new original reflectors recently fitted, huge list of mods and changes upgrades/ replacement parts etc and a proven runner over many years.
Brand new windscreen, Brembo big brakes lots of stuff considered desirable.
Ideally I’d want 22k because I’m also about to replace dashboard veneer and replace carpets to make it appear like an almost new and highly uprated version of the car we could buy 20 odd years ago.
I can tell you the price for this car to do DIY and main dealer for serious engine and electrical work then a body off chassis resto including my original purchase costs is well past 25k well past ! More like 35k did I mention the full respray it’s also had by a known Tvr centre. It’s marvellous.
So if I’m being realistic and can’t get it sold at 22k I’d rather keep it and enjoy it as over the years these mods have made it a remarkable car.
I drive McLaren 650s and allsorts for a living when I’m feeling lucky and my Tvr I rate that highly as a fun and sorted car.
Tvr are magical when right.
Buying from a long time owner is another way to get a top line car if that owner has been as fastidious as many are in not only servicing it but actively improving many aspects of the cars performance and reliability.
Any car that’s been looked after by one of the good TVR garages in conjunction with said owner should hold little secrets and often the best way to buy.
One quick way to build knowledge and real life experience is to visit a local or area Tvr meet. Often at a good pub car park
Kick tyres and look at most examples of these cars and owners talk candidly and openly discuss the costs
In a matter of minutes people can point you at what to look for and consider when buying one of these cars.
You will be made to feel at home and often find people who have owned many Tvr or just the one for the last 20 years because it’s never really broke down, mainly cos of the chaps looked after it.
I’ve very much changed my view of owning a Tvr and indeed if I had my time again I’d have saved for 6 months longer and bought the best car on the market or at least one with a complete chassis restoration. I’d have saved 10k
Oddly I also own a car very similar to the O/P good observations.
Chassis done, Powers engine and management. New clutch.
Late car 2000 W Reg year so a Mk3 but with MK2 headlights which also have brand new original reflectors recently fitted, huge list of mods and changes upgrades/ replacement parts etc and a proven runner over many years.
Brand new windscreen, Brembo big brakes lots of stuff considered desirable.
Ideally I’d want 22k because I’m also about to replace dashboard veneer and replace carpets to make it appear like an almost new and highly uprated version of the car we could buy 20 odd years ago.
I can tell you the price for this car to do DIY and main dealer for serious engine and electrical work then a body off chassis resto including my original purchase costs is well past 25k well past ! More like 35k did I mention the full respray it’s also had by a known Tvr centre. It’s marvellous.
So if I’m being realistic and can’t get it sold at 22k I’d rather keep it and enjoy it as over the years these mods have made it a remarkable car.
I drive McLaren 650s and allsorts for a living when I’m feeling lucky and my Tvr I rate that highly as a fun and sorted car.
Tvr are magical when right.
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