Thinking about buying......
Discussion
Hi,
I currently own a turbo'd mx5, which got rear-ended last week while I was sitting at some traffic lights! I'm currently waiting for the garage to have a look at it, but due to its age (1990) I think it will probably be written off. I've been thinking about getting a TVR for a while now so this maybe my ideal opportunity!
I'm thinking about buying a Chimaera, it will be in the lower end of the price range £8k-£10k so I’d be looking at '93 to '97ish cars. However I'm a bit concerned about chassis corrosion on this age of car, and I know repair involves taking the body off (something I could do myself, as I have access to the tools and equipment, but it would obviously put my car off the road for a while!)
The car will be used as an everyday vehicle, so perhaps a lower-milage car would be better?
When I go and have and view some cars, where's the best (and most accessible) place to check for chassis corrosion? Once I have got the car I can waxoil it and treat the chassis as needed.
Also what other (expensive) things should I check for?
As for servicing is there anywhere on the web that gives the service intervals and what needs to be done. All the cars I've had in the past i've done the servicing myself, using service info I have obtained.
Cheers,
Toby
I currently own a turbo'd mx5, which got rear-ended last week while I was sitting at some traffic lights! I'm currently waiting for the garage to have a look at it, but due to its age (1990) I think it will probably be written off. I've been thinking about getting a TVR for a while now so this maybe my ideal opportunity!
I'm thinking about buying a Chimaera, it will be in the lower end of the price range £8k-£10k so I’d be looking at '93 to '97ish cars. However I'm a bit concerned about chassis corrosion on this age of car, and I know repair involves taking the body off (something I could do myself, as I have access to the tools and equipment, but it would obviously put my car off the road for a while!)
The car will be used as an everyday vehicle, so perhaps a lower-milage car would be better?
When I go and have and view some cars, where's the best (and most accessible) place to check for chassis corrosion? Once I have got the car I can waxoil it and treat the chassis as needed.
Also what other (expensive) things should I check for?
As for servicing is there anywhere on the web that gives the service intervals and what needs to be done. All the cars I've had in the past i've done the servicing myself, using service info I have obtained.
Cheers,
Toby
Thanks for that. Nothing on there looks too complicated just time consuming hence why I suppose the TVR service is expensive! Parts costs don't seem too bad, plugs, filters etc.
As I'm thinking of buying a Chim. I'm still a bit concerned about the state of the chassis on older cars - are they all the same or are there big differences between cars of the same year. i.e. Are there say '93 to '97 cars around without any structural chassis rust (holes!), especially on the top of the out-riggers. I suppose it depends how they have been looked after? Have to say I have seen pictures of a few chassis with the corners of the outriggers totally gone.
Cheers,
Toby
As I'm thinking of buying a Chim. I'm still a bit concerned about the state of the chassis on older cars - are they all the same or are there big differences between cars of the same year. i.e. Are there say '93 to '97 cars around without any structural chassis rust (holes!), especially on the top of the out-riggers. I suppose it depends how they have been looked after? Have to say I have seen pictures of a few chassis with the corners of the outriggers totally gone.
Cheers,
Toby
You'll always find good'uns and bad'uns for any year. I've seen a couple later than the spec you're looking at, needing some serious TLC around the outrigger area. I've also seen several mid-90's that have been totally nurtured by no-expense-spared enthusiasts, but these would be some way over the top of your price band. Sounds like you know what you're about so it's just a question of getting out there and having a look with a powerful torch and a pair of knee pads - seems to be plenty around and this is the time of the year to do it.
beano500 said:
Service Schedule
Anyone who is shocked by the service costs for a TVR needs to read that
Parrot of doom said:Doom - you've got it. But it still only needs to be about £250 a time, not main stealer prices
Service Schedule
Anyone who is shocked by the service costs for a TVR needs to read that
My Eurobox dealer charges something like £100 per hour for wrench monkeys that probably have difficulty reading what the service schedule says.
My friendly TVR specialist has been steadily increasing his rate to..... shock, horror .....nearly half that rate. He can perform the sort of miracles that Professor Dumbledore, Saruman and Gandalf combined can only dream of if you give him a TVR and ten minutes.....
I'm due to get my Chim back tomorrow from Ian's at Middlewich, he quoted me something like £300 + VAT for the 12k although hes done some other stuff as well. Knowing him it'll take me 5 hours to pick the car up, at which point he'll just say "Oh don't worry about paying, have this one on me" 
>> Edited by Parrot of doom on Wednesday 26th October 23:07
>> Edited by Parrot of doom on Wednesday 26th October 23:07
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