Why Chims aren't selling..
Discussion
Hi all, I read the recent stream on the above with interest. I'm no expert, but I have been on the lookout for one for a while, and as a potential buyer (and I've had one before, BTW) here's my feedback: These cars are beautiful, loud and utterly addictive, but we all know they are made of cr*p raided from the parts bin and not only do buyers have to contend with tiring engines, deteriorating wishbones/diffs, etc. on top of all the usual niggles, but the dashes start to crack, windows de-lam themselves, they leak, the chassis loses its strength if it hasn't been waxoiled reguarly, and I haven't even started on fuel costs, insurance and the rest! Look at one that just sold this week I believe - a black 98 4.0 with 49k for sub £11k and oh, what a surprise, it's gone already, because it was on at the right price and had evidence that it was well looked after. I have been looking for s sensibly priced one for a while and they mainly well overpriced. And I can't really be bothered to go through the motions, travel, waste weekends, etc. when I know my expectations and those of sellers are going to be so far apart, it's just not worth the hassle. But I shall keep looking for the right one..
You've hit the nail on the head.Even a tvr a common as the chim is hard to find if your looking for the right spec/colour and in a well looked after condition.Forget the temptation of buying one to tidy and its never easy.When you find exactly what your looking for you'll be all the more satisfied though,Your patience will reward you
mongoose said:
You've hit the nail on the head.Even a tvr a common as the chim is hard to find if your looking for the right spec/colour and in a well looked after condition.
Thats the thing thats bringing the prices down so much though. Theres an abundance of tatty chims out there, and people are now expecting to pay tatty money for the decent examples. A 98 for sub 11k is an absolute bargain but where does it stop. We'll be seeing the 93/94 models below 6k soon if this carries on.
parson0j said:The right price is one determined by supply and demand. You think they are overpriced, so you can't find one cheap enough for you to buy. Despite all the problems you have outlines, you still want one - that is called demand my friend.
Hi all, I read the recent stream on the above with interest. I'm no expert, but I have been on the lookout for one for a while, and as a potential buyer (and I've had one before, BTW) here's my feedback: These cars are beautiful, loud and utterly addictive, but we all know they are made of cr*p raided from the parts bin and not only do buyers have to contend with tiring engines, deteriorating wishbones/diffs, etc. on top of all the usual niggles, but the dashes start to crack, windows de-lam themselves, they leak, the chassis loses its strength if it hasn't been waxoiled reguarly, and I haven't even started on fuel costs, insurance and the rest! Look at one that just sold this week I believe - a black 98 4.0 with 49k for sub £11k and oh, what a surprise, it's gone already, because it was on at the right price and had evidence that it was well looked after. I have been looking for s sensibly priced one for a while and they mainly well overpriced. And I can't really be bothered to go through the motions, travel, waste weekends, etc. when I know my expectations and those of sellers are going to be so far apart, it's just not worth the hassle. But I shall keep looking for the right one..
Your post is somewhat self contradictory methinks. They are crap, but you want one. Well sorry sonny, if you want one you'll have to pay the going rate.
You might think they are not selling; I can't agree. Since the number of classifieds remains pretty constant I suspect that really isn't the case - there have been something like 120 Chims for sale in classifieds for as long as I can remember. Now if that gets to 200 then I'd agree, there is an oversupply situation. But there ain't.
Perhaps expectations of buyers and sellers are so far apart in your case because you are being unrealistic. But good luck anyway, someone may be desparate enough to sell at a knockdown price.
Oh, and a 98 500 went on ebay for £15k the other day as well. One swallow does not a summer make.
Easy Mr. Meldrew! Only making the point that lots seem to hang around at unrealistic prices and it doesn't seem a coincidence to me that the well looked after ones get snapped up if they're priced competitively. No argument from me - I agree demand exists, but just not at the prices many expect to get.
I agree with Mr Meldrew,too many people confuse the thrashed, cheaply maintained Chimaera with the better one, and the cynicism of buyers scared of getting burnt fingers/unrealistically hoping for the bargain of the century drags the image down. Stunning cars-and they are out there-are not problematical,and ownership is very rewarding.
Alternatively,are you sure you wouldn't be better suited to a Honda/Nissan ?
Alternatively,are you sure you wouldn't be better suited to a Honda/Nissan ?
Nissans don't really tighten my nuts, if you get my drift, but thanks anyway. You can see however, for the un-petrolheaded, that it is highly difficult to differentiate b/w good and bad. Whatever our friend Victor says, the burden of proof is on the seller to sell, not the buyer to take a punt and risk getting hoodwinked. Especially in a tight market.
parson0j said:OK, I take your point. Can't let you get away with talking the market down though can I?
Easy Mr. Meldrew! Only making the point that lots seem to hang around at unrealistic prices and it doesn't seem a coincidence to me that the well looked after ones get snapped up if they're priced competitively. No argument from me - I agree demand exists, but just not at the prices many expect to get.
I certianly wouldn't want to be in the market as a buyer; there is a vast difference between a good 'un and a dog, and you really do need to know what you are looking for. While age and/or mileage might be a rough pointer, these cars need lots of TLC, and its that rather than anything else that should determine the price.
I do agree to an extent; I helped a friend buy a 400 a few years ago. She was "introduced" to some cars by a well known service, and they were right munters. He came up trumps in the end, but I was less than impressed by the service and by the state of some of the cars.
I think an important factor is that a lot of these cars are second vehicles. Unless there is some real financial hardship, often the sale of them is as discretionary as the purchase was in the first place. Not quite the same market rules, with less pressure on the seller to sell. And one last thought - I know from first hand experience that some cars get advertised for "marital reasons", and the owners hope and pray that no-one will want to buy.
>> Edited by victormeldrew on Thursday 10th November 17:41
Its always gonna be hard to sell even if just for the reason some of u take your own aproach to buying! i've
heard many a comment say "dont buy the 1st u look at" . "it took me a year to find mine" . "get a million inspections done before u buy" if all buyers take this aproach god help me when mine goes up for sale :-). if its cool buy it kid and yes! its gotta be the right price, ya pays ya money and takes ya chanches.
heard many a comment say "dont buy the 1st u look at" . "it took me a year to find mine" . "get a million inspections done before u buy" if all buyers take this aproach god help me when mine goes up for sale :-). if its cool buy it kid and yes! its gotta be the right price, ya pays ya money and takes ya chanches.
Well reading all the replys i can only say that being patient, and on finding the colour and make you want get them rung quickly and always be cheeky with your offer.Just because they want 9000 doesn't mean they are not willing to accept a lot less, unless of course you manage to stumble on the hardened car salesman.
I have searched for weeks and noticed a steady change in the Chims for sale in 'classifed,' so people are obviously buying and selling at a steady pace.
During my search, i have contacted a number of sellers who are showing their cars in the latter end of classifieds(pages generally 9 upwards),but only to find they have already been sold and they haven't informed Pistons!!
So and earlier comment that there are approx 120 cars for sale at any one time in the classifieds, could probably be nearer 100..
I am currently a non owner of a Chim', but should be collecting my first next week.All the talks,info and sales pitch by the seller have lead me to believe i will be obtaining a beautiful motor....
I have searched for weeks and noticed a steady change in the Chims for sale in 'classifed,' so people are obviously buying and selling at a steady pace.
During my search, i have contacted a number of sellers who are showing their cars in the latter end of classifieds(pages generally 9 upwards),but only to find they have already been sold and they haven't informed Pistons!!
So and earlier comment that there are approx 120 cars for sale at any one time in the classifieds, could probably be nearer 100..
I am currently a non owner of a Chim', but should be collecting my first next week.All the talks,info and sales pitch by the seller have lead me to believe i will be obtaining a beautiful motor....
parson0j said:
Easy Mr. Meldrew! Only making the point that lots seem to hang around at unrealistic prices and it doesn't seem a coincidence to me that the well looked after ones get snapped up if they're priced competitively. No argument from me - I agree demand exists, but just not at the prices many expect to get.
Depends how they are up for sale. Mine is in the clasifieds and has been for a couple of months. I've had a couple of people interested and I told them that I wasn't going to budge on price.
There is a good reason for this, unless I get the price I want I simply can't bear to part with her. If I sell her for my asking price then fair enough if not I'm quite happy to keep her. I took bloody ages looking for the right car and I ain't gonna undersell. The problem is that I'm sure you could find a 99 car cheaper than mine but to me because I know the car its worth a touch more.
I think some might hang around as they might not really be desperate for a sale like me, putting the car up for sale eases the guilt :-) parting may be a different matter.
Now if I needed the money or had to get shut the car would be cheaper to get it sold.
lemmonie said:
Why not ask a seller what price they are willing to go to?
I have priced my car with some movement in it.
I have an S reg for sale so mail and ask away, i think'll you'll be surprised. Dont assume you cant get a deal!
Which price has movement the PH classified price or the TVRCC advert price?
Well Tiger,
I must agree with your comments, there is a lot of sellers out there who need to sell for one thing or another.
Generally its because of the 'bun in the oven' or the good old'can't live with,can't live without wife'.
The problem is, like you say the amount of tender love and care you have instilled into the 'beast', far outways the fact you need the cash.
Its very hard to find a decent bargain, because cheap bargains tend to turn out dogs.
I must agree with your comments, there is a lot of sellers out there who need to sell for one thing or another.
Generally its because of the 'bun in the oven' or the good old'can't live with,can't live without wife'.
The problem is, like you say the amount of tender love and care you have instilled into the 'beast', far outways the fact you need the cash.
Its very hard to find a decent bargain, because cheap bargains tend to turn out dogs.
parson0j said:
Hi all, I read the recent stream on the above with interest. I'm no expert, but I have been on the lookout for one for a while, and as a potential buyer (and I've had one before, BTW) here's my feedback: These cars are beautiful, loud and utterly addictive, but we all know they are made of cr*p raided from the parts bin and not only do buyers have to contend with tiring engines, deteriorating wishbones/diffs, etc. on top of all the usual niggles, but the dashes start to crack, windows de-lam themselves, they leak, the chassis loses its strength if it hasn't been waxoiled reguarly, and I haven't even started on fuel costs, insurance and the rest! Look at one that just sold this week I believe - a black 98 4.0 with 49k for sub £11k and oh, what a surprise, it's gone already, because it was on at the right price and had evidence that it was well looked after. I have been looking for s sensibly priced one for a while and they mainly well overpriced. And I can't really be bothered to go through the motions, travel, waste weekends, etc. when I know my expectations and those of sellers are going to be so far apart, it's just not worth the hassle. But I shall keep looking for the right one..
I was at barnet tvr today and i was amazed at the price of the two chims there, both were 4 ltrs, both 2000 models both one owners low mileage and priced at £14000 bloody cheap for a main dealer with a tvr warranty. There are good ones around just keep looking.
heres my tuppence!!!when i first was lookin about this time last year,well jan/feb, the prices seemed a lot higher generally and i was lookin at the low end price range....now i see cars a couple of years newer for same price.dealer prices seem more competitive than they were,obviously there are more up for sale now so is hard to get decent price,also as someone sees one sell low so they expect everyone else should sell low otherwise they dont think they are getting value even if the car was sold cheap coz they needed money desperately.the car trade has been a buyers market for a few years now so not many people pay book price on any car as there always seems to be a cheaper one available.finally i bought the first one i drove!!!oops!!!!and have had no serious problems and am very happy.obviously i cant compare it to others as still havent driven anyone elses,but it has the usual stonechips,notchy gearbox,chipped dash etc,but what do i(or others) expect from a car that is 12 years old(mine).i expect a bit of wear and tear unless a couple of yeas old then i expect more!!it also has had a lot of owners compared to some and some(not me)would say high mileage....68000.oops again!!!if this was another make of car people would be saying low mileage...work that out?all the niggles have been sorted coz it has been used i think,and some owners only kept it a year....so what!there is very little choice on the market that can compare to what you get from chim/griff/cerbera for the same money...as we know we get smooth looks/speed/convertible and a car that most people would aspire to own if they could...i for one am happy and will be sad to see it go unless i get another tvr or win the lottery and will not sell mine cheap unless ofcourse im desperate for cash ie quick sale.......sorry to go on so long.rob
tuscan s said:
I was at barnet tvr today and i was amazed at the price of the two chims there, both were 4 ltrs, both 2000 models both one owners low mileage and priced at £14000 bloody cheap for a main dealer with a tvr warranty. There are good ones around just keep looking.
Sounds very cheap, they have two, two owner 1999 400s for £15k each on their website. Can't see how much more car people expect to buy for this sort of money - they are bargains if you are ok about the running costs.
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