1st TVR - Buying questions

[nickd01]

Hi,

I'm looking into getting a 4.5 Chimera for around £16-£20k. I have a few questions for you all if you don't mind...

- Would buying a newer (51) car with less miles be a better / worse bet than a slightly older (T/V) car with more miles? i.e do I buy the newest I can or one that's been used a bit more?
- When do I need to start looking / worrying about chassis corrosion?
- There seems to have been various face-lifts and improvements over the years. Which ones are worth ensuring I get? Obviously I can see the cosmetic ones, but I mean more under-the-hood improvements that'll make life easier?
- And, don't laugh, but has anyone managed to mount a bike rack on one? I'll be selling the practical car so if I can get a bike rack on the boot I'll be a happy-chappy!

Many thanks

Nick

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

Buy on condition. Generally speaking the newer the better, but it ain't necessarily so.

I'd get indepedent advice too. Get the baby up on the ramps to check the chassis.

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

In the £16-20K bracket you'll generally get all the necessary bells & whistles in terms of up to date spec. (Except perhaps the very lasy incarnation with covered lights & Cerb seats.)

[nickd01]

I'm looking at Fernhursts stock list at the moment; they seem friendly, loacl-ish to me, stock a good range in my price, knowledgable and helpful with what looks like a good workshop on site.

Is it still worth getting another independent to look over a car if I buy from them or are they reliable enough to "trust" that all necessary work has been carried out?

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

nickd01 said:

I'm looking at Fernhursts stock list at the moment; they seem friendly, loacl-ish to me, stock a good range in my price, knowledgable and helpful with what looks like a good workshop on site. Is it still worth getting another independent to look over a car if I buy from them or are they reliable enough to "trust" that all necessary work has been carried out?

I've always found Fernhursts to be good. You can trust 'em. I would still ask to get the thing up on a ramp & look at the chassis, and have a butchers though.

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

..all dealers will have your trousers down if they can

[nickd01]

The chap has already offered me a ramp and a torch to poke around. That kind of gave the impression to me they're confident in what they sell. They appear to be a nice bunch and seem genuinely enthusiastic about what they sell. They also seem to want to take care of you once you've bought with servicing e.t.c

I'm sure the spin in a 4.5 last weekend influenced me a bit as well!

[theaxe]

Another shameless plug for my site but check out TVR Chimaera Pages as it has details of the cosmetic changes to the cars over the years as well as a buyer's guide.

If you think of anything which as a new buyer you'd like to see on there please let me know.

Edited by theaxe on Tuesday 13th June 10:58

[gemini]

Get along to a TVRCC meet near you

detail on tvrcc web site

They will help and you can look round a few cars