Buying a Chimaera if you are not mechanically minded?

[matt21]

Im not very mechanically minded at all, always buy cars that are German or with warrenty. But ultimately these are soleless and fancy a Chim.

Is it silly to go into it expecting it to be pretty reliable for 8k per year come rain or shine??

[Blues]

matt21 said:

Im not very mechanically minded at all, always buy cars that are German or with warrenty. But ultimately these are soleless and fancy a Chim.

Is it silly to go into it expecting it to be pretty reliable for 8k per year come rain or shine??

Do it.
I was in the same boat, did it, and didn't look back. I've been doing around 10k miles per year (as a second car, so they are not "gentle" miles )

I also found out that there are a few bits and pieces that i can sort out on the car, which was a bonus

[RedCabbage]

Get along to one of the Northants Meets at Sywell. Both PH and TVRCC meet there and ther would be plenty of people willing to give you an honest opinion.

I am mechanically minded, and therefore relish the hands on aspect of ownership. However, there are plenty of owners who choose not to get their hands dirty.

[shadowninja]

Just get friendly with a trustworthy and clued up mechanic (ie not one who fixes a problem by just replacing an entire component or attacks the symptoms but works out what the problem is) or have a TVR specialist nearby.

[cloggy]

Here are some tips.

http://www.chimaerapages.com/resources_buyers.php

[Ribol]

The trick is to buy a good one in the first place, if you are not sure, get it checked out by an indy.

If what you buy is sound and well looked after there is no reason why it won't be reliable. There are very few bargains in the TVR world, you generally get what you pay for.

If you fancy tinkering if/when necessary there is always plenty of help available on here to get you going.

Do it

[MJW1977]

[quote=Ribol]The trick is to buy a good one in the first place, if you are not sure, get it checked out by an indy.


This is the key.

I am not in the slightest bid mechanically minded either and had the very same debate you mention. Owned mine for a year/8k miles and only problem I had was down to faulty fitting of a pas hose (jammed it against the fanbelt!) by the "main dealer" I bought it off - fixed under warranty. In fact it was so reliable it convinced me I should swap it for the Tuscan I always wanted after just a year. I wouldnt hesitate having another.

[mchenryg]

Hi. Get out and drive as many as you can, then check the history to make sure all the services have been done by TVR mechs or indys who know TVRs. There are some bargins to be had out there, but then again, some are cheap for a reason. I am not mech minded but realise I am going to have learn a few things. The guys on here will always lend advice. Good luck.

[pdl450]

I don't have one single clue about anything mechanical, in may 07 i got a 450 after years off wanting and dreaming of one. Best thing i could have done.
The few bills i have had are not any worst than any other car i have owned and the AA breakdown warranty has paid for itself twice over (as long as you call the aa first).

[tyre_tread]

Matt, I'm not too far from you and you can come and have a good look at mine if you like to familiarise yourself.

I have a copy of "The Bible" and happy o show you around my car with said bible in hand. These cars are not complicated.

I am in process of (half geartedly and reluctantly) selling mine so you're welcome to have a oke around and confirm to everyone what a good car it is.

[matt21]

tyre_tread said:

Matt, I'm not too far from you and you can come and have a good look at mine if you like to familiarise yourself.

I have a copy of "The Bible" and happy o show you around my car with said bible in hand. These cars are not complicated.

I am in process of (half geartedly and reluctantly) selling mine so you're welcome to have a oke around and confirm to everyone what a good car it is.

oooh i may take you up on that sometime. think ill be about 9mths off a purchase but would be good to have a look round one and like you say see what a pukka one is like thanks

to everyone else thanks also, you are starting to convince me

[tyre_tread]

matt21 said:

tyre_tread said:

Matt, I'm not too far from you and you can come and have a good look at mine if you like to familiarise yourself.

I have a copy of "The Bible" and happy o show you around my car with said bible in hand. These cars are not complicated.

I am in process of (half geartedly and reluctantly) selling mine so you're welcome to have a oke around and confirm to everyone what a good car it is.

oooh i may take you up on that sometime. think ill be about 9mths off a purchase but would be good to have a look round one and like you say see what a pukka one is like thanks

to everyone else thanks also, you are starting to convince me

If you're planning on buying one in 9 months then start doing your homework sooner rather than later.

[matt21]

tyre_tread said:

matt21 said:

tyre_tread said:

Matt, I'm not too far from you and you can come and have a good look at mine if you like to familiarise yourself.

I have a copy of "The Bible" and happy o show you around my car with said bible in hand. These cars are not complicated.

I am in process of (half geartedly and reluctantly) selling mine so you're welcome to have a oke around and confirm to everyone what a good car it is.

oooh i may take you up on that sometime. think ill be about 9mths off a purchase but would be good to have a look round one and like you say see what a pukka one is like thanks

to everyone else thanks also, you are starting to convince me

If you're planning on buying one in 9 months then start doing your homework sooner rather than later.

yes this can be my winter project

[quattrophenia]

matt21 said:

tyre_tread said:

Matt, I'm not too far from you and you can come and have a good look at mine if you like to familiarise yourself.

I have a copy of "The Bible" and happy o show you around my car with said bible in hand. These cars are not complicated.

I am in process of (half geartedly and reluctantly) selling mine so you're welcome to have a oke around and confirm to everyone what a good car it is.

oooh i may take you up on that sometime. think ill be about 9mths off a purchase but would be good to have a look round one and like you say see what a pukka one is like thanks

to everyone else thanks also, you are starting to convince me

Hi Matt,

I am in the same boat matey. My technical knowledge is poor and I have asked many people the same question as you.
I am of the opinion that if these cars are your passion (as they are mine), then they prodably will cost a bit more, in the short-term, to have problems sorted at dealerships. But I will certainly be watching everything that is done and will learn as much as possible so I can give it a go myself.
Life is for living, and the longer we leave it the older the cars are going to get. At least it is possible to still work on these cars unlike the modern computers on wheels.

[matt21]

matt21 said:

tyre_tread said:

matt21 said:

tyre_tread said:

Matt, I'm not too far from you and you can come and have a good look at mine if you like to familiarise yourself.

I have a copy of "The Bible" and happy o show you around my car with said bible in hand. These cars are not complicated.

I am in process of (half geartedly and reluctantly) selling mine so you're welcome to have a oke around and confirm to everyone what a good car it is.

oooh i may take you up on that sometime. think ill be about 9mths off a purchase but would be good to have a look round one and like you say see what a pukka one is like thanks

to everyone else thanks also, you are starting to convince me

If you're planning on buying one in 9 months then start doing your homework sooner rather than later.

yes this can be my winter project

where are you based mate, i might pop over sometime if offer still stands.

[tyre_tread]

matt21 said:

matt21 said:

tyre_tread said:

matt21 said:

tyre_tread said:

Matt, I'm not too far from you and you can come and have a good look at mine if you like to familiarise yourself.

I have a copy of "The Bible" and happy o show you around my car with said bible in hand. These cars are not complicated.

I am in process of (half geartedly and reluctantly) selling mine so you're welcome to have a oke around and confirm to everyone what a good car it is.

oooh i may take you up on that sometime. think ill be about 9mths off a purchase but would be good to have a look round one and like you say see what a pukka one is like thanks

to everyone else thanks also, you are starting to convince me

If you're planning on buying one in 9 months then start doing your homework sooner rather than later.

yes this can be my winter project

where are you based mate, i might pop over sometime if offer still stands.

Market Harborough. PM me if you want to arrange

[Emsman]

I have an old (93) him in my garage which i havent had long.

I know less about cars than most, but am overjoyed with mine.

Always available to have a look if you want to, just outside milton keynes

Go and get one, you will never look back

[bobski]

These cars are relatively simple compared to the computerised garbage being produced these days.

pdl450 said:

I don't have one single clue about anything mechanical, in may 07 i got a 450 after years off wanting and dreaming of one. Best thing i could have done.
The few bills i have had are not any worst than any other car i have owned and the AA breakdown warranty has paid for itself twice over (as long as you call the aa first).

[mchenryg]

Hi ya, have a look through my last thread, i have just bought a Chim 4.5 and just had service where they found holes in the outriggers. My one piece of advice in hindsight is 'have the chassis fully checked over by someone who knows what to look for. Cheers, Giles.

[benadams]

Hi Guys,

I'm in the same boat as Matt but i'm looking at buying now. I've seen a couple that i like and one in particular has caught my eye. I emailed the guy last night and he replied with the following...

It has had just 3 previous owners. The chassis is in very good condition and the outriggers have been waxoyled. There is a very small amount of surface rust but everything is solid . The only fault with the car is a very slight power steering fluid leak from the top pinion seal, I have got a new seal for it but have not got round to fitting it yet as the leak is no real worry.
Everything on the car works and it never has problems starting when hot or
cold . The oil pressure is good, 35-40 psi when driving and just under 30psi
when ticking over. There are two keys with remotes for central locking which
both work fine. The tyres are all bridgestone and have lots of tread on them. It had a service in May this year , which included spark plugs , leads and air filter . The car has been 100% reliable to me and I believe it must be one of the best ones of this age around. I have had it for 1 year but am finding that with 2 young children I do not use it as much as I would like.

In particular i am slightly worried when he talks about surface rust and also the power steering fluid leak.....

What's your thoughts?

My budget is £7k by the way.

Thanks,

Ben