Prospective owner needs a bit of advice
Discussion
I'm seriously looking for a pre-owned 4.0L Chim (circa 1998) with about 25,000 miles on the clock. I will probably purchase one from a TVR dealer as it will be fully serviced, de-stone chipped, and generally well fettled (or will it?). Could any of you good people advise me on what I should be looking for, in particular, to spot a good one from a bad one? I would be very grateful for any suggestions.
going on personal experience i would not buy from a dealer unless you have money to burn, but then saying that you will get a warranty , some private cars can be very well looked after, where as a dealer may be selling one that is a bit iffy , private sales allow you to talk to the owner and make a judgement if you know what you are looking for , on chimaera's there is quite a lot to check and somethings like rust on the outriggers are obvious and damage on the bodywork ,but wear in the diff/gearbox/engine may be not (due to the noise).
You could try Rob Ingleby at www.findasportscar.co.uk/
I used him to inspect a 1998/S Chim 450 prospective purchase for me earlier this year.
Since I know b
er all about car mechanics I wanted that piece of mind
I used him to inspect a 1998/S Chim 450 prospective purchase for me earlier this year.
Since I know b
er all about car mechanics I wanted that piece of mind A TVR has a seperate body & chassis The body is fiberglass & the chassis is fabricated from steel tubes.
All the suspension, engine etc is fixed to the chassis.
The main structural section of the chassis runs fore & aft down the centre of the car. The out riggers are the steel tubes that carry the body outboard of the central section. If you look & feel under the car they are the tubes that run just inboard of the cill.
Hope this makes sense.
All the suspension, engine etc is fixed to the chassis.
The main structural section of the chassis runs fore & aft down the centre of the car. The out riggers are the steel tubes that carry the body outboard of the central section. If you look & feel under the car they are the tubes that run just inboard of the cill.
Hope this makes sense.
I spent a loooooong looooong time sort of looking. Looked via dealers,private etc. but realised pretty soon that it was a minefield out there for anyone buying their first TVR.
Contacted Rob Ingleby and gave him a wish list and left him to it.
Took a few weeks, but he came up with just what I wanted and the list of faults and niggles that he had found on the car corresponded almost exactly with the list given to me by David Batty when he serviced it for me.
Nice bloke to do business with and well worth the money if you're a bit worried about taking the TVR plunge.
All the best with whatever car you buy, just make sure it's a TVR.
Contacted Rob Ingleby and gave him a wish list and left him to it.
Took a few weeks, but he came up with just what I wanted and the list of faults and niggles that he had found on the car corresponded almost exactly with the list given to me by David Batty when he serviced it for me.
Nice bloke to do business with and well worth the money if you're a bit worried about taking the TVR plunge.
All the best with whatever car you buy, just make sure it's a TVR.
I spent a few weeks trailing round the local dealers
and, to be honest the overall quality was suspect in
many cases. Cars were either not prepared properly and
some had dubious history which when questioned was
glossed overe by smarmy sales talk. In the end I
scoured the net and bought privately. Excellent.
Don't rush this decision, must have good history
and a previous enthusiastic and caring owner.
Also are you sure about 4 ltr, a 5ltr is not much
dearer to buy/run etc. You may wish in a few months time that you had a bit more power!!!
Just thought I'd give you a few more sleepless nights.
Don't forget to post when you have bought.
and, to be honest the overall quality was suspect in
many cases. Cars were either not prepared properly and
some had dubious history which when questioned was
glossed overe by smarmy sales talk. In the end I
scoured the net and bought privately. Excellent.
Don't rush this decision, must have good history
and a previous enthusiastic and caring owner.
Also are you sure about 4 ltr, a 5ltr is not much
dearer to buy/run etc. You may wish in a few months time that you had a bit more power!!!
Just thought I'd give you a few more sleepless nights.
Don't forget to post when you have bought.
Hi Dave, 
As you are in Derbyshire, why don't you pile over to the TVRCC meet tomorrow at the Bell Inn in Coleby, Lincs.
Lots of owners, lots of cars to look at, even a dealer
(James Agger) says he may make an appearance and he is generally known as a pretty good bloke 
Hopefully see you there?
Ace-T
(Blue Chimaera - Toy)
As you are in Derbyshire, why don't you pile over to the TVRCC meet tomorrow at the Bell Inn in Coleby, Lincs.
Lots of owners, lots of cars to look at, even a dealer
(James Agger) says he may make an appearance and he is generally known as a pretty good bloke Hopefully see you there?
Ace-T
(Blue Chimaera - Toy
)Hey thanks Tracy What a good idea. Funny you should mention Mr Aggar. I was speaking to a guy from Retford who has owned all sorts of TVR's and he also recommended I spoke to him before buying anything. What time is the meet because I will be there. I'll be the gimp in the black Rover Vitesse Sport.
What a good idea. Funny you should mention Mr Aggar. I was speaking to a guy from Retford who has owned all sorts of TVR's and he also recommended I spoke to him before buying anything. What time is the meet because I will be there. I'll be the gimp in the black Rover Vitesse Sport.
ntel said:
Sorry chaps, please pardon my ignorance, but what are out triggers, what do they do and where can I find them? This is good input!!!!!!!!
Go to www.tvrbooks.co.uk
Chimaera's buyers guide and a FAQ on chassis ect and a whole load of info.
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