Storage Questions
Discussion
Hi,
I'm looking to buy a Chimaera in the next couple of months hopefully as a weekend car, and am trying to find answers to my following storage queries. (Did read through the first 50 forum pages -but no luck!)
1) I don't have a garage. Everyone on here seems to have. If I decided to simply keep the car outside on the road (covered over) throughout the year, would this pose serious problems?
2) For my situation, would you recommend a cover on all the time (fairly quiet cul-de-sac road) or just when rain is forecast?
3) To make matters worse, my road is narrow, and most cars park with 2 wheels up on the pavement. Would this be a no-go for the Chimaera? (damage to underneath of car? prolonged problems caused by leaving cars slightly on an angle?)
4) I could probably rent a garage for £60-70 a month, which I am considering. Would this be a worthwhile move?
5) My final question and I know this is akin to 'How long the piece of string' but if I was willing to spend up to 8k tops, what price cars do you think I should realistically be able to hope to negotiate on: 8.5 / 9 / 9.5K ?
Thanks in advance for your time and help.
Dave
I'm looking to buy a Chimaera in the next couple of months hopefully as a weekend car, and am trying to find answers to my following storage queries. (Did read through the first 50 forum pages -but no luck!)
1) I don't have a garage. Everyone on here seems to have. If I decided to simply keep the car outside on the road (covered over) throughout the year, would this pose serious problems?
2) For my situation, would you recommend a cover on all the time (fairly quiet cul-de-sac road) or just when rain is forecast?
3) To make matters worse, my road is narrow, and most cars park with 2 wheels up on the pavement. Would this be a no-go for the Chimaera? (damage to underneath of car? prolonged problems caused by leaving cars slightly on an angle?)
4) I could probably rent a garage for £60-70 a month, which I am considering. Would this be a worthwhile move?
5) My final question and I know this is akin to 'How long the piece of string' but if I was willing to spend up to 8k tops, what price cars do you think I should realistically be able to hope to negotiate on: 8.5 / 9 / 9.5K ?
Thanks in advance for your time and help.
Dave
1) not a problem - but get a decent breathable cover
2) only when rain is forecast, and only if yours is a leaker - they dont all leak!
3) wouldn't have thought so, but that's an uneducated answer
4) personally I wouldn't, i dont think its necessary. but you have the option i guess for your own peace of mind.
5) don't know much about negotiating myself but it obviously depends on many things such as dealer/private/desperate to sell etc etc. but you should be able to get 8.5 down to 8. can definately find a good one for that. i picked mine up for 7 and its good condition. just dont go for the first one you see (you'll hear that a lot)
2) only when rain is forecast, and only if yours is a leaker - they dont all leak!
3) wouldn't have thought so, but that's an uneducated answer
4) personally I wouldn't, i dont think its necessary. but you have the option i guess for your own peace of mind.
5) don't know much about negotiating myself but it obviously depends on many things such as dealer/private/desperate to sell etc etc. but you should be able to get 8.5 down to 8. can definately find a good one for that. i picked mine up for 7 and its good condition. just dont go for the first one you see (you'll hear that a lot)
Hi,
I'm looking to buy a Chimaera in the next couple of months hopefully as a weekend car, and am trying to find answers to my following storage queries. (Did read through the first 50 forum pages -but no luck!)
1) I don't have a garage. Everyone on here seems to have. If I decided to simply keep the car outside on the road (covered over) throughout the year, would this pose serious problems?
2) For my situation, would you recommend a cover on all the time (fairly quiet cul-de-sac road) or just when rain is forecast?
3) To make matters worse, my road is narrow, and most cars park with 2 wheels up on the pavement. Would this be a no-go for the Chimaera? (damage to underneath of car? prolonged problems caused by leaving cars slightly on an angle?)
4) I could probably rent a garage for £60-70 a month, which I am considering. Would this be a worthwhile move?
5) My final question and I know this is akin to 'How long the piece of string' but if I was willing to spend up to 8k tops, what price cars do you think I should realistically be able to hope to negotiate on: 8.5 / 9 / 9.5K ?
Thanks in advance for your time and help.
Hi Dave,
1 & 2) I live in London and I am on my second Chimaera in 20 months.
The first one was always parked in the street without any issue, but I would recommend a cover, as it will keep you car clean, free from bird s
t and tree sap. I guess it might e a deterrent to vandals (getting your car keyed) and, in the even in witch your car leaks, will keep it dry, providing that you get a good cover). The first one I had was water tight, my current one use to leak until a re-proofed the room, now it is fine.
Once you get used to it you will see that fitting and taking the cover off, putting it in it’s bag is a matter of minutes.
An alternative to keep the car dry, if it leaks, instead of using a full cover is to get a “cap / hood” like the ones sold by Leven Technology.
3) I am no expert, but I am sure that leaving the car at and angle will not damage anything…?
4) I do not rent a garage (luckily enough I found a council garage and it is less than £ 28 / month). What you should look into is how much you will save on the insurance against your rent of £ 700 - £ 800 . For me it made a huge saving insurance wise as having a garage allows me now to have a “classic car” insurance and I pay now ¼ for fully comp with the garage that I paid before for 3 rd party without. Also your car will stay dry, will be less likely to get damaged and I guess you will also be able to store stuff in your garage.
So I guess you need to do the math’s: garage rental vs insurance costs.
5) if you do not buy in a garage, you will be able to find something for your money, especially if you are going to get a 4L. I guess all depends on how much of a negotiator you are, how long you are willing to search, how flexible you are on the: color / engine size, etc…
My current 96 500 is in really good condition, had 26,000 miles on the clock, a descent service history, came with a private reg, a good stereo, full leather interior (most do not have it) and other bits and pcs and a good chassis. The seller wanted £ 11 K and I got it for 10, last year. I know that people bought some really nice 4 L for 7K. You definitely have enough to get a good one from a privateer, but make sure that you get the car checked out by someone who knows those cars before buying: the car is a pretty strong beast, but the chassis can and often be a source of expense: about £ 2 K to replace the outriggers if they need doing. Also if you do not have any experience with a powerful V8, you could easily be seduced buy a car that seams powerful if you have only driven “normal cars” but end up having one with an average engine (that would come powerful to you but actually not being that healthy to someone experienced (I almost did so…).
So I do not know your profile, mechanical knowledge and motoring history, but worth spending a bit to get your car checked by someone that knows what he is doing / looking for that buying one that need a lot spent on afterwards… A good start is to go to your local TVR car clubs and meet the guys and speak with them.
I am in North London and have learned a few bits over the last 20 months of ownership (but I have a LOT to learn), but I have a friend who knows those cars almost inside to and who I am sure could help …
What is sure is that a TVR is a really rewarding card, fun to drive, fast, different, it’ll make you smile.
Good luck
Frenchie
I'm looking to buy a Chimaera in the next couple of months hopefully as a weekend car, and am trying to find answers to my following storage queries. (Did read through the first 50 forum pages -but no luck!)
1) I don't have a garage. Everyone on here seems to have. If I decided to simply keep the car outside on the road (covered over) throughout the year, would this pose serious problems?
2) For my situation, would you recommend a cover on all the time (fairly quiet cul-de-sac road) or just when rain is forecast?
3) To make matters worse, my road is narrow, and most cars park with 2 wheels up on the pavement. Would this be a no-go for the Chimaera? (damage to underneath of car? prolonged problems caused by leaving cars slightly on an angle?)
4) I could probably rent a garage for £60-70 a month, which I am considering. Would this be a worthwhile move?
5) My final question and I know this is akin to 'How long the piece of string' but if I was willing to spend up to 8k tops, what price cars do you think I should realistically be able to hope to negotiate on: 8.5 / 9 / 9.5K ?
Thanks in advance for your time and help.
Hi Dave,
1 & 2) I live in London and I am on my second Chimaera in 20 months.
The first one was always parked in the street without any issue, but I would recommend a cover, as it will keep you car clean, free from bird s
t and tree sap. I guess it might e a deterrent to vandals (getting your car keyed) and, in the even in witch your car leaks, will keep it dry, providing that you get a good cover). The first one I had was water tight, my current one use to leak until a re-proofed the room, now it is fine.Once you get used to it you will see that fitting and taking the cover off, putting it in it’s bag is a matter of minutes.
An alternative to keep the car dry, if it leaks, instead of using a full cover is to get a “cap / hood” like the ones sold by Leven Technology.
3) I am no expert, but I am sure that leaving the car at and angle will not damage anything…?
4) I do not rent a garage (luckily enough I found a council garage and it is less than £ 28 / month). What you should look into is how much you will save on the insurance against your rent of £ 700 - £ 800 . For me it made a huge saving insurance wise as having a garage allows me now to have a “classic car” insurance and I pay now ¼ for fully comp with the garage that I paid before for 3 rd party without. Also your car will stay dry, will be less likely to get damaged and I guess you will also be able to store stuff in your garage.
So I guess you need to do the math’s: garage rental vs insurance costs.
5) if you do not buy in a garage, you will be able to find something for your money, especially if you are going to get a 4L. I guess all depends on how much of a negotiator you are, how long you are willing to search, how flexible you are on the: color / engine size, etc…
My current 96 500 is in really good condition, had 26,000 miles on the clock, a descent service history, came with a private reg, a good stereo, full leather interior (most do not have it) and other bits and pcs and a good chassis. The seller wanted £ 11 K and I got it for 10, last year. I know that people bought some really nice 4 L for 7K. You definitely have enough to get a good one from a privateer, but make sure that you get the car checked out by someone who knows those cars before buying: the car is a pretty strong beast, but the chassis can and often be a source of expense: about £ 2 K to replace the outriggers if they need doing. Also if you do not have any experience with a powerful V8, you could easily be seduced buy a car that seams powerful if you have only driven “normal cars” but end up having one with an average engine (that would come powerful to you but actually not being that healthy to someone experienced (I almost did so…).
So I do not know your profile, mechanical knowledge and motoring history, but worth spending a bit to get your car checked by someone that knows what he is doing / looking for that buying one that need a lot spent on afterwards… A good start is to go to your local TVR car clubs and meet the guys and speak with them.
I am in North London and have learned a few bits over the last 20 months of ownership (but I have a LOT to learn), but I have a friend who knows those cars almost inside to and who I am sure could help …
What is sure is that a TVR is a really rewarding card, fun to drive, fast, different, it’ll make you smile.
Good luck
Frenchie
Be careful when parking on a curb. Mine normally lives in the garage but I went to park it on the curb outside my house one day and severely scraped the exhaust. That was in the summer last year and I can still see the mark in the curb!
One problem with a lack of garage is its more difficult to keep a trickle charger on it. I thought I could get away with it but after numerous issues I put a power supply in my garage specifically for the TVR. Now I can leave it weeks/months with no worries. But that's probably not so much of an issue if you plan to use it regularly.
One problem with a lack of garage is its more difficult to keep a trickle charger on it. I thought I could get away with it but after numerous issues I put a power supply in my garage specifically for the TVR. Now I can leave it weeks/months with no worries. But that's probably not so much of an issue if you plan to use it regularly.
I mean a battery conditioner, like a CTEK, which keeps your battery in tip top shape when the car's not in use.
I use a generic Halfords version, but it's done the job for about a year now and I can leave the car for months and the battery is still healthy and will easily turn the car over when I come back to it. Without one my Chim would drain my old battery in a mater of weeks if unused.
I use a generic Halfords version, but it's done the job for about a year now and I can leave the car for months and the battery is still healthy and will easily turn the car over when I come back to it. Without one my Chim would drain my old battery in a mater of weeks if unused.
I don't think it is a problem keeping them outside, my chimaera sits on my drive all year without a problem.
2. I would be careful of fitting a cover as there has been several people on here complaining of the cover rubbing the paintwork away when there is a strong wind, you can get just a hood cover though. I don't bother but I do re-seal the hood twice a year with Fabsil, make sure you get the paint-on kind as the spray-on is not as good.
3. Depends very much on the height of the kerb but a standard ride height chimaera shouldn't have a problem with this.
4. As has been said I wouldn't bother & the option is always there if you feel you need to after you settle in with the car.
5. Depends on the seller & how much the price is inflated above their "must get" price but I don't think £500 is an unrealistic ask, offer what you can afford, they can only say no.
An "Optimate" is a popular trickle charger for TVRs but I guess you won't be able to plug it in if it's on the street. With a healthy battery I would recommend driving it at least once a fortnight to keep it charged but in the middle of the last winter that has been impossible so you would be better getting a trickle charger & removing the battery to charge on these occasions, you are only talking about once or twice a year so hardly a deal breaker.
2. I would be careful of fitting a cover as there has been several people on here complaining of the cover rubbing the paintwork away when there is a strong wind, you can get just a hood cover though. I don't bother but I do re-seal the hood twice a year with Fabsil, make sure you get the paint-on kind as the spray-on is not as good.
3. Depends very much on the height of the kerb but a standard ride height chimaera shouldn't have a problem with this.
4. As has been said I wouldn't bother & the option is always there if you feel you need to after you settle in with the car.
5. Depends on the seller & how much the price is inflated above their "must get" price but I don't think £500 is an unrealistic ask, offer what you can afford, they can only say no.
An "Optimate" is a popular trickle charger for TVRs but I guess you won't be able to plug it in if it's on the street. With a healthy battery I would recommend driving it at least once a fortnight to keep it charged but in the middle of the last winter that has been impossible so you would be better getting a trickle charger & removing the battery to charge on these occasions, you are only talking about once or twice a year so hardly a deal breaker.
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