500 Taraka for sale - very tempting

[Chuck21]

There's a very tasty looking 500 Taraka for sale on here: https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...

On paper it looks in very good condition with the Taraka conversion, Nitrons, and looked after by Topcat etc but as daft as it sounds (and I may be shooting myself in the foot here!) I'm thinking it's just a bit too cheap!

Does anybody know the car or have any thoughts?

[citizen smith]

Hi,

The car looks like a very nice example indeed. Personally, I would contact Top Cats Racing and enquire about the cars condition (Mechanically/Structurally) . Then if the feedback from Top Cats seems O.K, view the car and being cautious - pay for an Inspection by an Inderpendent Specialist (should include an HPI).

After that make a decision.

Best wishes.

[ianwayne]

It's been listed for several weeks now I think. So if it was cheap (relatively) as you suggest, nobody else agrees. As with all cars, it would need a good check.

[Chuck21]

ianwayne said:

It's been listed for several weeks now I think. So if it was cheap (relatively) as you suggest, nobody else agrees. As with all cars, it would need a good check.

That did cross my mind. I know the Taraka upgrade is sound and Topcat are well respected so perhaps people are thinking as I have, see it as a risk in some way, or just don't like the color (I do!). Dealers are asking c.£15k for tidy 1996-1997 400's so if the car does check out it would seem a very fair price.

Might have a chat with the owner and sound them out....

[TV8]

I would check your insurance on this as well, depending on you or where you live, some insurers do not like modifications.

Mine now has the power TVR said it should have but living in sarf London, some of the insurance companies put a premium on the premium because of my engine modifications and fairly modest up-grades that lots of cars have - different manifolds, adjustable shocks etc.

Looks a good car in the advert.

[butch890]

I looked at the car a couple of years ago just before the present owner bought it.
Crystal Verdi is one of my favourite colours but the green interior is most defiantly an acquired taste (a fact bourne out from a well respected TVR dealer).
The car is though very nice overall and although more than when i looked at looks like good value as long as you like the interior (I did contemplate buying it and having the seats and tunnel redone in magnolia).

[Chuck21]

butch890 said:

I looked at the car a couple of years ago just before the present owner bought it.
Crystal Verdi is one of my favourite colours but the green interior is most defiantly an acquired taste (a fact bourne out from a well respected TVR dealer).
The car is though very nice overall and although more than when i looked at looks like good value as long as you like the interior (I did contemplate buying it and having the seats and tunnel redone in magnolia).

Thanks TV8, good point re. insurance but aside from the engine badge could they really find out?? That's very disingenuous I know but insurance companies can be so ridiculous in their policies that sometimes it's tempting to be more economical with the facts! To be fair though I've had a couple of modified cars and provided you find the right insurer premiums can be reasonable.

butch890, fair comment but in the pics I quite like the interior colour, may think differently in the flesh though! As you say there's always scope for a retrim in the future. The guys at Top Cat are coming back to me with some history which should be helpful.

[Andav469]

The previous owner of this car was the one that had the headlight conversion done and the Taraka upgrade, he sold it to a guy in France or Netherlands (can't remember which) he regretted the sale and asked for first refusal if the owner decided to sell, after a couple of years, he did just that and the car was returned to the previous owner in the UK.

He sold it 2 years ago for £15k

It was a great car then and if been looked after since, it will be a great car for the money

[Chuck21]

Andav469 said:

The previous owner of this car was the one that had the headlight conversion done and the Taraka upgrade, he sold it to a guy in France or Netherlands (can't remember which) he regretted the sale and asked for first refusal if the owner decided to sell, after a couple of years, he did just that and the car was returned to the previous owner in the UK.

He sold it 2 years ago for £15k

It was a great car then and if been looked after since, it will be a great car for the money

Great knowledge, thanks! So the current owner bought it from the guy who had the engine and headlight work done? Will see what Topcat say then contact the owner. I need to stay sensible, I set out aiming for a fully sorted 400 for <£15k and now I'm considering smashing the budget for a 5 litre monster on its original chassis, I guess that's the TVR effect! :-)

[N7GTX]

If you fancy a bit of a suntan, there's always this one although the price includes delivery to the UK. Mucho cheapo

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C884343

[Belle427]

N7GTX said:

If you fancy a bit of a suntan, there's always this one although the price includes delivery to the UK. Mucho cheapo

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C884343

That is cheap, is it a real 500 or maybe just converted, either way it would be a big risk buying it unseen.
The taraka looks a bargain, surprised a dealer hasn't snapped that up. Im not a fan of the colour combo personally but it is tempting.

[Chimp871]

Belle427 said:

N7GTX said:

If you fancy a bit of a suntan, there's always this one although the price includes delivery to the UK. Mucho cheapo

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C884343

o

That is cheap, is it a real 500 or maybe just converted, either way it would be a big risk buying it unseen.
The taraka looks a bargain, surprised a dealer hasn't snapped that up. Im not a fan of the colour combo personally but it is tempting.

See its MOT history here

http://mothistory.hypnosstudios.com/xNzt/sKIBjdnYO...

[N7GTX]

Chimp871 said:

Belle427 said:

N7GTX said:

If you fancy a bit of a suntan, there's always this one although the price includes delivery to the UK. Mucho cheapo

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C884343

o

That is cheap, is it a real 500 or maybe just converted, either way it would be a big risk buying it unseen.
The taraka looks a bargain, surprised a dealer hasn't snapped that up. Im not a fan of the colour combo personally but it is tempting.

See its MOT history here

http://mothistory.hypnosstudios.com/xNzt/sKIBjdnYO...

Linky not working for me. Checked on UK MOT history and probably needs a set of suspension arms by now. (M810 CLR)

https://www.check-mot.service.gov.uk/

[ianwayne]

The 500 taraka is on ebay. First bid of £9999 been made.

Now at £12k with 2 days to go:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TVR-Chimaera-500-with-a-...

Edited by ianwayne on Thursday 24th August 18:44

[Chuck21]

ianwayne said:

The 500 taraka is on ebay. First bid of £9999 been made.

Now at £12k with 2 days to go:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TVR-Chimaera-500-with-a-...

Edited by ianwayne on Thursday 24th August 18:44

Didn't sell on ebay in the end and now relisted as a classified for £16.6k. Spoke to Topcat and Warren confirmed 'scabby' wishbones and discs, worn clutch (but may last a good while yet), and minor oil leaks from pinion, sump and wheel bearing (owner also confirmed these), none of which are huge concerns. I am surprised that it hasn't sold yet, maybe it is the colour combination, hoping to view next week.

[ou sont les biscuits]

Chuck21 said:

Didn't sell on ebay in the end and now relisted as a classified for £16.6k. Spoke to Topcat and Warren confirmed 'scabby' wishbones and discs, worn clutch (but may last a good while yet), and minor oil leaks from pinion, sump and wheel bearing (owner also confirmed these), none of which are huge concerns. I am surprised that it hasn't sold yet, maybe it is the colour combination, hoping to view next week.

Just out of interest, how do you get an oil leak from a wheel bearing that only has grease in it?

[Belle427]

Chuck21 said:

Didn't sell on ebay in the end and now relisted as a classified for £16.6k. Spoke to Topcat and Warren confirmed 'scabby' wishbones and discs, worn clutch (but may last a good while yet), and minor oil leaks from pinion, sump and wheel bearing (owner also confirmed these), none of which are huge concerns. I am surprised that it hasn't sold yet, maybe it is the colour combination, hoping to view next week.

I think it is the colour combo putting people off. I would have been interested in a look at it but didnt like the colours.

[CHIMV8 500]

Excuse my ignorance chaps,but what is a TARAKA upgrade

[Shnozz]

CHIMV8 500 said:

Excuse my ignorance chaps,but what is a TARAKA upgrade

http://www.powersperformance.co.uk/upgrades/50-litre-taraka-plus/

ie - quick

[Chuck21]

ou sont les biscuits said:

Just out of interest, how do you get an oil leak from a wheel bearing that only has grease in it?

Valid point! To quote the e-mail from the seller "slight wheel bearing seal leak."