Buying a Chimera 500
Discussion
Firstly....Hello to all of you,
I am currently looking at purchasing a TVR chimera 500 this weekend, i have been looking on this forum and you guys have convinced me that these cars are a good way to go...
And now for my first question.....
What are the important things i should check when buying a chim 500 ? what are the usual probs etc.
I have seen a post regarding an owners bible which i do intend to get but as im looking at putting money down in the next day or so i'm after a few simple pointers....
Any help is much appreciated and i look forward to being a fellow TVR owner very soon :-)
Cheers,
Peter Kettleboro
>>> Edited by plkettle on Wednesday 12th January 14:52
I am currently looking at purchasing a TVR chimera 500 this weekend, i have been looking on this forum and you guys have convinced me that these cars are a good way to go...
And now for my first question.....
What are the important things i should check when buying a chim 500 ? what are the usual probs etc.
I have seen a post regarding an owners bible which i do intend to get but as im looking at putting money down in the next day or so i'm after a few simple pointers....
Any help is much appreciated and i look forward to being a fellow TVR owner very soon :-)
Cheers,
Peter Kettleboro
>>> Edited by plkettle on Wednesday 12th January 14:52
Wise choice!
This thread might help you...
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?f=8&h=0&t=140590
Do you have any links to the cars you are interested in?
Fire away with any questions.
Corin
This thread might help you...
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?f=8&h=0&t=140590
Do you have any links to the cars you are interested in?
Fire away with any questions.
Corin
The ad states that it has air-con and leather.
Check that the air-con can still blow cold air when the engine is hot.
All Chimaeras have leather-faced seats, but check if it has the FULL leather option which included the transmission tunnel, dash and door panels too. These areas are vinyl as standard.
Air-con and full leather were £2k options each on a new car!
Check that the air-con can still blow cold air when the engine is hot.
All Chimaeras have leather-faced seats, but check if it has the FULL leather option which included the transmission tunnel, dash and door panels too. These areas are vinyl as standard.
Air-con and full leather were £2k options each on a new car!
Looks good Pete, good colour combo.
Check the history, make sure it's been serviced every 6,000 miles or less by TVR or a specialist, see if it has had it's 36k service as this is bigger than usual as both the gearbox and diff oils are changed at this point Mobil 1 fluids so can add an extra £100 to the service.
Get it on the ramp check the chassis, outriggers and wishbones, get a screwdriver and have a poke through any crud that might be there. This model should have the white chassis, expect a bit of the coating to have flaked off but not too much. Check for evidence of regular Waxoyling, ask when the chassis was last treated.
Check the hood seals, ask when the hood was last weatherproofed.
Check behind carpet in boot for any obvious accident damage, check all panel gaps etc.
Pull the carpet out in the passenger footwell check the battery and electrics for any obvious signs of water ingress. Check all electrics mirrors etc.
Check the windscreen for delamination.
If the vehicle has PAS the system should be dry, a light groaning from the system on full lock is to be expected.
The diff/sump/gearbox casings can weep a little oil from them as long as this is not excessive nothing to worry about.
Check for wear/play in wishbone and diff bushes.
Select fifth gear bofore going into reverse, this realigns the gears and stops them grating.
Check the engine for any excess rattles etc, it is quite common for these to produce a fair bit of condensation from the exhaust but not smoke.
Let the engine run until the fans cut in.
Try and get the details of the previous owner and speak to them - ask them for an honest appraisal of the car.
Good luck!
Corin
Check the history, make sure it's been serviced every 6,000 miles or less by TVR or a specialist, see if it has had it's 36k service as this is bigger than usual as both the gearbox and diff oils are changed at this point Mobil 1 fluids so can add an extra £100 to the service.
Get it on the ramp check the chassis, outriggers and wishbones, get a screwdriver and have a poke through any crud that might be there. This model should have the white chassis, expect a bit of the coating to have flaked off but not too much. Check for evidence of regular Waxoyling, ask when the chassis was last treated.
Check the hood seals, ask when the hood was last weatherproofed.
Check behind carpet in boot for any obvious accident damage, check all panel gaps etc.
Pull the carpet out in the passenger footwell check the battery and electrics for any obvious signs of water ingress. Check all electrics mirrors etc.
Check the windscreen for delamination.
If the vehicle has PAS the system should be dry, a light groaning from the system on full lock is to be expected.
The diff/sump/gearbox casings can weep a little oil from them as long as this is not excessive nothing to worry about.
Check for wear/play in wishbone and diff bushes.
Select fifth gear bofore going into reverse, this realigns the gears and stops them grating.
Check the engine for any excess rattles etc, it is quite common for these to produce a fair bit of condensation from the exhaust but not smoke.
Let the engine run until the fans cut in.
Try and get the details of the previous owner and speak to them - ask them for an honest appraisal of the car.
Good luck!
Corin
Corin Denton said:
Get it on the ramp check the chassis, outriggers and wishbones, get a screwdriver and have a poke through any crud that might be there. This model should have the white chassis, expect a bit of the coating to have flaked off but not too much. Check for evidence of regular Waxoyling, ask when the chassis was last treated.
Cant re-iterate the importance of this - make sure that you have access to a ramp. If in doubt fork out for an inspection, there are people on here who can do it for you or try AA or RAC. chassis fix can be as much as 4k.
obiwonkeyblokey said:
Get it on the ramp check the chassis, outriggers and wishbones, get a screwdriver and have a poke through any crud that might be there. This model should have the white chassis, expect a bit of the coating to have flaked off but not too much. Check for evidence of regular Waxoyling, ask when the chassis was last treated.
Cant re-iterate the importance of this - make sure that you have access to a ramp. If in doubt fork out for an inspection.
Again I stress this one.. only yesterday I inspected a Chimaera for someone and that car had issues underneath that the buyer hadn't noticed, and the dealer hadn't noticed/mentioned either. It should have provided some negotiation space too that would more than cover my fee and buy quite a few tanks of optimax.
Cheers,
Matt
looking at the pics, it doesn't appear to be a full leather interior. there not a TVR specialist so might be fooled by the vinyl, it is very convincing 
i would recommend you view some other too, don't buy the first one you see, after looking at a few you'll get a feel for the good ones
as always check out mr aggers stock www.jamesagger.com
>> Edited by Nano2nd on Friday 14th January 10:50
i would recommend you view some other too, don't buy the first one you see, after looking at a few you'll get a feel for the good ones
as always check out mr aggers stock www.jamesagger.com
>> Edited by Nano2nd on Friday 14th January 10:50
Get the car inspected by Matt (www.shop4silver.co.uk/TVRfinder/index.html)! It will be the best pre-purchase investment you can make. Had asked him to inspect two cars at two dealers recently and don't regret it at bit. I just bought the second car (Chim 500) last weekend and are very happy with the peace of mind the inspection provided.
Pls feel free to email me if you have further questions.
>> Edited by Big Al. on Monday 17th January 21:55
Pls feel free to email me if you have further questions.
>> Edited by Big Al. on Monday 17th January 21:55
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