Chimaera Prices
Discussion
SILICONEKID 345HP 12.03 said:
Matt-hi3m1 said:
Yeah this is partly the reason I want a TVR, because the the forums are quite active on here and people are friendly and happy to help.
I have also fancied getting involved with meets and shows.
I'm quite good with anything car related and will attempt anything after research except welding which is why I want this work completed.
Did you post pictures of your new purchase?
Welcome back!
I wouldn't overlook a Cat d ,there are loads around and these cars can be written off with very little damage . I have also fancied getting involved with meets and shows.
I'm quite good with anything car related and will attempt anything after research except welding which is why I want this work completed.
Did you post pictures of your new purchase?
Welcome back!
The non specialist insurance companies did not want to get them repaired .
The car passed me in Stone and the next day it was on eBay which was a coincidence. If it was bright red or yellow I'd consider it for £7k..
I'd challenge any prospective TVR purchaser to put away his concerns over reliability and try to see the car for what it is, this process of correctly contextualising a Chimaera will help reveal just how undervalued these cars are in the current market.
Owning a Chimaera is really no different to owning any other classic car, you should expect have a very similar ownership experience with a Lotus Elan, a Triumph TR6, an E-Type ect ect ect and no one expects to own a classic car like these and not experience the additional maintenance requirements that inevitably come with such vehicles.
None of these very real reliability issues have an impact on traditional classic car values, indeed classic car prices have rocketed in recent years despite of the maintenance and reliability challenges. But even though a TVR Chimaera is actually a far more reliable proposition than something from the 1960's the market value of the TVR remains artificially depressed, one reason for this is all 60's cars were unreliable so no one devalues a 60's car for it's poor reliability.
The other reason is that by the 1990's when the Chimaera was being produced cars generally had become massively more reliable, Chimaera reliability was inevitably compared to that delivered by many of it's contemporary competitors like a 90's Porsche 968 or a Honda S2000, a hand assembled small production sports car like a TVR is never going to fair well in these circles, it all added up to TVRs gaining a reputation they would never shake off.
This reliability stigma stuck and continues to haunt the cars to this day, which in turn depresses the values, but I'd argue the real reason the values are low is because people are simply failing to view the 90's TVRs in the correct context. As soon as you start think of a Chimaera as an improved 60's classic British sports car (which is exactly what it is) all the reliability issues disappear, just as they are never in the mind of a the buyer of a traditional classic car which in truth will be way less reliable than a 90's TVR.
Buyers need to contextualise the 90's Rover V8 TVRs, when they start to correctly view a Chimaera or Griffith as an improved 60's classic British sports car expectations for reliability are completely realigned, indeed the TVR goes from being a poor performer to actually offering high levels of reliability compared with something from the 60's.
Put a well used but well maintained Chimaera back to back with a fully restored and well maintained E-Type and the TVR will still be by far the more reliable proposition, compare the braking, handling, ergonomics and usability and the Chimaera knocks the Jag into a cocked hat. Both cars offer that analogue back to basics driving experience we've engineered out of cars these days because sadly in a bid to refine vehicles we have at the same time removed much of the connected man & machine driving experience.
Clearly the E-Type has pedigree, it benefits from coming from a car maker that still exists and in the last 10 years the PR departments at Jaguar and others are heavily capitalising on their heritage, the Jag has racing provenance too and further benefits from the rose tinted spectacle nostalgia BS that says life was somehow better in the 1960's. The Chimaera doesn't really have a racing pedigree, and while TVR are currently trying to reinvent themselves that hasn't really happened yet, just like Jag and others have been doing for years it seems obvious why the PR department at the new TVR are trying to capitalist on what they are calling their Heritage Cars.
Of course these days decent Jag E-Type Roadsters start at £100k and no one is the least bit concerned about reliability, while a really nice and far more reliable Chimaera can be yours between £13-18K, the prices of the TVR being held unnaturally low by it's supposed reliability issues
. If you can't afford an E-Type as most of us can't but want the same connected back to basics driving experience in a car that's actually more reliable, better braked and handles way better than the £100k Jag, then the smart crowd should be seeing the £15k Chimaera as the absolutely astonishing value for money option it is.
Compare the Chimaera with a Porsche or Honda and not only are you completely missing the point, you've already proved yourself to be the wrong kind of guy to own a TVR, or any traditional classic car for that matter
. It really is just a case of how a buyer chooses to contextualise the TVR, buyers should take a few moments to realign what they are comparing the car with.... at which point the Chimaera will either suddenly make immense sense or prove itself to be completely the wrong purchase for you 
Owning a Chimaera is really no different to owning any other classic car, you should expect have a very similar ownership experience with a Lotus Elan, a Triumph TR6, an E-Type ect ect ect and no one expects to own a classic car like these and not experience the additional maintenance requirements that inevitably come with such vehicles.
None of these very real reliability issues have an impact on traditional classic car values, indeed classic car prices have rocketed in recent years despite of the maintenance and reliability challenges. But even though a TVR Chimaera is actually a far more reliable proposition than something from the 1960's the market value of the TVR remains artificially depressed, one reason for this is all 60's cars were unreliable so no one devalues a 60's car for it's poor reliability.
The other reason is that by the 1990's when the Chimaera was being produced cars generally had become massively more reliable, Chimaera reliability was inevitably compared to that delivered by many of it's contemporary competitors like a 90's Porsche 968 or a Honda S2000, a hand assembled small production sports car like a TVR is never going to fair well in these circles, it all added up to TVRs gaining a reputation they would never shake off.
This reliability stigma stuck and continues to haunt the cars to this day, which in turn depresses the values, but I'd argue the real reason the values are low is because people are simply failing to view the 90's TVRs in the correct context. As soon as you start think of a Chimaera as an improved 60's classic British sports car (which is exactly what it is) all the reliability issues disappear, just as they are never in the mind of a the buyer of a traditional classic car which in truth will be way less reliable than a 90's TVR.
Buyers need to contextualise the 90's Rover V8 TVRs, when they start to correctly view a Chimaera or Griffith as an improved 60's classic British sports car expectations for reliability are completely realigned, indeed the TVR goes from being a poor performer to actually offering high levels of reliability compared with something from the 60's.
Put a well used but well maintained Chimaera back to back with a fully restored and well maintained E-Type and the TVR will still be by far the more reliable proposition, compare the braking, handling, ergonomics and usability and the Chimaera knocks the Jag into a cocked hat. Both cars offer that analogue back to basics driving experience we've engineered out of cars these days because sadly in a bid to refine vehicles we have at the same time removed much of the connected man & machine driving experience.
Clearly the E-Type has pedigree, it benefits from coming from a car maker that still exists and in the last 10 years the PR departments at Jaguar and others are heavily capitalising on their heritage, the Jag has racing provenance too and further benefits from the rose tinted spectacle nostalgia BS that says life was somehow better in the 1960's. The Chimaera doesn't really have a racing pedigree, and while TVR are currently trying to reinvent themselves that hasn't really happened yet, just like Jag and others have been doing for years it seems obvious why the PR department at the new TVR are trying to capitalist on what they are calling their Heritage Cars.
Of course these days decent Jag E-Type Roadsters start at £100k and no one is the least bit concerned about reliability, while a really nice and far more reliable Chimaera can be yours between £13-18K, the prices of the TVR being held unnaturally low by it's supposed reliability issues
. If you can't afford an E-Type as most of us can't but want the same connected back to basics driving experience in a car that's actually more reliable, better braked and handles way better than the £100k Jag, then the smart crowd should be seeing the £15k Chimaera as the absolutely astonishing value for money option it is.Compare the Chimaera with a Porsche or Honda and not only are you completely missing the point, you've already proved yourself to be the wrong kind of guy to own a TVR, or any traditional classic car for that matter
. It really is just a case of how a buyer chooses to contextualise the TVR, buyers should take a few moments to realign what they are comparing the car with.... at which point the Chimaera will either suddenly make immense sense or prove itself to be completely the wrong purchase for you In my opinion, the reason why the Chimaera remain a surprisingly low price is due to the current second-hand car market that is basically dead. Too many cars and too few buyers. TVR's are generally sort as a weekend toy - hence a very limited market now.
Specialist cars can be difficult to sell in a buoyant market, let alone now when there is a massive choice available - be it TVR, Porsche, BMW, Honda S2000 ETC, ETC.
Average jo-public is feeling the pinch. Most of the private New Car Sales are on the PCP Plan, that means the average New Cars are far too Expensive just like the Houses now!
It is a buyers market now, but tread very carefully since what appears to be cheap can cost a fortune long term. Buyer beware.
Specialist cars can be difficult to sell in a buoyant market, let alone now when there is a massive choice available - be it TVR, Porsche, BMW, Honda S2000 ETC, ETC.
Average jo-public is feeling the pinch. Most of the private New Car Sales are on the PCP Plan, that means the average New Cars are far too Expensive just like the Houses now!
It is a buyers market now, but tread very carefully since what appears to be cheap can cost a fortune long term. Buyer beware.
citizen smith said:
In my opinion, the reason why the Chimaera remain a surprisingly low price is due to the current second-hand car market that is basically dead. Too many cars and too few buyers. TVR's are generally sort as a weekend toy - hence a very limited market now.
Specialist cars can be difficult to sell in a buoyant market, let alone now when there is a massive choice available - be it TVR, Porsche, BMW, Honda S2000 ETC, ETC.
Average jo-public is feeling the pinch. Most of the private New Car Sales are on the PCP Plan, that means the average New Cars are far too Expensive just like the Houses now!
It is a buyers market now, but tread very carefully since what appears to be cheap can cost a fortune long term. Buyer beware.
Classic cars are weekend toys and I'm seeing none of the above, go to any upcoming classic car auction and watch those old 911s fly out the door for silly money... and they're not getting any cheaper either.Specialist cars can be difficult to sell in a buoyant market, let alone now when there is a massive choice available - be it TVR, Porsche, BMW, Honda S2000 ETC, ETC.
Average jo-public is feeling the pinch. Most of the private New Car Sales are on the PCP Plan, that means the average New Cars are far too Expensive just like the Houses now!
It is a buyers market now, but tread very carefully since what appears to be cheap can cost a fortune long term. Buyer beware.
There's still a thriving market in weekend toys
We really should stop comparing a TVR Chimaera with Honda S2000's and contemporary Porsche Boxters and BMW Z cars, the TVR is a totally different proposition built in significantly lower numbers.
Yep, we should stop comparing them because quite simply there is nothing out there that can give the driving experience that a Chim or Griff can. Ain’t no substitute for cubic inches, that soundtrack, that cabin space, those looks, that brilliant roof, the styling both inside and out, the tinkerability/upgradability. End of.
I say thank Christ they aren’t expensive as they would all disappear off to collections and get polished to death rather than driven......
I say thank Christ they aren’t expensive as they would all disappear off to collections and get polished to death rather than driven......
I'd agree there isn't much out there similar. I've been through some cars to get to where I am and to look at TVR options now. I have a very late 2007 Maserati 4200 that is another undervalued and under estimated car.
I also agree that Chimaera values are all over the shop. So difficult to put values on some. I have been looking at this one and have had some dialogue with the seller:
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
We are a little bit out on what I think the car is worth to me as a buyer against what he would like for the car as a seller. This is always going to be the case but for the money he would like or less I am into full retail prepared cars from dealers such as this:
https://www.jamespaul.co.uk/tvr-chimaera-5.0-v8-50...
or
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
or
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
or
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
or
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
Seems to be a ton of Chimaera's out there to pick from at the moment.
I also agree that Chimaera values are all over the shop. So difficult to put values on some. I have been looking at this one and have had some dialogue with the seller:
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
We are a little bit out on what I think the car is worth to me as a buyer against what he would like for the car as a seller. This is always going to be the case but for the money he would like or less I am into full retail prepared cars from dealers such as this:
https://www.jamespaul.co.uk/tvr-chimaera-5.0-v8-50...
or
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
or
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
or
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
or
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
Seems to be a ton of Chimaera's out there to pick from at the moment.
I am at fault for over looking TVR. I had a 350i in 1985 followed by an S1. I did prefer the wedge. From an Evante through many Subaru estates for dog dutys i wanted an other convertible. From my first post regarding Challenger E types & Sebrings i did forget about TVR. How many TVRs do you see on the road. How many people know what a TVR is, only those of a certain age. The comments i get is i thought it was an MX5 until i heard it.
The nostalgic look is for TR6 & MGB or Midget & even a frog eyed Sprite, but again only people of a certain age know what they are. A VW camper or Beatle are well know along with an E type, DB5, Lotus Elan, Lotus 7 etc.
Now the challenge.
1. Buy any of the above for less than a TVR.
2. Convince me that any of the above are more reliable.
3. Prove that the TVR market is not well supported.
4. Tell me that a TVR is not good value.
5. Tell me that the above cars are good value.
Phew glad thats over, think yourself lucky that you have a DB5 beating tool for less than the price of a DB5 service.
Rant over.
Wine time.
The nostalgic look is for TR6 & MGB or Midget & even a frog eyed Sprite, but again only people of a certain age know what they are. A VW camper or Beatle are well know along with an E type, DB5, Lotus Elan, Lotus 7 etc.
Now the challenge.
1. Buy any of the above for less than a TVR.
2. Convince me that any of the above are more reliable.
3. Prove that the TVR market is not well supported.
4. Tell me that a TVR is not good value.
5. Tell me that the above cars are good value.
Phew glad thats over, think yourself lucky that you have a DB5 beating tool for less than the price of a DB5 service.
Rant over.
Wine time.
^^^^
Enjoyed that
Your not wrong are you.
I’ve been looking at Lotus Esperit S3 as they are really similar in mechanicals to a Tvr and even with Lotus still in business parts can be hard to find
Tvr are well supported and we are lucky because of it let alone the fact most parts on Tvr are still readily available.
Enjoyed that
Your not wrong are you.
I’ve been looking at Lotus Esperit S3 as they are really similar in mechanicals to a Tvr and even with Lotus still in business parts can be hard to find
Tvr are well supported and we are lucky because of it let alone the fact most parts on Tvr are still readily available.
ChimpOnGas said:
Classic cars are weekend toys and I'm seeing none of the above, go to any upcoming classic car auction and watch those old 911s fly out the door for silly money... and they're not getting any cheaper either.
There's still a thriving market in weekend toys
We really should stop comparing a TVR Chimaera with Honda S2000's and contemporary Porsche Boxters and BMW Z cars, the TVR is a totally different proposition built in significantly lower numbers.
I totally agree about the 911 (generally 993's and before), their prices have sky-rocketed. The weekend market for toys is still strong, but it is a bit more selective with buyers leaning towards old school car's. Look at what the early TVR Griffith's (pre 1990) are fetching not forgetting the M's etc,etc,. There's still a thriving market in weekend toys
We really should stop comparing a TVR Chimaera with Honda S2000's and contemporary Porsche Boxters and BMW Z cars, the TVR is a totally different proposition built in significantly lower numbers.
But I consider that the Chimaera's are in the Boxster/Z4/Honda territory, which is quite quiet at the moment. A lot of the dealers have had car's on their forecourts for a long time and some dealers are even reducing their prices to try and move their stock on.
TVR is still not a well recognised brand, hence the strong competition from alternative manufactures of a similar ilk. Most of the Motoring Press compare TVR's with alternative manufacturer brands whether they be Porsche/BMW/Z4 etc.
We all know how TVR's end up in those comparison tests, but a neverless a well maintained TVR is a joy to own. There is always a price to pay for reliability, which never comes cheap.
I was looking at either an RS6 or E55 to buy then after reading about turbo, suspension and gearbox problems decided on the E55.
Long story short I was in Blackpool with some friends and saw a Chimaera go down the front which prompted me to see how much they went for - I couldn't believe they were within my price range! I always thought they were £20k+ cars and was amazed to see quite a few around the £10k mark which made me change my mind and start getting into TVR's. I'd always liked the brand and you can't beat the sound of that Rover V8 flying past you, I'd just never imagined I could afford one so soon.
I agree they are well undervalued but in a way I'm glad because it means I get to enjoy one at 32 instead of 52
Long story short I was in Blackpool with some friends and saw a Chimaera go down the front which prompted me to see how much they went for - I couldn't believe they were within my price range! I always thought they were £20k+ cars and was amazed to see quite a few around the £10k mark which made me change my mind and start getting into TVR's. I'd always liked the brand and you can't beat the sound of that Rover V8 flying past you, I'd just never imagined I could afford one so soon.
I agree they are well undervalued but in a way I'm glad because it means I get to enjoy one at 32 instead of 52
Very true and the insurance is usually very competitively priced.
With all the things that can be done to bring TVR upto a more modern spec the future looks very bright for these cars and maybe now is as good a Time as any to get into them.
I’ve owned mine since since dec 2010 or there abouts and whatever people say I think the prices haven’t moved up from then much at all overall.
If anything they have been fairly stagnant other than the very finest examples.
This bodes well for buyers, the irony is that most owners soon start mentioning how cheap that are once they own one.
If life is ultimately about memories there’s not many cars around these prices that leave such a lasting impression. Having had mine stood for a few months while I try and crack the habit
I constantly find myself hearing sporty motors and being disappointed that the sound isn’t as deep or anything like as meaningful as a Tvr. This just draws me back like a good record or piece of music does. Somethings are beyond monetary reasoning thankfully.
With all the things that can be done to bring TVR upto a more modern spec the future looks very bright for these cars and maybe now is as good a Time as any to get into them.
I’ve owned mine since since dec 2010 or there abouts and whatever people say I think the prices haven’t moved up from then much at all overall.
If anything they have been fairly stagnant other than the very finest examples.
This bodes well for buyers, the irony is that most owners soon start mentioning how cheap that are once they own one.
If life is ultimately about memories there’s not many cars around these prices that leave such a lasting impression. Having had mine stood for a few months while I try and crack the habit
I constantly find myself hearing sporty motors and being disappointed that the sound isn’t as deep or anything like as meaningful as a Tvr. This just draws me back like a good record or piece of music does. Somethings are beyond monetary reasoning thankfully. If you have the time to spare I’d be going to Rockingham on Friday as you will see many well maintained cars creating a wonderful noise and owners who have years of experience in owning them who will be only to glad to show you around and maybe even give you a free joy ride.
There is a collective support for eachother that goes untold but there you’ll see people making friends, meeting up with old friends and just doing what we guys do, enjoying these cars in what is there natural environment in many ways.
There is a collective support for eachother that goes untold but there you’ll see people making friends, meeting up with old friends and just doing what we guys do, enjoying these cars in what is there natural environment in many ways.
fullpull said:
Why would anybody sell a Chimaera for 6,000 quid? Answer: because it is the ultimate project money pit. Sure, there will always be the odd exception. Happy hunting, you will enjoy it.
That shows how far things have moved on. When I bought mine in late 2010, £6.5k was about the going rate for a 430, £8k to £10k bought you a 450 and anything beyond that was reserved for 500s and absolute minters.The insurance company thought I was significantly undervaluing my 500 when I phoned up to renew, but I do wonder how many sell at the listed prices. So, OP, don't be afraid to try a cheeky offer. I suspect your budget will go further than you think.
The only 430 I could find in 2010 was from a dealer and was £11,000 and needed a lot of recommissioning as it had stood there for some time. An original BV And known to be one of the first original factory 10 so a proper one rather than bolt on heads via a dealer which were never as fast. It was around 17 years old then.
Wow 6.5 k I wish I was watching whatever sites you were. A basket case maybe, that was not my experience,,, at the time I wish it was as I had to stretch to afford mine at 10k with issues!
This site was way more active back then and many owners still had cars they bought direct from Tvr so selling at those prices would have been a big hit on there wallet.
At that rate I’m suprised more haven’t been scrapped.
Wow 6.5 k I wish I was watching whatever sites you were. A basket case maybe, that was not my experience,,, at the time I wish it was as I had to stretch to afford mine at 10k with issues!
This site was way more active back then and many owners still had cars they bought direct from Tvr so selling at those prices would have been a big hit on there wallet.
At that rate I’m suprised more haven’t been scrapped.
Chris71 said:
That shows how far things have moved on. When I bought mine in late 2010, £6.5k was about the going rate for a 430, £8k to £10k bought you a 450 and anything beyond that was reserved for 500s and absolute minters.
The insurance company thought I was significantly undervaluing my 500 when I phoned up to renew, but I do wonder how many sell at the listed prices. So, OP, don't be afraid to try a cheeky offer. I suspect your budget will go further than you think.
These figures are spot on. Go back 4-5 yrs & there was a good choice of Chims for under £10k.The insurance company thought I was significantly undervaluing my 500 when I phoned up to renew, but I do wonder how many sell at the listed prices. So, OP, don't be afraid to try a cheeky offer. I suspect your budget will go further than you think.
I've never paid more than £7k for any of mine..........
My three.....
Beautifull 430
Mint 400
High mile 450
Prices have rocketed in the last 3 yrs or so.
This one went for £9k + commission in June at ACA. I was there, the passenger door had a strange regular ripple in it. Otherwise, it was pretty good although the front suspension (at least) would have needed work IMHO:
https://angliacarauctions.co.uk/classic/results/re...
https://angliacarauctions.co.uk/classic/results/re...
An interesting thread which has answered a lot of questions I had but basically the main one is will I get a decent Chimaera for £11k and I think the answer is yes but I may have to forgo the colour I want to find a decent example and consider respraying/ wrapping.
I've had a look today and notice quite a few have been 'reduced for a quick sale'.
I'm also maybe considering the cat D route as if I can get one cheap enough it may be worth the hassle come selling time. Just wondering if it will affect my insurance premium.
I've had a look today and notice quite a few have been 'reduced for a quick sale'.
I'm also maybe considering the cat D route as if I can get one cheap enough it may be worth the hassle come selling time. Just wondering if it will affect my insurance premium.
pwd95 said:
These figures are spot on. Go back 4-5 yrs & there was a good choice of Chims for under £10k.
I've never paid more than £7k for any of mine..........
High mile 450
Did you consider selling this a couple of years ago?! If I have got the correct PHer/car, I remember discussing it extensively on here when I was looking for mine- I had just convinced myself I was going to go for it (despite the distance away) when you informed me you had changed your mind about selling! I've never paid more than £7k for any of mine..........
High mile 450
Gassing Station | Chimaera | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff