Chimaera Prices
Discussion
Look, don't shoot the messenger! For as long as I can remember (and it was all fields around here then) PH has been very very touchy about the perception of selling through the forums and not using the sales facility.
Anyway, I'm still sniffing around for a tatty old Chim as a rolling resto.
Anyway, I'm still sniffing around for a tatty old Chim as a rolling resto.
Just for the record my SL that I put some pics up on here the other day is not currently for sale. I was just showing her off. Not sure how that infringes forum rules unless it was construed as a post trying to sell a car.
Just thought I would set the record straight. I'm an honest decent chap and quite happy to abide by the rules of PH and the land for that matter
Just thought I would set the record straight. I'm an honest decent chap and quite happy to abide by the rules of PH and the land for that matter
I picked the car up yesterday and very surprised and pleased at the difference new suspension bushes has made to the steering at speed. I have always felt the car was twitchy at speed and put this down to the power steering compared with the stability of my old car with a non powered steering rack. A lot of that seems to have gone now.
Feeling the love for the car again and looked through the history file and I have put over 10,000 miles on it so also using it more than I thought as well!
New tyres or new wheels and tyres next
Feeling the love for the car again and looked through the history file and I have put over 10,000 miles on it so also using it more than I thought as well!
New tyres or new wheels and tyres next
Can't get a handle on prices at all. There's a 430 just gone on sale of FB at £10500, reduced from £11000. The ad seems ok, don't know the car or owner. I thought the 430 was sought after. There are other marques (Lotus Excel & +2) with prices rising, You can't get a decent Hillman Imp for less than £6k, rolling restos are over £4K
Why is the TVR so unloved at the moment? Dunno!
Why is the TVR so unloved at the moment? Dunno!
Skyedriver said:
Can't get a handle on prices at all. There's a 430 just gone on sale of FB at £10500, reduced from £11000. The ad seems ok, don't know the car or owner. I thought the 430 was sought after. There are other marques (Lotus Excel & +2) with prices rising, You can't get a decent Hillman Imp for less than £6k, rolling restos are over £4K
Why is the TVR so unloved at the moment? Dunno!
Hope they stay a bit unloved for a bit longer so that i can get one in the garage....Why is the TVR so unloved at the moment? Dunno!
Skyedriver said:
Can't get a handle on prices at all. There's a 430 just gone on sale of FB at £10500, reduced from £11000. The ad seems ok, don't know the car or owner. I thought the 430 was sought after. There are other marques (Lotus Excel & +2) with prices rising, You can't get a decent Hillman Imp for less than £6k, rolling restos are over £4K
Why is the TVR so unloved at the moment? Dunno!
Must still be an image thing. Speak to most people that do not know the cars and the image they get is of them sat on the back of a breakdown truck, that and the chassis issues.Why is the TVR so unloved at the moment? Dunno!
Skyedriver said:
Can't get a handle on prices at all. There's a 430 just gone on sale of FB at £10500, reduced from £11000. The ad seems ok, don't know the car or owner. I thought the 430 was sought after. There are other marques (Lotus Excel & +2) with prices rising, You can't get a decent Hillman Imp for less than £6k, rolling restos are over £4K
Why is the TVR so unloved at the moment? Dunno!
Possibly in these austere times people don’t want to take riskWhy is the TVR so unloved at the moment? Dunno!
Now is not the best time to sell soft tops
Many cars are getting tired or just showing there age etc etc
They say the better cars sell quicker but right now I think the price matters more than anything else. I’ve looked at Lotus and a few others, the simple truth is I’ve got a better car in my Chim than anything I can buy for similar money that even remotely competes with it on many levels,,, but then I’ve spent many thousands to achieve the car I’ve got which is as modernised as I could make it without ruining what it is.
Unfortunately the market or joe public don’t really understand just how much these changes have improved the car so the value of this work is seriously underestimated,,,, the idea original is best as with many cars let alone Tvr is a bit of a joke as the cars are coming on for 30 years old and to go forward as anything other than a polishing machine with a few runs a year they need these modernisations to give owners enough confidence to keep the things on the road.
I think my point is these Tvr are now at the stage I’d call classic, well they use enough old tech to justify that statement even if they are actually still classified as possibly the most modern of British ( affordable) sportscars on the road.
Even brave fellows who have had an interest in cars for years still ignore Tvr simply because of past history, they are simply not brave enough or informed enough to know that infact overall and compared to old Lotus etc etc they are very reliable cars but like all old cars need constant upkeep.
So I think the big differences in price can often be a reflection of just how much any given car has been cared for.
The idea of paying 20k + for an original car just cos it’s shiny on low miles is not my idea of clever, get a restored/ updated car, you’ll never look back,,, that’s if you actually want to drive it on a regular basis.
If it’s to look at in the garage,,, by a Griff,,, they are worth a fortune just sat there
Lotus excel etc prices have gone up----in the advert.....but finally those cars arent sold, as the market isnt accepting the prices.
but back to TVR:
the Chimaera is the volume-model of TVR, means the market is (still) full with cars, so the potential buyer can choose.
and this effects the price.
only real good & sorted cars are fetching a good price. (and this statement can be transferred on ALL collector cars)
from 20 cars there might be 1 which could be declared as really good & sorted "Under the eyes of a strict jury"...all the rest is not more than average with some upgrades, maybe a new paintjob or new interior, but still suffering here and there from some wear, compromises or typical faults.
but back to TVR:
the Chimaera is the volume-model of TVR, means the market is (still) full with cars, so the potential buyer can choose.
and this effects the price.
only real good & sorted cars are fetching a good price. (and this statement can be transferred on ALL collector cars)
from 20 cars there might be 1 which could be declared as really good & sorted "Under the eyes of a strict jury"...all the rest is not more than average with some upgrades, maybe a new paintjob or new interior, but still suffering here and there from some wear, compromises or typical faults.
Classic Chim,
An interesting post.
I would be most interested in knowing what you regard as desirable updates to improve reliability as I am sure would many others especially those looking to buy a TVR.
TVR's do have a reputation for unreliability I believe in most cases unjustified, In my S3 I covered over 100,000 miles and the only time it let me down was due to the failure of the ignition switch connector ( A Ford part) . After bypassing the connector I could continue with my journey after 15 minutes.
I have owned a Griffith 500 for 16 years and it has never let me down but my annual mileage is quite low at around 2000 miles, but as you say with any older car you do need to keep on top of things and sort them before they lead to failure.
An interesting post.
I would be most interested in knowing what you regard as desirable updates to improve reliability as I am sure would many others especially those looking to buy a TVR.
TVR's do have a reputation for unreliability I believe in most cases unjustified, In my S3 I covered over 100,000 miles and the only time it let me down was due to the failure of the ignition switch connector ( A Ford part) . After bypassing the connector I could continue with my journey after 15 minutes.
I have owned a Griffith 500 for 16 years and it has never let me down but my annual mileage is quite low at around 2000 miles, but as you say with any older car you do need to keep on top of things and sort them before they lead to failure.
Loubaruch said:
Classic Chim,
An interesting post.
I would be most interested in knowing what you regard as desirable updates to improve reliability as I am sure would many others especially those looking to buy a TVR.
TVR's do have a reputation for unreliability I believe in most cases unjustified, In my S3 I covered over 100,000 miles and the only time it let me down was due to the failure of the ignition switch connector ( A Ford part) . After bypassing the connector I could continue with my journey after 15 minutes.
I have owned a Griffith 500 for 16 years and it has never let me down but my annual mileage is quite low at around 2000 miles, but as you say with any older car you do need to keep on top of things and sort them before they lead to failure.
1. Id say fit a more modern alarm system and sort out Tvr's mess, also provide a connection diagram in case of future issues, doable yourself if handy with electrics for less than £150.An interesting post.
I would be most interested in knowing what you regard as desirable updates to improve reliability as I am sure would many others especially those looking to buy a TVR.
TVR's do have a reputation for unreliability I believe in most cases unjustified, In my S3 I covered over 100,000 miles and the only time it let me down was due to the failure of the ignition switch connector ( A Ford part) . After bypassing the connector I could continue with my journey after 15 minutes.
I have owned a Griffith 500 for 16 years and it has never let me down but my annual mileage is quite low at around 2000 miles, but as you say with any older car you do need to keep on top of things and sort them before they lead to failure.
2. Upgrade the starter circuit cables and correctly wire in a relay rather than the hot start mod,again cheaply done yourself.
3. Modern Ecu that can be easily code read, tuned and uses quality electrical components that are easily sourced, not cheap this one but makes things easier in the event of a fault with the original 14cux and dizzy system.
Ive done 1 and 2 but have resisted 3 due to the overall cost.
Belle427 said:
1. Id say fit a more modern alarm system and sort out Tvr's mess, also provide a connection diagram in case of future issues, doable yourself if handy with electrics for less than £150.
2. Upgrade the starter circuit cables and correctly wire in a relay rather than the hot start mod,again cheaply done yourself.
3. Modern Ecu that can be easily code read, tuned and uses quality electrical components that are easily sourced, not cheap this one but makes things easier in the event of a fault with the original 14cux and dizzy system.
Ive done 1 and 2 but have resisted 3 due to the overall cost.
I’ve done 2 and 3 which included sorting my meta alarm and starter circuit as part of number 3 2. Upgrade the starter circuit cables and correctly wire in a relay rather than the hot start mod,again cheaply done yourself.
3. Modern Ecu that can be easily code read, tuned and uses quality electrical components that are easily sourced, not cheap this one but makes things easier in the event of a fault with the original 14cux and dizzy system.
Ive done 1 and 2 but have resisted 3 due to the overall cost.
I’ve also had a rebuilt engine, new diff and clutch, slave, and gord knows what else. All have slowly added to the car, each stage has replaced and removed bits that are known problem areas so eventually come to a car thats basically on par with much more modern kit and that’s just from a reliability point of view.
It now needs some chassis work and that’s ok, it’s inevitable.
There’s nothing wrong with original cars but the faults are well documented and sooner or later can cause problems.
Ecu change does wonders from basic engine temps to crisp clear running and perfect fuelling/ air ratios, it’s just a guarantee my rebuilt engine fires and fuels as best it can and is protected from over fuelling,underfuelling poor timing and a big fat spark to help things along.
I also find after market Ecu or MBE in my case is just simpler, easier to understand and so easier to diagnose faults if and when that happens.
Rovergauge changes the game and I still except the CUX is sofisticated and can offer great results.
I just like the simple yet effective powerful way modern tech Ecu with multi point trigger wheel keeps everything running what appears to be very easily.
It’s like my engine feels more modern, has more power where I want it and burbles along with no shunt, I can’t argue with that.
Powers did such a nice job of the wiring and removing all the old loom in the footwell it’s like re wiring all the important bits,,, job done
Electrical/ fuelling problems were the Bain of my young life riding bikes, it’s not something I can accept for any longer than I have to especially on a re built engine in the 21st century when we have the tech available to change the odds.
I’d never go back which tells it’s own tale
Edited by Classic Chim on Sunday 9th December 18:55
Many thanks!
I have also replaced the Meta alarm/immobiliser with a Sterling Toad system, IMHO far superior to the old Meta. Quite simple but time consuming if you are OK with electrics.
It actually cost around £90 and by selling the still working bits of the Meta on eBay the change only worked out at about £40.
Being able to open the boot via the keypad saves a lot of hassle.
I have also replaced the Meta alarm/immobiliser with a Sterling Toad system, IMHO far superior to the old Meta. Quite simple but time consuming if you are OK with electrics.
It actually cost around £90 and by selling the still working bits of the Meta on eBay the change only worked out at about £40.
Being able to open the boot via the keypad saves a lot of hassle.
Unreliability has been mentioned a couple of times here. When cars get this old, the reliability or not is determined more by the owner and their investment in the car. Sure you can be unlucky but unreliability is a pattern not an incident.
In the 15 years I have been running older cars, I have been on at least 10 run outs with lots of Triumph Stags and no dead cars, 30 or 40 TVR trips and one head gasket failure on a Cerbera. More recently, 2 Porsche trips and a dead car on both of them..
In the 15 years I have been running older cars, I have been on at least 10 run outs with lots of Triumph Stags and no dead cars, 30 or 40 TVR trips and one head gasket failure on a Cerbera. More recently, 2 Porsche trips and a dead car on both of them..
motul1974 said:
.....probably best not go on any new Land Rover runs! 
I've spoken to a Minor Repairs Service Engineer and it would appear that a lot of the modern High End makes also have reliability issues!I've had the pleasure of owning 12 different TVR's over the last 18 years and only one TVR was left undriveable, that was caused by a POTHOLE destroying my rear tyre. ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
Classic Chim is on the money.
The average selling price of Chimaeras is low because, frankly, the average quality of the cars on sale is not all that. Sadly, this drags down the potential for properly sorted examples as few will consider one for sale @ £30k when the majority of asking prices in the classifieds are hovering in the £10-12k region.
The average selling price of Chimaeras is low because, frankly, the average quality of the cars on sale is not all that. Sadly, this drags down the potential for properly sorted examples as few will consider one for sale @ £30k when the majority of asking prices in the classifieds are hovering in the £10-12k region.
900T-R said:
Classic Chim is on the money.
The average selling price of Chimaeras is low because, frankly, the average quality of the cars on sale is not all that. Sadly, this drags down the potential for properly sorted examples as few will consider one for sale @ £30k when the majority of asking prices in the classifieds are hovering in the £10-12k region.
Perhaps it's more an indication of what traders have offered the Private Sellers of their cars, hence the privateer has decided to sell the car themselves for £10 -12k, rather than giving the dealers the opportunity to apply a bit of "spit and polish", plus a Warranty/Finance Options and ramp up the price by £8k!The average selling price of Chimaeras is low because, frankly, the average quality of the cars on sale is not all that. Sadly, this drags down the potential for properly sorted examples as few will consider one for sale @ £30k when the majority of asking prices in the classifieds are hovering in the £10-12k region.
The average Griffith is in no better state, albeit more collectable.
Bottom line is the Chimaera (and most TVRs) is a kit car.
It's got a very questionable chassis in terms of quality, by now even the most robust of them need major work by now. Couple that with tales of dodgy electrics, the fun of a fibreglass body and lack of decent earth points, etc,etc and you will find only a limited number of people will want to take on a TVR.
Yes, yes, I can hear you all getting upset about the reliability thing, and to most people who buy a TVR a bit of mechanical knowledge, or a least a hefty dose of common sense seems to go with the purchase. We can all probably fix a minor electrical gremlin beside the road, that's the point. The perception that you will have to. To the average person on the street, fixing a minor electrical gremlin is a big issue. They don't expect to have to do it.
There is also the classic element I suppose, back when I passed my test, Morris Minors were considered a classic, but there was literally thousands of them about. The Chimaera may well be considered a modern classic, but there are not quite as many as Minors, but still a significant number that it falls between two stools - not new enough to attract someone looking for say, a Boxster and not classic enough (because it still looks very modern) for someone after perhaps a MGA/B and certainly not in the same league as a big Healey.
Basically I think there is a (rightly) wariness about chassis rot, and the 'perceived idea' that they break down a lot. There's also a lot of them about still so prices will be depressed.
It's got a very questionable chassis in terms of quality, by now even the most robust of them need major work by now. Couple that with tales of dodgy electrics, the fun of a fibreglass body and lack of decent earth points, etc,etc and you will find only a limited number of people will want to take on a TVR.
Yes, yes, I can hear you all getting upset about the reliability thing, and to most people who buy a TVR a bit of mechanical knowledge, or a least a hefty dose of common sense seems to go with the purchase. We can all probably fix a minor electrical gremlin beside the road, that's the point. The perception that you will have to. To the average person on the street, fixing a minor electrical gremlin is a big issue. They don't expect to have to do it.
There is also the classic element I suppose, back when I passed my test, Morris Minors were considered a classic, but there was literally thousands of them about. The Chimaera may well be considered a modern classic, but there are not quite as many as Minors, but still a significant number that it falls between two stools - not new enough to attract someone looking for say, a Boxster and not classic enough (because it still looks very modern) for someone after perhaps a MGA/B and certainly not in the same league as a big Healey.
Basically I think there is a (rightly) wariness about chassis rot, and the 'perceived idea' that they break down a lot. There's also a lot of them about still so prices will be depressed.
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