Looking to buy a Chimaera

[Shorty4291]

Hi All , fairly new to the forum .
I’m in the market for my first TVR ! Having just sold a classic Triumph I’m on the lookout for a Chimaera, I’ve always wanted a TVR and now I’m in the position to buy one. Ive heard that there isn’t that much difference between engines and the main thing is to buy the best car you can for your money , that’s exactly what I’m looking to do , I’m not in a rush so want the best car I can get , I’ve been to see a couple at HHC which is fairly local to me and have been keeping an eye out on the classifieds. My budget is around the £15k mark and I’m looking for a late car in a good colour combination, and with all the obvious things such as a good chassis , service history, good paintwork etc . Any advice or pointers in the right direction would be appreciated, I’m based near Durham but willing to travel for the right car . Thanks in advance , Chris

[Belle427]

Amore autos always have some well priced cars and are well respected on here so worth keeping an eye out there.
This popped up on my saved searches this week, looks very reasonably priced to me compared to some, and worth a slight budget stretch to get the holy grail so to speak.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1998-R-TVR-Chimaera-500...

[phillpot]

Hope this doesn't infringe on any "name 'n shame" rules...............

someone on another thread said:

The buyer of my Chim sold his to Amore and said the cars on display were not prepared well in his opinion.

Could just be a case of they're not over blinged with silicone spray and tyre black

[Shorty4291]

Yeh , photos can hide a lot , went to look at a car last week that looked amazing in the photos , up close it had bad chips all over the car that had been touched in , needed a full respray really , couldn’t live with a car like that

[Shorty4291]

Belle427 said:

Amore autos always have some well priced cars and are well respected on here so worth keeping an eye out there.
This popped up on my saved searches this week, looks very reasonably priced to me compared to some, and worth a slight budget stretch to get the holy grail so to speak.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1998-R-TVR-Chimaera-500...

Yes been watching this one , looks a nice car

[Penelope Stopit]

This might be of interest https://www.car.gr/4578379-tvr-chimaera

[TJC46]

Shorty4291 said:

Hi All , fairly new to the forum .
I’m in the market for my first TVR ! Having just sold a classic Triumph I’m on the lookout for a Chimaera, I’ve always wanted a TVR and now I’m in the position to buy one. Ive heard that there isn’t that much difference between engines and the main thing is to buy the best car you can for your money , that’s exactly what I’m looking to do , I’m not in a rush so want the best car I can get , I’ve been to see a couple at HHC which is fairly local to me and have been keeping an eye out on the classifieds. My budget is around the £15k mark and I’m looking for a late car in a good colour combination, and with all the obvious things such as a good chassis , service history, good paintwork etc . Any advice or pointers in the right direction would be appreciated, I’m based near Durham but willing to travel for the right car . Thanks in advance , Chris

This seems a good car, good history 5 years with the present owner, good service history.
It just looks a good unmolested example.
I am not associated with this sale in any way, just looks "right"

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

[citizen smith]

Shorty4291 said:

Hi All , fairly new to the forum .
I’m in the market for my first TVR ! Having just sold a classic Triumph I’m on the lookout for a Chimaera, I’ve always wanted a TVR and now I’m in the position to buy one. Ive heard that there isn’t that much difference between engines and the main thing is to buy the best car you can for your money , that’s exactly what I’m looking to do , I’m not in a rush so want the best car I can get , I’ve been to see a couple at HHC which is fairly local to me and have been keeping an eye out on the classifieds. My budget is around the £15k mark and I’m looking for a late car in a good colour combination, and with all the obvious things such as a good chassis , service history, good paintwork etc . Any advice or pointers in the right direction would be appreciated, I’m based near Durham but willing to travel for the right car . Thanks in advance , Chris

You have made a good choice within the TVR collection of models. The Chimaera is easy to live with and relatively practical.

My advise would be that knowledge is king, learn out as much as you can and view with an open mind. The later the model the better, since these cars have evolved with time. A Chimaera 450 is considered to be the best model to seek.

Condition is important as is service history. A car can be low or high mileage and have had few services.

Buying from a dealer is not necessarily a good idea, since you can buy Private and save quite a few thousand pounds and save on all the spit and polish.

Can take you quite a few months to find the car that best suits your requirements. Old saying "Buy in Haste, Repent at your leisure"

Best wishes with your search.

[Belle427]

Penelope Stopit said:

This might be of interest https://www.car.gr/4578379-tvr-chimaera

Im loving the description.

[Belle427]

Shorty4291 said:

Belle427 said:

Amore autos always have some well priced cars and are well respected on here so worth keeping an eye out there.
This popped up on my saved searches this week, looks very reasonably priced to me compared to some, and worth a slight budget stretch to get the holy grail so to speak.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1998-R-TVR-Chimaera-500...

Yes been watching this one , looks a nice car

A forum contributor was selling a very similar car a while ago with rebuilt engine etc, may be worth asking.
I believe its was user: Smokey Boyer.
Nothing to do with me but looked a sorted car.

[Shorty4291]

TJC46 said:

Shorty4291 said:

Hi All , fairly new to the forum .
I’m in the market for my first TVR ! Having just sold a classic Triumph I’m on the lookout for a Chimaera, I’ve always wanted a TVR and now I’m in the position to buy one. Ive heard that there isn’t that much difference between engines and the main thing is to buy the best car you can for your money , that’s exactly what I’m looking to do , I’m not in a rush so want the best car I can get , I’ve been to see a couple at HHC which is fairly local to me and have been keeping an eye out on the classifieds. My budget is around the £15k mark and I’m looking for a late car in a good colour combination, and with all the obvious things such as a good chassis , service history, good paintwork etc . Any advice or pointers in the right direction would be appreciated, I’m based near Durham but willing to travel for the right car . Thanks in advance , Chris

This seems a good car, good history 5 years with the present owner, good service history.
It just looks a good unmolested example.
I am not associated with this sale in any way, just looks "right"

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Yes I think I’ve been offered this car , the guy got in touch about a potential swap with the car I had for sale but decided he wanted the cash , had it for sale for a couple of months I think ,

[Penelope Stopit]

Belle427 said:

Penelope Stopit said:

This might be of interest https://www.car.gr/4578379-tvr-chimaera

Im loving the description.

Oops....There is a click for English button at the top right of the page, the button is of a Greek flag with a drop-down

[Litcoat]

Alright Shorty, my car may be coming up for sale, she's a 400, have a severe back problem which is getting worse so I can't get in the car, it all depends on what the doctors say, I'm just over at Carlisle.

Cheers Mark

[Shorty4291]

Hi Mark , wow ! The colour looks really interesting! Would be interested in some more pictures/ details depending on what you decide to do , cheers Chris

[Smokey Boyer]

Belle427 said:

A forum contributor was selling a very similar car a while ago with rebuilt engine etc, may be worth asking.
I believe its was user: Smokey Boyer.
Nothing to do with me but looked a sorted car.

I still have the car. I took it off the market as I had limited time to meet prospective buyers due to starting a new job, and also had a few events I had committed to with the sporting bears. I had decided to hang on now until the spring as I got the impression the market was very slow, but if you are interested do get in touch. Based in Leicester if that helps.

It is a 1994 plate with 92500 on the clock. MOT to Feb 2019.

• 5 Litre engine rebuilt at approximately 71000 miles / 2011
• 16-row oil cooler
• V8 Developments ported gas flowed cylinder heads, with a matched inlet manifold and 72mm plenum
• Megasquirt MS2 ECU controlling fuel and spark
• Ford Gen 2 Coil packs (replaced in 2017)
• Wideband Innovate MTXL AFR sensor and gauge fitted 2015
• Smooth bore silicone induction pipes, with KN Filter mounted in the nose
• Real Steal Viper Typhoon cam
• Precats removed, Clive Ford Y piece, standard centre box
• AP Racing clutch fitted at 71000 miles (5L TVR Spec)
• Gearbox rebuilt at 71000 miles, oil changed in 2017
• Brand new BTR diff fitted in 2017 with new bushes (supplied and fitted by Central TVR)
• Baffled Sump
• Gaz Gold suspension
• Front double anti-roll bar, rear anti-roll bar (new drop links 2017)
• Electric Power Steering to Chimaera PAS rack (refurbished 2016)
• 4 pot Sierra Cosworth callipers and 283mm discs at the front
• Lupo HID lamps
• New outriggers fitted in 2012
• New folding hood and Targa panels recovered in 2016 by Classic Car Services
• Refurbed wheels and new tyres fitted 2016
• Original alarm replaced to include central locking control and remote boot opening.
• Wheel alignment and geo check carried out by James Agger Autosport in 2016.

[ray von]

Litcoat said:

Alright Shorty, my car may be coming up for sale, she's a 400, have a severe back problem which is getting worse so I can't get in the car, it all depends on what the doctors say, I'm just over at Carlisle.

Cheers Mark

Was that one up for sale in Sunderland a couple of years ago?
To the OP I'm certain I viewed the Sportmotive one a couple of years ago, iirc there was a bill for chassis work running to £8k. I'm in Chester-le-Street feel free to drop me a pm if you want any more info or if you want to see what a rebuilt Griff looks like

[Litcoat]

Yes, this is the one, ticked all the right boxes after seeing a lot of other cars.

[Shorty4291]

Looks great in that colour ! Really different , think a TVR needs a bold colour in my opinion,

[Litcoat]

You would not believe how many photos have been taken of this car at the shows, as people walk by it changes colour and they stop and do a double take, it's quite amusing really

[Shorty4291]

I’m not surprised , it looks great ! Was it that colour from the factory? Bet it’s a nightmare to march if you get a scratch 😬