Survey of ownership cost v buying a sorted example .
Discussion
Belle427 said:
Why mess around when you can buy something as good as this.
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
That’s a whole lot of car for the money, that’s probaby the car this thread is all about. The mods and work on that total a tidy sum thats way over 14,000 when you take the car purchase into account. https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
Probably over 20 sat right there.
Im not so bothered about mk1 v Mk2 so much but I don’t do dark colours which does put me off some cars rather than any mechanical deficiencies, this car looks like it should be mighty fast though. Very nice looking car.
Thought I would write up my TVR story as this thread is very apt as I approach my 64th Birthday next week.
I bought my 1994 Chimaera 500 in 2005 as a 50th birthday present to myself, had gone through a difficult 3 years, had got my life back together and felt I deserved my boyhood dream.
The car was bought as a trade sale from a classic car specialist who was selling it for a friend who had lost a leg in a motorcycle accident, wanted it gone asap
.
Paid 10K for it, a solid car but a bit tatty around the edges, 33k miles on the clock and a file of receipts for service, MOT. – it had been upgraded from a 4L to 5L car in 96 along with some head work and brake upgrade
The car had a piggy back ecu to control timing etc and a bespoke manifold and exhaust system which was way too loud – the original exhaust system came with the car, so ripped out the ecu mod and put it all back to standard – it drove a lot better and still loud enough.
For the first 10 years just enjoyed it, doing around 5000 miles a year, never failed a MOT but kept on top of any advisories or niggles, apart from the annual service at a specialist – probably spending around £250 per year to keep on top of any issues – did the spanner work myself except for a clutch in 2015 which was around £1000.00 and the biggest bill I had had
.
In 2016 got fed up with the tatty bits – still looked good from across the road but closer inspection revealed the paintwork getting worse – a stone chipped front, lacquer coming off in sheets at the back so decided on a re-paint – took the opportunity to fit mk3 fared in headlights and mk3 mirrors and a friend painted the car original colour £3500 – and a great job – while in the paint shop had a new hood made by someone in Swansea – another £380
.
2017 MOT and advisories on outriggers starting to look a bit rusty – no messing about booked into Neil Gardiner for replacement outriggers – just over £2000 – and a great job, usual story when the old ones were removed – looked ok underneath but a few holes starting to appear on top
.
2018 carpets very faded and starting to look a bit sad – into South West Trimmers – around £700 – and a great job
So, just into 2019 – MOT time and another pass so this year having a new dash as the original is getting a few splits around the heater control and will soon be dead
.
So yes, the big decision was in 2016 – either option was a wedge of money, but after looking around could not find anything close to providing the grin factor as my beloved Chimaera. The final straw was at the Goodwood Revival and the launch of the new TVR, after seeing the car, a brief discussion with my wife over coffee I returned to the stand with Debit Card in hand. I asked just 2 questions, what number would I be on the list and when would the build start, expecting a spreadsheet to be produced was disappointed to be given no answer whatsoever, so decided to keep and improve the cosmetics my car deserved.
Spend more money each year having the BMW serviced to keep the warranty.
Car pic as bought and as it is now
I bought my 1994 Chimaera 500 in 2005 as a 50th birthday present to myself, had gone through a difficult 3 years, had got my life back together and felt I deserved my boyhood dream.
The car was bought as a trade sale from a classic car specialist who was selling it for a friend who had lost a leg in a motorcycle accident, wanted it gone asap
.
Paid 10K for it, a solid car but a bit tatty around the edges, 33k miles on the clock and a file of receipts for service, MOT. – it had been upgraded from a 4L to 5L car in 96 along with some head work and brake upgrade
The car had a piggy back ecu to control timing etc and a bespoke manifold and exhaust system which was way too loud – the original exhaust system came with the car, so ripped out the ecu mod and put it all back to standard – it drove a lot better and still loud enough.
For the first 10 years just enjoyed it, doing around 5000 miles a year, never failed a MOT but kept on top of any advisories or niggles, apart from the annual service at a specialist – probably spending around £250 per year to keep on top of any issues – did the spanner work myself except for a clutch in 2015 which was around £1000.00 and the biggest bill I had had
.
In 2016 got fed up with the tatty bits – still looked good from across the road but closer inspection revealed the paintwork getting worse – a stone chipped front, lacquer coming off in sheets at the back so decided on a re-paint – took the opportunity to fit mk3 fared in headlights and mk3 mirrors and a friend painted the car original colour £3500 – and a great job – while in the paint shop had a new hood made by someone in Swansea – another £380
.
2017 MOT and advisories on outriggers starting to look a bit rusty – no messing about booked into Neil Gardiner for replacement outriggers – just over £2000 – and a great job, usual story when the old ones were removed – looked ok underneath but a few holes starting to appear on top
.
2018 carpets very faded and starting to look a bit sad – into South West Trimmers – around £700 – and a great job
So, just into 2019 – MOT time and another pass so this year having a new dash as the original is getting a few splits around the heater control and will soon be dead
.
So yes, the big decision was in 2016 – either option was a wedge of money, but after looking around could not find anything close to providing the grin factor as my beloved Chimaera. The final straw was at the Goodwood Revival and the launch of the new TVR, after seeing the car, a brief discussion with my wife over coffee I returned to the stand with Debit Card in hand. I asked just 2 questions, what number would I be on the list and when would the build start, expecting a spreadsheet to be produced was disappointed to be given no answer whatsoever, so decided to keep and improve the cosmetics my car deserved.
Spend more money each year having the BMW serviced to keep the warranty.
Car pic as bought and as it is now
It's clear to see the different camps our cars and us as owners are in. Spending money to; fix it, keep it going, uprate or the really big money going into FULL REBUILDS.
I think it's worth pointing out to prospective new owners that buying our cars isn't the necessary money pit these post might suggest it to be. If you buy 'goodun' and what to just enjoy it for what it is from the factory, then u don't think there's are better bang for buck than one of our cars...what else compares?
But then again, if you're the kinda person who wants perfection, a full rebuild and "diamond' polishing of upgrades......then one again, I don't think there's a better bang for buck out there!
It's a WIN WIN what ever camp your in!
...at least that what I'm telling myself.
I think it's worth pointing out to prospective new owners that buying our cars isn't the necessary money pit these post might suggest it to be. If you buy 'goodun' and what to just enjoy it for what it is from the factory, then u don't think there's are better bang for buck than one of our cars...what else compares?
But then again, if you're the kinda person who wants perfection, a full rebuild and "diamond' polishing of upgrades......then one again, I don't think there's a better bang for buck out there!
It's a WIN WIN what ever camp your in!
...at least that what I'm telling myself.
BeastMaster said:
Thought I would write up my TVR story as this thread is very apt as I approach my 64th Birthday next week.
I bought my 1994 Chimaera 500 in 2005 as a 50th birthday present to myself, had gone through a difficult 3 years, had got my life back together and felt I deserved my boyhood dream.
The car was bought as a trade sale from a classic car specialist who was selling it for a friend who had lost a leg in a motorcycle accident, wanted it gone asap
.
Paid 10K for it, a solid car but a bit tatty around the edges, 33k miles on the clock and a file of receipts for service, MOT. – it had been upgraded from a 4L to 5L car in 96 along with some head work and brake upgrade
The car had a piggy back ecu to control timing etc and a bespoke manifold and exhaust system which was way too loud – the original exhaust system came with the car, so ripped out the ecu mod and put it all back to standard – it drove a lot better and still loud enough.
For the first 10 years just enjoyed it, doing around 5000 miles a year, never failed a MOT but kept on top of any advisories or niggles, apart from the annual service at a specialist – probably spending around £250 per year to keep on top of any issues – did the spanner work myself except for a clutch in 2015 which was around £1000.00 and the biggest bill I had had
.
In 2016 got fed up with the tatty bits – still looked good from across the road but closer inspection revealed the paintwork getting worse – a stone chipped front, lacquer coming off in sheets at the back so decided on a re-paint – took the opportunity to fit mk3 fared in headlights and mk3 mirrors and a friend painted the car original colour £3500 – and a great job – while in the paint shop had a new hood made by someone in Swansea – another £380
.
2017 MOT and advisories on outriggers starting to look a bit rusty – no messing about booked into Neil Gardiner for replacement outriggers – just over £2000 – and a great job, usual story when the old ones were removed – looked ok underneath but a few holes starting to appear on top
.
2018 carpets very faded and starting to look a bit sad – into South West Trimmers – around £700 – and a great job
So, just into 2019 – MOT time and another pass so this year having a new dash as the original is getting a few splits around the heater control and will soon be dead
.
So yes, the big decision was in 2016 – either option was a wedge of money, but after looking around could not find anything close to providing the grin factor as my beloved Chimaera. The final straw was at the Goodwood Revival and the launch of the new TVR, after seeing the car, a brief discussion with my wife over coffee I returned to the stand with Debit Card in hand. I asked just 2 questions, what number would I be on the list and when would the build start, expecting a spreadsheet to be produced was disappointed to be given no answer whatsoever, so decided to keep and improve the cosmetics my car deserved.
Spend more money each year having the BMW serviced to keep the warranty.
Car pic as bought and as it is now
Tales like this are just the best. I bought my 1994 Chimaera 500 in 2005 as a 50th birthday present to myself, had gone through a difficult 3 years, had got my life back together and felt I deserved my boyhood dream.
The car was bought as a trade sale from a classic car specialist who was selling it for a friend who had lost a leg in a motorcycle accident, wanted it gone asap
.
Paid 10K for it, a solid car but a bit tatty around the edges, 33k miles on the clock and a file of receipts for service, MOT. – it had been upgraded from a 4L to 5L car in 96 along with some head work and brake upgrade
The car had a piggy back ecu to control timing etc and a bespoke manifold and exhaust system which was way too loud – the original exhaust system came with the car, so ripped out the ecu mod and put it all back to standard – it drove a lot better and still loud enough.
For the first 10 years just enjoyed it, doing around 5000 miles a year, never failed a MOT but kept on top of any advisories or niggles, apart from the annual service at a specialist – probably spending around £250 per year to keep on top of any issues – did the spanner work myself except for a clutch in 2015 which was around £1000.00 and the biggest bill I had had
.
In 2016 got fed up with the tatty bits – still looked good from across the road but closer inspection revealed the paintwork getting worse – a stone chipped front, lacquer coming off in sheets at the back so decided on a re-paint – took the opportunity to fit mk3 fared in headlights and mk3 mirrors and a friend painted the car original colour £3500 – and a great job – while in the paint shop had a new hood made by someone in Swansea – another £380
.
2017 MOT and advisories on outriggers starting to look a bit rusty – no messing about booked into Neil Gardiner for replacement outriggers – just over £2000 – and a great job, usual story when the old ones were removed – looked ok underneath but a few holes starting to appear on top
.
2018 carpets very faded and starting to look a bit sad – into South West Trimmers – around £700 – and a great job
So, just into 2019 – MOT time and another pass so this year having a new dash as the original is getting a few splits around the heater control and will soon be dead
.
So yes, the big decision was in 2016 – either option was a wedge of money, but after looking around could not find anything close to providing the grin factor as my beloved Chimaera. The final straw was at the Goodwood Revival and the launch of the new TVR, after seeing the car, a brief discussion with my wife over coffee I returned to the stand with Debit Card in hand. I asked just 2 questions, what number would I be on the list and when would the build start, expecting a spreadsheet to be produced was disappointed to be given no answer whatsoever, so decided to keep and improve the cosmetics my car deserved.
Spend more money each year having the BMW serviced to keep the warranty.
Car pic as bought and as it is now
More than one way to skin a cat and long term ownership is often at the heart of most things that are good.
I often bang on about improvements but they are just as good if carefully looked after without any real changes, testament to a good design although I draw the line on the engine management!
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