High mileage chimaera
Discussion
as a high mileage owner i must say
a high mileage car should have already gone through all the repairs and upgrades automatically, just from the fact of its age and mileage
the engine will run on a replacement cam...or even the 2nd replacement....the chassis theoretically should already have replacement outriggers...and all the other bits%piecres which coudl wear should have been replaced too (shocks, brakes suspension bushes)
if not, that would be a risk.
you need to go through the histroy oif the car...hope there is a folder available?
a high mileage car should have already gone through all the repairs and upgrades automatically, just from the fact of its age and mileage
the engine will run on a replacement cam...or even the 2nd replacement....the chassis theoretically should already have replacement outriggers...and all the other bits%piecres which coudl wear should have been replaced too (shocks, brakes suspension bushes)
if not, that would be a risk.
you need to go through the histroy oif the car...hope there is a folder available?
LLantrisant said:
as a high mileage owner i must say
a high mileage car should have already gone through all the repairs and upgrades automatically, just from the fact of its age and mileage
the engine will run on a replacement cam...or even the 2nd replacement....the chassis theoretically should already have replacement outriggers...and all the other bits%piecres which coudl wear should have been replaced too (shocks, brakes suspension bushes)
if not, that would be a risk.
you need to go through the histroy oif the car...hope there is a folder available?
There is a folder with paperwork neatly in poly pockets. Only concern is low mileage in recent years - it did 80k between 1995 and 2006 and then 20k between 2006 and 2019. He says it has plenty of bills - including for reconditioned PAS in 2013 which is apparently an expensive joba high mileage car should have already gone through all the repairs and upgrades automatically, just from the fact of its age and mileage
the engine will run on a replacement cam...or even the 2nd replacement....the chassis theoretically should already have replacement outriggers...and all the other bits%piecres which coudl wear should have been replaced too (shocks, brakes suspension bushes)
if not, that would be a risk.
you need to go through the histroy oif the car...hope there is a folder available?
Edited by Integroo on Wednesday 7th August 09:03
Edited by Integroo on Wednesday 7th August 09:06
Integroo said:
There is a folder with paperwork neatly in poly pockets. Only concern is low mileage in recent years - it did 80k between 1995 and 2006 and then 20k between 2006 and 2019. He says it has plenty of bills - including for reconditioned PAS in 2013 which is apparently an expensive job
I wouldn't be overly concerned of only 20k miles as at 1500 per year it is enough use to keep it OK.The PAS thing is not so much of a big thing either really as that is a fairly normal long term expense and was done 6 years ago. My worry would be more around what else has or has not been done in the last 6 years or more. You only need a few jobs that need doing that haven't been done and this £8k Chimaera ends up being £10k, £12k or more quite quickly. Then it is no longer a cheap Chimaera. I paid circa £12k for mine and I think I would get the same back again if I sold. It is an S/1998 Mk2 car with 85k miles and full history with nice Speed 6 front end. Just as a comparison to give you an idea.
Are you quite handy with a spanner and can do works yourself or would be relying on specialists all the time?
The only thing that seems a little weird is a nice Chimaera has been up for sale since April at less than £8k and not sold during the golden sale months. Might be due to the slow market or maybe people have viewed and decided not to buy for what ever reason.
Maybe ask him if he has had any viewings or any offers. I would have thought a decent enough Chimaera at this price would have been snapped up pretty quickly.
Maybe ask him if he has had any viewings or any offers. I would have thought a decent enough Chimaera at this price would have been snapped up pretty quickly.
rockits said:
I wouldn't be overly concerned of only 20k miles as at 1500 per year it is enough use to keep it OK.
The PAS thing is not so much of a big thing either really as that is a fairly normal long term expense and was done 6 years ago. My worry would be more around what else has or has not been done in the last 6 years or more. You only need a few jobs that need doing that haven't been done and this £8k Chimaera ends up being £10k, £12k or more quite quickly. Then it is no longer a cheap Chimaera. I paid circa £12k for mine and I think I would get the same back again if I sold. It is an S/1998 Mk2 car with 85k miles and full history with nice Speed 6 front end. Just as a comparison to give you an idea.
Are you quite handy with a spanner and can do works yourself or would be relying on specialists all the time?
Sadly I am neither handy with spanners nor do I have the time or space to become handy for spanners, so would be relying on specialists. I would give small things a go if I could but wouldn't bet on it. I presume that a non-specialist could do the more straightforward jobs, brakes etc, and use a specialist for servicing and any difficult jobs? I'll need to check if there is a specialist near me in SE London - particularly as I don't have a lot of time to take the car to one, as I work pretty long hours !The PAS thing is not so much of a big thing either really as that is a fairly normal long term expense and was done 6 years ago. My worry would be more around what else has or has not been done in the last 6 years or more. You only need a few jobs that need doing that haven't been done and this £8k Chimaera ends up being £10k, £12k or more quite quickly. Then it is no longer a cheap Chimaera. I paid circa £12k for mine and I think I would get the same back again if I sold. It is an S/1998 Mk2 car with 85k miles and full history with nice Speed 6 front end. Just as a comparison to give you an idea.
Are you quite handy with a spanner and can do works yourself or would be relying on specialists all the time?
Phil's view is that his inspections normally save buyers money as a list of things that need fixed is a good negotiating tool. Obviously it is a 25 year old sports car so you would be a bit of a tool to try and chip for everything but if it needs some more significant bits there may be an opportunity to negotiate the price downwards, particularly if the guy has been trying to shift it for a while.
You make a good point though - would it be better to spend 12k on a lower mileage one that may need less done and will hold its value? Thing is, there is no guarantee that a 12k car wouldn't need 4k of work and make it a 16k car ...
My biggest concern this morning is I went out to check my so far unused space in my underground parking - a battered Kia Rio with a disabled badge and a million scuffs is parked in the middle of my space and what I presume is his space beside me! With a stone pillar either side of the two spaces. Not where I would choose to park my pride and joy ...
rockits said:
The only thing that seems a little weird is a nice Chimaera has been up for sale since April at less than £8k and not sold during the golden sale months. Might be due to the slow market or maybe people have viewed and decided not to buy for what ever reason.
Maybe ask him if he has had any viewings or any offers. I would have thought a decent enough Chimaera at this price would have been snapped up pretty quickly.
Yes, little weird, but not clear that it has been for sale that whole time. Also, Phil told me it has been a very slow summer for car sales. Maybe ask him if he has had any viewings or any offers. I would have thought a decent enough Chimaera at this price would have been snapped up pretty quickly.
Integroo said:
Sadly I am neither handy with spanners nor do I have the time or space to become handy for spanners, so would be relying on specialists. I would give small things a go if I could but wouldn't bet on it. I presume that a non-specialist could do the more straightforward jobs, brakes etc, and use a specialist for servicing and any difficult jobs? I'll need to check if there is a specialist near me in SE London - particularly as I don't have a lot of time to take the car to one, as I work pretty long hours !
Phil's view is that his inspections normally save buyers money as a list of things that need fixed is a good negotiating tool. Obviously it is a 25 year old sports car so you would be a bit of a tool to try and chip for everything but if it needs some more significant bits there may be an opportunity to negotiate the price downwards, particularly if the guy has been trying to shift it for a while.
You make a good point though - would it be better to spend 12k on a lower mileage one that may need less done and will hold its value? Thing is, there is no guarantee that a 12k car wouldn't need 4k of work and make it a 16k car ...
My biggest concern this morning is I went out to check my so far unused space in my underground parking - a battered Kia Rio with a disabled badge and a million scuffs is parked in the middle of my space and what I presume is his space beside me! With a stone pillar either side of the two spaces. Not where I would choose to park my pride and joy ...
You have a few TVR specialists your way so should be well catered for.Phil's view is that his inspections normally save buyers money as a list of things that need fixed is a good negotiating tool. Obviously it is a 25 year old sports car so you would be a bit of a tool to try and chip for everything but if it needs some more significant bits there may be an opportunity to negotiate the price downwards, particularly if the guy has been trying to shift it for a while.
You make a good point though - would it be better to spend 12k on a lower mileage one that may need less done and will hold its value? Thing is, there is no guarantee that a 12k car wouldn't need 4k of work and make it a 16k car ...
My biggest concern this morning is I went out to check my so far unused space in my underground parking - a battered Kia Rio with a disabled badge and a million scuffs is parked in the middle of my space and what I presume is his space beside me! With a stone pillar either side of the two spaces. Not where I would choose to park my pride and joy ...
Elite TVR - Belvedere
Elmwood TVR - Epsom
Taylor TVR - Aylesford
Mole Valley - Dorking
TVR101 - Dorking
Bespoke - Ware
A decent Chimaera when looked after regularly/annually by a specialist with the RV8 shouldn't give you too many issues. I agree Phil should be able to find issues and help negotiate a better price. However at £7750 I am not sure there is much room to push the price further south regardless of what is found. It is pretty much on the floor of what a Chimaera will sell for so not sure it can go lower.
I used to think cheaper car was better and do some work myself to add value. However I changed quite a lot when I was looking for a 4200 and bought the very best 4200 I could find full stop. I am very glad I did and it is still the very best 4200 you could find IMHO. It has not cost much to upkeep and is worth top money as is a top car. I am not saying you should do this on a Chimaera but a cheap Chimaera will always be a cheap Chimaera unless you do something substantial to it to improve its value massively. A better Chimaera might cost a few k more to start with but should cost less to run in the next few years and will always be worth that few k more than the cheaper one. Sometimes a cheap one unless good enough just doesn't make sense.
I haven't decided what I am doing with mine yet as not decided what I would replace it with. Another thread! However I am just about to have it serviced with Bespoke in a couple of weeks. Anything needing doing will be done and it would be circa £12.5k I guess if I sold. Maybe less if the Bespoke bill is less. Phil is very local to me and I have a lift at home so you are more than welcome to get him to view it here or at Bespoke is also an option.
It is a lovely car in a lovely colour with the nicer Speed 6 front end IMHO. Just a possible option for you to compare if I pull my finger out and decide what I am doing to replace it!
Edited by rockits on Wednesday 7th August 10:00
One with around 240,000 on the clock pushed to within a few tenths of my time for the 1/4 mile
Admittedly it’s not the original engine but all the same
Triggers broom and upgraded ta boot, re done chassis, tubular wishbones, loads of really good mods,
It’s all in the detail of any given car.
Admittedly it’s not the original engine but all the same
Triggers broom and upgraded ta boot, re done chassis, tubular wishbones, loads of really good mods,
It’s all in the detail of any given car.
These cars can be a bit of a gamble at most price points (except for perhaps the very top end).
I paid £12k for mine at approx 68k miles, with an extensive list of stuff already covered. The previous owner had done (in the last couple of years);
-new outriggers
-new clutch
-new roof
-new Gaz Gold suspension fitted
-interior re-trim ('orrible carpet door trims replaced with leather etc)
-later style rear lights fitted
-receipts for religiously followed service intervals
Receipts that totaled around £8k in the 3 years he owned it.
In the 3 years that I've had it I've had done;
-new battery, cables, levan jump-start kit fitted
-fusebox re-located for better access
-suspension and geo setup
-new radiator
-new brake discs & pads
-new fuel pump
-new engine mounts
-new camshaft & waterpump with all ancillaries
-plus all of the routine services including 6k & 12k.
Which has totaled around another £5k.
Then in the last 3 months it went in to a specialist to investigate an odd engine noise and is now in the process of having pretty much a full engine rebuild as when stripped down they found (among other things)
-badly worn valve seals
-knackered piston rings
-worn con-rod bearings
No idea yet as to the cost of that little lot, but as it's been a full engine-out, heads-off job, it's unlikely to be unremarkable.
So the previous owner did 3 years, 2,000 miles, and spent £8k, and so far I have managed 3 years, 12,000 miles and will shortly have spent circa £10k+ Oh and one of the things that was factored into the price I paid for it is that it could do with a re-spray at some point as the bodywork isn't the cleanest out there- that is still to come
If I was looking for another, I would either want the cheapest one out there with plenty of budget scope for remedial work, or one at the higher end that had receipts for major chassis work and probably an engine rebuild. I tried to gamble on what appeared to be a very good purchase somewhere in the middle and lost.
I fully subscribe to the idea that higher mileage cars are no problem (and in some cases preferable), providing the use has been regular. Looking back at the mileage history of mine, I can see it did around 56k miles in its first 11 years, then just 12k miles in the next 10 years, with some of those barely covering 100 miles in a year.
Also, as alluded to by another poster, the mileage counter getting stuck at certain points is a very common issue on these cars- not really a big deal, but worth keeping in mind when looking- particularly if deciding whether or not to pay a premium for one of (the many) low mileage examples out there...
Anyway, my main takeaway from all of this: I am not very good at buying TVRs
I paid £12k for mine at approx 68k miles, with an extensive list of stuff already covered. The previous owner had done (in the last couple of years);
-new outriggers
-new clutch
-new roof
-new Gaz Gold suspension fitted
-interior re-trim ('orrible carpet door trims replaced with leather etc)
-later style rear lights fitted
-receipts for religiously followed service intervals
Receipts that totaled around £8k in the 3 years he owned it.
In the 3 years that I've had it I've had done;
-new battery, cables, levan jump-start kit fitted
-fusebox re-located for better access
-suspension and geo setup
-new radiator
-new brake discs & pads
-new fuel pump
-new engine mounts
-new camshaft & waterpump with all ancillaries
-plus all of the routine services including 6k & 12k.
Which has totaled around another £5k.
Then in the last 3 months it went in to a specialist to investigate an odd engine noise and is now in the process of having pretty much a full engine rebuild as when stripped down they found (among other things)
-badly worn valve seals
-knackered piston rings
-worn con-rod bearings
No idea yet as to the cost of that little lot, but as it's been a full engine-out, heads-off job, it's unlikely to be unremarkable.
So the previous owner did 3 years, 2,000 miles, and spent £8k, and so far I have managed 3 years, 12,000 miles and will shortly have spent circa £10k+ Oh and one of the things that was factored into the price I paid for it is that it could do with a re-spray at some point as the bodywork isn't the cleanest out there- that is still to come
If I was looking for another, I would either want the cheapest one out there with plenty of budget scope for remedial work, or one at the higher end that had receipts for major chassis work and probably an engine rebuild. I tried to gamble on what appeared to be a very good purchase somewhere in the middle and lost.
I fully subscribe to the idea that higher mileage cars are no problem (and in some cases preferable), providing the use has been regular. Looking back at the mileage history of mine, I can see it did around 56k miles in its first 11 years, then just 12k miles in the next 10 years, with some of those barely covering 100 miles in a year.
Also, as alluded to by another poster, the mileage counter getting stuck at certain points is a very common issue on these cars- not really a big deal, but worth keeping in mind when looking- particularly if deciding whether or not to pay a premium for one of (the many) low mileage examples out there...
Anyway, my main takeaway from all of this: I am not very good at buying TVRs
Squirrelofwoe said:
These cars can be a bit of a gamble at most price points (except for perhaps the very top end).
I paid £12k for mine at approx 68k miles, with an extensive list of stuff already covered. The previous owner had done (in the last couple of years);
-new outriggers
-new clutch
-new roof
-new Gaz Gold suspension fitted
-interior re-trim ('orrible carpet door trims replaced with leather etc)
-later style rear lights fitted
-receipts for religiously followed service intervals
Receipts that totaled around £8k in the 3 years he owned it.
In the 3 years that I've had it I've had done;
-new battery, cables, levan jump-start kit fitted
-fusebox re-located for better access
-suspension and geo setup
-new radiator
-new brake discs & pads
-new fuel pump
-new engine mounts
-new camshaft & waterpump with all ancillaries
-plus all of the routine services including 6k & 12k.
Which has totaled around another £5k.
Then in the last 3 months it went in to a specialist to investigate an odd engine noise and is now in the process of having pretty much a full engine rebuild as when stripped down they found (among other things)
-badly worn valve seals
-knackered piston rings
-worn con-rod bearings
No idea yet as to the cost of that little lot, but as it's been a full engine-out, heads-off job, it's unlikely to be unremarkable.
So the previous owner did 3 years, 2,000 miles, and spent £8k, and so far I have managed 3 years, 12,000 miles and will shortly have spent circa £10k+ Oh and one of the things that was factored into the price I paid for it is that it could do with a re-spray at some point as the bodywork isn't the cleanest out there- that is still to come
If I was looking for another, I would either want the cheapest one out there with plenty of budget scope for remedial work, or one at the higher end that had receipts for major chassis work and probably an engine rebuild. I tried to gamble on what appeared to be a very good purchase somewhere in the middle and lost.
I fully subscribe to the idea that higher mileage cars are no problem (and in some cases preferable), providing the use has been regular. Looking back at the mileage history of mine, I can see it did around 56k miles in its first 11 years, then just 12k miles in the next 10 years, with some of those barely covering 100 miles in a year.
Also, as alluded to by another poster, the mileage counter getting stuck at certain points is a very common issue on these cars- not really a big deal, but worth keeping in mind when looking- particularly if deciding whether or not to pay a premium for one of (the many) low mileage examples out there...
Anyway, my main takeaway from all of this: I am not very good at buying TVRs
Thanks for the scare story I paid £12k for mine at approx 68k miles, with an extensive list of stuff already covered. The previous owner had done (in the last couple of years);
-new outriggers
-new clutch
-new roof
-new Gaz Gold suspension fitted
-interior re-trim ('orrible carpet door trims replaced with leather etc)
-later style rear lights fitted
-receipts for religiously followed service intervals
Receipts that totaled around £8k in the 3 years he owned it.
In the 3 years that I've had it I've had done;
-new battery, cables, levan jump-start kit fitted
-fusebox re-located for better access
-suspension and geo setup
-new radiator
-new brake discs & pads
-new fuel pump
-new engine mounts
-new camshaft & waterpump with all ancillaries
-plus all of the routine services including 6k & 12k.
Which has totaled around another £5k.
Then in the last 3 months it went in to a specialist to investigate an odd engine noise and is now in the process of having pretty much a full engine rebuild as when stripped down they found (among other things)
-badly worn valve seals
-knackered piston rings
-worn con-rod bearings
No idea yet as to the cost of that little lot, but as it's been a full engine-out, heads-off job, it's unlikely to be unremarkable.
So the previous owner did 3 years, 2,000 miles, and spent £8k, and so far I have managed 3 years, 12,000 miles and will shortly have spent circa £10k+ Oh and one of the things that was factored into the price I paid for it is that it could do with a re-spray at some point as the bodywork isn't the cleanest out there- that is still to come
If I was looking for another, I would either want the cheapest one out there with plenty of budget scope for remedial work, or one at the higher end that had receipts for major chassis work and probably an engine rebuild. I tried to gamble on what appeared to be a very good purchase somewhere in the middle and lost.
I fully subscribe to the idea that higher mileage cars are no problem (and in some cases preferable), providing the use has been regular. Looking back at the mileage history of mine, I can see it did around 56k miles in its first 11 years, then just 12k miles in the next 10 years, with some of those barely covering 100 miles in a year.
Also, as alluded to by another poster, the mileage counter getting stuck at certain points is a very common issue on these cars- not really a big deal, but worth keeping in mind when looking- particularly if deciding whether or not to pay a premium for one of (the many) low mileage examples out there...
Anyway, my main takeaway from all of this: I am not very good at buying TVRs
The car in question apparently had an over-reading odometer back in 06/07, so there is a mileage discrepancy. He says the real figure is genuinely 96k miles or there about ....Integroo said:
Thanks for the scare story The car in question apparently had an over-reading odometer back in 06/07, so there is a mileage discrepancy. He says the real figure is genuinely 96k miles or there about ....
So on the basis it might have also got stuck at some point, the displayed mileage could be bob-on! The car in question apparently had an over-reading odometer back in 06/07, so there is a mileage discrepancy. He says the real figure is genuinely 96k miles or there about ....
Not intended as a scare story, just an example of the potential costs involved if you get unlucky. I also thought it relevant as you mentioned you have neither the space nor inclination to work on the car yourself- I have the inclination but alas not currently the space or the time, so all of the above costs were at TVR specialist rates. A lot of that stuff could be DIY'd a lot cheaper as generally, the parts for these cars are not particularly expensive.
I've done small things myself- 100amp fuse change, alternator replacement, swapping the plastic interior fittings for aluminium ones etc, but that's about it, so I've had to pay accordingly.
Squirrelofwoe said:
So on the basis it might have also got stuck at some point, the displayed mileage could be bob-on!
Not intended as a scare story, just an example of the potential costs involved if you get unlucky. I also thought it relevant as you mentioned you have neither the space nor inclination to work on the car yourself- I have the inclination but alas not currently the space or the time, so all of the above costs were at TVR specialist rates. A lot of that stuff could be DIY'd a lot cheaper as generally, the parts for these cars are not particularly expensive.
I've done small things myself- 100amp fuse change, alternator replacement, swapping the plastic interior fittings for aluminium ones etc, but that's about it, so I've had to pay accordingly.
Could you not have got some of the more straightforward jobs - new brake discs & pads for example - done at a non-specialist? Not intended as a scare story, just an example of the potential costs involved if you get unlucky. I also thought it relevant as you mentioned you have neither the space nor inclination to work on the car yourself- I have the inclination but alas not currently the space or the time, so all of the above costs were at TVR specialist rates. A lot of that stuff could be DIY'd a lot cheaper as generally, the parts for these cars are not particularly expensive.
I've done small things myself- 100amp fuse change, alternator replacement, swapping the plastic interior fittings for aluminium ones etc, but that's about it, so I've had to pay accordingly.
Integroo said:
Could you not have got some of the more straightforward jobs - new brake discs & pads for example - done at a non-specialist?
Absolutely- that was merely because it was done whilst the car was in for other things. Particularly with the Chims & Griffs, a lot of stuff could be done at a non-specialist as they are not particularly complex cars. To be honest though, I don't feel there is a big price discrepancy between those garages with extensive history of servicing TVRs, and those that have never seen one before, so I've stuck to the established/recommended places.
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