High mileage chimaera

[phazed]

Probably go ok with the speed 6 lights.....

Gratuitous RL7 wheel photo o/s local theatre yesterday. I've been using the chim as a daily and squeezed several little runouts everyday over the last week since the weather has been less hot! Think I've used at least £200 of fuel........think I've fallen in love with it again.........

[Integroo]

All these pictures are making it hard for me to want anything other than a TVR

This may be controversial, but I may prefer the standard lights to the Speed 6 lights ...

[blaze_away]

Classic Chim said:

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.

Cheers Alun, that will be mine.

I bought on condition. I had a chim before and spannered everything myself so knew what and importantly "how" to assess the car.
Go through stuff methodically eg test everything you can all the electrics, get it up on a trolley jack and check every corner and feel every bit of the chassis you can get at, listen to the engine with a stethoscope, smell the oil and water...etc. dont be fooled by paperwork its nice but ultimately meaningless at these ages.

Mine is 240k miles and is better by miles than my previous 38k chim because its used but well looked after.

Dont be worried by the numbers on the clock high or low just spend time inspecting it thoroughly. If you arent confident or capable get someone who is to assess it for you.

Hope it goes well once you've had one you wont ever want to let it go.

[Squirrelofwoe]

Integroo said:

All these pictures are making it hard for me to want anything other than a TVR

This may be controversial, but I may prefer the standard lights to the Speed 6 lights ...

Not controversial at all, most do prefer the standard ones- I used to be the same but actually prefer the speed-6 ones now!

[TV8]

phazed said:

Probably go ok with the speed 6 lights.....

Gratuitous RL7 wheel photo o/s local theatre yesterday. I've been using the chim as a daily and squeezed several little runouts everyday over the last week since the weather has been less hot! Think I've used at least £200 of fuel........think I've fallen in love with it again.........

Hi Peter,

I do hope that your local high st is not like my local high st. They have Scameras to track people parking where they shouldn't be. I got a fine for parking in a 10 min loading bay and not visibly loading anything in the car.

[rockits]

Integroo said:

All these pictures are making it hard for me to want anything other than a TVR

This may be controversial, but I may prefer the standard lights to the Speed 6 lights ...

If we were all the same the world would be a dull place

I am fairly neutral and don't find the original Mk1's an issue. However I would say I prefer the Mk2 best with Speed6 front and updated Mk2 rears. Then secondly a Mk2 again with Mk3 fronts then Mk2 rears with the original Mk1 front & rears last on my list.

On a Tuscan though I prefer Mk1.

[phazed]

Hi Graham. No, this is Dorking! We have only recently increased from one traffic warden to two!

[Classic Chim]

blaze_away said:

Cheers Alun, that will be mine.

I bought on condition. I had a chim before and spannered everything myself so knew what and importantly "how" to assess the car.
Go through stuff methodically eg test everything you can all the electrics, get it up on a trolley jack and check every corner and feel every bit of the chassis you can get at, listen to the engine with a stethoscope, smell the oil and water...etc. dont be fooled by paperwork its nice but ultimately meaningless at these ages.

Mine is 240k miles and is better by miles than my previous 38k chim because its used but well looked after.

Dont be worried by the numbers on the clock high or low just spend time inspecting it thoroughly. If you arent confident or capable get someone who is to assess it for you.

Hope it goes well once you've had one you wont ever want to let it go.

Yep, very impressive machine.

This is possibly the best advice. It’s a second hand car so go with an open mind and check everything.
The higher the price the less you should have to do would be my way of looking at it. If a 20k car is what is says it is it should be drivable for years barring service work and minor repairs.

[Integroo]

Classic Chim said:

blaze_away said:

Cheers Alun, that will be mine.

I bought on condition. I had a chim before and spannered everything myself so knew what and importantly "how" to assess the car.
Go through stuff methodically eg test everything you can all the electrics, get it up on a trolley jack and check every corner and feel every bit of the chassis you can get at, listen to the engine with a stethoscope, smell the oil and water...etc. dont be fooled by paperwork its nice but ultimately meaningless at these ages.

Mine is 240k miles and is better by miles than my previous 38k chim because its used but well looked after.

Dont be worried by the numbers on the clock high or low just spend time inspecting it thoroughly. If you arent confident or capable get someone who is to assess it for you.

Hope it goes well once you've had one you wont ever want to let it go.

Yep, very impressive machine.

This is possibly the best advice. It’s a second hand car so go with an open mind and check everything.
The higher the price the less you should have to do would be my way of looking at it. If a 20k car is what is says it is it should be drivable for years barring service work and minor repairs.

This is exactly the reason I am paying a specialist to inspect it for me. I wouldn't know how to do much more than giving it a once over to make sure the electrics etc. work, making sure it starts, drives and stops, have a precursory poke around to make sure it doesn't look rusty, listen for any odd noises and check there is no gunk under the filler cap!

Though at £250 a pop I don't think I'll be having many more inspected if this one isn't decent ...

[blaze_away]

Couldnt you take a look first to see if it "passes" your inpection then get ya £250 man to look at it after that ?

[Integroo]

blaze_away said:

Couldnt you take a look first to see if it "passes" your inpection then get ya £250 man to look at it after that ?

Yes it's just trying to find the time to travel twice...

[rockits]

blaze_away said:

Couldnt you take a look first to see if it "passes" your inpection then get ya £250 man to look at it after that ?

Agree with that as I have often done the same. I have bought 90% myself as been handy enough and happy enough that a car was good. On certain cars I have got a PPI done when required.

[Classic Chim]

phazed said:

Probably go ok with the speed 6 lights.....

Gratuitous RL7 wheel photo o/s local theatre yesterday. I've been using the chim as a daily and squeezed several little runouts everyday over the last week since the weather has been less hot! Think I've used at least £200 of fuel........think I've fallen in love with it again.........

That polishes up smart with a lovely rich glow to it, pucker car.

[phazed]

I spent about a day with a dual action polisher plus various compounds, anti-swirl, intermediate stuff and final polish and it looks fantastic! Really pleased.

[Classic Chim]

phazed said:

I spent about a day with a dual action polisher plus various compounds, anti-swirl, intermediate stuff and final polish and it looks fantastic! Really pleased.

It shows. Great work

[Integroo]

So, the car is a no go. Phil rung me up to say the engine was actually fairly sweet with comprehensive service history - but everything else was poor. Generally rough condition, interior in poor condition with worn carpets and random bits of trim that were broken or loose, bodywork in poor condition, outriggers were welded but a total bodge for £300 both sides, diff was leaking and noisy, clutch was high and probably needed replacement, suspension was knocking. He didn't even describe everything that was wrong with it - I said not to bother. He said it didn't look like a garaged car at all.

Suggested that for 4k it might be fine to just chuck about for a bit, but the guy suggested he wouldn't go below 7k and even for 4k, it would be pretty rough and I'd probably hate it.

Shame really. Phil's view is that anything under 10k is likely to be rough and if I want a Chimaera I should be upping my budget. His suggestion - buy a Porsche Boxster!

Lots to ponder ...

[rockits]

Integroo said:

So, the car is a no go. Phil rung me up to say the engine was actually fairly sweet with comprehensive service history - but everything else was poor. Generally rough condition, interior in poor condition with worn carpets and random bits of trim that were broken or loose, bodywork in poor condition, outriggers were welded but a total bodge for £300 both sides, diff was leaking and noisy, clutch was high and probably needed replacement, suspension was knocking. He didn't even describe everything that was wrong with it - I said not to bother. He said it didn't look like a garaged car at all.

Suggested that for 4k it might be fine to just chuck about for a bit, but the guy suggested he wouldn't go below 7k and even for 4k, it would be pretty rough and I'd probably hate it.

Shame really. Phil's view is that anything under 10k is likely to be rough and if I want a Chimaera I should be upping my budget. His suggestion - buy a Porsche Boxster!

Lots to ponder ...

That is a shame. I was going to say that from the engine bay it didn't look like a car that was garaged. You can normally tell. I can tell the difference between my garaged cars and the daily left outside quite easily.

It was my fear that a sub £10k Chimaera could be a little rough. I have seen a few similar now. My first was good and the 2nd also good. You certainly don't want a rough one.

LOL, I had a 987 Boxster 3.2 S manual a few years back. I know a few that have gone the same route. I really enjoyed it and it was a great car. Even then I still found it a little dull/boring compared to a TVR or a Maserati. I think a Boxster is a great daily but not sure it has that extra special something as a 3rd occasional car. Still a little too Germanic and teutonic for me but a great car for sure.

I am just going through and scanning/PDF'ing all the history on my car to get it ready for sale on the open market. I think I have made my mind to step up the TVR ladder! Trouble is the A4 file is massive and it is going to take me ages. Good thing I guess though. I can see recent bills for new clutch, new outriggers (done properly!), new roof, new back screen, loads of stuff.

Your welcome to send Phil over to have a look. I am sure he wouldn't charge much as I am only a few miles away from Enfield just outside Potters Bar.

I am easy either way but the option is there for you if you wanted.

[Integroo]

rockits said:

That is a shame. I was going to say that from the engine bay it didn't look like a car that was garaged. You can normally tell. I can tell the difference between my garaged cars and the daily left outside quite easily.

It was my fear that a sub £10k Chimaera could be a little rough. I have seen a few similar now. My first was good and the 2nd also good. You certainly don't want a rough one.

LOL, I had a 987 Boxster 3.2 S manual a few years back. I know a few that have gone the same route. I really enjoyed it and it was a great car. Even then I still found it a little dull/boring compared to a TVR or a Maserati. I think a Boxster is a great daily but not sure it has that extra special something as a 3rd occasional car. Still a little too Germanic and teutonic for me but a great car for sure.

I am just going through and scanning/PDF'ing all the history on my car to get it ready for sale on the open market. I think I have made my mind to step up the TVR ladder! Trouble is the A4 file is massive and it is going to take me ages. Good thing I guess though. I can see recent bills for new clutch, new outriggers (done properly!), new roof, new back screen, loads of stuff.

Your welcome to send Phil over to have a look. I am sure he wouldn't charge much as I am only a few miles away from Enfield just outside Potters Bar.

I am easy either way but the option is there for you if you wanted.

Okay. I need to think about whether I really want to up my budget or whether I should be looking at different cars closer to my original budget (Alfa GTV / Alfa Spyder / Porsche Boxster / Z4 3.0 etc.). Let me know when the advert is up and I will take a look - Phil said that if in future I was to send him on an inspection, I should send the advert to him first and he would ring the seller to ask a few questions free of charge to make sure I am not wasting my money on an inspection. Or, alternatively, I would come out myself first.

Phil's view was that a lot of people like the idea of a TVR, but for people that have never owned one before they quickly become quite tiring once they do actually buy one, and the way prices have went recently they aren't great value anymore ...

How ruinous has your Maserati been to run? Those 4200 coupes are truly gorgeous ...

[Jon Brown]

Integroo said:

Okay. I need to think about whether I really want to up my budget or whether I should be looking at different cars closer to my original budget (Alfa GTV / Alfa Spyder / Porsche Boxster / Z4 3.0 etc.). Let me know when the advert is up and I will take a look - Phil said that if in future I was to send him on an inspection, I should send the advert to him first and he would ring the seller to ask a few questions free of charge to make sure I am not wasting my money on an inspection. Or, alternatively, I would come out myself first.

Phil's view was that a lot of people like the idea of a TVR, but for people that have never owned one before they quickly become quite tiring once they do actually buy one, and the way prices have went recently they aren't great value anymore ...

How ruinous has your Maserati been to run? Those 4200 coupes are truly gorgeous ...

For comparison my brother has a boxster S (986) which he has had for 10 years, plenty of very chunky big bills in that time. The problem with Porsche's are the parts are a lot, have a look at the parts cost, if your handy with a spanner a Chimaera will likely be far cheaper to run, providing you can find a reasonable one to start with. Although the boxster would probably make a better daily

When I brought mine (now sold and hoping to replace) I was originally looking at Celica GT4s as I thought I couldn't afford a chimaera. When I looked at the cost of brakes, suspension etc again the TVR parts were massively cheaper. Granted more parts needed replacing because the TVR was at cheaper end but at least I knew that those parts had been done and who had done it (mostly me).

[Integroo]

Jon Brown said:

For comparison my brother has a boxster S (986) which he has had for 10 years, plenty of very chunky big bills in that time. The problem with Porsche's are the parts are a lot, have a look at the parts cost, if your handy with a spanner a Chimaera will likely be far cheaper to run, providing you can find a reasonable one to start with. Although the boxster would probably make a better daily

When I brought mine (now sold and hoping to replace) I was originally looking at Celica GT4s as I thought I couldn't afford a chimaera. When I looked at the cost of brakes, suspension etc again the TVR parts were massively cheaper. Granted more parts needed replacing because the TVR was at cheaper end but at least I knew that those parts had been done and who had done it (mostly me).

The biggest problem for me is the insurance on a Boxster S is close to £1400 a year! Affordable, but not what I would call good value. Chimaera was £650 and Wedge £250 ...

It is not so much the cost of running a Chimaera that is the problem, but whether I want to spend what it takes to buy a good one in the first place. If I bought a decent one, the running costs would be fine. (Though I would do no work myself!).

Thing is, there is very little else out there under ten grand that fits my requirements - two seater convertible with a big engine ...