High mileage chimaera
Discussion
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 ...
I should get some time over the weekend to scan everything so you can see it all in a PDF. It even has photo's of the original owner visiting the factory to see his car being built. I can send Phil some details for you when I have collated it all as well.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 ...
I think that any car in this budget regardless of Z4, Boxster, 4200, Alfa, TVR etc. can vary in price and quality. Buy a good one and it can cost much less to run than buying a bad one that will constantly need lifting/raising to a nice level over some years.
I have had 5 Maserat's now with 1 x QP and 4 x 4200's. They can be very kind to your wallet and at the other end of the scale empty it very quickly. It is a £75k-£80k car and is no cheaper to run now at 12+ years old than it was new or newer. I would say in the main a Rover V8 based Chimaera would be far cheaper to run than a 4200 generally. Much simpler car the TVR and still plenty of parts available. The Maserati's are starting to have some issues with parts availability similar to my old R129 SL500. I don't see the TVR suffering the same fate so much or so quickly.
The 4200 is cracking car and great VFM but can need some cash to keep them good. I have 2 x 4200's at the moment. One late 2007 car with 14k miles I am never selling and a nice 2005 facelift example I am just selling at the moment. I have a guy coming to see it tomorrow and another at the weekend. It is less than £15k and lovely.
I don't think a TVR especially a Rover V8 based Chimaera is the wrong car for you from what it sounds like you are looking for. I have been more than happy with both of my Chimaera's and another Chimaera is still in my shortlist to replace this one with. I am more than happy to keep a TVR in my garage long term. Also a 4200
You just need to find a decent TVR example and not a rough one. As long as you don;t go too cheap and get it inspected there shouldn't be any horrific surprises or issues.
phazed said:
Just about, 370z?
Bit modern and expensive, both to buy and insure (the buying more because they still have depreciation to do rather than the outright purchase price). It isn't so much I don't want to spend a lot, but if I was I would want to be on something that really stirred the soul like a Chimaera. I have looked at CLK500 - for 6k I can get a 302bhp V8. Not sure it is sufficiently exciting for a weekend car, and again expensive to insure.
The other option is to buy a clean Mk1 Mx5 and turbo it ...
Edited by Integroo on Thursday 8th August 13:05
if you compare a boxter and tvr , a tvr is much easier and cheaper to maintain, speaking of parts prices and maybe also labour costs.
if you are handy with a spanner a tvr can be fixed in your home garage, a boxter possibly not.
BUT: a Boxter is more reliable...(i´m just speaking here about well maintained cars with service history)...the basic construction is well engineered....its not botched togehter in a backyard-shed in blackpool.
when your prosche needs a garage 1-2 times /year, the TVR was already 10-15 times visiting his "specialist"
if you are handy with a spanner a tvr can be fixed in your home garage, a boxter possibly not.
BUT: a Boxter is more reliable...(i´m just speaking here about well maintained cars with service history)...the basic construction is well engineered....its not botched togehter in a backyard-shed in blackpool.
when your prosche needs a garage 1-2 times /year, the TVR was already 10-15 times visiting his "specialist"
Integroo said:
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 ...
Wow....£1400...bonkers. That is my advantage to being older 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 ...
You have hit the nail on the head really as there is nothing out there other than a Chimaera to compete/compare. It is the conclusion I have come to time and time again. There are lots of perfectly good manual sports cars out there such as Boxter, MX-5, Z4, 350Z & 370Z but none really are the same as a TVR with a Rover V8. That is why I have one.
I would let mine go for £11.5k now as it is including the 17" wheels/tyres I'm going to pop on or £11k without. However after it goes into Bespoke for a service in a few weeks it becomes £12.5k.
rockits said:
Wow....£1400...bonkers. That is my advantage to being older
You have hit the nail on the head really as there is nothing out there other than a Chimaera to compete/compare. It is the conclusion I have come to time and time again. There are lots of perfectly good manual sports cars out there such as Boxter, MX-5, Z4, 350Z & 370Z but none really are the same as a TVR with a Rover V8. That is why I have one.
I would let mine go for £11.5k now as it is including the 17" wheels/tyres I'm going to pop on or £11k without. However after it goes into Bespoke for a service in a few weeks it becomes £12.5k.
The advantage of not living in stabby SE London ... for some reason anything modern is expensive to insure, but older cars a bit cheaper even not on a classic policy, and on a classic policy some things are very cheap. But yes, I have spent weeks wondering what I could buy with my requirements basically boiling down to 2 seats sports car without a 4 cylinder engine for sub 8k and haven't really put my finger on anything other than a 350i or a TVR. Z4 3.0, Boxster 3.2, 350z are all shouts but (i) they aren't that exciting and (ii) for me, they are expensive to insure. You have hit the nail on the head really as there is nothing out there other than a Chimaera to compete/compare. It is the conclusion I have come to time and time again. There are lots of perfectly good manual sports cars out there such as Boxter, MX-5, Z4, 350Z & 370Z but none really are the same as a TVR with a Rover V8. That is why I have one.
I would let mine go for £11.5k now as it is including the 17" wheels/tyres I'm going to pop on or £11k without. However after it goes into Bespoke for a service in a few weeks it becomes £12.5k.
Your MK1 MX5 Turbo idea is perhaps your best £ for £ fun solution. Reliability should't be a problem if the conversion is carried out correctly and general running costs should be quite small baring "modified car insurance"!
TVR's are great cars, but running costs can spiral out of control if you let them.
TVR's are great cars, but running costs can spiral out of control if you let them.
citizen smith said:
Your MK1 MX5 Turbo idea is perhaps your best £ for £ fun solution. Reliability should't be a problem if the conversion is carried out correctly and general running costs should be quite small baring "modified car insurance"!
TVR's are great cars, but running costs can spiral out of control if you let them.
Yes haven't worked out what the insurance would cost...TVR's are great cars, but running costs can spiral out of control if you let them.
Idea would be to buy a clean Mk1, drive it for a a bit to make sure it is solid, then turbo it. Trying to find a rust free one is the issue...
Integroo said:
Maybe an XK8...
An XK8 is not a bad shout as I do like them. Do they do a manual? I think they are auto only. The new F Type they starting doing in Manual now but not quite £10k!I thought the same with an MX-5 with turbo. I think BBR or someone did an official model. I just have fallen out of love with diesels and turbo's. I prefer N/A or S/C personally.
I have been round in many circles on this and been through many cars to end up at TVR & 4200.
I have spent the last 18 months on the same car choice merry go round. Except last week I bought a sub 9K Chim and all I can say is I have certainly made the right choice.
I've had MX5's, and even if you buy a cheapish one, you'll still end up wanting to change loads of bits on it. Sort rust, diff, paintwork, hoods, rust again, and for me the nagging feeling that what I really wanted was a Rocketeer. Z4's have got a lovely engine, look great to my eyes, and can do the daily job. E85's look even better, but then the price starts to creep up to get a good one. Boxster... just didn't get the juices going and the bills can be just as large as any other higher league sports car, and again the budget just kept creeping up. Plus I had the 986 3.2s vs 987 2.7 debate with myself. GTV's again I've had one, loved it, and a V6 was on certainly on the list, and I drove a few but.... I always wanted a TVR and nothing else was as special.
The 100k Chim I bought, whilst it's no show winner, looks great, the last owner has done a fair bit to the ignition system so it drives great, has Estorils, and makes me laugh every time I drive it. Kids shout and wave, old folks come over for a chat. I've never had so much fun popping to Screw Fix, and nipping to Tesco's. The Tesco's I chose was 30 miles away, over a welsh pass
Good value ones are out there, keep looking for the right car, and the right seller. Then take a brave pill, and do it.
I've had MX5's, and even if you buy a cheapish one, you'll still end up wanting to change loads of bits on it. Sort rust, diff, paintwork, hoods, rust again, and for me the nagging feeling that what I really wanted was a Rocketeer. Z4's have got a lovely engine, look great to my eyes, and can do the daily job. E85's look even better, but then the price starts to creep up to get a good one. Boxster... just didn't get the juices going and the bills can be just as large as any other higher league sports car, and again the budget just kept creeping up. Plus I had the 986 3.2s vs 987 2.7 debate with myself. GTV's again I've had one, loved it, and a V6 was on certainly on the list, and I drove a few but.... I always wanted a TVR and nothing else was as special.
The 100k Chim I bought, whilst it's no show winner, looks great, the last owner has done a fair bit to the ignition system so it drives great, has Estorils, and makes me laugh every time I drive it. Kids shout and wave, old folks come over for a chat. I've never had so much fun popping to Screw Fix, and nipping to Tesco's. The Tesco's I chose was 30 miles away, over a welsh pass
Good value ones are out there, keep looking for the right car, and the right seller. Then take a brave pill, and do it.
Every time i open the garage i find myself saying there is no way im selling but recently ive been looking at something i can use every day in all conditions and enjoy.
There is no doubting its an exciting car but i just dont get the urge to drive it very often lately unless the weather is dry, and thats not very often!
There is no doubting its an exciting car but i just dont get the urge to drive it very often lately unless the weather is dry, and thats not very often!
I agree. I find myself in the same position.
I was out for a while last night in the light rain in my Porsche Boxster S. Very confident inspiring grip and handling on wet roads, ABS when you need it, traction out of the bends and HID headlights that make it seem like daytime! I won't even get started on the heated seats, cruise and all the other niceties even from an 11-year-old car.
They probably are chalk and cheese but the Porsche still is very much a very capable fast sports car that puts a smile on your face. A few on here have gone down the Aston Martin route but that never appealed to me. The Porsche is a drivers car and absolutely excites in the bends far more than any TVR could.
It is a hard decision as to whether to let the TVR go but I will mull it over during the winter.
I was out for a while last night in the light rain in my Porsche Boxster S. Very confident inspiring grip and handling on wet roads, ABS when you need it, traction out of the bends and HID headlights that make it seem like daytime! I won't even get started on the heated seats, cruise and all the other niceties even from an 11-year-old car.
They probably are chalk and cheese but the Porsche still is very much a very capable fast sports car that puts a smile on your face. A few on here have gone down the Aston Martin route but that never appealed to me. The Porsche is a drivers car and absolutely excites in the bends far more than any TVR could.
It is a hard decision as to whether to let the TVR go but I will mull it over during the winter.
Hi guys... First time poster here. Just to say, as I promised him I would... I would recommend Philip Phedonos for any vehicle inspections....£300 but worth it for peace of mind.
I had Phil join me for a viewing a few weeks ago and he helped me validate my research during the viewing, I.e. chassis work being a key factor amongst other key topics, body off, bushes replaced etc. Good news, it was a high mileage (85k) but full rebuild and he was very excited about it, so I bought it! I know that it'll need an engine rebuild at some point and I would love a respray, but nothing is required today and with nothing doing to it, it's still in great shape. I'll be keeping it for a long time so I'll do any pro active work over the coming years but I wound won't need the body off!
Got to say.... using the new BMW 3 series as my daily car and having a TVR Chimaera for weekends is so amazing....
I can't believe I have a TVR! dream achieved....
I had Phil join me for a viewing a few weeks ago and he helped me validate my research during the viewing, I.e. chassis work being a key factor amongst other key topics, body off, bushes replaced etc. Good news, it was a high mileage (85k) but full rebuild and he was very excited about it, so I bought it! I know that it'll need an engine rebuild at some point and I would love a respray, but nothing is required today and with nothing doing to it, it's still in great shape. I'll be keeping it for a long time so I'll do any pro active work over the coming years but I wound won't need the body off!
Got to say.... using the new BMW 3 series as my daily car and having a TVR Chimaera for weekends is so amazing....
I can't believe I have a TVR! dream achieved....
+1 for Phil. I purchased my 100k+ 4.0 Chimaera from Philip Phedonos in 2008. It was a bargain price at the time and I couldn’t fault the condition for the £5000 price asked so I brought it. Around 3 years ago I added a turbo and now with 133k on the clock the engine is still reliable and going strong. (Hopefully for a few more years)
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