OK so I know it is a bit of a dog BUT
Discussion
So I am looking seriously at a 2000 Chimaera, it has had a whack, owner claims wing and door replacement, however all chassis seems straight.
I am going to put it on a laser gig but there are also multiple other issues.
Wrong mirros, and glued on door buttons.
Ruined dash due to heat damamge
Idle is far too fast-maybe to compensate for stalling?
Wheels all round are VW and useless due to losing one wheel in prang.
Bad hood needs new rear plastic (no biggie I know)
BUT
it is 7k pounds
I have run expensive cars for years (850 BMs)and am not afraid of bills
All round it looks good
No milage but I would estimate 50 -70 on seat wear etc
it drives well no mechanical noises etc
What do you think?
Obviously loads of investigation to do but is it worth buying a known howler and spending the cash
or just forget it?
I am going to put it on a laser gig but there are also multiple other issues.
Wrong mirros, and glued on door buttons.
Ruined dash due to heat damamge
Idle is far too fast-maybe to compensate for stalling?
Wheels all round are VW and useless due to losing one wheel in prang.
Bad hood needs new rear plastic (no biggie I know)
BUT
it is 7k pounds
I have run expensive cars for years (850 BMs)and am not afraid of bills
All round it looks good
No milage but I would estimate 50 -70 on seat wear etc
it drives well no mechanical noises etc
What do you think?
Obviously loads of investigation to do but is it worth buying a known howler and spending the cash
or just forget it?
eh .. well ... err ... buy a bit of a shed, do it up properly, could be very satisfying. Could be very expensive. I'd get an estimate from an independent who knows their arse from their elbow, double it and add that to the 7k. If that is cheaper than buying one in good nick, then if you fancy a project, why not?
Thanks Folks
went and did another drive yesterday and turned up a couple of other issues, windows not working being the biggest. The summer thing is fine since I am in the Gulf and winter is our top down season. Lack lustre air con will probably mean it can't be a daily driver in the heat of the summer.
Labour is cheap but there is no specialist support so I am going to have to do or oversee this myself. No TVR experience but have done built a Caterham before as well as owning a couple of older exotics.
I didn't mention but it is a left hooker, does this make it worth a little more? I don't really have the option of this or another one it is basically this or another marque. It will be a longish term project with view to bringing it back to Spain one day.
I'm pretty confident of being able to get most issues fixed and courier service for parts is generally quicker than it was to Cornwall.
Will go back to him and start the age old haggling process which can take weeks.
went and did another drive yesterday and turned up a couple of other issues, windows not working being the biggest. The summer thing is fine since I am in the Gulf and winter is our top down season. Lack lustre air con will probably mean it can't be a daily driver in the heat of the summer.
Labour is cheap but there is no specialist support so I am going to have to do or oversee this myself. No TVR experience but have done built a Caterham before as well as owning a couple of older exotics.
I didn't mention but it is a left hooker, does this make it worth a little more? I don't really have the option of this or another one it is basically this or another marque. It will be a longish term project with view to bringing it back to Spain one day.
I'm pretty confident of being able to get most issues fixed and courier service for parts is generally quicker than it was to Cornwall.
Will go back to him and start the age old haggling process which can take weeks.
Well we are in serious tea drinking negotiation stage at the moment, I will need a couple of these to get close to a deal. The guy knows nothing about TVRs he bought it in px for a Porsche and is now cursing the seller to the hills, he is resigned to losing money it is the amount we are haggling over. He is so despondent that he hasn't even claimed another potential buyer yet.
Roads here are in immaculate condition, wide, flat multilane highways with a nice twisty east coast run that I can't wait to try. Downside is that the standard of driving is appalling, accidents inevitable and often fatal due to high speed. Limits are 120km but totally ignored with small penalties when caught by camera, 50 quid rising to 120 depending on speed, no effective license endorsements or police rd presence but they sometimes confiscate cars for jumping red lights.
Pics to follow after tonights tea party.
Roads here are in immaculate condition, wide, flat multilane highways with a nice twisty east coast run that I can't wait to try. Downside is that the standard of driving is appalling, accidents inevitable and often fatal due to high speed. Limits are 120km but totally ignored with small penalties when caught by camera, 50 quid rising to 120 depending on speed, no effective license endorsements or police rd presence but they sometimes confiscate cars for jumping red lights.
Pics to follow after tonights tea party.
7k doesn't seem that bad a price to me.
cosmetics are easily fixed with a credit card and even if you have to do it your self are mostly easy to do jobs.
UK prices would be lower for a left hooker in the region of 2-3k but it sounds like its the perfect toy for the Spanish mountains.
happy shopping
h
cosmetics are easily fixed with a credit card and even if you have to do it your self are mostly easy to do jobs.
UK prices would be lower for a left hooker in the region of 2-3k but it sounds like its the perfect toy for the Spanish mountains.
happy shopping
h
I wanted a later model (better engine and gear box) and went the crash damaged route (see the Chim link in my profile) mine was mechanicaly very good though
Definately get someone who knows a chims mechanical bits to have a look
BTW the wishobones are made of plasticine so if they're not damaged it's a pretty good indicator that the chassis is straight
Definately get someone who knows a chims mechanical bits to have a look
BTW the wishobones are made of plasticine so if they're not damaged it's a pretty good indicator that the chassis is straight
ok I have to front up, I can't actually find the window switches (neither can seller) where am I supposed to be looking in a 2000 model?
Other questions, is the rear hood supposed to fold completely flat or do they all stick up miles when folded?
Where is the spare supposed to be in the boot? Is there a bracket to attach it to? Sorry to be so basic but it is the first TVR I have really been close to and there aren't any others around to compare.
Thanks
>> Edited by willmcc on Tuesday 1st June 18:51
Other questions, is the rear hood supposed to fold completely flat or do they all stick up miles when folded?
Where is the spare supposed to be in the boot? Is there a bracket to attach it to? Sorry to be so basic but it is the first TVR I have really been close to and there aren't any others around to compare.
Thanks
>> Edited by willmcc on Tuesday 1st June 18:51
willmcc said:
ok I have to front up, I can't actually find the window switches (neither can seller) where am I supposed to be looking in a 2000 model?
I guess the same as other chim's - dip below radio where you'll see two air vents. The switches are down there on the leading face of the centre console.
willmcc said:
Other questions, is the rear hood supposed to fold completely flat or do they all stick up miles when folded?
Never goes flat but if you undo velcro at the sides (inside and out) it will go a bit lower than otherwise.
willmcc said:
Where is the spare supposed to be in the boot? Is there a bracket to attach it to?
The spare is a spacesaver and sits at about 30% offset on the right side of the boot. There is an rubber strap to hold it into place hooking onto small brass rings. Some people replace the spare with a can of tyre weld.
Hope this helps.
I reckon 7K is silly money (in a good sense) - I've never seen LHD Chimaeras far under 30K euro here on the continent, hence me planning to get an RHD example when the time comes.
Seriously interested in going the 'pre-damaged' route myself as labour rates seem to be a bit lower in the Netherlands, too (he Dutch TVR/Morgan importer/sole dealer's workshop rate is about £35 plus VAT, for instance), and I cannot completely vouch for never entering a hedge backwards at some point, in which case I would lose several thousands of value in case of a previously 'mint' example - as far as I'm concerned cars are to be driven as opposed to be an 'investment' anyways. If I like a car, it's unlikely to get sold on, so I'm not too concerned about that either.
Seriously interested in going the 'pre-damaged' route myself as labour rates seem to be a bit lower in the Netherlands, too (he Dutch TVR/Morgan importer/sole dealer's workshop rate is about £35 plus VAT, for instance), and I cannot completely vouch for never entering a hedge backwards at some point, in which case I would lose several thousands of value in case of a previously 'mint' example - as far as I'm concerned cars are to be driven as opposed to be an 'investment' anyways. If I like a car, it's unlikely to get sold on, so I'm not too concerned about that either.
First pic
[pic] http://static.photobox.co.uk/public/images/76/56/8987656.s.jpg?ch=1&rr=16:26:32|http://static.photobox.co.uk/public/images/76/56/8987656.s.jpg?ch=1&rr=16:26:32 [/pic]
tomorrow we take it to a bodyshop to see how good/bad the repair was and then hopefully we will conclude this.
Am going to be looking at all suspension and trying to get the chassis on to the laser gig though the shop owner says he will be guessing since he doesn't have any settings for TVRs. Visuals and a good drive should tell how well it's been fixed I hope.
The owner is being pretty good and seems to have no fear of the bodyshop which is a good sign. Windscreen was apparently replaced after accident though that maybe due to not wearing a seatbelt which is v common here.
Drivers window ok pax not so good thanks for the directions. No spare and wipers not parking.
It will all be in the mix tomorrow when we fix the price.
edited to try and fix image
>> Edited by willmcc on Wednesday 2nd June 16:30
>> Edited by willmcc on Wednesday 2nd June 16:31
[pic] http://static.photobox.co.uk/public/images/76/56/8987656.s.jpg?ch=1&rr=16:26:32|http://static.photobox.co.uk/public/images/76/56/8987656.s.jpg?ch=1&rr=16:26:32 [/pic]
tomorrow we take it to a bodyshop to see how good/bad the repair was and then hopefully we will conclude this.
Am going to be looking at all suspension and trying to get the chassis on to the laser gig though the shop owner says he will be guessing since he doesn't have any settings for TVRs. Visuals and a good drive should tell how well it's been fixed I hope.
The owner is being pretty good and seems to have no fear of the bodyshop which is a good sign. Windscreen was apparently replaced after accident though that maybe due to not wearing a seatbelt which is v common here.
Drivers window ok pax not so good thanks for the directions. No spare and wipers not parking.
It will all be in the mix tomorrow when we fix the price.
edited to try and fix image
>> Edited by willmcc on Wednesday 2nd June 16:30
>> Edited by willmcc on Wednesday 2nd June 16:31
Don't think the later Chims came with a spare. TVR supplied a can of tyre weld instead. The spacesaver supplied with the earlier ones is crap!
Noticed that you work in the airline business. If you can get cheap/free flights, why don't you fly out an expert? I'm sure there's a few that will jump at the chance of a few days in the sun!
Another thing I've just thought of. You must have loads of Range/Land Rovers over there? The garages that service them will be able to help with the Chim's engine.
>> Edited by tonto on Wednesday 2nd June 18:29
Noticed that you work in the airline business. If you can get cheap/free flights, why don't you fly out an expert? I'm sure there's a few that will jump at the chance of a few days in the sun!
Another thing I've just thought of. You must have loads of Range/Land Rovers over there? The garages that service them will be able to help with the Chim's engine.
>> Edited by tonto on Wednesday 2nd June 18:29
Gassing Station | Chimaera | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff