Mileage on a used Chimaera?
Discussion
I'm looking to buy a used Chimaera for up to 12/13k, so figure I can get a 94/95/96 for that money. It seems mileage can vary quite considerably for this age, but I want the lowest mileage I can get as am concerned that the running costs will increase with higher mileage.
What do people consider an OK mileage? Is it really important? Should I steer clear of anything pushing 50K+? I have seen some as low as 26K, but unfortunately this one did not have PAS, which I think I do want.
What do people consider an OK mileage? Is it really important? Should I steer clear of anything pushing 50K+? I have seen some as low as 26K, but unfortunately this one did not have PAS, which I think I do want.
Low mileage can equally be bad for these cars as they do not like standing round and not being used. They can look nice but hide a lot of problems because they haven't been used. Suspension, premature engine wear caused by short journeys can come out and bite.
A car that has been used, serviced and cared for and in good/excellent condition will often be a better buy than one that has only done a few thousand miles and spent most of its life tucked away. Bushes seize, oil drains away etc etc.
A low mileage car doesn't mean that the running costs are going to be low. The faults may well be different but I would budget the same costs for what ever car you get and be pleasently surprised if things go better.
Steve
www.tvrbooks.co.uk
A car that has been used, serviced and cared for and in good/excellent condition will often be a better buy than one that has only done a few thousand miles and spent most of its life tucked away. Bushes seize, oil drains away etc etc.
A low mileage car doesn't mean that the running costs are going to be low. The faults may well be different but I would budget the same costs for what ever car you get and be pleasently surprised if things go better.
Steve
www.tvrbooks.co.uk
It is a big misconception that lower mileage are more reliable..In my opinion the more the car is used the more reliable it will become and also you have to take into consideration if one is used on a regular basis then it has to be reliable and also keep up to scratch otherwise logically the owner would have problems driving it.
I would buy a car that has done around 6k miles a year as this means it has been used regularly. At the age you are looking at try and find one that has been garaged and not driven in the wet too much as this eventually leads to chassis corrosion. Drive some and make sure it feels tight and there is little if no play in the steering rack. Check the suspension bushes and also make sure the fans come on and off at 90 and the oil pressure should be around 15 at idle and 30-45 when running.
I would avoid any car of this age that has done less than 30k miles...
PS I had a 4ltr Chim that I bought privately a couple of years ago and as soon as I saw the car in the garage with a cover over it and spoke to the owner I knew it was a good un and I was right..Most of these cars have been pampered and you can generally tell the condition by how anal the owner is..
Hope this helps.
I would buy a car that has done around 6k miles a year as this means it has been used regularly. At the age you are looking at try and find one that has been garaged and not driven in the wet too much as this eventually leads to chassis corrosion. Drive some and make sure it feels tight and there is little if no play in the steering rack. Check the suspension bushes and also make sure the fans come on and off at 90 and the oil pressure should be around 15 at idle and 30-45 when running.
I would avoid any car of this age that has done less than 30k miles...
PS I had a 4ltr Chim that I bought privately a couple of years ago and as soon as I saw the car in the garage with a cover over it and spoke to the owner I knew it was a good un and I was right..Most of these cars have been pampered and you can generally tell the condition by how anal the owner is..
Hope this helps.
ooooh controversial. some will say get a high miler with the faults ironed out. some will say get a low miler with less wear on components and better resale when its only "mid-mileage" when you sell it.
the important part is condition. I saw both low and high milers in various condition
personally I went for a low miler but bought mine on the basis of condition - it was totally mint and the chassis was the best I had seen.
'tis true I have had a few niggle faults that "may" be due to underuse in the past but you cant say for certain whether it would have happened or not. I was prepared to get those fixed and be able to achieve more on resale for a lower mileage car in the future.
the important part is condition. I saw both low and high milers in various condition
personally I went for a low miler but bought mine on the basis of condition - it was totally mint and the chassis was the best I had seen.
'tis true I have had a few niggle faults that "may" be due to underuse in the past but you cant say for certain whether it would have happened or not. I was prepared to get those fixed and be able to achieve more on resale for a lower mileage car in the future.
OK, thanks for the advice. Has helped. Now I'm just getting impatient cos I want to buy the damn thing! (I drove my very first TVR on Saturday with a dealer and absolutely loved it!!). I wanted to check it was what I wanted, and boy it certainly is!!!
(My current car is a 1.4 Golf, so you can imagine the smile I had when I got out after the test drive!!)
(My current car is a 1.4 Golf, so you can imagine the smile I had when I got out after the test drive!!)
Sorry, another question. Does anyone have any advice on which year would be better. I've heard that there was a change in engine/gearbox - is it worth aiming for this change, or is the difference not important? Should I just concentrate on getting the best looked after model I can find?
Can anyone recommend any from the Classifieds that they know are genuine examples?
Cheers!
Can anyone recommend any from the Classifieds that they know are genuine examples?
Cheers!
There's a buyers guide on my website with the model changes. Yes worth getting the T5 box but don't ignore the earlier box.
Steve
www.tvrbooks.co.uk
Steve
www.tvrbooks.co.uk
Check out the TVRCC web site and find your nearest regional group. Try and visit a meeting and you will then get to look at and learn everything you ever wanted to know about buying a s/h Chimeara. Most models and ages will be represented and its all free. You only have to ask for any advice you might need.
PeterC said:
Check out the TVRCC web site and find your nearest regional group. Try and visit a meeting and you will then get to look at and learn everything you ever wanted to know about buying a s/h Chimeara. Most models and ages will be represented and its all free. You only have to ask for any advice you might need.
Probably would be sensible, but now i have driven one and the weather is so gorgeous, i don't know if I have the time!
I will of course get an expert to check it over before i hand over my cash though. Rob Ingleby's name crops up a lot - anyone else recommended?
shnozz said:
ooooh controversial...
Yep..shall we do it all over again..
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?f=8&h=&t=83969
..just looking for the other thread that started this one off...
>> Edited by M@H on Tuesday 8th June 13:52
hahaa.. found the rest of it too...
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?f=8&h=&t=81959
Have fun Gavstar..
..I'd say buy on Condition, Condition, and Condition, then worry about the mileage
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?f=8&h=&t=81959
Have fun Gavstar..
..I'd say buy on Condition, Condition, and Condition, then worry about the mileage
Gavstar said:
OMG now I'm really confused!! I think the answer is basically, look carefully at everything within price range.
One thing I did pick up on - do the engines really need rebuilding after 53K???
>> Edited by Gavstar on Tuesday 8th June 14:05
No it can be a lot earlier...
or later...
Gavstar said:
OMG now I'm really confused!! I think the answer is basically, look carefully at everything within price range.
One thing I did pick up on - do the engines really need rebuilding after 53K???
>> Edited by Gavstar on Tuesday 8th June 14:05
I haven't heard of many RV8 engines needing rebuilds at any mileage and don't think its something I would factor into a purchase of an RV8 engined car.
You are basically weighing up parts that have been given little use so may be prone to not working through lack of use -v- parts that have been used a fair bit so may be getting worn out.
and then allow for factors such as resale etc.
But always buy on condition. I agree with the recommendations to go to a local meet as it is excellant if you can buy the car off someone who you "know" and you can see those that have been really cherished and looked after. Also allows you to compare many against each other. I myself suffer from your impatience but you dont want to end up with a dog just so you can have one for June....
>> Edited by shnozz on Tuesday 8th June 14:12
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