1st TVR

[d3ano]

Right Mrs D3ano has finally decided that she will allow me to get a TVR. only thing is she doesn't want me to spend more than £14K. dam so no Tuscan.
This leaves me with the option of a Cerbera or Chimaera. As she is going to be using it the most (driving to and from Greenwich everyday) she didn't want the Cerbey. Well that was easy.

Anyhow i am now looking around for a Chimaera. I have spotted on PH for 13,500 in Red. Mrs has fallen in love with it and is trying to sort out a loan now (and we haven't even seen it yet!). Its a 1996 model 4.0 is there anything that i should be looking out for? I heard that Chimaeras are somewhat bullet proof compared to the Tuscan as it uses the Rover V8 (correct???)
If you could point me in the right direction i would like to hear from you. Or is there a checklist?
BTW its this one

www.pistonheads.com/sales/detail.asp?i=24313&s=1

Is it possible to bring that price down?

Thanks

D3

[FourWheelDrift]

Have you tried emailing/calling the owner?

>> Edited by FourWheelDrift on Thursday 24th June 23:01

[d3ano]

I have spoken to him and i have arranged a vist. Though someone should of viewed it tonight and i am hoping that they havn't put a deposit down.

I was asking about the price as i am not familar with the pricing of these cars and i don't have a feel for how much they should be worth. I was going to offer 13K or 13250 at a push to see what they say. Though i would be ok in paying the full amount if someone offered under asking price.

But from what is written in the text of the ad does this seem like a good deal?

Thanks

[ntel]

Buying them is easy, keeping them on the road is the hard part. Bought mine only 8 weeks ago and have already spent about £1200 on service and repairs. Having said that, I got it at a good price and knew that the car had some issues that needed attending to. Luckily I can do a lot of repairs myself ( with a lot of help from this web site ). Do more research and go into TVR ownership with your eyes wide open. Budget about £2,000 a year for service and maintenance and don't borrow too much to buy one.

My '98 450 Chim now runs like a dream even with 50,000 miles on the clock. The MOT is due next month and I know it will pass. All mine needs now is a radiator re-core, a front end re-spray, and a chasis rub down and waxoyle. Sorted!!!!!!

[V8 Archie]

ntel said:

Budget about £2,000 a year for service and maintenance and don't borrow too much to buy one.

The usual quote on here is £3,000, but I've had a very easy first year (except for mileage, which was far above my estimate for insurance ).

Be ruthless when you see it. Buy on the condition of the car, everything else is window dressing.

I'd guess that it's just as well a Cerby is out, given the cash you have.

[FourWheelDrift]

d3ano said:

But from what is written in the text of the ad does this seem like a good deal? Thanks

ah..I see ...I think personally speaking you have to see every car on it's own merits and viewing is essential, the price sounds about right to me though. Sounds like a good buy.

[ntel]

D3ano, check the alarm works, the pre cats are in place, the main cat is not blocked, the ECU sensors are all working, the diff bolts and bushes are OK, the brakes and disks are OK, all the wishbones are OK, the radiator is not mashed, the stones chips are not too bad, the cam and followers are good, and the fag lighter works :

My '98 Chim 450 cost me £14,600 and after all the stuff i've done and still have to do, I still think I've got a good deal when compared to dealer prices.

Good hunting SIR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[jamesuk28]

BULLETPROOF... I love it.

[nano2nd]

TBH this is the wrong approach to buying one, okay not buying one but buying a good one. You can't just role up to the first one you see and offer them 10% less (for example) then pray you get a good one... if its a snotter then your 10% saving will soon disappear.

You need to get yourself a copy of Steve heaths bible and have a good read. you also need to do a search on this forum and read every thread on buying...

the one piece of advice you'll see most predominantly is look at and drive as many as possible!

of course, you may get lucky and buy a good one straight off

[deeen]

jamesuk28 said:

BULLETPROOF... I love it.

VERY special fibreglass

[jamesuk28]

Seriously mate, don't rush it. I did, and brought the first car i saw. i had 6 months of trouble free motoring and then the demons came. 12 months later and £4000 lighter I still have the car, but I Know that there is another repair bill lurking around the bend. Without sounding rude (and i don't mean too) have you budgeted for repair bills? You will need at least £1000 a year if not more.

Get a Chimy, you'll love it, but go into with your eyes wide open. Ask yourself 1 question why is the Chimaera forum the most busy on here? Sure there are more Chimmys than tuscans or cerby's, but read through the topics to get a flavour of what is going to go wrong.

[nashy]

Dean - I just sent you an email but got some error mail back in return? Let me know if it doesn't arrive!

[d3ano]

thanks peeps. Will be taking a look at it this sunday. will take it for a ride and will report back on monday. I have also been eyeing up a few other in the same price bracket too.

Nashy YHM

[d3ano]

Well took the car out on Monday and wow! is all i can say. The guy has seriously looked after this car apart from a few stone chips on the front everything else is in tip top condition.

I was a bit dissapointed though that we got blaster by a Ford RS Cosworth. but then all that is, is a dressed up old Serria (SP?)

Loan has gone though and the forms have been signed as soon as the money is in the bank me and the Mrs will be taking a train down there to pick it up. woohoo can't wait. Just hope the weather holds out for a few more weeks.

[RichB]

V8 Archie said:

ntel said: Budget about £2,000 a year for service and maintenance and don't borrow too much to buy one. The usual quote on here is £3,000, but I've had a very easy first year

Interesting comments these, i've run TVRs for 10 years now - had an S3c for 3 1/2 years and my Griffith 500 from new for 5 1/2 now - and I can honestly say I have never had a service bill in excess of £650. The most expensive maintenance item was a new clutch on the S3c for around £750 but I could live with that. How do the estimates of £2-3k add-up? You're not including insurance in that sum are you? Rich...

[Nano2nd]

agreed 3k is abit excesive! thats what cerby owners quote!

you got blasted by a Sierra RS Cosworth coz its a fantastic motorcar/piece of automotive history and NOT a just a dressed up Sierra

[DustyC]

Id put my money on the Cossie too. More likely to have a few mods.

I couldnt shake a Subaru recently but I reckon I was having the most fun

[shnozz]

DustyC said:

Id put my money on the Cossie too. More likely to have a few mods. I couldnt shake a Subaru recently but I reckon I was having the most fun

cossies, scoobies, skylines and evos.

you never know if its bog standard or has had £50k chucked under the bonnet. Approach with caution. I never try to outgun any of these before getting an idea as to whats under the bonnet for fear of looking a tit

[DustyC]

shnozz said:

....for fear of looking a tit

Bit late in life for that mate

[shnozz]

DustyC said:

shnozz said: ....for fear of looking a tit Bit late in life for that mate

didnt spot that one coming...