What will I get for 10-12k?
Discussion
Hi all
Having just sold my Merc I'm becoming increasingly tempted by a Chimaera.
Only thing is I'm limited to 12k tops. There seem to be a few about for this sort of money but in all honesty will I get a decent car for this or would my money be better spent elsewhere? If so where?
Thanks for your help.
Having just sold my Merc I'm becoming increasingly tempted by a Chimaera.
Only thing is I'm limited to 12k tops. There seem to be a few about for this sort of money but in all honesty will I get a decent car for this or would my money be better spent elsewhere? If so where?
Thanks for your help.
I bought mine at the top end of your bracket a year ago. I bought on condition alone and ended up with a low mileage (32k) 1993 K plate chimaera 4 litre.
Yes, you will be able to find a good car in that bracket. Just buy on condition more than anything else. There are plenty of dogs for sale at that (bottom) end of the market too.
have a look in the classifieds. Cooper green chim up for £10k seems an absolute bargain.
Yes, you will be able to find a good car in that bracket. Just buy on condition more than anything else. There are plenty of dogs for sale at that (bottom) end of the market too.
have a look in the classifieds. Cooper green chim up for £10k seems an absolute bargain.
10-12k should be fine, mine would sit in that bracket (if I was going to sell it 
) and if anything mechanical goes wrong with that now I'd be amazed 
Condition wise it could do with a bit of tidying, stone chips, etc but it would be the bottom end of your budget and as long as you put the extra to one side to spend on cosmetics you'd have a cracking car for 12k
The condition of the chassis and engine are much more important than the body or a bit of trim IMHO
Always good if you can get both though
) and if anything mechanical goes wrong with that now I'd be amazed Condition wise it could do with a bit of tidying, stone chips, etc but it would be the bottom end of your budget and as long as you put the extra to one side to spend on cosmetics you'd have a cracking car for 12k
The condition of the chassis and engine are much more important than the body or a bit of trim IMHO
Always good if you can get both though
Hi.....concur with all before.....buy on condition and service history.
Don't be too concerned about the mileage a 94/95 car with 40k on it can be better than a similar car with 20k that has not been used.
One thing..make sure you have a CAT 1 alarm/immob..its beneficial for the insurance. If you buty a 93/4/5 model the cost to change the alrm to cat 1 is circa £400-£500. Good Luck
Don't be too concerned about the mileage a 94/95 car with 40k on it can be better than a similar car with 20k that has not been used.
One thing..make sure you have a CAT 1 alarm/immob..its beneficial for the insurance. If you buty a 93/4/5 model the cost to change the alrm to cat 1 is circa £400-£500. Good Luck
I would recommend Rob Ingleby - I was in a similar position - ie limited mechanical knowledge, so his services were indispensable. His report is very comprehensive and honest, and much better to have an enthusiast/specialist check them over than have a generic check done by a mainstream inspector.
I got mine on Saturday, and have been grinning ever since! (It's a cliche, but oh so true!!).
I got mine on Saturday, and have been grinning ever since! (It's a cliche, but oh so true!!).
DON'T DO IT..... YOU HAVE 12K MAX ? WELL IF YOU GET A BAD ONE LIKE MINE YOU CAN ADD £2K AT LEAST A YEAR FOR PROBS ( IVE SPENT £5000 SINCE SEPTEMBER AND DOESN'T INCLUDE THE USUAL SERVICE MOT STUFF EITHER) ITS A GREAT CAR WHEN IT WORKS, BUT WHEN SHE DECIDES TO HAVE PMT YOU WILL PAY FOR IT MATEY.
>> Edited by jamesuk28 on Monday 12th July 18:21
>> Edited by jamesuk28 on Monday 12th July 18:21
I bought a 93K 4.3 Chim for £11k and in 3 months have spent ££7,000 in repairs. Cars a nightmare.
Engine out to sort engine mountings, exhaust, 5 engine semsors, 22 bushes, springs, shocks, steering, starter, diff, chassis rust, top wishbones, radiator, master cylinder, oil gauge, speedo, fuel gauge, tyres etc
Anyone know a good lawyer?
Engine out to sort engine mountings, exhaust, 5 engine semsors, 22 bushes, springs, shocks, steering, starter, diff, chassis rust, top wishbones, radiator, master cylinder, oil gauge, speedo, fuel gauge, tyres etc
Anyone know a good lawyer?
jamesuk28 said:
DON'T DO IT..... YOU HAVE 12K MAX ? WELL IF YOU GET A BAD ONE LIKE MINE YOU CAN ADD £2K AT LEAST A YEAR FOR PROBS ( IVE SPENT £5000 SINCE SEPTEMBER AND DOESN'T INCLUDE THE USUAL SERVICE MOT STUFF EITHER) ITS A GREAT CAR WHEN IT WORKS, BUT WHEN SHE DECIDES TO HAVE PMT YOU WILL PAY FOR IT MATEY.
>> Edited by jamesuk28 on Monday 12th July 18:21
be interested to know what mileage the car had when you bought it...
Bought mine for £13k last Dec paid over what I wanted to as I had seen so many rough ones & ones that were not quite right that when I saw this one (1994 4.3lt with 35k miles)I just knew.
Contrary to popular belief if you are careful & don't rush in they will not always cost you a fortune.
So far mine has cost me a total of £510.00 £400 for a service £100 for an exhaust modification (not necessary but nice & £10 for a temperature sender.
Do it you won't regret it
Thanks
Howard.
Contrary to popular belief if you are careful & don't rush in they will not always cost you a fortune.
So far mine has cost me a total of £510.00 £400 for a service £100 for an exhaust modification (not necessary but nice
& £10 for a temperature sender. Do it you won't regret it
Thanks
Howard.
Paid 10K for a 1994 4ltr just over a year ago.
Purchased with only 3 weeks MOT but a full service history.
Yes I know I took a gamble!
Spent about a grand with Austec for various bit that needed doing but they gave it a very clean bill of health!
Since then I have spent more but my choice, on wheels, chassis clean / Hammerite / Waxoyle, Brake upgrade etc.
Overall although high mileage, 74k, the car is a good one.
chris43 said:
shadowninja said:
Apache said:
Ladyboy?!
i wondered that, and thought about suggesting that he'd be more suited to a griffith
I Think not!!!
Please see the picture of a typical Chimaera driver
Obviously has some sexuality problems
Is that what they get up to in Essex??
Only the Chimaera drivers
it's the griff driver behind you have to worry about....
you can get a car for your money - do you intend to use it as a daily driver? if so brace yourself and prepare your bank manager.
simpler and less stressful by far is to get a run-around as well for the daily hack, use the chim a couple of times a week, then when it's at the garage for a couple of days/weeks/months you won't be too bothered.
when the hack breaks throw it away and buy another. mate of mine bought an f reg 205 1.8D on ebay with 10months MOT and 6 months tax for £190 a couple of weeks ago....
there's only 2 ways of really running these cars cheaply IMO, do all the work yourself, or never use it. neither of these are fool-proof and the latter rather a waste of time.
forget the money and go do it. you only live once, etc. and any of these cars are as much fun as you can have with your clothes on.
best of luck, whatever you decide.
you can get a car for your money - do you intend to use it as a daily driver? if so brace yourself and prepare your bank manager.
simpler and less stressful by far is to get a run-around as well for the daily hack, use the chim a couple of times a week, then when it's at the garage for a couple of days/weeks/months you won't be too bothered.
when the hack breaks throw it away and buy another. mate of mine bought an f reg 205 1.8D on ebay with 10months MOT and 6 months tax for £190 a couple of weeks ago....
there's only 2 ways of really running these cars cheaply IMO, do all the work yourself, or never use it. neither of these are fool-proof and the latter rather a waste of time.
forget the money and go do it. you only live once, etc. and any of these cars are as much fun as you can have with your clothes on.
best of luck, whatever you decide.
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