Cheap Chimera - Good idea?
Discussion
Hello,
Not ventured in here before.
I've just bought a new (our first) house, so unfortunately had to sell my beloved BMW Z4 M Roadster. I don't currently have a car but I share my girlfriends, as we live and work together. We don't really have a need for two cars, but I'd really like a weekend toy, not to mention the fact that I have 9 years NCB, which I don't want to expire.
I don't really have a lot of cash left, but if I borrow a bit, I could possibly stretch to £6k. Would a TVR Chimera be a good buy at this price, or would it be a bit of a dog, requiring a lot of work? I have a garage to put it in.
This seems cheap, but has a few electric gremlins: http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3563194.htm
Not looking to buy just yet, in a few months perhaps. What should I be looking out for?
Thanks,
Dan
Not ventured in here before.
I've just bought a new (our first) house, so unfortunately had to sell my beloved BMW Z4 M Roadster. I don't currently have a car but I share my girlfriends, as we live and work together. We don't really have a need for two cars, but I'd really like a weekend toy, not to mention the fact that I have 9 years NCB, which I don't want to expire.
I don't really have a lot of cash left, but if I borrow a bit, I could possibly stretch to £6k. Would a TVR Chimera be a good buy at this price, or would it be a bit of a dog, requiring a lot of work? I have a garage to put it in.
This seems cheap, but has a few electric gremlins: http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3563194.htm
Not looking to buy just yet, in a few months perhaps. What should I be looking out for?
Thanks,
Dan
I knew you'd head over here sometime.
Chimaera's are cheap at the moment and you'll get a 'decent' car for relatively little. Don't let people put you off, they are really just old Land Rover/Ford/Vauxhall bits so if you've got a flat blade screwdriver and a mallet you can fix pretty much anything.
the main thing to look out for is outriggers, many of them are totally shot, and depending on who you talk to can cost between £1500-£5000 to replace. I use some guys up this way for my work and heartily recommend them.
Things that probably would cost are interior retrim etc. mines due it, but never seem to get round to it. If you want a look round one, give me a shout and I can bring it down - never seem to get to the pub meets.
Chimaera's are cheap at the moment and you'll get a 'decent' car for relatively little. Don't let people put you off, they are really just old Land Rover/Ford/Vauxhall bits so if you've got a flat blade screwdriver and a mallet you can fix pretty much anything.
the main thing to look out for is outriggers, many of them are totally shot, and depending on who you talk to can cost between £1500-£5000 to replace. I use some guys up this way for my work and heartily recommend them.
Things that probably would cost are interior retrim etc. mines due it, but never seem to get round to it. If you want a look round one, give me a shout and I can bring it down - never seem to get to the pub meets.
Bottom line is condition, condition and indeed condition 
Check recent history as to how current owner has looked after the car, i.e. have they spent money on decent servicing from recognised sources, have they put decent rubber on and not ditch finders, were there an advisories on last MOT that have been done (sign of a caring owner in my book), etc, etc.
The really big issue is the outriggers which can cost about £1500 to replace if required. A lot of adds will highlight if this has been done and don't rely on looking at and tapping the bits you can see as the real trouble can hide away from eye lines.
This site has quite a few tips in the buying guide
http://www.chimaerapages.com/
Good luck searching and post up links to any cars you are interested in as there is a good chance folks on here will know them and advise accordingly.
Check recent history as to how current owner has looked after the car, i.e. have they spent money on decent servicing from recognised sources, have they put decent rubber on and not ditch finders, were there an advisories on last MOT that have been done (sign of a caring owner in my book), etc, etc.
The really big issue is the outriggers which can cost about £1500 to replace if required. A lot of adds will highlight if this has been done and don't rely on looking at and tapping the bits you can see as the real trouble can hide away from eye lines.
This site has quite a few tips in the buying guide
http://www.chimaerapages.com/
Good luck searching and post up links to any cars you are interested in as there is a good chance folks on here will know them and advise accordingly.
Thanks for the info.
And thanks for the offer Mark. As I said, I'm not looking to buy right now, want to settle in and see how much cash I have left each month to run and maintain it now I have a big mortgage, house insurance and everything else to pay. Just curious at the moment.
The other option is either a high mileage Z4 3.0 or a Honda S2000, but have always wanted a Chimera.
And thanks for the offer Mark. As I said, I'm not looking to buy right now, want to settle in and see how much cash I have left each month to run and maintain it now I have a big mortgage, house insurance and everything else to pay. Just curious at the moment.
The other option is either a high mileage Z4 3.0 or a Honda S2000, but have always wanted a Chimera.
Hi Dan - and welcome!
These cars are great fun, but if you are looking to buy at that price there are more than a few pitfalls. Best advice is to do lots of research first. Loads on here, plus go to a TVRCC meeting and talk to some owners. When you find a car you like, get somebody who really and specifically knows TVRs to look at it for you.
Get a good un and you will have a brilliant time. If you end up buying a bit of a dog you could easily be looking at £3k to get it sorted...
These cars are great fun, but if you are looking to buy at that price there are more than a few pitfalls. Best advice is to do lots of research first. Loads on here, plus go to a TVRCC meeting and talk to some owners. When you find a car you like, get somebody who really and specifically knows TVRs to look at it for you.
Get a good un and you will have a brilliant time. If you end up buying a bit of a dog you could easily be looking at £3k to get it sorted...
danyeates said:
Hello,
Not ventured in here before.
I've just bought a new (our first) house, so unfortunately had to sell my beloved BMW Z4 M Roadster. I don't currently have a car but I share my girlfriends, as we live and work together. We don't really have a need for two cars, but I'd really like a weekend toy, not to mention the fact that I have 9 years NCB, which I don't want to expire.
I don't really have a lot of cash left, but if I borrow a bit, I could possibly stretch to £6k. Would a TVR Chimera be a good buy at this price, or would it be a bit of a dog, requiring a lot of work? I have a garage to put it in.
This seems cheap, but has a few electric gremlins: http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3563194.htm
Not looking to buy just yet, in a few months perhaps. What should I be looking out for?
Thanks,
Dan
Why not go and look at the car, you're not committing to buy it so what have you got to lose?Not ventured in here before.
I've just bought a new (our first) house, so unfortunately had to sell my beloved BMW Z4 M Roadster. I don't currently have a car but I share my girlfriends, as we live and work together. We don't really have a need for two cars, but I'd really like a weekend toy, not to mention the fact that I have 9 years NCB, which I don't want to expire.
I don't really have a lot of cash left, but if I borrow a bit, I could possibly stretch to £6k. Would a TVR Chimera be a good buy at this price, or would it be a bit of a dog, requiring a lot of work? I have a garage to put it in.
This seems cheap, but has a few electric gremlins: http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3563194.htm
Not looking to buy just yet, in a few months perhaps. What should I be looking out for?
Thanks,
Dan
A Chimaera of this age & price could be one of three things:
1) A disastrous money pit
2) An absolute bargain
3) Something in between
You won't know which one it is unless you go and see it.
The thing to accept before is you really need to go through the car with a fine tooth comb checking as much as is practically possible.
If the outrotters stand up to close inception and other issues are insignificant you should do yourself a favour & buy it.
On the other hand the expensive jobs to look out for, especially if you don't do the work yourself (see costs) are:
- Chassis corrosion: £1500
- Clutch starting to slip at the higher revs: £600
- Camshaft wear (hard to diagnose): £850
- Diff bush needs replacing: £300
- Suspension clonks & other related undesirable noises: Anything from £300 - £800
- Wiring, alarm + immobiliser faults: Anything from £1 for some wire & connectors - £600 for a complete new alarm system
So you can see how things can add up, you could easily spend £3 - £4k bringing a worn out Chimaera up to standard.
Or you may get lucky and find a car that needs very little doing to it, these cars are getting to the stage where the big expensive jobs have been done by the last owner, that's the car you are looking for.
If you find one like this it's the perfect time to buy, you have a few months to sort any little niggles before the summer comes.
Even if you just keep the car for 17 months (buy now & sell mid July 2013) you should easily make your money back as long as you can dodge those big bill issues above.
A bit of tax, some insurance, one good service and an oil change before you turn it next summer and you could easily enjoy the TVR experience for less than a grand spent once you sell & get your initial investment back.
That's what I figured when I bought mine, three years later I can honestly say I will never sell it.
If you want a toy and you like your sports cars old school as I do, you will not find a better bargain than a TVR Chimaera even at twice the price.
The secret is buy wisely and avoid the temptation to splash out on upgrades, simple regular maintenance is all a good Chimaera needs.
danyeates said:
Thanks for the info.
And thanks for the offer Mark. As I said, I'm not looking to buy right now, want to settle in and see how much cash I have left each month to run and maintain it now I have a big mortgage, house insurance and everything else to pay. Just curious at the moment.
The other option is either a high mileage Z4 3.0 or a Honda S2000, but have always wanted a Chimera.
I wouldn't discuss your thoughts with your missus, or she'll have her eye on a new kitchen!And thanks for the offer Mark. As I said, I'm not looking to buy right now, want to settle in and see how much cash I have left each month to run and maintain it now I have a big mortgage, house insurance and everything else to pay. Just curious at the moment.
The other option is either a high mileage Z4 3.0 or a Honda S2000, but have always wanted a Chimera.
I think you will find a much better choice of cars if you could push that budget to £7k or £8k. For that money you may well be able to get a car with the outriggers done for you. £6k will get you one of the older models, but as said before, there are £6k cars that have used every day and run in to the ground and there are £6k cars that people have owned for the last 10 years, kept in a dry garage, used at weekends and had serviced.... if you catch my drift.
Chimpandtonic said:
Why not go and look at the car, you're not committing to buy it so what have you got to lose?
A Chimaera of this age & price could be one of three things:
1) A disastrous money pit
2) An absolute bargain
3) Something in between
You won't know which one it is unless you go and see it.
The thing to accept before is you really need to go through the car with a fine tooth comb checking as much as is practically possible.
If the outrotters stand up to close inception and other issues are insignificant you should do yourself a favour & buy it.
On the other hand the expensive jobs to look out for, especially if you don't do the work yourself (see costs) are:
So you can see how things can add up, you could easily spend £3 - £4k bringing a worn out Chimaera up to standard.
Or you may get lucky and find a car that needs very little doing to it, these cars are getting to the stage where the big expensive jobs have been done by the last owner, that's the car you are looking for.
If you find one like this it's the perfect time to buy, you have a few months to sort any little niggles before the summer comes.
Even if you just keep the car for 17 months (buy now & sell mid July 2013) you should easily make your money back as long as you can dodge those big bill issues above.
A bit of tax, some insurance, one good service and an oil change before you turn it next summer and you could easily enjoy the TVR experience for less than a grand spent once you sell & get your initial investment back.
That's what I figured when I bought mine, three years later I can honestly say I will never sell it.
If you want a toy and you like your sports cars old school as I do, you will not find a better bargain than a TVR Chimaera even at twice the price.
The secret is buy wisely and avoid the temptation to splash out on upgrades, simple regular maintenance is all a good Chimaera needs.
Great info! Thank you A Chimaera of this age & price could be one of three things:
1) A disastrous money pit
2) An absolute bargain
3) Something in between
You won't know which one it is unless you go and see it.
The thing to accept before is you really need to go through the car with a fine tooth comb checking as much as is practically possible.
If the outrotters stand up to close inception and other issues are insignificant you should do yourself a favour & buy it.
On the other hand the expensive jobs to look out for, especially if you don't do the work yourself (see costs) are:
- Chassis corrosion: £1500
- Clutch starting to slip at the higher revs: £600
- Camshaft wear (hard to diagnose): £850
- Diff bush needs replacing: £300
- Suspension clonks & other related undesirable noises: Anything from £300 - £800
- Wiring, alarm + immobiliser faults: Anything from £1 for some wire & connectors - £600 for a complete new alarm system
So you can see how things can add up, you could easily spend £3 - £4k bringing a worn out Chimaera up to standard.
Or you may get lucky and find a car that needs very little doing to it, these cars are getting to the stage where the big expensive jobs have been done by the last owner, that's the car you are looking for.
If you find one like this it's the perfect time to buy, you have a few months to sort any little niggles before the summer comes.
Even if you just keep the car for 17 months (buy now & sell mid July 2013) you should easily make your money back as long as you can dodge those big bill issues above.
A bit of tax, some insurance, one good service and an oil change before you turn it next summer and you could easily enjoy the TVR experience for less than a grand spent once you sell & get your initial investment back.
That's what I figured when I bought mine, three years later I can honestly say I will never sell it.
If you want a toy and you like your sports cars old school as I do, you will not find a better bargain than a TVR Chimaera even at twice the price.
The secret is buy wisely and avoid the temptation to splash out on upgrades, simple regular maintenance is all a good Chimaera needs.
Yes, really good useful information. Thanks a lot.
With regards to my girlfriend, not got to worry. She loves a weekend sports car as much as me. Although she'll probably want to be insured on it! With regards to the new house, it's mint, gorgeous, nearly new and wants for nothing! I love it! I'm the chef of the house and the kitchen is just perfect
With regards to my girlfriend, not got to worry. She loves a weekend sports car as much as me. Although she'll probably want to be insured on it! With regards to the new house, it's mint, gorgeous, nearly new and wants for nothing! I love it! I'm the chef of the house and the kitchen is just perfect
Alexdaredevilz said:
Depends how handy you with a spanner IMO
I paid £3500 for mine a couple of years ago. It had a shed load spent on it though by previous owners - the invoices that came with it
. I do all my own work on it, not that it's needed much TBH, but judging by the labour rates charged on the old invoices it would have cost me a lot more than £150 to keep it on the road.
Alexdaredevilz said:
Depends how handy you with a spanner IMO
+1An attraction of owning this particular TVR, is that it is a car that you can work on, should you so wish (and there are really helpful people on here genuinely helpful).
I really enjoy that part of ownership, to be honest.
Oh, and there is the noise.
Nosh
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