Buying Guides?
Discussion
Hello there
I am contemplating buying a Chimaera (prob a 4l)but I am a bit at a loss to find what "The normal things to watch out for" about them.
Am I being dim? (entirely possible... and more than likely)
Can anyone point me in the direction of a good web guide, thread on here or the like?
Cheers in advance
Garf
I am contemplating buying a Chimaera (prob a 4l)but I am a bit at a loss to find what "The normal things to watch out for" about them.
Am I being dim? (entirely possible... and more than likely)
Can anyone point me in the direction of a good web guide, thread on here or the like?
Cheers in advance
Garf
Last month's Sprint mag from the TVRCC had a feature on the Chimaera - you may be able to get a back copy from them - might be worth giving them a call. www.tvrcc.com
I just bought one 2 weeks ago, and got lots of useful info from the peeps on here - you can look at my profile and follow my threads as a starting point.
Oh yes, and of course - the indispensable Chimaera and Griffith "bible" courtesy of Steve Heath (see above)!
>> Edited by Gavstar on Tuesday 27th July 13:27
I just bought one 2 weeks ago, and got lots of useful info from the peeps on here - you can look at my profile and follow my threads as a starting point.
Oh yes, and of course - the indispensable Chimaera and Griffith "bible" courtesy of Steve Heath (see above)!
>> Edited by Gavstar on Tuesday 27th July 13:27
agree with whats already been said before - I read Steve Heaths book thoroughly to find out more before deciding to buy a chim & thought the book was excellent.
Unless you really know what you are doing or prepared to take the risk get the car inspected by, or buy one from a TVR specialist.
Had mine 2 months - looks & sounds great (in blue :-)) IMHO the 4.0L is plenty quick enough to start with, fuel usage good at 22-24 mpg & reasonably practical to drive every day. Insurance lower than alternatives but obviously not cheap. Build quality is pretty good - nowhere near as flimsy / DIY etc as I expected & engine etc are pretty tough but obviously need looking after / servicing properly. Looking at history of mine repairs at main dealers will cost you an arm & a leg, but prices from indie TVR specialists seem very reasonable.
Hope this helps.
Unless you really know what you are doing or prepared to take the risk get the car inspected by, or buy one from a TVR specialist.
Had mine 2 months - looks & sounds great (in blue :-)) IMHO the 4.0L is plenty quick enough to start with, fuel usage good at 22-24 mpg & reasonably practical to drive every day. Insurance lower than alternatives but obviously not cheap. Build quality is pretty good - nowhere near as flimsy / DIY etc as I expected & engine etc are pretty tough but obviously need looking after / servicing properly. Looking at history of mine repairs at main dealers will cost you an arm & a leg, but prices from indie TVR specialists seem very reasonable.
Hope this helps.
so a quick search in this forum there loads of buyers info 
also check out www.jamesagger.com
my best advice is look at and drive as many as possible.. you'll soon get a feeling of whats good and what isn't...
also check out www.jamesagger.com
my best advice is look at and drive as many as possible.. you'll soon get a feeling of whats good and what isn't...
I will post more details when I have the report in writing, but I unfortunately currently feel like I did not get good advice when buying my Chim 2 weeks ago. I was recommended to buy it, but advised it would need new shocks all round, so I believe I bought it at a price to reflect the job required. I am picking it up from Austec today, a week after it was taken in. Their feeling is that the car is in a pretty neglected state and will need a fair amount of work to get it up to scratch. It has so far already cost me double what I was told by the inspector it would cost me.
As you can imagine I am not a happy bunny right now as I put my trust in someone I believed was an expert, to advise me whether the car was worth buying or not and what kind of condition it was in.
All I can say is be careful, and make sure you can rely on the inspector to do a thorough job.
My only consolation is that I feel it is in very good hands with the chaps at Austec, which is lucky cos I have a feeling I will be seeing a lot more of them in the near future!
>> Edited by Gavstar on Wednesday 28th July 14:37
As you can imagine I am not a happy bunny right now as I put my trust in someone I believed was an expert, to advise me whether the car was worth buying or not and what kind of condition it was in.
All I can say is be careful, and make sure you can rely on the inspector to do a thorough job.
My only consolation is that I feel it is in very good hands with the chaps at Austec, which is lucky cos I have a feeling I will be seeing a lot more of them in the near future!
>> Edited by Gavstar on Wednesday 28th July 14:37
Just arrived back from Austec and can only confirm what EVERYONE else has said about them - top lads, very helpful, patient etc etc etc.
Regarding the inspection, I need to take it up with them personally as it would not be fair at this stage to discuss it here in any detail. I think it's OK to say it was not a garage....
Regarding the inspection, I need to take it up with them personally as it would not be fair at this stage to discuss it here in any detail. I think it's OK to say it was not a garage....
shpub said:
<a href="http://www.tvrbooks.co.uk">www.tvrbooks.co.uk</a>
In the FAQ section
>> Edited by shpub on Tuesday 27th July 13:30
Best buying guide there is.
Anyway, isnt buying guides illeagal? What about the trading of cub scouts?
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