5.0 at Fernhurst
5.0 at Fernhurst
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C350

Original Poster:

3,088 posts

248 months

Thursday 23rd August 2012
quotequote all
Longtime lurker hoping to start looking at Chimaeras in the flesh instead of in the classfieds.

Ive noticed that Fernhurst have had a 5.0 for sale for quite a while now. Anyone know why it hasnt sold, price doesnt seem too bad.

http://www.fernhurst-tvr.co.uk/car-details.php?id=...


Trevor450

1,939 posts

178 months

Thursday 23rd August 2012
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Looks original if ever so slightly scruffy to me but the price seems to reflect that for a 500.

V8 GRF

7,299 posts

240 months

Thursday 23rd August 2012
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I guess the mileage might be putting people off but I'd go for one with a few miles under its belt and a decent history anytime over a garage queen.

If your budget can streatch to it this one is a fantastic buy 10s of thousands ££££ spent as it was meant to be a keeper but a steal at the price it's on offer for.

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3342495.htm


V8NRG

854 posts

273 months

Thursday 23rd August 2012
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That silver one does seem good value.

It's always advisable to buy one that has had a fair bit of work recently, as this will usually mean that anything that needs doing has been done and you won’t have anything to worry about.

Don’t let high miles worry you too much either as long as it has lots of bills to prove it has been looked after properly. The more they are used the more reliable they seem to be.

Mine is currently for sale having had a quite a bit spent on it recently. PM me if you want a link to advert.

FastRich

542 posts

230 months

Thursday 23rd August 2012
quotequote all
Like anything, generally you get what you pay for.

Fernhurst are sound at preparing their cars to a high standard, certainly where the mechanicals are involved. They are also exceptionally good at looking after their customers if something goes wrong so I wouldn't have any hesitation in buying from them.

As others have said, higher mileage isn't a problem - if anything it's a good thing. I bought mine with low miles (circa 30k) and have so far spent around £1 per mile in repairs for niggly little things so a leggy car should be hassle free/cheaper to run, generally speaking.

C350

Original Poster:

3,088 posts

248 months

Thursday 23rd August 2012
quotequote all
Cheers

Will probably go and have a look at that and the 4.0 they have. High miles doesnt put me off because I have read that they need to be used and while it will be a fun car it wont be a garage queen.

Out of interest, apart from the usuals anything I need to look out for when actually driving a Chim? Power delivery etc.

banjolucknicker

258 posts

287 months

Thursday 23rd August 2012
quotequote all
C350 said:
Cheers

Will probably go and have a look at that and the 4.0 they have. High miles doesnt put me off because I have read that they need to be used and while it will be a fun car it wont be a garage queen.

Out of interest, apart from the usuals anything I need to look out for when actually driving a Chim? Power delivery etc.
Speed cameras smile

I've bought a couple of Chimaera's from Fernies over the years - top bunch of chaps and they will look after you. Ask them to put the car on the lifter and have a good prod around underneath, that's where some nasties can lurk (although I would be amazed if Fernhurst were selling one with any chassis woes)

Currently using my 4.0 on a daily basis, so the mileage it creeping up, but it's never run so well - be sensible and they are great cars to

Edited by banjolucknicker on Thursday 23 August 16:29

Johnniem

2,757 posts

253 months

Friday 24th August 2012
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C350 said:
Cheers

Will probably go and have a look at that and the 4.0 they have. High miles doesnt put me off because I have read that they need to be used and while it will be a fun car it wont be a garage queen.

Out of interest, apart from the usuals anything I need to look out for when actually driving a Chim? Power delivery etc.
I bought mine with 55k on the clock and it now has 85k and is as good as it can be really. Following a full respray and new interior, hood, wheels etc it is in even better fettle than the one above (the second post) but I couldn't now part with it as it has become part of the family!

Power delivery-wise, it'll give it in spades but please dont treat it like a modern car and blat the pedal straight down to accelerate hard. You need to apply pressure to the loud pedal smoothly and steadily. You will find the right way to do it and the car will never leave you without a smile on your face. biggrin

Fernies chaps are very helpful and attentive but their prices have always been high, especially for those cars offered with full warranty. The 500 is being sold by them with a 3 month warranty which means it has had little attention from them other than a clean and a price label. Still seems a fair price though, to be honest.

Whatever you decide please try to view and drive as many as you can. The right one will find you. 'Condition, condition, condition' should be your watchwords.

900T-R

20,406 posts

287 months

Friday 24th August 2012
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Only 60K? That's low mileage... hehe

C350

Original Poster:

3,088 posts

248 months

Friday 24th August 2012
quotequote all
Going to view 3 or 4 this weekend. One is a mint looking pre facelift with 32k which looks nice. Not going to rush. Brought an M5 too quick and the one I got was a money pit

EggsBenedict

1,796 posts

204 months

Friday 24th August 2012
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That's a good approach.

You can take some comfort in that the TVR is a simpler car than an M5 and there's less to go wrong intrinsically.

For what it's worth, Fernhursts do put effort into their customer service. If this car had come up when I was looking, I might have compromised my view that I wanted a facelift car with the rear ARB and gone for it. Under 10K for a 5.0 at a dealer is good. I did talk to Fernies when I was looking and found them helpful and friendly. I have a good mate on here who's bought 2 cars from them.


RacerMDR

5,582 posts

240 months

Friday 24th August 2012
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another vote for Fernhurst from me

I got an immaculate Griff500 from them - used it for a year and then sold it back to them.

I did lots of miles, even to Monaco and back via Switzerland and various places

in all that time - the only issue I had with the car was one of the oooling switches failed........the car didn't even over heat

That Chim is a great car i think for 10k

stuarte

1,082 posts

214 months

Friday 24th August 2012
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Bought my chim from Fernhurst. Good bunch of guys and no question that they stock good cars. Well worth a look I would think.

C350

Original Poster:

3,088 posts

248 months

Monday 3rd September 2012
quotequote all
Car drove well and sounded amazing. Drew was very helpful but the car was not for me.

Im 99% sure Ive found 'the one' for me and will be putting money down on it soon.

Looked at 6 cars in one week smile So much fun.

FastRich

542 posts

230 months

Monday 3rd September 2012
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Great news, congratulations! clap

Even if you don't buy from Fernies, they'll still be a good place to go for servicing/repairs.

Looking forward to seeing some pics!!

edo

16,699 posts

295 months

Monday 3rd September 2012
quotequote all
FastRich said:
Like anything, generally you get what you pay for.

Fernhurst are sound at preparing their cars to a high standard, certainly where the mechanicals are involved. They are also exceptionally good at looking after their customers if something goes wrong so I wouldn't have any hesitation in buying from them.

As others have said, higher mileage isn't a problem - if anything it's a good thing. I bought mine with low miles (circa 30k) and have so far spent around £1 per mile in repairs for niggly little things so a leggy car should be hassle free/cheaper to run, generally speaking.
+1

Tops chaps. Go and see them (and you are welcome to see my 500 I am only 2 minutes away!)

FastRich

542 posts

230 months

Monday 3rd September 2012
quotequote all
edo said:
Tops chaps. Go and see them (and you are welcome to see my 500 I am only 2 minutes away!)
Sorry, this is 'slightly' O/T but Edo, have you seen this link? Any interest?

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?h=0...

Rich

edo

16,699 posts

295 months

Monday 3rd September 2012
quotequote all
FastRich said:
edo said:
Tops chaps. Go and see them (and you are welcome to see my 500 I am only 2 minutes away!)
Sorry, this is 'slightly' O/T but Edo, have you seen this link? Any interest?

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?h=0...

Rich
Yes, added!

bsdnazz

762 posts

283 months

Monday 3rd September 2012
quotequote all
900T-R said:
Only 60K? That's low mileage... hehe
Just clocked 69,000 in my S reg Chim. I bought it from Fernies in 2003 with 17,000 on the clock and it's my daily drive. It's booked into Fernies for an annual service and MOT next week.

High miles don't count for much IF the car has been looked after.

900T-R

20,406 posts

287 months

Tuesday 4th September 2012
quotequote all
130K on mine, admittedly with a very comprehensive engine rebuild/enhancement right after I got it at 106,159 miles following a sneaky coolant leak and the resulting HG failure...