£5k realistic for a useable Chim?
Discussion
Basically as the title guys. This is my first post but have been lurking for years. I'm considering purchasing a Chimaera. I had been in the market for a kit car, possibly unfinished as my budget is only £5k and I wanted something of a decent standard.
I then started to think out of the box and found S3/S4 projects for half that budget. Looking in classifieds more and more my budget is just above the lower end Chimaera values. I can get an early car with something that resembles a valid MOT and history for that money, but is it a stupid idea? Bear in mind I was considering kit car ownership and potentially needing to finish someone elses project, I'm not averse to maintenance and have a well equipped workshop.
I would aim to pick something up in December/January time, keep it away during the worst of the winter doing any general tidying up required and then use it until winter comes round again. I am keen to do a proper body off job to check and repair the chassis.
Is this just a pipe dream? Even with the work I'm prepared to put in, is a £4500-5000 Chim a silly idea? The car will be used regularly and wont just be a garage queen, certainly in the less snowy months anyway.
I then started to think out of the box and found S3/S4 projects for half that budget. Looking in classifieds more and more my budget is just above the lower end Chimaera values. I can get an early car with something that resembles a valid MOT and history for that money, but is it a stupid idea? Bear in mind I was considering kit car ownership and potentially needing to finish someone elses project, I'm not averse to maintenance and have a well equipped workshop.
I would aim to pick something up in December/January time, keep it away during the worst of the winter doing any general tidying up required and then use it until winter comes round again. I am keen to do a proper body off job to check and repair the chassis.
Is this just a pipe dream? Even with the work I'm prepared to put in, is a £4500-5000 Chim a silly idea? The car will be used regularly and wont just be a garage queen, certainly in the less snowy months anyway.
This topic has been raised lots of times. Some say yes, the majority so no. Either way, you'll likely make your own mind up! 
What I can say; all things being equal... if you're playing the odds... if you don't have the luck of the devil... what you don't spend on purchase, you'll spend on repairs and maintenance. The budgets are likely to work out the same in the long run. A poor example is more likely to spend more time off the road and prove more frustrating. A good example is likely to spend more time on the road and less in the garage. The budgets are the same at the end of the day. What do you enjoy doing the most? Driving or mechanics?
If you are handy at home mechanics, then it will be cheaper. There's loads of knowledge on here. If you want to get in and drive for that price, you had better get a CAT C/D or stock up your tool kit and get your hands dirty.
There are a few reasonable 400's around for the £8k mark, that require a little work. Whatever you do, don't ask which of the models is best!!!
What I can say; all things being equal... if you're playing the odds... if you don't have the luck of the devil... what you don't spend on purchase, you'll spend on repairs and maintenance. The budgets are likely to work out the same in the long run. A poor example is more likely to spend more time off the road and prove more frustrating. A good example is likely to spend more time on the road and less in the garage. The budgets are the same at the end of the day. What do you enjoy doing the most? Driving or mechanics?
If you are handy at home mechanics, then it will be cheaper. There's loads of knowledge on here. If you want to get in and drive for that price, you had better get a CAT C/D or stock up your tool kit and get your hands dirty.
There are a few reasonable 400's around for the £8k mark, that require a little work. Whatever you do, don't ask which of the models is best!!!
I totally agree with what is said above, I bought mine for just over 6k lasts year, it was in good condition but have spent a lot on exterior and interior, I have done a few things mechanically and the further/deeper you go into the mechanics the more you find needs replacing or on the last legs condition wise, there may well be a reason the cars are cheap ie less than 5/6k, looking around and if you can afford it spend more initially it will save you in the long run. you will get a really reasonable one for just over 7k,,,
Alternatively you could buy one at £7k and still have a nightmare...
Basically just do your due diligence and go into it with your eyes open ... I mean mine is worth feck all at the moment because she looks pretty ragged but that's all cosmetic - I've been spending most of my time and money making sure that mechanically she's good before tarting her up to look pretty again.
Basically just do your due diligence and go into it with your eyes open ... I mean mine is worth feck all at the moment because she looks pretty ragged but that's all cosmetic - I've been spending most of my time and money making sure that mechanically she's good before tarting her up to look pretty again.
£5k doesn't have to mean it will be more trouble than £10k.....Make sure the chassis and engine are OK and then buy as LOW price as you can (if cosmetics don't bother you and you can sort out electrics....) if you can live with CatC/D then even better.
The more you keep an eye on the classifieds and are prepared to travel at short notice the luckier you will get...
Paul
The more you keep an eye on the classifieds and are prepared to travel at short notice the luckier you will get...
Paul
with proper sorted mechanicals 
Yes, you can if you're handy with a spanner. Chances are the chassis will be rusted, but it's sortable if you know what you're doing. It's a time consuming job to do, so costs a fair bit form a garage (I do them for a living!)
If you're paying for all your work, then it probably isn't such a great idea.
That said, there are plenty of £8k-£9k Chimaeras out there with rusted chassis', so sometimes by buying cheap and sorting it so you know it's good can pay off. Total outlay will likely still be lower.
If you're paying for all your work, then it probably isn't such a great idea.
That said, there are plenty of £8k-£9k Chimaeras out there with rusted chassis', so sometimes by buying cheap and sorting it so you know it's good can pay off. Total outlay will likely still be lower.
Blackpuddin said:
Pal of mine was in the market for a TVR when they were still being made but rapidly went off the idea after a factory visit. He was appalled by the slipshod way they were being chucked together.
Helpful input, well done. To the O.P, its all about how much you want to get stuck in, logic says its cheap because its in need of attention, it might just be physical, it might be the chassis is falling off!
shake n bake said:
Blackpuddin said:
Pal of mine was in the market for a TVR when they were still being made but rapidly went off the idea after a factory visit. He was appalled by the slipshod way they were being chucked together.
Helpful input, well done. Yes, because what really matters is what someone may have seen happening to cars 15 years ago rather than what all of the people who have owned, bought and worked on them have thought in the subsequent 15 years.
OP if you're in no rush just keep on looking for the right car over the next few months, I was in the same position last year andsome right bargains came on the market that would have also done you. I'm still kicking myself at not bidding high enough for a red facelift chim that was fully refurbed and painted but in pieces, was all there and went for £3k. It would have been immaculate
OP if you're in no rush just keep on looking for the right car over the next few months, I was in the same position last year andsome right bargains came on the market that would have also done you. I'm still kicking myself at not bidding high enough for a red facelift chim that was fully refurbed and painted but in pieces, was all there and went for £3k. It would have been immaculate
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