Discussion
Depends on your perception of "nice" and what Chim you want, 8k will get you a Chim and if you are reasonably lucky, probably a half decent one, one or two threads lately about budgets but its interesting to note that normally there are 70 to 80 for sale on here and that's down to 50+, thought the "end" of summer would have bought a few more out.
Friend of mine has just been converted too Chim ownership and is looking to buy, he inspected 2 at a Northern Dealer and they looked the part on top but were non descipt under and these were up around the 13 to 14K mark
Take your time and look carefully beyond the shine and noise, fantastic cars and probably the best thing you will ever have the pleasure to drive, if you have never been in one try and get a ride with a fellow owner, gave my friend an hour in mine with him driving as its impossible to convey what they are like without taking an extended drive yourself
Good luck, plenty of people on here will help out with advice
Friend of mine has just been converted too Chim ownership and is looking to buy, he inspected 2 at a Northern Dealer and they looked the part on top but were non descipt under and these were up around the 13 to 14K mark
Take your time and look carefully beyond the shine and noise, fantastic cars and probably the best thing you will ever have the pleasure to drive, if you have never been in one try and get a ride with a fellow owner, gave my friend an hour in mine with him driving as its impossible to convey what they are like without taking an extended drive yourself
Good luck, plenty of people on here will help out with advice
It will probably mean having to buy private opposed to a main dealer but £8k will get you in the seat of a Chimaera.
If you have no problems buying private then £8k private is a £9-10k dealer car realistically,of course buying from a dealer should have it's benefits.
I personally think at £8k your not going to have the best around but certainly not the worst.
Apart from making sure the outriggers are in good order price then becomes on some of the finer details.
1, The Seats condition
2, Wood fascia dash surround not cracked
3, Alloys not marked
4, Stone chips a few or really needs a paint job
5, Leven accessories ( Aluminium handbrake,and stalks etc)
6, Roof condition and rear screen
7, Carpets dry and condition
8, No sign of water entry (Carpets)
9, Windscreen not laminated
10, Overall body condition of how many scratches
11, Miles
12 Full service history
13, Car tracked ( That will annoy a few on here)
14, Accessories trickle charger included
15, ACT hose upgrades or other engine upgrades
16, Does it come with car covers
17, Engine size 4L,4.3L 4.5 and 5L and also HC models
I may of even missed a few but all of the above reflects why you see some being advertised sub £6K
a crime in my opinion or others being shown at £12-15K
I also think on reflection to my point 17 you should rule out the beautiful 5L engine at £8k and be looking for a 4L or a slightly higher mileage 4.5L.
As the member (Sheel) has pointed out having a test drive is a must but also dangerous as once you have driven a TVR you will realize why so many of us fall in love with the raw experience of driving but also comfy and refined when compared to the likes of a Westfield or Caterham.
If you have been warned away from friends or hearsay of reliability issues taking the TVR route then walk away from these idiots who have never owned one.
I am on my 3rd and covered over 40,000 miles of never having to call for assistance. Make sure your engine is warm before playing and follow the service advise.
Most of the money owners spend on their cars is because they want to not because they have to. If you look in my blog about £500 was spent on stuff that i did't need to spend,I just wanted too
If you have no problems buying private then £8k private is a £9-10k dealer car realistically,of course buying from a dealer should have it's benefits.
I personally think at £8k your not going to have the best around but certainly not the worst.
Apart from making sure the outriggers are in good order price then becomes on some of the finer details.
1, The Seats condition
2, Wood fascia dash surround not cracked
3, Alloys not marked
4, Stone chips a few or really needs a paint job
5, Leven accessories ( Aluminium handbrake,and stalks etc)
6, Roof condition and rear screen
7, Carpets dry and condition
8, No sign of water entry (Carpets)
9, Windscreen not laminated
10, Overall body condition of how many scratches
11, Miles
12 Full service history
13, Car tracked ( That will annoy a few on here)
14, Accessories trickle charger included
15, ACT hose upgrades or other engine upgrades
16, Does it come with car covers
17, Engine size 4L,4.3L 4.5 and 5L and also HC models
I may of even missed a few but all of the above reflects why you see some being advertised sub £6K
a crime in my opinion or others being shown at £12-15K I also think on reflection to my point 17 you should rule out the beautiful 5L engine at £8k and be looking for a 4L or a slightly higher mileage 4.5L.
As the member (Sheel) has pointed out having a test drive is a must but also dangerous as once you have driven a TVR you will realize why so many of us fall in love with the raw experience of driving but also comfy and refined when compared to the likes of a Westfield or Caterham.
If you have been warned away from friends or hearsay of reliability issues taking the TVR route then walk away from these idiots who have never owned one.
I am on my 3rd and covered over 40,000 miles of never having to call for assistance. Make sure your engine is warm before playing and follow the service advise.
Most of the money owners spend on their cars is because they want to not because they have to. If you look in my blog about £500 was spent on stuff that i did't need to spend,I just wanted too
Edited by TVRJAS on Saturday 19th October 16:57
Also just add to my point 13 of it being a track event car is that most of the owners who do track events know these cars inside out,and if anything needs doing it has been done. So unless you are very unlucky and got someone's track car who really should't be owning a TVR then you can ignore number 13 
If you dont mind yellow, this looks good value
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012...
I'd try to get the facelift if you can - 97/98 on. Spotted by different lower dash panel, door openers on wing mirrors and different front grille.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012...
I'd try to get the facelift if you can - 97/98 on. Spotted by different lower dash panel, door openers on wing mirrors and different front grille.
edo said:
If you dont mind yellow, this looks good value
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012...
I'd try to get the facelift if you can - 97/98 on. Spotted by different lower dash panel, door openers on wing mirrors and different front grille.
I'd say avoid 97-98 as that was the time the chassis were really prone to rotting.http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012...
I'd try to get the facelift if you can - 97/98 on. Spotted by different lower dash panel, door openers on wing mirrors and different front grille.
Just goes to show you ask for advice & you'll get exact opposite views
edo said:
If you dont mind yellow, this looks good value
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012...
I'd try to get the facelift if you can - 97/98 on. Spotted by different lower dash panel, door openers on wing mirrors and different front grille.
Strange 9 pictures and none of the interior. Last picture also has price of £10,995 http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012...
I'd try to get the facelift if you can - 97/98 on. Spotted by different lower dash panel, door openers on wing mirrors and different front grille.
edo said:
If you dont mind yellow, this looks good value
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012...
.
I have my car and am delighted with it but I'd pay extra for a yellow Chim.....http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012...
.
When it comes to full respray time, I'd seriously consider changing from my red to yellow....
Chinski said:
A900ss said:
I have my car and am delighted with it but I'd pay extra for a yellow Chim.....
When it comes to full respray time, I'd seriously consider changing from my red to yellow....
Sell me yours and buy a yellow one!When it comes to full respray time, I'd seriously consider changing from my red to yellow....
The car owes me more than its worth but it doesn't stop the spend....
You'll understand when you get one.
Best of luck.
A900.... The rest of us understand.
Chinski from that I take it your not keen on yellow. Not my color of choice but I do like the matching color dials you can just make out in the picture.
At that spec regarding mileage FSH and the year and being from a dealer I would of thought the price of 10,990 it shows in the last picture would be more accurate.
£8,500 seems cheap in comparison and although there are no photos of the interior at 35,000 miles it should be a clean example. Makes me think I over payed for mine
Edited as just noticed on the yellow one that is being talked about if you go to the dealer site there are 20 pics uploaded including interior which don't look bad.
It does not have any leven extras,no Hose upgrades and I would say it's been painted as a picture of the roof looks like it has a tinge of yellow on it
Chinski from that I take it your not keen on yellow. Not my color of choice but I do like the matching color dials you can just make out in the picture.
At that spec regarding mileage FSH and the year and being from a dealer I would of thought the price of 10,990 it shows in the last picture would be more accurate.
£8,500 seems cheap in comparison and although there are no photos of the interior at 35,000 miles it should be a clean example. Makes me think I over payed for mine
Edited as just noticed on the yellow one that is being talked about if you go to the dealer site there are 20 pics uploaded including interior which don't look bad.
It does not have any leven extras,no Hose upgrades and I would say it's been painted as a picture of the roof looks like it has a tinge of yellow on it
Edited by TVRJAS on Saturday 19th October 23:18
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