Sell or keep my chimaera

[99Chimaera]

Hi all,
I own a 1999 Chimaera 4.0 in blue, with 44k.I have owned it for 6.5 years, it's been in the family since 2002 (my Dad had it before me) I love it to bits. Unfortunately I have a dilemma , I recently booked it in for a 12k service which has turned into a full chassis repair due to rotten outriggers. I have had this done ending up with a total bill of over 4k. This has cleaned me out money wise, at the moment I can no longer afford to run it, and also I have a young family too meaning I would'nt have as much time to use it. I was wondering whether I put it into to storage in a Carcoon Bubble for a period of time until I have saved up another contingency fund and when I have time to use it? Would I be better off selling it and buy another one later?
Part of me wants to keep it having so much money on it and I have known what has been done to it since it was 3 years old.

What do you think guys?

many thanks. Philip

[StarmistBlue400]

Try as hard as you can to keep it. I spent similar on a 968CS which I sold to recoup the cash and a few years later things changed for the best and I regret selling it to this very day

The fact that it's been in the family for so long is another reason why you should fight till the end to keep it but it should really be used, not kept in a bubble.

Good luck.

[Dave Meredith]

If you've got a garage then keep it. if you sell then someone else gets the benefit
of all your hard work and investment.
Tax it for summer only use, and take it out for a drive when you need a bit of cheering up.
In a year or two things will be a bit better, and you'll be glad you still got it even
if you just start it up occasionally just to stand behind it and listen to the noise!

[maston]

Sell either the volvo or the golf and then make the chim your everyday car and either the volvo or the golf (whatever one you keep) could be your wifes everyday car, simple

[simonej]

If it's just had a major service and is in tip top condition there's no reason why it can't last a couple of years before the next service - or at least with a simple oil change at MOT time. Tax it for the six months over summer and some classic insurance and the running costs should be sub £500 per year. Keep it!

[gruffalo]

Sellit.

Put the family on bread and water for 6 months over the winter and then buy a Cerbera as the sensible family car.

Sorted;-)

[Chilliman]

99Chimaera said:

......I have had this done ending up with a total bill of over 4k. This has cleaned me out money wise, at the moment I can no longer afford to run it, ..... Part of me wants to keep it having so much money on it and I have known what has been done to it since it was 3 years old.

What do you think guys?

many thanks. Philip

Right, this is a straightforward case of appropriate application of man maths. Here are ten key points to consider....

1. If you sell it you will have lost money
2. Losing money is a bad thing
3. Losing money when you have a young family to support is irresponsible
4. Other cars depreciate, TVR's don't
5. Lack of depreciation is like having a savings account
6. A savings account is a great thing for a person with a young family - it shows you are thinking of their future
7. Thinking of your family's future shows you are not a selfish person, and only make rational decisions
8. As the kids grow and become interested in cars they won't understand why you sold the TVR, it was after all a family heirloom. They may hate you for this
9. Having kids that hate you isn't a good thing
10. Think carefully about how you will explain this to your wife, they don't understand things in the same way that we do

As I once said to mine, I can explain it to you, but I can't understand it for you. By the way I'm divorced.

Hope this helps,

Chilli

[macdeb]

Chilliman said:

Right, this is a straightforward case of appropriate application of man maths. Here are ten key points to consider....

1. If you sell it you will have lost money
2. Losing money is a bad thing
3. Losing money when you have a young family to support is irresponsible
4. Other cars depreciate, TVR's don't
5. Lack of depreciation is like having a savings account
6. A savings account is a great thing for a person with a young family - it shows you are thinking of their future
7. Thinking of your family's future shows you are not a selfish person, and only make rational decisions
8. As the kids grow and become interested in cars they won't understand why you sold the TVR, it was after all a family heirloom. They may hate you for this
9. Having kids that hate you isn't a good thing
10. Think carefully about how you will explain this to your wife, they don't understand things in the same way that we do

As I once said to mine, I can explain it to you, but I can't understand it for you. By the way I'm divorced.

Hope this helps,

Chilli

What was your wifes name Chilli?

[brett84]

Chilliman said:

As I once said to mine, I can explain it to you, but I can't understand it for you. By the way I'm divorced.


Chilli

haha

[Goaty Bill]

Chilliman said:

Some remarkably clever stuff

This is an deeply disturbing moment for me.
I find that for the second time within the space of 6 months, I am in agreement with the Chillidog

What can I say?
Extraordinarily well constructed, coherent and logical argument my good man.



OP
I have owned mine now for over 14 years.
There have been patches along the way where heartbreakingly, I was forced to garage it and wait until funds came available to do requisite work to allow her out to play again.

My overall experience will be a little different from the average today, though I expect not entirely unique;
I bought mine at a time when there were 5-6 dealers within short driving distance, and each would be taking in as many as 6+ cars per week for resale.
I (with others of the day) had the pick of the bunch, from a selection of many new and near new cars, with the further option to order precisely what one wanted.
One day, after months of looking, the perfect car was sitting there, and within minutes the deal was sealed and the papers signed.

My point being, I owned the 'one'. My one true love. No other could ever replace her.
I have seen many Chimaeras (and other TVRs that I desire) over the intervening years. Some that are stunning examples, and have been in far better condition than mine.
But I wouldn't trade her for any of them, not even if the deal made 300% financial sense.

The two things I have never regretted in my life;
1) buying my Chimaera (the best 35k I ever spent in my life)
2) keeping my Chimaera through all adversities


If it's just a Chimaera; sell it.
If my 'story' makes sense to you; hold on to it forever at all costs (short of your family's lives of course )


ETA
In pretty much all other circumstances; Ignore Chilli. He is a maniac and not to be trusted

Edited by Goaty Bill on Thursday 7th November 09:15

[swanny71]

Chilliman said:

Right, this is a straightforward case of appropriate application of man maths. Here are ten key points to consider....

1. If you sell it you will have lost money
2. Losing money is a bad thing
3. Losing money when you have a young family to support is irresponsible
4. Other cars depreciate, TVR's don't
5. Lack of depreciation is like having a savings account
6. A savings account is a great thing for a person with a young family - it shows you are thinking of their future
7. Thinking of your family's future shows you are not a selfish person, and only make rational decisions
8. As the kids grow and become interested in cars they won't understand why you sold the TVR, it was after all a family heirloom. They may hate you for this
9. Having kids that hate you isn't a good thing
10. Think carefully about how you will explain this to your wife, they don't understand things in the same way that we do

As I once said to mine, I can explain it to you, but I can't understand it for you. By the way I'm divorced.

Hope this helps,

Chilli

Brilliant!
Chilli, you are a wise man.

[99Chimaera]

StarmistBlue400 said:

Try as hard as you can to keep it. I spent similar on a 968CS which I sold to recoup the cash and a few years later things changed for the best and I regret selling it to this very day

The fact that it's been in the family for so long is another reason why you should fight till the end to keep it but it should really be used, not kept in a bubble.

Good luck.

Thanks starmist for your helpful comments, That's great I was worried that, if I sold it I would regret it, I like your car by the way it's identical to mine

[99Chimaera]

Dave Meredith said:

If you've got a garage then keep it. if you sell then someone else gets the benefit
of all your hard work and investment.
Tax it for summer only use, and take it out for a drive when you need a bit of cheering up.
In a year or two things will be a bit better, and you'll be glad you still got it even
if you just start it up occasionally just to stand behind it and listen to the noise!

Thanks Dave, I might do that, I have always had the car taxed for 12 months and used it on fine sunny days during the winter, but this year I will put it away for the winter.

[99Chimaera]

maston said:

Sell either the volvo or the golf and then make the chim your everyday car and either the volvo or the golf (whatever one you keep) could be your wifes everyday car, simple

I have been toying with the idea of selling my VW and replacing it with a £1k car as I only use it to travel to work, I rarely use it at weekends, the Volvo is the main family car, thanks for your help

[99Chimaera]

simonej said:

If it's just had a major service and is in tip top condition there's no reason why it can't last a couple of years before the next service - or at least with a simple oil change at MOT time. Tax it for the six months over summer and some classic insurance and the running costs should be sub £500 per year. Keep it!

Good point, Since buying my car I must have spent about £7k on improving it. I will probably tax it for summer use next time, thanks for your help;)

[99Chimaera]

gruffalo said:

Sellit.

Put the family on bread and water for 6 months over the winter and then buy a Cerbera as the sensible family car.

Sorted;-)

Excellent idea, I am a big fan of the Cerbrera, but would have to keep the Chim too! Thanks

[99Chimaera]

Chilliman said:

Right, this is a straightforward case of appropriate application of man maths. Here are ten key points to consider....

1. If you sell it you will have lost money
2. Losing money is a bad thing
3. Losing money when you have a young family to support is irresponsible
4. Other cars depreciate, TVR's don't
5. Lack of depreciation is like having a savings account
6. A savings account is a great thing for a person with a young family - it shows you are thinking of their future
7. Thinking of your family's future shows you are not a selfish person, and only make rational decisions
8. As the kids grow and become interested in cars they won't understand why you sold the TVR, it was after all a family heirloom. They may hate you for this
9. Having kids that hate you isn't a good thing
10. Think carefully about how you will explain this to your wife, they don't understand things in the same way that we do

As I once said to mine, I can explain it to you, but I can't understand it for you. By the way I'm divorced.

Hope this helps,

Chilli

thanks Chilli some very good points there, I am very lucky that my wife is very understanding, She thinks I should keep the car, she knows how much it means to me. I am looking forward to taking my boys out in it, but it won't be for while one is a toddler and a 3 week old baby

[99Chimaera]

Goaty Bill said:

This is an deeply disturbing moment for me.
I find that for the second time within the space of 6 months, I am in agreement with the Chillidog

What can I say?
Extraordinarily well constructed, coherent and logical argument my good man.



OP
I have owned mine now for over 14 years.
There have been patches along the way where heartbreakingly, I was forced to garage it and wait until funds came available to do requisite work to allow her out to play again.

My overall experience will be a little different from the average today, though I expect not entirely unique;
I bought mine at a time when there were 5-6 dealers within short driving distance, and each would be taking in as many as 6+ cars per week for resale.
I (with others of the day) had the pick of the bunch, from a selection of many new and near new cars, with the further option to order precisely what one wanted.
One day, after months of looking, the perfect car was sitting there, and within minutes the deal was sealed and the papers signed.

My point being, I owned the 'one'. My one true love. No other could ever replace her.
I have seen many Chimaeras (and other TVRs that I desire) over the intervening years. Some that are stunning examples, and have been in far better condition than mine.
But I wouldn't trade her for any of them, not even if the deal made 300% financial sense.

The two things I have never regretted in my life;
1) buying my Chimaera (the best 35k I ever spent in my life)
2) keeping my Chimaera through all adversities


If it's just a Chimaera; sell it.
If my 'story' makes sense to you; hold on to it forever at all costs (short of your family's lives of course )


ETA
In pretty much all other circumstances; Ignore Chilli. He is a maniac and not to be trusted

Edited by Goaty Bill on Thursday 7th November 09:15

Thanks Goaty Bill, The Chimaera has been the best car I've ever had, every time I go out in it, I find it makes the most boring journeys exciting and oh the noise it's amazing, I I have been tempted by others but would never sell mine, when I see it in the garage, I give it a pat (sad isn't it!) I love it. Good luck with yours

[macca]

Chilliman said:

Right, this is a straightforward case of appropriate application of man maths. Here are ten key points to consider....

1. If you sell it you will have lost money
2. Losing money is a bad thing
3. Losing money when you have a young family to support is irresponsible
4. Other cars depreciate, TVR's don't
5. Lack of depreciation is like having a savings account
6. A savings account is a great thing for a person with a young family - it shows you are thinking of their future
7. Thinking of your family's future shows you are not a selfish person, and only make rational decisions
8. As the kids grow and become interested in cars they won't understand why you sold the TVR, it was after all a family heirloom. They may hate you for this
9. Having kids that hate you isn't a good thing
10. Think carefully about how you will explain this to your wife, they don't understand things in the same way that we do

As I once said to mine, I can explain it to you, but I can't understand it for you. By the way I'm divorced.

Hope this helps,

Chilli

Love it!

[Johnniem]

99Chimaera said:

Chilliman said:

Right, this is a straightforward case of appropriate application of man maths. Here are ten key points to consider....

1. If you sell it you will have lost money
2. Losing money is a bad thing
3. Losing money when you have a young family to support is irresponsible
4. Other cars depreciate, TVR's don't
5. Lack of depreciation is like having a savings account
6. A savings account is a great thing for a person with a young family - it shows you are thinking of their future
7. Thinking of your family's future shows you are not a selfish person, and only make rational decisions
8. As the kids grow and become interested in cars they won't understand why you sold the TVR, it was after all a family heirloom. They may hate you for this
9. Having kids that hate you isn't a good thing
10. Think carefully about how you will explain this to your wife, they don't understand things in the same way that we do

As I once said to mine, I can explain it to you, but I can't understand it for you. By the way I'm divorced.

Hope this helps,

Chilli

thanks Chilli some very good points there, I am very lucky that my wife is very understanding, She thinks I should keep the car, she knows how much it means to me. I am looking forward to taking my boys out in it, but it won't be for while one is a toddler and a 3 week old baby

Shirley items 1 & 4 of chillimans list are the opposite, are they not? If Chilli means that you will lose the money you have spent, since owning the car, then he is obviously right. I have also owned my Chim for almost 7 years. I will probably get back what I paid for it when selling (next year) but it has taken many, many thousands of £'s to get it to a point where it can't get any better. That money is lost and someone else will gain from it but it has helped to retain the value over the years. It shall become more apparent what the market actually thinks about 'value against mileage' when it is advertised but I suspect that a car with 93k miles on it will be fairly low value, despite the new interior, full respray, levens everything, uprated brakes, new induction, nitron shocks, etc etc ad infinitum. Everyone says to potential newbies to the marque that you must buy on condition, condition, condition and mileage shouldn't be an issue. We shall see!