Searching for a Chimera, help required :)
Discussion
Right, I've started looking at cars. My budget is £13000 (could rise if I spot a bargain, but would prefer not to)
Can I enlist your help, in giving me comments on the cars I look at? Apologies in advance for not labelling everything on the pictures, I'm not exactly sure what everything is called, but ntel did help me in showing me which bits are important...
To start off with, here are some images of the 96 4.0 I saw today. Price is £13000, the guy will part ex my TT for £14000.
Pic removed
The boot hinge rubber surround has perished, but the rest of the car seems in tip top condition. The dashboard instrumentation bit (cowell?) moved slightly when I pulled it gently, is this normal? Roof was in excellent condition, with just 1 or 2 stitches loose. Comes with a 10cd stack. The car has had its aircon unit removed in the past - why would this have happened - broken?
>>> Edited by parrot of doom on Saturday 12th February 18:16
Can I enlist your help, in giving me comments on the cars I look at? Apologies in advance for not labelling everything on the pictures, I'm not exactly sure what everything is called, but ntel did help me in showing me which bits are important...
To start off with, here are some images of the 96 4.0 I saw today. Price is £13000, the guy will part ex my TT for £14000.
Pic removed
The boot hinge rubber surround has perished, but the rest of the car seems in tip top condition. The dashboard instrumentation bit (cowell?) moved slightly when I pulled it gently, is this normal? Roof was in excellent condition, with just 1 or 2 stitches loose. Comes with a 10cd stack. The car has had its aircon unit removed in the past - why would this have happened - broken?
>>> Edited by parrot of doom on Saturday 12th February 18:16
That chassis hasn't seen any waxoil in many years. I would need to get under and have a proper poke at it. To risky to take it without knowing what the outriggers are like. The scuff on the door is a common thing. These doors can drop and in this case it wasn't put right quick enough. What's the yellow thing I can see on the steering cowl?
IMO £13000 is quite a lot for this car. It doesn't look as if the owner loved it. Door has been catching for a long time and the chassis needed to see waxoil every year. I think there could be holes in those hidden parts by now. It may look nice from the outside but that's just spit and polish. You need to make sure the mechanicals are OK.
>> Edited by tvrbob on Saturday 12th February 18:47
IMO £13000 is quite a lot for this car. It doesn't look as if the owner loved it. Door has been catching for a long time and the chassis needed to see waxoil every year. I think there could be holes in those hidden parts by now. It may look nice from the outside but that's just spit and polish. You need to make sure the mechanicals are OK.
>> Edited by tvrbob on Saturday 12th February 18:47
Hi POD, Sorry I have not replied to your recent mail until now. I've not checked that mail account for a few days. Is this the car you were refering to?
Looks a bit ropey for that money to be honest. I know of a realy good Chim for sale. I will be seeing the owner tomorrow.
Here it is www.pistonheads.com/sales/detail.asp?i=36062&s=1
>> Edited by ntel on Saturday 12th February 20:14
Looks a bit ropey for that money to be honest. I know of a realy good Chim for sale. I will be seeing the owner tomorrow.
Here it is www.pistonheads.com/sales/detail.asp?i=36062&s=1
>> Edited by ntel on Saturday 12th February 20:14
A Hpi check is a very useful source of info on the cars history
www.hpicheck.com or 01722 422 422
It was a great help to me when i bought my chim
happy hunting
www.hpicheck.com or 01722 422 422
It was a great help to me when i bought my chim
happy hunting
Ok, car no.2:
Pic Removed
£10950, 1994 L plate, no PAS but has leven kit, clear indicators, nearly new tyres, very clean interior. The chassis looked to be in much better condition than the first one I looked at (again I'm no expert so advice here if you can), the boot was slightly ill-fitting although thats probably needing a bit of adjustment on the hinges (its only 1/4 - 1/2 inch out on the right edge).
The reg plate doesn't come with the car. I had a drive in it (thanks Graham), as its my first drive of one of these cars, is it a feature of the Chimera of this age that the clutch and brakes are quite stiff? I'm not at all bothered by it, just wondered thats all. I thought the car drove very nicely.
Pic Removed
£10950, 1994 L plate, no PAS but has leven kit, clear indicators, nearly new tyres, very clean interior. The chassis looked to be in much better condition than the first one I looked at (again I'm no expert so advice here if you can), the boot was slightly ill-fitting although thats probably needing a bit of adjustment on the hinges (its only 1/4 - 1/2 inch out on the right edge).
The reg plate doesn't come with the car. I had a drive in it (thanks Graham), as its my first drive of one of these cars, is it a feature of the Chimera of this age that the clutch and brakes are quite stiff? I'm not at all bothered by it, just wondered thats all. I thought the car drove very nicely.
Have you looked in the classifieds? Loads of Chims there in your price bracket. This one in particular stands out to me (mainly because I love this colour) [url]www.pistonheads.com/sales/detail.asp?i=34021&s=1[/url]
The boot could be something as simple as someone having shut it down too much force on one side through to accident damage. I looked at one beginning of Jan that had the same symptom at the back and on close inspection also had the shut lines on the bonnet out as well. turned out it had had a whole new front end. If in any doubt walk away as there are loads out there. Leven bits can be added at any point, more important to get a sorted car in the first place and add on later IMHO. Mines a 97 facelift with 32k and cost me 13'000 so if you look hard enough it is possible to get a much newer spec, and yes mine does have a fairly stiff clutch and brake pedal.
The boot could be something as simple as someone having shut it down too much force on one side through to accident damage. I looked at one beginning of Jan that had the same symptom at the back and on close inspection also had the shut lines on the bonnet out as well. turned out it had had a whole new front end. If in any doubt walk away as there are loads out there. Leven bits can be added at any point, more important to get a sorted car in the first place and add on later IMHO. Mines a 97 facelift with 32k and cost me 13'000 so if you look hard enough it is possible to get a much newer spec, and yes mine does have a fairly stiff clutch and brake pedal.
ggt said:
to be honest there are newer cars out there for that sort of money, with the serpentine engine as well look on autotrader for some real bargains or on the classifides on here.
Not in that condition there arn't!
Remember what I said. Buy on condition not age or milage. Most people on here would agree with that.
>> Edited by ntel on Monday 14th February 19:37
Well to my admittedly inexperienced eyes the car looks superb. I'm going up again on Wednesday with a mate of mine who has 30 years + experience of fixing cars (not just replacing parts like most garages do these days), and subject to what he says about it, I might just be driving away in it 
I've had a very good look around in the PH classifieds, Autotrader, and the Sprint classifieds, and I haven't seen another car that looks as well kept.
The last thing I want to do is buy a car that needs lots of work. This one looks like its been cared for all of its life.
I've had a very good look around in the PH classifieds, Autotrader, and the Sprint classifieds, and I haven't seen another car that looks as well kept.
The last thing I want to do is buy a car that needs lots of work. This one looks like its been cared for all of its life.
ntel said:
Not in that condition there arn't!
Remember what I said. Buy on condition not age or milage. Most people on here would agree with that.
Yes, I'd agree with that, that one looks like its been well looked after from the photos. Don't worry about the wiring in the passenger footwell they are supposed to be like that.
I'd put a rust free chassis pretty close to the top of my wish list. Has shnozz sold his one yet? That sounded like a very nice one, it was high up on my list to look at when I was buying mine, but I found one I really liked before I got a chance to see it.
GF.
Could I request that care is taken when pictures are posted up on the site.
Piccies of individual bits of chassis/trim are one thing, but full shots of cars at people's homes are another.
If you're going to do that, be sure that the seller is ok with it before publishing, it's only courteous.
Piccies of individual bits of chassis/trim are one thing, but full shots of cars at people's homes are another.
If you're going to do that, be sure that the seller is ok with it before publishing, it's only courteous.
gf350 said:
Has shnozz sold his one yet? That sounded like a very nice one, it was high up on my list to look at when I was buying mine, but I found one I really liked before I got a chance to see it.
GF.
nope
besieged with time wasters and people that dont have the money to buy it. Waste of time! Cant believe how many enquiries you can have to not sell a car, especially when everyone that has given feedback after seeing the car has agreed its immaculate! what more can you do! It looks like the TVR will be staying. I'll keep it advertised on PH since its free but not so sure there is much point.
ntel said:
to be honest there are newer cars out there for that sort of money, with the serpentine engine as well look on autotrader for some real bargains or on the classifides on here.
Not in that condition there arn't!
.you'd be suprised what you can find if you look hard enough
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