tvr virgin seeks advice on used Chimaera

[edtad]

Ive got an absolute maximum of 14k to spend on one of these lovely ladies yet, I'm a little apprehensive about parting with my hard earned cash just yet as I really dont know which route to take in procuring the beast..

Do I go to a private seller or a dealer and get my self a warranty for a year and a little peace of mind as I dont know the first thing about engines!!

How much are the servicing costs ?

Then theres the engine size, which is more realiable the 4.0/4.5/5.0.There all pretty similar on performance? I'll only be doing ten miles a day to work and back !

So many qestions any help or advice on buying would be dearly appreciated!

cheers

[middxtvr]

personally i spent hours in here looking at previous posts and threads, you can pick up alot from just reading, i brought from a garage and took out a RAC warranty i reckon i paid £1000 less but then spent extra on a warranty! as a general rule of thumb (so ive bin told) if ya doing 6K miles a year your lookin at about £1000 as an average over a few years.Ive only had the car for 400miles but believe me the joy of driving soon outways any justified apprehensions.

[2 Smokin Barrels]

edtad said:

Ive got an absolute maximum of 14k to spend

Should be able to get a good one for that.

edtad said:

Do I go to a private seller or a dealer and get my self a warranty for a year and a little peace of mind as I dont know the first thing about engines!!

Buying from reputable dealer will give you more come back. If you're not confident in your own skill to detect a duffer, this may be a safer route.

edtad said:

How much are the servicing costs ? [/qoute] Like he says above. [quote=edtad] Then theres the engine size, which is more realiable the 4.0/4.5/5.0.There all pretty similar on performance? I'll only be doing ten miles a day to work and back !

In my view finding the right car is probably more important than engine size. If it's your first Chimaera you'll find a 4l massively fast & fun any way. Over, say, 6,000 miles per annum the running costs aren't a deal different.

[parrot of doom]

Use the 'search' button above, I'm not being funny but there are a great many posts similar to yours, and some excellent advice from the more knowledgeable people on here.

Also have a look in the classifieds section on pistonheads, loads of Chims in there. Do a search again on here, try and find the user who is selling it if hes a regular poster. You can find a great many things about their car just by seeing what posts they've made on here.

My advice is buy privately, but use Rob Ingleby to check out your favourate. Oh, you have £14k, well make sure you spend less than that, and keep a grand or two in the bank for emergencies. Touch wood you'll be fine if you find the right car, but they need looking after and its worth having the spare cash.

[edtad]

Thanks for the advice guys, its great to hear so much enthusiasm for the marque I'm sure its going to be worth every penny!! can't wait to get hold of one. I must admit the idea of getting a 4.0 and keeping a little in reserve for hidden costs sounds wise. I'll take a look around at other threads to see what I can find.

Are there any musts that I should ensure come with the car, like trickle chargers, certain types of connectors ????


Thanks again

[JoeC]

I'm currently looking for one too for about 12k.

I've seen a couple and I could instantly see that they were wrong, even though I'm not very mechanically minded either.

My advice would be to take your time and don't rush into buying the first one you see, unless it's a great one obviously.
I know what it's like when the sun is out, the money is burning a hole in your pocket and you just want one NOW! :-)

I'm looking privately but will get it inspected before i buy.

[2 Smokin Barrels]

edtad said:

Are there any musts that I should ensure come with the car, like trickle chargers Thanks again

You only need a trickle charger if you ain't gonna use it!!!!!!

[chim666]

edtad said:

Are there any musts that I should ensure come with the car, like trickle chargers, certain types of connectors ????

A full service history from recognised dealers/independants.

[rooster]

2 Smokin Barrels said:

edtad said: Are there any musts that I should ensure come with the car, like trickle chargers Thanks again You only need a trickle charger if you ain't gonna use it!!!!!!

I use a trickle charger evreytime rooster gets put to bed, it saves the hassle of finding the battery dead even though he is driven about 4 times per week! I have a lead from the battery permenantly set up in the footwell to save even more hassle connecting it!
Hope you find a chim you like soon, they are wicked fun and mine is only a 4 litre!

[2 Smokin Barrels]

rooster said:

2 Smokin Barrels said: edtad said: Are there any musts that I should ensure come with the car, like trickle chargers Thanks again You only need a trickle charger if you ain't gonna use it!!!!!! I use a trickle charger evreytime rooster gets put to bed, it saves the hassle of finding the battery dead even though he is driven about 4 times per week! I have a lead from the battery permenantly set up in the footwell to save even more hassle connecting it! Hope you find a chim you like soon, they are wicked fun and mine is only a 4 litre!

Summat wrong if the battery goes flat with that usage!

[rooster]

2 Smokin Barrels said:

rooster said: 2 Smokin Barrels said: edtad said: Are there any musts that I should ensure come with the car, like trickle chargers Thanks again You only need a trickle charger if you ain't gonna use it!!!!!! I use a trickle charger evreytime rooster gets put to bed, it saves the hassle of finding the battery dead even though he is driven about 4 times per week! I have a lead from the battery permenantly set up in the footwell to save even more hassle connecting it! Hope you find a chim you like soon, they are wicked fun and mine is only a 4 litre! Summat wrong if the battery goes flat with that usage!

Always be prepared, I was a girl guide!!!!

[2 Smokin Barrels]

Dib dib dib!

[Big Al.]

rooster said:

Always be prepared, I was a girl guide!!!!

Boy Scouts... Girl Guides

[2 Smokin Barrels]

Big Al. said:

rooster said: Always be prepared, I was a girl guide!!!! Boy Scouts... Girl Guides

What's worse than a girl guide in your pocket? a brownie in your pants! (the oldies are the goldies)

>> Edited by 2 Smokin Barrels on Saturday 2nd April 18:43

[Big Al.]

2 Smokin Barrels said:

What's worse than a girl guide in your pocket? a brownie in your pants!

[edtad]

Thanks fellas, Ive seen a nice 4.5 in the classifieds in Cheshire starmist with magnolia tempting its kind of on the money. I'll be doing 15 miles a day in it to work n back but i'm sure I'll be glued in it at weekends. You don't see many up this way yorkshire! which is partly why I is wanting one it's all bmws n tities....

[Hughesie2]

i'm travelling up from London tomorrow to HULL in Yorkshire to have a look at one, so there are a few up that way !!

[rooster]

2 Smokin Barrels said:

Big Al. said: rooster said: Always be prepared, I was a girl guide!!!! Boy Scouts... Girl Guides What's worse than a girl guide in your pocket? a brownie in your pants! (the oldies are the goldies) >> Edited by 2 Smokin Barrels on Saturday 2nd April 18:43

groan!!!!

[edtad]

Nice one! thats a long way to come must be a beauty , what is it your after ? You got one already?

[parrot of doom]

Join the TVR car club, and find out the date/location of your nearest TVR meet. You'll have a fantastic opportunity to see lots of Chims and other lesser carss (the Chim is the best/fastest of all TVRs).