newbie questions...
Discussion
Hi everyone
I'm thinking of buying a Chim (for all the obvious reasons) but need some advice, hope you can help..
1. I can only afford the low end of the market, is this a minefield of horrors or would major problems be revealed by an AA inspection?
2. Can anyone recommend a decent insurance company?
Thanks!
Jason
I'm thinking of buying a Chim (for all the obvious reasons) but need some advice, hope you can help..
1. I can only afford the low end of the market, is this a minefield of horrors or would major problems be revealed by an AA inspection?
2. Can anyone recommend a decent insurance company?
Thanks!
Jason
There are better ways to find problems that an AA inspection. The AA have been slated in the past for poor inspections on normal cars so I would question their ability to predict future failures on these cars. You really need to engage someone who knows what to look for. A TVR garage or there are specialists that you can employ to help. Investment in a proper inspection is likely to be the right financial choice.
Don't be swayed by low mileage, these cars suffer from lack of use.
Don't be swayed by low mileage, these cars suffer from lack of use.
If your unsure about what to look for you really need to employ someone like Rob Ingleby www.findasportscar.co.uk, he charges a few hundred quid but you'll have a good car. Otherwise buy from the likes of James Agger or the other indies.
On insurance I'd shop a round an hour on the phone can save you a fair bit, a pain I know but there's no other way.
Phil
On insurance I'd shop a round an hour on the phone can save you a fair bit, a pain I know but there's no other way.
Phil
As per above recommendations, don’t use the AA they wont know what to look for. You’re better off going to a TVR garage or a recommended independent (like David Batty).
It should cost between £50 - £100 for an inspection.
Other than getting it inspected make sure you look through the history file thoroughly.
Have a look at the bills / receipts as there a good indication as to how the car has been treated.
I did this and got a good one.
I'm insured with Tesco's, they were the cheapest by over £500.
It should cost between £50 - £100 for an inspection.
Other than getting it inspected make sure you look through the history file thoroughly.
Have a look at the bills / receipts as there a good indication as to how the car has been treated.
I did this and got a good one.
I'm insured with Tesco's, they were the cheapest by over £500.
Slightly O/T, and sorry to have come to this thread wearing my sensible trousers, but it's a good idea to budget for a slush fund (£2,000 seems a sensible figure), just in case bad things do happen.
I don't want to scare you off, and provided you find a good one, the chances are it will provide you with many years of trusty, reliable service. However, as with any high performance car, they can go wrong and they can cost money...
I don't want to scare you off, and provided you find a good one, the chances are it will provide you with many years of trusty, reliable service. However, as with any high performance car, they can go wrong and they can cost money...
Some of the nicest Chims I've seen have been models from around 93/94, often with high mileages. Don't let this put you off as providing it's been serviced correctly and on time it should be fine.
Make sure you buy on condition rather than age/mileage and if your unsure then definitely get an inspection done. Leven (Basildon), James Agger (Midlands) and Dave Batty (somewhere?) all come very highly recommended and I know people who have had Chims inspected by all of these.
As mentioned don't go down the route of the AA unless your buying a Fiesta and theres one other 'respected' inspector who through personal experience I wouldn't touch with a bargepole, if you need to know more then mail me and I'll tell you off topic.
The early Chims with mid to high mileages seem to be hard to sell at the moment so theres ample opportunity for a good bargain.
Last thing I will say though is just DO IT!!! It's a decision I guarantee you won't regret (unless you get a bad one - hence the inspection)
Make sure you buy on condition rather than age/mileage and if your unsure then definitely get an inspection done. Leven (Basildon), James Agger (Midlands) and Dave Batty (somewhere?) all come very highly recommended and I know people who have had Chims inspected by all of these.
As mentioned don't go down the route of the AA unless your buying a Fiesta and theres one other 'respected' inspector who through personal experience I wouldn't touch with a bargepole, if you need to know more then mail me and I'll tell you off topic.
The early Chims with mid to high mileages seem to be hard to sell at the moment so theres ample opportunity for a good bargain.
Last thing I will say though is just DO IT!!! It's a decision I guarantee you won't regret (unless you get a bad one - hence the inspection)
Hey Guys, thanks for all your advice.
Well, I looked at 2 Chims yesterday and bought one today. I decided just to self-inspect, never let me down before. Looked OK to me - what I could see underneath is nice, and a good history file too.
Norwich Union were prepared to give me 60% discount on the basis I have 70% on my Alfa with them, despite 3 SP30's in the last 5 yrs.
Pick her up Thursday morning, anyone living near Bedford should make sure their pets are kept indoors Thursday afternoon.
Well, I looked at 2 Chims yesterday and bought one today. I decided just to self-inspect, never let me down before. Looked OK to me - what I could see underneath is nice, and a good history file too.
Norwich Union were prepared to give me 60% discount on the basis I have 70% on my Alfa with them, despite 3 SP30's in the last 5 yrs.
Pick her up Thursday morning, anyone living near Bedford should make sure their pets are kept indoors Thursday afternoon.
Hi Guys,
Thanx for the welcome messages. I am feeling very cool at the moment.
I don't get the car till Thurs, so the only pic I have is from the advert, should be on my profile now.
She's a 93 4.3 with 58k. Looks straight underneath, but I'm sure she'll have her fair share of problems. After all, I've bought pretty much the cheapest one I can find.
I live in Bedford itself, so will be delighted to gatecrash the Porsche meet. Anything in Cambs, St Neots would be great to attend. Definitely want to meet some like minded chaps for nerding.
Thanx for the welcome messages. I am feeling very cool at the moment.
I don't get the car till Thurs, so the only pic I have is from the advert, should be on my profile now.
She's a 93 4.3 with 58k. Looks straight underneath, but I'm sure she'll have her fair share of problems. After all, I've bought pretty much the cheapest one I can find.
I live in Bedford itself, so will be delighted to gatecrash the Porsche meet. Anything in Cambs, St Neots would be great to attend. Definitely want to meet some like minded chaps for nerding.
jason1788 said:
Hi Guys,
Thanx for the welcome messages. I am feeling very cool at the moment.
I don't get the car till Thurs, so the only pic I have is from the advert, should be on my profile now.
She's a 93 4.3 with 58k. Looks straight underneath, but I'm sure she'll have her fair share of problems. After all, I've bought pretty much the cheapest one I can find.
I live in Bedford itself, so will be delighted to gatecrash the Porsche meet. Anything in Cambs, St Neots would be great to attend. Definitely want to meet some like minded chaps for nerding.
I guarantee you it'll be a long time until Thursday. When you drive home you'll be so tentative with that right foot, you'll struggle to find a comfortable driving position (becomes the most natural place to be on the 2nd drive) and you'll have the biggest grin imaginable
. Have you seen Screbbes 'Am I Shallow?' thread in Gen TVR & Gossip? By Saturday I reckon you'll have most of the list ticked off.
Theres not a lot that really happens meet wise around St Neots, though you've just missed the latest N/Hants run - keep an eye out for the next one! I believe theres a monthly Beds meet somewhere near Shefford, I haven't yet been but was planning on going to the next one.
In St Neots I (hopefully) have the only Chim, theres Andy (Mr Sheen) with the most mint V8S you will ever see and I've seen a silver T350 about, my town is pretty exclusive when it comes to TVRs.
Drop us a line anyway should you fancy comparing Chims at any point, I'm not the most technically minded but I've learn't a bit in my few months of ownership.
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