Discussion
bentley01 said:
I am thinking of getting a TVR for the first time. Fun weekend car only but I have no idea what to look for. Can anyone recommend a specialist to carry out an inspection prior to purchase. Any tips much appreciated as well as to what I need to look out for.
Speak to Str8six. Let them help you.And enjoy the hunt, they’re such great cars
I suspect, from a look at your garage on your profile, that you need to go have a drive in a few before you buy.
Your past car history is of well screwed together cars with plenty of driver comforts (and why not?).
TVRs are great cars, Chimaeras especially (I have had mine for almost 10 years now), but there are few luxuries and they are definitely not rattle or draught free.
Whereabouts in the country are you? I suspect a few of us could give you a bit of free TVR experience without you having to travel the length of the country, as there are Chimaera owners in most corners of the UK.
Your past car history is of well screwed together cars with plenty of driver comforts (and why not?).
TVRs are great cars, Chimaeras especially (I have had mine for almost 10 years now), but there are few luxuries and they are definitely not rattle or draught free.
Whereabouts in the country are you? I suspect a few of us could give you a bit of free TVR experience without you having to travel the length of the country, as there are Chimaera owners in most corners of the UK.
Phil Phedonis has a good reputation for car inspections. I got my Chimaera 500 from him directly and he does know his stuff.
Most of the main TVR dealers like James Agger, Str8six and Amore have a good reputation and buying through them should mean you do not need an inspection.
Looking at your car history, I wonder if a Tamora might be a more suitable car for you depending on your budget. The Chimaera is a great car, but the level of finish/refinement is nothing like anything you have had before. They are like a good kit car really. The Tamora retains the same raw driving experience but just feels a bit more modern and refined. I have had a few TVRs and the current Tamora is the best of the lot.
I agree the 450 seems like a lot of money for an underused car for sale from a non-specialist TVR, but it could be an absolute gem and a great buy. There are no pictures or details about the chassis, and the state of the engine bay suggests it has not been stored well or looked after well. I think Duke have a good reputation generally. I expect this has been traded in by someone who wanted something different than a TVR and that always makes me wonder why. These cars need to be used and there are always non-service jobs to do as there is with any car and that 450 has not really done many miles between services. It may have been serviced every year, but unless there is a comprehensive stack of evidence suggesting all the other non-service items are being addressed it may just be an oil change every year which could leave the next owner with quite a lot of jobs to catch up on if you want a car you can rely on and use most weekends rather than worrying if it will actually get you home.
Where are you in the country? I am sure there are several owners here that would let you have a passenger ride in their car, or you could go to your local TVR CC meeting and talk to some current owners.
Most of the main TVR dealers like James Agger, Str8six and Amore have a good reputation and buying through them should mean you do not need an inspection.
Looking at your car history, I wonder if a Tamora might be a more suitable car for you depending on your budget. The Chimaera is a great car, but the level of finish/refinement is nothing like anything you have had before. They are like a good kit car really. The Tamora retains the same raw driving experience but just feels a bit more modern and refined. I have had a few TVRs and the current Tamora is the best of the lot.
I agree the 450 seems like a lot of money for an underused car for sale from a non-specialist TVR, but it could be an absolute gem and a great buy. There are no pictures or details about the chassis, and the state of the engine bay suggests it has not been stored well or looked after well. I think Duke have a good reputation generally. I expect this has been traded in by someone who wanted something different than a TVR and that always makes me wonder why. These cars need to be used and there are always non-service jobs to do as there is with any car and that 450 has not really done many miles between services. It may have been serviced every year, but unless there is a comprehensive stack of evidence suggesting all the other non-service items are being addressed it may just be an oil change every year which could leave the next owner with quite a lot of jobs to catch up on if you want a car you can rely on and use most weekends rather than worrying if it will actually get you home.
Where are you in the country? I am sure there are several owners here that would let you have a passenger ride in their car, or you could go to your local TVR CC meeting and talk to some current owners.
Dr Mike Oxgreen said:
That is one heck of a punchy price for a 450. To justify that it needs to be absolutely perfect and exceptionally low mileage.
“Punchy price” I like that one 
Not sure about the mileage comment to be honest!
I was watching Jet TV yesterday, pilots are the bravest of the brave.
Where are you based in the UK Bentley.
It’s a very good idea to go see a known dealer and ask to see his best cars with hopefully rigger replacement/ chassis refurb which will be anything from 20 to 25K
A car at this price should be everything you want to see and that should give you a good idea of what a good one really looks like and costs.
Most owners sell at a huge loss because repairs upgrades cost much more than resale value so really sorted cars are rare or expensive but being honest if you buy the right car from the top end it should be cheaper to own and if looked after resale will be about what you paid!
You invest more in the first instance but other than basic service costs if used as a summer car it can be very reliable and if all the big jobs are done you might avoid the larger cost of repairing them.
My experience tells me if you want a top draw car buy one already invested in. It’s at least 10k cheaper that way
Mileage.
I have a 450 on 75,000 miles with a Dom built engine/ clutch 25,000 miles ago and MBE ECU new Dif chassis refurb err 20k spent on the baby over the years, I don’t think mileage means that much if the car has been constantly maintained/ updated or in fact almost fully rebuilt
But I get what your saying.
At 21k + you would want to see much of this constant maintenance and evidence of its chassis condition.
The interior is hideous in this which is probably the reason it's hanging around but may be worth a look.
https://www.amoreautos.co.uk/car-listings/tvr-chim...
https://www.amoreautos.co.uk/car-listings/tvr-chim...
Belle427 said:
The interior is hideous in this which is probably the reason it's hanging around but may be worth a look.
https://www.amoreautos.co.uk/car-listings/tvr-chim...
Was that Stevie Wonders old car? https://www.amoreautos.co.uk/car-listings/tvr-chim...
Hoi!!!
Stop talking prices down!
Last August I paid £23k for my 450.
Perhaps I was a little hasty. Who knows.
It and it’s problems are mine now.
I can’t speak for the other traders listed but I did go to Amore and would happily recommend a visit there.
I agree that mileage isn’t that important. Evidence of care and maintenance is important.
Mine is low mileage but I’m just about to fit a new radiator and last week a brake caliper has started binding. I think it will probably need all four.
Just back from a short run during which a bigger leak has sprung in the coolant system. Lots of steam.
Fortunately close to home.
Lots of good advice from the previous posters about looking at several cars and getting to know what you are getting into.
Best wishes
Stop talking prices down!
Last August I paid £23k for my 450.
Perhaps I was a little hasty. Who knows.
It and it’s problems are mine now.
I can’t speak for the other traders listed but I did go to Amore and would happily recommend a visit there.
I agree that mileage isn’t that important. Evidence of care and maintenance is important.
Mine is low mileage but I’m just about to fit a new radiator and last week a brake caliper has started binding. I think it will probably need all four.
Just back from a short run during which a bigger leak has sprung in the coolant system. Lots of steam.
Fortunately close to home.
Lots of good advice from the previous posters about looking at several cars and getting to know what you are getting into.
Best wishes
QBee said:
I suspect, from a look at your garage on your profile, that you need to go have a drive in a few before you buy.
Your past car history is of well screwed together cars with plenty of driver comforts (and why not?).
TVRs are great cars, Chimaeras especially (I have had mine for almost 10 years now), but there are few luxuries and they are definitely not rattle or draught free.
Whereabouts in the country are you? I suspect a few of us could give you a bit of free TVR experience without you having to travel the length of the country, as there are Chimaera owners in most corners of the UK.
Ha Ha you might be right but I want a Sunday morning car to enjoy with the boys and I’m not ready for a TR6 that my brother wants me to buy. I live near Lancaster Your past car history is of well screwed together cars with plenty of driver comforts (and why not?).
TVRs are great cars, Chimaeras especially (I have had mine for almost 10 years now), but there are few luxuries and they are definitely not rattle or draught free.
Whereabouts in the country are you? I suspect a few of us could give you a bit of free TVR experience without you having to travel the length of the country, as there are Chimaera owners in most corners of the UK.
Milky No Sugar said:
Phil Phedonis has a good reputation for car inspections. I got my Chimaera 500 from him directly and he does know his stuff.
Most of the main TVR dealers like James Agger, Str8six and Amore have a good reputation and buying through them should mean you do not need an inspection.
Looking at your car history, I wonder if a Tamora might be a more suitable car for you depending on your budget. The Chimaera is a great car, but the level of finish/refinement is nothing like anything you have had before. They are like a good kit car really. The Tamora retains the same raw driving experience but just feels a bit more modern and refined. I have had a few TVRs and the current Tamora is the best of the lot.
I agree the 450 seems like a lot of money for an underused car for sale from a non-specialist TVR, but it could be an absolute gem and a great buy. There are no pictures or details about the chassis, and the state of the engine bay suggests it has not been stored well or looked after well. I think Duke have a good reputation generally. I expect this has been traded in by someone who wanted something different than a TVR and that always makes me wonder why. These cars need to be used and there are always non-service jobs to do as there is with any car and that 450 has not really done many miles between services. It may have been serviced every year, but unless there is a comprehensive stack of evidence suggesting all the other non-service items are being addressed it may just be an oil change every year which could leave the next owner with quite a lot of jobs to catch up on if you want a car you can rely on and use most weekends rather than worrying if it will actually get you home.
Where are you in the country? I am sure there are several owners here that would let you have a passenger ride in their car, or you could go to your local TVR CC meeting and talk to some current owners.
Thanks very much for the advice and I know it’s going to be very different to what has gone before. I live near Lancaster and yes I would appreciate anyone nearby letting me have a look around one. I always fancied a Chimaera after seeing one at the factory in Blackpool so i guess that is why I’m drawn to it.Most of the main TVR dealers like James Agger, Str8six and Amore have a good reputation and buying through them should mean you do not need an inspection.
Looking at your car history, I wonder if a Tamora might be a more suitable car for you depending on your budget. The Chimaera is a great car, but the level of finish/refinement is nothing like anything you have had before. They are like a good kit car really. The Tamora retains the same raw driving experience but just feels a bit more modern and refined. I have had a few TVRs and the current Tamora is the best of the lot.
I agree the 450 seems like a lot of money for an underused car for sale from a non-specialist TVR, but it could be an absolute gem and a great buy. There are no pictures or details about the chassis, and the state of the engine bay suggests it has not been stored well or looked after well. I think Duke have a good reputation generally. I expect this has been traded in by someone who wanted something different than a TVR and that always makes me wonder why. These cars need to be used and there are always non-service jobs to do as there is with any car and that 450 has not really done many miles between services. It may have been serviced every year, but unless there is a comprehensive stack of evidence suggesting all the other non-service items are being addressed it may just be an oil change every year which could leave the next owner with quite a lot of jobs to catch up on if you want a car you can rely on and use most weekends rather than worrying if it will actually get you home.
Where are you in the country? I am sure there are several owners here that would let you have a passenger ride in their car, or you could go to your local TVR CC meeting and talk to some current owners.
Classic Chim said:
“Punchy price” I like that one
Not sure about the mileage comment to be honest!
I was watching Jet TV yesterday, pilots are the bravest of the brave.
Where are you based in the UK Bentley.
It’s a very good idea to go see a known dealer and ask to see his best cars with hopefully rigger replacement/ chassis refurb which will be anything from 20 to 25K
A car at this price should be everything you want to see and that should give you a good idea of what a good one really looks like and costs.
Most owners sell at a huge loss because repairs upgrades cost much more than resale value so really sorted cars are rare or expensive but being honest if you buy the right car from the top end it should be cheaper to own and if looked after resale will be about what you paid!
You invest more in the first instance but other than basic service costs if used as a summer car it can be very reliable and if all the big jobs are done you might avoid the larger cost of repairing them.
My experience tells me if you want a top draw car buy one already invested in. It’s at least 10k cheaper that way
Mileage.
I have a 450 on 75,000 miles with a Dom built engine/ clutch 25,000 miles ago and MBE ECU new Dif chassis refurb err 20k spent on the baby over the years, I don’t think mileage means that much if the car has been constantly maintained/ updated or in fact almost fully rebuilt
But I get what your saying.
At 21k + you would want to see much of this constant maintenance and evidence of its chassis condition.
I’m not sure about being brave but I was wise enough to take off early on Friday and avoid Eunice . I think you are right about picking a well sorted car and even then I guess you keep spending. You obviously love your car and it’s a keeper Not sure about the mileage comment to be honest!
I was watching Jet TV yesterday, pilots are the bravest of the brave.
Where are you based in the UK Bentley.
It’s a very good idea to go see a known dealer and ask to see his best cars with hopefully rigger replacement/ chassis refurb which will be anything from 20 to 25K
A car at this price should be everything you want to see and that should give you a good idea of what a good one really looks like and costs.
Most owners sell at a huge loss because repairs upgrades cost much more than resale value so really sorted cars are rare or expensive but being honest if you buy the right car from the top end it should be cheaper to own and if looked after resale will be about what you paid!
You invest more in the first instance but other than basic service costs if used as a summer car it can be very reliable and if all the big jobs are done you might avoid the larger cost of repairing them.
My experience tells me if you want a top draw car buy one already invested in. It’s at least 10k cheaper that way
Mileage.
I have a 450 on 75,000 miles with a Dom built engine/ clutch 25,000 miles ago and MBE ECU new Dif chassis refurb err 20k spent on the baby over the years, I don’t think mileage means that much if the car has been constantly maintained/ updated or in fact almost fully rebuilt
But I get what your saying.
At 21k + you would want to see much of this constant maintenance and evidence of its chassis condition.
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