Buying advice

[bobby2d]

Hi Everyone,
Im looking to throw in my chips and buy my first chimaera. I think Ive settled on a 450 or 500, but it seems to be slim pickings at the moment around whats available. Checked out the usuals, Amore, Fernhurst, Kerridges, Str8six, Pistonheads etc and Im wondering if Im looking in the wrong places or is it just the wrong time of year. I looked around at the back end of last year and there seemed to be loads up for sale.
Is there a big difference between the power, driveability, reliability of a 450 opposed to a 500?
Im sure there is a wealth of experience on here so advice or pointers welcome.
thanks
Rich

[nawarne]

Rich,
Think it's that time of year where folks are looking for a summer car....Guess any good ones don't hang about on the classifieds for long.
Keep looking - you hear on Pistonheads of Ebay, Autotrader sometimes coming up with a decent car?

Nick

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

I don't know where you are in the World, but you could do worse than chatting to James Agger.

With regard to the spec they are all long in the tooth now. I'd just buy the best condition I could for my budget.

I think only about 600 500s were ever made, so, yes they are rare 20+ years on.

[bobby2d]

Thanks, Im up in the north east so most of the dealers are miles away. Ive spoken to HHC in Hexham and he's got my details. I guess it maybe a game of patience as I wasn't in a position to buy one at the end of last summer! maybe there will be a few come out of London on the back of the new rules! So is the 500 more sought after than the 450? Seems like the 450 is the more robust engine

[NicBowman]

Hi, having had a 4.3BV, a 4.6 and a 5.0l, I would say the 4.3 felt fastest, bit livelier. The 5.0 is great, I prefer it, but feels a little lazy. Bigger engine likes revs less, so it feels lazy, plus doesn’t have so much of a power band. Power everywhere!

Pre cat ran smoother, as no issues with cats to keep happy. Mixture can be where you want. Catted cars can suffer with poor running under 2000rpm, for some this is a major issue. My 500 is pretty smooth but noticably running a little lean at 1500 to 2000 rpm.

My 4.3 always suffered with raised revs at tickover, randomly pulling up and sitting at 2000rpm. Some folks say this is the stepper motor, In my experience this wasn’t the case. It really pee'd me off to be frank, being a loud car anyway, this just added to the injury. Eventually the overall loudness of the pre cat caused me to sell.

I now really like the lazy 500, with standard exhaust and all the cats, much more civilised.

Lastly, for me, power steering is an absolute must. Personal I realise, but. No going back for me.

Good luck

Nic

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

There are far more 450s, and by reputation are thought to be more reliable.

Having said that I've done hundreds of thousands of miles in 500s with no issues.

By now any spec has the option to be knacked.

The chassis is your bigger enemy.

[Hedgehopper]

Today there are 32 Chimaeras on carandclassic.com

[sixor8]

There's a 500 at Brightwells auction the end of the month:

https://www.brightwells.com/timed-sale/5239/lot/56...

May got for much less than a dealer but riskier, of course.

[AKA PABS]

I went for a 500 with a v8 developments rebuild, so that’s the worries gone about the engine not being as strong. For me I wanted the 500, purely about the power. I know what I’m like and better to have got the more powerful one up front than regret it later. Most will say to buy on condition. It’s cheaper to buy a sorted one than sort one yourself.
I’m sure you’ll be happy with whatever you chose.

[NicBowman]

2 sMoKiN bArReLs said:

I don't know where you are in the World, but you could do worse than chatting to James Agger.

With regard to the spec they are all long in the tooth now. I'd just buy the best condition I could for my budget.

I think only about 600 500s were ever made, so, yes they are rare 20+ years on.

Got to agree with James Agger as a good call. As far as I can see James does lots of work on cars he sells, doesn’t just clean them and spin them round. I got my last car from James, very impressed. Not perfect, as you might expect for 22 year old car, but, really excellent. James had gone right through it replacing bits as required.

Nic

[Fez887]

I wouldn’t dismiss the 400 if the car is in the right condition. I thought about 430/450 but just couldn’t find one in the right condition/mileage. More 400s to choose from and I found a 400 in great condition and landed it. Haven’t regretted my decision.

[e42]

As mentioned earlier, these are all old cars now and better to pick what you believe to be the best example you can find rather than 450/500 decision. Some good dealers mentioned, probably a safer route to buy

[TJC46]

sixor8 said:

There's a 500 at Brightwells auction the end of the month:

https://www.brightwells.com/timed-sale/5239/lot/56...

May got for much less than a dealer but riskier, of course.

They all look good in pictures but i do like the look of this car. It's done 70k plus so not a garage queen.

These cars are best when used so that's a good point.

I don't know if you can view beforehand, but i think this is well worth a look

[TarquinMX5]

As the newest cars are 20-years old, I would be guided by condition, unless a particular engine is an absolute must-have.

[sixor8]

TJC46 said:

They all look good in pictures but i do like the look of this car. It's done 70k plus so not a garage queen.

These cars are best when used so that's a good point.

I don't know if you can view beforehand, but i think this is well worth a look

You have to pay £2500 as a deposit to bid at Brightwells classic auctions. Some auction houses like H+H only do an ID check but don't take a deposit. This, of course, menas they get a fair few who welcl on a bid or say it was a 'mistake.'

Viewing has to be arranged, but the available days are AFTER the timed auction starts....

https://www.brightwells.com/timed-sale/5239

[sapper]

bobby2d said:

Hi Everyone,
Im looking to throw in my chips and buy my first chimaera. I think Ive settled on a 450 or 500, but it seems to be slim pickings at the moment around whats available. Checked out the usuals, Amore, Fernhurst, Kerridges, Str8six, Pistonheads etc and Im wondering if Im looking in the wrong places or is it just the wrong time of year. I looked around at the back end of last year and there seemed to be loads up for sale.
Is there a big difference between the power, driveability, reliability of a 450 opposed to a 500?
Im sure there is a wealth of experience on here so advice or pointers welcome.
thanks
Rich

I’ve got one that’s coming on the market soon. Just had thousands spent on it. In clouding a brand new 4.6 engine, ( not a rebuild). New clutch and suspension and loads more. Get in touch if you are interested. It’s getting mapped and MOTd at the moment with Joolz so should be ready the week after next.
It will be moving to its new home in Hartlepool shortly after that so geographically will suit you.

Edited by sapper on Friday 18th March 17:54

[Fez887]

TarquinMX5 said:

As the newest cars are 20-years old, I would be guided by condition, unless a particular engine is an absolute must-have.

My point exactly, summed up perfectly. Whatever engine size you get you won’t be disappointed- it’s a TVR at the end of the day!
Key to enjoying the experience though is condition. But with any purchase you will need the obligatory OH SH’T fund.