Buying my first Chimaera

[gshock]

Hi
I need some advice on buying the right TVR Chimaera.
I have around 11.5k to spend, but ideally would like a facelift model(97+). It will be my first TVR although my Bro has had S4, Chim and now a Cerb.
I need to know the pitfalls with Chims of that age and things I should look out for.

Many thanks

Giles.

[parrot of doom]

I'll be selling mine shortly (perhaps soon if I get an offer), because I'm doing lots of miles and need something more practical for now. Its a 94 though, so not a facelift (although its got a funky Leven grille)!!

In very good condition, everything that needs doing to it has been done.

[Hughesie2]

Condition, Condition, Condition....


Remember those and you cant go too wrong, be prepared to walk away and dont buy the 1st one you see, even though you probably will like most of us

[zippee]

Think you'll be hard pressed to find a decent facelift for 11.5k.
Just make sure you check the chassis and history carefully.
Theres a great free buyers guide on Steve Heaths website;
[url]www.tvrbooks.co.uk[/url]
Another tip is to post details of any car your interested on here to see if any members know the history of the car etc.

Good luck in your search.

[millermilla]

Shameless plug I know but both my Cerb and Chim are up for sale and it's just a case of which ever one goes first. I will be keeping which ever one doesnt sell. They are both around your price range!
Make sure you look at as many as possible, dont get too fussy and only want an HC version for example as there may be a far better standard 4.0 which may go just as well if not better and most of all BUY ON CONDITION! I advise family and friends when buying cars to buy as new as they can afford but in the case of TVR's that is not the case. You are quite likely to find a very good 94 chim and a 97 chim that is in worse condition due to lack of care.

Good luck hunting!

[millermilla]

P.S I saw two nice P reg examples at dream machines today in Heathfield. One was a 5 Litre and both cars were under 12K It really is a buyers market for Chims atm.

[M@H]

zippee said:

Think you'll be hard pressed to find a decent facelift for 11.5k.

..I think you'd be suprised. They aren't all over the place, but there are some good cars about at the right price if you can look long enough..

Mind you, consider the time of year though, I'll wager that anyone buying straight off a forecourt today without doing the rounds will be posting on here in January going on about:

"price slide "
"bottom falling out of the Chim market "
"how low can they go "
etc

..just like we see on here every winter.

Cheers
Matt

[ian187]

I've got a 97 Chim myself, bought a 500. At the time I was looking for anything around the right price, but I'm definately glad I bought the one I did.

My advice would be to def go for the 97+, not for the facelift but there seem to be a lot of other differences to the spec: gearbox etc.....

I'm glad I bought the 500, although each to their own.

I wouldn't be bothered about TVR service history, as long as its been looked after.

If you could buy from an enthusiast (ie from this forum) then I would say that was worth a lot more than buying from someone who happend to just own a TVR.

If you know anyone that has a TVR, then it would be worth getting them to have a look at any you are thinking of buying, I know I've found out lots of things about mine since owning it that I wouldn't have thought to look for when I bought it!

When it comes to resale, I think most cars around that price range are looking to loose about £1000 a year and you should accept that - I don't htink the Chim is any different despite the alleged price crash!

I know a lot of people are very particular about the colour (and TVR make some funny colours) so make sure you are really happy with the colour you choose - don't be impatient, the car for you is out there somewhere.

[M@H]

ian187 said:

My advice would be to def go for the 97+, not for the facelift but there seem to be a lot of other differences to the spec: gearbox etc.....

I'm interested to hear of the "lot of other" spec changes 97 on other than the styling The gearbox and diff changed in 1994-5, Serp engine was about at the same time too. Granted there are bigger front bakes on the later cars and a chassis tweak but to be honest the Facelift front (split grille and larger bonnet vents) and rear (boot overhang and numberplace) is basically the 97+ change as far as I'm aware (until the last edition with the covered lights of course)

Cheers
Matt.

>> Edited by M@H on Monday 22 August 13:47

[ian187]

When I said go for the 97, I was just meaning that you would get the brakes, diff, serp engine, chassis tweek etc.... as well as the facelift. I'm just saying that there is a bigger difference than cosmetics in those 3 or so years.

IMHO of course

[M@H]

Aaah sorry, misinterpreted what you were trying to say there..

Yes indeed, the later cars are indeed a different animal on a few levels. Saying that though I do I miss my old 93 chim and if you put it beside my current 97 chim and gave me a free choice of which one to drive away in I'd struggle..

Cheers
Matt

[parrot of doom]

Tried to email the OP, but no email option there, so at the risk of being slapped by a mod:

www.pistonheads.com/sales/49184.htm

[Nick_Chim]

Crikey Tom - will be a shame to lose you & your advice from around these parts. Not because of the BMW grille crack I hope?

There's probably £10.5k of mods on there - do you also have a sticker on the back "the modwise special"?

Good luck with selling it, from what I've seen from your posts over the past months, it's a very pampered car and whoever gets it will be a very lucky person!

PS More seats = Cerbera surely?

[parrot of doom]

I'll be back, don't worry This car has been the most fantastic thing I've ever bought.

I just need something a bit more sensible for a while, hopefully I'll buy another TVR in a bit, as a second car. Not right now though....