to buy one or not to buy

[mbu10]

Hi guys
well might as well introduce my self as my first post
33 old guy from cleveland currently with TT but looking to go a nice big V8
anyway
looking to buy a 6-8 year old chimera
what should i be looking for when i buy one
and is this a good idea
looked at the state of some of the frames of the 8 year old ones looks like needs some work, good old rust
so help us guys and give me some help here so i do not buy a banger
thanks
martin

[marcos maniac]

Have a read of some of the old threads

Click: This Forum

Then Click Show FAQ's in the drop down menu


a wealth of information Oh


welcome to PH

>> Edited by marcos maniac on Tuesday 21st February 23:50

[mbu10]

thanks for that
was looking through olds posts
but as wih every car forum, if you read everything that can go wrong you would not buy anything as all seems doom and gloom
anyway also thanks for telling me where the faq was been looking for by searching did not think to check out the top menu
thanks

[dougc]

marcos maniac said:

Have a read of some of the old threads Click: This Forum Then Click Show FAQ's in the drop down menu a wealth of information Oh welcome to PH >> Edited by marcos maniac on Tuesday 21st February 23:50

Crikey! Four years on PH and I never knew about that FAQ thingy! Thanks

Oh yeah, welcome mbu10. Upgrade to the wonderful world of TVR. The best decision you'll ever make.

[mbu10]

well reading reading reading
god dam it nearly 1AM
argh hope the car not addictive as reading about them otherwise i am going to be knackered all the time
anyway thanks for all the help
will keep you upto date and fill you in when i get one
also any tvr meetings up here in cleveland or close to ?
thanks

[touchingcloth]

mbu10 said:

also any tvr meetings up here in cleveland or close to ? thanks

Can't help you with where and when but getting down to one before you buy and meeting some owners is a good idea. There may even be someone selling or someone who knows someone who is selling. Get to nose around the cars and ask some question. It is a good idea to get the car inspected, someone in your region will be able to recommend a local specialist for this (don't bother with AA or RAC inspections IMHO, not worth it with these cars as don't always know what to be looking for) - you may even find someone at your local meet who would come and look over the car with you anyway for the price of beer or two. Finally join the TVRCC as it's another valuable resource with all the details of your local meets etc.

The key phrase when switching to TVR's from a more mainstream brand is "go in with eyes open", the TT is a very safe choice (4 wheel drive, surefooted, cosetting etc) in comparison so just be a bit prepared for a change, certainly worth it however.

[mbu10]

well figured out a lot of things
firstly cost of the car not that bad(looking between 8-12.5 k)
but be prepared to spend 1K a year on the beast
and lots of time basically keeping in pristine condition(something i like doing anyway)

only thing that looked so bad (and kinda put me off)was the pictures in this forum of the guy pulling the body up and off to repair/recondition the sub frame/out hangers, entire frame and looked really bad where lots of metal needed replacing.
is this normal for a chim within this age bracket.
also considering i have no garage but could quite easily cover every time.
but at least would want to use (not for sheep following trudge to work every day ) only for pleasure ona night and weekends
thanks

[chevtrev]

dougc said:

Crikey! Four years on PH and I never knew about that FAQ thingy! Thanks

Me too

:thickasshitsmiley:

[Nuggs]

mbu10 said:

only thing that looked so bad (and kinda put me off)was the pictures in this forum of the guy pulling the body up and off to repair/recondition the sub frame/out hangers, entire frame and looked really bad where lots of metal needed replacing. is this normal for a chim within this age bracket.

It would be normal for a car that hasn't been looked after properly. Unfortunately, the factory coating isn't the hardest. Therefore, at the very least the car should be Waxoyled every couple of years. At longer intervals, depending on condition, any surface rust should be treated with POR15 or similar and Waxoyled. Preventative maintenance like this should help keep the chassis going for many years.

I've had mine for 18 months. Unfortunately no garage (watch this space), but I do keep it covered, which certainly helps keep things dry and well-preserved.

And is there
any reason
why you're writing
in odd
stanzas?

[chevtrev]

Nuggs said:

stanzas?

Had to google that.
2 new things i've learn't today.
I'm staying tuned.
left school early you see.
sorry for stanzaring..

[zippee]

mbu10 said:

only thing that looked so bad (and kinda put me off)was the pictures in this forum of the guy pulling the body up and off to repair/recondition the sub frame/out hangers, entire frame and looked really bad where lots of metal needed replacing. is this normal for a chim within this age bracket. also considering i have no garage but could quite easily cover every time. but at least would want to use (not for sheep following trudge to work every day ) only for pleasure ona night and weekends thanks

You can find 5 year old Chims with rusted chassis' and 12 year old ones with them in perfect condition. TBH it it's more a case of how well looked after the car was than the age of the car. A sign of a good one is where the owner can prove they've maintained the chassis, either themselves as many owners do or with receipts for having the work carried out. If they can't do so then I'd be a little suspicious as the chassis is one of the most important elements of that car so where else have they neglected to spend money/care?
I wouldn't worry too much about light surface rust, this is common and easily sorted. My chim is a 97 and has a very good chassis for its age. I'd be lying if I said it was perfect but it had a full strip down and re-paint last year with no problems found.
Theres a heck of a lot out there for sale so the best advice I can give you is keep searching and the right one will come along soon.

[ray_von]

touchingcloth said:

Finally join the TVRCC as it's another valuable resource with all the details of your local meets etc.

Even better if you can remember the password for members area

[touchingcloth]

ray_von said:

touchingcloth said: Finally join the TVRCC as it's another valuable resource with all the details of your local meets etc. Even better if you can remember the password for members area

Or a wife that doesn't recycle....

[mbu10]

actually had no idea was writing in "stanzas"
but i do now, also had to look up the word

[touchingcloth]

Isn't it some sort of tank, how on earth did you not know you were in a tank?

I'll get me cloak

[mbu10]

well to quote a ex girl
"i have selective eyesight and hearing"
well thought all blokes have the above only way we can do anything fun
as my dad says
"if women were reincarnated, they would come back as a bucket of cold water"

[Red V8]

Buy one....

The North East TVRCC meets next on the 12th March at Premier Lodge, Woolsington (Nr Newcastle Airport) at 12pm.

Also, look in the North East section... or if Tvrbob comes on-line, he'll tell you about local PistonHeads meets at Shaftoes, which is a little closer to you.

Also, also, local TVRCC web site www.tvrcc-northeast.co.uk

[Cwhite]

Thinking of a Chimaera 500 - N reg sounds expensive at 14995 in local garage. The previous owner of the car has had over £5000 of work/improvements judging by receipts though the outriggers haven't been touched and look flaky, the drivers electric window doesn't work properly and the service notes contain a few complaints about cold starting and engine lumpiness demanding that TVR rectify - don't know if it was. Trying to arrange a test drive as the car has been in their stock since November and the've reverted to sensible offers on the price in their ad.

Given no previous experience with TVR (but have built my own Seven replica) I'd prefer a car that was without structural problems re outriggers (having read your earlier threads) and was wondering what I should be looking for. The rest of the bodywork is really good and has updated lights (cluster not round), new hard top, CD etc, looks the business and engine sounded fab when I started in pre Christmas.

Wife thinks I'm going to kill myself in Seven - do the chances of survival improve in the Chimarea??!! as she wants me to sell it and if I do I want a TVR.

Help appreciated

Chris

[Top Chimp]

A waxoyled chassis from new is a big bonus.Or a car that has not been used in all weathers,mine is the later (waxoyled now though), like it has been used for 1 or 2 winters usually when the cars are new.Guys who can afford them when new will usually replace them or get bored after a year or 2 and buy something else , so future rust is no concern for them.
Other thing is good ones go quickly, so be prepaired to travel, and look on the net most nights , i live a long way from anywhere, so i always asked for plenty of pics and some of the main problem areas,I would also suggest if you buy private, find the car you like then get the owner to arrange a viewing on a ramp at a local garage, its well worth it.They may only charge a few quid.
Check thread 4.0.HC???/ Could be of some interest.
But you will love it, I keep looking at mine and thinking it must be somebody elses car not mine !!.

>> Edited by Top Chimp on Wednesday 22 February 23:34

[vixpy1]

Cwhite said:

Thinking of a Chimaera 500 - N reg sounds expensive at 14995 in local garage. Chris

Sounds expensive, i paid 11 for a 96, spent 2K on it and got a sorted car