Is £10k enough to buy a decent 450 or 500?

[RedCabbage]

I know there are some for this price in the PH classifieds but is this enough budget for a decent one that won't cost a fortune in the first year?

[Timja]

Based on a 97/98 facelift model, You will be able to buy one privately for that, but best to have £2k put aside for servicing and the odd thing going wrong.

If buying with a warranty from a dealer, will just about be able to get one, but more likely to need about £12-14k.

Depends what age/mileage/spec etc etc.....


Hope this helps and sure others will give their opinions soon.

[SimonV8ster]

I reckon you could buy a decent one from a private seller. As the other poster has said maybe a 97/98 500 with a decent service history.

Edited by SimonV8ster on Thursday 19th July 21:45

[RedCabbage]

SimonV8ster said:

I reckon you could buy a decent one from a private seller. As the other poster has said maybe a 97/98 500 with a decent service history.

Edited by SimonV8ster on Thursday 19th July 21:45

Did you sell yours Simon?

[Nano2nd]

i hope not

[SimonV8ster]

RedCabbage said:

Did you sell yours Simon?

No. Cleaned, polished, had it looking like a real belter and thought to myself 'I probably ain't going to get another like it for the money' so i'm happily staying put !!

[thenick]

Just about! You might want to wait until winter to see the price drop though... I bought my 97 450 at 40k miles in November for 9995 and it was in fine condition and has had nothing go wrong in 9k miles so it is doable, but you need to keep your eye out for a good bargin and check the car over very carefully before parting with your hard earned!

[jonmartin]

I got a great 4.5 for 12k private from here. 39k miles just resprayed (yes I did check with the garage and it wasnt related to crash damage)/serviced/MOTed and taxed! Only issue was following the respray the badges were not replaced, £80 later and some nervous moments with a drill and I have a great car that runs perfectly (I cleaned the stepper motor the day I picked it up )

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/198851.htm

[Waynester]

Have just put up my lovely fully historied low mileage 450 on Ph for a very reasonable competitive/starting sum - particularly when you see what dealers are selling the same for!

Speaking of which, i rang a dealer (out of curiosity) who offer to buy your car straight out..(i guess if you need the cash desperately).
My car a 450, on a '99 T, with only 22400 miles, FSH etc etc.... Know what the best they could offer? About 10K tops..!

I love my car and question the sanity of even selling her (4 seats beckon), but bloody hell! Especially when you know they'll stick it up for 14-16K!

Stings a little eh.

Edited by Waynester on Friday 20th July 07:35

[RedCabbage]

jonmartin said:

I got a great 4.5 for 12k private from here. 39k miles just resprayed (yes I did check with the garage and it wasnt related to crash damage)/serviced/MOTed and taxed! Only issue was following the respray the badges were not replaced, £80 later and some nervous moments with a drill and I have a great car that runs perfectly (I cleaned the stepper motor the day I picked it up )

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/198851.htm

That one looks lovely.

Does it have a CO2 level on the V5 by 2001?

[SimonV8ster]

jonmartin said:

I got a great 4.5 for 12k private from here. 39k miles just resprayed (yes I did check with the garage and it wasnt related to crash damage)/serviced/MOTed and taxed! Only issue was following the respray the badges were not replaced, £80 later and some nervous moments with a drill and I have a great car that runs perfectly (I cleaned the stepper motor the day I picked it up )

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/198851.htm

That was a bragain that one !!

[Johnniem]

Short answer is "yes". I bought a 450 about two month ago for exactly £10K. 1997 S with 55k on the clock. She's a beauty but I had to wait to find the right one. Don't be afraid of taking one with a higher milage. My view is that if they have been used a lot most problems will have been sorted. Anyway, these cars should be used not left in a garage.

Good luck geez!

[mattbridges]

I bought my current chimaera a 1999 450 with 65K On the clock for 10K two weeks ago - a couple of little problems - but nothing wallet destroying. The previous two owners took care of £29,000 worth of repairs servicing etc, but the clincher for me irrespective of the terrible paint work and hood was the as new chassis. It had been replaced under warranty by the factory due to a pin hole and a new diff. After a bit of tinkering it's now running as sweet as a nut just needed a little bit of TLC. As a previous poster has said I too wouldn't worry about a high mileage one - I put an addition 45K on my first chimaera taking it up to 80K(ish) before it got squashed by a lorry driver not looking where he was going. Apart from servicing and general wear and tear (clutch master cylinder and clutch plate, brakes, tires etc) it never cost me silly money and never gave me a moments trouble.

[RedCabbage]

Yes I agree with regard to the higher mileage cars having many problems sorted but i always consider how hard a car will be to sell when I come to replace it.

There are a couple with higher mileages on that I will go and have a look at.

Thanks everyone for your help, with any luck I should be back in a V8 soon!

[WazzaL]

SimonV8ster said:

jonmartin said:

I got a great 4.5 for 12k private from here. 39k miles just resprayed (yes I did check with the garage and it wasnt related to crash damage)/serviced/MOTed and taxed! Only issue was following the respray the badges were not replaced, £80 later and some nervous moments with a drill and I have a great car that runs perfectly (I cleaned the stepper motor the day I picked it up )

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/198851.htm

That was a bragain that one !!

Feel like I was done now...

Looks like you got yourself a bargain there..

[phlap]

WazzaL said:

SimonV8ster said:

jonmartin said:

I got a great 4.5 for 12k private from here. 39k miles just resprayed (yes I did check with the garage and it wasnt related to crash damage)/serviced/MOTed and taxed! Only issue was following the respray the badges were not replaced, £80 later and some nervous moments with a drill and I have a great car that runs perfectly (I cleaned the stepper motor the day I picked it up )

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/198851.htm

That was a bragain that one !!

Feel like I was done now...

Looks like you got yourself a bargain there..

Blimey. A facelift 450 at that price!

Redcabbage! Buy one immediately! You'd be daft not to.

[jonmartin]

Dont know how to quote other posts but "does the V5C have CO2 emmissions" Yes its 375 G/KM

And yes it was a real bargain, the seller had 13 enquireies in two days including dealers, I got in there very fast and put a deposit down . Really nice guy I bought her off too.

As fot the guy selling as 4 deats beckon, dont do it you will regret it! I did the same when my little boy was born, I got a Cerbera, the wife quickly made me get rid as it wasnt practical and even though I managed to get a baby seat in, it was not comfortable for her on long journeys. I ended up with a BMW 5 series which is a very good car but no fun what so ever. I had forgotten the joys of driving. So happy to be back in a Chimaera!

As for the guy that started this thread, don't rush it and something will turn up. Good luck in your search!

• edit - now im logged in I can see how to quote doh.....

Edited by jonmartin on Friday 20th July 15:53

[GingaNinga]

I've been toying with the idea of selling my 1996 Chimaera 500, externally it's due some TLC but underneath it's great. Mainly due to TVR Power fill engine rebuild approx 8k miles ago now, new diff, uprated suspension (Leven), full service history, new bigger capacity radiator, etc. So with £10,000+ spent on it in the last two years I don't think I'll get a better put together car, but then again I'd like a Tuscan S. I'd like £12k for it though, but accept around £10k is more likely...Thoughts?

[MuffDaddy]

Waynester,

Let me tell you a story. I owned a 4l Chimp for a few months, sold it because I had ordered a boxster (from the concept photos) and then regretted partin with her. Earlier this year my wife tracked down the very same car and bought it. We have a three year old so clearly the car isn't going to be used every week but when the young one leaves home (boarding school at 4 if I get my way) it will be enjoyed.

What I am saying is, you can get 4 seats for 4k (I have an A6 avant for that much) but you will probably never buy your old chimp again.

[GingaNinga]

I agree - when they go they can be hard to get back