looking to buy my first chim
Discussion
Hi all, having helped my mate recover from a messy divorce by going out getting him drunk and egging him on to buy his 450 chim last year, I have decided that is exactly what I need !
He has moved on and got a new girl friend and sold his chim
I can no longer cope without hearing that superb v8 so I aim to buy a 450 in the next six months.
Would be interested to know if there are many 450's out there and what price I would expect to pay for a decent low mileage one (<60K mileage).
Jim
He has moved on and got a new girl friend and sold his chim
I can no longer cope without hearing that superb v8 so I aim to buy a 450 in the next six months.
Would be interested to know if there are many 450's out there and what price I would expect to pay for a decent low mileage one (<60K mileage).
Jim
Welcome to the fold! I purchased my first Chim three months ago and am having a real blast! Mine was bought privately and sourced via an advert here on PH classifieds. An excellent source for private and dealer sales. From your profile you live in the UK. That means that you can buy one more easily than if you were in Swaziland! 
If you are in the South East Fernhurst TVR (google it) is a good source for quality Tivs and they are very helpful. Their cars come with either a full 12 months warranty for the fully sorted ones or you can buy unprepared cars with only three months warranty. You obviously pay a premium for this but it may be worth it to you.
My purchase was made after three months of driving lots of cars and being dissappointed each time I drove one that wasn't right for me. Each one is different but the more you test drive the more likely you'll be to find the right one. I spent 10K and have subsequently spent a further 2K on a new alarm, full set of new boots and sorting various glitches that are an inevitability with a private purchase. This I expected and none of the glitches have stopped me driving the car.
Another option is to task Rob Ingleby (I think he might be found under findasportscar.com) to find the car you want. He sources cars for buyers and will also do a full check over any car he finds. He charges about £600 I think but check anyway.
The down side is that now you have decided to buy a 450 Chimaera you will be constantly feeling like this
. The good thing is that when you have bought one you will be constantly feeling like this and work will become a secondary part of your life! Hope that your wife loves them too and join the local TVR club, get Steve Heaths book (from TVR CC website). Finally, read PH chimaera forum and the TVRCC Chimaera forum and you will discover all those buying hints that would take me half a day to outline.
Enjoy the process of buying! It is both frustrating and enjoyable!
If you are in the South East Fernhurst TVR (google it) is a good source for quality Tivs and they are very helpful. Their cars come with either a full 12 months warranty for the fully sorted ones or you can buy unprepared cars with only three months warranty. You obviously pay a premium for this but it may be worth it to you.
My purchase was made after three months of driving lots of cars and being dissappointed each time I drove one that wasn't right for me. Each one is different but the more you test drive the more likely you'll be to find the right one. I spent 10K and have subsequently spent a further 2K on a new alarm, full set of new boots and sorting various glitches that are an inevitability with a private purchase. This I expected and none of the glitches have stopped me driving the car.
Another option is to task Rob Ingleby (I think he might be found under findasportscar.com) to find the car you want. He sources cars for buyers and will also do a full check over any car he finds. He charges about £600 I think but check anyway.
The down side is that now you have decided to buy a 450 Chimaera you will be constantly feeling like this
. The good thing is that when you have bought one you will be constantly feeling like this and work will become a secondary part of your life! Hope that your wife loves them too and join the local TVR club, get Steve Heaths book (from TVR CC website). Finally, read PH chimaera forum and the TVRCC Chimaera forum and you will discover all those buying hints that would take me half a day to outline.Enjoy the process of buying! It is both frustrating and enjoyable!
I'd start with a budget first. Then have a look at a few around that mark, please try the 400's and 500's.
Once you've tested a few. Then make the decision on the engine, or if it really doesn't matter.
Of course, it is all about condition. But from information I have picked up on here, at 60k+ you really want one that has been sorted (e.g. Cam changes)
Having said that, very low mileage can be just as bad as seals dry out, brakes seized, etc.
If you can, get down to a local tvr meet (have a look on http://www.tvr-car-club.co.uk/your_region.asp) you'll find many people willing to talk all night about their beloved TVR's.
Bought mine at Offords (another Google search I'm afraid)
Enjoy the hunting process..
And of course, please use the search function above. A lot of information is on here..
Once you've tested a few. Then make the decision on the engine, or if it really doesn't matter.
Of course, it is all about condition. But from information I have picked up on here, at 60k+ you really want one that has been sorted (e.g. Cam changes)
Having said that, very low mileage can be just as bad as seals dry out, brakes seized, etc.
If you can, get down to a local tvr meet (have a look on http://www.tvr-car-club.co.uk/your_region.asp) you'll find many people willing to talk all night about their beloved TVR's.
Bought mine at Offords (another Google search I'm afraid)
Enjoy the hunting process..
And of course, please use the search function above. A lot of information is on here..
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