Miles verses age - chimaera
Discussion
Hi guys & girls, this is my first posting so forgive me if I make any obvious boobs!!
What is everyones oppinion on the age verses milage debate - I know that there are many other variables but you do see older models with low milage going for the same price as newer ones that have seen a lot of the road in there short life. Given a choice what would people prefer - Older/less miles or newer/more miles?
What is everyones oppinion on the age verses milage debate - I know that there are many other variables but you do see older models with low milage going for the same price as newer ones that have seen a lot of the road in there short life. Given a choice what would people prefer - Older/less miles or newer/more miles?
To be honest, condition and history were everything and the age, mileage, colour, trim, spec etc sort of fell in behind.
(If I were playing devils advocate, I would say that quite a few of us bought the first one we saw because of that instant love connection........but ssssshhh, thats probably heresy)
(If I were playing devils advocate, I would say that quite a few of us bought the first one we saw because of that instant love connection........but ssssshhh, thats probably heresy)

RedCabbage said:
I managed to get PAS, T5 'box, and serp engine on a '94. Spec narrowed it down, condition was the clincher.
Same here! i bought a 500 from before they made them as a regular model (95') and the chassis was a lot better than many newer one's (up to 2000)as they had been used in all weathers and not treated correctly, the problem is most of them look terrific from outside and sound gorgeous but the metal worm loves the extremities!Condition and how it had been looked after - everything else is secondary.
Mine hardly gets a full service, we just do bits as they happen, apart from the fluids which are done regularly.
Still on the original cam at 103k miles :lol: and I bought her 2.5 years ago on 47K miles.

So no, high miles dont mean jack.
Claire
Mine hardly gets a full service, we just do bits as they happen, apart from the fluids which are done regularly.
Still on the original cam at 103k miles :lol: and I bought her 2.5 years ago on 47K miles.

So no, high miles dont mean jack.
Claire
Got to be condition/service history before miles.
Don't forget that certain things tend to go wrong at certain mileages.
e.g. At around the 40Kish mark, you could be looking at a new clutch and camshaft.
I really think the advice is, look at as many as you can - don't rush in (although it's not always easy) :-)
If you can, go to a TVR meet. Speak to the owners and get to know your way around the Chimaera.
5LitreV8
Don't forget that certain things tend to go wrong at certain mileages.
e.g. At around the 40Kish mark, you could be looking at a new clutch and camshaft.
I really think the advice is, look at as many as you can - don't rush in (although it's not always easy) :-)
If you can, go to a TVR meet. Speak to the owners and get to know your way around the Chimaera.
5LitreV8
Bought the second one I went to see and for a 97' it just happened to have lowish mileage (29,000) but condition was also a factor and I think I was lucky and came across a good example...and it just happened to be Cooper Green......the fastest of course 
Craig....you up for a hoon tomorrow?

Craig....you up for a hoon tomorrow?Hi Ron - how are things and have you moved yet?
Just spent most of today under the car on axle stands wire brushing the chassis and repainting for the winter months - horrible job but worth the effort and luckily, no nasty surprises. Did the Cerbera as well a few weeks ago.
Hope to catch up with you soon if you are still in the area and a god run out sounds excellent.
best wishes
Just spent most of today under the car on axle stands wire brushing the chassis and repainting for the winter months - horrible job but worth the effort and luckily, no nasty surprises. Did the Cerbera as well a few weeks ago.
Hope to catch up with you soon if you are still in the area and a god run out sounds excellent.
best wishes
Late to the party, but my 2p...
There is a general improvement in the cars over the years, but you cannot rely on age as a guide to any individual car. If there is some aspect of style/features that you feel you need, this will narrow your choices.
Mileage is also unreliable as a guide - many miles will mean wear and tear, too few imply neglect.
On balance I would aim for a compromise on 5k per year-ish, as many are second cars. Then pick the car on other factors.
HTH
There is a general improvement in the cars over the years, but you cannot rely on age as a guide to any individual car. If there is some aspect of style/features that you feel you need, this will narrow your choices.
Mileage is also unreliable as a guide - many miles will mean wear and tear, too few imply neglect.
On balance I would aim for a compromise on 5k per year-ish, as many are second cars. Then pick the car on other factors.
HTH
medieval said:
Hi Ron - how are things and have you moved yet?
Just spent most of today under the car on axle stands wire brushing the chassis and repainting for the winter months - horrible job but worth the effort and luckily, no nasty surprises. Did the Cerbera as well a few weeks ago.
Hope to catch up with you soon if you are still in the area and a god run out sounds excellent.
best wishes
Hi Craig - Moving on Thursday to Redditch so still in the area. Just spent most of today under the car on axle stands wire brushing the chassis and repainting for the winter months - horrible job but worth the effort and luckily, no nasty surprises. Did the Cerbera as well a few weeks ago.
Hope to catch up with you soon if you are still in the area and a god run out sounds excellent.
best wishes
That reminds me I must get the chassis looked at and if necessary waxoyled! What did you paint the chassis with?
Will be up for a hoon once I've settled in to the new abode

Well, I don't think service history means as much as it should. Had appalling services done in the past. All it really shows is that the owner with the best intentions has tried to do the best thing. CONDITION!
PS. blueyonder, a move to Redditch? blimey, seems like a trend going on. Flipflopgriff moved here not so long ago.
PS. blueyonder, a move to Redditch? blimey, seems like a trend going on. Flipflopgriff moved here not so long ago.
Edited by macdeb on Friday 5th October 22:25
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