Toying with the idea of selling (for another TVR)

[Trefor]

I'm split. Part of me doesn't want to sell the car until the day I pick up another one, and the rest of me says it makes sense to sell now, then I can be more choosey about what I'm buying (and drive a harder bargain).

Soo, what should I do? My Chimaera hasn't let me down in 5 1/2 years (flat battery excepted - mostly my fault as I knew it was shagged). It needs a nose respray due to chips, but otherwise it's in amazing condition and a great drive etc. but the handling, and performance of the newer models beckons.

I'd rather the next owner wasn't ripped off by a main dealer, so selling privately has advantages to both the buyer and seller financially. Of course there are many pitfalls too. What would you do?

[The Bodyman]

Keep it. Sounds like a good one. I'm not much help am I.

Jon
www.tvrbodyrepairs.com

[CraigAlsop]

I'm with The Bodyman - keep it!
I mean, what are you going to change it for?
It's got a big boot, wheels that are high enough profile that you don't damage them on every pothole, an engine with a torque curve that means you don't need to thrash it to get anywhere, a dashboard with style, and dials that you can read in the sunlight that don't shake over 40MPH, a bonnet you can open to show your mates the engine, servicing costs that don't break the bank, a car that independants can easily handle, front & rear overhangs that mean your car isn't undrivable after the smallest of shunts, oh, and classic looks.

Anything else?

[The Bodyman]

CraigAlsop said:

I'm with The Bodyman - keep it! I mean, what are you going to change it for? It's got a big boot, wheels that are high enough profile that you don't damage them on every pothole, an engine with a torque curve that means you don't need to thrash it to get anywhere, a dashboard with style, and dials that you can read in the sunlight that don't shake over 40MPH, a bonnet you can open to show your mates the engine, servicing costs that don't break the bank, a car that independants can easily handle, front & rear overhangs that mean your car isn't undrivable after the smallest of shunts, oh, and classic looks. Anything else?

Blimey Craig think I better get one.

Jon
www.tvrbodyrepairs.com

>> Edited by The Bodyman on Monday 23 June 22:22

[T88CAN]

I got pretty bored of the Chim after 2yrs and yes when you drive the more "modern" Tivs (Tuscan/Tamora)you can tell that the Chim is ten years old however a word of warning on selling privatly 400 Chims are moving rather slowly at the moment ive been trying to move mine for two months see my thread " is there any body out there!!!!" so if you can get the right deal with a p/x IMHO would be the way to go,The Chim still is a good car but now only has average perfomance moving to Tuscan/Tamora would put you back on top of the pile TONY and T88CAN

[wildego1]

Yeah, best keep it.
If you really must sell it though I would hang on to it 'till you have bought another. If you dont then your pining/hankering for another may lead you to buy something thats not quite right out of sheer desperation to get back in a TVR.
Far better to spend some money on your old one, get the stone chips done and maybe a performance upgrade and be happy with that I reckon.

[Colin L]

Have to agree with Craig on this, keep the Chimaera. Nothing new will come close.
I have just put new seats in mine and have that new car feeling. I put a pair of Tuscan Seats in and the whole car feels so much better.
Why not try something like what I have done, a small upgrade can change the car and you still have plenty left over for a service & good holiday.
Colin L

[T88CAN]

Sorry Colin it will take more than a pair of seats to bring a Chim into the new millenium

[Colin L]

T88CAN
Speak for yourself, I have fully uprated the suspenion and beleave me there is not much more fun to be had than leaving a new Tamora / Tuscan driver in the dust.

Well that's till he / she becomes an old Tamora / Tuscan driver and finally knows how to drive it !!!

Its all good fun in TVR Land

Colin L

[K3NJW]

I know the feeling Trefor. I did exactly what you're contemplating a couple of months back. Swapped my L reg, very reliable Chimaera for a Tamora. I'd put Nitrons and new wheels on the Chimaera, but it needed the nose spraying and I was thinking about chipping it and in the end went for the Tamora. It's a fantastic drive, noticeably quicker, but noticeably quieter. I have a sports exhaust on order from ACT.

The Tamora leaks, and I can't fix it, whereas the Chimaera leaked and I did. All the warranty fixes involve driving it for an hour and half to Melton, which isn't so bad, and then leaving it there for a fortnight, which is. All in all, I'm still undecided whether I did the right thing. I blew the best part of £20k changing, and to be honest I haven't had the best part of £20k worth of extra pleasure.

But, if you're tempted, do what I did. Go to a delaer, get a test drive and then part with your cash. I must admit it certainly attracts attention and the handling/performance is amazing.