Advice on buying

[jackthelad]

Just sold the s200 now looking for a chimera , test drove one this summer amazingr, prefer the facelift ones, better. budgets not huge just wondering if someone could comment on the ones I'm looking at, I normally buy first one I see so need to get it right.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&am...
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&am...

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&am...

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1806461.htm
I llike this a lot but much higher mileage compared to the others, resale I guess would be a lot tougher

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2256955.htm

Is white a bit gay. lol

[walt762]

The mileage is not as important as condition & the main thing to look out for is the outriggers with lots of posts on here about them the engines are pretty solid just check as you would with any car.
Lots of advice here :-
http://www.chimaerapages.com/resources_buyers.php

[Rossco2010]

If you want to be sure(ish) you can get the professionally inspected.

Most TVR specialists will do it on their own ramps (though you do have to get the car there, not ideal if you're buying off Ebay though) and there is at least one chap who does it on a mobile basis (not sure if forum rules allow me to post link to his site, but a bit og google work will pick it up)

Cost is something like £250 or so, but I think its well worth it - he picked up £500 of work on mine and that was a "good" one from a trustworthy dealer.

One point is that no one can give you 100% certainty, but they can reasure you the really big / expensive bits are ok (see comments re outriggers above).

[jackthelad]

Cheers.

Not sure the 500 is really affordable.

I still need a bit of the old help on the adverts above if a guru is about later. Ta

[Chris71]

Outriggers are a key concern, but you do need to put it into perspective. I think you can get them done for about £600 a side if you shop around - so, yes, they're important, but it's not the end of the world if an otherwise perfect example required attention in that one area. Also on the subject of outriggers, they go on the top. Sometimes the underside of the tubes can be shiny and painted, but the top surface rusted out. Obviously you can only go on what you can see (as can the MOT man) but bear in mind looks can be deceiving.

Another thing - drive lots of them, even if you're not 100% sure they're the spec you're after. As you'll hear on the forums, they do vary a lot. I drove a 430 that would have happily outpaced any of the 450s I drove and the second 'tightest' example was a high miler that many buyers would have overlooked. Also, try and test them with the hood up - it gives you a much better feel for any untoward whines, creaks or clonks.

FWIW I found the clutches varied hugely - many were nearing replacement. Also the PAS systems frequently didn't work, and it's worth getting a feel for the non-PAS cars too; some people prefer the simplicity (and allegedly improved feel) of non-assisted racks, but some find them heavy and a bit low geared.

And keep an open mind. Sometimes the shiniest and most expensive examples are no better in the flesh than the low-end cars.

At a quick glance I'd be most intertested in the dark blue one you linked to. It's got recent shock absorbers, which is usually a sign of someone taking an interest in the condition (rather than simply doing minimal work to pass the MOT), it's a late example and it's got the outriggers done.

[Grey Ghost]

The second one down in your list would be my target. It has full MOT and service history that you can check the mileage against and also see what else has been done via the receipts to hand. I looked for a while for my 450 and chose my one because the first owner kept it for 7 years and had it maintained by the supplying dealer Mole Valley. As the others have said, condition, condition and condition are how to buy these so if oyu are not 100% certain get a local dealer to look it over for you.

[jackthelad]

Grey Ghost said:

The second one down in your list would be my target. It has full MOT and service history that you can check the mileage against and also see what else has been done via the receipts to hand. I looked for a while for my 450 and chose my one because the first owner kept it for 7 years and had it maintained by the supplying dealer Mole Valley. As the others have said, condition, condition and condition are how to buy these so if oyu are not 100% certain get a local dealer to look it over for you.

Mine as well, but checking my emails I'm now walking away, this is not easy. best advice I should give myself is stay away from ebay and autotrader, cars on these sites are on for a reason.

what are thoughts on the PH white one my last choice, is it known can't be so many white tiv's about.

is it possible to get a facelift model, with good rails and low mileage for under 9k?

[Pvapour]

not advertising mine at the moment but if you're after a 500 have a look at my profile, PM me if your interested (98, low miles, HHC checked a year ago)

good luck!

[jackthelad]

jackthelad said:

is it possible to get a facelift model, with good rails and low mileage for under 9k?

Pvapour said:

not advertising mine at the moment but if you're after a 500 have a look at my profile, PM me if your interested (98, low miles, HHC checked a year ago)

good luck!

As post under 9k right?

[Pvapour]

read your original post and obviously there is no mention of budget, in answer to the latter? no, dont think it is possible now, maybe a year ago but prices seem to be going up to me, possibly the influence of the high price Griffs that have sold this year.

HTH and good luck with your hunt

[jackthelad]

You are a seller right.

I'll let you know how I get on with the 9k car once i'm under the bonnet and the wallet comes out

[Pvapour]

jackthelad said:

You are a seller right.

I'll let you know how I get on with the 9k car once i'm under the bonnet and the wallet comes out

not really selling tbo just happened across the thread and thought i'd put it out there to you, no bargains to be had from my garage

buyer or seller its difficult to ignore what has happened with pricing on 500s though.

I bought mine with the intention of some spannering, which I have done & enjoyed, not a bad approach when buying really (opens the field a bit) but I did not want to do anything major on engine or chassis so got these checked out thoroughly at HHC.

Be interesting to see what you end up with, keep us posted

[blackpoolrocket]

jackthelad said:

Just sold the s200 now looking for a chimera , test drove one this summer amazingr, prefer the facelift ones, better. budgets not huge just wondering if someone could comment on the ones I'm looking at, I normally buy first one I see so need to get it right.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&am...
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&am...

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&am...

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1806461.htm
I llike this a lot but much higher mileage compared to the others, resale I guess would be a lot tougher

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2256955.htm

Is white a bit gay. lol

Best advice I can give you is forget asking questions on here unless you like dumb ar*e answers, best bet is to head over to 'General Gassing' for loads of inform on haggling, I got myself a Chimaera from someone on here a while back. I won't embarrass because I got a really good deal. There are many desperate sellers out there. Just try to establish if they can wait until spring to sell, if they can't then go for a keen price. Now is a good time of year to do deals. Most would love to sell by xmas, don't be afraid to barter. Despite what sellers say, TVR's have 4 wheels and an engine, check magazines for prices. Condition is important, some chassis are shot mostly on ebay (there is two on right now I've personally seen, email for details if you need), but don't discount just get prices for sorting. ALWAYS Get it checked out just like any 2nd hand car. Most have a few niggles, my has quite a few but they are great cars to own. Good Luck

[Daz1855]

blackpoolrocket said:

Best advice I can give you is forget asking questions on here........

But then you have been proved to be a total time waster who knows nothing about TVRs so that might not be very useful advice after all?

Sounds like a match made in heaven to me

[Ribol]

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Need we say more

[blackpoolrocket]

Ribol said:

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Need we say more

Yeh, stick to being worried about what kind of P0rn you don't want you're ISP to see you are downloading, rather than having a go at PH members.

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Edited by blackpoolrocket on Wednesday 17th November 00:55

[Ribol]

blackpoolrocket said:

Ribol said:

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Need we say more

Yeh, stick to being worried about what kind of P0rn you don't want you're ISP to see you are downloading, rather than having a go at PH members.

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

......... and that is the best you can come up with is it, so you know FA about cars and P2P downloads too, what a to55er

(Interesting to note that you don't deny what so many people are posting about you though)

[JR]

Quinny said:

blackpoolrocket said:

Best advice I can give you is forget asking questions on here unless you like dumb ar*e answers, best bet is to head over to 'General Gassing' for loads of inform on haggling, I got myself a Chimaera from someone on here a while back. I won't embarrass because I got a really good deal.

of course you did, I imagine the seller was very grateful
Don't forget about this bit:

blackpoolrocket said:

Most have a few niggles, my has quite a few...