Buying a Chim 5.0

[Eeef]

Are there any 'what to look out for' guides out there?

Friends looking at swapping his 911 for one and I said I'd go along and offer moral support.

this is the one he's looking at www.portsmouthtradesales.co.uk/cars/detailU712.html

Anyone know it? Look a fair price?

[Sharkytvr]

I know this car - it's been along to a few South-Hants PH events last summer. Looked to be in good condition, and I think the car owner was a guy called Kim Fenton. He either owns or works for the company selling it - may be wrong though.

Pretty gross colour - once again that's just my opinion. May prove problematic in selling it? (The world would be a dull place if we all drove silver Chims!)

Spec looks quite good - if it IS full leather, and has Wilton carpets Mileage (26K) is OK, probably just enough to keep her in good shape. It's the low mileage "garage queens" you need to worry about.

Price seems a little on the steep side - but obviously this is an opening position.

I would ABSOLUTELY DEFINITELY POSITIVELY get it inspected by an expert like James Agger, if I were you.

[bigdods]

Saw a Chim in this colour the other day at the shops. Nice colour for an MX-5 but a chim ? What were they thinking.

IMHO of course ;-)

[eeef]

Must admit, i wasn't much taken with the colour but this will be the first one he's looked at. How do we get in touch with James? Is he on here?

What are the running costs like (although can only be cheaper tha nthe 911 I guess, it's just had a new clutch for £900!!)

My brothers run two Cerbs and I know the running costs for that are pretty horrific but it's a completely different animal.

[SharkyTVR]

Nothing like the running costs of a Cerb.

My garage, Fernhurst Motor Co told me to budget on about £2K per year to cover scheduled servicing and additional repairs for an well-looked after Chim 500. Buy a dog to begin with, it could be much more.

So far, their advice has been right on the money, with annual servicing charges at about £800, and repairs/enhancements at £400.

In addition, reckon on no better than 20mpg, of super-unleaded (Optimax?)

[s5tvr]

Eeef said:

Are there any 'what to look out for' guides out there?

The Griff/Chim "bible" written by Steve Heath has a section on what to look out for when buying second hand. Otherwise look for a full service history. Don't get hung up with "it must have a full main dealer service history" as there are a number of excellent indpedendent garages out there that are recognised as being at least as good or better than the main dealers (see Sprint magazine for the indies as they all advertise their services in it). Also, as these cars get a little older, owners don't want to pay main dealer prices for servicing and repairs.

A good point already made is that these cars are not cheap to run, so make sure that there has been regular expenditure on the car with bills to prove it.

Having the car inspected by someone like James Agger or Rob Ingleby (again see Sprint magazine) is also a good idea if you're not entirely confident in your own inspection abilities or those of the garage you're buying it from.

As for specific things to look out for, well I'm no expert, though someone who is will no doubt come along and reply shortly, would be to have a good look around the chassis for signs of wear & tear and corrosion as I suspect that this is an area that could be overlooked by some owners when it comes to routine maintenance.

Alhough the mileage suggests the car has been used regularly, assuming it's always been a second car, look for long gaps in usage as these cars like to be driven. Long lay-up periods can lead to problems unless the car is maintained properly during such periods.

Also, one last suggestion, post your thread on the Chimaera forum and search this section for similar posts as it's a real goldmine of info.

Good luck to your friend and tell him to introduce himself on the Chimaera forum once he's got his car.

[Seasider]

s5tvr said:

Eeef said: Are there any 'what to look out for' guides out there? The Griff/Chim "bible" written by Steve Heath has a section on what to look out for when buying second hand. Otherwise look for a full service history. Don't get hung up with "it must have a full main dealer service history" as there are a number of excellent indpedendent garages out there that are recognised as being at least as good or better than the main dealers (see Sprint magazine for the indies as they all advertise their services in it). Also, as these cars get a little older, owners don't want to pay main dealer prices for servicing and repairs. A good point already made is that these cars are not cheap to run, so make sure that there has been regular expenditure on the car with bills to prove it. Having the car inspected by someone like James Agger or Rob Ingleby (again see Sprint magazine) is also a good idea if you're not entirely confident in your own inspection abilities or those of the garage you're buying it from.

I've heard good things about Mr Agger.

I also would not overlook a car owned by a good home spanner man

:teeup:


edited to add: Or you could give up golf/hairdressing and get a Griff...


>> Edited by Seasider on Thursday 5th January 14:07

[s5tvr]

[quote=Seasider
Or you could give up golf/hairdressing and get a Griff...
:hehe
[/quote]

LOL - I suppose the equivalent activities for Griff owners are Wife Beating/chest-dressing

[jobbie]

You've got a good memory Sharky it is my car. Garage queen ? Well, yes I do co-own the garage and the car doesn't do a lot of mileage, but I am happily married with 2 kids, honestly!! If your looking for something with a bit more miles I've got a Chim with 127,000 on it. Seriously though, eeef, if you want to pop in and have a chat about tiv's would be delighted to see you. Best advice is to buy on condition, and look at as many as you can, its a buyers market and there are are some excellent cars currently on offer.

[Bomber Denton]

s5tvr said:

[quote=Seasider Or you could give up golf/hairdressing and get a Griff... :hehe LOL - I suppose the equivalent activities for Griff owners are Wife Beating/chest-dressing

In Seasider's case it's chest-beating and dressing like his wife!

>> Edited by Bomber Denton on Thursday 5th January 19:46

[shnozz]

eeef, you are mates with Steve then

I gave him my views on the car and on buying 5 litre Chims generally about 4 hours before you posted

[s5tvr]

Bomber Denton said:

s5tvr said: [quote=Seasider Or you could give up golf/hairdressing and get a Griff... :hehe LOL - I suppose the equivalent activities for Griff owners are Wife Beating/chest-dressing In Seasider's case it's chest-beating and dressing like his wife! >> Edited by Bomber Denton on Thursday 5th January 19:46

Nice one Bomber

[Sharky500]

jobbie said:

You've got a good memory Sharky it is my car. Garage queen ? Well, yes I do co-own the garage and the car doesn't do a lot of mileage, but I am happily married with 2 kids, honestly!!

Sorry Kim - not implying you were the Queen!!! I was meaning ultra-low mileage cars that live most of the time in garages, i.e. Garage Queens!

Oh, and no offence about the Colour of the car....

[jobbie]

Sharky500 said:

jobbie said: You've got a good memory Sharky it is my car. Garage queen ? Well, yes I do co-own the garage and the car doesn't do a lot of mileage, but I am happily married with 2 kids, honestly!! Sorry Kim - not implying you were the Queen!!! I was meaning ultra-low mileage cars that live most of the time in garages, i.e. Garage Queens! Oh, and no offence about the Colour of the car....

None taken mate , always a brew on if your passing my site. Free secure parking if you need the shops.
Kim