Been to see a Chim - Advice Please
Discussion
As per the thread title, I've been to see a Chimaera farily locally to me this evening with a view to buying and would appreciate some advice/feedback on my assessment. It's the first one I've seen and the main things I was looking for seem to be in really good order e.g. the chassis is in excellent nick, outriggers replaced recently, consumables all serviced/replaced regularly and it runs and drives very nicely. A few bits I'm wondering if the collective can please help with. I'm wondering if these are typical for a 1999 car (there's one available for a similar price elsewhere but it's 110 miles away):
- Cosmetically it's a bit shabby in places:
- The driver's door has clearly scraped a wall down the leading edge so needs a bit of tlc/ paint repair.
- Plenty of stone chips which aren't a major fix but still need sorting.
- Driver's side doorcard is hanging off a bit at the top; there's a screw which has been located into filler that's popped out. Not sure how easy or otherwise a fix that is.
- Front splitter looks like it's a slightly different shade of blue to the rest of the car so I'm assuming has been replaced at some point and will need to be repainted.
- One wheel is darker than the others - it's a replacement for a slightly buckled wheel that comes with the car. Not a huge cost to get it repainted but another job to do
- Seatbelts very stiff and don't shoot back into position when released.
- Passenger window very slow to go up.
None of these jobs in isolation are huge but they all add up. I know you're going to get bits and pieces to sort with a classic car but I don't know how typical the list above is. It's not badly priced (£12.5k) but I'm not sure if the above could all be sorted for £1k or so or if it's going to be several times that in which case I'd be better off spending a bit more up front to save the hassle.
All feedback gratefully received, thanks.
- Cosmetically it's a bit shabby in places:
- The driver's door has clearly scraped a wall down the leading edge so needs a bit of tlc/ paint repair.
- Plenty of stone chips which aren't a major fix but still need sorting.
- Driver's side doorcard is hanging off a bit at the top; there's a screw which has been located into filler that's popped out. Not sure how easy or otherwise a fix that is.
- Front splitter looks like it's a slightly different shade of blue to the rest of the car so I'm assuming has been replaced at some point and will need to be repainted.
- One wheel is darker than the others - it's a replacement for a slightly buckled wheel that comes with the car. Not a huge cost to get it repainted but another job to do
- Seatbelts very stiff and don't shoot back into position when released.
- Passenger window very slow to go up.
None of these jobs in isolation are huge but they all add up. I know you're going to get bits and pieces to sort with a classic car but I don't know how typical the list above is. It's not badly priced (£12.5k) but I'm not sure if the above could all be sorted for £1k or so or if it's going to be several times that in which case I'd be better off spending a bit more up front to save the hassle.
All feedback gratefully received, thanks.
Mallard126 said:
- Front splitter looks like it's a slightly different shade of blue to the rest of the car so I'm assuming has been replaced at some point and will need to be repainted.
Splitter? Not sure what you mean by this is it some after market thing?
Mallard126 said:
Seatbelts very stiff and don't shoot back into position when released.
Many do this as tge belts run over a section of carpet if especially bad they're cheap to replace and improve if cleaned.Mallard126 said:
- Passenger window very slow to go up.
Comon issue can be improved with better wireing and checking window guide/runners.£12500 sounds cheap for a 1999 model I'd expect some work for one at that price.
Initial advice would be to view a few more cars before parting with your hard earned.
If you are patient you will find a car that has been really cared for without the annoying minor problems, it may cost a bit more initially but could save you money long term. Join the TVR club and have a chat with members local to you.
The fronts of TVR's are very prone to stone chips, one of the problems with glass fibre.
If you are patient you will find a car that has been really cared for without the annoying minor problems, it may cost a bit more initially but could save you money long term. Join the TVR club and have a chat with members local to you.
The fronts of TVR's are very prone to stone chips, one of the problems with glass fibre.
Honestly they're just posh kit cars.
Bits of the interior will come lose and you'll have to screw/glue/push them back into place. I wouldn't let one loose bit of trim put me off a car.
Windows go down when you get in the car and go up again when you park it. The majority of them are slow, underpowered and need lubricating. If you've owned a car for a while you forget how other people aren't used to it so don't realise how bad they are and don't bother lubing them after you've had to do it a few times. My passenger one needs pulling up by hand the last 3rd of the way
Splitter?
As above with the seatbelts again. They also get trapped between the back of the seat and the carpet if you recline the seat back too far.
The paint and the wheels are down to your preference.
None of these things are issues in my eyes if the running gear and chassis is spot on. A chim needs constant fettling and looking after on tiny little bits and that's part of the enjoyment of owning one in my opinion. You don't just wash it, drive it and stand there looking at it out of the pub window, you also have something to tinker with.
Bits of the interior will come lose and you'll have to screw/glue/push them back into place. I wouldn't let one loose bit of trim put me off a car.
Windows go down when you get in the car and go up again when you park it. The majority of them are slow, underpowered and need lubricating. If you've owned a car for a while you forget how other people aren't used to it so don't realise how bad they are and don't bother lubing them after you've had to do it a few times. My passenger one needs pulling up by hand the last 3rd of the way
Splitter?
As above with the seatbelts again. They also get trapped between the back of the seat and the carpet if you recline the seat back too far.
The paint and the wheels are down to your preference.
None of these things are issues in my eyes if the running gear and chassis is spot on. A chim needs constant fettling and looking after on tiny little bits and that's part of the enjoyment of owning one in my opinion. You don't just wash it, drive it and stand there looking at it out of the pub window, you also have something to tinker with.
Paintwork can be a deal breaker sometimes as the costs these days for paint are horrendous, especially if it's a rare colour.
You will find most cars carry lots of stonechips etc to the front nose area, most leave them alone due to cost but also the fact that a fresh paint job will start to pick them up anyway and annoy you even more.
You will find most cars carry lots of stonechips etc to the front nose area, most leave them alone due to cost but also the fact that a fresh paint job will start to pick them up anyway and annoy you even more.
- Cosmetically it's a bit shabby in places:
- The driver's door has clearly scraped a wall down the leading edge so needs a bit of tlc/ paint repair.
- Plenty of stone chips which aren't a major fix but still need sorting.
- Front splitter looks like it's a slightly different shade of blue to the rest of the car so I'm assuming has been replaced at some point and will need to be repainted.
Everything which is related to the body condition can be expensive and you definitely need to find someone who is used to work on fiberglass. I guess this is easier in the UK than in France.
- Driver's side doorcard is hanging off a bit at the top; there's a screw which has been located into filler that's popped out. Not sure how easy or otherwise a fix that is.
- Passenger window very slow to go up.
Could be related. On mine, because I'm removing the door cards "frequently" (once a year or every 2 years max which is infinitely more than my other cars), for example to lubricate windows runners, screws are beginning to be loose. I have put expanding metal insert in place, this is very convenient.
- One wheel is darker than the others - it's a replacement for a slightly buckled wheel that comes with the car. Not a huge cost to get it repainted but another job to do
If you have to invest in this direction, and if current rims are standard ones, you can also see to change the size, for example with 16 inches front and rear, this is then more convenient to find tires.
- Seatbelts very stiff and don't shoot back into position when released.
Yes they are all. Worst case you can change with brand new securon 500/30, doesn't cost much and are also available with other colours than black.
- The driver's door has clearly scraped a wall down the leading edge so needs a bit of tlc/ paint repair.
- Plenty of stone chips which aren't a major fix but still need sorting.
- Front splitter looks like it's a slightly different shade of blue to the rest of the car so I'm assuming has been replaced at some point and will need to be repainted.
Everything which is related to the body condition can be expensive and you definitely need to find someone who is used to work on fiberglass. I guess this is easier in the UK than in France.
- Driver's side doorcard is hanging off a bit at the top; there's a screw which has been located into filler that's popped out. Not sure how easy or otherwise a fix that is.
- Passenger window very slow to go up.
Could be related. On mine, because I'm removing the door cards "frequently" (once a year or every 2 years max which is infinitely more than my other cars), for example to lubricate windows runners, screws are beginning to be loose. I have put expanding metal insert in place, this is very convenient.
- One wheel is darker than the others - it's a replacement for a slightly buckled wheel that comes with the car. Not a huge cost to get it repainted but another job to do
If you have to invest in this direction, and if current rims are standard ones, you can also see to change the size, for example with 16 inches front and rear, this is then more convenient to find tires.
- Seatbelts very stiff and don't shoot back into position when released.
Yes they are all. Worst case you can change with brand new securon 500/30, doesn't cost much and are also available with other colours than black.
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