Buying Strategy
Discussion
Afternoon All,
Long time Chimaera fan and with a future house move and the avoidance of ULEZ, I now find myself in a position to buy one. I am looking for some advice on what buying strategy to take in terms of what end of the market and what receipts the car should come with. A few details;
- Budget of 20k (25k for something extraordinary)
- Long term investment (No desire for any other projects)
- Car would be used 2 days a week commuting and weekends
- Car will be garaged and I am mechanically capable
- I would not be phased by a DIY chassis restoration
- I would not be comfortable doing an engine build
- I wouldn’t attempt paint or upholstery but would do carpets
- I would entertain electrical niggles and troubleshooting
From what I’ve read on here, people advise to always buy top of the market as you will never recoup the you have paid on big restoration/service work. Given the fact numbers of these cars are relatively low, I feel that I will need to compromise on some parts of my wish list. So these are my questions;
- Would you prioritise getting the exact colour or try to budget a colour change later on given that these cars chip anyway? Had a few budget prices from Steve Edward’s who has painted a car for me previously.
- For that money, would you be looking at finding a car that has had a full chassis resto over just outriggers?
- Engine wise should I be looking for a V8D or Powers built or just standard maintenance with a top end refresh? Is this the one that could save me the biggest bill by getting a car with a rebuild already done? I would only be confident removing and refitting an engine.
- Ideally want a nice 4.6 but would you also consider a 4.0 with a view to just swapping bottom ends out later on?
- Would you look past the interior colour and again potentially budget changing that to your exact spec with wear in the future? Heard 3-4k mentioned without carpets.
For reference I’d like something with a bit of poke and would like to stay NA in keeping with heritage. I had told myself a 4.6 would satisfy my needs in one of the factory blue colours. Obviously aware that reduces my pickings somewhat so what love to hear the advise of those who have been in a similar position? I would also most likely add aftermarket brakes, suspension and engine management so I am wondering if I could snag a well modified example and tweak colours etc to my spec over time.
Many Thanks
Long time Chimaera fan and with a future house move and the avoidance of ULEZ, I now find myself in a position to buy one. I am looking for some advice on what buying strategy to take in terms of what end of the market and what receipts the car should come with. A few details;
- Budget of 20k (25k for something extraordinary)
- Long term investment (No desire for any other projects)
- Car would be used 2 days a week commuting and weekends
- Car will be garaged and I am mechanically capable
- I would not be phased by a DIY chassis restoration
- I would not be comfortable doing an engine build
- I wouldn’t attempt paint or upholstery but would do carpets
- I would entertain electrical niggles and troubleshooting
From what I’ve read on here, people advise to always buy top of the market as you will never recoup the you have paid on big restoration/service work. Given the fact numbers of these cars are relatively low, I feel that I will need to compromise on some parts of my wish list. So these are my questions;
- Would you prioritise getting the exact colour or try to budget a colour change later on given that these cars chip anyway? Had a few budget prices from Steve Edward’s who has painted a car for me previously.
- For that money, would you be looking at finding a car that has had a full chassis resto over just outriggers?
- Engine wise should I be looking for a V8D or Powers built or just standard maintenance with a top end refresh? Is this the one that could save me the biggest bill by getting a car with a rebuild already done? I would only be confident removing and refitting an engine.
- Ideally want a nice 4.6 but would you also consider a 4.0 with a view to just swapping bottom ends out later on?
- Would you look past the interior colour and again potentially budget changing that to your exact spec with wear in the future? Heard 3-4k mentioned without carpets.
For reference I’d like something with a bit of poke and would like to stay NA in keeping with heritage. I had told myself a 4.6 would satisfy my needs in one of the factory blue colours. Obviously aware that reduces my pickings somewhat so what love to hear the advise of those who have been in a similar position? I would also most likely add aftermarket brakes, suspension and engine management so I am wondering if I could snag a well modified example and tweak colours etc to my spec over time.
Many Thanks
I’d always try to advise buying already done, it takes a lot of the headache and most of the financial ruin away.
Just buy park in the garage and drive the wheels off it then making sure to look after it.
Sometimes working on them can tarnish the ownership for some.
Have you seen the green one in the classifieds here?
Already has a chassis and major engine rebuild but is suitable for maybe a paint job and new interior but obviously mileage on the clock will put a lot off.
Good cars pop up from time to time at your budget so I’d just take my time and wait for it to come along.
Just buy park in the garage and drive the wheels off it then making sure to look after it.
Sometimes working on them can tarnish the ownership for some.
Have you seen the green one in the classifieds here?
Already has a chassis and major engine rebuild but is suitable for maybe a paint job and new interior but obviously mileage on the clock will put a lot off.
Good cars pop up from time to time at your budget so I’d just take my time and wait for it to come along.
You'll receive as many bits of differing advice as there are people on here.
As the newest will be 20-years old and others up to 30-years old, I would be looking simply on overall condition, rather than trying to have too many 'requirements'. The issue of rebuilt engines is nowhere near such a consideration with the RV8 as it is with the S6 in the later Tuscans etc. and it sounds as if you're mechanically savvy enough to be able to identify a 'dog' fairly easily, so I would start by having a look at a few just to get a feel for what's about.
You mention 4.6 but that wasn't an original TVR size (they were 4.0, 4.5, 5.0), though some have had them fitted since, but they might simply be std. Land Rover spec 4.6s. Colour is very much a personal choice but you might want to have some quotes for a decent respray, they're not cheap and it would be a fair chunk of your budget; I might simply be minded to rule out certain colours if that was an issue.
Happy hunting.
As the newest will be 20-years old and others up to 30-years old, I would be looking simply on overall condition, rather than trying to have too many 'requirements'. The issue of rebuilt engines is nowhere near such a consideration with the RV8 as it is with the S6 in the later Tuscans etc. and it sounds as if you're mechanically savvy enough to be able to identify a 'dog' fairly easily, so I would start by having a look at a few just to get a feel for what's about.
You mention 4.6 but that wasn't an original TVR size (they were 4.0, 4.5, 5.0), though some have had them fitted since, but they might simply be std. Land Rover spec 4.6s. Colour is very much a personal choice but you might want to have some quotes for a decent respray, they're not cheap and it would be a fair chunk of your budget; I might simply be minded to rule out certain colours if that was an issue.
Happy hunting.
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