Advice on purchase of Chimaera
Discussion
Hello to all at Pistonheads, I have a question. When considering the purchase of a Chimaera, is it best to spend a lot of money on a "tidy" car (that might not be so tidy) or to spend perhaps only half the amount on one that needs work and then the remainder on doing it up so that you then have a car that you know for sure is sound?
Hard to get one back if gone too far…. Everything can degrade.
I would find one someone has loved and cared for.
Paint, to make it right costs a conservative £5k. So I just add £5k to the 'price' folks are asking if paintwork is dodgy. Interior re trim £5k plus. Suspension and brakes rebuild, well over £1k if you do it yourself.
As an example, in my last search I had a choice (after elimination of others) of two cars identical in age, specification and mileage, with a £4k price difference. I bought the more expensive as the cheaper needed paint plus some mechanical corrections, new tyres, plus was tattier. No brainer.
I lean very much towards finding a nice tidy cared for car.
Best of luck.
Nic
I would find one someone has loved and cared for.
Paint, to make it right costs a conservative £5k. So I just add £5k to the 'price' folks are asking if paintwork is dodgy. Interior re trim £5k plus. Suspension and brakes rebuild, well over £1k if you do it yourself.
As an example, in my last search I had a choice (after elimination of others) of two cars identical in age, specification and mileage, with a £4k price difference. I bought the more expensive as the cheaper needed paint plus some mechanical corrections, new tyres, plus was tattier. No brainer.
I lean very much towards finding a nice tidy cared for car.
Best of luck.
Nic
The only way it makes sense to buy one needing quite a lot of work is if you have a decent well equipped garage and can do most of it yourself and want to of course.
As said above paint and interior to a good standard by a pro will see you spending close to £10k.
Outrigger replacement isn't too bad cost wise these days but it all depends on the condition of the rest of the chassis.
As said above paint and interior to a good standard by a pro will see you spending close to £10k.
Outrigger replacement isn't too bad cost wise these days but it all depends on the condition of the rest of the chassis.
There is another way. If you never sell, you can never lose the money.
My chassis ended up costing the thick end of 13k. But it's like a new car and is far more modern and useable. Paint, well I got carried away and a colour change, body mods and a few upgrades and that's not far off the cost of the chassis. I've yet to tackle the interior, the wallet needs a breather.
So for mid twenty grand I've added maybe 8-10 to the car. But it's never leaving me.
I outsourced everything. You could easily halve those numbers.
Buy the best condition your budget allows and enjoy it.
My chassis ended up costing the thick end of 13k. But it's like a new car and is far more modern and useable. Paint, well I got carried away and a colour change, body mods and a few upgrades and that's not far off the cost of the chassis. I've yet to tackle the interior, the wallet needs a breather.
So for mid twenty grand I've added maybe 8-10 to the car. But it's never leaving me.
I outsourced everything. You could easily halve those numbers.
Buy the best condition your budget allows and enjoy it.
tter is my advice the saving wont be worth it i would rather buy a car with a refurbished chassis (body off) and poor paintwok, than vice-versa.
if you plan to keep the car for some years, buy the best chassis you can find.
don´t be blinded by new paintwork and new interior...i have seen too many cars which looked like new....but sitting on a rotten chassis (with a fresh MOT).
if you plan to keep the car for some years, buy the best chassis you can find.
don´t be blinded by new paintwork and new interior...i have seen too many cars which looked like new....but sitting on a rotten chassis (with a fresh MOT).
I also went for mechanical refurb vs paint job.
Mine needs a new set of carpets and the paint shows it’s age as well as having been detailed, but it means I’m less precious than I might be (and there’s no way the body is rusting).
That said, I have had to replace the brake and clutch hydraulics but only because the previous owner hadn’t needed to do those bits. Instead I’ve got a totally refurbed chassis with new suspension, a clutch with only 10k, refurbed diff, new cam/timing chain/etc, new PAS pump, refurbed rack, refurbed Imola alloys (had to be the originals for me) and a whole host of other bits in really good shape.
I’m confident in it staying in one piece, and if I look after it it should be able to keep it until I can no longer get in it.
I also love how simple it can be to work out. Mostly 😁
Mine needs a new set of carpets and the paint shows it’s age as well as having been detailed, but it means I’m less precious than I might be (and there’s no way the body is rusting).
That said, I have had to replace the brake and clutch hydraulics but only because the previous owner hadn’t needed to do those bits. Instead I’ve got a totally refurbed chassis with new suspension, a clutch with only 10k, refurbed diff, new cam/timing chain/etc, new PAS pump, refurbed rack, refurbed Imola alloys (had to be the originals for me) and a whole host of other bits in really good shape.
I’m confident in it staying in one piece, and if I look after it it should be able to keep it until I can no longer get in it.
I also love how simple it can be to work out. Mostly 😁
Yatz said:
Hello to all at Pistonheads, I have a question. When considering the purchase of a Chimaera, is it best to spend a lot of money on a "tidy" car (that might not be so tidy) or to spend perhaps only half the amount on one that needs work and then the remainder on doing it up so that you then have a car that you know for sure is sound?
Have you bought a Chim yet? Sadly its looking like I'm going to have to sell both my Chim and Tuscan S due to loss of storage, so please PM me if you are interested.Mutley00 said:
Yatz said:
Hello to all at Pistonheads, I have a question. When considering the purchase of a Chimaera, is it best to spend a lot of money on a "tidy" car (that might not be so tidy) or to spend perhaps only half the amount on one that needs work and then the remainder on doing it up so that you then have a car that you know for sure is sound?
Have you bought a Chim yet? Sadly its looking like I'm going to have to sell both my Chim and Tuscan S due to loss of storage, so please PM me if you are interested.
Honestly it depends on budget and capabilities.
If you have no experience
little inclination
can change a few bits as a weekend mechanic.
Then buy one that is already done, they can and will be sods to work on, there are some utterly soul destroying simple jobs.
If you are capable to a fair degree then you could easily do a body off but you will need help. and you can send it off for new outriggers etc.
Get one that needs work, but knowing it needs work in a few years, so a really good usable example and expect the worst.
If you're absolutely mental and you have a fair degree of knowledge, you can do outriggers for about £200-400, but you would have to be a complete and utter masochist, so what you will need is 38mm ERW from Metals4u, you need 3x3 metre lengths, you will have a metre or so of steel left over, and doing it yourself will save you about £2-5k on paying for it,
Yes I am a masochist, but my car was a super cheap but looked after car just needing a chassis in 2 years (which is now)
If you have no experience
little inclination
can change a few bits as a weekend mechanic.
Then buy one that is already done, they can and will be sods to work on, there are some utterly soul destroying simple jobs.
If you are capable to a fair degree then you could easily do a body off but you will need help. and you can send it off for new outriggers etc.
Get one that needs work, but knowing it needs work in a few years, so a really good usable example and expect the worst.
If you're absolutely mental and you have a fair degree of knowledge, you can do outriggers for about £200-400, but you would have to be a complete and utter masochist, so what you will need is 38mm ERW from Metals4u, you need 3x3 metre lengths, you will have a metre or so of steel left over, and doing it yourself will save you about £2-5k on paying for it,
Yes I am a masochist, but my car was a super cheap but looked after car just needing a chassis in 2 years (which is now)
I would add that part of the answer also depends on personal preference. I prefer to buy a car before it has had major work completed & then be in control of that work & know exactly what has been done. Too much experience of picking up other people’s bodge jobs! More hassle / grief definitely yes but I then have full knowledge of what work has been done. Other people would be happy to leave it all to someone else. If you do that make sure you have evidence and receipts for the work completed. Each to their own
Buy on condition, not colour preference etc. I paid a bit more for mine and honestly it’s given 3 years of hassle free motoring. Key is history- makes sure it has a file with plenty of documentation, so u know whats been done and what hasn’t. And as always, chassis, chassis, chassis. Watch for waxoyl as it can hide a few sins…..
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