Dilemma on Chimaera purchase
Discussion
Afternoon all,
I’ve been contemplating for a few months on buying a Chimaera as a fun car, I’m fortunate to have a decent garage and I’m reasonably capable to tinker with a spanner when it comes to maintenance but anything that involves major disassembly I would leave to the professionals.
I’m not massively hung up on what model to go for, I just want a really clean and reliable example, I have a healthy budget but I can’t decide whether it would be better to purchase a extremely low mileage original example say sub 30k miles of which there are a couple on the market currently or to go for an example which has had a lot of restoration.
Last thing I want is to jump into a money pit. Or squander my budget on something that doesn’t hold its value for the majority of what I invest.
Any advice welcome.
Thanks.
I’ve been contemplating for a few months on buying a Chimaera as a fun car, I’m fortunate to have a decent garage and I’m reasonably capable to tinker with a spanner when it comes to maintenance but anything that involves major disassembly I would leave to the professionals.
I’m not massively hung up on what model to go for, I just want a really clean and reliable example, I have a healthy budget but I can’t decide whether it would be better to purchase a extremely low mileage original example say sub 30k miles of which there are a couple on the market currently or to go for an example which has had a lot of restoration.
Last thing I want is to jump into a money pit. Or squander my budget on something that doesn’t hold its value for the majority of what I invest.
Any advice welcome.
Thanks.
My advice is to buy something that has been used and well maintained, hopefully having had some of the key areas addressed in the process.
People get hung up on low mileage garage queens but it isnt good for any car to spend its life sat in a garage and used a couple of times a year, especially not a TVR.
One of the best modifications you could look for is an aftermarket management system which uses modern coilpacks etc as it does away with the pesky distributor system which is hard to get quality spares for and the source of many a problem on these cars.
People get hung up on low mileage garage queens but it isnt good for any car to spend its life sat in a garage and used a couple of times a year, especially not a TVR.
One of the best modifications you could look for is an aftermarket management system which uses modern coilpacks etc as it does away with the pesky distributor system which is hard to get quality spares for and the source of many a problem on these cars.
General experience suggests low mileage examples can be problematic through lack of use.
That said you have a blue print of a car with less overall wear.
I’d tend to be looking for a car that’s had regular use which then over the years has had plenty of maintenance and things replaced to keep it reliable.
These kind of cars often have extensive history files showing exactly that.
Imagine an E type 50 years old thats been sat in a garage and hardly ever used. It might look mint but that standing can lead to allsorts of problems when you then start using it regularly because only then do you find out what it’s actually like.
Or one that’s been restored and used regularly. It might have twice or three times the mileage but if it’s been looked after and repairs have been completed as the years have gone by it’s likely to be a better and more reliable car.
A long term owner who has used a TVR extensively tends to address issues as they arise and maintain them to a very high standard.
Often these kind of owners enjoy developing and repairing the car as part of the hobby almost as much as they like to drive them.
This tends to bode well.
Personally I’d identify which models you are interested in then use each forum to ask questions to gain an overall view of each model.
I have a Chimeara with over 25k spent on it, that’s because I enjoyed making it a better car and doing the development work. I have later Ecu, rebuilt engine and much more which was not strictly necessary but I enjoyed making it the car it is. That cost was because I employed some of the best TVR men to do much of the technical work which was simply my choice.
I’d be lucky if I got 20k for it so that’s the kind of car I’d be searching for so it saves you having to do it. You’ll save a lot of money in the longer run that way.
Later cars running TVR own engines tend to cost lots to repair so again it’s a good idea to be buying one that’s already had known issues resolved via said experts where as the earlier Rover based cars are arguably easier and far cheaper to maintain at home.
Simpler basically.
Many owners with good cars don’t spend much on them now they are restored / well maintained and running costs are actually very low.
That said you have a blue print of a car with less overall wear.
I’d tend to be looking for a car that’s had regular use which then over the years has had plenty of maintenance and things replaced to keep it reliable.
These kind of cars often have extensive history files showing exactly that.
Imagine an E type 50 years old thats been sat in a garage and hardly ever used. It might look mint but that standing can lead to allsorts of problems when you then start using it regularly because only then do you find out what it’s actually like.
Or one that’s been restored and used regularly. It might have twice or three times the mileage but if it’s been looked after and repairs have been completed as the years have gone by it’s likely to be a better and more reliable car.
A long term owner who has used a TVR extensively tends to address issues as they arise and maintain them to a very high standard.
Often these kind of owners enjoy developing and repairing the car as part of the hobby almost as much as they like to drive them.
This tends to bode well.
Personally I’d identify which models you are interested in then use each forum to ask questions to gain an overall view of each model.
I have a Chimeara with over 25k spent on it, that’s because I enjoyed making it a better car and doing the development work. I have later Ecu, rebuilt engine and much more which was not strictly necessary but I enjoyed making it the car it is. That cost was because I employed some of the best TVR men to do much of the technical work which was simply my choice.
I’d be lucky if I got 20k for it so that’s the kind of car I’d be searching for so it saves you having to do it. You’ll save a lot of money in the longer run that way.
Later cars running TVR own engines tend to cost lots to repair so again it’s a good idea to be buying one that’s already had known issues resolved via said experts where as the earlier Rover based cars are arguably easier and far cheaper to maintain at home.
Simpler basically.
Many owners with good cars don’t spend much on them now they are restored / well maintained and running costs are actually very low.
Edited by BritishTvr450 on Saturday 29th June 14:28
Thanks very much for the feedback, there are some lovely looking examples advertised, I really fancied something pretty stock, I know my way around the rover V8 ignition system. I’m drawn to a restored Chim at JAA, it’s a 1995 looks like it’s had a massive amount done to it, I enquired via email, didn’t get a reply but perhaps my questions were too detailed but need to call to discuss the car, I’ve just been consumed with work commitments all week and over the weekend which wasn’t the plan.
There are also a couple of low mileage later cars, a yellow one at Selby and a blue one at Shmoo Automotive, I share the same suspicions regarding the low mileage cars but I’m just not sure, I spoke with a specialist not far from me and he said key with the low mileage cars is how they’ve been stored and maintained.
The other complication I have is that I’m located a massive distance from any Chimaeras to view them in person, I was considering a purchase unseen hence I was targeting either low mileage or restorations, you probably think I’m crazy contemplating doing that?
I’d welcome any feedback on any of these candidates.
Thanks
There are also a couple of low mileage later cars, a yellow one at Selby and a blue one at Shmoo Automotive, I share the same suspicions regarding the low mileage cars but I’m just not sure, I spoke with a specialist not far from me and he said key with the low mileage cars is how they’ve been stored and maintained.
The other complication I have is that I’m located a massive distance from any Chimaeras to view them in person, I was considering a purchase unseen hence I was targeting either low mileage or restorations, you probably think I’m crazy contemplating doing that?
I’d welcome any feedback on any of these candidates.
Thanks
You will pay silly money at a dealer so that part is up to you really, £20k should buy you a fully restored 400 so just bear that in mind.
Something like this may suit you with a rebuilt engine for peace of mind, ok its a 500 but the seller is well known and respected.
The extra torque low down of the 500 makes it much nicer to drive.
https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/16572411
Take your time as the market is dropping after covid and cars are hanging around a long time.
Something like this may suit you with a rebuilt engine for peace of mind, ok its a 500 but the seller is well known and respected.
The extra torque low down of the 500 makes it much nicer to drive.
https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/16572411
Take your time as the market is dropping after covid and cars are hanging around a long time.
Edited by Belle427 on Sunday 30th June 07:27
Simpkeia81 said:
Afternoon all,
I’ve been contemplating for a few months on buying a Chimaera as a fun car, I’m fortunate to have a decent garage and I’m reasonably capable to tinker with a spanner when it comes to maintenance but anything that involves major disassembly I would leave to the professionals.
I’m not massively hung up on what model to go for, I just want a really clean and reliable example, I have a healthy budget but I can’t decide whether it would be better to purchase a extremely low mileage original example say sub 30k miles of which there are a couple on the market currently or to go for an example which has had a lot of restoration.
Last thing I want is to jump into a money pit. Or squander my budget on something that doesn’t hold its value for the majority of what I invest.
Any advice welcome.
Thanks.
Your budget is healthy enough to buy a very nice Chimaera. James Agger TVR has a very well sorted 4.0 in the ideal Colour/Spec. I’ve been contemplating for a few months on buying a Chimaera as a fun car, I’m fortunate to have a decent garage and I’m reasonably capable to tinker with a spanner when it comes to maintenance but anything that involves major disassembly I would leave to the professionals.
I’m not massively hung up on what model to go for, I just want a really clean and reliable example, I have a healthy budget but I can’t decide whether it would be better to purchase a extremely low mileage original example say sub 30k miles of which there are a couple on the market currently or to go for an example which has had a lot of restoration.
Last thing I want is to jump into a money pit. Or squander my budget on something that doesn’t hold its value for the majority of what I invest.
Any advice welcome.
Thanks.
The addition of a buying a car with new engine management like MBE is a good idea, simply because all of those electrics have seen better years and some cars may have stood outside and got very damp causing various issues.
A garage queen is not a negative, because it will have been stored well and occasionaly driven out in dry days to keeps all thing moving.
If your prepared to wait a few months while I finish off a few jobs on my own Chimaera I might have just the kind of car you might be looking for.
Look for Classic Chim profile and you’ll see my car and a comprehensive list of repairs, accepted modifications and a tonne of other things I have done to make my car as good as it can be.
I locked myself out of my own profile and so far still unable to access it!
PISTONHEADS are you listening!
I might add most of the work I’ve had done was by a very respected TVR garage and or simply because I enjoy spannering and making it better than new standard.
I’d also like to point out the car never ever failed or let me down in neatly 40,000 miles of my personal use of the car.
It’s called preventative maintenance.
Many TVR could do with a similar level of care as they are not young cars anymore.
My car will be priced considerably less than through a dealer unless I indeed use a dealer to sell it for me.
It’s also very fast
Look for Classic Chim profile and you’ll see my car and a comprehensive list of repairs, accepted modifications and a tonne of other things I have done to make my car as good as it can be.
I locked myself out of my own profile and so far still unable to access it!
PISTONHEADS are you listening!
I might add most of the work I’ve had done was by a very respected TVR garage and or simply because I enjoy spannering and making it better than new standard.
I’d also like to point out the car never ever failed or let me down in neatly 40,000 miles of my personal use of the car.
It’s called preventative maintenance.
Many TVR could do with a similar level of care as they are not young cars anymore.
My car will be priced considerably less than through a dealer unless I indeed use a dealer to sell it for me.
It’s also very fast
Edited by BritishTvr450 on Sunday 30th June 08:29
Simpkeia81 said:
Afternoon all,
I’ve been contemplating for a few months on buying a Chimaera as a fun car, I’m fortunate to have a decent garage and I’m reasonably capable to tinker with a spanner when it comes to maintenance but anything that involves major disassembly I would leave to the professionals.
I’m not massively hung up on what model to go for, I just want a really clean and reliable example, I have a healthy budget but I can’t decide whether it would be better to purchase a extremely low mileage original example say sub 30k miles of which there are a couple on the market currently or to go for an example which has had a lot of restoration.
Last thing I want is to jump into a money pit. Or squander my budget on something that doesn’t hold its value for the majority of what I invest.
Any advice welcome.
Thanks.
They all need work low mileage or otherwise. Some of these cars are now 30 years old so will need some fettling.I’ve been contemplating for a few months on buying a Chimaera as a fun car, I’m fortunate to have a decent garage and I’m reasonably capable to tinker with a spanner when it comes to maintenance but anything that involves major disassembly I would leave to the professionals.
I’m not massively hung up on what model to go for, I just want a really clean and reliable example, I have a healthy budget but I can’t decide whether it would be better to purchase a extremely low mileage original example say sub 30k miles of which there are a couple on the market currently or to go for an example which has had a lot of restoration.
Last thing I want is to jump into a money pit. Or squander my budget on something that doesn’t hold its value for the majority of what I invest.
Any advice welcome.
Thanks.
As a previous TVR owner there are lots of little jobs that need doing to rectify what TVR got wrong in the first place.
A well sorted car would have had most of these little items sorted by now. For me The chassis is the main consideration and i would only consider a car
that had a full body off job with new outriggers, new bushes and suspension, new brake lines, new fuel lines, etc. etc.
The chassis, again just my personal opinion, would need to be painted, not powder coated.
Any engine, gearbox, diff issues can be sorted quite easily. It is the chassis which is everything on these cars.
I am sure by now, some of the later speed six variants are having chassis issues. They all will at some point.
They all look good when you are stood next to them, so the choice between a low mileage car or a higher mileage car, would seem obvious.
Thing is they will both need chassis work unless it has already been done.
Just my personal opinion [ but with some detailed knowledge as i did a full body lift on my Chimaera in 2010 ] A well sorted car, having had a full body
lift, is where i would spend my money. Good luck in your search and keep us posted.
BritishTvr450 said:
If your prepared to wait a few months while I finish off a few jobs on my own Chimaera I might have just the kind of car you might be looking for.
Look for Classic Chim profile and you’ll see my car and a comprehensive list of repairs, accepted modifications and a tonne of other things I have done to make my car as good as it can be.
I locked myself out of my own profile and so far still unable to access it!
PISTONHEADS are you listening!
I might add most of the work I’ve had done was by a very respected TVR garage and or simply because I enjoy spannering and making it better than new standard.
I’d also like to point out the car never ever failed or let me down in neatly 40,000 miles of my personal use of the car.
It’s called preventative maintenance.
Many TVR could do with a similar level of care as they are not young cars anymore.
My car will be priced considerably less than through a dealer unless I indeed use a dealer to sell it for me.
It’s also very fast
I know this car and owner and the history. Look for Classic Chim profile and you’ll see my car and a comprehensive list of repairs, accepted modifications and a tonne of other things I have done to make my car as good as it can be.
I locked myself out of my own profile and so far still unable to access it!
PISTONHEADS are you listening!
I might add most of the work I’ve had done was by a very respected TVR garage and or simply because I enjoy spannering and making it better than new standard.
I’d also like to point out the car never ever failed or let me down in neatly 40,000 miles of my personal use of the car.
It’s called preventative maintenance.
Many TVR could do with a similar level of care as they are not young cars anymore.
My car will be priced considerably less than through a dealer unless I indeed use a dealer to sell it for me.
It’s also very fast
Edited by BritishTvr450 on Sunday 30th June 08:29
Whoever ends up owning this car is going to get an absolute cracker of a car. Its fully fully sorted and the recent chassis job is second to none.
BritishTvr450 said:
If your prepared to wait a few months while I finish off a few jobs on my own Chimaera I might have just the kind of car you might be looking for.
Look for Classic Chim profile and you’ll see my car and a comprehensive list of repairs, accepted modifications and a tonne of other things I have done to make my car as good as it can be.
I locked myself out of my own profile and so far still unable to access it!
PISTONHEADS are you listening!
I might add most of the work I’ve had done was by a very respected TVR garage and or simply because I enjoy spannering and making it better than new standard.
I’d also like to point out the car never ever failed or let me down in neatly 40,000 miles of my personal use of the car.
It’s called preventative maintenance.
Many TVR could do with a similar level of care as they are not young cars anymore.
My car will be priced considerably less than through a dealer unless I indeed use a dealer to sell it for me.
It’s also very fast
Had a search, couldn’t find it sorry.Look for Classic Chim profile and you’ll see my car and a comprehensive list of repairs, accepted modifications and a tonne of other things I have done to make my car as good as it can be.
I locked myself out of my own profile and so far still unable to access it!
PISTONHEADS are you listening!
I might add most of the work I’ve had done was by a very respected TVR garage and or simply because I enjoy spannering and making it better than new standard.
I’d also like to point out the car never ever failed or let me down in neatly 40,000 miles of my personal use of the car.
It’s called preventative maintenance.
Many TVR could do with a similar level of care as they are not young cars anymore.
My car will be priced considerably less than through a dealer unless I indeed use a dealer to sell it for me.
It’s also very fast
Edited by BritishTvr450 on Sunday 30th June 08:29
TJC46 said:
They all need work low mileage or otherwise. Some of these cars are now 30 years old so will need some fettling.
As a previous TVR owner there are lots of little jobs that need doing to rectify what TVR got wrong in the first place.
A well sorted car would have had most of these little items sorted by now. For me The chassis is the main consideration and i would only consider a car
that had a full body off job with new outriggers, new bushes and suspension, new brake lines, new fuel lines, etc. etc.
The chassis, again just my personal opinion, would need to be painted, not powder coated.
Any engine, gearbox, diff issues can be sorted quite easily. It is the chassis which is everything on these cars.
I am sure by now, some of the later speed six variants are having chassis issues. They all will at some point.
They all look good when you are stood next to them, so the choice between a low mileage car or a higher mileage car, would seem obvious.
Thing is they will both need chassis work unless it has already been done.
Just my personal opinion [ but with some detailed knowledge as i did a full body lift on my Chimaera in 2010 ] A well sorted car, having had a full body
lift, is where i would spend my money. Good luck in your search and keep us posted.
I’m beginning to think the same, mechanicals can easily be fixed but body, chassis, brakes and suspension are all very involving. Thanks for recalibrating my thought process.As a previous TVR owner there are lots of little jobs that need doing to rectify what TVR got wrong in the first place.
A well sorted car would have had most of these little items sorted by now. For me The chassis is the main consideration and i would only consider a car
that had a full body off job with new outriggers, new bushes and suspension, new brake lines, new fuel lines, etc. etc.
The chassis, again just my personal opinion, would need to be painted, not powder coated.
Any engine, gearbox, diff issues can be sorted quite easily. It is the chassis which is everything on these cars.
I am sure by now, some of the later speed six variants are having chassis issues. They all will at some point.
They all look good when you are stood next to them, so the choice between a low mileage car or a higher mileage car, would seem obvious.
Thing is they will both need chassis work unless it has already been done.
Just my personal opinion [ but with some detailed knowledge as i did a full body lift on my Chimaera in 2010 ] A well sorted car, having had a full body
lift, is where i would spend my money. Good luck in your search and keep us posted.
Mine *might* be going up for sale in a few months, but I think it ticks most of your boxes
Completely restored chassis, stripped back to bare metal
Engine rebuild last year
New cam this year
It is easier to list the things I need to do before I contemplate selling which are
New roof
Sort carpets and interior out as they are a bit dry and grubby
Paint wheels.
But I need to finish it up, get it MOT'd first, decide if I want to keepit, unfortunately lack of garage it now having everything done to it makes me not want to keep it outside like I did before.
Completely restored chassis, stripped back to bare metal
Engine rebuild last year
New cam this year
It is easier to list the things I need to do before I contemplate selling which are
New roof
Sort carpets and interior out as they are a bit dry and grubby
Paint wheels.
But I need to finish it up, get it MOT'd first, decide if I want to keepit, unfortunately lack of garage it now having everything done to it makes me not want to keep it outside like I did before.
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