Chimaera Budget/Mileage

[GiJoe]

I'm looking to buy a Chimaera 500 next summer and have spent this summer test driving a few.

I've received advice on things to look for when buying. Now I need to look at the financial side of things - specifically purchase price.

I've been watching auctions, Autotrader and other sites but the price range is HUGE. £7k at auction to £30k at a dealers.

In my mind anything up to £10k is likely to need lots of work. Most of the ones I've test driven have been £15k - £20k and in variable condition that doesn't necessarily reflect the asking price. £20k+ tend to have had lots of recent work done and so I get the feeling the sellers are, understandably, looking to recover a significant proportion or all of that.

The question I have is assuming a good, documented service history - what's the sweet spot price/mileage wise. My thoughts were around £18k - £20k and 40k - 60k miles but I'm a bit thrown by the range of prices I've seen.

[Belle427]

You seem to be about right with your pricing, close to £20k for a nice car with circa 70k miles is about right.
An example for you.
https://www.tradeclassics.com/classifieds/tvr/1999...

[8Speed]

Condition & maintenance record is MUCH more important than mileage.
Low mileage cars can suffer from lack of use and are often more problematic.
Cars need to be used and maintained regularly.

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

Belle427 said:

You seem to be about right with your pricing, close to £20k for a nice car with circa 70k miles is about right.
An example for you.
https://www.tradeclassics.com/classifieds/tvr/1999...

Looks nice. This line in the blurb made me chuckle "its set up to drive every day, without any worry or concerns." A brave claim in an advert!

Am I right in thinking only about 600 Chimaera 5 litre cars were ever made? If so OP you are looking at a small pool of available cars. I'd also say £20k for a very nicely sorted example (with a dealer warranty?) looks about right.

Chassis are the main issue, but I guess those made with poor coating have turned to dust & most others might have been restored.

Having said that I sold my 2000 model year a couple of years ago and absolutely everything (except tyres and fuel lines) were the same as came out of the factory.

[Belle427]

2 sMoKiN bArReLs said:

Belle427 said:

You seem to be about right with your pricing, close to £20k for a nice car with circa 70k miles is about right.
An example for you.
https://www.tradeclassics.com/classifieds/tvr/1999...

Looks nice. This line in the blurb made me chuckle "its set up to drive every day, without any worry or concerns." A brave claim in an advert!

Am I right in thinking only about 600 Chimaera 5 litre cars were ever made? If so OP you are looking at a small pool of available cars. I'd also say £20k for a very nicely sorted example (with a dealer warranty?) looks about right.

Chassis are the main issue, but I guess those made with poor coating have turned to dust & most others might have been restored.

Having said that I sold my 2000 model year a couple of years ago and absolutely everything (except tyres and fuel lines) were the same as came out of the factory.

I sort of lose interest when i see too much sales blurb but it looks a fine car.

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

Any help then OP?