TVR Handling Opinions
Discussion
Hi folks.
I'm considering purchasing an older TVR and would like to canvas your opinions on how the various models handle. I'm not talking outright roadholding, but balance/feedback/user friendliness.
The only TVR I've driven so far was a Chimera, which seemed comparatively friendly and rode well too. I've heard Griffiths can be a bit twitchy. But I'm also interested in a Wedge of some sort, and I understand that the Series 1 and 2 had different suspension so wondered what affect this had on handling?
Also what about the V8S?
ta in advance.
Dan
I'm considering purchasing an older TVR and would like to canvas your opinions on how the various models handle. I'm not talking outright roadholding, but balance/feedback/user friendliness.
The only TVR I've driven so far was a Chimera, which seemed comparatively friendly and rode well too. I've heard Griffiths can be a bit twitchy. But I'm also interested in a Wedge of some sort, and I understand that the Series 1 and 2 had different suspension so wondered what affect this had on handling?
Also what about the V8S?
ta in advance.
Dan
As "Founding member of the Cheap to Buy, Expensive to Run and Difficult to Sell On Owners Club" you need this: www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=268695&f=12&h=0
JR said:
As "Founding member of the Cheap to Buy, Expensive to Run and Difficult to Sell On Owners Club" you need this: www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=268695&f=12&h=0
Thanks! I think?[quote=danhay]Hi folks.
I'm considering purchasing an older TVR and would like to canvas your opinions on how the various models handle. I'm not talking outright roadholding, but balance/feedback/user friendliness.
The only TVR I've driven so far was a Chimera, which seemed comparatively friendly and rode well too. I've heard Griffiths can be a bit twitchy. But I'm also interested in a Wedge of some sort, and I understand that the Series 1 and 2 had different suspension so wondered what affect this had on handling?
Also what about the V8S?
[quote]
They all handle fine and I would point out that the Griff and Chim share the same chassis, yes the early S's had a different pick up point on the suspension IIRC and the later ones are alleged to handle better but the V8S is a different animal to its V6 brothers and is very highly regarded. Then you come to the Wedges which vary from 2.8 V6 jobbies which are cheap as chips, to absolute monsters with the SEAC being the most expensive one in that breed.
They all have their lovers and their critics but they are all great cars IMHO and everybody says pay as much as you can afford and buy on condition ( chassis chassis chassis)
I'm considering purchasing an older TVR and would like to canvas your opinions on how the various models handle. I'm not talking outright roadholding, but balance/feedback/user friendliness.
The only TVR I've driven so far was a Chimera, which seemed comparatively friendly and rode well too. I've heard Griffiths can be a bit twitchy. But I'm also interested in a Wedge of some sort, and I understand that the Series 1 and 2 had different suspension so wondered what affect this had on handling?
Also what about the V8S?
[quote]
They all handle fine and I would point out that the Griff and Chim share the same chassis, yes the early S's had a different pick up point on the suspension IIRC and the later ones are alleged to handle better but the V8S is a different animal to its V6 brothers and is very highly regarded. Then you come to the Wedges which vary from 2.8 V6 jobbies which are cheap as chips, to absolute monsters with the SEAC being the most expensive one in that breed.
They all have their lovers and their critics but they are all great cars IMHO and everybody says pay as much as you can afford and buy on condition ( chassis chassis chassis)
Well, I'm definately after a V8.
I've been presuming that the later the model, the better it handles?
So looking at a 390/400se or possibly a Griffith. But would rather have a good sorted Wedge than a dodgy Griff. But does the Griff suffer the same chassis probs?
For some strange reason the Chimera doesn't really do it for me, though it seems to make the most sense financially.
The V8S seems to command very high prices for it's age, so was wondering what the fuss was about?
I've been presuming that the later the model, the better it handles?
So looking at a 390/400se or possibly a Griffith. But would rather have a good sorted Wedge than a dodgy Griff. But does the Griff suffer the same chassis probs?
For some strange reason the Chimera doesn't really do it for me, though it seems to make the most sense financially.
The V8S seems to command very high prices for it's age, so was wondering what the fuss was about?
danhay said:
Well, I'm definately after a V8.
I've been presuming that the later the model, the better it handles?
So looking at a 390/400se or possibly a Griffith. But would rather have a good sorted Wedge than a dodgy Griff. But does the Griff suffer the same chassis probs?
For some strange reason the Chimera doesn't really do it for me, though it seems to make the most sense financially.
The V8S seems to command very high prices for it's age, so was wondering what the fuss was about?
You can get bad buys on any of these cars, just get one of the many independants local to you to check out what you propose to buy.
Andy at APM, Paul at Austec, David Batty, the list of experts in your area is endless, use them and save money in the long run
IMHO The V8S is very nimble and has more direct feedback compared to the later models so it tends to be more 'chuckable' if you like that sort of thing. On the other hand it is nothing like so refined, and going to be more tiring on long journies. The V8S is also slightly lighter and appears to be lower geared than the 4.0 engined Griffith and Chimaera which helps give it a slight performance edge.
GreenV8S said:Interesting...I like the sound of all that.
The V8S is very nimble and has more direct feedback compared to the later models so it tends to be more 'chuckable' if you like that sort of thing. On the other hand it is nothing like so refined, and going to be more tiring on long journies. The V8S is also slightly lighter and appears to be lower geared than the 4.0 engined Griffith and Chimaera which helps give it a slight performance edge.
danhay said:
I've been presuming that the later the model, the better it handles?
IMHO generally, yes.
danhay said:
The V8S seems to command very high prices for it's age, so was wondering what the fuss was about?
Combination of rarety and looks.
danhay said:
So looking at a 390/400se or possibly a Griffith. But would rather have a good sorted Wedge than a dodgy Griff. But does the Griff suffer the same chassis probs?
All suffer the same chassis problems from Grantura to Sagaris.
www.pistonheads.com/sales/70548.htm
Griffs and Chims can sometimes be very twitchy and unnerving if they still have their original shocks and springs... Don't discount them tho as £600-700 on after market shocks and springs (GAZ or Protech seem to the be favoured budjet ones) and these cars will handle very well indead.
Had mine done over winter and the garage say it now handles just as well if not better than a std Tuscan
Had mine done over winter and the garage say it now handles just as well if not better than a std Tuscan
danhay said:I think this opinion is due more to the twitchy nature of the earlier cas on the std suspension.As someone has already pointed out,by now many of the cars will be running on different set ups,and the later cars were much better anyway.If you found a car you like in all other respects apart from its handling,then i wouldnt worry too much as you can change this more towards your own preferences with good quality aftermarket dampers and springs like the Protechs for example.
Hi folks.
I've heard Griffiths can be a bit twitchy......... ta in advance.
Dan
Contrary to what some people might have you believe,you wont end up in a ditch,or over a hedge each time you put your foot to the floor,and you get used to the car quickly if your sesible in your approach and take it easy whilst learning your car's traits.Enjoy
My Chimaera 400, before suspension mods, handled very well in the dry, though wasn't very chuckable. In the wet, it felt like it was on ice - the grip was there, but you had to push to find it and this was quite unnerving.
I have since added rose jointed adjustable Avo's with Steve heath's rose joint anti roll bar drop links and the difference is amazing. Ride comfort is no better, but the car stays very flat through the corners and the steering it much sharper. Grip has increased too (or at least fells that way), especially in the wet. It is much happier making changes of direction.
Overall, whilst the handling of standard cars is very good, they can be made even better for not too much cash. They're all tricky at the limit though
I have since added rose jointed adjustable Avo's with Steve heath's rose joint anti roll bar drop links and the difference is amazing. Ride comfort is no better, but the car stays very flat through the corners and the steering it much sharper. Grip has increased too (or at least fells that way), especially in the wet. It is much happier making changes of direction.
Overall, whilst the handling of standard cars is very good, they can be made even better for not too much cash. They're all tricky at the limit though
Just to add a bit more detail to the great posts on here, I believe the early Griffs had no anti roll bars. These later appeared to help control the back end, BUT have squidgy rubber bits, meaning that on light cornering there is no real anti roll effect. Many prefer to change these to the new Shpub joints which do not squidge and hence give more anti roll effect.
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