Thinking of buying a Grif or Chimera any thoughts
Discussion
There are a few Griffith 500 with the rover box (reverse next to first) because the 320 bhp engine was taking gears out of the box they went to the borg warner box (reverse behind fifth) and this can apparently take up to 800 bhp so I am reliably told 
What ever the car rate it on it's condition too as I saw a 500 Griffith with the rover box last month and it was one of the mintest i have seen for a long time!
What ever the car rate it on it's condition too as I saw a 500 Griffith with the rover box last month and it was one of the mintest i have seen for a long time!
Yep, sorry, my mistake. I've just read Steve's bible too, just forgot to engage the brain. I still haven't checked when the change was actually made. Another thing I've been pondering, they claim to have reduced the peak power on the later engines. I realise that none actually make the quoted figures, but has the supposed reduction been demonstrated on a rolling road?
Darren.
Darren.
Mike - just trawling through old messages and came across yours - I was in this same position in January... the key decider... apart from a front end that looks like it belongs on a 1960s Le Mans starting grid, steroid induced looks, faster, harder, rarer... oh, and the fact that you can get TWO sets of golf clubs, and the roof in the boot... IT HAS TO BE A GRIFFITH 500!
had a 4.0 chimaera for 2 years, and have bought a griff 500 in the last couple of weeks. Chimaera was a later model, and had more space in the door etc for wallet / phone / fags etc, which was bloody useful. I hadn't really notice it until i drove the griff a couple of times, and had to put my wallet on the passenger seat or under my seat...grrrr.
Boot size is an issue IMO. Griff doesn't hold as much, but it seems that after some practice you CAN get plenty in there, as previous posts have indicated a quite staggering amount of golf kit can be kept there. If it's going to be used as a 'going to work' car, you'll be fine with either. (Unless you're a painter and need to get a ladder in there of course).
Both drive fantastically well - 5.0 is a lot quicker, but both will cream pretty much anything else on the road - i reckon it comes down to how fast you really want to go. I haven't really thrashed the griff yet, but looking forward to doing so when i've got more of a feel for the car.
I don't think there's really a difference in the servicing, and I haven't noticed any change in my petrol costs, yet. Insurance is exactly the same through Mannings.
The griffs are rarer though, which i think is a good thing. Haven't seen any others in the last 2 weeks, but have come across 4/5 chimaeras in the same period. IMO the griff is a more beautiful shape, but that's a personal view and others think completely the opposite. I'd recommend driving several and seeing what is best for you - also I think it's v.important to get the colour combo that you want (if I'm honest, that's why I chose my griff!).
All in all, either car is damned good, and will give you more grins per mile than just about anything else. I reckon the 5.0 is quieter than the 4.0, so maybe that would make a difference to you? The louder the better on short journeys IMO, but it used to annoy me a bit on long journeys...OK only once or twice, but it's worth thinking about?
Having said all of the above, I would definitley get a griff if i was in your shoes. That shape. Ooh. You know it makes sense.
Happy hunting!
>> Edited by BOUFFY on Tuesday 6th May 16:01
Boot size is an issue IMO. Griff doesn't hold as much, but it seems that after some practice you CAN get plenty in there, as previous posts have indicated a quite staggering amount of golf kit can be kept there. If it's going to be used as a 'going to work' car, you'll be fine with either. (Unless you're a painter and need to get a ladder in there of course).
Both drive fantastically well - 5.0 is a lot quicker, but both will cream pretty much anything else on the road - i reckon it comes down to how fast you really want to go. I haven't really thrashed the griff yet, but looking forward to doing so when i've got more of a feel for the car.
I don't think there's really a difference in the servicing, and I haven't noticed any change in my petrol costs, yet. Insurance is exactly the same through Mannings.
The griffs are rarer though, which i think is a good thing. Haven't seen any others in the last 2 weeks, but have come across 4/5 chimaeras in the same period. IMO the griff is a more beautiful shape, but that's a personal view and others think completely the opposite. I'd recommend driving several and seeing what is best for you - also I think it's v.important to get the colour combo that you want (if I'm honest, that's why I chose my griff!).
All in all, either car is damned good, and will give you more grins per mile than just about anything else. I reckon the 5.0 is quieter than the 4.0, so maybe that would make a difference to you? The louder the better on short journeys IMO, but it used to annoy me a bit on long journeys...OK only once or twice, but it's worth thinking about?
Having said all of the above, I would definitley get a griff if i was in your shoes. That shape. Ooh. You know it makes sense.
Happy hunting!
>> Edited by BOUFFY on Tuesday 6th May 16:01
Hello Mike You bloody luck basket having all that dosh burning a hole in your pocket.The best thing with TVR's is that everyone has a favorite and nobody is wrong.i have an early pre cat Griff 400 which can be a hand full at times but thats what makes it fun to drive.The better half and I were out the other day and she decided that she wanted to drive so as we swopped seats some blokes jaw dropped as she got behind the wheel and he said "your not going to let HER drive are you??" I replied that she was a much better driver than me or him to which he sulked off.Which ever choice you make you wont regret it.
god you lot, you are scaring me!! Im going to pick up my first TVR tomorrow, its a 1992 4. Griff precat.It has a FSH but has 65000 miles on it.
I have just read this thread and all the money its cost you all, plus the early ones are bad at handling And the gearbox problems, Is it going to make it home at least to show the wife!!!???? lol
I have just read this thread and all the money its cost you all, plus the early ones are bad at handling And the gearbox problems, Is it going to make it home at least to show the wife!!!???? lol
dexdringle said: Just noticed an 8,000 mile 1999 Griff 500 posted in the for sale section at £18k. Seems cheap (as other 1999 models advertised at £22k+). Seems to have a Tuscan style front too (which is a shame).
Wonder if there's a catch ?
I think from a practical point of view the reworked front and lights are a real bonus. Whilst the driving lights are fine, when it comes round to the winter months and you're on the normal two-candle-power dipped headlights.....
....then you'll find out about driving a Griff
dexdringle said: Just noticed an 8,000 mile 1999 Griff 500 posted in the for sale section at £18k. Seems cheap (as other 1999 models advertised at £22k+). Seems to have a Tuscan style front too (which is a shame).
Wonder if there's a catch ?
Does seem very cheap. Maybe accident repair what with the new lights and that.
MIKE, haven't you got a GRIFF yet??????
I think that particular car has been advertised for some time, with the price gradually dropping. There was also a car on Autotrader at a dealer that was very similar to that one (and that was an accident repaired car). I wonder if its the same one. As for the lights, I suppose it's a matter of personal opinion, but I don't like the look, I prefer the improved lights enclosed under the original fairings
Gassing Station | Griffith | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff