How do the latter TVR's compare - drivers/owners car
Discussion
If you fancied dipping a toe into TVR ownership how do they compare. Specifically from a drivers enjoyment/grin factor angle and in terms of maintenance and durability?
I assume a Rover powered one is probably easier and cheaper to maintain without the need for as many bespoke parts. But I'd love to hear some comparisons vs the others.
-Cerbera V8
-Griffith
-Tuscan
-T350
-Tamaro
If you ignore the looks, which would be the pick and why?
I assume a Rover powered one is probably easier and cheaper to maintain without the need for as many bespoke parts. But I'd love to hear some comparisons vs the others.
-Cerbera V8
-Griffith
-Tuscan
-T350
-Tamaro
If you ignore the looks, which would be the pick and why?
Depends on who is dipping the toe, what their car history is, what their purchase budget is, what their maintenance budget is, what they intend to do with the car (daily driver/Sunday fun car/polishing car/track day car), whether they want a convertible or not bothered?
The cheapest way into post-1990 ownership is the 4 litre Chimaera. Cheapest to buy, cheapest to maintain, still capable of 60mph in 5 seconds, fantastic sound track, roof off fun in summer, big grin every time you drive it. And drive it regularly and it will always work.
But then, I would say that. Mine is a Chimaera, and without using it as a daily driver I have covered 30,000 miles in 40 months, been to car shows, local meets, cross country drives, sprint events, 30+ track days, and it still puts a smie on my face every time I drive it.
One tip - the brightest colours are the most fun.
The cheapest way into post-1990 ownership is the 4 litre Chimaera. Cheapest to buy, cheapest to maintain, still capable of 60mph in 5 seconds, fantastic sound track, roof off fun in summer, big grin every time you drive it. And drive it regularly and it will always work.
But then, I would say that. Mine is a Chimaera, and without using it as a daily driver I have covered 30,000 miles in 40 months, been to car shows, local meets, cross country drives, sprint events, 30+ track days, and it still puts a smie on my face every time I drive it.
One tip - the brightest colours are the most fun.
I've always wanted a Cerbera V8 since they first came out. I see prices are rising on them. So thinking of trying to make a move into getting one. But I've not driven a Tuscan or newer TVR. So I was wondering how they compare. I know initial purchase price is likely higher, but is the price worth it? Are they more fun from behind the wheel or are they a lot more to keep on the road.
As for the Chims and Griffs. I adore them. But I've currently got a 3.9 Rover V8 TR7. I know it's not as plush inside or as curvy outside, but I also suspect it isn't a million miles away from the same sort of thrills and sensation of a 4.0 litre Chim. And I suspect running costs and maintenance are similar too.
As for the Chims and Griffs. I adore them. But I've currently got a 3.9 Rover V8 TR7. I know it's not as plush inside or as curvy outside, but I also suspect it isn't a million miles away from the same sort of thrills and sensation of a 4.0 litre Chim. And I suspect running costs and maintenance are similar too.
300bhp/ton said:
I've always wanted a Cerbera V8 since they first came out. I see prices are rising on them. So thinking of trying to make a move into getting one. But I've not driven a Tuscan or newer TVR. So I was wondering how they compare. I know initial purchase price is likely higher, but is the price worth it? Are they more fun from behind the wheel or are they a lot more to keep on the road.
As for the Chims and Griffs. I adore them. But I've currently got a 3.9 Rover V8 TR7. I know it's not as plush inside or as curvy outside, but I also suspect it isn't a million miles away from the same sort of thrills and sensation of a 4.0 litre Chim. And I suspect running costs and maintenance are similar too.
Think you are very wide of the mark comparing TR7 to Chimaera - TR7 old school sports car dynamics and performance - Chimaera - based on early Tuscan race car with far superior dynamics and performance.As for the Chims and Griffs. I adore them. But I've currently got a 3.9 Rover V8 TR7. I know it's not as plush inside or as curvy outside, but I also suspect it isn't a million miles away from the same sort of thrills and sensation of a 4.0 litre Chim. And I suspect running costs and maintenance are similar too.
You should get yourself to a TVR meet and blag a ride, the Chimaera will feel from a different decade.
300bhp/ton said:
I've always wanted a Cerbera V8 since they first came out. I see prices are rising on them. So thinking of trying to make a move into getting one. But I've not driven a Tuscan or newer TVR. So I was wondering how they compare. I know initial purchase price is likely higher, but is the price worth it? Are they more fun from behind the wheel or are they a lot more to keep on the road.
As for the Chims and Griffs. I adore them. But I've currently got a 3.9 Rover V8 TR7. I know it's not as plush inside or as curvy outside, but I also suspect it isn't a million miles away from the same sort of thrills and sensation of a 4.0 litre Chim. And I suspect running costs and maintenance are similar too.
I see from your profile that your are near MK.As for the Chims and Griffs. I adore them. But I've currently got a 3.9 Rover V8 TR7. I know it's not as plush inside or as curvy outside, but I also suspect it isn't a million miles away from the same sort of thrills and sensation of a 4.0 litre Chim. And I suspect running costs and maintenance are similar too.
I live in MK and am happy to take you for a spin in my Chimaera and Tuscan if you want (I also have a Triumph). Any excuse to go for a drive :-)
Drop me a PM if you are interested.
T4NGO said:
You really are starting to come round to my way of thinking! 
Been playing around with all sorts of new stuff lately and got some crazy things coming soon
Also got me a Chimaera too now, gonna join Mat on the grid
Alan
Mat told me - good plan. He will help you sort it, if you want to let him. Knows exactly what's req uiredBeen playing around with all sorts of new stuff lately and got some crazy things coming soon
Also got me a Chimaera too now, gonna join Mat on the grid
Alan
Have built, owned and driven a TR7 with a Rover V8 3.5 litre. I Now have a beautiful Griff 500. The TR7 is much much easier to drive and easier to service and maintain. The Griff has a heavy clutch and throttle with poorer ease of maintenance. TR7 V8 worth £3 K, my Griff 1999 insurance agreed 20K. Griff is 3-4 seconds shorter to 60mph and 40mph faster top speed. My Griff is a keeper for fast furious fun and good looks second only to the iconic looks of the E type Jag. Done.
I don´t think a well sorted Griffith would feel that much older than a T-car,
as there won´t be many on their original suspension out there any more.
Tuscan, Cerbera V8 and Griffith are all TVRs but they are completely different in how they drive and how they feel,
because of their completely different engines.
The Griffith 500 can´t match the power and sensation of the Cerbera and Tuscan, that´s why it´s the one we use
least of all. But it is the E-Type of the nineties, so it has to be a keeper and it is still a phantastic car.
If I would have to decide for one TVR only it would be the Tuscan.
It is a real supercar as it has got both, the look and the power.
Also the targa version gives you the full roof off feeling with a lot of sky above your head.
Roof on it is a beauty of a coupe.
Cerbera and Tuscan are more difficult to keep, as you need somebody who exactly knows how to maintain them.
Especially the Tuscan needs quite some patience to get the most out of it, esp. engine and suspension wise.
My favourite would be the Tuscan S Mk.1 with an AJP V8 engine, which they have never built.
All of them are high performance cars and need to be maintained appropriately,
then they are quite reliable and huge fun is guaranteed.
as there won´t be many on their original suspension out there any more.
Tuscan, Cerbera V8 and Griffith are all TVRs but they are completely different in how they drive and how they feel,
because of their completely different engines.
The Griffith 500 can´t match the power and sensation of the Cerbera and Tuscan, that´s why it´s the one we use
least of all. But it is the E-Type of the nineties, so it has to be a keeper and it is still a phantastic car.
If I would have to decide for one TVR only it would be the Tuscan.
It is a real supercar as it has got both, the look and the power.
Also the targa version gives you the full roof off feeling with a lot of sky above your head.
Roof on it is a beauty of a coupe.
Cerbera and Tuscan are more difficult to keep, as you need somebody who exactly knows how to maintain them.
Especially the Tuscan needs quite some patience to get the most out of it, esp. engine and suspension wise.
My favourite would be the Tuscan S Mk.1 with an AJP V8 engine, which they have never built.
All of them are high performance cars and need to be maintained appropriately,
then they are quite reliable and huge fun is guaranteed.
EGB said:
Have built, owned and driven a TR7 with a Rover V8 3.5 litre. I Now have a beautiful Griff 500. The TR7 is much much easier to drive and easier to service and maintain. The Griff has a heavy clutch and throttle with poorer ease of maintenance. TR7 V8 worth £3 K, my Griff 1999 insurance agreed 20K. Griff is 3-4 seconds shorter to 60mph and 40mph faster top speed. My Griff is a keeper for fast furious fun and good looks second only to the iconic looks of the E type Jag. Done.
Sounds like a nice car. Although my TR7 isn't exactly standard, the old engine made 230hp on the rollers and on the old gearing had it clocked at 144mph at the red line in top. It now has a bigger displacement engine and different gearing.Still no match for a Griff, but probably not that far off a 4.0 Chim in power and weight terms.
300bhp/ton said:
If you ignore the looks, which would be the pick and why?
Well, hard to ignore the looks...I have a Cerbera, it's the car I always wanted since seeing them launched at the motor show.
It's an 18 year old budget supercar so you get stonking performance without the stupid running costs (and I've spent a lot on it the last two years), but then it's 18 years old. I got told they were £3k a year to run, so I put £250 a month away to pay for it and have a healthy pot over the 9 years so it wants for nothing.
It makes you grin every time you drive it. A properly sorted AJP is no harder to drive than any other car, just need to be aware of how easy it is to gather speed.
If I was starting looking again now and had the funds to buy a second TVR for fun drives, car shows, taking the Mrs on a touring holiday etc, I would have a Tuscan, and keep my Chimaera for track and sprint days.
Reasons:
For me the roof has to come off (or at least the roof panel).
The styling has to be as wacky as possible, which the Tuscan manages.
It has to be in a bright colour (having said which I have seen one in gunmetal grey, and it still looked awesome).
It needs to have a wacky interior too.
I would want to change the pedal box for a normal one, but that's just my arthritic feet talking.
In an ideal world I would prefer to have a big V8 up front, LS being ideal in my mind. Sorry purists, I have never loved the Speed Six, a lazy V8 is more my style.
If someone was to offer me a company car (no chance), then the burnt orange McLaren I was following down the A1 this morning might just to persuade me to go without the convertible roof, but only if someone else was picking up the running and depreciation costs
Reasons:
For me the roof has to come off (or at least the roof panel).
The styling has to be as wacky as possible, which the Tuscan manages.
It has to be in a bright colour (having said which I have seen one in gunmetal grey, and it still looked awesome).
It needs to have a wacky interior too.
I would want to change the pedal box for a normal one, but that's just my arthritic feet talking.
In an ideal world I would prefer to have a big V8 up front, LS being ideal in my mind. Sorry purists, I have never loved the Speed Six, a lazy V8 is more my style.
If someone was to offer me a company car (no chance), then the burnt orange McLaren I was following down the A1 this morning might just to persuade me to go without the convertible roof, but only if someone else was picking up the running and depreciation costs
I am relatively new to TVR ownership, I have a chimaera 450, and it's tremendous fun. Goes like stink, sounds great.
Quite comfortable, even though it's one owner from new, the Windows take a month go up, the passenger mirror, keeps falling off, and you need to keep the battery on a trickle charger.. See my other listings when you don't! Servicing is cheap (compared to my 67 Daimler),. Rover
Engine robust - check the chassis and outriggers, cant stress that enough. Great club, you get loads of helpful responses
on the forum (as you do on this).
Quite comfortable, even though it's one owner from new, the Windows take a month go up, the passenger mirror, keeps falling off, and you need to keep the battery on a trickle charger.. See my other listings when you don't! Servicing is cheap (compared to my 67 Daimler),. Rover
Engine robust - check the chassis and outriggers, cant stress that enough. Great club, you get loads of helpful responses
on the forum (as you do on this).
I'm lucky enough to own a 65 Griff, a 3000M, a Pre-Cat Griff, a T350 with a Dom 4.3, & had a Chimaera until recently. For me the T350's the pick of the bunch - supercar quick with handling & steering responses you'll rarely encounter outside a pure race car. A Sag's better still, but double the money! A ride that can be jarring at times (mainly on lateral ridges, potholes etc.) is the only real bad point I can think of to mention. I used mine as a daily for a year, toured in it, did the Ring in it, and it didn't put a foot wrong - in fact very few other cars, no matter the manufacturer or the price, cover all those bases quite so competently
For me a Chim's also a really lovely thing to spend time in - quite relaxed and relaxing, but quick enough when prodded, and still reasonably affordable (although they seem to have appreciated harder than the other models over the last year or two)
But the real answer is they're all great - try a few and pick the one you fall in love with - happy hunting!
For me a Chim's also a really lovely thing to spend time in - quite relaxed and relaxing, but quick enough when prodded, and still reasonably affordable (although they seem to have appreciated harder than the other models over the last year or two)
But the real answer is they're all great - try a few and pick the one you fall in love with - happy hunting!
I went from a Chimaera 400 that I owned 5 years to my now T350 that I’ve had for the last 7.
I loved the Chim, a very relaxing car to drive and a great sports tourer. It started to feel a little slow towards the end of my time with her, especially as more modern mundane machinery just started to get so much faster but it was a great ownership experience.
I then moved onto the T350, a massive step up in terms of performance, handling, build etc yet it took me 6 months or so to fall for it – I hated it at first, it was such a step away from the Chims nature.
However, it is way more supercar like, the noise is like nothing else (though mine is sports box and de-cat) and it’s so much faster – like comparing a supercar to a GT.
The only thing it really lacked for me was low down torque, the 3.6 engine needs to be revved above 3500 before it really starts to fly. That said, mine is now a 4.3 and that addresses this issue and some! Torque is there pretty much from the off and the power is a massive step up.
Cost wise, there is a very big difference in running costs/maintenance as my garage profile will show as I have detailed costs for both cars on there.
I loved my Chim, but would never go back.
I loved the Chim, a very relaxing car to drive and a great sports tourer. It started to feel a little slow towards the end of my time with her, especially as more modern mundane machinery just started to get so much faster but it was a great ownership experience.
I then moved onto the T350, a massive step up in terms of performance, handling, build etc yet it took me 6 months or so to fall for it – I hated it at first, it was such a step away from the Chims nature.
However, it is way more supercar like, the noise is like nothing else (though mine is sports box and de-cat) and it’s so much faster – like comparing a supercar to a GT.
The only thing it really lacked for me was low down torque, the 3.6 engine needs to be revved above 3500 before it really starts to fly. That said, mine is now a 4.3 and that addresses this issue and some! Torque is there pretty much from the off and the power is a massive step up.
Cost wise, there is a very big difference in running costs/maintenance as my garage profile will show as I have detailed costs for both cars on there.
I loved my Chim, but would never go back.
I have owned a Chim 400 a Cerbera 4.2 v8 ( currently still own) and a mk1 Tuscan red rose. I my opinion they do not feel a million miles away from each other, OK handling character and power delivery feel different across the 3 power plants and chassis. But they all feel like driving a TVR very similar to each other in the driving sensation that only a TVR can provide. I have settled on the cerbera as my personal favourite ( not much in it) for a few reasons, water tight fixed roof, I live in Scotland so roof off motoring is far and few between. Longer wheel base gives a better ride allowing it to become a great GT car as well as sports car and gives me the best confidence in wet weather driving. The AJP v8 is such a great unique power plant that appeals to me, ( I did prefer the sound of the sp6 on full chat!) And the cerbera is that bit rarer than other models, I never see them on the road up here
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