Choosing my first TVR....
Discussion
I've been mulling over which model to buy as my first TVR for some time now and I admit most of the time it's been between a Griff or Chim. However, I do find the 'S' very appealing and have been reading a bit more into them over the last week or so. The only thing is I really do want a V8. Obvious choice then is V8S (or is it?).
Before you all suggest I buy the relevant 'bible', I will be doing so shortly, but just wanted a few pointers/advice from this forum first.
Is the V8S a good alternative to the Griff/Chim? (have experienced both of these).
Being an older model, are there more niggles?
How do you find the handling, brakes, steering?
Before you all suggest I buy the relevant 'bible', I will be doing so shortly, but just wanted a few pointers/advice from this forum first.
Is the V8S a good alternative to the Griff/Chim? (have experienced both of these).
Being an older model, are there more niggles?
How do you find the handling, brakes, steering?
I think most buy with the heart based on shape.
The V8S was rushed out as a stop gap while the Griffith chassis was, further, tweaked. However I'm sure HarryW will give you a totally unbiased opinion soon! Also, for fun, ask on the Griffith forum if you should get a Golf Buggy (aka Chimaera).
David
S1 and Griffith.
The V8S was rushed out as a stop gap while the Griffith chassis was, further, tweaked. However I'm sure HarryW will give you a totally unbiased opinion soon! Also, for fun, ask on the Griffith forum if you should get a Golf Buggy (aka Chimaera).
David
S1 and Griffith.
I also wanted a V8, but couldn't afford a later one, and cannot get on with the looks of the Wedge.
So I have an S3. It has a S/S exhaust, although not straight through, and it sounds almost as good as a V8, and I do mean almost (imagine sleeving the box - the roar, the flames
. Only when next to a V8 do I think hmm.... Any other time, it's glorious, and the V6 costs alot less to run, insure, etc....
Having said that, I note a V8S on PH ads for only £7,500
(usual caviats apply!) The normal prices for the V8S then lead you to another quandry: At that price, do I hold out for a Griff?
So I have an S3. It has a S/S exhaust, although not straight through, and it sounds almost as good as a V8, and I do mean almost (imagine sleeving the box - the roar, the flames
. Only when next to a V8 do I think hmm.... Any other time, it's glorious, and the V6 costs alot less to run, insure, etc.... Having said that, I note a V8S on PH ads for only £7,500
(usual caviats apply!) The normal prices for the V8S then lead you to another quandry: At that price, do I hold out for a Griff?I was at VW on Sunday with my S3, a couple of people I spoke to said they had S,s before their current car ( a Griff and a Chim )and how much they missed the S , several previous S owners still post on this forum and admit they do miss the S driving experience.
The Griff and Chim are obviously faster ,but lack the basic and raw feel of an S , You do not say wheather the car is for everday use or as a second 'fun ' car if the former go for Griff/Chim if the latter an S everytime !
The Griff and Chim are obviously faster ,but lack the basic and raw feel of an S , You do not say wheather the car is for everday use or as a second 'fun ' car if the former go for Griff/Chim if the latter an S everytime !
Rower said:
I was at VW on Sunday with my S3, a couple of people I spoke to said they had S,s before their current car ( a Griff and a Chim )and how much they missed the S , several previous S owners still post on this forum and admit they do miss the S driving experience.
The Griff and Chim are obviously faster ,but lack the basic and raw feel of an S , You do not say wheather the car is for everday use or as a second 'fun ' car if the former go for Griff/Chim if the latter an S everytime !
I have got to agree, depends whether its your only car or not?? If its an everyday car your after then go for the Griff/Chim if not go for an S, you will not be disappointed whichever you choose believe me!! I had a new Boxster S before my S2 and I love the S2, but as a second car, for fun when its dry!! There is also a big difference in running costs too, my S2 costs me £212 per year insurance (limited to 5000 miles) and servicing is relatively cheap also.
Happy hunting!
Hmmmmm....
Yo can buy old Chim's for the same money as V8S's.. they are different beasts entirely though. Your best bet is to drive (or get a ride) in as many as you can.
I started with an S and then got a Chimaera and in a lot of respects I wish I'd kept the S, as the Chimaera doesn't quite have the same spirit... they are effectively very different cars.
The Chimaera is now for sale, and my next TVR will probably be an S again.
Don't discount the V6 S's though as they are as much fun as the V8s (if not more) just in a different way.
Cheers
Matt.
Yo can buy old Chim's for the same money as V8S's.. they are different beasts entirely though. Your best bet is to drive (or get a ride) in as many as you can.
I started with an S and then got a Chimaera and in a lot of respects I wish I'd kept the S, as the Chimaera doesn't quite have the same spirit... they are effectively very different cars.
The Chimaera is now for sale, and my next TVR will probably be an S again.
Don't discount the V6 S's though as they are as much fun as the V8s (if not more) just in a different way.
Cheers
Matt.
If you are thinking of keeping insurance premiums low then the V8S is probably a better bet. I have mine under a classic policy, some Griffs may be a bit too new for that.
I would expect the 4.0L Griff to be about as quick, but the 4.3 big valve my dad had was far quicker. Not sure about the cornering etc, I was never allowed to test its limits. The V8S feels good through the corners, although it has a strange squatting sensation when you get hard on the power into a corner (must check the bushes when I do my chassis rebuild).
Talking of chassis work, I would expect a newer Griff to be less rusty, but you can never tell. Luggage space etc is about the same in both (not much), Griffs roof I found easier to put up.
I think that the breaks were the same on both cars, but I may be wrong, they had a similar feel to them.
If I had the money I would have streched to a 4.3 pre-cat griff, but for a few thousand less the V8S is more than enough to keep me happy.
Of course then there is the Griff 500
, but you can just go on and on.
Z
I would expect the 4.0L Griff to be about as quick, but the 4.3 big valve my dad had was far quicker. Not sure about the cornering etc, I was never allowed to test its limits. The V8S feels good through the corners, although it has a strange squatting sensation when you get hard on the power into a corner (must check the bushes when I do my chassis rebuild).
Talking of chassis work, I would expect a newer Griff to be less rusty, but you can never tell. Luggage space etc is about the same in both (not much), Griffs roof I found easier to put up.
I think that the breaks were the same on both cars, but I may be wrong, they had a similar feel to them.
If I had the money I would have streched to a 4.3 pre-cat griff, but for a few thousand less the V8S is more than enough to keep me happy.
Of course then there is the Griff 500
, but you can just go on and on. Z
Well I've got a Griff 500 and Joolz has a V8S. They are both a hoot to drive, but completely different driving experiences, so comparing them on paper is a bit risky.
I find the V8S is brilliant for early morning drives down little lanes where you can properly fling it around and get a real buzz. Of course you can do all that with the Griff, but it's not so forgiving if you get it wrong. I wouldn't change my Griff for anything now, but it is nice to be able to borrow Joolz' car and get the 'S' fix every so often.
It will always come back to the stock advice - test drive lots of both, and buy the one that makes your tummy turn over.
I find the V8S is brilliant for early morning drives down little lanes where you can properly fling it around and get a real buzz. Of course you can do all that with the Griff, but it's not so forgiving if you get it wrong. I wouldn't change my Griff for anything now, but it is nice to be able to borrow Joolz' car and get the 'S' fix every so often.
It will always come back to the stock advice - test drive lots of both, and buy the one that makes your tummy turn over.
I drive a V8S as an everyday car - and have done since February.
My experiences are
Feb - broken accelorator cable - minor
April - broken in to - major (3 Months off the road)
October suspension collapse (minor)
I drive it every day and even now after nine months I still smile and am still finding out about handling. It can be driven sensibly with no problems - or you can start to push it a bit - that's when you find yourself laughing out loud whilst at the same time gaining a serious respect for what its capable of - there are no fancy extras just you and the car - and it always seems to have more balls than me - you push the boundaries with regard to cornering, braking, accelerating in corners etc and so far the car just seems to respond with YES that's fine. I have no experience of Griffs or Chim's but I really don't feel I am missing out.
My experiences are
Feb - broken accelorator cable - minor
April - broken in to - major (3 Months off the road)
October suspension collapse (minor)
I drive it every day and even now after nine months I still smile and am still finding out about handling. It can be driven sensibly with no problems - or you can start to push it a bit - that's when you find yourself laughing out loud whilst at the same time gaining a serious respect for what its capable of - there are no fancy extras just you and the car - and it always seems to have more balls than me - you push the boundaries with regard to cornering, braking, accelerating in corners etc and so far the car just seems to respond with YES that's fine. I have no experience of Griffs or Chim's but I really don't feel I am missing out.
Additional information...
It would be used as a second car (weekends, etc) as I have a day-to-day boring company tin-top.
Have been out in a Griff and a Chim and enjoyed the experience immensely. Yet to blag a ride in an 'S' though
(don't know of any local to me yet).
I do like the look of the 'S', especially the S3/V8 and the article in the October Sprint paints a fairly glowing picture. An S3 would probably suit my needs more than adequately, but I do have a habbit of always wanting something faster/noisier even! I have a real weak spot for the V8 rumble...
It would be used as a second car (weekends, etc) as I have a day-to-day boring company tin-top.
Have been out in a Griff and a Chim and enjoyed the experience immensely. Yet to blag a ride in an 'S' though
(don't know of any local to me yet). I do like the look of the 'S', especially the S3/V8 and the article in the October Sprint paints a fairly glowing picture. An S3 would probably suit my needs more than adequately, but I do have a habbit of always wanting something faster/noisier even! I have a real weak spot for the V8 rumble...
V8S also has the added 'rarity' compared to Chims and Griffs (only 400 or so made). I rarely see other S series when out and about but nearly always pass a Chim/Griff or two on the weekends.
Handling/stearing/braking are all more than enough for me although not up to modern standards. Thats fine though as I use mine as a weekend car and so prefer the more 'classic' look and feel of an S. I also found that classic insurance was a lot less.
Oh and the noise, fantastic.
Handling/stearing/braking are all more than enough for me although not up to modern standards. Thats fine though as I use mine as a weekend car and so prefer the more 'classic' look and feel of an S. I also found that classic insurance was a lot less.
Oh and the noise, fantastic.
typevii said:
V8S also has the added 'rarity' compared to Chims and Griffs (only 400 or so made).
However bear in mind that this is a tool that predominantly aids Sellers as demand outstrips supply and keeps the prices higher.. If there were equal numbers of V8S's and Chimaeras I'll wager the S's would be a fair bit lower in price.
Matt.
pstruck said:
Yet to blag a ride in an 'S' though
Why not join the TVRCC it'll probably be worth while for Insurance purposes as well ???
BTW I 've used my S2 as an every day car for the last 5 years, only reliability issue, broken throttle cable(X3) and burst water pipe.
Classicline are probably going to give you the best quote for a garaged limited mioles policy
As you are mainly driving it w/ends the V8 is an alternative to the chim/griff.Running costs for all three are likely to be very similar.
It in my opinion is a bit more of a drivers car than the others.
Dont write off the V6 by any means,upto approx 70mph a decent V6 will fair pretty well against any of the others.It is considerably cheaper to run and maintain.The exhaust can be made to sound pretty good too.
Its basically what car you fancy and can afford to run.
Another thing if you start your TVR ownership with a Griff/Chim what will you "upgrade" to.If you start with an "S" you can move up to a chim/Griff.Many people take this route
Happy shopping
As you are mainly driving it w/ends the V8 is an alternative to the chim/griff.Running costs for all three are likely to be very similar.
It in my opinion is a bit more of a drivers car than the others.
Dont write off the V6 by any means,upto approx 70mph a decent V6 will fair pretty well against any of the others.It is considerably cheaper to run and maintain.The exhaust can be made to sound pretty good too.
Its basically what car you fancy and can afford to run.
Another thing if you start your TVR ownership with a Griff/Chim what will you "upgrade" to.If you start with an "S" you can move up to a chim/Griff.Many people take this route
Happy shopping
pies said:
Dont write off the V6 by any means,upto approx 70mph a decent V6 will fair pretty well against any of the others.It is considerably cheaper to run and maintain.The exhaust can be made to sound pretty good too.
Its basically what car you fancy and can afford to run.
The V6 is great fun, but it is slower than the V8 cars. In the recent South Hants Convoy I was the only V6, so I stayed at the back, yes you can keep up, but only because they're doing the speed limit. They do rather disappear at the traffic lights!
I find the V6 S is great for B roads, the Griffith just eats A roads. The S has think steering, the Griff (500) has think overtaking. (ie you just think you'll overtake and you have.)
Anyway the original question was V8S, Chimp or Griff.
Why not, since you don't seem to fussy, just buy the best car you can find for the money that you have ?
I too was looking for either a Griff or a Chim because I couldn't find a decent Cerbera for the money I had. I shopped around for months and finally found my Chim in January.............It was the best car I could find for the money I had and so far (Touch wood) has been wonderful......
I too was looking for either a Griff or a Chim because I couldn't find a decent Cerbera for the money I had. I shopped around for months and finally found my Chim in January.............It was the best car I could find for the money I had and so far (Touch wood) has been wonderful......
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