500 1994 Griff OR Serp 500 1996 Chim - WHICH one?
Discussion
The choice is mine. Prices are identical. Mileages, 3k apart, at less than 40keach.
What are key differences, in making a choice that must be lived with for at least the length of the three year loan and beyond, say to 5 years or more, at up to 5k p.a., weekly at least use, when I have a maintenence budget of £1k p.a?
The missus, who will own half of it .... favours the Chim for looks; though neither has p.a.s., so she's stumped there :)
It also has the serp engine, as I have been told that it is the better engine of the Chims. Is it better than the Griff 500 engine in 1994? Same?
But, for me, as a driver, and for it's looks and apparent status ( in terms of future selling power, not status of my ego, which doesn't matter when I want to drive it, not be looked at) as the perceived "ultimate" driving car of the tvr V8 versions, is the Griff not the better option?
The clock is ticking and I need to make that call by tomorrow....
What are key differences, in making a choice that must be lived with for at least the length of the three year loan and beyond, say to 5 years or more, at up to 5k p.a., weekly at least use, when I have a maintenence budget of £1k p.a?
The missus, who will own half of it .... favours the Chim for looks; though neither has p.a.s., so she's stumped there :)
It also has the serp engine, as I have been told that it is the better engine of the Chims. Is it better than the Griff 500 engine in 1994? Same?
But, for me, as a driver, and for it's looks and apparent status ( in terms of future selling power, not status of my ego, which doesn't matter when I want to drive it, not be looked at) as the perceived "ultimate" driving car of the tvr V8 versions, is the Griff not the better option?
The clock is ticking and I need to make that call by tomorrow....
shadowfax said:
What are key differences
None. Differences are only minor. I like the classic styling of the Griff but if undecided I can't see why anyone would not choose a Chim because you get a newer car for the same money. Both cars were continually improved in the fine details so you get that benefit with the later car as well.
shadowfax said:
The missus, who will own half of it .... favours the Chim for looks; though neither has p.a.s., so she's stumped there 
As above I would agree - Chim
shadowfax said:
It also has the serp engine, as I have been told that it is the better engine of the Chims.
As above - changes are for improved cars.
shadowfax said:
But, for me, as a driver, and for it's looks and as the perceived "ultimate" driving car of the tvr V8 versions, is the Griff not the better option?
You can set up the Chim the same as the Griff so it's down to looks really. For the same money you can always buy a better Chim; generally Griff owners wouldn't have a Chim at any price. IMHO it's down to you really.
shadowfax said:
The clock is ticking and I need to make that call by tomorrow....
A lovely decision to have.
mrmaggit said:
Financially, the Griff will lose less money than the Chim.
Don't know how you figure that one.
Big Ed said:
Buy the one that speaks to you.
The only advice I would give is to follow Mr Maggit's. It's spot on.
But I agree with your conclusion.
How long before this thread deteriorates into a chest wigs and golf clubs chat?
Griff...no doubt.
will hold money, if you're mercenary.
its rarer (on 4000 to chim 12000) see above
better looks (imho).
already acknowledged a classic.
the benchmark for TVRs. many owners have moved on...then moved back!
has to be the griff.
(howmany chims are available/ griffs available?)
you'll love either if you buy, but Griff MUST be the way.
Chims are cool too BTW, just can't top the Griff.
will hold money, if you're mercenary.
its rarer (on 4000 to chim 12000) see above
better looks (imho).
already acknowledged a classic.
the benchmark for TVRs. many owners have moved on...then moved back!
has to be the griff.
(howmany chims are available/ griffs available?)
you'll love either if you buy, but Griff MUST be the way.
Chims are cool too BTW, just can't top the Griff.
Wow. Great response, folks.
Update: Chim man says digital speedo (and mileometer) bust recently and temp sensor gone also. Will sell for £13750 as is (with 11months mot) and we drive back 200 miles like that
or get fixed and sell for £14k
Griff man says he is embarrassed that MOT runs out in 3 weeks so will drop a further 500 to £13k without new one (cos of poss booking in probs b4 saturday and it's allworking aok) or, if it gets done, it's £13.5 as prov. neg'd.
Mr Griff seems like a wiser choice, methinks ....
tick tock tick tock
Update: Chim man says digital speedo (and mileometer) bust recently and temp sensor gone also. Will sell for £13750 as is (with 11months mot) and we drive back 200 miles like that
or get fixed and sell for £14k Griff man says he is embarrassed that MOT runs out in 3 weeks so will drop a further 500 to £13k without new one (cos of poss booking in probs b4 saturday and it's allworking aok) or, if it gets done, it's £13.5 as prov. neg'd.
Mr Griff seems like a wiser choice, methinks ....
tick tock tick tock
Guillotine said:
Griff...no doubt.
will hold money, if you're mercenary.
its rarer (on 4000 to chim 12000) see above
better looks (imho).
already acknowledged a classic.
the benchmark for TVRs. many owners have moved on...then moved back!
has to be the griff.
(howmany chims are available/ griffs available?)
you'll love either if you buy, but Griff MUST be the way.
Chims are cool too BTW, just can't top the Griff.
totally spot on, both RV8 cars are awesome, but personally, i loved the Griff (best car TVR ever made and saved/moved the company forward)
technically, very similar cars. the later engine (serp) has a better cooling system, but nothing that can't be sorted with cleaning and flushing of systems etc
financially agree with above. only made 4000 odd griffs, basic economics of supply/demand.
lets just say i bougth a 97 grif with 20k on it for 20,000 2 years and 15k later, sold it for 19k.
what more can i say.
jodypress said:
will hold money, if you're mercenary.
financially agree with above. only made 4000 odd griffs, basic economics of supply/demand.
Supply and demand establish the market value. C's are now cheaper then Griffs, year for year but then they were new as well, not that that matters now either. Are you really saying that you expect chims to fall at a faster percentage rate than Griffs even though the total number on the market has been fixed since production ceased?
jodypress said:
lets just say i bougth a 97 grif with 20k on it for 20,000 2 years and 15k later, sold it for 19k.
what more can i say.
You can say that you could have bought a newer chim for the same money and sold it for the same loss. I am not saying that you made the wrong decision just that the financial case for a griff seems to be dubious at least.
shadowfax said:
The choice is mine. Prices are identical. Mileages, 3k apart, at less than 40keach.
What are key differences, in making a choice that must be lived with for at least the length of the three year loan and beyond, say to 5 years or more, at up to 5k p.a., weekly at least use, when I have a maintenence budget of £1k p.a?
The missus, who will own half of it .... favours the Chim for looks; though neither has p.a.s., so she's stumped there
It also has the serp engine, as I have been told that it is the better engine of the Chims. Is it better than the Griff 500 engine in 1994? Same?
But, for me, as a driver, and for it's looks and apparent status ( in terms of future selling power, not status of my ego, which doesn't matter when I want to drive it, not be looked at) as the perceived "ultimate" driving car of the tvr V8 versions, is the Griff not the better option?
The clock is ticking and I need to make that call by tomorrow....
Ultimately ir's about which one you prefer looking at...
Thus, if if is not in as good conditon, just keep looking for another car.
B
More 500 Chimaera's than 500 Griff's I don't think so...they only made about 300 Chimaera as far as I know. 1k running costs seem very low to me but I can only go on what work has been done on mine. At the end of the day its the same car you just need to go for which one you like the look of the best 
.
. Shadowfax, is it this Chim, www.pistonheads.com/ads/43186.htm ?
If so drop me an email, it was mine until a few weeks ago.
Tim
If so drop me an email, it was mine until a few weeks ago.
Tim
If you need a boot www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=188294&f=8&h=0
jellison said:
If you need a boot www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=188294&f=8&h=0
Mmmm....Nice!
shadowfax said:
What are key differences, in making a choice that must be lived with for at least the length of the three year loan and beyond, say to 5 years or more, at up to 5k p.a., weekly at least use, when I have a maintenence budget of £1k p.a?
With either I'd certainly be crossing my fingers if I only had £1k/year for maintenance. Presumably this isn't flexible since you're buying the car with a loan anyhow.
Just be aware - you can run a Griff/Chim on <1k/year, if you're lucky enough. 1 service/year (300,400,500 depending on where you go). You may also need more than that (though not every year), but replacement parts can quickly add up. For example my Griff's in at the moment for service, MOT, clutch and radiator and I'll be lucky if that comes in <£1k itself.
Not trying to put you off, just make sure which ever you buy you have your eyes open.
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