Griffith or Tamora?
Discussion
I had a couple of TVRs years ago (Tuscan V6 & 3000M) and loved them.
Now gone a full circle & thinking seriously about another TVR.
Must be a convertible and the choice is between a Griffith or Tamora. I know that they're different driving experiences (and this might be a slightly stupid question) but what advice would you lot give about choosing between the two?
Now gone a full circle & thinking seriously about another TVR.
Must be a convertible and the choice is between a Griffith or Tamora. I know that they're different driving experiences (and this might be a slightly stupid question) but what advice would you lot give about choosing between the two?
Try to drive two equally well sorted out examples of each.
No point comparing a near 20 yr old Griff with knackered dampers, suspension geometry out,old hard tires, with a well sorted tamora, or vice versa, a well sorted Griff, Ohlins, geometry, vs an unloved Tamora,
personally I prefer, the Griff's look. though I'd be very happy to own a Tamora aswell
No point comparing a near 20 yr old Griff with knackered dampers, suspension geometry out,old hard tires, with a well sorted tamora, or vice versa, a well sorted Griff, Ohlins, geometry, vs an unloved Tamora,
personally I prefer, the Griff's look. though I'd be very happy to own a Tamora aswell
Yes, I understand all that. I'd only consider cars in top condition.
I suppose what I'm asking is:
Is the Tamora a much more modern car in feel and ease of use or is it just a case of the different engines (lazy torque V8 v higher revving 6 cyl)?
I prefer the look of the Griffith but the Tamora does have a certain charm & they're a rare sight which appeals to me.
I suppose what I'm asking is:
Is the Tamora a much more modern car in feel and ease of use or is it just a case of the different engines (lazy torque V8 v higher revving 6 cyl)?
I prefer the look of the Griffith but the Tamora does have a certain charm & they're a rare sight which appeals to me.
quite different cars to be honest
the griff will feel quite a bit older to drive and is a hot-rod, loads of bottom end power, fantastic noise and gorgeous to look at
the tam will out handle it by some margin and you sit 'deeper' into it and it feels more like a modern car but it has the 6 cylinder so less bottom end power and needs to be revved to extract its best - obviously there are attendant issues with the 6 which are well documented and the tam will cost more to run as AP brakes instead of sierra and has more 'bespoke' parts
drive both then decide
the griff will feel quite a bit older to drive and is a hot-rod, loads of bottom end power, fantastic noise and gorgeous to look at
the tam will out handle it by some margin and you sit 'deeper' into it and it feels more like a modern car but it has the 6 cylinder so less bottom end power and needs to be revved to extract its best - obviously there are attendant issues with the 6 which are well documented and the tam will cost more to run as AP brakes instead of sierra and has more 'bespoke' parts
drive both then decide
I've not owned a Tamora but I have owned a Griff for 8 years.
My perception is that the Tamora is a much more modern card to drive but the speed six is an engine that needs more specialist care. The character of the engine is very different tot the Griff
The Griff is more old school but is still a cracking car and a well maintained one has great handling. The v8 is a much more relaxed unit than the speed six.
I think it comes down to finding a good one.
My perception is that the Tamora is a much more modern card to drive but the speed six is an engine that needs more specialist care. The character of the engine is very different tot the Griff
The Griff is more old school but is still a cracking car and a well maintained one has great handling. The v8 is a much more relaxed unit than the speed six.
I think it comes down to finding a good one.
I have a Griff with a newly built powers engine with ACT Triple Plenum which is awesome, AST shocks and Wilwood Brakes, so it is well sorted
I also have a T350 with powers 4.5 which drives similar to a V8 and as reliable , Gaz Monotubes , 300mm discs so it is also well sorted and has same chassis as a Tamora
I would say the T350 would be far quicker than the Griff round a track and drives more modern but I still love the Griff
If I was you I would try and find a well sorted Griff and a Tamora with a Powers 4.3 that should throw the cat amongst the pigeons
I also have a T350 with powers 4.5 which drives similar to a V8 and as reliable , Gaz Monotubes , 300mm discs so it is also well sorted and has same chassis as a Tamora
I would say the T350 would be far quicker than the Griff round a track and drives more modern but I still love the Griff
If I was you I would try and find a well sorted Griff and a Tamora with a Powers 4.3 that should throw the cat amongst the pigeons
Hi,
From a personal point of having owned both, I would say a good Griff wins. It feels better put together (more solid), is more usable, makes the right noises and has loads of useful Torque.
The Tamora needs to be worked at more, but it is a lot more nimble than the Griff (lotus elise like). Then there is always the worry of the Speed 6.
Which ever car you choose, you will have loads of fun.
From a personal point of having owned both, I would say a good Griff wins. It feels better put together (more solid), is more usable, makes the right noises and has loads of useful Torque.
The Tamora needs to be worked at more, but it is a lot more nimble than the Griff (lotus elise like). Then there is always the worry of the Speed 6.
Which ever car you choose, you will have loads of fun.
As suggested above it depends largely on your driving style/approach. The griff will appeal if you like driving turbocharged cars with lots of midrange torque, whereas if you're more of a racer vtec kind of guy the Tam is the better choice. I know some people who never use £5k+ rpm as they don't like to 'thrash' their cars...
Davel said:
I do wish that I'd kept mine.
The Tamora is a cracking car to drive.
I was never keen on the rear design though.
Love that The Tamora is a cracking car to drive.
I was never keen on the rear design though.
with the updated front. Like you said, never been keen on the back end as from the rear it looks like a rear engine car to me. Enviable position though and I'd have either. though prob' Griff except I've had two of 'em, so,,, maybe,,,, err IMHO a properly sorted Griff, with good suspension, tyres and brakes handles very well. After swapping to Nitron dampers I'm still amazed how I can throw the car around now and how well it sticks to the road.
And I've had my Griff 10 years.
The driver will run out of talent long before the car lets you down, so as everyone has said, it will really be down to getting in both and driving them.
Don't worry about how they handle, but how they feel.
Its getting rarer and rarer to be able to get out on clear roads and properly have some fun, you'll spend far more time in ordinary traffic so test driving in it is as good as anything.
And I've had my Griff 10 years.
The driver will run out of talent long before the car lets you down, so as everyone has said, it will really be down to getting in both and driving them.
Don't worry about how they handle, but how they feel.
Its getting rarer and rarer to be able to get out on clear roads and properly have some fun, you'll spend far more time in ordinary traffic so test driving in it is as good as anything.
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