pre/post 96 chassis opions sought

[chris-tvr]

hi all
closing in now on my first tvr, further to my last post about clutch life i originally wanted a post 96 griffith chassis model due to the larger 500 spec brakes and the ease of fitment of a proper roll bar/full harness at a later date and i also prefer the look of the later style grille treatment but i have seen a pre 96 car at a good price about £2000 difference, can anyone who has owned or driven both pre and post cars give me their thoughts on the difference between them, can you really feel that much difference in the braking in normal road use ? and do the later cars feel stiffer/handle any better as suggested in the "bible"
i know i should drive both cars myself but may have to act quick as i have already lost out on one later car due to dithering about going to see it
thanks chris

[harrow_chim]

Can't help on specifics as I have only driven/owned pre-96 cars - but whatever you do don't rush into buying one cos you think you might loose it - there are lots out there and they are not selling that quickly.
Look at and drive as many as you can then make up your mind on condition, condition ,condition.
Then enjoy!
Nick

[runt]

Likewise, don't jump in where angels fear to tread, there's lots of good cars available(especially as autumn blows in)-incidentally, I don't really rate the brakes on my '98 car..and I'm not a fast driver.

[tonto]

chris-tvr said:

hi all closing in now on my first tvr, further to my last post about clutch life i originally wanted a post 96 griffith chassis model due to the larger 500 spec brakes and the ease of fitment of a proper roll bar/full harness at a later date and i also prefer the look of the later style grille treatment but i have seen a pre 96 car at a good price about £2000 difference, can anyone who has owned or driven both pre and post cars give me their thoughts on the difference between them, can you really feel that much difference in the braking in normal road use ? and do the later cars feel stiffer/handle any better as suggested in the "bible" i know i should drive both cars myself but may have to act quick as i have already lost out on one later car due to dithering about going to see it thanks chris

I doubt there is a great deal of difference between the old style Chims and the new in terms of handling. The price difference is there because of all the changes together, not just the chassis, (ie rear lights, boot hinges, door release buttons, number plate light etc).
I'll be putting my Chim up for sale soon if you're interested. Its a 97 'new' 450. Plus its got a proper roll bar (Rollcentre one not the rubbish TVR one). Price, probably £11995.

[M@H]

chris-tvr said:

can anyone who has owned or driven both pre and post cars give me their thoughts on the difference between them, can you really feel that much difference in the braking in normal road use ?

I've had a 93 and now have a 97. Basically there isn't a formula answer to this one as these cars all feel a bit different regardless of year. If you find an early car with a newish set of dampers on it it will feel better to driver than a later car still on the factory dampers after 50,000 miles. Braking; to be honest on the road there is little between the smaller discs and the slightly larger later discs, however you do notice the difference a bit more on track. But again, "uprated" discs and pads of the smaller size will give more braking response than the standard ford kit on the later car.

All round there ain't much between the two at all other than the cosmetics (plus depending on years, pre-serp vs serpentine engine) and you can sort out suspension and brakes to your hearts content anyway on either early or late cars. (check the exhaustive brake, wheel and suspension topics).

Condition Condition Condition

Cheers,
Matt

[Sundayjumper]

I've only recently bought mine (a '96) but it came fitted with EBC grooved / dimpled discs & greenstuff pads, and braided hoses. I've not given them a hard time, but in general driving I'm very impressed with them. Lots of bite and a really good pedal feel.

Steve.

>> Edited by Sundayjumper on Monday 10th October 13:43

[Cavey]

I tested a few 400s and 450s when looking for my car. I did notice that the 450 brakes were better than the 400 - gather they're uprated in some way.