Griff or Chim

[jt]

I currently run an S2 and an Astra both of which I use to commute to work (about 1 1/2 hours each way) on a fairly equal basis. My wife said "why don't you sell them both and put the cash together for something newer". Now I'm not sure she meant another TVR but it's got me thinking.

Could you guys give me some pros and cons of griff vrs chim considering I would have to use it daily for a long commute. Is this sensible (considering I've been doing this for the last two years in the S2 3-4 days per weeks)?

cheers for your thoughts

jake

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

Do you have a beard?

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

...if so you'll find the Griff more appropriate

[farrowby]

2 sMoKiN bArReLs said:

Do you have a beard?

lol, do u play golf ? ... go for the chimp if u do

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

farrowby said:

2 sMoKiN bArReLs said:

Do you have a beard?

lol, do u play golf ? ... go for the chimp if u do

Yes, apes can make good golfing partners I understand.

[jt]

no golf but the MTB does fit in the passenger seat of the S... so I'm sure it won't be a problem. And no beard either

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

jt said:

no golf but the MTB does fit in the passenger seat of the S... so I'm sure it won't be a problem. And no beard either

The real answer is, of course, have a go in both & see which you prefer!

[petros]

Which ever you go for, make it a fast green one

[Podie]

JT, I ran a Chimaera for two years as a daily driver, covering over 30k in that time. We currently have a Griff in the garage.

You can run either as adaily driver, but depending on how much mileage you do, the miles soon rack up... as do the servicing bills

Purely from a practical perspective, the Chimaera wins hands down. The boot is larger, it's quicker and easier to get the roof in and out, and especially on the later 99 spec cars, the boot opens almost vertically giving few problems with getting anything in or out. I regularly had two or three PCs or servers in the boot... couldn't do that with the Griff.

I cursed last weekend getting the lid in the Griff... had to be careful not to catch it on the hinge bolts underneath... jeez what a pain.

Underneath they're the same car, so if it's practicality go for the Chim. If it's aesthetics, then that's personal preference.

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

Podie said:

Underneath they're the same car, so if it's practicality go for the Chim. If it's
aesthetics, then that's personal preference.

Agree with Podie apart from above sentence. I found Griff set up to be far more twitchy, and much harder to drive quickly on anything other than billiard table smooth surfaces.

[jdharris]

Agreed - the Chim moved to a Griff chassis around '96 but has a suspension set up more for touring (hence the bigger boot). The Griff is set up more as a harder sports car.

Having said that I've not driven a Griff - my advice would be to drive them both...

[jt]

Oh yeah a couple more questions too:

1) water proof (the s is shower proof at best)
2) do they all have power assisted steering (thinking of the wife)
3) Anyone managed to safely fit a baby seat in the front seat (passenger)

jake

[Podie]

jt said:

Oh yeah a couple more questions too:

1) water proof (the s is shower proof at best)
2) do they all have power assisted steering (thinking of the wife)
3) Anyone managed to safely fit a baby seat in the front seat (passenger)

jake

1) Yes. No reaosn why the S shouldn't be water proof - mine was. Chimaera lived outside for 12 months, without issue.
2) Option on early cars IIRC
3) Not me... but seen it done.

[jt]

Drove a bright yellow chim today :-) VERY different from the S. Massively better build quality of course but somehow felt isolated and less "chuckable". Admittedly this is the first one I've driven and I was deliberatley being careful too. I'm seriously considering this as an option now tho.

The bloke in the garage was funny, obviously knew nothing about tivs, couldn't get the roof out of the boot, couldn't find the battery either.


This one hadn't been serviced since 2005 how much should this knock off the price?

jake

[cloggy]

jt said:

This one hadn't been serviced since 2005 how much should this knock off the price?

jake

Depending on last service date in 2005 and mileage since last service. Thgey really should have a 6000 miles service or once every 12 months if less than that.

[Podie]

cloggy said:

jt said:

This one hadn't been serviced since 2005 how much should this knock off the price?

jake

Depending on last service date in 2005 and mileage since last service. Thgey really should have a 6000 miles service or once every 12 months if less than that.

Has it been standing long..?

I'd always take a well maintained high mileage car over a garage queen...

[jt]

its done about 44 000, the garage had to jump start the battery to get it running! Sounds like its been left idle for a couple of years. As it's the first one I'm in no hurry, best not to jump into anything and look about to get a bench mark I guess.

Also tried to inspect the outriggers -they are much less easy to see than on the S even when underneath the car, any tricks to inspection?

jake

[Podie]

Plenty of good cars out there... walk away.

[groomvroom]

Podie said:

Plenty of good cars out there... walk away.

Seconded, in my experiace, idle cars are bad news, reglar use is what you are looking for.

[jdharris]

To look at the outriggers when I was looking at mine I asked the garage to put it up on their jacks. They even supplied a torch so I could see what I was doing!