Discussion
I have got about 15K to play with but want one of each……… what to do.....
Can not make my mind up between Griff 500, Cerbera or Chimaera, love em all.
I am gonna be using it every day to commute about 10 miles and just want to have fun on the way plus weekends.
Sadly will be parked on the road facing the elements on it’s own . Just had insurance quote on Griff 500 at £780.00 PA, ouch….. but I am only a young un at 27.
What advise you guys and girls got? Which should I get, what is gonna give me the most fun? Not too bothered about a boot, got no golf clubs or kids so, not needed. Which is more likly to keep on running everyday?
The decision is yours!!!!
Can not make my mind up between Griff 500, Cerbera or Chimaera, love em all.
I am gonna be using it every day to commute about 10 miles and just want to have fun on the way plus weekends.
Sadly will be parked on the road facing the elements on it’s own . Just had insurance quote on Griff 500 at £780.00 PA, ouch….. but I am only a young un at 27.
What advise you guys and girls got? Which should I get, what is gonna give me the most fun? Not too bothered about a boot, got no golf clubs or kids so, not needed. Which is more likly to keep on running everyday?
The decision is yours!!!!
monkey magic you are on the Griff forum so therefore I am bias.So BUY A GRIFF
But you would be better driving several of each to be sure of what you want,good luck.JT ps get an insurance quote with limited mileage,much cheaper or buy a pre-cat or early 500 Griff and get classic car insurance.
>> Edited by just trouble on Tuesday 17th August 20:07
read your own identical thread
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?f=23&h=0&t=118221
>> Edited by pies on Tuesday 17th August 20:07
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?f=23&h=0&t=118221
>> Edited by pies on Tuesday 17th August 20:07
Cerbera - expensive to run and specialised maintenance, but more modern chassis and engine.
Griff/Chimaera - mechanically almost identical so reliability will be similar, but the Griff is one of the half dozen best looking cars on the planet whereas the Chimp looks a Griff wearing a life-raft round its middle. For 15k you will have more choice of Chimps and possibly get a car in better condition as the market is flooded with them. On the other hand a Griff is likely to depreciate less and be easier to sell.
>> Edited by rick.e on Tuesday 17th August 20:22
Griff/Chimaera - mechanically almost identical so reliability will be similar, but the Griff is one of the half dozen best looking cars on the planet whereas the Chimp looks a Griff wearing a life-raft round its middle. For 15k you will have more choice of Chimps and possibly get a car in better condition as the market is flooded with them. On the other hand a Griff is likely to depreciate less and be easier to sell.
>> Edited by rick.e on Tuesday 17th August 20:22
Wot they said above. And if you're worried about the insurance, try a classic policy for 10-year-plus cars - I was quoted about a grand for a Griff 500, but pay £370 for my 1992 Griff on a limited mileage classic policy
Never thought of the Chim looking like a Griff in a 'floatation aid' before - nice one
Got my first Tiv at 27 too. Alot of the classic policies wouldn't ensure me as I was too young. Also with alot of them you have to have the car garaged. I ended up paying something like £800 quid the first year on a not perfect licence.
I'd say go for the Griff over the Chimp but that's being biased. The cerb's a bute but not topless. The Griff it is then
I'd say go for the Griff over the Chimp but that's being biased. The cerb's a bute but not topless. The Griff it is then
£15k to spend is going to get you a pants Cerbera, a good 400/430 Griff, an OK 500 but it will be the early pre-serp one which people told me to avoid, or a healthy selection of Chimps.
Me, I decided if I bought a Chimp I would only wish it was a Griff. Same car essentially but very different to look at - and isn't that why we pick them in the first place. Go with your heart not your wallet and pick a good one in your price bracket. Better a good 10yr old one than an abused 7yr old.
Happy hunting.
Me, I decided if I bought a Chimp I would only wish it was a Griff. Same car essentially but very different to look at - and isn't that why we pick them in the first place. Go with your heart not your wallet and pick a good one in your price bracket. Better a good 10yr old one than an abused 7yr old.
Happy hunting.
monkey magic said:
Well That kinda helps, thanks......
If I go for a pre cat is there not likly to be any problems with emissions come MOT day? Maybe a stuppid question but just not sure...
Monkey
No, they have no cats because they need no cats for the MOT. OTOH when the cats in a 500 go you've got to replace them for the MOT (or get the ticket 'mail order'...).
monkey magic said:
Also what the hell is a serp engine? Sorry bit of a newbeee....
Ta for ya words of wisdom.
Monkey
Has a serpentine 'fan' belt at the front of the engine instead of the plain old 'V' belt on a pre-serp.
Mr Monkey Man
If you are considering a cerbera then you should go and drive one first,it's a bit like driving a pillar box on wheels,very "different" not the best experiance I have ever had in a vehicle.Chimera,very nice car but softer to look at and live with.
Griffith has to be one the worlds all time classics,gorgeous to look at,aggresive styling which is a must in a sports car,and a performance to take your breath(and your licence)away.
I was asked the other day by one of my work colleagues,if you had as much money as you wanted to buy any car,what would you buy?
My reply: it's sitting in the workshop at home!!
I rest my case,just find a good example 500,you will be a very contented chap for a long time to come.
PS I'm not biased MUCH!!
If you are considering a cerbera then you should go and drive one first,it's a bit like driving a pillar box on wheels,very "different" not the best experiance I have ever had in a vehicle.Chimera,very nice car but softer to look at and live with.
Griffith has to be one the worlds all time classics,gorgeous to look at,aggresive styling which is a must in a sports car,and a performance to take your breath(and your licence)away.
I was asked the other day by one of my work colleagues,if you had as much money as you wanted to buy any car,what would you buy?
My reply: it's sitting in the workshop at home!!
I rest my case,just find a good example 500,you will be a very contented chap for a long time to come.
PS I'm not biased MUCH!!
Slightly off topic this but related. I spent quite a bit more than 15K on a Griff 500 from a dealer early this year and whish I hadn’t. Would have made a lot more sense to get a slightly older one privately and have a wedge of cash to do any fettling. First Tiv I have bought from a dealer (bought privately before), and I mistakenly thought it would be a sorted car and I would be looked after but it wasn’t the case. Now back to topic :- Griff if you want a car to drive, Chim if you want a car to drive to the golf club, Cerbera – roof seems to be glued on so doesn’t count in my book..
I've just gone through months of the same dilemma. I love the look of the Cerbera, & the interior touches are fantastic. But having spoken to everyone that was unfortunate to listen to me including owners past & present (Piston Headers), dealers, mechanics, I was told that the risky choice was a Cerb due to the maintenance costs. As someone said earlier for £15k you'd be looking at the early 4.2 Cerbs that may well be looking a bit tired, however sound ones can be found. If you do want to go for a Cerb the ones to look for are those that have had the suspension recall, the clutch sorted, & idealy the engine rebuild to 2003 standard. And do consider higher mileage ones as they will have had things sorted.
But with a budget of £17k to splash on my only car that gets used at weekends, 3 weeks ago i went for a Griff 500 & believe i've made the right choice. More confidence in the reliability, better depreciation, & only giving away a slight difference in performance which my driving abilities won't notice.
The decision not to go for a Chimp was made for me by a mate having one, & although there is friendly rivalry between Griff & Chimp owners, i do like the electronic door buttons under the mirrors that you don't get on a Griff.
My advice is that if you're running it everyday & don't have very deep pockets, the Cerb may not be for you. So now you have to decide between the Griff or the Chimp.
But with a budget of £17k to splash on my only car that gets used at weekends, 3 weeks ago i went for a Griff 500 & believe i've made the right choice. More confidence in the reliability, better depreciation, & only giving away a slight difference in performance which my driving abilities won't notice.
The decision not to go for a Chimp was made for me by a mate having one, & although there is friendly rivalry between Griff & Chimp owners, i do like the electronic door buttons under the mirrors that you don't get on a Griff.
My advice is that if you're running it everyday & don't have very deep pockets, the Cerb may not be for you. So now you have to decide between the Griff or the Chimp.
mickypee said:
Mr Monkey Man
If you are considering a cerbera then you should go and drive one first,it's a bit like driving a pillar box on wheels,very "different" not the best experiance I have ever had in a vehicle.Chimera,very nice car but softer to look at and live with.
Griffith has to be one the worlds all time classics,gorgeous to look at,aggresive styling which is a must in a sports car,and a performance to take your breath(and your licence)away.
I was asked the other day by one of my work colleagues,if you had as much money as you wanted to buy any car,what would you buy?
My reply: it's sitting in the workshop at home!!
I rest my case,just find a good example 500,you will be a very contented chap for a long time to come.
PS I'm not biased MUCH!!
The Griffs and Chims are seriously good value these days, the performance they offer is amazing for the cost and nowadays there are many Independants who know them inside out, they're simple and reletively cheap to fix too.
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