NEWBIE-Potential TVR Griff Owner

[scorcher]

Hello to everyone and HAPPY NEW YEAR (4 later on).I'm in a dilemma...Build a "Luego Viento" with a 350 bhp Chevy engine or buy a TVR ( Griff 500 or Chim 500 )Things putting me off building a KIT is my lack of mechanical knowledge ,my enthusiasm which would probably disappear after time and a dodgy back which limits the amount of time spent tinkering .So I'm probably guessing I'm going to be buying a TVR.It started off with Chimaeras but I'm now getting strangely drawn to a Griff despite the fact I'm going to be buying something slightly older.Been learning bits and bobs through the forums and am glad to see that most peoples experiences with them are positive but as with anything there are problems but on the whole nothing any worse than any other high performance marque.First job is to sell my Ford F150 lightning(in classifieds )as its not giving me the driving experience I require.Just not enough excitement!Nice to see some heated discussions amongst the helpful threads.Visited Peninsula and test drove a couple of 4.5 chims and enjoyed and am hoping to see a few more people shortly.Any help in selling the FORD gratefully recieved so I can start living my dream.Sorry its been a long thread.
Regards
SCORCHER

[Martin_S]

The other big downside to the Luego, being realistic, is resale value.

A Luego (or any kit, for that matter) is unlikely to recoup anythiung like what you spent on it when you come to sell. A properly maintained Griff is unlikely to lose much value, and before long is likely to start appreciating.

For the money you pay, the Griffith is excellent value - nicely designed and built with a really decent interior, luxuries like electric windows, mirrors, decent heater and hood system, etc. Hard to beat!

[JoolzB]

Ditto what Martin S says. My only advice is go for the Griff and not the Chim (unless you're a golfer or hair stylist of course)

Performance and handling are going to be similar so I guess it comes down to looks and character.

[rev-erend]

Why bother with a kit car ?

The depreciation & high insurance / no real kudo's ..

TVR - Griff's & Chim's are both great cars.

The Chim's - more for sale & lower priced than the equiv Griff, slightly more practicle.

Griff - well it's an all time classic.

Winter is here - so there will be some good bargains out there now..

Happy hunting in what ever you decide to buy.

[angusfaldo]

But don't be put off building a kit just because of a lack of mechanical knowledge. If I can do it then anyone can And the advantage of a kit is you get exactly what you want.

Then again, the great thing about the RV8 based TVRs (and the Ford cars before them) is that they make excellent tinkering victims. So maybe buy a Griff that need a a bit of TLC and satisfy both desires?

You need to test drive a Griff - it's quite a bit different driving experience than a Chim.

[old64er]

The kit car thing is good if you have the time and inclination to do it and do it properly, i built a Robin Hood and it got many an admiring glance and was great fun.
TVR is a different experience.
The waves,people dropping their windows,the stares and smiles are all points i love about it.
I was caught between a Chim and Griff for many months but after being out in both, i went for the Griff.

Someone did once ask who made my Kit and i had to inform the automotively inept person it was a TVR!.

[srebbe64]

I know one or two people that started off enthusiastically putting together their kit car, only to find it a right pain a few months/years later!

I went for a Griff, as opposed to a Chim, simply because I preferred the shape of the Griff. Also, a lot less Griffs have been built so they tend to keep their value quite well. However, both are excellent cars and the V8 is far more relilable (in general) than than the straight 6.

[scorcher]

Well......I,ve been and done it!Went to Fenhurst on thursday to test a couple of Chimaera 500's...which were nice.........But nestling in the corner of the showroom was a '99 Griff 500 ( a nice little black number )and a strange magnetic pull attached itself to me and off I went for a closer look.
Went home (dribbling ) done some calculations and returned today for a test drive.
Budget has been well and truly blown.....but what the fu*k!
Picking her up next weekend..can't wait!!!
Big thumbs up to Drew and Fenhurst!!!!
Anybody Know this car......V49 DGF.

[srebbe64]

Well done mate - you won't regret it.

A warning though, it takes over your life. Every time the sun comes out you'll want to drive - and this afliction is untreatable.

By the way, I bought mine from Fernies and they've been brilliant.

[Ballistic Banana]

well done and welcome to the fold you wont regret it.

BB

[mrmaggit]

Like I've said before, your Griff will pick you. Didn't you hear it calling from the corner of the showroom?
Congratulations on listening to him (all Griffs are male).

>> Edited by mrmaggit on Monday 21st February 10:30

[nztrev]

Pity you did'nt get the Chim,but you got the next best thing (a hairy chested closset poofters car)Enjoy!!