Shall I move from S2 to Chimaera?
Discussion
In reading this forum you will mostly find that S series owners have one because they are an excellent entry level into TVR. After spending much money on there cars, people then become divided into the ones who then say, I'm never selling it, or they move on to a chimp or griff.
Your problem will probably be which of the newer cars to go for, as it appears from your question that you are allready at this junction.
Some say that the S is a better drive than the chimp or griff but of course in real user terms they are both far more of a modern practicle package than an S.
As far as which one to go for, the chimp wins as a better overall car but the griff maintains that something special that an S has which is difficult to explain but you will know what I mean.
Having followed the exploits of Johno(Mark) he has spent a long time doing his car up and been an avid S man to the core (but flogged it).
I have spent the last year underneath mine and it should be ready for the road in the spring, but, shall I move on, I think I'll drive it for a bit and then make a disision. Don't be shocked if you see my profile next year reading, griff!
Good luck.
Gadgit.
Your problem will probably be which of the newer cars to go for, as it appears from your question that you are allready at this junction.
Some say that the S is a better drive than the chimp or griff but of course in real user terms they are both far more of a modern practicle package than an S.
As far as which one to go for, the chimp wins as a better overall car but the griff maintains that something special that an S has which is difficult to explain but you will know what I mean.
Having followed the exploits of Johno(Mark) he has spent a long time doing his car up and been an avid S man to the core (but flogged it).
I have spent the last year underneath mine and it should be ready for the road in the spring, but, shall I move on, I think I'll drive it for a bit and then make a disision. Don't be shocked if you see my profile next year reading, griff!
Good luck.
Gadgit.
I've thought about it with my G reg S3. The thing is, I love looking down that humped bonnet. It also gets more attention because of it being less common.
I believe the Chimaera to be the natural upgrade to the S. My advice would be that if you've set a budget get the best car your money can buy, be it a Griff, Chimp or a V8S.
I've seen so many different TVRs you can't even compare two of the exact same models due to the previous owner's choce of spec, ie; exhaust type, extras, service history, how well they've been pampered!
Just test drive a few different ones, I'm sure your heart will out-rule your head anyway! Good luck!
I believe the Chimaera to be the natural upgrade to the S. My advice would be that if you've set a budget get the best car your money can buy, be it a Griff, Chimp or a V8S.
I've seen so many different TVRs you can't even compare two of the exact same models due to the previous owner's choce of spec, ie; exhaust type, extras, service history, how well they've been pampered!
Just test drive a few different ones, I'm sure your heart will out-rule your head anyway! Good luck!
M@H has done exactly this recently - I bought his S2.
For me, the natural progression from the S is the Griff 500 - unless you like 'easy listening' music and golf, in which case the Chim is yer girl...
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?f=23&h=&t=19613
Johno got all dewey eyed even when he moved upto a Griff 500.. (stupid boy)
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=19696&f=11&h=0
>> Edited by CarZee on Tuesday 22 October 21:23
For me, the natural progression from the S is the Griff 500 - unless you like 'easy listening' music and golf, in which case the Chim is yer girl...
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?f=23&h=&t=19613
Johno got all dewey eyed even when he moved upto a Griff 500.. (stupid boy
) www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=19696&f=11&h=0
>> Edited by CarZee on Tuesday 22 October 21:23
I've just moved on from 6 years of S2/S3 to a Griff 500 and have no regrets. Despite power steering and the obvious power and torque hike, there was a certain familarity when I first drove the Griff (unlike the TT, Elise, VX220 etc which I also tried). The main difference I notice is in the levels of refinement - the whole car is much more "together". The Griff is also much easier to drive when you're feeling lazy- my wife loves it, but never felt at home behind the wheel of an S. Everything about it - the steering response, pedal response engine response etc is so much smoother, whereas the S can be a bit lumpy. Potential to scare your passengers is obviously very much higher in the Griff! Fuel consumption in every-day-mode has dropped from 28 ish in the S to 23 ish in the Griff.
'Surprised to see so many people here saying the Chimp is the natural progression from an S. I've heard others saying there is more of a family resemblance (That hard edge we all love so much) between Griff and S.
'Surprised to see so many people here saying the Chimp is the natural progression from an S. I've heard others saying there is more of a family resemblance (That hard edge we all love so much) between Griff and S.
Didnt even cotemplate getting a Chimeara, had always wanted A Griffth Whatever(4.0/4.3 or 5.0) but couldnt afford one at the time and went for an S3 and loved it for 3 1/2 years before getting my Griffith 500 this yr in Feb.
From what you will read the Griffith is a bit more Rawer than the Chimeara but i cant really comment on that as i have never driven a Chimeara.
I can Highly recommend an Griffith but would recommend going and looking/test driving Both and seeing which you Prefer.
All the Best
BB
From what you will read the Griffith is a bit more Rawer than the Chimeara but i cant really comment on that as i have never driven a Chimeara.
I can Highly recommend an Griffith but would recommend going and looking/test driving Both and seeing which you Prefer.
All the Best
BB
Thanks to all for comments/advice. Like Heath, I must admit when I tried the Chim I also missed the view from the cockpit. Still undecided! Read loads, checked the bank balance, wept, read loads more, checked the bank balance again - gone the wrong way!!
One article I read suggested the Griff was the natural progression if you wanted to keep the "raw feel of an out and out sports car" (which I do) but the Chim is better if you want a smoother, more "touring" vehicle (which my beloved would prefer)!
Keep the comments coming, and watch out for news of whether I do it (or not!) in Morgan's Mutterings in Sprint (if you're in the TVRCC) - I'm Morgan!!
Cheers!
Dave
One article I read suggested the Griff was the natural progression if you wanted to keep the "raw feel of an out and out sports car" (which I do) but the Chim is better if you want a smoother, more "touring" vehicle (which my beloved would prefer)!
Keep the comments coming, and watch out for news of whether I do it (or not!) in Morgan's Mutterings in Sprint (if you're in the TVRCC) - I'm Morgan!!
Cheers!
Dave
Well I suppose I am very lucky coz I have a Griff 500 (350 bhp version) and an S2. Ok I know I'm modifying it to be a 4.0L Cossy but even so I have to say I just love it.
The Griff is a bit like 2 pints of lager and a packet of crisps down the pub with the lads, whereas the S is more like a glass of port with some strong cheese in a gentelmens club, slightly different but original and rare!!
Both are fab fast cars, but the S, just a bit special. I love it, and rightly so.
Chimeras are a very common sight, the S is much more individual.
>> Edited by mickypee on Wednesday 30th October 07:50
The Griff is a bit like 2 pints of lager and a packet of crisps down the pub with the lads, whereas the S is more like a glass of port with some strong cheese in a gentelmens club, slightly different but original and rare!!
Both are fab fast cars, but the S, just a bit special. I love it, and rightly so.
Chimeras are a very common sight, the S is much more individual.
>> Edited by mickypee on Wednesday 30th October 07:50
the S is the best looking of all of them.. however if you fancy the different looks then go for it..
It goes as well as (better than) the S, however doesn't have the crisp and light handling.. ..saying that, nethier does the Griff..
Johno and I stood side by side watching Aiden cane my old car round Anglesey and both said "I want my old car back"
However, it still looks good enough for me:
>> Edited by M@H on Wednesday 30th October 13:59
It goes as well as (better than) the S, however doesn't have the crisp and light handling.. ..saying that, nethier does the Griff..
Johno and I stood side by side watching Aiden cane my old car round Anglesey and both said "I want my old car back"
However, it still looks good enough for me:
>> Edited by M@H on Wednesday 30th October 13:59
I drove a mates chim way before I bought my s3 and loved it to bits. I have to say though I would never change my s3 for a chim now as I think I prefer the more direct feel of the s3 over the chim. I also don't like the look of the chim either. Currently, thinking of next year (assuming I ever get a job 
), I'm torn between a 400SE and jumping ship and going for an turbo se esprit.
Mark
), I'm torn between a 400SE and jumping ship and going for an turbo se esprit. Mark
Dave -wouldn't let the wife thing put you off too much until she's tried one. Mine - a petite 5ft 2" was never very keen on driving my S's, but loves the Griff to bits. Power steering and higher levels of refinement make the Griff a much mory girl friendly machine, and she knows she won't be accused of driving a "woman's TVR" a la Chimp!!!!
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