chimp or griff?
Discussion
okay i guess i should put a flame suit on asking this in the chimeara forum, but i`m looking to buy a TVR up to £15000, what is the advantage of one over a griff, anybody on here owned both? which would be your choice? also i haven`t driven either car yet, how could i go about trying both out to see which i prefered? final question for now is what is the difference between a standard 4.litre and an HC engine (big valve heads?)----martin
can't answer the HC question but early 4.0 Griffs and Chims will be very similar with the exception being possibly tighter suspension on the Griff, less boot space and much purer lines (as you can see I am biased) The Griff has a glovebox (like that matters)
No two cars of this age will be alike so drive as many as poss and good luck
No two cars of this age will be alike so drive as many as poss and good luck
Never owned a Griff, decided on a 400 Chim. The Chim has still got a boot if you have the roof off, the Griff hasn’t. As a general rule it seems the more you spend on a TVR the better the car you end up with, the Chim is cheaper to buy and there are more out there to choose from. A 500 Griff would cost considerably more to run than a 400 Chim. Looks wise, I prefer the exterior of the Griff, the interior of the Chim. As I could not have both I chose a late 400 Chim. You pays your money...................
Ivan
Ivan
I have a Chimaera, and love it!!
Why?
I love the looks, it has a boot, it goes as quick as I need it to, other people admire it, the roof stows easily, it sounds great...etc
There is much to commend both cars, and your choice is not so much about engine size as you can choose any size in both, it's about the looks and how much you need a boot.
No matter what you buy, you'll love it
and hopefully a Chimaera (Chimps are monkeys)
T-J-K
Why?
I love the looks, it has a boot, it goes as quick as I need it to, other people admire it, the roof stows easily, it sounds great...etc
There is much to commend both cars, and your choice is not so much about engine size as you can choose any size in both, it's about the looks and how much you need a boot.
No matter what you buy, you'll love it
and hopefully a Chimaera (Chimps are monkeys) T-J-K
I have owned both,
A Griff 500, a 400 Chim, and a 450 Chim.
The Griff was very twitchy at speed, and not very nice driving in traffic, it was a HC model.
The Chims were both very nice to drive in traffic, and had plenty enough power, although the 450 sounded sweeter and with a nicer exhaust note than both the 400 Chim and Griff. In order of preference the Griff would come last, basically because the Chim is more an every day car, however the Griff is rarer. Compared to the new model TVR engined cars they are both great, just stay away from the newer offerings which in my opinion are a backward step for TVR.
A Griff 500, a 400 Chim, and a 450 Chim.
The Griff was very twitchy at speed, and not very nice driving in traffic, it was a HC model.
The Chims were both very nice to drive in traffic, and had plenty enough power, although the 450 sounded sweeter and with a nicer exhaust note than both the 400 Chim and Griff. In order of preference the Griff would come last, basically because the Chim is more an every day car, however the Griff is rarer. Compared to the new model TVR engined cars they are both great, just stay away from the newer offerings which in my opinion are a backward step for TVR.
ribol said: ...As a general rule it seems the more you spend on a TVR the better the car you end up with, the Chim is cheaper to buy and there are more out there to choose from...
I realise you explicitly said "general" rule but I would question the statement, especially as someone looking at TVR's for the first time may be wrongly influenced by it.
It would be tempting to take that philosophy and just blindly buy a car from a dealer when there are genuine "bargins" to be had from private classifieds.
I think the important point to consider is getting a car inspected but moreover - getting one that "feels" right.
I say this with all due respect - it's just that it bothered me that dealers cars appeared to be overpriced (ignoring the equivalent cost of a warranty) because of the profit they have to build in......
Oh, and my Antigua Blue Chim is up for sale too!
ive owned both chimp and griff in the same form(500 hc)so ive had a good comparison.they all drive pretty much the same when comparing same engines and similar age/mileages as theyre basically the same car underneath,with a different shape body bolted to the chassis.so any great differences when comparing like for like will show up its true state of condition and weather its been well cared for and looked after.id strongly advise a 5.0 litre car(well within your budget) to avoid the need to change up for more power at a later date,(if you can see this as a possibility at this stage then its very likely to happen later).also to make future re-sale easier.the chimp is more practical,but you can still get plenty of luggage in the griff even with the roof in the boot.ask yourself how practical do you need it to be? if my car was gone tomorrow and i found myself looking for a replacement,id go for another griff as i prefer the looks and exclusivity
TVR-critic said: I have owned both,
A Griff 500, a 400 Chim, and a 450 Chim.
The Griff was very twitchy at speed, and not very nice driving in traffic, it was a HC model.
The Chims were both very nice to drive in traffic, and had plenty enough power, although the 450 sounded sweeter and with a nicer exhaust note than both the 400 Chim and Griff. In order of preference the Griff would come last, basically because the Chim is more an every day car, however the Griff is rarer. Compared to the new model TVR engined cars they are both great, just stay away from the newer offerings which in my opinion are a backward step for TVR.
I have owned a Chimaera and now a Tamora, and unless you have driven a Tuscan/Tamora/T350, I can confidently say that you don't know WTF you're talking about. In terms of handling, speed, driveability, they are way better than the older models - not everything in TVR land is V8 wuffle!
chim_knee said:
ribol said: ...As a general rule it seems the more you spend on a TVR the better the car you end up with, the Chim is cheaper to buy and there are more out there to choose from...
I realise you explicitly said "general" rule but I would question the statement, especially as someone looking at TVR's for the first time may be wrongly influenced by it.
What I should have said is that as a general rule the newer the car the more chance you have of getting a good one, not so much because it is not as old but because the later ones were better made. Normally the more you spend the newer the car but it could be read the wrong way. There may well be an older car that is better than a newer one but if we are generalising that tends not to be the case.
Dealers do charge considerably more than private sellers, I cannot think of many trades where people work for nothing and the motor trade is no different. I will concede that some of them have become a bit greedy, particularly when the sun comes out. One important thing to remember though is that if a private seller sells you a dog, it’s yours. If a dealer sells you a dog nowadays there is a good chance that they will have to put it right or give you your money back – how much is that worth? Some people are not in a position to judge what a good car is; it may not be what they know about. Getting cars checked is a help but not a guarantee, there are people who have bought cars checked by TVR experts that have still ended up with big bills not long after buying them. The “feels right” theory does not work too well unless you are in and out of these cars all the time. I have driven a few Chims now and no two drove the same they are not BMWs so which was the good one?
For the record I bought my car through the trade (perk of my job) and no I am not a car dealer.
Ivan
nubbin said:
TVR-critic said: I have owned both,
A Griff 500, a 400 Chim, and a 450 Chim.
The Griff was very twitchy at speed, and not very nice driving in traffic, it was a HC model.
The Chims were both very nice to drive in traffic, and had plenty enough power, although the 450 sounded sweeter and with a nicer exhaust note than both the 400 Chim and Griff. In order of preference the Griff would come last, basically because the Chim is more an every day car, however the Griff is rarer. Compared to the new model TVR engined cars they are both great, just stay away from the newer offerings which in my opinion are a backward step for TVR.
I have owned a Chimaera and now a Tamora, and unless you have driven a Tuscan/Tamora/T350, I can confidently say that you don't know WTF you're talking about. In terms of handling, speed, driveability, they are way better than the older models - not everything in TVR land is V8 wuffle!
i have to disagree. making their own engine was a very big mistake for TVR and has cost them dearly with their reputation. driving wise, i have driven both a tuscan, griff and cerbera and it all depends on how you like to drive. i prefer low down grunt and thats where the rover v8 wins out over the more free revving tvr engines. handling wise the newer cars are better, but compared to a well setup nitroned griff, not much between it.
I think it comes down to which car you prefer the look of. I personally prefer the looks of the Chim and especially don't like the rear end of the Griff. You can get both cars in different engine sizes and spend your time getting a nice one. I do like the fact that the Chim boot is big (Yes I do play golf!!) which is good for going away on holiday etc.
Happy hunting!
Jamie.
Happy hunting!
Jamie.
{I have owned a Chimaera and now a Tamora, and unless you have driven a Tuscan/Tamora/T350, I can confidently say that you don't know WTF you're talking about. In terms of handling, speed, driveability, they are way better than the older models - not everything in TVR land is V8 wuffle!}
Put a few thousand miles on your Tamora, before you tell me i do not know wtf i am talking about. Time will tell, and i will be the first to say i am wrong, but i cant see that happening, not with the reliabilty of the S6.
Put a few thousand miles on your Tamora, before you tell me i do not know wtf i am talking about. Time will tell, and i will be the first to say i am wrong, but i cant see that happening, not with the reliabilty of the S6.
I've owned a chim450 and now a new Tuscan S, I would recommend the Chim450 for its V8! and practicability!! and I do miss that sound BUT prefer the Tuscan. I also have to agree with 'nubbin' the newer cars (especially Tuscans) are much more reliable and better in handling from my experience and others I have spoken to.
Its a shame that a number of people are knocking the newer cars due to some problems which 'some' owners have experienced. Everyone has their own opinion and that should be respected but I'm concerned that its getting a little out of context and will eventually do irreparable damage in reputation to TVR....and then where will we all be
Alan.
Its a shame that a number of people are knocking the newer cars due to some problems which 'some' owners have experienced. Everyone has their own opinion and that should be respected but I'm concerned that its getting a little out of context and will eventually do irreparable damage in reputation to TVR....and then where will we all be
Alan.
Wish people would stop going on about how reliable the rover V8 cars are, seems to jinx my car 
(engine being rebuilt at the moment)
I choose the Griff over the chimera as mine came up privately and seemed a good buy, I’ve spent a lot maintaining it but still like it, probably could have run a Cerbera for what I’ve spent.
Buying with a warranty helps and could have saved me several thousands!
You have to drive them both and make your own choice!
(engine being rebuilt at the moment) I choose the Griff over the chimera as mine came up privately and seemed a good buy, I’ve spent a lot maintaining it but still like it, probably could have run a Cerbera for what I’ve spent.
Buying with a warranty helps and could have saved me several thousands!
You have to drive them both and make your own choice!
TVR-critic said:Put a few thousand miles on your Tamora, before you tell me i do not know wtf i am talking about. Time will tell, and i will be the first to say i am wrong, but i cant see that happening, not with the reliabilty of the S6.
How does 12000 miles sound?
I assume we're talking about the Tamoras 3.6l engine not the 4.0l?
At what mileage do you say you're wrong?
Big Al. said: I asked a similar question before I brought my Chim, I was told that a Chim will let you drive it home, a Griff has to be driven home!
Happy hunting.
Sums it up really, if I want to be driven I'll use my company Bora, but if I want to go DRIVING I'll be in my GRIFF!
And what is it with boot sizes? The Griff boot is HUGE it will easily take a Tesco weekly shop even with the roof in there too.
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