Chimaera/Griffith
Discussion
It is always worth reminding yourself that any car is too fast in the hands of a fool.
I new I'd have itchy feet buying anything less than the quickest one and went for a 500 straight away. That said, it made me poop my pants the couple of times I pushed it a bit too hard.
Keep a level head and you'll be just fine!
I new I'd have itchy feet buying anything less than the quickest one and went for a 500 straight away. That said, it made me poop my pants the couple of times I pushed it a bit too hard.
Keep a level head and you'll be just fine!
quote:Hey, I didn't mean to cause offence. All I meant to say was, that coming from a 200ish bhp car (e.g. 2 litre turbo) a 400 isn't such a massive step. I didn't say it would be dull, it's just that you'd quickly want more power. I stand by that. My Cerbera doesn't have enough power either
quote:
In fact, you will tire quickly of the 400.
Sorry us 4.0 boys aren't worthy dannylt. A TVR is a TVR and if you ain't got one, then ANY one is going to be an improvement. Don't 'dismiss' any 4.0 as 'dull' just cos you're in the lucky position of having a Cerbera. OK?
I went from 'normal' car to S3, then Griff 4.0 then Griff 500. Normal to S3 was a big jump, perhaps not in simple bhp but in how to drive it, the whole experience etc. Compared to the S3, the 4.0 was easier to drive and of course much faster. Compared to the 4.0, the 500 feels not much faster but harder to drive! I didn't buy it so much for the nominal extra power, but for the colour and condition. Maybe budget is a factor that can help you make you mind up?
quote:
quote:Hey, I didn't mean to cause offence. All I meant to say was, that coming from a 200ish bhp car (e.g. 2 litre turbo) a 400 isn't such a massive step. I didn't say it would be dull, it's just that you'd quickly want more power. I stand by that. My Cerbera doesn't have enough power either
quote:
In fact, you will tire quickly of the 400.
Sorry us 4.0 boys aren't worthy dannylt. A TVR is a TVR and if you ain't got one, then ANY one is going to be an improvement. Don't 'dismiss' any 4.0 as 'dull' just cos you're in the lucky position of having a Cerbera. OK?
No offence taken danny - but you'd have been better wording your reply as you did above rather than how you did the first time around
Hi,
I went straight to Griff 500 but had driven many performance cars before.
I've only driven about 120 miles so far (inc. thunder storm, damp and dry roads) but the car seems to handle progressively and so far as done pretty much as expected.
Main difference between it and my last car is that you have to slow down more for roundabouts etc and be careful where you put your foot down (bumpy roads and roundabouts are big no no's). Acceleration is frankly amazing as are the grip and roadholding given the power.
I know if I'd gone 4 litre I would have wanted to go 5 litre later.
Hence I went for a sensibly priced 500 with the intension of spending time on getting it tip top over time (a few cosmetic things to sort and servicing to do) as I'll be keeping it for a few years all being well.
Try driving a few cars/engines make up your mind as to what best suits your driving and needs.
Cheers
Dave
I went straight to Griff 500 but had driven many performance cars before.
I've only driven about 120 miles so far (inc. thunder storm, damp and dry roads) but the car seems to handle progressively and so far as done pretty much as expected.
Main difference between it and my last car is that you have to slow down more for roundabouts etc and be careful where you put your foot down (bumpy roads and roundabouts are big no no's). Acceleration is frankly amazing as are the grip and roadholding given the power.
I know if I'd gone 4 litre I would have wanted to go 5 litre later.
Hence I went for a sensibly priced 500 with the intension of spending time on getting it tip top over time (a few cosmetic things to sort and servicing to do) as I'll be keeping it for a few years all being well.
Try driving a few cars/engines make up your mind as to what best suits your driving and needs.
Cheers
Dave
Ahh the age old question... If I had a pound for every time this very same question was asked, I'd have.... errr... about 20 quid 
Anyway... It all comes down to what you plan to use the car for. As has been said, in the real world any of the V8 TVR's are seriously quick. The performance does differ, but unless you already drive a very fast car you will be hard pressed to notice the difference until you have become used to your chosen steed.
I was actually looking for a 4.3 pre-cat Griff but ended up with a 500 (oops), the reason I was not looking at the 400 cars is that I plan to keep this car indefinately, and I didn't want to have the woulda coulda shoulda syndrome. I haved been really happy with the 500, and I don't think it is particularly difficult to drive, it does require respect, but so would a 400.
Bottom line... Look at plenty of cars drive at least 3 of each you are considering, to get an idea of what it should drive like. Then best of luck.
Of course you could just see one you like, fall in love throw caution to the wind and sign on the dotted line
Anyway... It all comes down to what you plan to use the car for. As has been said, in the real world any of the V8 TVR's are seriously quick. The performance does differ, but unless you already drive a very fast car you will be hard pressed to notice the difference until you have become used to your chosen steed.
I was actually looking for a 4.3 pre-cat Griff but ended up with a 500 (oops), the reason I was not looking at the 400 cars is that I plan to keep this car indefinately, and I didn't want to have the woulda coulda shoulda syndrome. I haved been really happy with the 500, and I don't think it is particularly difficult to drive, it does require respect, but so would a 400.
Bottom line... Look at plenty of cars drive at least 3 of each you are considering, to get an idea of what it should drive like. Then best of luck.
Of course you could just see one you like, fall in love throw caution to the wind and sign on the dotted line
I came straight to TVR ownership, indeed any performance car ownership, with a Griffith 500. It's done 1300 miles now so I'm starting to stretch its legs. I'm feeling very comforatble with it and just enjoying it more and more each time I go out.
So far I've had no worrying experiences apart from encountering a small petrol spill on a roundabout last Sunday!
Bit of a twitch but thankfully I wasn't booting it. 
Anyway, don't let the thought of the awesome performance put you off a 500. Just use part of it until you're ready / trained to take up more of the available bhp. I read a lot of scary comments before I took delivery of mine but I now believe the Griffith is perfectly well behaved unless you don't want it to be - with the one proviso that, yes, you do need to respect wet roads.
Hope you find what you want very soon.
So far I've had no worrying experiences apart from encountering a small petrol spill on a roundabout last Sunday!
Bit of a twitch but thankfully I wasn't booting it. Anyway, don't let the thought of the awesome performance put you off a 500. Just use part of it until you're ready / trained to take up more of the available bhp. I read a lot of scary comments before I took delivery of mine but I now believe the Griffith is perfectly well behaved unless you don't want it to be - with the one proviso that, yes, you do need to respect wet roads.
Hope you find what you want very soon.
On the 400 vs 500 topic, we've had a pre-cat 400 (for reasons to complicated to explain, in a 500 body and wheels) for 5 years - its now 7 years old (L reg). On several occasions we though about going up to a 500 - partly for power but also for "newness". After test drives we always reached the same conclusion regarding power - that the USEABLE performance increment from 4 to 5 is not significant unless you spend all your time sprinting or trying to burn off lesser mortals at traffic light drag racing. In the end we always stayed with our original 4L because it is a "good'un" - reliable.
Lets be honest, just how often are you driving in that precise performance band AND at the limit where the additional 0.3 sec 0-60 time is a major factor? What we discovered by driving lots of Griffs. Chims and (1) Cerbera (couldn't stand the driving position!), was the significant difference from car to car in terms of handling, probably due to suspension wear etc.
So in summary, don't get so worked up about the 4L/5L topic, so much as finding the car that is right for you in all departments.
Laurie
Lets be honest, just how often are you driving in that precise performance band AND at the limit where the additional 0.3 sec 0-60 time is a major factor? What we discovered by driving lots of Griffs. Chims and (1) Cerbera (couldn't stand the driving position!), was the significant difference from car to car in terms of handling, probably due to suspension wear etc.
So in summary, don't get so worked up about the 4L/5L topic, so much as finding the car that is right for you in all departments.
Laurie
interesting views there Laurie, we drove several 4.5's then got in a 5.0 and we both found the difference very noticeable, mainly in not having to downshift for overtaking, the 500 had gallons of grunt anywhere in the revband whereas in the 4.5's you had to use the gears a bit more. The 4.5's felt like a very fast car, the 500 felt just stupidly powerful (needless to say I'd tweak more out of it now if I could afford it)
i dont want to sound remotely condascending but it depends (obviously) on how good a driver you are. by that i mean correct braking/steering/anticipation/observation, NOT how much accelerative forces you're currently used to. We all think we're great until we get in with a professional instructor. Invest £200 and do it - then you can enjoy the 500 properly. and it is the nuts.
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On the 400 vs 500 topic, we've had a pre-cat 400 (for reasons to complicated to explain, in a 500 body and wheels) for 5 years - its now 7 years old (L reg).
Laurie, from your profile I see you're based in Monaco. Are you running the Griffith down there? If so where do you get it serviced, and do you have any problems with overheating? I spend a lot of time in UK's southern-most county (Antibes mainly) and I'm considering taking my car down there sometime.
BTW, I totally agree with you on the Griffith 4.0, 4.3 v. 500 front. The early Griffs are, after all said and done, as God intended
. Cheers.
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