GRIFF V CHIM...let battle commence
Discussion
I hope that's a flame proof box DD 
.
Okay. As far as I can tell from all the spec's, the bible (Steve's of course
), this group and the TVRCC mailing list, BOTH the Griff and Chimp are equal in terms of performance and handling if you have the same engine.
Basically the weight is the same. The suspension and engines are the same. They just look different - in theory.
However, in practice everyone that has driven them says they are very different. Maybe it's that the Chimp is longer so it's overhangs and and CofG are different. Maybe it's just a perception in everyones mind - it would be interesting (in more ways than one ) if a blind test drive could be done. So you didn't know which car you were in.
The thing about Griff's, and maybe the reason for the reputation, is that the early ones had softer suspension (mainly due to the lack of an anti-roll bar or so) which made them more tail happy (especially in the wet - yipeeeee). They also tend not to have PAS which definately makes for a more interesting (read - fight the wheel over every bump and get more feedback about the road surface than most people want ) drive that needs more concentration to "make progress".
Personally I prefer the Griff shape and would not have bought any other performance car. I just wish I could watch it go past as well as drive it 
. However, more people bought Chimp's so alot of people don't think so.
Coming to buying a V8 TVR now and there are not many Griff's on the market. So any dealer will try and steer you into buying what he has for sale. He wants to shift his stock rather than have it sat there whilst customers wait for the rare one to turn up. I bet he can sell every Griff he gets many times over at the moment - with a list of names/numbers to call when he gets one. One less person on the list and one more car of his lot is what he wants.
Good luck in your search,
Ian
. Okay. As far as I can tell from all the spec's, the bible (Steve's of course
), this group and the TVRCC mailing list, BOTH the Griff and Chimp are equal in terms of performance and handling if you have the same engine. Basically the weight is the same. The suspension and engines are the same. They just look different - in theory.
However, in practice everyone that has driven them says they are very different. Maybe it's that the Chimp is longer so it's overhangs and and CofG are different. Maybe it's just a perception in everyones mind - it would be interesting (in more ways than one
) if a blind test drive could be done. So you didn't know which car you were in. The thing about Griff's, and maybe the reason for the reputation, is that the early ones had softer suspension (mainly due to the lack of an anti-roll bar or so) which made them more tail happy (especially in the wet - yipeeeee). They also tend not to have PAS which definately makes for a more interesting (read - fight the wheel over every bump and get more feedback about the road surface than most people want
) drive that needs more concentration to "make progress". Personally I prefer the Griff shape and would not have bought any other performance car. I just wish I could watch it go past as well as drive it
. However, more people bought Chimp's so alot of people don't think so. Coming to buying a V8 TVR now and there are not many Griff's on the market. So any dealer will try and steer you into buying what he has for sale. He wants to shift his stock rather than have it sat there whilst customers wait for the rare one to turn up. I bet he can sell every Griff he gets many times over at the moment - with a list of names/numbers to call when he gets one. One less person on the list and one more car of his lot is what he wants.
Good luck in your search,
Ian
'They also tend not to have PAS which definately makes for a more interesting (read - fight the wheel over every bump and get more feedback about the road surface than most people want ) drive that needs more concentration to "make progress".'
I think that's confusing PAS with suspension. I drove a Chimaera (4.5 I think) with PAS and I hate to say that compared to my Griff it felt like - ermm - a 'normal' car. Perhaps I was being to gentle with it. But I agree with the bumps - I drove over a coin once and it was 'heads'.
'I just wish I could watch it go past as well as drive it.'
Easy - bring it over here and I'll drive it past you a few times!
'However, more people bought Chimp's so alot of people don't think so.'
Even more people bought Fiestas... doh...
I think that's confusing PAS with suspension. I drove a Chimaera (4.5 I think) with PAS and I hate to say that compared to my Griff it felt like - ermm - a 'normal' car. Perhaps I was being to gentle with it. But I agree with the bumps - I drove over a coin once and it was 'heads'.
'I just wish I could watch it go past as well as drive it.'
Easy - bring it over here and I'll drive it past you a few times!
'However, more people bought Chimp's so alot of people don't think so.'
Even more people bought Fiestas... doh...
I visited Christopher Neils the other day with a view to trade my Elise 160 for a Griff. The salesman reckoned I'd suit a Chim ( I suspect because he had 3 there ) rather than a Griff ( he didn't have any )... Whatever I get I'm going to use it everyday and I like the smooth Chim very much...but I prefer the looks of the Griff...are they really that different to live with...I can't quite believe they are.
Any thoughts ?
You say you prefer the looks which says it all--given identical specification there cannot be any appreciable difference in performance. I have owned both a Griff 500 and a Chim 500 and the only difference I noted was that the Chim was more forgiving(until I uprated it to 5.2). For me the Chim has more classic lines like an old Ferrari but there you are--a Griff owner would doubtless say the opposite and the owner of a 2CV would say that he was the most beautiful of all.
shpub said: The code name for the Chimp was Ugly Pig which sums it up really...
The Griff is just too short--squat almost,which makes it ugly--having owned one its handling amazed and terrified me at times--but for sheer classic beauty the Chim wins hands down--a real head turner
BTW--the comparison is similar with the latest Ferrari--what an ugly beast! Give me the old classic curves--wherever they may be!
>> Edited by clint888 on Tuesday 19th November 00:27
wouldnt say the griffith is ugly! but the proportions of the chimaera are more balanced (possibly perfectly balanced)... I wouldn't want the bonnet, cabin section or boot to be longer or shorter in relation to each other's size.
assuming you're refering to the 360, I think the "problem" with its design is that its almost contrived. the air intakes ruin the haunches and are put there "just because". Look at the old 308... the air intake becomes part of the design... if you draw lines to follow the general shape of the car the intakes form part of that shape... very clever design!
assuming you're refering to the 360, I think the "problem" with its design is that its almost contrived. the air intakes ruin the haunches and are put there "just because". Look at the old 308... the air intake becomes part of the design... if you draw lines to follow the general shape of the car the intakes form part of that shape... very clever design!
geordielad said: I saw a woman driving a Griff round here the other day..... ENOUGH SAID !!!!!!
And why do griff boys ( and GIRLS ) Seem to keep theres in garages in winter ????? Part timers springs to mind
That's an easy one! Because the wimps won't go out top down in winter
Fer gawd sake stop, me sides are hurting!
Why pick on each other when the whole world of 'civilised' motoring is out to get us all.
Im a Cerby owner myself. Love it for its mean, low shape and performance and more than once have people compared it to a +2 chim. So there can be only one vote from me. It has to be........... GRIFFITH!!!!
Sorry but Griffs are the dogs whatsits. They look awesome and if you dont like the handling you must be the bloke who visits Alton Towers between November and March. You can still look round the loverly scenery and all the toys are there (but Nemesis is closed so no fun for you). Chims are a very desireable car but the unspoilt lines of the Griff win hands down. Sorry Squirrel!
Why pick on each other when the whole world of 'civilised' motoring is out to get us all.
Im a Cerby owner myself. Love it for its mean, low shape and performance and more than once have people compared it to a +2 chim. So there can be only one vote from me. It has to be........... GRIFFITH!!!!
Sorry but Griffs are the dogs whatsits. They look awesome and if you dont like the handling you must be the bloke who visits Alton Towers between November and March. You can still look round the loverly scenery and all the toys are there (but Nemesis is closed so no fun for you). Chims are a very desireable car but the unspoilt lines of the Griff win hands down. Sorry Squirrel!
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