Discussion
I am going to start looking for a new toy soon & cant make up my mind what to go for?
I have been on the cerb site to get there views,I have been on the chimaera site for there views so now i am trying to get your views?
Is there anyone who have had all 3 cars & could give me some advice?
The cerb was my 1st choice but running costs have put me of a bit!(about £3k a year)but i like 2 extra seats.
The roof comes of on other 2 & costs might be cheaper so this is good.
I know they are more expensive than escort but are they silly as i have 3 kids which already drain me !
I have been on the cerb site to get there views,I have been on the chimaera site for there views so now i am trying to get your views?
Is there anyone who have had all 3 cars & could give me some advice?
The cerb was my 1st choice but running costs have put me of a bit!(about £3k a year)but i like 2 extra seats.
The roof comes of on other 2 & costs might be cheaper so this is good.
I know they are more expensive than escort but are they silly as i have 3 kids which already drain me !
Having found myself in a T350C today in hot weather, I can tell you that aircon is no substitute for getting the roof off! If a Cerbera is too pricey then Griffith or Chimaera are your next logical choice, and my advice as always - since I have been there too - is very simple: buy the one you like the look of most. You should go along to your nearest TVRCC meeting where you can see both types close up, sit in them, grill the driver etc. Then, since they're effectively the same under the GRP, go for the one you like most.
Early examples will be cheaper to run than later ones, as well as costing significantly less in the first place. So choose your model, decide how much you want to, go and see plenty of examples, do your research to learn more about them, then go and catch one!
NB But the Griffith is the one to have, of course!
>> Edited by simpo one on Sunday 20th July 16:42
Early examples will be cheaper to run than later ones, as well as costing significantly less in the first place. So choose your model, decide how much you want to, go and see plenty of examples, do your research to learn more about them, then go and catch one!
NB But the Griffith is the one to have, of course!
>> Edited by simpo one on Sunday 20th July 16:42
iaiin said:
I
The cerb was my 1st choice but running costs have put me of a bit!(about £3k a year)but i like 2 extra seats.
The roof comes of on other 2 & costs might be cheaper so this is good.
I know they are more expensive than escort but are they silly as i have 3 kids which already drain me !
I also have 3 little "angels", the TVR is great for clearing your head on a warm summers evening, for this it may as well be a single seater.
Tim
simpo one said:
Having found myself in a T350C today in hot weather, I can tell you that aircon is no substitute for getting the roof off! If a Cerbera is too pricey then Griffith or Chimaera are your next logical choice, and my advice as always - since I have been there too - is very simple: buy the one you like the look of most. You should go along to your nearest TVRCC meeting where you can see both types close up, sit in them, grill the driver etc. Then, since they're effectively the same under the GRP, go for the one you like most.
Early examples will be cheaper to run than later ones, as well as costing significantly less in the first place. So choose your model, decide how much you want to, go and see plenty of examples, do your research to learn more about them, then go and catch one!
NB But the Griffith is the one to have, of course!
>> Edited by simpo one on Sunday 20th July 16:42
Thanks
I like all of them but what is the main diffrence between chimp * griff?
iaiin said:
Having found myself in a T350C today in hot weather, I can tell you that aircon is no substitute for getting the roof off! If a Cerbera is too pricey then Griffith or Chimaera are your next logical choice, and my advice as always - since I have been there too - is very simple: buy the one you like the look of most. You should go along to your nearest TVRCC meeting where you can see both types close up, sit in them, grill the driver etc. Then, since they're effectively the same under the GRP, go for the one you like most.
Early examples will be cheaper to run than later ones, as well as costing significantly less in the first place. So choose your model, decide how much you want to, go and see plenty of examples, do your research to learn more about them, then go and catch one!
NB But the Griffith is the one to have, of course!
>> Edited by simpo one on Sunday 20th July 16:42
Thanks
I like all of them but what is the main diffrence between chimp * griff?
Looks
boot spacesimpo one said:
Having found myself in a T350C today in hot weather, I can tell you that aircon is no substitute for getting the roof off! If a Cerbera is too pricey then Griffith or Chimaera are your next logical choice, and my advice as always - since I have been there too - is very simple: buy the one you like the look of most. You should go along to your nearest TVRCC meeting where you can see both types close up, sit in them, grill the driver etc. Then, since they're effectively the same under the GRP, go for the one you like most.
Early examples will be cheaper to run than later ones, as well as costing significantly less in the first place. So choose your model, decide how much you want to, go and see plenty of examples, do your research to learn more about them, then go and catch one!
NB But the Griffith is the one to have, of course!
>> Edited by simpo one on Sunday 20th July 16:42
Thanks
The griffs seem to fetch a bit more money than chimps is that just because griffs are no longer made?
Acually you missed this bit: 'Then, since they're effectively the same under the GRP, go for the one you like most.'
I'll try again. Under the surface, a Chimaera is almost exactly the same as a Griffith, especially after about 1996 I think as more parts were standardised between the two. Yes, the Chimp has a bigger boot, the Griff has a nicer front (IMHO).
Griff values are higher because (a) there were fewer made (about 4 Chimps for every Griff IIRC) and (b) they are generally recognised as future classics.
And finally, as this is the Griffith forum, I can safely say that if you want a design classic get a Griff; if you want a pumped up MG, get a Chimp
I'll try again. Under the surface, a Chimaera is almost exactly the same as a Griffith, especially after about 1996 I think as more parts were standardised between the two. Yes, the Chimp has a bigger boot, the Griff has a nicer front (IMHO).
Griff values are higher because (a) there were fewer made (about 4 Chimps for every Griff IIRC) and (b) they are generally recognised as future classics.
And finally, as this is the Griffith forum, I can safely say that if you want a design classic get a Griff; if you want a pumped up MG, get a Chimp
Mornin Iaiin,
I tested a 4.5 Cerbera a couple of weeks ago for the same 2+2 reason... awsome car, love the look of them... but it just doesn't have the same 'feel good' factor as flying along with the roof down in the Griff.
Coming back through the Yorkshire Dales yesterday we had a bright red Griff, bright yellow Griff, bright blue Griff all in a line... a more glorious motoring sight will be hard to beat!
Chimaera - sleek fast (very) tourer (slightly more user friendly boot)
Griffith - raw power with classic British racing car curves (and you can still fit two sets of golf clubs in the boot with the roof in!)
Every day use, I think the Chim has it on the smoother ride front - but oh the lines on that Griff!
al
I tested a 4.5 Cerbera a couple of weeks ago for the same 2+2 reason... awsome car, love the look of them... but it just doesn't have the same 'feel good' factor as flying along with the roof down in the Griff.
Coming back through the Yorkshire Dales yesterday we had a bright red Griff, bright yellow Griff, bright blue Griff all in a line... a more glorious motoring sight will be hard to beat!
Chimaera - sleek fast (very) tourer (slightly more user friendly boot)
Griffith - raw power with classic British racing car curves (and you can still fit two sets of golf clubs in the boot with the roof in!)
Every day use, I think the Chim has it on the smoother ride front - but oh the lines on that Griff!
al
Mmm..contentious topic this one!
I've had a chimaera 400 and now have a griffith 500.
Chim:
Big boot, easier to drive IMO, 'loads' of them around
Griff:
smaller boot - but big enough, better looking, rarer, handling is more butch
Apart from that, I'd say they are remarkably similar as they share so many components. The killer for me would be - do you want convertible or not? There really is nothing better than open top motoring on a sunny day (whether it's summer or winter)...so it would have to be the chim and the griff over the cerbie.
My choice would be the Griff. Oh. That's what I did.
I've had a chimaera 400 and now have a griffith 500.
Chim:
Big boot, easier to drive IMO, 'loads' of them around
Griff:
smaller boot - but big enough, better looking, rarer, handling is more butch
Apart from that, I'd say they are remarkably similar as they share so many components. The killer for me would be - do you want convertible or not? There really is nothing better than open top motoring on a sunny day (whether it's summer or winter)...so it would have to be the chim and the griff over the cerbie.
My choice would be the Griff. Oh. That's what I did.
Till the Cerbera came out...
Had both. The Cerbera will out accelerate, out handle and out brake a Griff. You can't take its roof off though (if that is importent) but the running costs were 2 to 3 times that of a Griff. A Cerbera is a bit more forgiving but can be a bit trickier to drive as there is little low down torque.
Steve
www.tvrbooks.co.uk
Had both. The Cerbera will out accelerate, out handle and out brake a Griff. You can't take its roof off though (if that is importent) but the running costs were 2 to 3 times that of a Griff. A Cerbera is a bit more forgiving but can be a bit trickier to drive as there is little low down torque.
Steve
www.tvrbooks.co.uk
simpo one said:
Acually you missed this bit: 'Then, since they're effectively the same under the GRP, go for the one you like most.'
I'll try again. Under the surface, a Chimaera is almost exactly the same as a Griffith, especially after about 1996 I think as more parts were standardised between the two. Yes, the Chimp has a bigger boot, the Griff has a nicer front (IMHO).
Griff values are higher because (a) there were fewer made (about 4 Chimps for every Griff IIRC) and (b) they are generally recognised as future classics.
And finally, as this is the Griffith forum, I can safely say that if you want a design classic get a Griff; if you want a pumped up MG, get a Chimp
I thought you tvr owners stuck together, fancy saying a chimp is like an MG. I hate MG,S!!
burriana500 said:
Mornin Iaiin,
I tested a 4.5 Cerbera a couple of weeks ago for the same 2+2 reason... awsome car, love the look of them... but it just doesn't have the same 'feel good' factor as flying along with the roof down in the Griff.
Coming back through the Yorkshire Dales yesterday we had a bright red Griff, bright yellow Griff, bright blue Griff all in a line... a more glorious motoring sight will be hard to beat!
Chimaera - sleek fast (very) tourer (slightly more user friendly boot)
Griffith - raw power with classic British racing car curves (and you can still fit two sets of golf clubs in the boot with the roof in!)
Every day use, I think the Chim has it on the smoother ride front - but oh the lines on that Griff!
al
yes i understand what you are saying about roof of,but i do like the look & extra seats in the cerb.
I dont like the fact that they could be 4 times as much to run!
burriana500 said:
That's what I mean Steve - the Cerbera is an awsome looking car - but a true sports car should really be a soft top in my opinion.
I didn't realise that they cost so much more in running costs though - is that the same for both the 8s and the 6s?
Open top driving is overrated.
You get dehydrated, skin cancer, flys in the teeth and overpowered with hayfever. For me the car goes a lot slower as well. As for 8's and 8's the answer is yes.
But we already have two quite nice tin top cars - so for a weekend blast, it's nice to have a soft top. If it was my only car - then Cerbera, no question.
Now, at the risk of starting a raging debate - I understand the 6s can sometimes cause a little worry, but I thought the 8 was fairly reliable so far. If, as you say there is no difference in running costs, where does the Cerbera run its big bills up against the Griff? Is it purely the cost of general service parts such as pads, disks etc?
Now, at the risk of starting a raging debate - I understand the 6s can sometimes cause a little worry, but I thought the 8 was fairly reliable so far. If, as you say there is no difference in running costs, where does the Cerbera run its big bills up against the Griff? Is it purely the cost of general service parts such as pads, disks etc?
Most things are a lot more expensive and need replacing more often. When things go wrong expect very big bills. Most of of the bits are TVR specials or racing spec components. Brake discs are 8 to 10 times the cost. Pads are 2-3 times. New clutchs can be well over £1000. Etc. Cheap for the level of performance but significantly more expensive than a Griff/Chimaera.
I've had an S series, Chimaera's, Griff 500, 2 Cerbers 4.5's. The Cerbera is in a different class to the others as it is so much quicker, more rigid, stops much quicker and looks faster when stationary! The engine is basically a race engine in contrast to the Land Rover engine. I would however agree with other peoples comments on running costs as the Cerby does demand £2K to £3K per year to look after properly.
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