4.5 Chimp or Griff 500 for first TVR ?
Discussion
I need some help on a difficuilt decision ! Am looking at getting a TVR in the near future and am trying to decide between a griff 500 and a chimp 4.5, and can't !! I like both of their styling so i suppose it comes down to their individual characteristics, in particular handerling as i don't want to end up in a ditch backwards, particularly as i'm a new comer !! Any advice on which car to get would be much appreciated. Thanks.
I'd have a Tuscan as a first TVR, a Griff as a second TVR for a runaround, and a Chimaera as a third TVR and back up if the Griff is in for service at the same time that the Tuscan is back at the factory...........
Course it might just rest on the particular examples you can see......then personal preference. Running them has just about the same sets of pitfalls, with all the same advantages. You can get the roof in the boot of a Chimaera easier, but that's no good if you don't like the shape! Whilst the diving lights are fine, the standard headlights on a Griff are, IMHO, poor - gonna do lots of miles in winter?
Don't think about either without PAS if you think that a) you're a whimp or b) you'll want to park up at work every day!! Generally, the bias would be infavour of a Chimaera as an everyday car.......that's why I've got a Griff!!!!!!!
>> Edited by beano1197 on Monday 11th March 11:26
Course it might just rest on the particular examples you can see......then personal preference. Running them has just about the same sets of pitfalls, with all the same advantages. You can get the roof in the boot of a Chimaera easier, but that's no good if you don't like the shape! Whilst the diving lights are fine, the standard headlights on a Griff are, IMHO, poor - gonna do lots of miles in winter?
Don't think about either without PAS if you think that a) you're a whimp or b) you'll want to park up at work every day!! Generally, the bias would be infavour of a Chimaera as an everyday car.......that's why I've got a Griff!!!!!!!
>> Edited by beano1197 on Monday 11th March 11:26
quote:Except that the Chims had different springs and shocks and have different aerodynamics. The handling is markedly different with the Griff being a tad firmer. Both are capable of putting you into a hedge backwards but this is usually due to most drivers not understanding how to drive these cars. Common faults are engine braking (a definite no no but so many people do it!), failing to realise that the throttle has several intermediary positions other than off/on and not realising that the car has more power than grip. Comments like the car suddenly let go are 99/100 due to driver error.
The latest Chims and Griff shared all underbody components so with some very small variances for body weight and distribution etc I would say that the handling would be almost identical.
Whatever you choose, get some driving instruction, especially if this is your first TVR.
Steve
www.tvrbooks.co.uk
Steve, obviously I bow to your vastly superior technical knowledge.
Looks like my dealer has been telling porkies in that case. When I bought mine 6 months ago they had a Chim and a Griff Ltd 100 parked next to each other and the fella said its all down to looks, its EXACTLY the same car underneath.
As usual, it seems to be a case of listen to Pistonheaders and not dealers!!!
Matt.
Looks like my dealer has been telling porkies in that case. When I bought mine 6 months ago they had a Chim and a Griff Ltd 100 parked next to each other and the fella said its all down to looks, its EXACTLY the same car underneath.
As usual, it seems to be a case of listen to Pistonheaders and not dealers!!!
Matt.
If you go for a Chimaera try and find a 5L. I don't believe the 4.5 has the same brakes as the 5L Chim and therefore the 5L Griff. The 5.0L Engine will probably be smoother. I heard a long time ago more preparation went into the 5L ???
I agree with 'shpub'. The suspension is different with the Chimaera being softer.
I agree with 'shpub'. The suspension is different with the Chimaera being softer.
quote:
Looks like my dealer has been telling porkies in that case. When I bought mine 6 months ago they had a Chim and a Griff Ltd 100 parked next to each other and the fella said its all down to looks, its EXACTLY the same car underneath.
I have been told the same by a couple of dealers, if you are talking 5.0 Chimaera Vs 5.0 Griff that is..
quote:
Both are capable of putting you into a hedge backwards but this is usually due to most drivers not understanding how to drive these cars. Common faults are engine braking (a definite no no but so many people do it!).... Whatever you choose, get some driving instruction, especially if this is your first TVR.... Steve
So the HPC course would be no good for TVR drivers then? Based on the 3 page article on Driving Techniques in this months EVO. John Lyon the guy who runs the course states that drivers will be ecouraged to use the brake as little as possible, keeping the engine 'singing' by using engine braking to its full potential! Rich...
I took a Griff 500 as my first TVR and never regret that decision. The Chim is a tad more practicle boot wise, if it's your only car (although the passenger side in a Griff is roomier, apparently!). Drive as many different cars as you can, (some have been much better looked after), you'll soon find which you prefer. Once you've done that, get a 500 of either and then get some training. As Steve said, driver error is the normal cuase of one going through a hedge (bit like divorce, 100% of them started in marriage..I'll get me coat)
Either way, enjoy !
Either way, enjoy !
In your situation last year, I chose the Griffith. My decision came down to the interior which I think is better in the Griffith (I was looking at 5L Chimaera). I also think the Griffith is slightly more desirable because of its rarity but at the end of the day, both are adorable.
Why a 4.5 Chimaera? The extra grunt of a 500 is essential IMO!
Why a 4.5 Chimaera? The extra grunt of a 500 is essential IMO!
For me it was based purely on looks – the front of the Griff is, IMO, nothing special. The back is nice tho' 
Whereas the Chim from the front and the back (back with backlit no. plate) – the dogs gonads methinks. It's definitely a bit Gary Barlow at the back if you get the facelift version IMO!
All personal taste – try lots and don't rush your decision – you're sure to enjoy whichever you get.
Whereas the Chim from the front and the back (back with backlit no. plate) – the dogs gonads methinks. It's definitely a bit Gary Barlow at the back if you get the facelift version IMO!
All personal taste – try lots and don't rush your decision – you're sure to enjoy whichever you get.
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