Newbie wanting advice on TVR purchase

[TVRlvr]

Hi!

I'm new to this site although not new to TVRs. I drove them for 10 years, an S2, Chimaera 5L and Broughtons of Cheltenham loaned me their "Beast" Griff whilst l had my car serviced, which was basically a 5L with 4 carbs on the bonnet and a 0-60 of about 3.2/3.4. It went like st off a shovel. Needless to say, l kept it for 3 months - didn't miss my Chimaera at all!

That was 12 years ago. 3 Kids later and l still get pangs, sweaty palms and racing heart beat over a TVR. I want another one. I think the speed freak in me has tvr deep in my heart for l still dream of my driving experiences over those 10 years of driving/racing these stinking, unforgiving, adrenaline-addictive beauties.

Two models tempt me.

T350C
pre-cat 4.3L Griff

HELP!

I know the Griff inside out but the 350C is a speed 6 and l know nothing about them. I'm favouring the Griff simply for the grunt and pure V8 rover bubba. God i've missed that noise but the 350C is so damn sexy and looks more nimble and balanced set up.

Any comments welcome, thank you.

ps. i'm a girl so please be gentle :-)

[chris52]

Well I would go for a Griff but then I guess most people on the Griff forum would do. Also I would go for the 500 as its a far superior car lol.
Just take your time and the right car will show itself, don't worry about mileage buy on condition, I prefer to buy from the previous owner as you get a good idea of how he has kept the car.
Loads of buying guides on here with a quick search.
Good luck finding your new p&j
Chris

[neutral 3]

Difficult choice.....
If its a Griff then it's got to be a later 500 . Some great colours out there but, Starmist is arguably the best, dark met blue really suits the shape and is far more discreit .
The Griff has a Very good tech back up on here ( whatever the problem someone will likely have an answer and be able to help ) and if the engine goes bang , well it's not the end of the world . Likewise if it needs some chassis welding , they All will eventually , due to poor build and paint process. And don't let a higher mileage put you off, these cars don't like being left idle for long periods.

Re the T350 , I was very tempted last year and nearly jumped ship, i blame a dice I had with one years ago on my FZR 1000 Exup and Top Gears Track Test of one . ( on You Tube )
Yes the shape is stunning , very sexy and there are some lovely colour choices , But it's that Engine that frightened me off, unless you can find one that has been correctly rebuilt , but you will pay a premium if you do .
Go for a Griff , you won't be disappointed .

[eff eff]

Ant who posts on here has a lovely and really well sorted pre cat Griff for sale

[TVRlvr]

Thanks Chris!

May l ask why you prefer the 5L to the 4.3? Just wondering.... pre-cat for sure. I heard they are better and well, i'm allergic to mod cons.

[TVRlvr]

Hi Neutral,

yeah the engine is what i'm umping and arrring over. I have to think of safety too as l have 3 kids and it's impossible not to let rip in a TVR. Maybe i'll get a Griff and put a cage into it?

I know they are dangerous. The first year l was insured with Cheam (tvr insurance guys back in 90's), back in 1993, at the end of the year l was the only surviving TVR driver on their books!

I think if l went for a speed 6 i'd miss the rumble of the V8. NOW, question is: griff or Chimaera! lol
(ducks for cover)

Griff - why 5L? Is it simply better built as Wheeler had had enough practise?

Thank for your help... minefield out there!

[TVRlvr]

eff eff, thanks for that tip.

I'll search out Ant. Will his pre cat be in classifieds, do you know?
Looks like it's gonna be a griff. woo hoo!

[TVRlvr]

PS. every tar i've owned has been STARMIST BLUE. Best colour out.

[chris52]

TVRlvr said:

Thanks Chris!

May l ask why you prefer the 5L to the 4.3? Just wondering.... pre-cat for sure. I heard they are better and well, i'm allergic to mod cons.

I prefer the 5L as it has much better torque plus I much prefer the interior of the later Griffs, but a well sorted 4.3 will give a standard 500 a good race but as the old saying goes there aint no substitute for cc's.
We are all different and like different things so buy what you like just remeber they are getting on a bit now and need a good bit of of TLC to keep them in top shape.

Chris

[Ant.]

TVRlvr said:

eff eff, thanks for that tip.

I'll search out Ant. Will his pre cat be in classifieds, do you know?
Looks like it's gonna be a griff. woo hoo!

It is,4.6 pre-cat, with roll cage, north of 320bhp.

Sounds to die for.
Chassis sorted.

[TVRlvr]

chris52 said:

TVRlvr said:

Thanks Chris!

May l ask why you prefer the 5L to the 4.3? Just wondering.... pre-cat for sure. I heard they are better and well, i'm allergic to mod cons.

I prefer the 5L as it has much better torque plus I much prefer the interior of the later Griffs, but a well sorted 4.3 will give a standard 500 a good race but as the old saying goes there aint no substitute for cc's.
We are all different and like different things so buy what you like just remeber they are getting on a bit now and need a good bit of of TLC to keep them in top shape.

Chris

Thanks Chris

So am l right in thinking that the cc Griff makes sense for road tax purposes, or am l missing something else here? What IS the difference, performance/noise/tax wise please?
Feel free to treat me as a retard/novice; because i've been out of the loop for 12 (very lonely) years!! lol

[TVRlvr]

Ant. said:

TVRlvr said:

eff eff, thanks for that tip.

I'll search out Ant. Will his pre cat be in classifieds, do you know?
Looks like it's gonna be a griff. woo hoo!

It is,4.6 pre-cat, with roll cage, north of 320bhp.

Sounds to die for.
Chassis sorted.

VERY nice griffith Ant. Nice colour too. It's great to see people looking after their trevors and not just trashing them to hell. I'm sure you remember that In the 90's, there was a spate of wide boy Porsche knobs who part exchanged for Griffs and just wrecked the engines. I'm all for blowing out the pipes and cleaning up the spark plugs with the odd track day but these guys trashed a lot of tvr's back then, or killed themselves.