Discussion
Morning!
So what are the upsides or downsides of owning an precat car compared to a later one or a Chim. My price point is in the region of an early Griff or later newer Chim, I'm leaning towards the precat Griff for the shape, relative rarity so power aside where is the catch?
Cheers, Warwick
So what are the upsides or downsides of owning an precat car compared to a later one or a Chim. My price point is in the region of an early Griff or later newer Chim, I'm leaning towards the precat Griff for the shape, relative rarity so power aside where is the catch?
Cheers, Warwick
Loved my Chim. Sold it to buy the Precat. It's less developed, heater is rubbish, no power steering, no rear anti roll bar but it's the car i always wanted. I remember vividly when it was unveiled and just being blown away and promising myself that one day i would have one. They all feel special and i know it might sound odd but the Precat really does feel like i own a piece of British motoring history even if it is only 21 years old, i can still feel the enthusiasm, excitement and dropped jaw wonderment it provoked whenever i look at it. So the later cars are technically better etc but it's a heart not a head decission for me..........oh and they sound awesome.
Had a 500 before I got the precat, TBH after a while it began to feel a bit normal...
The precat is a different beast, more free revving, glorious noise, 'rawer' than a 500 and I wouldn't part with it - ever
Its not a very fair comparison, mine is a fairly well known car and thanks to Ant's hard work its better developed than the 500 (heater works, headlights, brakes, hubs, ecu all upgraded plus a million other little details that you don't appreciate unless you've owned a couple of less cherished cars).
Precat Griffs are my favourite TVRs bar none, don't particularly care about values/rarity etc but they seem to hold their own.
The precat is a different beast, more free revving, glorious noise, 'rawer' than a 500 and I wouldn't part with it - ever
Its not a very fair comparison, mine is a fairly well known car and thanks to Ant's hard work its better developed than the 500 (heater works, headlights, brakes, hubs, ecu all upgraded plus a million other little details that you don't appreciate unless you've owned a couple of less cherished cars).
Precat Griffs are my favourite TVRs bar none, don't particularly care about values/rarity etc but they seem to hold their own.
bubblehead said:
Loved my Chim. Sold it to buy the Precat. It's less developed, heater is rubbish, no power steering, no rear anti roll bar but it's the car i always wanted. I remember vividly when it was unveiled and just being blown away and promising myself that one day i would have one. They all feel special and i know it might sound odd but the Precat really does feel like i own a piece of British motoring history even if it is only 21 years old, i can still feel the enthusiasm, excitement and dropped jaw wonderment it provoked whenever i look at it. So the later cars are technically better etc but it's a heart not a head decission for me..........oh and they sound awesome.
Agree that everything that bubblehead has said. My car has a rear anti roll bar and bigger brakes as well as some other subtle mods. I much prefer the feel of it compared to the 500 that I had before. It just feels more special.Oh and as BH said there's the noise......
Cheers for the positive feedback guys 
good to know I'm on the right track in looking for a precat, I've got no problems accepting a few "compromises" like no PAS and a less refined chassis. The search continues and I'm looking forward to 
one
Any one live near Basingstoke? I've had a few old cars in the past so know pretty much what I'm looking at, but would be good to have a look round a few to get some comparisons, I may pop to Fernhursts too
good to know I'm on the right track in looking for a precat, I've got no problems accepting a few "compromises" like no PAS and a less refined chassis. The search continues and I'm looking forward to one Any one live near Basingstoke? I've had a few old cars in the past so know pretty much what I'm looking at, but would be good to have a look round a few to get some comparisons, I may pop to Fernhursts too
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TVR-Griffith-4000-1992-P...
this one is very nice, and has a lot of work undertaken...
this one is very nice, and has a lot of work undertaken...
bubblehead said:
It's less developed, heater is rubbish, no power steering, no rear anti roll bar but it's the car i always wanted. I remember vividly when it was unveiled and just being blown away and promising myself that one day i would have one. They all feel special and i know it might sound odd but the Precat really does feel like i own a piece of British motoring history even if it is only 21 years old, i can still feel the enthusiasm, excitement and dropped jaw wonderment it provoked whenever i look at it. So the later cars are technically better etc but it's a heart not a head decission for me..........oh and they sound awesome.
All of this!I was going to use mine as a stepping stone to a Tuscan. I bought it in 2004. Still got it. Been offered a swap for Griff + Money for a Tuscan and a year ago, a Tuscan straight. No Deal.
Plus they sound like this (from the outside):
I actually do have a rear anti roll bar, but my heater is worse than y old S3.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=inEGGozMiXs
SteveSPG said:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TVR-Griffith-4000-1992-P...
this one is very nice, and has a lot of work undertaken...
Looks lovely!! this one is very nice, and has a lot of work undertaken...
I don't think they are going to get any cheaper. I bought a 4.3 two years ago, its having a full chassis refurb, interior retrim and a few other odds and sods, pas, better fan, fumes problem resolved etc..
It's a keeper, and it will have cost me less than a good 500 all in !!
Should be ready soon, can't wait....
It's a keeper, and it will have cost me less than a good 500 all in !!
Should be ready soon, can't wait....
Wildfire said:
All of this!
I was going to use mine as a stepping stone to a Tuscan. I bought it in 2004. Still got it. Been offered a swap for Griff + Money for a Tuscan and a year ago, a Tuscan straight. No Deal.
Plus they sound like this (from the outside):
I actually do have a rear anti roll bar, but my heater is worse than y old S3.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=inEGGozMiXs
Ace, just watched that three times! I was going to use mine as a stepping stone to a Tuscan. I bought it in 2004. Still got it. Been offered a swap for Griff + Money for a Tuscan and a year ago, a Tuscan straight. No Deal.
Plus they sound like this (from the outside):
I actually do have a rear anti roll bar, but my heater is worse than y old S3.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=inEGGozMiXs
SteveSPG said:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TVR-Griffith-4000-1992-P...
this one is very nice, and has a lot of work undertaken...
OMG my old griff... Wish I had the funds and garage space......this one is very nice, and has a lot of work undertaken...
looks tidy but not so sure about the colour schemeWow. When I was thinking of selling mine maybe I go the valuation wrong!
Just taken my Pre-Cat out on the first run this year. (Sadly funds have prevented me driving her regularly for a couple of years).
Nothing like top down, 6000rpm up the slip road!
Did they look and stare. Yes. Did I care. No.
Just taken my Pre-Cat out on the first run this year. (Sadly funds have prevented me driving her regularly for a couple of years).
Nothing like top down, 6000rpm up the slip road!
Did they look and stare. Yes. Did I care. No.
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