How do you decide???
Discussion
Mind is made up. Time to move on, my life needs reinventing.
So, I have decided on a TVR and thought it would be easy to choose the model. But it isn't! I like them all for different reasons. But I think I have narrowed it down to one of these three.
1. Chimaera 5.0
2. Griffith 5.0
3. Cerbera 4.5
It will not be an everyday car but an excuse to go for a blast on a nice day. Also for trips to Scotland which I do every year a couple of times. Performance wise they seem much the same and I am a fan of the V8. As a mechanic the upkeep is not such a big issue for me.
You lot seem very friendly and helpful on this forum so any advice would be great. Pros and cons, positives and negatives all good.
Aiming to spend a max of £20k.
So, I have decided on a TVR and thought it would be easy to choose the model. But it isn't! I like them all for different reasons. But I think I have narrowed it down to one of these three.
1. Chimaera 5.0
2. Griffith 5.0
3. Cerbera 4.5
It will not be an everyday car but an excuse to go for a blast on a nice day. Also for trips to Scotland which I do every year a couple of times. Performance wise they seem much the same and I am a fan of the V8. As a mechanic the upkeep is not such a big issue for me.
You lot seem very friendly and helpful on this forum so any advice would be great. Pros and cons, positives and negatives all good.
Aiming to spend a max of £20k.
For me, out of those 3 you have 2 easy questions to narrow it down:
Do you want a soft top?
Are you prepared for the additional running costs of the Cerb?
The Chim and Griff are basically the same car in different frocks. Griff more expensive to buy but will probably appreciate better. Both are RV8 engines and soft tops.
The Cerb appears to be much more hardcore. Faster and more expensive for upkeep due to the AJP engine.
I've only recently got my first TVR and if I had £20K to spend I'd be looking at a Cerb/Tuscan even with the increased running costs.
I didn't have £20K so got a Chim and totally love it. In fact, after running it now, I wouldn't get a Cerb as for a weekend car, I'd have to have a soft top.
Good luck.
Do you want a soft top?
Are you prepared for the additional running costs of the Cerb?
The Chim and Griff are basically the same car in different frocks. Griff more expensive to buy but will probably appreciate better. Both are RV8 engines and soft tops.
The Cerb appears to be much more hardcore. Faster and more expensive for upkeep due to the AJP engine.
I've only recently got my first TVR and if I had £20K to spend I'd be looking at a Cerb/Tuscan even with the increased running costs.
I didn't have £20K so got a Chim and totally love it. In fact, after running it now, I wouldn't get a Cerb as for a weekend car, I'd have to have a soft top.
Good luck.
anonymous said:
[redacted]
Yes, that is a fault - thats how I ended up with the one I have now. 
I made the decision to get a TVR after seeing a good line up at the Stamford car show last year but had still not finished improving the current runner. Now that is finished - why do I improve cars then sell them? - I can finally have one.
The 'convertible or not' question was the decider for me. Having owned one now, I'm not too bothered really.
Its a long time since I've been this giddy about a car.
What a nice friendly lot you are, TVR people.
Hi Iain.
Might I suggest that before making your final decision you get a drive in each.
A Cerb is a different driving (and passenger) experience.
If the nearest TVR garage can't oblige with test drives then it may be an idea to seek out the Regional Organiser of your local meet, who may be able to arrange passenger rides with the local members.
Double whammy cos then you can get to chat with owners about the, mainly pros, of each model.
Apart from that, choose with your head, not your heart and check the chassis over.
Good Luck choosing. Please post pics of what you buy.
YP
Might I suggest that before making your final decision you get a drive in each.
A Cerb is a different driving (and passenger) experience.
If the nearest TVR garage can't oblige with test drives then it may be an idea to seek out the Regional Organiser of your local meet, who may be able to arrange passenger rides with the local members.
Double whammy cos then you can get to chat with owners about the, mainly pros, of each model.
Apart from that, choose with your head, not your heart and check the chassis over.
Good Luck choosing. Please post pics of what you buy.
YP
Agreee the Cerb is a completely different animal to the Chim and Griff. Definately more expensive to run, with a very bespoke feeling interior and looks which seem to drag heads round as you drive past.
They are all lovely cars, but the Chim and Griff have a very classic look, sound and feel unlike the Cerb which is hard edged and very angry sounding.
I'd suggest trying both first. I've met a couple of people in the market for a Chim who assumed the Cerb was similar. Both admitted the Cerb was a bit much after experiencing them though. It's not a car that lends itself to pootling along slowly. The AJP8 is brutal, free revving, and doesn't really like running at low speeds compared to a Rover V8.
They are all lovely cars, but the Chim and Griff have a very classic look, sound and feel unlike the Cerb which is hard edged and very angry sounding.
I'd suggest trying both first. I've met a couple of people in the market for a Chim who assumed the Cerb was similar. Both admitted the Cerb was a bit much after experiencing them though. It's not a car that lends itself to pootling along slowly. The AJP8 is brutal, free revving, and doesn't really like running at low speeds compared to a Rover V8.
N7GTX said:
Performance wise they seem much the same and I am a fan of the V8. As a mechanic the upkeep is not such a big issue for me.
As a mechanic maintenance costs are likely to be similar assuming you are doing your own spannering. The biggest long term cost is likely to be down to chassis corrosion, which is independent of model (although perhaps not of model year).Do not be fooled in to thinking that performance is similar, it isn't. The uber light 4.5 AJP8 is epic, but subject to massive variability depending on state of tune (maintenance).
Of course hard top/soft top is a major consideration, sort of.... (not for me)
This is how i decided 
.
What is..
£ for £ cheaper than,rarer than, just as quick as, and handles just the same as a Griffith 500 ?
Convertible but with as much usable road performance as a Cerbera or any SP6 engined car ?
Currently priced at such a level as to render the cost of upgrades effectivley free, as compared to it's stablemates ?
Answer..
The TVR Chimaera 500.
.
.What is..
£ for £ cheaper than,rarer than, just as quick as, and handles just the same as a Griffith 500 ?
Convertible but with as much usable road performance as a Cerbera or any SP6 engined car ?
Currently priced at such a level as to render the cost of upgrades effectivley free, as compared to it's stablemates ?
Answer..
The TVR Chimaera 500.
.gutu12 said:
A UP1?
In all seriousness I have read that the Chim 500 will be the next TVR that feels the appreciation effect.
The final version, if you can find one with the headlight covers, already seem to be fetching good money.
Perhaps that's true if you want a Garage Queen, but I thought you wanted a car to drive.In all seriousness I have read that the Chim 500 will be the next TVR that feels the appreciation effect.
The final version, if you can find one with the headlight covers, already seem to be fetching good money.
gutu12 said:
I will try and answer you all.Well, you have given me plenty to think about. Absolutely must take your advice and get a drive of them to see the differences.
I spent some time today trawling Ebay, Autotrader, Carandclassic plus of course, Pistonheads and looked at everything. There is a meeting at Drighlington near Leeds/Bradford of the West Yorks group on the third Sunday of each month so that has to be a place to go.
Yes I am selling the Aston after 2.5 years and time to move on. It is just a cruiser (0-60 = 6.6 secs), nothing more. I had 2 M3s before it (swapped from flappy paddle to manual to get a better drive) and I do drive hard and fast when I can. I seriously considered a Noble but dont want to go that high on the budget. Maintenance I can see may be quite high but having been stung a few times on my current car, surely nothing can be as expensive? e.g. window seal £650.
I really do like the Chim, Griff and the Cerb (learnt your speak already!) but leaning towards the Cerb still. Just love that full on, in your face mean looking shape that means business. However, if you keep posting links like this one here, you will get me confused again.....
Really appreciate the feedback.
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