Did you consider anything else?
Discussion
Whenever we have bought a new car, we have always looked at several makes, compared specs and taken test drives before deciding on a final make and model.
With our Griffith we considered no others. It is our first TVR and we didn't look at any of the others - it had to be a Griff.
Did you consider any other makes or models before deciding on your Griffith? If so what?
With our Griffith we considered no others. It is our first TVR and we didn't look at any of the others - it had to be a Griff.
Did you consider any other makes or models before deciding on your Griffith? If so what?
Always wanted a Griff ever since the Performance Car review back in '92. Bought mine a year ago. Thought about looking at Chims also initially as they were cheaper & easier to find, but knew I would have always wished I'd held on for the Griff. So saved a bit harder and boy am I glad I did.. 
razzle99 said:
Always wanted a Griff ever since the Performance Car review back in '92. Bought mine a year ago. Thought about looking at Chims also initially as they were cheaper & easier to find, but knew I would have always wished I'd held on for the Griff. So saved a bit harder and boy am I glad I did..
That's two of us that have wanted a Griff since 1992 and got one last year, then.
Any more?
Originally I was keen to buy a Ferrari 355 - I had a look at a few (red, of course). But I didn't buy one because it's a bit 'flash'. I'm sure I will buy one at some point in the future (it's a boyhood thing).
So a Ferrari was 'put on hold' and my second option was a TIV. I wanted either a Griff or a Tuscan. What with the reliability reputation of the TVR engine, I opted for the Griff. I have to say, in my opinion, the Griff makes the best sound of any car on the planet. It was this that really won me over.
>> Edited by srebbe64 on Sunday 12th December 12:40
So a Ferrari was 'put on hold' and my second option was a TIV. I wanted either a Griff or a Tuscan. What with the reliability reputation of the TVR engine, I opted for the Griff. I have to say, in my opinion, the Griff makes the best sound of any car on the planet. It was this that really won me over.
>> Edited by srebbe64 on Sunday 12th December 12:40
I was considering as Masserati 4200 or an XKR because of all the warning i was getting over TVR reliability.
Then i test drove a Ceberra 450.......Bugger reliabilty i wanted one badly!
the downside the the Ceberra was the diff whine on the test drive, that turned out to be the misses screaming at me....oops.
Wasn't allowed one after that, but i was allowed a Griff cos she liked the sound
Its the best holey impractical car i have ever bought and i wouldnt even consider another brand now
Then i test drove a Ceberra 450.......Bugger reliabilty i wanted one badly!
the downside the the Ceberra was the diff whine on the test drive, that turned out to be the misses screaming at me....oops.
Wasn't allowed one after that, but i was allowed a Griff cos she liked the sound
Its the best holey impractical car i have ever bought and i wouldnt even consider another brand now
Looked at all sorts, but knew deep down I wanted a TVR. Test drove, VX220, Elise, looked at a Exige. But something was lacking. Visited Christopher Neils a few times, then short test drove a Chim. TVR it had to be 
. None of them seemed to speak to me though, so went up to Gorners to have a look at a Chim I knew they had. Pulled into car park and there it was, the Griff I'd been waiting for. It was mutual love at first sight 
, took it out for a test 
, knew deep down I wanted it but had to be sensible and think it over. Phoned the following morning before the doors were even open (had been told I could), and the rest is history. I have my Griff 
.
>> Edited by saf on Sunday 12th December 13:56
. None of them seemed to speak to me though, so went up to Gorners to have a look at a Chim I knew they had. Pulled into car park and there it was, the Griff I'd been waiting for. It was mutual love at first sight , took it out for a test , knew deep down I wanted it but had to be sensible and think it over. Phoned the following morning before the doors were even open (had been told I could), and the rest is history. I have my Griff . >> Edited by saf on Sunday 12th December 13:56
Hmmmm was after a Tuscan, went down to Henley and realised there was no way little Murph (the dog) would fit in the back so looked at a Cerb and same problem so Chim it was and as a bonus golf clubs go in it too.
All I knew is it had to be a TVR
>> Edited by tiger6791 on Sunday 12th December 23:32
All I knew is it had to be a TVR
>> Edited by tiger6791 on Sunday 12th December 23:32
In the c12-14K bracket I considered:
Griffith
Chimaera
87-89 911 targa
Esprit turbo
Elise 111s
944 turbo cabriolet
It came down to the 911 or the Griff.
Chimaera - less left leg room and I preferred the Griff in every aspect.
Esprit - few good ones around, not convertible, had had three mid engined cars already
Elise - didn't even drive one; had a ride and although it was obviously fun there was nothing like enough 'muscle' or a decent exhaust note.
944 - too lardy, only a four pot, if it's going to be a porsche it's going to be a 911.
So down to the 911 vs Griff.
Both have excellent characteristic engine notes, the Griff gets it on outright performance, the 911 on steering feel. Both have 'interesting' handling. 911 costs a fortune to service and insure, but is better built.
In the end a suitable Griff came along first - and every petrol-head should own a V8 sometime, and it's a full convertible, over the 911's targa. If I ever change the Griff, I might be able to 'justify' a 911 should I ever 'need' a 2+2...
>> Edited by griffter on Monday 13th December 12:48
>> Edited by griffter on Monday 13th December 12:48
Griffith
Chimaera
87-89 911 targa
Esprit turbo
Elise 111s
944 turbo cabriolet
It came down to the 911 or the Griff.
Chimaera - less left leg room and I preferred the Griff in every aspect.
Esprit - few good ones around, not convertible, had had three mid engined cars already
Elise - didn't even drive one; had a ride and although it was obviously fun there was nothing like enough 'muscle' or a decent exhaust note.
944 - too lardy, only a four pot, if it's going to be a porsche it's going to be a 911.
So down to the 911 vs Griff.
Both have excellent characteristic engine notes, the Griff gets it on outright performance, the 911 on steering feel. Both have 'interesting' handling. 911 costs a fortune to service and insure, but is better built.
In the end a suitable Griff came along first - and every petrol-head should own a V8 sometime, and it's a full convertible, over the 911's targa. If I ever change the Griff, I might be able to 'justify' a 911 should I ever 'need' a 2+2...
>> Edited by griffter on Monday 13th December 12:48
>> Edited by griffter on Monday 13th December 12:48
Gazboy said:
drove a '96 Chim 4.0 and thought it was increadibly over-rated
Gazboy,
I've never been in a Chim so how was it under-rated? My only reason for asking is that they're supposed to be similar to a Griff, and I was anything but unimpressed the first time I went out in mine!! I've still only just about got used to it and it's sometimes a bit of a challenge keeping it on the road this time of year, but for me it was the only TVR I considered buying. For the money and my personal tastes, I love it, even if it gets a bit scary in the wet. However, I'm hoping to add some modifications to it soon that should see it putting out over 300bhp at Austec. Now if only I could get the credit card bill down enough so I can afford it!
All the best - Chris
We considered several cars...
The spec started out as a reasonable second car for getting to work that had to be a convertible. (for the "as-good-as-wife" ) I added on to this RWD.
We started with a new MX5 (ok-ish) or TF (yuck), and then I added the condition "has to be 200+ bhp" and "Shouldn't depreciate faster than computer equipment"
We then considered a 2 year old S2000 and never found one to test drive, but VTEC is IMHO over rated (I've driven several VTEC cars now, and not really liked them)
I suggested a TVR, and Nic thought they were pretty. I was winning at last.
We needed the car quite quickly at this point, so we went forth on a mission to find TVRs. We bought the 1st Griff we saw. They have that effect on people
The spec started out as a reasonable second car for getting to work that had to be a convertible. (for the "as-good-as-wife"
) I added on to this RWD. We started with a new MX5 (ok-ish) or TF (yuck), and then I added the condition "has to be 200+ bhp" and "Shouldn't depreciate faster than computer equipment"
We then considered a 2 year old S2000 and never found one to test drive, but VTEC is IMHO over rated (I've driven several VTEC cars now, and not really liked them)
I suggested a TVR, and Nic thought they were pretty. I was winning at last.
We needed the car quite quickly at this point, so we went forth on a mission to find TVRs. We bought the 1st Griff we saw. They have that effect on people
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