From TVR Griffith to 997 Carrera 2S

[Corky]

Considering changing the Griff for a 997 Carrera 2S, I have loved the Griff and I have enjoyed the 12 years and 64k miles but it's time for a change, any positive views please?

[mollytherocker]

Great cars. You need to try one for yourself, obviously the refinement levels will be much higher than your Griff.

I drove a Griff 500 a couple of years ago and I loved it. It was far less of animal than I was expecting. And what a sound!

[Turbogen2]

Changed my Griff 500 this year for a 997 gen2 turbo and I love it.
My view ............. do it.

[993kimbo]

That's some change. Have you reached 50 or something?

[Jon1967x]

I've been thinking of a 997 C2 too but i can't get my head around the risk with the engine. Would the engine have let go by now if it had one of the issues (say a 9 years old and 60k on the click) or is it just a ticking time bomb. If not, at around 25k they look a lot of car for the cash

[g7jhp]

Jon1967x said:

I've been thinking of a 997 C2 too but i can't get my head around the risk with the engine. Would the engine have let go by now if it had one of the issues (say a 9 years old and 60k on the click) or is it just a ticking time bomb. If not, at around 25k they look a lot of car for the cash

Try a 996 turbo

[mollytherocker]

Jon1967x said:

I've been thinking of a 997 C2 too but i can't get my head around the risk with the engine. Would the engine have let go by now if it had one of the issues (say a 9 years old and 60k on the click) or is it just a ticking time bomb. If not, at around 25k they look a lot of car for the cash

Its a controversial subject for many, but you have to go in with your eyes open. There are fundamental design issues that can lead to bore scoring, bore ovality and failure of the IMS.

The chances of this happeneing during your ownership are incalcuable. It will happen or it wont. What I am clear on is that one of these issues will appear eventually. The question is when!

It could happen tomorrow or the engine could go on for 150k miles, and many have. I guess the longer you keep it, the higher the risk.

But then again, thats true of any engine. No engine lasts forever.

[Corky]

Erm, late 50s and I have loved the Griff but I want a car I can use all year round, a good friend has suggested that a turbo would be more in keeping with the performance that I'm used too.

[kslett]

Went from a Chimaera to 997 C2S a few years ago. I still miss the V8 noise but the sports exhaust on the Porsche makes a good sound, just different. The performance, handling and all round usability of the C2S is superb; my Chim was well set up with TVR Power engine rebuild and did 18k miles pa. I'd make the same change again. As a daily driver it's the Porsche every time, and I just get on with enjoying it rather than obsessing about scored bores, IMS, etc. If I were to get back in a TVR it'd have to be a Sagaris/Cerbera for weekends.

[Corky]

Thanks guys, as I've said the Griff has been utterly fantastic but I've always wanted a good fun daily driver so 911 it is, I will keep you posted .

[gemini]

Im now in a 996 turbo and and loving it!
Still in the TVRCC though.
It and I are in Provence at present, enjoying the roads!

Come on in, the waters lovely!

[Corky]

gemini said:

Im now in a 996 turbo and and loving it!
Still in the TVRCC though.
It and I are in Provence at present, enjoying the roads!

Come on in, the waters lovely!

That sounds like serious fun, having hesitated for a day I'm now actively searching, I think I'll start with a Carrera first and then get a Turbo .

[gemini]

My neighbour as swapped from his carrera to a 4s.
Hes much happier with the 4s.

Its a bit like we say to prospective TVR owners. " Go try a few first".

[Corky]

gemini said:

My neighbour as swapped from his carrera to a 4s.
Hes much happier with the 4s.

Its a bit like we say to prospective TVR owners. " Go try a few first".

Thank you I'm going to, I'm getting quite excited about it!

[Bellyj43]

Test Drive?? I bought my Chimaera 500 on sound alone, then after 3 years moved into a T350 as it had a role cage and looked sublime at the Earls court Car show. Then 10 years later, (after T350 prices crept up and I saved a bit more) to a 997.1 TT based on what EVO had said 7 years earlier.
After the T350, it feels like a big heavy safe German car, but the performance is incredible. It feels much more stable than the old car too although I still reminisce and hanker over the 13 yrs of TVR ownership.

[Corky]

Bellyj43 said:

Test Drive?? I bought my Chimaera 500 on sound alone, then after 3 years moved into a T350 as it had a role cage and looked sublime at the Earls court Car show. Then 10 years later, (after T350 prices crept up and I saved a bit more) to a 997.1 TT based on what EVO had said 7 years earlier.
After the T350, it feels like a big heavy safe German car, but the performance is incredible. It feels much more stable than the old car too although I still reminisce and hanker over the 13 yrs of TVR ownership.

Thanks, the Griff has been awesome but it's time for a move, I'll always miss the Griff though.

[sgs90360]

kslett said:

Went from a Chimaera to 997 C2S a few years ago. I still miss the V8 noise but the sports exhaust on the Porsche makes a good sound, just different. The performance, handling and all round usability of the C2S is superb; my Chim was well set up with TVR Power engine rebuild and did 18k miles pa. I'd make the same change again. As a daily driver it's the Porsche every time, and I just get on with enjoying it rather than obsessing about scored bores, IMS, etc. If I were to get back in a TVR it'd have to be a Sagaris/Cerbera for weekends.

+1

I went from a 450 Chimaera to a 997 C2S in November last year and whilst I still get a little misty eyed whenever I see (or hear) a TVR I have absolutely no regrets. The 911 still provides the perma smile but with far more usability in all weather and for all journeys.

The sports exhaust was a must have for me and after spending many hours debating the scored bores/IMS issues I decided to keep a slush fund back for if anything disastrous ever happens and to just get on and enjoy the car - which I have done!

Edited by sgs90360 on Thursday 11th September 12:37

[Corky]

sgs90360 said:

+1

I went from a 450 Chimaera to a 997 CS2 in November last year and whilst I still get a little misty eyed whenever I see (or hear) a TVR I have absolutely no regrets. The 911 still provides the perma smile but with far more usability in all weather and for all journeys.

The sports exhaust was a must have for me and after spending many hours debating the scored bores/IMS issues I decided to keep a slush fund back for if anything disastrous ever happens and to just get on and enjoy the car - which I have done!

Thank you, I'll be the same but I know it's the right thing to do and I'm going to do it, phew!

[Frio3535]

Considered a DB7 Vantage? You'll just vanish into the abyss with a 911

[900T-R]

Frio3535 said:

Considered a DB7 Vantage? You'll just vanish into the abyss with a 911

Much 'softer' driving experience and mega running costs, though.