looking for a Chim or Griff

[daren parker]

hi ive moved on ,sold my mgb roadster im no after a chimera max 11 and ahalf grand .can any one give me some tips,do i go for as late as possible or anything with a good sh. ive been told after 96 there as been upgrades can any one explain what they are,and are there any differences between the chim and griff.the grif seems to fetch more money thanks daren

[K4TRV]

You need a couple of things.

First use the "Forums" and search. It will give items like this: www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=146536&f=8&h=0&hw=bible

Then you will need the book we all call the Bible. Written by a contributor Mr Steve Heath and available from:
www.tvrbooks.co.uk

The bottom line is "research". You will have to balance up Private sales against Dealers/Specialists and decide on off-setting value for something that's not going to let-you-down.

Use your head not your heart. Finally, a Chimaera/Griff is a worlds difference from a MGB (meant in the nicest way). Get out to TVR Dealers/Specialists and drive some TVR, then see if it's for you, 'cause you didn't say you'd driven one before !!

Trev McM

[M@H]

Condition, Condition and Condition.

If you're on a tight budget, buy the best car for your money, later cars don't necessarily mean better.. I've seen excellent chassis on early cars, and fairly crap ones on later cars.

The main difference from 96/97 on is called the "facelift".. the front and back of the car are slightly re-styled, effectively though there is little else different. There are quirks across the whole age range, varying from early pre-serpentine engines, a better later gearbox in 94/95, minor interior layout changes around the handbrake area, the early v.s. late battery position and a whole host of other things.

You've got lots to research, and also don't get too hung up on engine size.. a 4.0 is mighty quick anyway. Also if in doubt get an independent inspection done

Regarding Service History its absolutely vital, don't buy a car without one, these V8's rely on regular oil changes every 6000 miles or they will let you down later on. Also HPI check anything you think you've decided on.

Cheers,
Matt

>> Edited by M@H on Tuesday 11th January 09:26

[Big Al.]

and Welcome, It appears from your title your looking for an MGB do you want it changed?

Ed to add


I'll change it anyway.

>> Edited by Big Al. on Tuesday 11th January 13:16

[M@H]

daren parker said:

...and are there any differences between the chim and griff

Oh Sh!t.. here we go again

[Podie]

M@H said:

daren parker said: ...and are there any differences between the chim and griff Oh Sh!t.. here we go again

[slikk]

daren parker said:

...and are there any differences between the chim and griff

Yeah, if you can breathe with your mouth closed, you qualify for Chimaera ownership.

kim

[old64er]

slikk said:

daren parker said: ...and are there any differences between the chim and griff Yeah, if you can breathe with your mouth closed, you qualify for Chimaera ownership. kim

breath on this

[stackmonkey]

Breathing on it would probably be enough to stop Griff drivers.

[daren parker]

thanks mat and trev, are the others just being plain stupid thanks daren

[bugsy]

The general opinion on Chim Vs Griff on previous threads seems to be, if you want a daily driver with room for the golf clubs get a Chim.
If you want a weekend car and wear loads of gold, get a Griff
Is that right guys
light blue touchpaper and retire

[slikk]

daren parker said:

thanks mat and trev, are the others just being plain stupid thanks daren

Why, yes, i do believe we are.

[red griff 500]

bugsy said:

if you want a daily driver with room for the golf clubs get a Chim. If you want a weekend car and wear loads of gold, get a Griff Is that right guys light blue touchpaper and retire

Forget the golf clubs and Gold chains. Just look until you "see" the beauty of the Griff lines (especially in red, although I'm not biased) and there will then be no choice - Griff it is then!!!

Steve

[chimburt]

they're both great cars, and aside from the look, the differences aren't huge.
griffs command a premium mainly because there were less made.
the griff has a marginally more complicated heater arrangement.
good luck!

[stackmonkey]

red griff 500 said:

bugsy said: if you want a daily driver with room for the golf clubs get a Chim. If you want a weekend car and wear loads of gold, get a Griff Is that right guys light blue touchpaper and retire Forget the golf clubs and Gold chains. Just look until you "see" the beauty of the Griff lines (especially in red, although I'm not biased) and there will then be no choice - Griff it is then!!! Steve

This is like 'seeing' the 'Emperor's new clothes'.;-)
You only 'see' the beauty because you're surrounded by others claiming to see the beauty and don't want to look out of place, and then try to convince everyone else.
Having a Chimaera, on the other hand, shows taste in real beauty, particularly if it's in green (not that I'm biased either)

[Zippee]

daren parker said:

im no after a chimera max 11 and ahalf grand

Think you'll be very hard pressed to find a Griff in that price range, even the early pre-cats are a good 2-4k more than this. You'll have far more luck looking for a 94ish Chim.

[Corin Denton]

Now is a good time of year to buy but wait too long and the prices will start creeping up as longer days approach.

Chim V Griff.

Well they are virtually the same car in all bit looks so it's down to personal preference really.

The Chim prices all but the rough ones have started to stabilise and are slowly creeping back up. In saying with the current market the way it is you will still get more car for your money with the Chim.
A newer vehicle with a wider scope of variety on offer.

With the demise of the Rover V8 I think long long term both will offer very low depreciation in comparison with various sportscars and good ones will always be sought after.

[19560]

Corin Denton said:

Chim V Griff. Well they are virtually the same car in all but looks so it's down to personal preference really. you will still get more car for your money with the Chim, a newer vehicle with a wider scope of variety on offer.

Yep, I can't understand why this keeps coming up. If you're not smitten with the looks of the Griff then save 10% and buy a Chimp. Easy.

[shpub]

There are a lot of differences depending on which engine and when the car was made. Chipari didn't start getting the bigger Griff 500 brakes until 1996. even after that suspension set up was different or to be more accurate varied. They are similar but the differences are still there.

Equally many have tried to get a Chimp that handles like a Griff but have failed. However if money is tight, Chimpari are a lot cheaper because there are so many and most had 4 and 4.3 litre engines.

Take each car as it comes as they are handmade and vary.

PS There are buyer's guides for both on www.tvrbooks.co.uk

[Ballistic Banana]

stackmonkey said:

red griff 500 said: bugsy said: if you want a daily driver with room for the golf clubs get a Chim. If you want a weekend car and wear loads of gold, get a Griff Is that right guys light blue touchpaper and retire Forget the golf clubs and Gold chains. Just look until you "see" the beauty of the Griff lines (especially in red, although I'm not biased) and there will then be no choice - Griff it is then!!! Steve This is like 'seeing' the 'Emperor's new clothes'.;-) You only 'see' the beauty because you're surrounded by others claiming to see the beauty and don't want to look out of place, and then try to convince everyone else. Having a Chimaera, on the other hand, shows taste in real beauty, particularly if it's in green (not that I'm biased either)

Them Magic Mushrooms are really good arent they

BB