Griffith or Tamora
Discussion
All TVR’s since the ‘90’s Griffith are more similar than they are different under the skin, so I think you summed it up nicely, the 'Griffith a classic, Tamora the modern alternative'.
The Tamora is the more modern and powerful car and will get you A to B slightly quicker, but a properly sorted Griffith 500 won’t be far behind. So given both are now 10+ years old it is really down to your personal views on styling and how you feel in the car when driving.
As for running costs, there really isn’t that much difference (look at a few sites for servicing costs) as the majority of the cost is labour, unless you do it yourself.
Whatever you go for, just make sure you are buying the best condition one you can afford, as chassis/engine/paint/interior are all expensive to correct on both models.
The Tamora is the more modern and powerful car and will get you A to B slightly quicker, but a properly sorted Griffith 500 won’t be far behind. So given both are now 10+ years old it is really down to your personal views on styling and how you feel in the car when driving.
As for running costs, there really isn’t that much difference (look at a few sites for servicing costs) as the majority of the cost is labour, unless you do it yourself.
Whatever you go for, just make sure you are buying the best condition one you can afford, as chassis/engine/paint/interior are all expensive to correct on both models.
I went through exactly the same dilemma a few years ago, having promised myself I'd get a griff when I could afford one as a second car.
I drove both (and a tuscan too), my last TVR was a 390SE some 20+ years previously, since then my wife had owned an MX-5 Mk1 (don't laugh) which was excellent in terms of handling, roadholding and lack of scuttle shake. In the end, having driven a couple; the griff felt "old", whereas the tamora was more like an MX-5, and just felt a bit more refined and modern.
If I could stretch to both, though- I would do.
I drove both (and a tuscan too), my last TVR was a 390SE some 20+ years previously, since then my wife had owned an MX-5 Mk1 (don't laugh) which was excellent in terms of handling, roadholding and lack of scuttle shake. In the end, having driven a couple; the griff felt "old", whereas the tamora was more like an MX-5, and just felt a bit more refined and modern.
If I could stretch to both, though- I would do.
blitzracing said:
Tough old Rover V8 v's TVR fragile straight six.....
HarshPossibly fair!
Having lived with a Griff as an only car/DD and then a Tuscan for weekend use, nostalgia in my head says the Griffith was a better overall experience, but the later S6 was easier to drive, was very special, but you'd feel obliged to be more strict about warm-up procedure etc
If I was rich enough to run a fleet, I'd have a V8 though!
IMHO;
Two entirely different character of cars.
Grif is 'lazy' in that you can stick it in any gear and the car will pull hard using the torque of the RV8. Good looks in both the flesh and pictures. Not feeling 'lazy' then stir the gearbox and its still huge fun.
Tam is constantly wanting to be reved. All the time. Come on, come on, come on. Can be driven lazily but the S6 can't match the torque profile of the RV8. That said, it isn't slow when using the torque just not as fast as others. Tam doesn't photgraph well from the back. Looks much better in the flesh.
As said above, drive both and see which fits in with your needs / personality.
Above all, don't buy for investment unless you're a trader. Buy the one you'll enjoy the most.
Two entirely different character of cars.
Grif is 'lazy' in that you can stick it in any gear and the car will pull hard using the torque of the RV8. Good looks in both the flesh and pictures. Not feeling 'lazy' then stir the gearbox and its still huge fun.
Tam is constantly wanting to be reved. All the time. Come on, come on, come on. Can be driven lazily but the S6 can't match the torque profile of the RV8. That said, it isn't slow when using the torque just not as fast as others. Tam doesn't photgraph well from the back. Looks much better in the flesh.
As said above, drive both and see which fits in with your needs / personality.
Above all, don't buy for investment unless you're a trader. Buy the one you'll enjoy the most.
Tam is constantly wanting to be reved. All the time. Come on, come on, come on. Can be driven lazily but the S6 can't match the torque profile of the RV8. That said, it isn't slow when using the torque just not as fast as others.
My speed 6 has plenty of torque in fact it has more torque than my Griff
blitzracing said:
Tough old Rover V8 v's TVR fragile straight six.....
Over simplification and you could equally argue '240 bhp + torque v 340 bhp + revs?'. The Griffith is a wonderful old car and probably the most iconic TVR ever, but they are now pushing 20 years old so will have their own issues so firstly try and get to drive a couple of examples of each one, then buy the best one you can afford. Sadly there is no such thing as a cheap TVR.
Also, I would say that the Tamora is more a modern Chimaera, with the Modern equivalent of the Griffith being the Tuscan Convertible. So don't dismiss the Chimaera as an option, in my opinion they are wearing their age much better than a Griffith, and a 5.0l Chimaera will be much better value than a similar spec Griffith and will be just as rapid.
As Pete said earlier, get yourself along to your local TVRCC meeting and chat to some of the members and get some real-world experiences of the highs and lows of TVR ownership.
Hi,
Having owned both of these TVR Legends, for me the Griff wins hands down. The Griff does not have the modern day car feel like the TAM (LOTUS ELISE type feel with upgraded shocks), but the Griff feels more luxurious as it were and the V8 grunt and sound track is intoxicating.
At the end of the day, it is all down to personal preferences. Which ever car you buy, you're a winner because it's a TVR.
Regards.
Having owned both of these TVR Legends, for me the Griff wins hands down. The Griff does not have the modern day car feel like the TAM (LOTUS ELISE type feel with upgraded shocks), but the Griff feels more luxurious as it were and the V8 grunt and sound track is intoxicating.
At the end of the day, it is all down to personal preferences. Which ever car you buy, you're a winner because it's a TVR.
Regards.
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