Chimaera v Griffith question
Discussion
Can anyone on this section point to a review of Chim v Griff? Currently own a 4.3 Griff but saw a very nice 4.5 Chim over the weekend - can think of many reasons NOT to change (eg rarity value) and also many reasons to change including newer car, PAS (I'm getting old!!!), nicer (softer?) ride (Mrs M would like that), bigger boot, etc - but what do YOU chaps and chapesses say? Anyone gone from Griff to Chim? Anyone regretted it?
DaveM
DaveM
davem said:
Can anyone on this section point to a review of Chim v Griff? Currently own a 4.3 Griff but saw a very nice 4.5 Chim over the weekend - can think of many reasons NOT to change (eg rarity value) and also many reasons to change including newer car, PAS (I'm getting old!!!), nicer (softer?) ride (Mrs M would like that), bigger boot, etc - but what do YOU chaps and chapesses say? Anyone gone from Griff to Chim? Anyone regretted it?
DaveM
DaveM
Gone the opposite way from a Chim to a Griff and noticed this things all in favour of the Chim.
Better interior fit and finish (experience making more I guess)
On the Griff the first time I opened the boot I truly thought the hinges were stuck! at 45 degrees
No need to put the roof in the bag with a Chim - just drop it straight in.
Huge boot
but....
Driving a Griff is a much more special feeling
Interested in this one - what is the difference like driving / handling wise? Especially 500 chim vs 500 griff? I understand griff is harder ride, much faster round a track but can this be equalised by running chim on upgraded shocks (nitrons etc) or is there more to it than this?
Have got to say I prefer the look of the chim, especially front & bonnet vents but I guess thats up to personal preference. I know it's not really in the tvr spirit but a big boot is very practical - i've fitted a bike in mine!
Guess there's more to it than if you like a big arse or not
Have got to say I prefer the look of the chim, especially front & bonnet vents but I guess thats up to personal preference. I know it's not really in the tvr spirit but a big boot is very practical - i've fitted a bike in mine!
Guess there's more to it than if you like a big arse or not
crazyadam said:
much faster round a track
Probably just me:
I found I had to drive a lot slower in the Griff on roads. The handling was so twitchy on anything but a bowling green I was never really confident.
It may of course, just been that particular car.
Other than its front end look I could not find one thing to commend a Griff over a Chimaera.
I've had two Griffs('96+'00),and a chim('95),all 500's.I think you will find a difference on quality with a 4.5 chim compared to your pre-cat,but then a Griff of the same age would be no different.The Chim is a great car,very practical and comfortable,but have you considered a later griff also?I think you would also find it a very different car to your pre-cat.
Although the Chim is more practical,we don't use the Griff as an every day car so it's not really relevent to us,plus we have a/c and pas in the Griff,which is great for touring.
I think it all comes down to just what you fancy at the time,as the mechanics are the same,and you could find any number of different suspension set ups on these cars by now(my 500 chim was identical to my '96 Griff btw).Of course you also have the exclusivity with the Griff,but i'm sure you already realise this!You've just got to try one and see,but i bet you'll always hanker after a Griff.
Although the Chim is more practical,we don't use the Griff as an every day car so it's not really relevent to us,plus we have a/c and pas in the Griff,which is great for touring.
I think it all comes down to just what you fancy at the time,as the mechanics are the same,and you could find any number of different suspension set ups on these cars by now(my 500 chim was identical to my '96 Griff btw).Of course you also have the exclusivity with the Griff,but i'm sure you already realise this!You've just got to try one and see,but i bet you'll always hanker after a Griff
.davem said:
Can anyone on this section point to a review of Chim v Griff? Currently own a 4.3 Griff but saw a very nice 4.5 Chim over the weekend - can think of many reasons NOT to change (eg rarity value) and also many reasons to change including newer car, PAS (I'm getting old!!!), nicer (softer?) ride (Mrs M would like that), bigger boot, etc - but what do YOU chaps and chapesses say? Anyone gone from Griff to Chim? Anyone regretted it?
DaveM
DaveM
Nooooooooooooooooooooooooo!
You'll regret it.
FFG
FFG said:
Nooooooooooooooooooooooooo!
You'll regret it.
You'll regret it.
Hi Paul,
Deliberately kept the subject off the Griff site coz I wanted some impartial comments - you're a Griff Nut (in the best possible way) so are not impartial!!
But you state my biggest concern - that I'll regret it - chances are I won't change - I'm a mean bu**er at the best of times and like to keep my hand on my halfpenny - but this is a nice motor....
Dave (still in the Griff)M
So far as I know there is no real difference - the Griff was supposed to be more hardcore at the time, but the Chim followed suit next season, so now you can get what you want just by picking model/year. The suspension may have been harder on Griff models but I've never noticed a difference.
The differences in ride/handling are going to be subtle - especially as most suspension units will have been changed/upgraded by now.
I'd pick the shape you like (although boot size difference is significant - cue the very tired golfing jokes) and try some. Every car will feel different even in same model/variant.
If you want hardcore - a 5L Chim will be every bit as bad boy as the Griff (and much rarer!) But you might prefer less harsh with smaller engine. I tried all, but happened to come across a nice 4.0HC - still fast enough really. At road legal speeds, there's not alot in it - higher speeds does show the differences, but for most days - they're all good!!
The differences in ride/handling are going to be subtle - especially as most suspension units will have been changed/upgraded by now.
I'd pick the shape you like (although boot size difference is significant - cue the very tired golfing jokes) and try some. Every car will feel different even in same model/variant.
If you want hardcore - a 5L Chim will be every bit as bad boy as the Griff (and much rarer!) But you might prefer less harsh with smaller engine. I tried all, but happened to come across a nice 4.0HC - still fast enough really. At road legal speeds, there's not alot in it - higher speeds does show the differences, but for most days - they're all good!!
Gassing Station | Chimaera | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff