Griff or Chim - how to choose?
Discussion
I'm looking to buy a TVR but am struggling to decide between a Griffith and a Chimaera. Looking at spending £10-£15k. I see there are many more Chimaeras around than Griffiths. Opinions on "best" engine spec in each etc please?
(can of worms fully open now )
Thanks,
Ewen.
>>> Edited by ewenm on Tuesday 18th November 13:52
(can of worms fully open now )
Thanks,
Ewen.
>>> Edited by ewenm on Tuesday 18th November 13:52
Do a quick search and you'll find plenty of posts on different specs. Generally though it's get the best car for your money regardless of spec. There's no point getting a poor condition 500 as it'll cost you more to keep on the road than a good condition 400 or 450, all for the same cash.
As for Griff Vs Chim, it depends what you want. Early Griffs are a little more focused, but later Griffs and Chims have the same pretty much the same spec under the skin. Chims have larger boots so it's a lot easier to get the roof in and are also slightly better for touring. Personally I went for a 450 Chimaera and have loved every minute of it.
I'm sure the others will be along soon with some more advice, but get a good one and you'll love it and never regret it.
Rob
As for Griff Vs Chim, it depends what you want. Early Griffs are a little more focused, but later Griffs and Chims have the same pretty much the same spec under the skin. Chims have larger boots so it's a lot easier to get the roof in and are also slightly better for touring. Personally I went for a 450 Chimaera and have loved every minute of it.
I'm sure the others will be along soon with some more advice, but get a good one and you'll love it and never regret it.
Rob
chimhunter said:
I'm sure the others will be along soon with some more advice....
...and you'll find you've started a whole slanging match where we all throw our Carmen rollers out of the pram! It's always great fun!!!
The greater choice of Chimaera will be in your favour, the relative rarity of a Griff is your alternative.
You can get a fair amount of kit in a Griff boot - is space a priority though?
The 4.0, 4.3, 4.5 options are wider on the Chimaera and, while none will disappoint, whatever you choose there's a fair chance you'll feel it could do with even more when you've got used to the addictive power.
Go with whatever your heart says, I think the Griff is a classic and that the Chimaera is only a wonderful car
There are buyers guides for both cars on my website. Meanwhile to save you looking through the archive, the choice can be summarised as:
1. If you play golf or work in the personal appearance topiary business and generally like a softer life... get a Chimaera.
2. If you are a real man and want to be able to wear barbed wire as jewellery, get a Griff.
As you can see, both are great cars and it is all down to personal preference....
Steve
www.tvrbooks.co.uk
1. If you play golf or work in the personal appearance topiary business and generally like a softer life... get a Chimaera.
2. If you are a real man and want to be able to wear barbed wire as jewellery, get a Griff.
As you can see, both are great cars and it is all down to personal preference....
Steve
www.tvrbooks.co.uk
Difficult question, so to help I have included a link to a Griff gallery and a link to the Chimaera Gallery. Have a look and see which you like, then go and drive them 
www.tvrcc-surrey.co.uk/gallery/chimaera/index.asp
www.tvrcc-surrey.co.uk/gallery/griffith/index.asp
www.tvrcc-surrey.co.uk/gallery/chimaera/index.asp
www.tvrcc-surrey.co.uk/gallery/griffith/index.asp
ewenm said:
I'm looking to buy a TVR but am struggling to decide between a Griffith and a Chimaera. Looking at spending £10-£15k. I see there are many more Chimaeras around than Griffiths. Opinions on "best" engine spec in each etc please?
Thanks,
Ewen.
I had this dilemma some years ago, but by the time I had the funds, it had resolved itself as a result of trips to TVRCC meetings.
1) Apart from the early cars they are effectively the same under the skin.
2) Early Griffs - 4.0/4.3/4.5 are pre-cat and sound like nothing else, if that's important to you. By contrast all Chimps are catted as standard.
3) Yes, there are many more Chimps than Griffs around, but that shouldn't affect your decision once you've made you mind up.
4) Get the best you can afford, remembering to have a bit in reserve for servicing and anything that might need attention.
5) For any given budget, you will get a newer/lower mileage Chimp than Griff - purely because pound for pound, Griffs trade at a premium (supply+demand/future classic etc).
In short, I think you should go and see some in the flesh and with any luck you will find yourself coming down in favour of one. The time it will take you to actually get one depends on how particular you are about colour and trim. I woudn't worry too much about engine size - if you're coming from Normalsville any TVR is going to be a big leap
david010167 said:
Difficult question, so to help I have included a link to a Griff gallery and a link to the Chimaera Gallery. Have a look and see which you like, then go and drive them
www.tvrcc-surrey.co.uk/gallery/chimaera/index.asp
www.tvrcc-surrey.co.uk/gallery/griffith/index.asp
Please note: Griff owners sometimes drive their cars - it's not necessary to carry them round by lorry!!!
I had exactly that decision to make a month or two back. I decided on a Griff 500 and was willing to spend up to £16k. I wanted the slight extra performance over the smaller engines and liked the fact that the Griff was rarer, even if it meant spending a bit more to get the right car.
With that in mind I went out and bought a Cerbera
With that in mind I went out and bought a Cerbera
Ahh, that was my car when it blew a heater matrix on the M25 last year.
David
David
beano500 said:
Difficult question, so to help I have included a link to a Griff gallery and a link to the Chimaera Gallery. Have a look and see which you like, then go and drive them
<a href="http://www.tvrcc-surrey.co.uk/gallery/chimaera/index.asp">www.tvrcc-surrey.co.uk/gallery/chimaera/index.asp</a>
<a href="http://www.tvrcc-surrey.co.uk/gallery/griffith/index.asp">www.tvrcc-surrey.co.uk/gallery/griffith/index.asp</a>
Please note: Griff owners sometimes drive their cars - it's not necessary to carry them round by lorry!!!
shpub said:
If you are a real man .... get a Griff.
Steve - just spotted this. Bit worried now - have checked the handbook and don't think I'm a real man, but seem to get on ok with the Griff. Even more worrying, on this evidence, SGirl is the first real man ever to give birth to a bouncing baby boy!
Perhaps this is a case for 'Dear Derestrictor' to advise on?
Firstly, you will clearly notice the difference between a Griff and a Chimp. A Griff has a soft top, 4 wheels and a big V8. A Chimp is generally found in a zoo, eats lots of fruit (particularly bananas) and is not as much fun.
A Chim on the other hand is pretty much the same as the Griff mentioned above, but much better looking and more fun
A Chim on the other hand is pretty much the same as the Griff mentioned above, but much better looking and more fun
rude girl said:
If you are a real man .... get a Griff.
Steve - just spotted this. Bit worried now - have checked the handbook and don't think I'm a real man, but seem to get on ok with the Griff. Even more worrying, on this evidence, SGirl is the first real man ever to give birth to a bouncing baby boy!
Perhaps this is a case for 'Dear Derestrictor' to advise on?
I was using the word man as in man kind to describe the human race and not necessarily individual members within it....
I think that's got me out of that one...
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