Buying a TVR

[maverick dave]

I know this has probably been posted a million times, but I need some help.
After admiring from afar, I finally went to a couple of TVR dealers on the weekend and sat in (I know still not driven) both the Griff and Chimp.
The things I noticed were:
1. Chimp seemed more cramped than the Griff
2. The boot is much smaller in the Griff (would it hold 2 sets of golf clubs and the roof??)
3. I am tall (6'2") and not thin, so I felt a little cramped in the cabin, anyone else this size have any problems.

Otherwise really impressed, particularly with Adrian Blyth and the quality of his motors, seemed better than Fernhurst???

Appreciate any thoughts.

Thanks,
Dave.

[nubbin]

I'm 6' 2", and 15 sts, and I never had any accommodation problems in my Chimaera, although the passenger side is (very) short on legroom. The transmission tunnel is very bulky, and makes the handbrake a bit high, but it's a quirky car! The boot is huge, and without the roof panel, 2 sets of golf clubs should be no problem, (and a third on the back shelf!). You can have the pedal box altered for longer legs as well.

>> Edited by nubbin on Wednesday 6th March 10:01

[dan]

quote:
2. The boot is much smaller in the Griff (would it hold 2 sets of golf clubs and the roof??)

Otherwise really impressed, particularly with Adrian Blyth and the quality of his motors, seemed better than Fernhurst???

Re: 2

Depends on your golf bag. You can get 2 average golf bags in the boot of a Griff (roof down), but if you have one of those professional types you may end up putting one on the rear shelf if you want to have the roof in the boot aswell.

Bought my Griff from Adrian a little over a year ago before he had the showroom. I always found him accomodating and relaxed about the whole process.

What ever you decide Griff or Chim, you'll love it.

Cheers Dan

[beano1197]

Griff boot will hold a reasonable amount, with some imaginative packing (but speaking as a biker!!)

I have no problem in the Griff at 6' 3 1/2".

Passenger side can be cramped (and make sure that spaghetti junction is tidied away before any passenger kicks forward too hard!!!!) but only from a leg length issue, the seating position compensates for that anyway - and the standard seats are surprisingluy comfortable for long stints!

Adrian Blythe? I reckon you'll hear many more good reports than bad! All his cars get a sensible look over by Dave Batty - who's quite passionate about making sure everything's in order. Your likely future is ironing out problems if you buy one, as I did, with very little recent previous use.

Go for a Griff!!!!!!!! (Hasn't Adrian got a few on the way?)

[currymonster]

I let my mate, who's 6foot 3 and about 15 stone have a bash driving my Chimaera the other day; he said it was cosy but not too bad...

[maverick dave]

Thanks guys for the responses.
I only sat in the things for a few minutes, but I just suppose I am not used to it, the GTI-6 I currently have is just a little different!!!

Encouraged by everyone's thoughts on the boot, I would rather the Griff, but I was just a bit nervous about boot space. Not a golf pro so the bags not huge, so shouldn't be a problem, I'll just take them down and try it out.

Made me feel a lot better, might go back this weekend actually.....

Anyone know insurance companies that will insure TVR's on Aussie licenses????

[fatsteve]

You can fit the kitchen sink in the boot of a Chim.

I kid you not. The wife had buggered off out in the Saaaaaab estate so I was forced to use the Tiv for a B&Q run.

Fitted no problem (albeit, a few odd looks from people)

Steve

[rthierry]

quote:Anyone know insurance companies that will insure TVR's on Aussie licenses????

Insured with Sunnighill with a French license... Plenty of performance car insurers recommended on Adrian's web site - bought my car from him as well and I only have good things to say.

[sipow]

For added space in the boot of the Griff just chuck the space saver in the garage and carry a can of Tyreweld.I think im right in saying newer TVRs dont bother with the spare and use tyreweld,and Aston martin and probably a few others.
I brought an S3 from adrian about 4yrs ago,nice bloke to deal with and i didnt have any major probs with itand loved every moment of owning her.
But now have A Griffith 500 .Ya gotta get one man,they are great.Take one for a test drive and then watch yourselve grin like never before.

Simon

[ToroTVR]

Its irrelevent how many golf clubs etc a TVR will carry because once you own one you will soon realise how boring golf is! Plus you will be spending every available dry day ( and wet ones if brave! ) having a thrash in your baby. Sell the golf clubs, cancel the club membership and buy a TVR......NICE
Toro.

[maverick dave]

I was waiting for someone to tell me to ditch golf and just drive the car!!!
Problem is its a good way to get out of the house without the wife, and to make my mates jealous.
Rang Sunninhill yesterday quoted £1270 for insurance, 32 full no claim bonus, is this a good deal, anyone know.
Might pay Adrian a visit tomorrow......

[cammy]

Try A Manning Ltd for insurance. Need to be a member of TVRCC, but only £38 per annum. Paid £763 for a new Cerbera Speed 6. I'm 30, full no claims bonus and the wife is on the policy and she is 28. I think they are your best bet, but other threads mention different insurers, but I tried them all. Good luck!

[MikeyT]

Definitely try A Manning as Cammy says – 01491 578759.

Chim 4.0HC, 39 and so's the wife. Full no claims etc. 5k a year mind. £415. Can't argue with that!!

Mike

[ap_smith]

I had a Christmas tree stuck out of the top of my Griff a couple of years ago. Top down motoring was chilly in december, but got a few laughs from people as I was driving home as a 12' Xmas tree overtook them

[cammy]

MikeyT

My policy is for 7000 miles a year. Did you go for a reduced mileage policy?

[oliverkelly]

Paying £600 with Tescos's for myself and wife fro P reg Cerbera 4.2. 7 years NCD, 3 point and an accident last year, 33 years young. Chose optional £1000 excess.