Evora to Griff
Discussion
just shooting the breeze really. love to hear from other Lotus owners especially.
I have an Elise for full spirited driving, so thinking of swapping the Evora for a different experience. Firstly, I want a convertible. Second, some luggage space (more than a Morgan, and in fact the Evora is ok as it has a rear seat). Thirdly, something I can feel relaxed about parking when on tour in coastal or forest car parks etc. I thinks cars like old TVRs and Morgans meet this requirement as they're "charming" not envy-inducing like modern sports cars.
I'm actually thinking longer term this slot in the garage might be satisfied by an MX5 or Mini convertible, as they're modern, reliable and slip under the radar. But, before that I'm thinking of exploding the radar with V8 thunder! Not expecting Lotus dynamics at all, rather something involving and characterful. My other thoughts have been an E-Type, XK, Vantage and Alvis.
I have an Elise for full spirited driving, so thinking of swapping the Evora for a different experience. Firstly, I want a convertible. Second, some luggage space (more than a Morgan, and in fact the Evora is ok as it has a rear seat). Thirdly, something I can feel relaxed about parking when on tour in coastal or forest car parks etc. I thinks cars like old TVRs and Morgans meet this requirement as they're "charming" not envy-inducing like modern sports cars.
I'm actually thinking longer term this slot in the garage might be satisfied by an MX5 or Mini convertible, as they're modern, reliable and slip under the radar. But, before that I'm thinking of exploding the radar with V8 thunder! Not expecting Lotus dynamics at all, rather something involving and characterful. My other thoughts have been an E-Type, XK, Vantage and Alvis.
I think the Evora is pretty much unbeatable as a comfortable sports car, certainly at the 50k level. But, after 2+ years of enjoyment I'm ready to try something else. I have an Elise for more focused driving pleasure. The Evora was always for sporty touring, normally with OH. hence my priorities of convertible and luggage, plus security in remote car parks. for driving, outright pace isn't the objective, fun and involvement are. A really obvious choice would be a Pagoda, and while they are great, I want something a little more... TVR is an itch most UK petrolheads would have, so that's reason enough. I enjoyed my time with my 2CV, '74 Beetle and Morgan. Lotus is peak chassis finesse, I realise that and happy to face the challenge of a bouncy, flexible Tiv 
I could just ask the question: what touring convertible would you choose for 30k? character and driving pleasure.
But as I say, TVR is an unscratched itch. I love the interiors too.
As I also said, I seriously think a Mini Convertible might be the sensible (sad?) answer in a few years time.
I could just ask the question: what touring convertible would you choose for 30k? character and driving pleasure.
But as I say, TVR is an unscratched itch. I love the interiors too.
As I also said, I seriously think a Mini Convertible might be the sensible (sad?) answer in a few years time.
CABC said:
But as I say, TVR is an unscratched itch.
If it were me I'd be looking at a Chimaera rather than a GriffithMaybe not quite as pretty, but:
There's more of them
Better value for money
Better ride (I don't know why before anybody tells me they are the same, can only speak from experience)
Far, far, far easier to stow the roof
Bear in mind even the newest are now pretty ancient.
scorcher said:
A Griff won’t be very secure for leaving it anywhere remote. Takes seconds to get into the cabin area. The boot not much longer from memory.
sure. there'll always be a risk with a nice car.I always empty the car at the hotel or cottage when touring, so the risk is really vandalism. I see older cars as less provocative to local yoofs and trading down from the Lotus this car will be a lower value (not such a logical view when the cost to repair is irrelevant of value, but wife thinks that way...). When touring cities I'll normally take the family box. the issue here is NT coastal car parks and the like. not normally high risk areas anyway.
I'm amused at the idea you could get into a Griff cabin in seconds when most people people can't work out how to open the door normally at all!
Quoting “ cars like old TVRs and Morgans meet this requirement as they're "charming" not envy-inducing like modern sports”.
I wouldn’t put Morgan and a Griffith in the same sentence, Morgan was designed about 100 years ago, TVR almost modern! If you haven’t driven a Morgan, don’t. Worst driving experience I have ever had. I like the look, but couldn’t own one.
TVR Griffith seems to be a car that doesn’t create envy, only interest. Plus no one expects you to go fast.. For me, a TVR that is happy going slow is the best choice, then cruise making a nice noise. Griff is the best looking and for me, rarity is a benefit compared to chimera. If you have the money, depreciation not an issue. They are indeed identical under the skin, my Griff rides just fine, smooth and comfy.
Other than that, do whatever makes you the happiest!
I wouldn’t put Morgan and a Griffith in the same sentence, Morgan was designed about 100 years ago, TVR almost modern! If you haven’t driven a Morgan, don’t. Worst driving experience I have ever had. I like the look, but couldn’t own one.
TVR Griffith seems to be a car that doesn’t create envy, only interest. Plus no one expects you to go fast.. For me, a TVR that is happy going slow is the best choice, then cruise making a nice noise. Griff is the best looking and for me, rarity is a benefit compared to chimera. If you have the money, depreciation not an issue. They are indeed identical under the skin, my Griff rides just fine, smooth and comfy.
Other than that, do whatever makes you the happiest!
Last year I took my old wedge to Somerset & Devon and for reasons I won't go into here I didn't have a door key with me. Left the car outside the cottage every night which was on the high street of a small Somerset town and never worried about security or vandalism. Went out every day and left it in public car parks, NT car parks, more remote coastal car parks without letting it worry me, obviously with nothing left in the car to tempt opportunist thieves.
Maybe I was just lucky, could have been the nice area or as you have surmised tvr's are just a curiosity these days and judging by the attention it always seems to attract just a pleasant trip down memory lane for most people.
Good luck
Maybe I was just lucky, could have been the nice area or as you have surmised tvr's are just a curiosity these days and judging by the attention it always seems to attract just a pleasant trip down memory lane for most people.
Good luck
Phazed has a Boxster S RS60.
Well within budget, 300 bhp, goes round corners like on rails, heated leather seats for Erin, electric roof, boot space front and rear.
He popped in to see me last night on his way to the TVR track day at Cadwell Park, hence why it is on his trailer and pretending to be a TVR.
So I took a photo.
Well within budget, 300 bhp, goes round corners like on rails, heated leather seats for Erin, electric roof, boot space front and rear.
He popped in to see me last night on his way to the TVR track day at Cadwell Park, hence why it is on his trailer and pretending to be a TVR.
So I took a photo.
When I bought the Chim, I was also looking at other cars, like XK, Morgans... And I think that I've done the right choice, Griffith (or Chim) are still comfortable for long ride but are not GT cars neither, this is a good compromise between the rawness of an Elise and the "bourgeois" side of a Jaguar (maybe not the F-Type but at the time this car was not yet on the market).
You can also fold and unfold the roof easily compared to a Morgan too.
And I don't know in the UK but regarding the Porsche, in France, the image is not the same as TVR, nobody knows the brand, they don't judge you, with a Porsche, you are directly associated to a rich fellow and people can be jealous.
You can also fold and unfold the roof easily compared to a Morgan too.
And I don't know in the UK but regarding the Porsche, in France, the image is not the same as TVR, nobody knows the brand, they don't judge you, with a Porsche, you are directly associated to a rich fellow and people can be jealous.
He will be kindly accepted now. He just better not blow everyone off if he’s on a quest to win friends and influence people.
A chap at work has an Evora with 50,000 miles on it. He’s had it from new and he races cars so bound to make it go at times. Barely a thing gone wrong with it in all that time.
If I wanted a cheap tourer fun car that would defo be on my radar. It might even out fox a Boxster round the bends but I doubt it lol
It’s odd how soft tops are associated with hair dressers, gay ones a presume or is it because so many women drive the modern usually less powered soft top offerings that are very easy to drive I wonder.
I’d feel a dick in a Mazda for that very reason though the car goes well and very quick through corners!
See an MR2 is a man’s car to my mind simply cos the engines behind you.
We get it.
The thing is with the Porsche it has that similar configuration of rear engined.
Put simply the best handing cars always have the engine behind you so even men like those Porsche cars
People ask me what’s my favourite car at work and I’ve driven some of the best machines in the world, it’s always the one that handles the best so ask me that question at a big cart track and it will be a Caterham, ask me at Castle Coombe and it has to me one of the McLaren s or Audi R8 V10 Plus. Purely because they are the fastest around that piece of road.
As for living with them not one seems to give me some boot space that’s actually useable.
Chim wins hands down.
Not one other than the Cobra sounds as good though any V8 / V10 on the pipe sounds good mind. The Porsche sound the least good in this situation though they drive great the sound is a bit of a let down,,, this stuff matters
The Tvr is this unique thing that brings 1960’s tech and sound into the semi modern world,, they look great and nothing compares, unique.
Not expensive, let you know they are arriving in a glorious burble and nothing else needs to be said, it’s not posing when it sounds that good just crawling to the arena on idle with enough torque to still pull it up a slight incline. Just very very cool.
I work with some great drivers and people from all walks of life with the same passion for cars as TVR owners do. They see my hat with TVR racing and it provokes emotions I swear. They respect me for owning one ( given the reputation) but there’s not many that don’t secretly want to drive one. Most totally get Tvr. It’s not the greatest recommendation as most are racing drivers and there heads are full of adrenaline rather than sense.
I don’t wear my hat that often but when I do all the older guys 40 seem to like it
The younger drivers don’t recognise the name or if they do it’s a vague idea they might be building a new car and the old ones are frightening.
Owning a Tvr has been as you would expect,,, a journey. It’s not one I’d not want to have taken though. If an adventure is to leave you with great memories it has to have the odd rough sea thrown in.
Simply buy one of the best if you can afford it. It might cost 25k but if it’s as good as it should be for that money it will out last a 12-15k Chim unless you invest in that 12- 15k Chim heavily and if your not careful easily get to 25k anyway but with a lot more work thrown in.
My personal opinion is buy one with chassis rebuild and and with an aftermarket ECU.
the best one fitted is the MBE by TVR specialists It’s not a particularly clever or advanced Ecu but it’s designed to live in extreme conditions and does everything an old engine like the RV8 needs to run it spot on. It’s mapped to your engine and the mapper knows Tvr inside out. Other options just as effective are available.
Mine doesn’t have an idle contol valve of any description. In time that might come to be an interesting thought to your mind as idle valves can be a nightmare on these cars.
At this age you need some modernisations if you hope to use it often and trust it.
Many will disagree but ask now many miles they do.
I want to think my TVR can take me across continents not just to the coast
I've done 50,000 miles in mine and 35,000 in the Uk on the 14 CUX but since the ecu change it runs so much cleaner with no irregularities. Better fuel economy which has to be a sign the engine runs optimally and more power which is delivered in a very smooth easy way to control. My car is less frightening though faster. Sort of total throttle control like you should experience in your Evora.
At speed that really matters.
Just a slight lift of the throttle and the cars engine responds to my mind almost, balancing the throttle in a Tvr is really important.
Controlling acceleration is actually what I mean.
After a while my mind got used to this and now I seem to lift the throttle to the exact correct point I need by memory. It’s brilliant and very exciting.
Tvr can and do live in the modern world quite well if you get a fully sorted one or like me you buy one for 10/12k ten years ago and do all the mods and work yourself. Having used specialists for a lot of the work I easily spent 25k
I’m vaguely mechanical so enjoyed much of this work and it was a great journey looking back.
Tvr is about the blokes because we all go through the odd failure and it’s us that help eachother fix them via advice and often getting there hands dirty to come and help you with yours. Mine took all of my efforts and much of my Tvr friends come to think of it. I’m eternally greatfull though.
I made some great friends and friends for life I hope.
It’s a bit like a beautiful woman in your life loving the hell out of you. You never forget it and miss it terribly when it’s gone.
Leaves a mark does TVR not all good for some but now the cars are 20 + years old many have been carefully looked after and in truth taken forward from the cars TVR sold which considering the low purchase price when new, this was always going to happen.
Try and buy from a long time owner or a big enthusiast. Reputation within this small band is very important. They should not be selling cars with known faults and if they are they will tell you about them.
Second hand cars this age you have to be realistic but a top end car will require servicing, carefully warming up but generally should work with no dramas. A decent Chim or Griff if we are talking RV8 powered cars should withstand the car standing running with fans coming on / off at 92 down to 85 and go off again. The car should be able to do that constantly for hours.
Tvr do not suffer from cooling issues if the systems and control system are working correctly. The sensors might fail and cause an overhear but the cooling system itself is more than upto the job.
Heat generated in the engine bay causes more failures of the control system than any other aspect of the car, the sensors and wiring. Fans don’t come on, car boils over, I could go on.
So a new system with new sensors as part of the job with new wiring that’s been pretty much sealed from the elements and mapped to fuel and spark the engine at exactly the right time is a huge step in removing reliability woes when owning a Tvr for a long time.
If you aim to just go to a pub lunch twice a month or just be local mostly then the standard system is still more than upto the job. I’m not scare mongering.
I find my Tvr was very comfortable and could easily drive long distances, I drove through France on a new ecu straight out the garage almost onto the motorway from Coventry straight down to St Tropez in 24 hrs. I think I got about 30 mpg at one point. Drove the Rivera like I owned it with such new found confidence lol. It was November so had the mountain roads to myself. What an experience with the sound and wind I’m my hair. Tvr love those roads if your considered, handle well
My French girlfriend didn’t want to go in it much, but a French hippy chick hitch hiker did
Get a powerful one then just bask in the power you know is there. TVR owners by right of ownership have big balls, you don’t need to race anyone. It’s great.
I’d feel a dick in a Mazda for that very reason though the car goes well and very quick through corners!
See an MR2 is a man’s car to my mind simply cos the engines behind you.
We get it.
The thing is with the Porsche it has that similar configuration of rear engined.
Put simply the best handing cars always have the engine behind you so even men like those Porsche cars
People ask me what’s my favourite car at work and I’ve driven some of the best machines in the world, it’s always the one that handles the best so ask me that question at a big cart track and it will be a Caterham, ask me at Castle Coombe and it has to me one of the McLaren s or Audi R8 V10 Plus. Purely because they are the fastest around that piece of road.
As for living with them not one seems to give me some boot space that’s actually useable.
Chim wins hands down.
Not one other than the Cobra sounds as good though any V8 / V10 on the pipe sounds good mind. The Porsche sound the least good in this situation though they drive great the sound is a bit of a let down,,, this stuff matters
The Tvr is this unique thing that brings 1960’s tech and sound into the semi modern world,, they look great and nothing compares, unique.
Not expensive, let you know they are arriving in a glorious burble and nothing else needs to be said, it’s not posing when it sounds that good just crawling to the arena on idle with enough torque to still pull it up a slight incline. Just very very cool.
I work with some great drivers and people from all walks of life with the same passion for cars as TVR owners do. They see my hat with TVR racing and it provokes emotions I swear. They respect me for owning one ( given the reputation) but there’s not many that don’t secretly want to drive one. Most totally get Tvr. It’s not the greatest recommendation as most are racing drivers and there heads are full of adrenaline rather than sense.
I don’t wear my hat that often but when I do all the older guys 40 seem to like it
The younger drivers don’t recognise the name or if they do it’s a vague idea they might be building a new car and the old ones are frightening.
Owning a Tvr has been as you would expect,,, a journey. It’s not one I’d not want to have taken though. If an adventure is to leave you with great memories it has to have the odd rough sea thrown in.
Simply buy one of the best if you can afford it. It might cost 25k but if it’s as good as it should be for that money it will out last a 12-15k Chim unless you invest in that 12- 15k Chim heavily and if your not careful easily get to 25k anyway but with a lot more work thrown in.
My personal opinion is buy one with chassis rebuild and and with an aftermarket ECU.
the best one fitted is the MBE by TVR specialists It’s not a particularly clever or advanced Ecu but it’s designed to live in extreme conditions and does everything an old engine like the RV8 needs to run it spot on. It’s mapped to your engine and the mapper knows Tvr inside out. Other options just as effective are available.
Mine doesn’t have an idle contol valve of any description. In time that might come to be an interesting thought to your mind as idle valves can be a nightmare on these cars.
At this age you need some modernisations if you hope to use it often and trust it.
Many will disagree but ask now many miles they do.
I want to think my TVR can take me across continents not just to the coast
I've done 50,000 miles in mine and 35,000 in the Uk on the 14 CUX but since the ecu change it runs so much cleaner with no irregularities. Better fuel economy which has to be a sign the engine runs optimally and more power which is delivered in a very smooth easy way to control. My car is less frightening though faster. Sort of total throttle control like you should experience in your Evora.
At speed that really matters.
Just a slight lift of the throttle and the cars engine responds to my mind almost, balancing the throttle in a Tvr is really important.
Controlling acceleration is actually what I mean.
After a while my mind got used to this and now I seem to lift the throttle to the exact correct point I need by memory. It’s brilliant and very exciting.
Tvr can and do live in the modern world quite well if you get a fully sorted one or like me you buy one for 10/12k ten years ago and do all the mods and work yourself. Having used specialists for a lot of the work I easily spent 25k
I’m vaguely mechanical so enjoyed much of this work and it was a great journey looking back.
Tvr is about the blokes because we all go through the odd failure and it’s us that help eachother fix them via advice and often getting there hands dirty to come and help you with yours. Mine took all of my efforts and much of my Tvr friends come to think of it. I’m eternally greatfull though.
I made some great friends and friends for life I hope.
It’s a bit like a beautiful woman in your life loving the hell out of you. You never forget it and miss it terribly when it’s gone.
Leaves a mark does TVR not all good for some but now the cars are 20 + years old many have been carefully looked after and in truth taken forward from the cars TVR sold which considering the low purchase price when new, this was always going to happen.
Try and buy from a long time owner or a big enthusiast. Reputation within this small band is very important. They should not be selling cars with known faults and if they are they will tell you about them.
Second hand cars this age you have to be realistic but a top end car will require servicing, carefully warming up but generally should work with no dramas. A decent Chim or Griff if we are talking RV8 powered cars should withstand the car standing running with fans coming on / off at 92 down to 85 and go off again. The car should be able to do that constantly for hours.
Tvr do not suffer from cooling issues if the systems and control system are working correctly. The sensors might fail and cause an overhear but the cooling system itself is more than upto the job.
Heat generated in the engine bay causes more failures of the control system than any other aspect of the car, the sensors and wiring. Fans don’t come on, car boils over, I could go on.
So a new system with new sensors as part of the job with new wiring that’s been pretty much sealed from the elements and mapped to fuel and spark the engine at exactly the right time is a huge step in removing reliability woes when owning a Tvr for a long time.
If you aim to just go to a pub lunch twice a month or just be local mostly then the standard system is still more than upto the job. I’m not scare mongering.
I find my Tvr was very comfortable and could easily drive long distances, I drove through France on a new ecu straight out the garage almost onto the motorway from Coventry straight down to St Tropez in 24 hrs. I think I got about 30 mpg at one point. Drove the Rivera like I owned it with such new found confidence lol. It was November so had the mountain roads to myself. What an experience with the sound and wind I’m my hair. Tvr love those roads if your considered, handle well
My French girlfriend didn’t want to go in it much, but a French hippy chick hitch hiker did
Get a powerful one then just bask in the power you know is there. TVR owners by right of ownership have big balls, you don’t need to race anyone. It’s great.
Edited by Classic Chim on Tuesday 10th May 10:24
When my missus reminds me how much I spent on the Cerbera, I remind her of the Lotus Elise we also looked at...
I think OP needs to drive a couple of his prefered TVR's (as they vary depending on owners setup, model etc) to work out whether he'll like them. Moving from an Evora could be a different driving experience, although the whole TVR experience, owners, events etc is part of the attraction. A TVR can be a raw driving experience if you're used to being cosseted
I think OP needs to drive a couple of his prefered TVR's (as they vary depending on owners setup, model etc) to work out whether he'll like them. Moving from an Evora could be a different driving experience, although the whole TVR experience, owners, events etc is part of the attraction. A TVR can be a raw driving experience if you're used to being cosseted
Classic Chim said:
—- Lots and lots of good points —-
I’ll have to re-read later too!No one car does it all, and indeed I prefer a garage with several rather than an expensive attempt at nirvana. A convertible is too compromised for most sports cars unless their construction really permits it, such as Lotus, Maccas and Caterhams. But for touring on public roads open top adds a massive benefit. Hence Evora out and possibly Griff in.
The MX5 really is an awesome choice, if only more men could admit it, especially for B road blasts. But en route through the countryside in France the big V8 is a different joy.
Like to hear other’s views on ECU. I’ve done it before and not afraid at all of such a mod. Badly calibrated throttles are not manly. This car needs to drive to Scotland and through France. Not the pub!
Byker28i said:
When my missus reminds me how much I spent on the Cerbera, I remind her of the Lotus Elise we also looked at...
I think OP needs to drive a couple of his prefered TVR's (as they vary depending on owners setup, model etc) to work out whether he'll like them. Moving from an Evora could be a different driving experience, although the whole TVR experience, owners, events etc is part of the attraction. A TVR can be a raw driving experience if you're used to being cosseted
I’ve driven lots of stuff, including a day in a Chim. To NicBowman above, I also have 25k under my belt in. Morgan. I think OP needs to drive a couple of his prefered TVR's (as they vary depending on owners setup, model etc) to work out whether he'll like them. Moving from an Evora could be a different driving experience, although the whole TVR experience, owners, events etc is part of the attraction. A TVR can be a raw driving experience if you're used to being cosseted
I’m also happy with “journeys”. In fact that’s half the fun.
The Griff can’t replace the Evora, not expecting it to. I have an Elise and a track beast for incisive driving. Vive la difference!
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