Griffith or Chimaera?
Discussion
I've been driving my 350i for nearly five months now, so I recon its about time I started to consider my next step up the TVR ladder. Particularly as I tend to consider these things fro over a year before actually doing anything...
So, the thing is, I always wanted a Chimaera (until the Tuscan came out, but that's another story). Mt first real TVR experience was a lift home in my (then) bosses spanking new 4.0 (N7ELB - where are you now, Neil B?). At the time, I was puzzled by his instistance on giving me a lift that took him ore than 10 miles in completely the opposite direction to his home...
So that was it, I'd always ben a distant fan of TVR, simply because they were still a true British sports car. But after that ride home, there was no doubt. I was having one.
Its taken about seven years, but like I said, I now have my 350i, and it does not disappoint in any way.
The Chimaeara, then has been in my sights for years.
But, reading a few press reports, it seems that the Chimaeara is kind of a softer Griff...less peaky cam, softer shocks, slower rack...? And the driving experience is more important to me than the style of the car, so should I be looking at the Griff, and trying to fal in love with it's shape (I think its quite ugly compared to Chimaera :contraversial: )? Or will the Chimaera provide a much stiffer and sharper drive than my wedge, anyway?
All toughts gratefully received...
So, the thing is, I always wanted a Chimaera (until the Tuscan came out, but that's another story). Mt first real TVR experience was a lift home in my (then) bosses spanking new 4.0 (N7ELB - where are you now, Neil B?). At the time, I was puzzled by his instistance on giving me a lift that took him ore than 10 miles in completely the opposite direction to his home...
So that was it, I'd always ben a distant fan of TVR, simply because they were still a true British sports car. But after that ride home, there was no doubt. I was having one.
Its taken about seven years, but like I said, I now have my 350i, and it does not disappoint in any way.
The Chimaeara, then has been in my sights for years.
But, reading a few press reports, it seems that the Chimaeara is kind of a softer Griff...less peaky cam, softer shocks, slower rack...? And the driving experience is more important to me than the style of the car, so should I be looking at the Griff, and trying to fal in love with it's shape (I think its quite ugly compared to Chimaera :contraversial: )? Or will the Chimaera provide a much stiffer and sharper drive than my wedge, anyway?
All toughts gratefully received...
500 Chim is the same car as a Griff underneath. Same engine, same chassis. As I've said before, the Chimaera 500 is a Griff with a posh frock on!
it seems that the Chimaeara is kind of a softer Griff...less peaky cam, softer shocks, slower rack...?
Not a wonderful image if you think of your TVR as a bloke though! 
Don't fall for the marketing/press they always marketed them as the chim more of a tourer, griff extreme sports car, BUT
When comparing similar engine sizes, the performance is virtually identical. i.e Chim 500 / Griff 500 equally scary, and you can find them at similar ages/mileages and directly and easily compare for yourself.
As an example, press tend to describe the tamora as the entry level, more accessible sports car (BUT 0-100 9.1 seconds!!!!)
Grif 4.0/4.3 are now all over 10 years old, where as chims 4.0/4.5 are anything from 1 to 10 years old.
Sweeping generalisation next, on handling, chassis development:
So I'm guessing that the newer the chim 4.0/4.5 (or Griff 500), it will has a better chassis/brakes etc than a 10 year old griff 4.0/4.3. As the chim/Griff 500 has I'm sure gradually evolved/improved over the last 10 years. I'm only considering standard cars, quite a few how have upgraded brakes,shocks,etc,etc
That said my old Griff 4.3 is one of the best cars I've ever had.
So, if the Chim floats your boat styling wise - Drive a quite a few examples to find out what a good one feels like.
Like for like power output (and year of manufacture) I would say that they are broadly similar on performance/ handling.
B
>> Edited by bjwoods on Monday 16th June 13:15
When comparing similar engine sizes, the performance is virtually identical. i.e Chim 500 / Griff 500 equally scary, and you can find them at similar ages/mileages and directly and easily compare for yourself.
As an example, press tend to describe the tamora as the entry level, more accessible sports car (BUT 0-100 9.1 seconds!!!!)
Grif 4.0/4.3 are now all over 10 years old, where as chims 4.0/4.5 are anything from 1 to 10 years old.
Sweeping generalisation next, on handling, chassis development:
So I'm guessing that the newer the chim 4.0/4.5 (or Griff 500), it will has a better chassis/brakes etc than a 10 year old griff 4.0/4.3. As the chim/Griff 500 has I'm sure gradually evolved/improved over the last 10 years. I'm only considering standard cars, quite a few how have upgraded brakes,shocks,etc,etc
That said my old Griff 4.3 is one of the best cars I've ever had.
So, if the Chim floats your boat styling wise - Drive a quite a few examples to find out what a good one feels like.
Like for like power output (and year of manufacture) I would say that they are broadly similar on performance/ handling.
B
>> Edited by bjwoods on Monday 16th June 13:15
Had this "problem" when I bought my Chimaera two and a half years ago. Somedays the Chimaera is better other days prefered the Griff. Griff slightly more "sports" car Chim slightly more "tourer" in appearance. Chim more practical as bigger boot for luggage and roof storage through the aperture. Early Griffs were a bit more of a handfull to drive threough peakier cams and older design rear suspension apparently. Ended up wit my Chim and perfectly happy, but left slavver marks after drooling over a Silver Griff at Mellerstain a few weeks ago!
simpo one said: Sagalout has a point. Even if you think you prefer one model over another, the right colour combination can make all the difference when it comes to that wallet-opening decision. Somehow colours seem much more important on TVRs than normal cars...
Agreed.. fell in love with the colour of mine straight away..
Matt.
Maybe we should have a Griff vs. Chim thread like the Sean Connery joke thread; all replies kept to it because this one does seem to resurface regularly.
That said, I agree with Simpo one...go with the one whose looks you like the best. For me it was always the Griff, but I'm not going to knock anyone who prefers the Chim, they're both great cars.
That said, I agree with Simpo one...go with the one whose looks you like the best. For me it was always the Griff, but I'm not going to knock anyone who prefers the Chim, they're both great cars.
Look as a Griffith owner I genuinely have no problem what-so-ever with others preferring the Chimaera.
In fact I would go so far as to say that if a prospective owner really couldn't appreciate the difference in looks then I would strongly advise them to buy the Chimaera.
After all I do believe that TVR specifically designed it's slightly bigger boot to accommodate a guide dog!
In fact I would go so far as to say that if a prospective owner really couldn't appreciate the difference in looks then I would strongly advise them to buy the Chimaera.
After all I do believe that TVR specifically designed it's slightly bigger boot to accommodate a guide dog!
"Griff" always reminds me of Griff Rhys Jones which is why I bought a Chimaera........'
Mmm, but then the Chimaera's nickname (which I shall refrain to mention) reminds me of those little hairy chaps that did the PG Tipps ads....
On the boot subject, yes, the Griff boot is maybe 6" less deep and getting the roof in can be a struggle - but then who buys TVRs for practicality anyway? In my boot I can get the roof panel, a gazebo, regional banner, supports for same, camera case, box of Sprint back-issues, squashy bag for a picnic and still have room for a chamois leather!
Mmm, but then the Chimaera's nickname (which I shall refrain to mention) reminds me of those little hairy chaps that did the PG Tipps ads....
On the boot subject, yes, the Griff boot is maybe 6" less deep and getting the roof in can be a struggle - but then who buys TVRs for practicality anyway? In my boot I can get the roof panel, a gazebo, regional banner, supports for same, camera case, box of Sprint back-issues, squashy bag for a picnic and still have room for a chamois leather!
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