Chim 500 vs Griff 500?
Discussion
Hey guys,
Just wanted your thoughts on the above subject...
haha only kidding, didnt want to open up that can of worms again.
My real question
Have been considering getting the T350c for a while, but have also been looking at the Griff 500.
So, im torn between the new T350c and the old Griff.
I've been checking out the "readers cars" on PH and it looks as if more things require replacing and servicing is cheaper on the Griff but when items require replacing on the T350c they cost considerably more, but are less frequent.
Summary
Both cars will cost roughly the same to run per year (on average) but the Griff will probably require more work more often.
Would the majority of you agree with this?
Over to the floor
Just wanted your thoughts on the above subject...
haha only kidding, didnt want to open up that can of worms again.
My real question
Have been considering getting the T350c for a while, but have also been looking at the Griff 500.
So, im torn between the new T350c and the old Griff.
I've been checking out the "readers cars" on PH and it looks as if more things require replacing and servicing is cheaper on the Griff but when items require replacing on the T350c they cost considerably more, but are less frequent.
Summary
Both cars will cost roughly the same to run per year (on average) but the Griff will probably require more work more often.
Would the majority of you agree with this?
Over to the floor
the newer the better.With any TVR there is a degree of luck re the running costs.
You can increase your chances of a good outcome:-
A well looked after car with loads of bills that passes a thorough inspection is more likely to have cheaper running costs.
A newer car is likely to have lower running costs.
Cars from 97/98 are more likely to have chassis issues.
Get your hands dirty
dont fix all the problems (not something I subscribe to)
But what do I know - my running costs over the 12 or so years (with a few breaks) of TVR ownership have generally been £5K + pa and rarely been lower (except for my warranted chim back in 98)
You can increase your chances of a good outcome:-
A well looked after car with loads of bills that passes a thorough inspection is more likely to have cheaper running costs.
A newer car is likely to have lower running costs.
Cars from 97/98 are more likely to have chassis issues.
Get your hands dirty
dont fix all the problems (not something I subscribe to)
But what do I know - my running costs over the 12 or so years (with a few breaks) of TVR ownership have generally been £5K + pa and rarely been lower (except for my warranted chim back in 98)
WOW £5k + pa!
Well from what i've read the Griff rarely cost under £1k pa or above £4k. They seemed to average around the £2-3k mark.
The T350c was a bit different as there doesnt seem to be many people keeping their history up to date. There was also quite a lot of upgrades which boosted the cost up quite a bit.
With the Griff you rarely read about an engine rebuild but mostly "small" items which cost £300 here, £500 there etc...
With the T350c there were quite a few engine rebuilds which cost £4+ and this boosted the average running costs up.
They both look lovely, the Griff having that retro look and the t350c just looking uber cool.
I don't really have any mechanical knowledge, even though i'd love to know how everything works, so doing any works myself is probably a no no.
My feelings are if i got the Griff there would constantly be things needed to be done, but couldnt do them myself - i'd imagine this would get quiet tiresome.
The T350c would probably be more reliable but would cost more when things do need doing.
My budget will be about £20k, so could get a good Griff for <£15k and have £5k left for a contingency fund or buy the best T350c i can get and just save a few hundred quid every month so when stuff does need doing.
I will need to drive both though to see how they both feel, i'm sure i'd love both though.
Sorry for the long posts, just have so many thoughts running through my head.
Well from what i've read the Griff rarely cost under £1k pa or above £4k. They seemed to average around the £2-3k mark.
The T350c was a bit different as there doesnt seem to be many people keeping their history up to date. There was also quite a lot of upgrades which boosted the cost up quite a bit.
With the Griff you rarely read about an engine rebuild but mostly "small" items which cost £300 here, £500 there etc...
With the T350c there were quite a few engine rebuilds which cost £4+ and this boosted the average running costs up.
They both look lovely, the Griff having that retro look and the t350c just looking uber cool.
I don't really have any mechanical knowledge, even though i'd love to know how everything works, so doing any works myself is probably a no no.
My feelings are if i got the Griff there would constantly be things needed to be done, but couldnt do them myself - i'd imagine this would get quiet tiresome.
The T350c would probably be more reliable but would cost more when things do need doing.
My budget will be about £20k, so could get a good Griff for <£15k and have £5k left for a contingency fund or buy the best T350c i can get and just save a few hundred quid every month so when stuff does need doing.
I will need to drive both though to see how they both feel, i'm sure i'd love both though.
Sorry for the long posts, just have so many thoughts running through my head.
My old Chimaera was run over 4 years and 32000 miles and the running costs are detailed on my profile. Aside from performance there should be little difference between that and a Griff 500.
An RV8 car should be between 1-2k per annum to service and maintain. This could be more/less depending on your mileage and ability to sort the gold from the dogs.
A T350 will be approx double this. Over a year and a half I've had a new alternator (couple of hundred), 6k service and clutch/slave (£1500), uprated shocks (£1000), crank speed sensor and some tuning work (£250 or so), JP back box (£500 odd inc fitting). These are all only approximate prices as I've yet to update my profile. Some of these (and for the Chim) are optional upgrades but a S6 service will be a couple of hundred more than an RV8 - especially for me as I get valves checked/adjusted at every service rather than just every 12k.
As already mentioned - drive them as they're totally different. I loved my old Chim - but now I'm used to the T car I'd never go back. This is nothing to do with performance and everything to do with how the car feels and drives. My Chim was a very good one and extremely well set up but the T350 is so much more. However, this is not to everyones taste and I know people who have gone from Chim/Griff to a T-car and then back again as they couldn't get on with it. The RV8s are fantastic GT cars, the T-cars more total balls out sports cars.
An RV8 car should be between 1-2k per annum to service and maintain. This could be more/less depending on your mileage and ability to sort the gold from the dogs.
A T350 will be approx double this. Over a year and a half I've had a new alternator (couple of hundred), 6k service and clutch/slave (£1500), uprated shocks (£1000), crank speed sensor and some tuning work (£250 or so), JP back box (£500 odd inc fitting). These are all only approximate prices as I've yet to update my profile. Some of these (and for the Chim) are optional upgrades but a S6 service will be a couple of hundred more than an RV8 - especially for me as I get valves checked/adjusted at every service rather than just every 12k.
As already mentioned - drive them as they're totally different. I loved my old Chim - but now I'm used to the T car I'd never go back. This is nothing to do with performance and everything to do with how the car feels and drives. My Chim was a very good one and extremely well set up but the T350 is so much more. However, this is not to everyones taste and I know people who have gone from Chim/Griff to a T-car and then back again as they couldn't get on with it. The RV8s are fantastic GT cars, the T-cars more total balls out sports cars.
Dave 500 said:
Running costs per year including depreciation/fuel etc etc but not road tax/mot/insurance
Cerbera £7735.00
Chimaera £4981.00
So depreciation may be something to think about.
I paid £11,500 for my 97 Chim and sold it 4 years and 32000 miles later for £8,750.Cerbera £7735.00
Chimaera £4981.00
So depreciation may be something to think about.
I paid £21000 for my 54 plate T350t and could probably put it on the market now for 22k.
Buy right and you shouldn't lose much. Neither the Griff or T350 are going to lose much over the next few years IMHO. The Griff has achieved classic status whereas the 350 is getting rarer every day.
On paper, you're torn between the two, but once you've test driven a couple of each one will emerge as the clear choice. A big factor will be convertible v coupe.
As has been said before annual running costs vary depending how lucky or not you are, but on balance the Griff is likely to cost less though in my experience (I have a T350c and prior to that a Chim 500) I spent more on the RV8 car because of upgrades.
Generally, the driving experience will be very different between the two, with the Griff generally feeling more agricultural and less planted, but both give an equally raw driving experience. In a straight line there won't be much to choose between them (in standard tune) though I'd expect the T350c to be quicker accelerating once over the ton and obviously the top speed of the T350c is higher.
Don't be put off by the rebuild horror stories - look for one that's had a rebuild recently (by someone well known and respected) and you should be ok.
Both cars seem to hold their value really well, though in the long term I fancy the T350c will appreciate more due to their comparative rarity.
As has been said before annual running costs vary depending how lucky or not you are, but on balance the Griff is likely to cost less though in my experience (I have a T350c and prior to that a Chim 500) I spent more on the RV8 car because of upgrades.
Generally, the driving experience will be very different between the two, with the Griff generally feeling more agricultural and less planted, but both give an equally raw driving experience. In a straight line there won't be much to choose between them (in standard tune) though I'd expect the T350c to be quicker accelerating once over the ton and obviously the top speed of the T350c is higher.
Don't be put off by the rebuild horror stories - look for one that's had a rebuild recently (by someone well known and respected) and you should be ok.
Both cars seem to hold their value really well, though in the long term I fancy the T350c will appreciate more due to their comparative rarity.
The cost differences are not the key thing when choosing between these cars. Both very much full of TVR DNA, but are totally different on the road. The Griffith 500 is the last of the (some say) great V8 engined TVR's, where the T series cars with the amazing Speed 6 engine has a totally different driving character.
I loved my Griffith 500, and later Chimaera but I always look forward to taking the Tuscan out. It always feels very special and the noise and pace is fantastic. Yes, some Griffith's can be made to go as quick, but the Speed 6 has that 'oh my god i'm about to die..' feel when you boot it that just isn't there with the V8's...
Forget the costs, drive them and decide which one want.... Just my view..
Paul
I loved my Griffith 500, and later Chimaera but I always look forward to taking the Tuscan out. It always feels very special and the noise and pace is fantastic. Yes, some Griffith's can be made to go as quick, but the Speed 6 has that 'oh my god i'm about to die..' feel when you boot it that just isn't there with the V8's...
Forget the costs, drive them and decide which one want.... Just my view..
Paul
Edited by The Surveyor on Thursday 15th April 13:53
I dont think the running costs as such will worry me too much as both will probably be in the £2-4k pa bracket, it's more to do with which will let me down the least.
I don't want to keep going to the garage to get stuff sorted out, as i said before i dont really know my way round an engine. So any niggles will need to be sorted out at the garage. That is until i learn a bit more about the car, which after owning one i probably will do.
Do we all agree that the T350 will cost more to run but will probably be more reliable?
I don't want to keep going to the garage to get stuff sorted out, as i said before i dont really know my way round an engine. So any niggles will need to be sorted out at the garage. That is until i learn a bit more about the car, which after owning one i probably will do.
Do we all agree that the T350 will cost more to run but will probably be more reliable?
Diablos-666 said:
Do we all agree that the T350 will cost more to run but will probably be more reliable?
No! The RV8 is a proven engine and extremely strong. In the 4 years with mine I broke down twice. Once with a snapped clutch fork and once with a 99p fuse that was fixed at the side of the road.Too early to tell yet with the 350 but they require a lot more care IMHO.
Diablos-666 said:
Hey guys,
Just wanted your thoughts on the above subject...
haha only kidding, didnt want to open up that can of worms again.
My real question
Have been considering getting the T350c for a while, but have also been looking at the Griff 500.
So, im torn between the new T350c and the old Griff.
I've been checking out the "readers cars" on PH and it looks as if more things require replacing and servicing is cheaper on the Griff but when items require replacing on the T350c they cost considerably more, but are less frequent.
Summary
Both cars will cost roughly the same to run per year (on average) but the Griff will probably require more work more often.
Would the majority of you agree with this?
Over to the floor
Personal choice and how you are going to use it.Just wanted your thoughts on the above subject...
haha only kidding, didnt want to open up that can of worms again.
My real question
Have been considering getting the T350c for a while, but have also been looking at the Griff 500.
So, im torn between the new T350c and the old Griff.
I've been checking out the "readers cars" on PH and it looks as if more things require replacing and servicing is cheaper on the Griff but when items require replacing on the T350c they cost considerably more, but are less frequent.
Summary
Both cars will cost roughly the same to run per year (on average) but the Griff will probably require more work more often.
Would the majority of you agree with this?
Over to the floor
I've had both and the only thing that they both had in common was the amount of glue splashed over the interior in places it shouldn't be.
They really are two different beasts that do two different jobs very well.
Classically I will always love the Griff and I don't think I'll miss the T350 the same way but the T350 is plain and simply a better car. It has over 10 years development on the Griff and it does show.
m0ssy said:
Would it not also depend on whether you want the roof off/down when driving?
Just to throw in an oddball, don't forget that the Tamora is basically a T350 under the skin and is a convertible. So if you like the dynamics of the T350 but want a convertible you could consider a Tamora. I'd prefer a roof really, but would make an exception for the Griff as it's such a good looking car.
How many miles do the RV8 and S6 engines do before needed a rebuild?
S6 dont normally do over 30k miles before needing a rebuild, is the same as post 2004/5 S6 engines?
I would imagine the RV8 can do double this and more?
How many miles do the RV8 and S6 engines do before needed a rebuild?
S6 dont normally do over 30k miles before needing a rebuild, is the same as post 2004/5 S6 engines?
I would imagine the RV8 can do double this and more?
Diablos-666 said:
I'd prefer a roof really, but would make an exception for the Griff as it's such a good looking car.
How many miles do the RV8 and S6 engines do before needed a rebuild?
S6 dont normally do over 30k miles before needing a rebuild, is the same as post 2004/5 S6 engines?
I would imagine the RV8 can do double this and more?
IMHO you are opening a can of worms here with such a bold statement as there are many pre 2004 SP6 engine owners who will beg to differ. How many miles do the RV8 and S6 engines do before needed a rebuild?
S6 dont normally do over 30k miles before needing a rebuild, is the same as post 2004/5 S6 engines?
I would imagine the RV8 can do double this and more?
The cars are very reliable if treated right. Trouble is you cannot buy from new so will always have to take a certain risk and have some good fortune.
The TVR experience isn't about worrying when your engine will need being re-built but buying into the model you truly desire and going in with your eyes open IMHO.
If being unlucky and getting one that is not quite sound and needs a bit of TLC would make you hate TVRs then perhaps its not the marque for you. Just be aware its a handbuilt car from blackpool, that will rattle, make funny noises, have quirks, act non-production as you can get but will have the looks to make you feel on
everytime you look at it, turn heads everywhere, sound like a car should and leave just about everything else for dust.Swings and roundabouts, but one thing for sure... mine is staying with me
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