Pre Cat Griff or 400 SE
Discussion
6 Years ago I purchased my first TVR - A black 350i low miler in top condition. After 4 years of untold enjoyment my company offered cash instead of my Vectra SRI so I sold the 350 an upgraded to a 1999 4.0 Chimaera. I loved the car but had to sell it recently as I changed jobs and now do 15000 miles per year instead of 6000 previously - Bu**er . I purchased a BMW Z3 3.0 with all the toys and have enjoyed the car this summer. I read the recent Z3 lashings on this site which I found hysterical. The BMW is a great comprimise for a daily car doing a few miles but I miss the fun and thrills that I got from the TVR's beforehand. So, I have decided that 2 cars is the way to go. One for the daily M25 drag and one the for weekend. Only one problem. With £13k to spend do I buy a 400SE or a Pre Cat Griff? Let me know your thoughts and what to look out for!!!
Well the short answer is that it's really down to personal taste.
I had exactly the same conundram (sp?) 4 years ago after having sold my 4.3 chimeara.
In the end I bought '91 400se rather than a Griff from the same time for the following reasons:
1, Early Griffs were a bit shoddy build wise from what I could see, whereas ther 400se was nearing the end of its production life and, like all TVRs, was pretty well sorted by then.
2, The 4.0 litre Griff felt slow compared to the 400se. Purely subjective of course, and I may just have tried a couple of bad Griffs. The 4.3 Griff would be a different matter though.....!
3, The 400se is a very rare beast in comparison to the Griff (242 built against ? thousand griffs)
4, I liked the look and sound of the 400se. It really is a hairy beast of a car, (and quite different in character to your earlier 350i) A friend of mine calls is BJ, after Billie Jean King. This came about after an arguement concerning whether TVRs are male or female, and she said that if the 400se was female than it must be the dikeyist lesbian tennis player of a car known to man! The Griff is lovely too though, in a more feminine way!!!!
Either way, I'm sure you'll love the experience. Incidently, with 13k to spend you may even be able to pick up a SEAC. Now THATS an option!
Andy 400se
I had exactly the same conundram (sp?) 4 years ago after having sold my 4.3 chimeara.
In the end I bought '91 400se rather than a Griff from the same time for the following reasons:
1, Early Griffs were a bit shoddy build wise from what I could see, whereas ther 400se was nearing the end of its production life and, like all TVRs, was pretty well sorted by then.
2, The 4.0 litre Griff felt slow compared to the 400se. Purely subjective of course, and I may just have tried a couple of bad Griffs. The 4.3 Griff would be a different matter though.....!
3, The 400se is a very rare beast in comparison to the Griff (242 built against ? thousand griffs)
4, I liked the look and sound of the 400se. It really is a hairy beast of a car, (and quite different in character to your earlier 350i) A friend of mine calls is BJ, after Billie Jean King. This came about after an arguement concerning whether TVRs are male or female, and she said that if the 400se was female than it must be the dikeyist lesbian tennis player of a car known to man! The Griff is lovely too though, in a more feminine way!!!!
Either way, I'm sure you'll love the experience. Incidently, with 13k to spend you may even be able to pick up a SEAC. Now THATS an option!
Andy 400se
The best thing to do is drive the cars you are interested in and then make a decision.
I have seen Shoddy 400se's as well as shoddy 4.x Griffiths. It all depends how they have been treated.
The 400se IS a rare beast compared to ALL Griffiths, but the bulk of Griffs are 500's. So if you go for the 4.x Griff, you will have a rare car. Roughly 700 4.x Griffiths between 1992 & 1993. It IS 4.x Griffs and NOT 500 we are talking about is'nt it?
Both are great cars for different reasons, so go and drive them both and make your own comparisons.
Good luck.
Tiv
I have seen Shoddy 400se's as well as shoddy 4.x Griffiths. It all depends how they have been treated.
The 400se IS a rare beast compared to ALL Griffiths, but the bulk of Griffs are 500's. So if you go for the 4.x Griff, you will have a rare car. Roughly 700 4.x Griffiths between 1992 & 1993. It IS 4.x Griffs and NOT 500 we are talking about is'nt it?
Both are great cars for different reasons, so go and drive them both and make your own comparisons.
Good luck.
Tiv
Correctimundo Pedestrian! But being neutral for a moment it's a free country (actually it's not, it's effing expensive) and the main thing about TVR ownership is that the owner is chuffed to bits about it and goes 'mmmm' in Homer Simpson style every time he opens the garage door!
>> Edited by simpo one on Monday 2nd September 18:42
>> Edited by simpo one on Monday 2nd September 18:42
I have always like the curves of a Griffith but still have the gland that gets tickled to produce a ear to ear grin whilst out in the 400SE, as has been said, what tickles yer fancy. Pity they are a bit scarce.
If I could find one at the right price it would be a SEAC.
PS that was when I was looking. More than happy with the 400 now.
>> Edited by jmorgan on Tuesday 3rd September 08:50
If I could find one at the right price it would be a SEAC.
PS that was when I was looking. More than happy with the 400 now.
>> Edited by jmorgan on Tuesday 3rd September 08:50
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