Rid me of my jealousy!

[PreTVR]

Hi,

As the nickname suggests I am currently not a TVR owner (hence the jealousy of you guys!) but am (finally) getting close to being able to.

Can I canvass opion on what is my choice of flavours... I am considering either a Griffith or a Chimera. These are some of my thoughts on both and in general.

1. Love the look of both but slightly prefer the Griff
2. Not cash rich so I don't want one too old or too expensive to repair/maintain
3. Car will be used for weekend/very occasional short commute to station
4. Will be in a garage but it isn't particularly wide (though a new shape Laguna fits and leaves enough room to squeeze out of drivers door)
5. Willing to spend c.20k
6. I am over 6ft (does this have a bearing?)

I am sure that a lot of this boils down to preference but some pratical, real world experience would be great. Especially buying tips and things to look for. Is it true that prices are usually depressed around winter time? (could it be because of S.A.D?! )

Thanks very much in advance, maybe... one day... I will be here as an owner!! (I am sure plenty of you will remember/recognise the feeling of longing!)

Cheers,
Phil

[bloggs]

Phil there is no choice go for the GRiff have had one now for just over two weeks and driven it all types of weather and my grin hasn't stopped.

[BLUETHUNDER]

I would go for the chimaera a better shape all round with a chim you you get two cars in one the sound of a griff and the looks of a cerbera,im gona be a bit controversial and say that IMHO the griff always looked a bit kit carish

[david beer]

my second Griff, never even looked at a Chimaera. Thank goodness we are all able to have our own opinions. Although i think a headlight conversion on a Griff just makes that little bit of a difference, some might say its not original, ive kept the original pods just in case!

[Hut49]

You'll be happy with either. I looked at both and it just happened that a chim with the right spec, condition and price came along first.

BTW there's no such thing as a short commute in a tiv. Firstly you probably don't do the engine any favours with a short journey where you arrive before it's warmed up and secondly you find a good reason to go a few extra miles just for the hell of it!

No problem with height - the chim (at least) has adjustable pedals.

>> Edited by Hut49 on Saturday 2nd November 19:23

[Prince_Charming]

Mate, I'm in exactly the same position and have about the same budget and concerns/hopes/dreams. I'm planning on spending next week-end trawling around the dealers to look at different cars - hoping that buying from a dealer will mean the car will be relatively sorted (probably naieve!). Some non-TVR garages seem to have some cheaper griffs/chims for the same year (quick look on autotrader confirms this). This is probably a bit more risky, but may be the way I go - can't help thinking that the newer the car, the better.

Also, can't quite decide between Griff and Chim (in fact started a massive thread on this earlier in the week). Seems like most PHers prefer the Griff, but I can't help loving the rear of the Chimaera. Tough one, but I think the Chim might win it.....

Good luck, and let me know how you get on! Lets see who gets one first!

Marc

[VYT]

If you have 20k to spend you are not limited to the Griff and Chimaera, an early sorted Cebera falls into that budget.......... More expensive to run for sure. IMHO worth every penny.

[simpo one]

'1. Love the look of both but slightly prefer the Griff'


Congratulations - you've just answered your own question! In nearly every other respect the cars are identical.

[PreTVR]

Thanks one and all for the responses - I think I have concluded that it really is down to my "feeling" once I find one I really like (that's like chosing from one of the girls from the Corrs!!)

Cerbera?!! Oh my god I didn't realise there was a third option!!!

Prince - good luck, I have a feeling you will before me but do let me know how you get on!

Is there really nothing in it? Fuel costs nothing?!! HELP!!!

[craigalsop]

PreTVR said:
Is there really nothing in it? Fuel costs nothing?!! HELP!!!

Nope - they are the same car underneath. Earlier Chimaeras had a softer suspension than early Griffs, but later cars were pretty much exactly the same under the skin. More people prefer Chimaeras than Griffs (otherwise there would be more Griffs on the road), so there are more Chimaeras to choose from. OTOH Griffiths probably hold their value slightly better because of this.
If you play golf get a Chimaera.

[the dodger]

With £20k to spend the world is your lobster. If it was just me and just a car to drive and admire I would probably go for a Griff. The Ultimate shape - pure form. But I bought a Chim - love that shape too, slightly bigger boot, I prefer the dash, bigger bonnet and 'erindoors didn't like the Griff.

Either will give you so much

[5ltvr]

Either way must be the 500 engine, also the long, long, curvey, flared with vents bonnet view from the drivers seat in a Chimeara looks like view down cleavage, way better than view down ski slope!!

D

[MikeyT]

The back of the Chim gives it a mean look - that swayed my head anyway. The Griff was never really in the frame and although the only TVR I'd previously driven was a 5ltr Griff I ended up with a 4ltr Chim!

Strange but true!