Chimaera or Griffith? Advice needed!
Discussion
I have finally decided to take the plunge and buy myself a TVR. Having looked at this discussion board for a while I reckon this might be the place to get the advice I need.
I had made my mind up to go for a lowish mileage, 1999 or later Chimaera 450 or 500 BUT a few folks have said that the Griffith is also worth a look. I like the look of both but to be honest I am not that familiar with the differences between the two. I plan to use the car a fair bit so am looking for some degree of practicality and comfort (which I hope both can provide) and I also really want something that handles well - is there a major difference between the two in this respect? Reliability is also important as I don't live close to a TVR garage. Any thoughts or advice out there? Thanks in advance.
I had made my mind up to go for a lowish mileage, 1999 or later Chimaera 450 or 500 BUT a few folks have said that the Griffith is also worth a look. I like the look of both but to be honest I am not that familiar with the differences between the two. I plan to use the car a fair bit so am looking for some degree of practicality and comfort (which I hope both can provide) and I also really want something that handles well - is there a major difference between the two in this respect? Reliability is also important as I don't live close to a TVR garage. Any thoughts or advice out there? Thanks in advance.
No inherent difference in reliability.
No difference in handling IMO (tho some may differ!)
The real difference (aside from the obvious) is practicality - I found the Griff much harder to live with if you want to take weekends away or go on camping/touring trips. The boot is bigger on the Chim - which also makes stowing the roof panel easier - and the interior has a bit more space too.
Having owned 400 and 450 Chims and a 500HC Griff - I have to say I find the 450 the best to drive - it can keep up with a 5 litre but I find it less 'full on' when I just want to take it easy.
Ultimately its horses for courses and you'll only know once you've tested a few. All these cars are quick enough to be great fun!! (and/or dangerous in the wrong hands!)
hope this helps.
No difference in handling IMO (tho some may differ!)
The real difference (aside from the obvious) is practicality - I found the Griff much harder to live with if you want to take weekends away or go on camping/touring trips. The boot is bigger on the Chim - which also makes stowing the roof panel easier - and the interior has a bit more space too.
Having owned 400 and 450 Chims and a 500HC Griff - I have to say I find the 450 the best to drive - it can keep up with a 5 litre but I find it less 'full on' when I just want to take it easy.
Ultimately its horses for courses and you'll only know once you've tested a few. All these cars are quick enough to be great fun!! (and/or dangerous in the wrong hands!)
hope this helps.
No inherent difference in reliability.
No difference in handling IMO (tho some may differ!)
The real difference (aside from the obvious) is practicality - I found the Griff much harder to live with if you want to take weekends away or go on camping/touring trips. The boot is bigger on the Chim - which also makes stowing the roof panel easier - and the interior has a bit more space too.
Having owned 400 and 450 Chims and a 500HC Griff - I have to say I find the 450 the best to drive - it can keep up with a 5 litre but I find it less 'full on' when I just want to take it easy.
Ultimately its horses for courses and you'll only know once you've tested a few. All these cars are quick enough to be great fun!! (and/or dangerous in the wrong hands!)
hope this helps.
No difference in handling IMO (tho some may differ!)
The real difference (aside from the obvious) is practicality - I found the Griff much harder to live with if you want to take weekends away or go on camping/touring trips. The boot is bigger on the Chim - which also makes stowing the roof panel easier - and the interior has a bit more space too.
Having owned 400 and 450 Chims and a 500HC Griff - I have to say I find the 450 the best to drive - it can keep up with a 5 litre but I find it less 'full on' when I just want to take it easy.
Ultimately its horses for courses and you'll only know once you've tested a few. All these cars are quick enough to be great fun!! (and/or dangerous in the wrong hands!)
hope this helps.
boot space is of course relative,
as in a griff, you have approximately TWO - THREE time the space as an MX5, roof up... the only issue is the roof is a bit of a kanck to get in the boot, BUT if, as most people do, leave the space safer at home (NOT even supplied with later griffs?) it still leaves a lot of space...
Ie BOTH griff and CHIM CAN get 2 full sets of golf clubs bags in, butthe griff will only take one lightweight troilley, to the chims 2 lightweight trolleys.
AS an understandable comparison...
Take a look, A well sorted griff 500, comapred to a well sorted chim 500, should all intents and purposes, handle/drive thesame, have the same performance, and have the same running costs.
So just choose the sahpe you prefer.. As far as i'm aware, these running costs would be no different, if you had a 4.5 chim of a similar vintage.
B
as in a griff, you have approximately TWO - THREE time the space as an MX5, roof up... the only issue is the roof is a bit of a kanck to get in the boot, BUT if, as most people do, leave the space safer at home (NOT even supplied with later griffs?) it still leaves a lot of space...
Ie BOTH griff and CHIM CAN get 2 full sets of golf clubs bags in, butthe griff will only take one lightweight troilley, to the chims 2 lightweight trolleys.
AS an understandable comparison... Take a look, A well sorted griff 500, comapred to a well sorted chim 500, should all intents and purposes, handle/drive thesame, have the same performance, and have the same running costs.
So just choose the sahpe you prefer.. As far as i'm aware, these running costs would be no different, if you had a 4.5 chim of a similar vintage.
B
vixpy1 said:Yes, there is a running gag on PistonHeads about those two stereotypes, but as others have already pointed out they are exactly the same car underneath (although if you go back enough they were different - I forget at what point the cars became the same underneath). So, given that, pick the car that you prefer the look of.
Do you play golf (Chim) or wear a chestwig (Griff)
>> Edited by JonRB on Tuesday 24th January 08:58
I'm not liked much on here at the moment but i spent a good 6 months searching for the right one, if you want a reliable motor get one that is as new as possible, there are a lot of older cars with low milage that hardly ever get serviced. after looking at alot of 98 models (the biggest production year) and none of them really doing it for me, griffs or chims.. i found a 2000 model it had a few more miles but being younger had a better interior, body, chassis and had been serviced often.. grifs do hold there value better but i decided i wanted a car to drive and live with not an investment.. and the boot on a chim is huge, it'll take 70 kg and easily fit a lap dancer or two! my 450 averaging 19mpg and it only takes optimax(98 ocatne) i tried some lesser 97 octane fuel think it was bp ultimate and she wouldn't start... just some things to think about. better than a boxster regardless of what topgear say check ther group test.. i drive mine every day no hicups and i get very angry when corsa owners preach about reliability and build quality , vauxhall honestly!
Go with your heart and pick the one that does it for you.
Then find a local dealer or indy and do back to back test drive of the various engines, depending on your past exerience you may be more than happy with a 4.0L - failing that go to a local meet and people will be glad do give you some demo drives.
Once you done that, look at as many cars as you can decide upon your preferred interior and exterior colours, preference for leather, shiny bits etc. and start looking at PH, TVRCC, AutoTrader for what you want, or call one of the various brokers who will look on your behalf.
Condition is everything on these, you'll find some 80k mile example that look stunning, have everything replaced or polished and a fantastic history - on the flip side you have newer cars with full TVR dealer history that aren't always that good, everyone is different with these cars, you just need to find one thats been loved.
Don't let the smaller boot "issue" on the Griff sway you too much BTW, it still big enough for trips away (some have been for weeks, not just weekends) or camping at Le Mans etc.
Then find a local dealer or indy and do back to back test drive of the various engines, depending on your past exerience you may be more than happy with a 4.0L - failing that go to a local meet and people will be glad do give you some demo drives.
Once you done that, look at as many cars as you can decide upon your preferred interior and exterior colours, preference for leather, shiny bits etc. and start looking at PH, TVRCC, AutoTrader for what you want, or call one of the various brokers who will look on your behalf.
Condition is everything on these, you'll find some 80k mile example that look stunning, have everything replaced or polished and a fantastic history - on the flip side you have newer cars with full TVR dealer history that aren't always that good, everyone is different with these cars, you just need to find one thats been loved.
Don't let the smaller boot "issue" on the Griff sway you too much BTW, it still big enough for trips away (some have been for weeks, not just weekends) or camping at Le Mans etc.
JonRB said:
Do you play golf (Chim) or wear a chestwig (Griff)
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=237744&f=8&h=0
Get a 500 - you will want one after a while - easier to hot up if the bug really gets to you.
Chim / Griff - exacly the same underneath - chim a bit longer rea overhanger hence brilliant boot - a use it to the full - could not live with the small Griff one and the "getting the hood intosucha small space issue". But like the look of both - both have great visuals some bits better on each - you take you pic.
Do it. Drive it regularly and it will be reliable - well "ish".
Chim / Griff - exacly the same underneath - chim a bit longer rea overhanger hence brilliant boot - a use it to the full - could not live with the small Griff one and the "getting the hood intosucha small space issue". But like the look of both - both have great visuals some bits better on each - you take you pic.
Do it. Drive it regularly and it will be reliable - well "ish".
Some of the comments about same underneath are not strictly true.
They had different chassis / suspension set's up's prior
on 1997.
1997 on - chassis the same !
The suspension was softer and more forgiving on the Chim - all years but could be specified with the harder 'Griff' setup.
Totally agree with Jellison - go for the 500 as it has power to spare and will save you wanting to upgrade later.
They had different chassis / suspension set's up's prior
on 1997.
1997 on - chassis the same !
The suspension was softer and more forgiving on the Chim - all years but could be specified with the harder 'Griff' setup.
Totally agree with Jellison - go for the 500 as it has power to spare and will save you wanting to upgrade later.
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