Considering Chim or Griff, but which?
Discussion
I'm not going to ask if I should make the jump from my current BMW daily to a cheapo commuter car and a TVR, as I know what answer I will get! 
I will though ask for an opinion on Chim or Griff? In particular on a budget of £8-10k there seems to be a small number of early Griffs about and plenty of Chims. In this price bracket what is going to be best?
I have bought and owned a TVR before (V8S), so know some of the do's and don'ts, but would appreciate some input regarding whic would make the best purchase at this price.
I will though ask for an opinion on Chim or Griff? In particular on a budget of £8-10k there seems to be a small number of early Griffs about and plenty of Chims. In this price bracket what is going to be best?
I have bought and owned a TVR before (V8S), so know some of the do's and don'ts, but would appreciate some input regarding whic would make the best purchase at this price.
ahh yes, I do remember a bit of Chim/Griff rivalry back when I used to frequent the TVR forums before. It's all good sport you know!Your budget will definately get you a nicer Chimaera than Griffith especially at the lower end, it just depends how long you can wait to find the right car.
You need to think about which engine you want to opt for too as you may well find a standard 4.0 will feel a bit slow after a while.
With your budget i'd be looking for a nice 4.5 Chimaera.
I did exactly the same as you, sold my 2006 Saab Aero and bought a Chimaera for 7500 and used the family hack for the nursey run. I would have gone for a 4.3/4.5 if the budget had allowed but i went for the best car in the nicest mechanical condition which happened to be a 4.0.
I'll be buying a Tuscan when the nursery fees come to an end so the 4.0 has plenty of go for now, puts a smile on my face every time i drive it.
You need to think about which engine you want to opt for too as you may well find a standard 4.0 will feel a bit slow after a while.
With your budget i'd be looking for a nice 4.5 Chimaera.
I did exactly the same as you, sold my 2006 Saab Aero and bought a Chimaera for 7500 and used the family hack for the nursey run. I would have gone for a 4.3/4.5 if the budget had allowed but i went for the best car in the nicest mechanical condition which happened to be a 4.0.
I'll be buying a Tuscan when the nursery fees come to an end so the 4.0 has plenty of go for now, puts a smile on my face every time i drive it.
Would you keep it long? If so then a Griff is the one that will become the more valuable. I predict e type status/values!
£8/10k will get you a Griff but you need another £5k ready to get you through a year.
They are getting old now and I’ve had two, a 1995 and a 1999. I had no problem with the 1995 that I owned from 2003 until 2005 but the 1999 was a dog. I spent 2k putting it right in the first 3 months of owning it.
With Vauxhall parts and Rover running gear you’d expect serving to be cheap but cheap, it’s not!
I love the Griff, for me there is no other TVR worth having, and I will own another.
Just need to get my £ worth out of my Lotus first, then I’ll start the search for a well sorted Griff. It’s worth looking at restored Tiv's now, as most are in need of it, they come up at the right price on PH every so often.
Good Luck.
£8/10k will get you a Griff but you need another £5k ready to get you through a year.
They are getting old now and I’ve had two, a 1995 and a 1999. I had no problem with the 1995 that I owned from 2003 until 2005 but the 1999 was a dog. I spent 2k putting it right in the first 3 months of owning it.
With Vauxhall parts and Rover running gear you’d expect serving to be cheap but cheap, it’s not!
I love the Griff, for me there is no other TVR worth having, and I will own another.
Just need to get my £ worth out of my Lotus first, then I’ll start the search for a well sorted Griff. It’s worth looking at restored Tiv's now, as most are in need of it, they come up at the right price on PH every so often.
Good Luck.
crispian22 said:
hi,you do see early 4.3 chims come up for sale now and again,and although an earlier car,some say they're the better engine?
same old adage,condition,condition,condition!
good luck in the hunt!
same old adage,condition,condition,condition!
good luck in the hunt!
I've got a very well sorted 4.3 & it does indeed produce good power & revs very hard. Feels more eager than my previous Griff 500, but the Griff was down on power a little.Edited by pwd95 on Sunday 4th October 14:05
so am torn between the 2 
i think the Griff is the bad boy on the block though 
however i do like my Chim alot pstruck said:
I'm not going to ask if I should make the jump from my current BMW daily to a cheapo commuter car and a TVR, as I know what answer I will get!
I will though ask for an opinion on Chim or Griff? In particular on a budget of £8-10k there seems to be a small number of early Griffs about and plenty of Chims. In this price bracket what is going to be best?
I have bought and owned a TVR before (V8S), so know some of the do's and don'ts, but would appreciate some input regarding whic would make the best purchase at this price.
Griff if you can afford it, they seem to hold their money better.I will though ask for an opinion on Chim or Griff? In particular on a budget of £8-10k there seems to be a small number of early Griffs about and plenty of Chims. In this price bracket what is going to be best?
I have bought and owned a TVR before (V8S), so know some of the do's and don'ts, but would appreciate some input regarding whic would make the best purchase at this price.
That said Chims are pretty good residual wise too.
So it comes down to:
-Buy whichever you like the look of most
-Buy the best you can in terms of condition
RichB said:
Evo said:
Your budget will definately get you a nicer Chimaera than Griffith especially at the lower end...
Yes they are cheaper - market forces I guess?
Snobby with a bit of a chip on the shoulder. Oh and chest-wig. Medallion. Can't get the roof in the boot. Blah
h 
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