The Tiv bug?

[BERGS2]

I've enjoyed my S2 enormously in the first 6 months of ownership - and thanks to all who have offered great advice and practical suggestions on this forum...

But I WANT MORE POWER!!

I have been toying with the idea of trading up to a Chimaera or Griff - possibly something £12-£15k - so a couple of questions to you guys -

1) what are the main differences (Chim more user friendly, Griff more Raw?)
2) running costs? (I'm guessing +50%...)
3) are the quirks the same? (fastidious chassis maintenence required, and a spare throttle cable...)

any advice gladly received!!

[burriana500]

As a rough guide I'd say you are somewhere near on all three of your own answers - except the Griff looks more muscular... purely subjective though

[shnozz]

BERGS2 said:

1) what are the main differences (Chim more user friendly, Griff more Raw?) 2) running costs? (I'm guessing +50%...) 3) are the quirks the same? (fastidious chassis maintenence required, and a spare throttle cable...) any advice gladly received!!

1. The chim is much more of a proper car than the S. Firstly, the plus points, it seems better built, its not so "cheap" in terms of the finish of everything inside, from the seats to the dash. Its faster, it has headlights and brakes that work Its a V8 it draws more attention from the masses, albeit not necessarily the TVR "in the know" crowd. It has luxuries like leccy windows, central locking, some have heated seats, etc etc. Boot space is huge for european trips, even with the roof panel stored in it. It has far more torque so overtakes dont need to shift through the box like I used to have to.

On the downside, the feedback on the Chim is not as sharp and as the S. I felt in the S that I knew exactly where the handling was "at" in a corner. Its a bit more wooly in the chim - although I havent played with shocks or springs really too much in either car, just made sure they were up to scratch. By this, i think if i were to be tracking the car a lot I would probably have stuck with the S3. But i use mine predominantly on high days and holidays so its not that much of a concern.

2. Running costs - have found that mpg is considerably worse in the V8. Never bother working it out as the day I work out mpg I will sell a TVR and buy a Mondeo diesel - oops appear to have done that already. But seriously, i have read about 20 ish mpg - it would surprise me if I get that but I know i stop far more often than I had to in the S.

Servicing costs havent seemed any more expensive at all I must say. My S needed a few services with shocks and springs etc and the sort of stuff that goes with a 1990 65k car. I guess the chim is a little way off that yet with only 34k on the clock so the servicing seems to be cheaper so far. for example though, a throttle cable will cost you nearly £60 rather than £12.

3. Same quirks apply, waxoyl and throttle cable a must, as is the regular maintenance. And replace the dodgy throttle pot maintenance with cleaning the stepper motor instead