Nissan 350z or TVR Griffith

Simple decision really. It depends whether you want to get to your intended destination (jap can), or not (brit beast).

I have spent a small fortune keeping the Supra on the road so the last thing I am looking for is more expense, hence why I am shying away from the TVR!

Why not stir a Mazda RX8 into the mix? - just for fun!

One of those Mitsubishi Evo tarmac shagger things?
Martin

NB,

Just take a look at the TVR forum on Pistonheads.com if you want to see what the Tiv owners have to put up with. Stupidly expensive to service with very short intervals to boot along with all the various problems which there are lots. The best ones (in terms of reliability) are the Griffs & Chimeras, ie the one's with the tried and trusted Rover V8's (RIP).

I've test driven a 350z and it's a very nice car. I think you'd find it a bit 'And?' after your tweaked supra. The power delivery is very, very linear and feels a bit underwhelming at first. It does however sound awesome, handles very well, has great brakes and has superb steering. I think they'll make a great 2nd hand buy in a year or so's time unless of course, you don't mind/care for depreciation.

Couple of links for you to read over:

350Z UK forum

TVR Forum (Pistonheads)

What about some proper 993 Pork? Start that air-cooled flat 6 in the morning and you'll have invaded Poland by lunchtime

Steve

quote:

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Originally posted by Martin D:
One of those Mitsubishi Evo tarmac shagger things?
Martin

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Finally getting used to mine. Apart from the image (and it is a big proviso), it is simply a great every day car.

Evo; great if yo ever need to carry any luggage. To my surprise I can get my large bass cabinet in the boot. Er, that would be for bass guitar gigs, not car-park ICE displays.

[This message was edited by Rockingdoc on Mon 10 May 2004 at 17:19.]

[This message was edited by Rockingdoc on Mon 10 May 2004 at 17:20.]

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Originally posted by Rockingdoc:
Evo; great if yo ever need to carry any luggage. To my surprise I can get my large bass cabinet in the boot.

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And all your neighbours children (and/or small fluffy animals) will wedge nicely in all those air intake scoops ;-)

Based on more recent comments on the "top speed" thread you will be better of buying a donkey otherwise you will be deemed to be a social deviant or something like that.

Mike

To answer the question:

350Z.

However, if you wish to make your local TVR specialist very wealthy and if you wish to visit him often (in the company of that very nice tow-truck driver) then buy a TVR.

Mike

quote:-

Stop messing about. Get a 6 series bmw.
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You cannot be serious!!!!!!!!!!!

I have had a look at the Mazda RX8 and I am not convinced, the high repairs bills put me off the TVR, so I think I am going to test drive the Nissan!

Regards


NB

Quote:-

otherwise you will be deemed to be a social deviant or something like that.
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Michael, I already am!!

My neighbor's think I am noisy, don't know where they get that from!!


Regards


NB

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I have had a look at the Mazda RX8 and I am not convinced

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I'm not entirely convinced by the RX-8 styling either... but the 2+2 arrangement is very appealling.

If you can put up with a 2-seater, the 350Z is a very reasonable choice. The roadster is especially pretty.

Enjoy...

Tze-Ho

AG,

I have booked a test drive later and will let you know if it drives as good as it looks. If money wasn't an object tehn I would seriously consider the AM but I have to do the boring things like save for a pension and pay a mortgage!

I have the family car in the jeep, so this ones just for me (and my partner), I need to have some enjoyment after a hard day of accounting!

Regards

NB

NB

You need to live with one for at least a couple of months before making a decision.

See if you can get an extended demo, you mustnt rush into this

TZE96,

I have had a long look at the RX8 and what puts me off is the need to keep the revcounter high to get any kind of power delivery. I like the flexibility of a big v6 and the amount of torque it delivers.

With the Supra I have decent acceleration from 2000 revs and can be lazy with changing gears.

Another thing that puts me of the RX8 is that it seats four and I have read you have to check the oil levels every second petrol tank full.

I have sat in the Nissan and Mazda and the Nissan gives the better feeling of security, is solid and heavy and in my mind would have more protection in an accident.

The Nissan also comes with a serious sound sistem, say no more!

Regards


NB

All this talk of unreliable TVR's is utter bo££ocks! I'm on my third now. So what if the last two have had to have engine rebuilds at 22 months and 11 months? I keep telling myself it's all part of their charm - and costing TVR a fortune under warranty. ;-)

Anyway, a four or five year old Griff will be as cheap as chips, should have been fully debugged by the previous owner and will make you grin like a loon when you floor it. The annual servicing can be a pain - more often if you rack up over 6K a year - but with an older car there are many alternative places than TVR dealerships to get the car sorted.

I would recommend new TVR's only for the bold and sanguine. If you expect no teething troubles and plain sailing, take your dosh elsewhere. If you can live with the foibles/faults then it's the best way to spend money on a car I can think of.

Of course the very fact that you are considering buying Jap cr4p in the first place means that I really shouldn't be talking to you ...

And whoever suggested the "doors like a London black cab" RX8 ... purlease!

As usual YMMV ... ;-)

Duncan

Duncan,

My local TVR dealer has a 200(w) TVR Griffith 5L for sale at £24,950. Its done 33,000 miles and is on its third owner, perhaps this isn't the best track record.

Worth looking at?

Regards


NB

NB,

The price seems about right, but are you desparate for a 500 or indeed a Griff? Older 4 litre Griffs are rarer but go for a song. And what about a Chimaera? You can pick up 4 litre versions of these for around £12.5K.

Duncan

If it's just a toy then wouldn't a Caterham be better?

TVR's seem very uncool to me and, round here anyway, they all seem to be driven by fat, baseball cap & puffy jacket wearing wide boys.

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Originally posted by Steve G:


TVR's seem very uncool to me and, round here anyway, they all seem to be driven by fat, baseball cap & puffy jacket wearing wide boys.

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Why? Couldn't they find the Evo dealership?

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Originally posted by Rockingdoc:
Why? Couldn't they find the Evo dealership?

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Perhaps they regard the TVR as a step up?

Meeeeoooow!

that one's coming soon!

No comparison. Should not need to ask really.
TVR - unquestionably.