Looking for a four seater TVR Griffith !!
Discussion
Hi all. As you tell by the title I am looking for extra seating as I have three year old that likes to go in 'daddy's car' but if mummy comes along we need more bum space. I was looking around the classified section and came across the jaguars. As you can see I currently have a TVR Griffith which I am more than happy with but am using less and less as if we go out as a family it stays in the garage while the wife's mobile creche gets used.
So the question is would anybody here know if an XKR would help me bridge the gap from two to four seats without loosing the thrill of the odd spirited drive on my own once in a while ? Any help and advice will be warmly welcomed I would prefer to keep to a British name and not to drift off down the 911 route but Astons are a little out of reach.
Thanks in advance for any help given.
Wryka
So the question is would anybody here know if an XKR would help me bridge the gap from two to four seats without loosing the thrill of the odd spirited drive on my own once in a while ? Any help and advice will be warmly welcomed I would prefer to keep to a British name and not to drift off down the 911 route but Astons are a little out of reach.
Thanks in advance for any help given.
Wryka
When I looked at this 3 years ago I couldn't find a child seat that worked in the back of XKR convertible (previous shape). The law insists that children are carried in a type approved child seat (FIA spec doesn't count!). Jaguar won't say that the rear seats are child seats and they certainly aren't type approved.
Hopefully now that the crazy legislation* has been out for a couple of years the kiddy seat industry have seen the potential market place for selling seats that will fit in the back of cars for people who don't feel that having kids equals having a lobotomy. Try talking to kiddy seat fitter at the local Halfords and see whether they have a seat they think can fit into the XKR.
The other thing would be to look at an XJR. The older 6 cylinder ones were even available with a manual box.
Hopefully now that the crazy legislation* has been out for a couple of years the kiddy seat industry have seen the potential market place for selling seats that will fit in the back of cars for people who don't feel that having kids equals having a lobotomy. Try talking to kiddy seat fitter at the local Halfords and see whether they have a seat they think can fit into the XKR.
The other thing would be to look at an XJR. The older 6 cylinder ones were even available with a manual box.
- I agree that children should be carried in suitable seats, it's just that the way the law works is a total ass. I have a letter from the Minister of Transport saying that I can carry my children in my classic sports car if I remove the seat belts and leave the little blighters unrestrained in the back. But I can not legally carry them in the car with seat belts. Even if those belts were fitted by the company that the Department for Transport recommend as being the experts in the field, and the belts were specifically fitted to suit children. Argh! One the other hand a policeman over in the "Plod and the Law" group said the maximum penalty was only a £30 fine which seems a bloody cheap way of looking after my kids.
Wryka said:
Thanks in advance for any help given.
Wryka
WrykaWryka
Can I suggest you join the XK8/R Enthusiasts Club www.xkec.co.uk
You will then be able to enter the Members Forum where this has been Posts on this subject in the past. Also you could Post your question and get the latest info from those who are in the same possition
So yes it is possible to get them. I believe Jaguar do booster seats for slightly older children.Thanks for the info so far. I have found that britax do a seat the would fit in the back.
What I need to know is that am I going to be happy with this car - a wide sweeping question I know. As I currently have a Griffith as mentioned and I don't want to loose the thrill of driving this type of machine. I am looking for a test drive on Saturday with both the XK8 and the XKR. Has anybody here driven the Griffith as well so a comparison can be made ?
Wryka
What I need to know is that am I going to be happy with this car - a wide sweeping question I know. As I currently have a Griffith as mentioned and I don't want to loose the thrill of driving this type of machine. I am looking for a test drive on Saturday with both the XK8 and the XKR. Has anybody here driven the Griffith as well so a comparison can be made ?
Wryka
Hmmmm, well they both have a V8, that's about it. Don't even bother with an XK8!!! The XKR is a fantastic bit of kit, go for a 4.2ltr powered car and all the problems will have been addressed. The supercharger whine is addictive, make sure you have a car which is fully loaded! You will need to go for an aftermarket exhaust if you want to get the V8 rumble back.
Lots of XKR drivers have come from TVR's and I can't remember any who have been disappointed.
Search on the Jag forum for my umpteen posts on what to buy when looking for a XKR.
G
Lots of XKR drivers have come from TVR's and I can't remember any who have been disappointed.
Search on the Jag forum for my umpteen posts on what to buy when looking for a XKR.
G
Thanks guys for the help. The Cerb. is a hard top and I'm looking for the convertible.
I think I'll head over to the forum mentioned in an earlier post and read the advice on there. Once again many thanks and if all things pan out I will be back here letting you know the outcome of the test drives.
Wryka
I think I'll head over to the forum mentioned in an earlier post and read the advice on there. Once again many thanks and if all things pan out I will be back here letting you know the outcome of the test drives.
Wryka
Hi Wryka
I made the move you talk about. Went from years of TVR (S3 > Griff 400 > Griff 500) to an XKR 4.2 Coupe. The cars couldn't really be more different to be honest, however whilst I do miss the TVR at times I don't regret the decision. The Jag still puts a big smile on my face with the added bonus it's not really cost me a penny over the last year to run (petrol and tyres excluded
), my daughter can get in the back so we can use it for family outings rather than having to take the other car all the time.
Driving experience is obviously very different. The TVR was a balls out sports car, the Jag more of a very fast GT and an automatic. Where the TVR felt fast going slow, you will notice you don't really feel the speed in the Jag quite so much but it is seriously fast. On fast A roads and motorway the jag is sublime but it also handles b road blasts surprisingly well for such a big and comfortable car. You will find the steering light, I certainly did after a non-PAS TVR.
Cheers
Graham
PS. Take a look at this months evo magazine for used xkr buying guide. Lovely looking XKR featured in it
I made the move you talk about. Went from years of TVR (S3 > Griff 400 > Griff 500) to an XKR 4.2 Coupe. The cars couldn't really be more different to be honest, however whilst I do miss the TVR at times I don't regret the decision. The Jag still puts a big smile on my face with the added bonus it's not really cost me a penny over the last year to run (petrol and tyres excluded
), my daughter can get in the back so we can use it for family outings rather than having to take the other car all the time.Driving experience is obviously very different. The TVR was a balls out sports car, the Jag more of a very fast GT and an automatic. Where the TVR felt fast going slow, you will notice you don't really feel the speed in the Jag quite so much but it is seriously fast. On fast A roads and motorway the jag is sublime but it also handles b road blasts surprisingly well for such a big and comfortable car. You will find the steering light, I certainly did after a non-PAS TVR.
Cheers
Graham
PS. Take a look at this months evo magazine for used xkr buying guide. Lovely looking XKR featured in it
Edited by ParanoidAndroid on Friday 4th July 19:14
Well I had a look at a series 1 XKR convertible at the weekend in Ipswich. To be honest it didn't do it for me. As well as the fact that there would not be enough room in the back for a child seat and child ! ( One or the other only ) Maybe when she gets old enough to use a booster seat I may go back and have a look at the series 2.
The brand new VKR rag top did look nice and put me off the older shape.
Plus the noise from the back is a little wimpy sounding compared to my Griff - maybe not old enough for a Jag. yet. ( hope not to offend too many)
Thanks fpr the help
Wryka
The brand new VKR rag top did look nice and put me off the older shape.
Plus the noise from the back is a little wimpy sounding compared to my Griff - maybe not old enough for a Jag. yet. ( hope not to offend too many
)Thanks fpr the help
Wryka
Wryka said:
Well I had a look at a series 1 XKR convertible at the weekend in Ipswich. To be honest it didn't do it for me. As well as the fact that there would not be enough room in the back for a child seat and child ! ( One or the other only ) Maybe when she gets old enough to use a booster seat I may go back and have a look at the series 2.
The brand new VKR rag top did look nice and put me off the older shape.
Plus the noise from the back is a little wimpy sounding compared to my Griff - maybe not old enough for a Jag. yet. ( hope not to offend too many)
Thanks fpr the help
Wryka
Sound is easily rectified with an aftermarket exhaust. Coming from TVR I knnow what you mean but mine now sounds as it should without being over the top. The brand new VKR rag top did look nice and put me off the older shape.
Plus the noise from the back is a little wimpy sounding compared to my Griff - maybe not old enough for a Jag. yet. ( hope not to offend too many
)Thanks fpr the help
Wryka
Edited to add: Have you looked at the Maser 4200? It was also on my list. Assume it's a 2+2 in rag top rather than a simple 2 seater.
Edited by ParanoidAndroid on Saturday 12th July 08:57
I concur, Cerbera is the ONLY way forward, besides haven't you had enough real ale by now and you must be getting bored of re-stitching those leather elbow patch thingys onto your courdroy jacket by now griffboy 
there is nothing available from Jaguar without spending tens of thousands that would meet upto the thrills you get from yer griff (esp if its a 5 litre) or an old 4.3BV, even a well set up 4.0 will still hold it's own against a big XK/JR.
If you do go alooking down the big cat route you will compromise all that lovely acceleration (which you will miss) go cart like handling and late braking for a luxury barge tartan rug and a tweed jacket.
But seriously I had exactly the same dilema a while back, do I keep a two seater? get an XKR? DB7?...god forbid Masser?..hell no!! (pork and donkey were already off the menu) It is a hard choice as very little will measure up to the Griff.......unless of course you go Cerb
as nothing on the lean side of 100k can give you performance in bucketloads, style, and an 8 cyl AJP orchestra. The only downside is the roof but you'll soon realise why that kind of power mind numbing delivery requires a spaceframe with a jellymould.
Finaly, before I get slated from the hoardes of Jaglovers, I too love a bit of 'pussy' ... I'm fortunate enough to have a pair. (well I did before the screaming skull swiped the keys to the XJR (she went twisted when I bought it, slanderously calling it an old man's car) now she uses it as the Asda express and even cracks a wry grin when toying with inferior M5's.
there is nothing available from Jaguar without spending tens of thousands that would meet upto the thrills you get from yer griff (esp if its a 5 litre) or an old 4.3BV, even a well set up 4.0 will still hold it's own against a big XK/JR.
If you do go alooking down the big cat route you will compromise all that lovely acceleration (which you will miss) go cart like handling and late braking for a luxury barge tartan rug and a tweed jacket.
But seriously I had exactly the same dilema a while back, do I keep a two seater? get an XKR? DB7?...god forbid Masser?..hell no!! (pork and donkey were already off the menu) It is a hard choice as very little will measure up to the Griff.......unless of course you go Cerb
as nothing on the lean side of 100k can give you performance in bucketloads, style, and an 8 cyl AJP orchestra. The only downside is the roof but you'll soon realise why that kind of power mind numbing delivery requires a spaceframe with a jellymould. Finaly, before I get slated from the hoardes of Jaglovers, I too love a bit of 'pussy' ... I'm fortunate enough to have a pair. (well I did before the screaming skull swiped the keys to the XJR (she went twisted when I bought it, slanderously calling it an old man's car) now she uses it as the Asda express and even cracks a wry grin when toying with inferior M5's.
Well Cooky cheers for the reply 
I'm afraid they don't make enough real ale to get fed up of it and I prefer my holey wooly jumper than a cordury jacket just to keep in character.
Back to the cars - I had a Noble which was fine as a track car but I did miss the top down wind in the hair type of driving. That's why the cerb - as lovely as it is - unfortunately is not on the list. The idea was to be all go out together - me, her and the ankle biter but looks as though I'll keep the griff
and she can follow along in her Lotus M100 with a baby seat. Perhaps this was the best option all along.
Unless anybody else knows different.
PS. I have seen a four seater Cobra replica before (the boot was turned into a dicky seat when hinged from the number plate position) and looked better than it sounds - honest.
Wryka
I'm afraid they don't make enough real ale to get fed up of it and I prefer my holey wooly jumper than a cordury jacket just to keep in character.
Back to the cars - I had a Noble which was fine as a track car but I did miss the top down wind in the hair type of driving. That's why the cerb - as lovely as it is - unfortunately is not on the list. The idea was to be all go out together - me, her and the ankle biter but looks as though I'll keep the griff
and she can follow along in her Lotus M100 with a baby seat. Perhaps this was the best option all along.Unless anybody else knows different.
PS. I have seen a four seater Cobra replica before (the boot was turned into a dicky seat when hinged from the number plate position) and looked better than it sounds - honest.
Wryka
Well,
I had the same dilemma (4 litre Griff) and in the end I loved the XK8 but noticed the convertible (which I would want) has a lot less space in the back than the hard top. My compromise was to keep the Griff but buy an XJ8 which is gorgeous to replace the Passat I had. We still can't go out in a 4 seat convertible but I love driving the Jag and somehow taking it out to the pub on a Sunday isn't anything like the compromise that the Passat was. The XJ8 (it's only a 3.2) handles amazingly well and a is quite quick - you'd need an XJR to get anywhere near the Griff though!
Saxon
I had the same dilemma (4 litre Griff) and in the end I loved the XK8 but noticed the convertible (which I would want) has a lot less space in the back than the hard top. My compromise was to keep the Griff but buy an XJ8 which is gorgeous to replace the Passat I had. We still can't go out in a 4 seat convertible but I love driving the Jag and somehow taking it out to the pub on a Sunday isn't anything like the compromise that the Passat was. The XJ8 (it's only a 3.2) handles amazingly well and a is quite quick - you'd need an XJR to get anywhere near the Griff though!
Saxon
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