Griff - everyday car?
Discussion
Currently doing around 6,000 miles a year max, mainly commuting to work and back. I drive Clio 182 Sport, which is fun, however feel the need for more power, noise and looks. Having owned a TVR in the past (V6 s) I know it won't be without problems, part of ownership and all that...
The question is, can I realistically run a Griff on that mileage everyday??
Spotted a nice one in the classifieds for around £10k, lowish mileage good condition etc.. Pound for performance, I guess I will not get anything else. Also been a big fan of the model since launch..
Appreciate views..
The question is, can I realistically run a Griff on that mileage everyday??
Spotted a nice one in the classifieds for around £10k, lowish mileage good condition etc.. Pound for performance, I guess I will not get anything else. Also been a big fan of the model since launch..
Appreciate views..
Mine was a bit more expensive and newer, but although I have a second car it was that that got a flat battery from lack of use 
I've done nearly 6k miles since I bought it in November and it's never missed a beat apart from losing coolant slowly. I'm having the rad recored as a preventative measure as mentioned above.
The only thing is the fuel (as above) as you you need to use Vpower or Optimax (up to 10p per litre more in some places) and particularily if you use it for short journeys.
Otherwise no problems apart from grinning inanly at everyone when you've got out of it
I've done nearly 6k miles since I bought it in November and it's never missed a beat apart from losing coolant slowly. I'm having the rad recored as a preventative measure as mentioned above. The only thing is the fuel (as above) as you you need to use Vpower or Optimax (up to 10p per litre more in some places) and particularily if you use it for short journeys.
Otherwise no problems apart from grinning inanly at everyone when you've got out of it
Edited by V8 GRF on Wednesday 25th April 14:55
V8 GRF said:
The only thing is the fuel (as above) as you you need to use Vpower or Optimax (up to 10p per litre more in some places) and particularily if you use it for short journeys.
er..? Why..?
Mine lived on a diet of BP/Tesco/Esso/whatever... rolling road figures split about a month apart showed NO performance benfit from running 97/98 over 95... and I was damned if I could tell the difference...
Gio G said:
Currently doing around 6,000 miles a year max, mainly commuting to work and back. I drive Clio 182 Sport, which is fun, however feel the need for more power, noise and looks. Having owned a TVR in the past (V6 s) I know it won't be without problems, part of ownership and all that...
The question is, can I realistically run a Griff on that mileage everyday??
Spotted a nice one in the classifieds for around £10k, lowish mileage good condition etc.. Pound for performance, I guess I will not get anything else. Also been a big fan of the model since launch..
Appreciate views..
Yes.And the thing is.The more its used the more reliable it becomes. The question is, can I realistically run a Griff on that mileage everyday??
Spotted a nice one in the classifieds for around £10k, lowish mileage good condition etc.. Pound for performance, I guess I will not get anything else. Also been a big fan of the model since launch..
Appreciate views..
Podie said:
V8 GRF said:
The only thing is the fuel (as above) as you you need to use Vpower or Optimax (up to 10p per litre more in some places) and particularily if you use it for short journeys.
er..? Why..?
Mine lived on a diet of BP/Tesco/Esso/whatever... rolling road figures split about a month apart showed NO performance benfit from running 97/98 over 95... and I was damned if I could tell the difference...
Because that's what the Owners Handbook and sticker by the fuel filler says.
So unless you know better than the people who built it......
All you (usually) need to do to run on 95 RON fuel is to back the timing off a bit. Sometimes it doesn't even need that. Mine's run happily on 95 RON fuel for years. There's no sign of det on the pistons, so I take that as proof positive I've done no harm in that respect.
(And yes, I probably do know more about my car than the people that ORIGINALLY built it)
(And yes, I probably do know more about my car than the people that ORIGINALLY built it)
V8 GRF said:
Podie said:
V8 GRF said:
The only thing is the fuel (as above) as you you need to use Vpower or Optimax (up to 10p per litre more in some places) and particularily if you use it for short journeys.
er..? Why..?
Mine lived on a diet of BP/Tesco/Esso/whatever... rolling road figures split about a month apart showed NO performance benfit from running 97/98 over 95... and I was damned if I could tell the difference...
Because that's what the Owners Handbook and sticker by the fuel filler says.
So unless you know better than the people who built it......
And for the OP, no reason why not
as has been said before preventative maintenance is the key Do it yourself, that way you know its been done
dnb said:
All you (usually) need to do to run on 95 RON fuel is to back the timing off a bit. Sometimes it doesn't even need that. Mine's run happily on 95 RON fuel for years. There's no sign of det on the pistons, so I take that as proof positive I've done no harm in that respect.
(And yes, I probably do know more about my car than the people that ORIGINALLY built it)
(And yes, I probably do know more about my car than the people that ORIGINALLY built it)
If you've modded it and know what you're doing that's fine but if it's standard then to go by the book is best the way IMO.
I suppose the point I was making was DIY is fine IF you know what you're doing and I guess we've all seen the results of those who don't. I guess I was also thinking in the spirit of the question of the OP.
V8 GRF said:
Podie said:
V8 GRF said:
The only thing is the fuel (as above) as you you need to use Vpower or Optimax (up to 10p per litre more in some places) and particularily if you use it for short journeys.
er..? Why..?
Mine lived on a diet of BP/Tesco/Esso/whatever... rolling road figures split about a month apart showed NO performance benfit from running 97/98 over 95... and I was damned if I could tell the difference...
Because that's what the Owners Handbook and sticker by the fuel filler says.
So unless you know better than the people who built it......
The RV8 isn't exactly a new engine... it's agricultural at best. Anyway, the advice was given to me by specialists in the field who told me it's not worth it - I'm prepared to accept their word. I do, however, know a bit about fuel and where it is sourced and who buys what - you may be surprised at the differences (or lack thereof) in various retailers.
Just becuase something is written, does not mean you have to do it. All TVRs are supposed to be serviced by main dealers according to the handbook - how many still do that (or did prior to NS tinkering)..?
The book says you're supposed to use Mobil 1... a knowledgeable person who posts on here and KNOWS oil recommends something else - as do many service agents.
At the end of the day, you pays your money - you takes your choice.
Podie said:
The RV8 isn't exactly a new engine... it's agricultural at best. Anyway, the advice was given to me by specialists in the field who told me it's not worth it - I'm prepared to accept their word. I do, however, know a bit about fuel and where it is sourced and who buys what - you may be surprised at the differences (or lack thereof) in various retailers.
Just becuase something is written, does not mean you have to do it. All TVRs are supposed to be serviced by main dealers according to the handbook - how many still do that (or did prior to NS tinkering)..?
The book says you're supposed to use Mobil 1... a knowledgeable person who posts on here and KNOWS oil recommends something else - as do many service agents.
At the end of the day, you pays your money - you takes your choice.
OK point taken.
I did try a lower Octane rating for a few top-ups and it did seem to make a difference.
But to follow your points, no I don't use a main dealer and no I don't use Mobil 1 for the same reasons as you.
Why would you want to commute in any 15 year old car, let alone a TVR? 15 year old cars are not reliable and mean big bills. For commuting you want something comfortable and reliable.
A 15 year old Griffith with the clutch that feels as if it is set in concrete, that will cook you in the summer, rain in during the winter and no doubt spit you off the road. Why?
Surely the sensible thing to do it to keep a Griffith for those B road blasts for pleasure during the sunny summer weekends?
A 15 year old Griffith with the clutch that feels as if it is set in concrete, that will cook you in the summer, rain in during the winter and no doubt spit you off the road. Why?
Surely the sensible thing to do it to keep a Griffith for those B road blasts for pleasure during the sunny summer weekends?
RedTuscan said:
Why would you want to commute in any 15 year old car, let alone a TVR? 15 year old cars are not reliable and mean big bills. For commuting you want something comfortable and reliable.
A 15 year old Griffith with the clutch that feels as if it is set in concrete, that will cook you in the summer, rain in during the winter and no doubt spit you off the road. Why?
Surely the sensible thing to do it to keep a Griffith for those B road blasts for pleasure during the sunny summer weekends?
A 15 year old Griffith with the clutch that feels as if it is set in concrete, that will cook you in the summer, rain in during the winter and no doubt spit you off the road. Why?
Surely the sensible thing to do it to keep a Griffith for those B road blasts for pleasure during the sunny summer weekends?
Couldn't disagree more.. (in a friendly way of course)
From experience with my Chim, i am more likely to have big bills if i don't use my Chim very frequently.
Yep Clutch is heavy but not unbearably so.. (a girl who works near me has been using one as a daily driver and she is no Swedish Shot-Putter)
Yes its not a new car but its also a simple car. If you dont mind fettling and you buy a nice one you shouldn't have too many issues.
And spit you off the road? Thats down to the driver. I was a little nervous when i bought my chim after hearing people say about them being wild etc. Its turned out the opposite. Its alot more controllable than my old Jap RWD turbo car, which i managed to spin twice..
TVR's are for driving. Not for wiping the dust off once in a while..
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