Griff 4.3 v 500?
Discussion
Just wanted peoples opinions on the driving differences between the two. I am in the market for a Griff and will mostly be using it on the weekends both town and country driving as such; I ideally wanted a 4.3 due to better noise and rawness but now not so sure how different the 500 is- although I like the thrill of huge power beneath my right foot I understand from period road tests that most found the 500 difficult to put the power down when driving hard on country roads?
Well I have a 4.3 and it's quite manageable as far as power is concerned yet I'm generally able to keep up with the 500's *most* of the time on the public roads. I've had a few twitches here and there but only when I was pushing it. Certainly the noise is good and I suppose you could argue that it might hold it's value better - arguably.
Of course with the 4.3 you're getting a lesser build quality and a bloody awful gearbox (when it’s cold) but as you say, a sound that resonates like no other. A sports exhaust on the 500 can equal the volume but I think the sound isn't the same, it’s not as throaty. Also, you won’t get the anti roll bar (but I think you can have them retro fitted if you were really worried).
Be careful if it's quoted as a BV - lots are but are in fact not – they didn’t make many.
Of course, the only way to tell is to test drive both. I actually had the same issue almost because I too was captivated by the noise but saw 500's a few years younger with the same mileage at the same price. I chose the 4.3 and so far I don't regret it. And, if you like that sort of thing, I can confirm that you can get nice flames out the pipes of a 4.3 !
Some believe it is better to start with a 4.0, I had no previous experience is a performance car and I’m finding it no trouble (but I’m still doing a Ridedrive day). Certainly the owner of a 4.0 confirmed that the 4.3 was quicker – and having had a cruise locally with Seasider I can confirm that the 500 is quicker still ! Quite frankly, if you’re concerned about the power being too much in a 500 then I doubt a 4.3 is going to save you any worries, they are both seriously powerful cars and they’ll both bite in the same situations.
At the end of the day, 4.3 or 500 – you’re still technically sub 5 secs and it you haven’t owned a TVR before, either is going to bring you same amount of pleasure.
Of course with the 4.3 you're getting a lesser build quality and a bloody awful gearbox (when it’s cold) but as you say, a sound that resonates like no other. A sports exhaust on the 500 can equal the volume but I think the sound isn't the same, it’s not as throaty. Also, you won’t get the anti roll bar (but I think you can have them retro fitted if you were really worried).
Be careful if it's quoted as a BV - lots are but are in fact not – they didn’t make many.
Of course, the only way to tell is to test drive both. I actually had the same issue almost because I too was captivated by the noise but saw 500's a few years younger with the same mileage at the same price. I chose the 4.3 and so far I don't regret it. And, if you like that sort of thing, I can confirm that you can get nice flames out the pipes of a 4.3 !
Some believe it is better to start with a 4.0, I had no previous experience is a performance car and I’m finding it no trouble (but I’m still doing a Ridedrive day). Certainly the owner of a 4.0 confirmed that the 4.3 was quicker – and having had a cruise locally with Seasider I can confirm that the 500 is quicker still ! Quite frankly, if you’re concerned about the power being too much in a 500 then I doubt a 4.3 is going to save you any worries, they are both seriously powerful cars and they’ll both bite in the same situations.
At the end of the day, 4.3 or 500 – you’re still technically sub 5 secs and it you haven’t owned a TVR before, either is going to bring you same amount of pleasure.
I don’t have any problems putting the power down in the dry in my 500. Driving the car take some commitment but it isn’t possible to get into trouble in the dry if you are sensible. It’s a pain in the backside round town. Mine has no PAS and with 225s on the front running 22psi the steering is heavy. It’s a pre-serpentine model and you do need to constantly slip the clutch at low speeds and change down early to keep the revs above 2K. If you don’t the ride becomes very jerky which gets tiring after any length of time. Don’t expect any more than 18mph and you won’t be disappointed.
I’ve been in a couple of 4.3s when I was looking round and drove a 4.0L. Although the earlier cars seemed to be smoother at low speeds the performance of the 500 sold it to me, it was quite simply stunning. I wouldn’t swap it for anything else, I use it for pleasure and it certainly delivers that by the bucket load
I’ve been in a couple of 4.3s when I was looking round and drove a 4.0L. Although the earlier cars seemed to be smoother at low speeds the performance of the 500 sold it to me, it was quite simply stunning. I wouldn’t swap it for anything else, I use it for pleasure and it certainly delivers that by the bucket load
I have a 4.3 BV and have test driven two or three 500s to see if I could be tempted to trade up for the extra grunt. Frankly I couldn't feel much difference, although I admit I couldn't test the 500s at high speeds. Biggest issue with both, as far as I can see, is keeping the show on the road when on anything other than a smooth surface - at anything above pedestrian speeds, one bump and you're on the other side of the road! One point to consider which you may not have thought of is the heating and ventilation - my 4.3 is, to put it mildly, poor at this. It's not just that I'm a wimp, it's that it's a real pain driving along in spring/autumn/winter without effective demisters. It might be just my example, but I've enquired and I've always got the "oh they all do that sir" response. As I understand it, later Griffiths were more sorted in this regard. If you intend using it only in good weather this isn't an issue and I must admit that having no cats, no power steering and no aircon to go wrong kind of appeals to me, in a masochistic sort of way!
Depends on ya budget as well.....
You can get a good 4.3 for 14-15K, where as newer 500 are more....
The 4.3's seem to be more sort after and rarer and therefore will hold there value better than the 500's IMHO...
However, the 500's have a better gearbox, better suspension, better acceleration through the gears...
I would speak to Rob Ingleby, read the bible and ulimately test drive a few of each.....
At the end of the day, you will not regret what you buy, the TVR experience is unique :-)
Have Fun,
Martin
You can get a good 4.3 for 14-15K, where as newer 500 are more....
The 4.3's seem to be more sort after and rarer and therefore will hold there value better than the 500's IMHO...
However, the 500's have a better gearbox, better suspension, better acceleration through the gears...
I would speak to Rob Ingleby, read the bible and ulimately test drive a few of each.....
At the end of the day, you will not regret what you buy, the TVR experience is unique :-)
Have Fun,
Martin
laz11 said:
Interestingly my insurance quote is exactly the same for either!
Same for me, when I enquired prior to buying the car the quotes for both a 4.3 and a 500 were within a few pounds.
Further couple of point that might be worth remembering:
1. I’ve heard from a fairly reliable source that spares for the 4.3BV engines are getting rare and a problem to source.
2. 500s will have later suspension setup and rear anti-roll bar. But this can be retro fitted to earlier cars if the mountings are available on the chassis.
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