Discussion
Hello Guys
I currently own a Lotus Elan SE Turbo and it has been the greatest car i have ever owned. Practically faultless for 3.5 years. However it is time to upgrade.
I was considering a Tuscan for a long time because they are stunning but that S6 seems a little too troublesome right now. Also my parents are moving to Spain so i am lookign at a car that will last the distance and not overheat or be too uncomfortable. The choices i have are:
TVR Griffith - Convertible, 2nd best looking TVR there is including the newer models. Drove one a little while back and wasn't impressed with the impossible to move gearshift, however this might have been this one car?
TVR Cerbera - Hardtop so A/C for Spain. Very distinctive looking car, very quick and a little more space.
Lotus Elise S2 - Opentop, not very comfortable but fun to drive. Might manage to get my laptop in it but not sure about a weeks luggage.
Lotus S4s - Sunroof and A/C. Powerful car and handles beautifuly, just about enough luggage space, however i am worried about reliabilty even more so than the TVR's.
I know this is on the TVR forum so i expect a bit of bias.
Cheers
st0ck
I currently own a Lotus Elan SE Turbo and it has been the greatest car i have ever owned. Practically faultless for 3.5 years. However it is time to upgrade.
I was considering a Tuscan for a long time because they are stunning but that S6 seems a little too troublesome right now. Also my parents are moving to Spain so i am lookign at a car that will last the distance and not overheat or be too uncomfortable. The choices i have are:
TVR Griffith - Convertible, 2nd best looking TVR there is including the newer models. Drove one a little while back and wasn't impressed with the impossible to move gearshift, however this might have been this one car?
TVR Cerbera - Hardtop so A/C for Spain. Very distinctive looking car, very quick and a little more space.
Lotus Elise S2 - Opentop, not very comfortable but fun to drive. Might manage to get my laptop in it but not sure about a weeks luggage.
Lotus S4s - Sunroof and A/C. Powerful car and handles beautifuly, just about enough luggage space, however i am worried about reliabilty even more so than the TVR's.
I know this is on the TVR forum so i expect a bit of bias.
Cheers
st0ck
st0ckman said:
TVR Griffith ...
...wasn't impressed with the impossible to move gearshift, however this might have been this one car?
They can be a bit difficult to get into gear sometimes. I think mine is typical in not wanting to go into reverse somedays and just now and then it won't like rushed between second and third at high revs.
Nothing you shouldn't be able to cope with - and if you have one that you really have difficulty coaxing into gear that's a problem with the specific car.
Rover boxes on earlier cars, Borg Warner from...'94 ish (IIRC).
V8's are "worse handlers " - depends who's doing the driving!
Griffs are fine in hot climates provided the fans are upgraded, otherwise you'll be so glued to the temp gauge in city traffic that you'll proably shunt the guy in front
We took a 4ltr pre cat to Southern France and did 2500 miles in 16 days without a single problem. However, that particular car had the dual fan upgrade and the manual overide switch fitted - any early grif owner should have this sensible mod done. Be prepared to sweat on the leather seats although air con is available as an after market.
I wouldnt bother asking in here for an objective comparison between a TVR a lotus But to answer your question - it would have to be a TVR naturally!
Griffs are fine in hot climates provided the fans are upgraded, otherwise you'll be so glued to the temp gauge in city traffic that you'll proably shunt the guy in front
We took a 4ltr pre cat to Southern France and did 2500 miles in 16 days without a single problem. However, that particular car had the dual fan upgrade and the manual overide switch fitted - any early grif owner should have this sensible mod done. Be prepared to sweat on the leather seats although air con is available as an after market. I wouldnt bother asking in here for an objective comparison between a TVR a lotus
But to answer your question - it would have to be a TVR naturally! Ah money, well it's all relative, i was gonna buy a Tuscan for up to 30k however i like the Griff and have seen some for 15-16, Esprit 18-24.
So i suppose the money is not a massive issue within that range but if i can get a Griff for a low price then i have enough money left over to use elsewhere??
i was gonna buy a Tuscan for up to 30k however i like the Griff and have seen some for 15-16, Esprit 18-24. So i suppose the money is not a massive issue within that range but if i can get a Griff for a low price then i have enough money left over to use elsewhere??
Appreciate your replies, Not one reply from the Lotus forum yet. 
Anyway, the Fan upgrade, how much would this cost and if anybody knows how much would A/C be, just so i can factor this is to the price.
There is a nice '96 Yellow Griffith on Autotrader for £15,495 with quite a few specs, not sure about Yellow tho, looks nice but why do i have reservations about yellow?
Anyway, the Fan upgrade, how much would this cost and if anybody knows how much would A/C be, just so i can factor this is to the price.
There is a nice '96 Yellow Griffith on Autotrader for £15,495 with quite a few specs, not sure about Yellow tho, looks nice but why do i have reservations about yellow?
I have a 97 Griff 500 with A/C & live in Spain. From late Spring to late Summer ambient temps are usually too intense to go topless (at least around town) at any time other than early am or late pm, but having A/C makes all the difference to comfort levels. I've heard it's quite expensive to retro-fit though. Burriana 500 is on his way to southern Spain (ambient temp in Seville last week 52º!) right now in a non-A/C Griff. Spoke to him yesterday on his way through Madrid & he reported no undue discomfort, you should get in touch on his return if you want a first-hand view of coping with Spanish summer temps with no A/C.
tj
tj
st0ckman said:
There is a nice '96 Yellow Griffith on Autotrader for £15,495 with quite a few specs, not sure about Yellow tho, looks nice but why do i have reservations about yellow?
Yellow is, of course, an acquired taste. Whilst I don't think I'd ever want to own one, I always get quite excited by yellow TVRs. They don't sell so easily either.
Adrian Blyth (and no I'm not on commission yet!) has had a yellow Griff in the showroom for a couple of weeks now, and it's a stunner! Really lovely interior with the yellow stitching too. More money than you were thinking of, I know, but it's one of those colours that you need to see in the flesh. And then you know it'll turn heads with a high "wow" factor!!!!
st0ckman said:
Appreciate your replies, There is a nice '96 Yellow Griffith on Autotrader for £15,495 with quite a few specs, not sure about Yellow tho, looks nice but why do i have reservations about yellow?
Now......whilst I do not want to start another 'yellow' debate...I still maintain IMHO that yellow is the best colour for a TVR!!!!!....
Click on my profile stOckman and then tell me that yellow isn't
.... The Cerb may be a little warm for Spain though...can get a bit hot under the collar and several other garments in the summer!!!!!
But...a nice Chimaera in Midas Gold.....aahhh...now you're talking!!!!
...//P//philipleslie67 said:
Fancy meeting up after summer I have a Tuscan S in Málaga
Hi...are you the Philip that visited the Mid Essex meet?
If so I'm sorry not to say goodbye, but you were spirited away by Gary & Sue and that was the last I saw of you......Hope you had a good run home
If you're not that Philip.....well........
I'lljustgetmycoatandleavequietly!!!!!!!
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