Griff 500 deal or no deal?
Discussion
Never really thought I might actually want to buy a TVR (howls of anguish from the converted) but for some obscure reason I'm thinking of going for a 500. Am I mad, will it be a heap of trouble, will I need to buy an oil well to keep it fuelled, etc etc??? All sensible replies treated in the strictest confidence!
acalex said:
Never really thought I might actually want to buy a TVR (howls of anguish from the converted) but for some obscure reason I'm thinking of going for a 500. Am I mad, will it be a heap of trouble, will I need to buy an oil well to keep it fuelled, etc etc??? All sensible replies treated in the strictest confidence!
Q Will it be trouble? A Depends on how well you buy and how well you look after it - bits are cheap, labour isn't.
Q Will it use lots of fuel?
A Low twenties - if you drive it properly!
I'll ask you one - Do you regeret buying the Lancia?
I suspect not! I'd genuinely like to own an Integrale, but wouldn't buy one for exactly the reasons you're worrying about with the TVR. If you can keep an Evo 2 running with the rarity of the parts, complexity of the drivetrain, low number of people who really know how to fix them and set them up, then any RV8 engined TVR is going to seem pretty straightforward.
Forget all that though - The Griff will give you a sense of occasion every time you drive it. I haven't met anyone who doesn't love how it looks/sounds/goes....
This is one of the reasons why I love TVR's so much, once you have managed to identify what the parts originally came off in the first place and places like this forum are invaluable for that type of information, you can usually pick them up for small amounts of green notes + the reasons DT mentions.
i think much depends on how hands on you are.
apart from the wiring (which is a little eccentric), the rest is very easy to keep on top of yourself.
there is no real reason these cars should cost an arm and leg to maintain, , and due to their lightness, return a decent mpg.
if my daily commute wasnt over 100 miles, and often involve customer and supplier visits, i'd run a tiv as a dd.
apart from the wiring (which is a little eccentric), the rest is very easy to keep on top of yourself.
there is no real reason these cars should cost an arm and leg to maintain, , and due to their lightness, return a decent mpg.
if my daily commute wasnt over 100 miles, and often involve customer and supplier visits, i'd run a tiv as a dd.
Well guys what can I say but thanks, all very positive stuff. Particularly like DT's comment about the Integrale, thats a real touche one!! In that case you really really have to buy the best you can, usually an import eg from Japan, which pretty much eliminates the rust issue. They are beautiful to drive tho.
Ace, and maybe Lancia (if its uploaded properly) photo here - sorry about corrupting the TVR section.
Back to TVR's, I assume its just a matter of personal choice which model to go for, so there will be supporters of each under each, eg the Chimaera guys think that car is the bees whatsits and so on? Anyway I like the Griff, so enough said.![](http://thumbsnap.com/sc/MURqqeDb.jpg[/img]</a> <a href="http://thumbsnap.com/ePfpElJG" Target="_blank">[img]http://thumbsnap.com/sc/ePfpElJG.jpg)
Ace, and maybe Lancia (if its uploaded properly) photo here - sorry about corrupting the TVR section.
Back to TVR's, I assume its just a matter of personal choice which model to go for, so there will be supporters of each under each, eg the Chimaera guys think that car is the bees whatsits and so on? Anyway I like the Griff, so enough said.
acalex said:
Well guys what can I say but thanks, all very positive stuff. Particularly like DT's comment about the Integrale, thats a real touche one!! In that case you really really have to buy the best you can, usually an import eg from Japan, which pretty much eliminates the rust issue. They are beautiful to drive tho.
Ace, and maybe Lancia (if its uploaded properly) photo here - sorry about corrupting the TVR section.
Back to TVR's, I assume its just a matter of personal choice which model to go for, so there will be supporters of each under each, eg the Chimaera guys think that car is the bees whatsits and so on? Anyway I like the Griff, so enough said.
Ace, and maybe Lancia (if its uploaded properly) photo here - sorry about corrupting the TVR section.
Back to TVR's, I assume its just a matter of personal choice which model to go for, so there will be supporters of each under each, eg the Chimaera guys think that car is the bees whatsits and so on? Anyway I like the Griff, so enough said.
keep on corrupting us! That's gorgeous....acalex said:
Well guys what can I say but thanks, all very positive stuff. Particularly like DT's comment about the Integrale, thats a real touche one!! In that case you really really have to buy the best you can, usually an import eg from Japan, which pretty much eliminates the rust issue. They are beautiful to drive tho.
Ace, and maybe Lancia (if its uploaded properly) photo here - sorry about corrupting the TVR section.
Back to TVR's, I assume its just a matter of personal choice which model to go for, so there will be supporters of each under each, eg the Chimaera guys think that car is the bees whatsits and so on? Anyway I like the Griff, so enough said.
Stunning Ace in lovely colour combo. Always thought of my old Griff 500 which was similar colours as a modern Cobra. I miss it badly and will be buying back in asap. Love Intergrales as well but as previous poster mentioned it scared me off when thinking of complexity. Also I knew the Griff was properly great after coming out on top after a friendly tussle with an Intergrale on a sunny summer evening blast over a stretch of dales roads. In my eyes my Griff was almost unrivalled to look at, listen too, cruise in, etc. To top it all it could give a cross country legend a run for its money across some quick back roads.Ace, and maybe Lancia (if its uploaded properly) photo here - sorry about corrupting the TVR section.
Back to TVR's, I assume its just a matter of personal choice which model to go for, so there will be supporters of each under each, eg the Chimaera guys think that car is the bees whatsits and so on? Anyway I like the Griff, so enough said.
You will not regret it!
Alex I have owned a 96 Griff 500 from new and this post will be the kiss of death but on its third battery and one failed otter switch in nearly 17 years. The car never fails to put a smile on your face I see you are in Devon I remember the first time we got away without the children had a fantastic drive out of Dunster through Simonsbath,Barnstaple to Instow hardly met another car until Barnstaple fantastic. Buy a good one you will not regret it not got the grip of the Evo 2 lancing though. Lovely ace also .
Ian
Ian
acalex said:
There is only one serious choice to make in the Griff models - Pre-cat or 500? Pre-cats are a bit revvier and more vocal (less outright power although come 430s can run a 500 close). 500s have bigger power and torque but the engine can feel a little lazier (power comes as a surge). Conventional wisdom is that the 430BV (big-valve) is the pick of the bunch but real factory ones are rare as hens teeth (many were modified to that spec later). This is all my experience from driving a handful of cars (not a BV though as I couldn't find one). Two identically model cars can feel quite different so it's best to drive a few.
Good luck with the hunt and thanks for sharing the Ace!
Cheers again all, so does that mean everything apart from a 500 is pre cat?
For all those worried about Integrales, how can a little old 5 door hatchback cause such anquish?.....Just look how good a shopping car it is, room in the back, groceries etc in the hatch...perfect!
In the meantime best to start looking at some Griffs in the Westcountry I guess. If anyone knows of one or can vouch for one advertised I would appreciate it. (There are two in Somerset on PH at the moment for example)
For all those worried about Integrales, how can a little old 5 door hatchback cause such anquish?.....Just look how good a shopping car it is, room in the back, groceries etc in the hatch...perfect!
In the meantime best to start looking at some Griffs in the Westcountry I guess. If anyone knows of one or can vouch for one advertised I would appreciate it. (There are two in Somerset on PH at the moment for example)
Have a chat with Colin at TVRSSW, he's got a couple for sale. He may also know of others.
Link: http://www.tvrssw.com/#/tvr-griff/4573768202
If you fancy a chin wag with some owners, the TVRCC guys meet second Monday of the month at Turtley Mill, Avonwick, just off the A38.
Link: http://www.tvrssw.com/#/tvr-griff/4573768202
If you fancy a chin wag with some owners, the TVRCC guys meet second Monday of the month at Turtley Mill, Avonwick, just off the A38.
Alex,
If you fancy a drive on Saturday, why not come up to the Neil Garner open day in Kemble? Only a couple of hours away and there should be over 150 various TVR's there.
Lots of brains to pick and there should be a few cars for sale as well.
Good luck - I've just bought my first TVR (A Chim rather than a Grif) but really looking forward to the summer.
If you fancy a drive on Saturday, why not come up to the Neil Garner open day in Kemble? Only a couple of hours away and there should be over 150 various TVR's there.
Lots of brains to pick and there should be a few cars for sale as well.
Good luck - I've just bought my first TVR (A Chim rather than a Grif) but really looking forward to the summer.
Neil Garner is more of Motorsport garage that specialises in TVR's and other high performance cars.
More info here
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
More info here
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
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