ground clearance - Griff vs S
Discussion
Hi Griff Forum,
I'm thinking about taking a step up the TVR ladder to griff ownership - figuring I can stomach roughly double the running costs of my S2 (which has itself been pretty costly in my first year...see my profile)
I'm looking for a little more response from the loud pedal -
how noticable is the difference
One question for you Griff boys who have made a similar leap - how does the ground clearance compare?
The S is particularly dire as the exhaust is under the chassis, is it the same with Griffs or are there a few extra centimeters clearance?
Cheers
Tim
I'm thinking about taking a step up the TVR ladder to griff ownership - figuring I can stomach roughly double the running costs of my S2 (which has itself been pretty costly in my first year...see my profile)
I'm looking for a little more response from the loud pedal -
how noticable is the difference One question for you Griff boys who have made a similar leap - how does the ground clearance compare?
The S is particularly dire as the exhaust is under the chassis, is it the same with Griffs or are there a few extra centimeters clearance?
Cheers
Tim
Can say the ground clearance on normal set up is a load better than my old S, can get over most speed humps without anything touching (except the wheels before any smart arse comments 
) .
go for it the sound difference from an none V8 S is brilliant and of course the power is also. I find the road presence is better aswell and you need to be more alert and concentrate more when driving it as the S is a little more forgiving Imho.
Dont get me Wrong I loved the S and still would have one back anyday.
BB
) . go for it the sound difference from an none V8 S is brilliant and of course the power is also. I find the road presence is better aswell and you need to be more alert and concentrate more when driving it as the S is a little more forgiving Imho.
Dont get me Wrong I loved the S and still would have one back anyday.
BB
Never driven an S but been in some and looked at a few properly (was gonna buy one then changed to the Griff).
In my standard Griff 500 I have had no ground clearance problems accept for getting on and off ferries and when fully loaded for holidays.
Some of the Griffs with non-standard suspension sit a lot lower (and feel a lot better). Its still not too bad and I'll be doing this soon.
In my standard Griff 500 I have had no ground clearance problems accept for getting on and off ferries and when fully loaded for holidays.
Some of the Griffs with non-standard suspension sit a lot lower (and feel a lot better). Its still not too bad and I'll be doing this soon.
I can only compare V8s with 98 Griff and the S ground away a lot more road than the Griff, Both go over the local humps but the S tended to ground when driving “ enthusiastically” two up on local back lanes, where so far the Griff has stayed clear. This may have more to do with stiffer suspension than ride height. Worst hump I have suffered in the Griff is entering Castle Coombe, it’s more a mountain range than a hump.
Any way, get the Griff and enjoy. You will find it just ever so slightly quicker than a V6 S
Any way, get the Griff and enjoy. You will find it just ever so slightly quicker than a V6 S
Got both at the minute and have been driving the S a fair bit since we picked it up last Friday.
Ground clearance from the exhaust is worse in the S under acceleration (mine is an S1 and they do squat under power) but i have put a bit of weight on!
The S is louder and can sound great(its got a sports exhaust)against the Griff which is deeper and more subdued (in cat form).
The S is less demanding to drive and steering lighter.
The S feels almost pedestrian next to the Griff.
Have a trip to Doncaster and i will show you
The Griff is a better sorted car in the twisties and can be driven on the throttle round corners if you have the kahoonas
>> Edited by old64er on Wednesday 27th October 11:10
Ground clearance from the exhaust is worse in the S under acceleration (mine is an S1 and they do squat under power) but i have put a bit of weight on!
The S is louder and can sound great(its got a sports exhaust)against the Griff which is deeper and more subdued (in cat form).
The S is less demanding to drive and steering lighter.
The S feels almost pedestrian next to the Griff.
Have a trip to Doncaster and i will show you
The Griff is a better sorted car in the twisties and can be driven on the throttle round corners if you have the kahoonas
>> Edited by old64er on Wednesday 27th October 11:10
Had an S2 for 3 yrs - some roads I couldn't even go down, some speed humps I grounded at 1 mph - and the bonnet was always a problem - I have a steep uphill drive and then flat garage floor - so had to put front into garage with rear wheels on drive to open bonnet on latch.
All these have gone since I moved to Pre Cat 4.3 Griff. Also sounds better, goes better, and is better for posing!!
I also found it more comfortable than the S2 - the S was fine but you felt EVERY stone in the road, and it rattled! Griff is still a hard ride, but the engineering seems to have progressed between 89 (S) and 92 (Griff).
My only concerns with the Griff are:
1. Less forgiving (had it going sideways on a dead straight road last Christmas!)
2. The roof panel is a b***er to get in the boot and takes up too much room - having said that once you've got it out of the boot it's quicker to put up than the S
3. Cost (insurance, petrol, servicing and extra rolls of film needed)
Do I regret it? NO! Does beloved (her indoors) regret it - yes - but only because she thinks the colour of the Griff is vulgar.
Finally, in 3 yrs the S lost about 20-30% depreciation - in nearly 2 yrs the Griff doesn't seem to have lost anything.
DaveM
All these have gone since I moved to Pre Cat 4.3 Griff. Also sounds better, goes better, and is better for posing!!
I also found it more comfortable than the S2 - the S was fine but you felt EVERY stone in the road, and it rattled! Griff is still a hard ride, but the engineering seems to have progressed between 89 (S) and 92 (Griff).
My only concerns with the Griff are:
1. Less forgiving (had it going sideways on a dead straight road last Christmas!)
2. The roof panel is a b***er to get in the boot and takes up too much room - having said that once you've got it out of the boot it's quicker to put up than the S
3. Cost (insurance, petrol, servicing and extra rolls of film needed)
Do I regret it? NO! Does beloved (her indoors) regret it - yes - but only because she thinks the colour of the Griff is vulgar.
Finally, in 3 yrs the S lost about 20-30% depreciation - in nearly 2 yrs the Griff doesn't seem to have lost anything.
DaveM
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