Hello & Quick Help
Discussion
Hia everyone, thought it was about time I said hello! 
This had been covered so many times before, so I won't go into too much detail, but basically after years of wanting a Griffith, I've finally decided to bite the bullet and go for it!
I currently drive a Alfa 156 GTA, which is by no means slow, but no where near the power/aggression of a TVR. I've never driven a rear wheel drive before, and as such am slighly apprehensive, is this misplaced or do you think I should reconsider? Am I letting myself in for a fall, having owned 156's for the last 5 years I'm used to tempromental cars, but from what I've read TVR's are prone to problems.
I'm off to look at a 94 L 500 on Saturday, which seems like a good buy. Previous owner has had the car for 7 years, cars done 48000 miles, and will come with a 3year warranty, and I love it already!
Any help/advice/pointers would be appreciated, other than that wish me luck for Saturday, could be joining you all very soon!
This had been covered so many times before, so I won't go into too much detail, but basically after years of wanting a Griffith, I've finally decided to bite the bullet and go for it!
I currently drive a Alfa 156 GTA, which is by no means slow, but no where near the power/aggression of a TVR. I've never driven a rear wheel drive before, and as such am slighly apprehensive, is this misplaced or do you think I should reconsider? Am I letting myself in for a fall, having owned 156's for the last 5 years I'm used to tempromental cars, but from what I've read TVR's are prone to problems.
I'm off to look at a 94 L 500 on Saturday, which seems like a good buy. Previous owner has had the car for 7 years, cars done 48000 miles, and will come with a 3year warranty, and I love it already!
Any help/advice/pointers would be appreciated, other than that wish me luck for Saturday, could be joining you all very soon!
hi karl.i dont think youll have any problems adjusting to a griff,so long as you take it easy and learn slowly and be sensible.if you still feel unnerved then go on a ride drive course or similar.as for pointers there are many.for a start,dont just look at one,but look at as many as poss so you get to know how a well looked after one should be.check the full service history.thoroughly check the chassis from the outriggers inwards and also the wishbones,use a screwdriver or similar,not just your eyes,hopefully it will have been waxoyled.check for no engine noise and no blue smoke on start up and whilst running and no smoke on the overrun.check the oil pressure is where it should be(you dont say if its serp or not-different figures),check the water temp sits where it should do(no more than 80ish on the run),check the fans cut in and out when they should(about 90,but the first time after start up maybe a little earlier),leave the car ticking over when hot for a while to see if it boils over.check that all the electrics work including the gauges and heater,check for damp on the carpets particularly in the footwell,also up under the pedals on the drivers side,but all round really.check the diff doesnt whine, or clonk on take up or around corners.check the gearbox doesnt baulk on changeup AND down.there are probably a few other things to check as well,someone else will be along shortly.........
grif500 said:
Hia everyone, thought it was about time I said hello!
This had been covered so many times before, so I won't go into too much detail, but basically after years of wanting a Griffith, I've finally decided to bite the bullet and go for it!
I currently drive a Alfa 156 GTA, which is by no means slow, but no where near the power/aggression of a TVR. I've never driven a rear wheel drive before, and as such am slighly apprehensive, is this misplaced or do you think I should reconsider? Am I letting myself in for a fall, having owned 156's for the last 5 years I'm used to tempromental cars, but from what I've read TVR's are prone to problems.
It's the torque and light weight which can lead to sudden loss of traction - either on acceleration or (lift off) deceleration. Appreciating the potential means you're halfway there
. Go easy and be very cautious in the wet - you'll learn the car. I don't believe TVRs are inherently any more prone to problems than any other car - but they tolerate neglect less well, and get slated by the very people that neglect them. grif500 said:
I'm off to look at a 94 L 500 on Saturday, which seems like a good buy. Previous owner has had the car for 7 years, cars done 48000 miles, and will come with a 3year warranty, and I love it already!
A worthwhile warranty on a TVR is a rare thing - a 3 year warranty is likely to be so full of exclusions and claim limits it won't be worth anything. I might be wrong - but check the small print VERY closely.
grif500 said:
Any help/advice/pointers would be appreciated, other than that wish me luck for Saturday, could be joining you all very soon!
See posts elsewhere - but basically all the normal checks, as much of the chassis as you can see (take a torch), and judge the tlc the car's had by the condition. Oh and good luck!
grif500 said:I have always much preferred RWD handling and have spent most of the last 19 years driving relatively quick RWD cars and powerful bikes.
I've never driven a rear wheel drive before, and as such am slighly apprehensive, is this misplaced or do you think I should reconsider?
But I have never driven anything that demanded quite the same respect as the Griffith.
Sliding the back end at slow speeds on greasy roundabouts is pretty harmless fun, but to drive a Griffith fast on a wet twisty road is a skill well beyond my pathetic abilities.
Don't be put off, but never forget that whilst a Griffith is amazingly fast on a straight dry road, it is also surprisingly slow on a wet twisty one.
You certainly can't chuck a Griff around on full throttle like a fast hatchback...
I have to admit that the Griffith is possibly the most intimidating car that I have ever driven, but treated with circumspection, it is a wonderful car to drive.
Cheers
Pat
Tend to agree with Pat on this. It's not very forgiving at high speed but awareness of this and respect should keep you out of trouble.
One of the key things that you need to be aware of is the engine's ability to apply braking to the rear wheels. It's a big engine with lots of compression (hopefully) so it can cause the rear wheels to slide under breaking if you're engine revs and gear are not matched when you change gear.
The simplest way to avoid this is not to leave your braking too late and try to avoid braking and changing down at the same time. Certainly avoid hard braking, changing gear and cornering at the same time
There is a method called heel+toe but it’s been done to death, just be aware and careful.
TVR's can be reliable but they need regular maintenance just like any other car, if you can do a bit yourself then it will cost you less. If you can't then you are going to have to budget for repair bills, poss' some big ones. I doubt anyone will give you a comprehensive 3 year warranty on a TVR, so I'd be sceptical about this.
I could go on but you’d probably be put off, Good luck make sure you take your sensible head but most of all enjoy
One of the key things that you need to be aware of is the engine's ability to apply braking to the rear wheels. It's a big engine with lots of compression (hopefully) so it can cause the rear wheels to slide under breaking if you're engine revs and gear are not matched when you change gear.
The simplest way to avoid this is not to leave your braking too late and try to avoid braking and changing down at the same time. Certainly avoid hard braking, changing gear and cornering at the same time
There is a method called heel+toe but it’s been done to death, just be aware and careful. TVR's can be reliable but they need regular maintenance just like any other car, if you can do a bit yourself then it will cost you less. If you can't then you are going to have to budget for repair bills, poss' some big ones. I doubt anyone will give you a comprehensive 3 year warranty on a TVR, so I'd be sceptical about this.
I could go on but you’d probably be put off, Good luck make sure you take your sensible head but most of all enjoy
Hi Grif500,
Good advice above from fellow PHers, my advice would be....
1. Take it real steady for the first 3-6 months, I have had mine for nearly a year now and it still scares me sh1tless!!
2. I would budget for 'some' repairs, personally (and from bitter experience) I would say you need at least a grand in the bank as things will need doing early on because of different driving styles.
3. Wouldnt trust the warranty.
4. Would be good if you can do stuff yourself. I started doing bits and have now done quite a lot (having just fitted nitrons today) and it saves lots of cash, and you learn lots too. And there is loads of help on this BB.
5. Drive a few as they will all drive different. I had to have my diff recond as it was clunky before and now it is tight but wines round corners not a problem as the GKN diffs are known to be noisy.
6. As other people have said, the main point to check is the chassis as these are very expensive. If you are really stuck for what to look for try posting 'help in midlands area' or where ever you are and i am sure someone will help look over the car for you.
7. wouldn't recommend as an everyday car, costly to run, difficult to drive around town, scary in the wet.
Great cars, demand lots of TLC and respect....
Good luck,
Lig.
Good advice above from fellow PHers, my advice would be....
1. Take it real steady for the first 3-6 months, I have had mine for nearly a year now and it still scares me sh1tless!!
2. I would budget for 'some' repairs, personally (and from bitter experience) I would say you need at least a grand in the bank as things will need doing early on because of different driving styles.
3. Wouldnt trust the warranty.
4. Would be good if you can do stuff yourself. I started doing bits and have now done quite a lot (having just fitted nitrons today) and it saves lots of cash, and you learn lots too. And there is loads of help on this BB.
5. Drive a few as they will all drive different. I had to have my diff recond as it was clunky before and now it is tight but wines round corners not a problem as the GKN diffs are known to be noisy.
6. As other people have said, the main point to check is the chassis as these are very expensive. If you are really stuck for what to look for try posting 'help in midlands area' or where ever you are and i am sure someone will help look over the car for you.
7. wouldn't recommend as an everyday car, costly to run, difficult to drive around town, scary in the wet.
Great cars, demand lots of TLC and respect....
Good luck,
Lig.
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