Griffs and long journeys, do they mix?

[B19GRR]

Hey all,
Just had a long weekend of driving in my Elise (around 600miles) and I'm feeling a little stiff althoguh not as bad as some might imagine. However most of it was on fast A roads and that was just pretty tiring in the car. My mind drifted back to the effortless raod eating abilities of my old Cerb so I was just wondering if the Griff was similar or is it still a bit of a handful even on motorways?

Cheers,
Rob

[AlexH]

I've always found the Griff a very accomplished mile-eater. Easily do 200+ miles without feeling too done in. Never driven an Elsie but sat in one and have to say it didn't feel anywhere as comfortable as a Griff.

[simpo two]

I found the 4.0 to be comfier than the 500 for longish journeys - the reason was the base part of the seat, which was lower in the 4.0 and supported the thighs better.

But 100 miles in a sans-felis Griff is enough for me - I get home and my ears are ringing!

[burriana500]

Rob - mine's only really a weekend car, and the longest journey I have managed in one go is, er, 1000 miles in 13 hours with only 4 stops for petrol, cruising at around 90 ish, roof off! Arrived in Lourdes extremely hot, sweaty and dusty, but comfort was not an issue for one moment, in fact it wasn't until someone asked if it was comfortable that I ever gave it any thought!

So in my opinion, at 6'2" and 13 stone, yep, it's a very comfortable long distance cruiser

[Apache]

Fits like a glove, been to LeMans and Dinan in ours

[Big_M]

We regularly go to Croyde in Devon in the Griff which is about 300 miles - without a stop as well. I had severe back pain earlier this year and the only car I could sit in for any length of time was the Griffith - albeit with a cushion in the small of my back - but it was much better than anything else in our fleet.

[beano500]

Comfortably done 350+ miles in a day.

In truth it can be a bit wearing with the top off due to the combination of wind noise and that luverly grumbling rumble - trouble is it's so addictive you don't really notice 'til about half an hour later (when you're in the bar!)

[Ballistic Banana]

Been to Le Mans a couple of times now and can safely say it was comfortable, mind you I once drove a Unimog down to the dourdogne so anything would be comfy after that.

BB

[mrmaggit]

Ah! Croyde!

Tell me, are the rabbits still all over the fields behind the pub, on the way to the caravan /holiday park?

[heliox]

Had mine up the Alps a few times with no probs.

h

[dougal]

I second Simpo's answer, for me the 4.0ltr has better more comfy seats, for the Wife her 500 was better, I'm 6'2 she's 5'4.

I've done a fare few Le Mans trips, Scotland etc. The longest journey in one day was Monaco to Essex, not tiring at all, no aches or pains, more comfy than you think.

[B19GRR]

oh dear, is that the call of the classifieds I hear?!!!

Or perhaps time to reread the million and one posts on "I'm thinking about getting a Griff, what should I look for and what goes wrong and how can I make it even more powerful?"

Should really go and get behind the wheel of one I guess. I drove a 4l Chim a few years back for a few days. Can't really remember the finer details though more of a "phwoooaarrr listen to that" and "bloody hell it's lighting up the tyres in third" type memories - happy days

[cyberface]

Biggest factor in long distances for me is the speed you wish to go. If you keep it to 85 or less then the cabin is reasonably quiet, and the car has a good ride anyway, so you can munch miles all day.
Driving over 85 simply starts off wind roar from the side window seals - the car is still comfortable but it gets progressively more noisy.

Of course I'm talking about with the roof on, if you do a long journey with the roof off then you're more likely to get tired.

[simpo two]

B19GRR said:

Should really go and get behind the wheel of one I guess.

But you'll have to do a 400 mile test drive to answer your question...

B19GRR said:

I drove a 4l Chim a few years back for a few days. Can't really remember the finer details though more of a "phwoooaarrr listen to that" and "bloody hell it's lighting up the tyres in third" type memories - happy days

Then brace yourself for a Griff 500 - it'll trounce the Chimp and eat your pants as well.

(NB Allowed to say that as this is the Griff forum )

[mrmaggit]

burp!!!!!!!!!

[B19GRR]

simpo two said:

Then brace yourself for a Griff 500 - it'll trounce the Chimp and eat your pants as well.

hmmmm, that complicates things. I was debating whether it was worth putting on a clean pair of pants for a test drive knowing the risk that the might not stay that way but I'd hate to have a griff have to eat a pair of dirty ones

[simpo two]

Dont worry. Griffs eat sh*t for breakfast, belch and ask for second helpings.

[tvr4ever]

Drove it to Italy last summer, 1100 Km in one go. No problems, had a lot of fun on the German autobahn. I must say with 250 KPH on the clock it needs a lot of concentrating and you do get tired quickly, just like any other car I guess.

Fred

[Quicksilver]

Seems appropriate to make a comment as have owned an Elise (S1) and a Cerb ....
Griff is far more comfortable than both over any sort of distance simply because of the (relatively) softer suspension setup.
Go on.
You know you want to!!

[bensandars]

In May I drove from St Malo to Cannes (900 miles)in one go, stayed 2 days (business) and drove back all in one go. I have done this before in comfortable saloons (BMW/Audis) all of which became uncomfortable especially when you do not have the driving involvement element of a TVR, Plus the seats in the Griff are exceptionally comfortable and every 250 miles you have to get out you stretch your legs as you stroll over to the petrol pump.