Thinking about a Griffith
Discussion
Hi All
I am thinking about buying a Griffith as an everyday car.
I sold my T350t about 6mths ago and am missing the Tiv. However i dont miss the warm up procedure the constant nag that the speed six engine might blow up at any time, constant dash warnings that were not anything, Petrol splashing out at you everytime you filled up, however i loved the huge grin factor.
So a couple of quick questions.
1. The engine in the Grith, does it have any issues or are they a well proven formule.
2. what model to go for?
3. Does the roof leak
4. Does it suffer from wind noise in a similar way the T350t Targa top
5. As an everyday car, is it upto the job.
Many thanks
Stephen
I am thinking about buying a Griffith as an everyday car.
I sold my T350t about 6mths ago and am missing the Tiv. However i dont miss the warm up procedure the constant nag that the speed six engine might blow up at any time, constant dash warnings that were not anything, Petrol splashing out at you everytime you filled up, however i loved the huge grin factor.
So a couple of quick questions.
1. The engine in the Grith, does it have any issues or are they a well proven formule.
2. what model to go for?
3. Does the roof leak
4. Does it suffer from wind noise in a similar way the T350t Targa top
5. As an everyday car, is it upto the job.
Many thanks
Stephen
1. The engine in the Griff, does it have any issues or are they a well proven formule.
Well proven RV8 engine with no major issues apart from dodgy cranks on some early 500s that have been sorted. Plenty of advice, parts and engine builders out there.
2. what model to go for?
Two camps the pre-cats (400 and 4.3) and the 500.
Fewer precats around and the differing characteristics between the two models are mostly because of the cats on the 500. Pre-cat owners swear by theirs, because of the differing torque curves, ultimately less power in theory but some pre-cats are very strong. I've got a 500 and love it, drive both and see what you think.
3. Does the roof leak
The majority don't and the seals are available if they've gone.
4. Does it suffer from wind noise in a similar way the T350t Targa top
Not at all. The airflow is smoother as the car was intended to be a 'vert from the start.
5. As an everyday car, is it upto the job.
Yes. Mine is my only car and I've had relatively trouble free running in three years. It lived outside, uncovered for the first 18months and has only needed the standard servicing. I've done 28K miles up to now.
Well proven RV8 engine with no major issues apart from dodgy cranks on some early 500s that have been sorted. Plenty of advice, parts and engine builders out there.
2. what model to go for?
Two camps the pre-cats (400 and 4.3) and the 500.
Fewer precats around and the differing characteristics between the two models are mostly because of the cats on the 500. Pre-cat owners swear by theirs, because of the differing torque curves, ultimately less power in theory but some pre-cats are very strong. I've got a 500 and love it, drive both and see what you think.
3. Does the roof leak
The majority don't and the seals are available if they've gone.
4. Does it suffer from wind noise in a similar way the T350t Targa top
Not at all. The airflow is smoother as the car was intended to be a 'vert from the start.
5. As an everyday car, is it upto the job.
Yes. Mine is my only car and I've had relatively trouble free running in three years. It lived outside, uncovered for the first 18months and has only needed the standard servicing. I've done 28K miles up to now.
Edited by V8 GRF on Wednesday 7th October 10:51
In a word ... no !
1. The engine in the Griffith is well known but most are 10yrs old+ so things will alway need replacing
2. what model to go for - 500
3. Does the roof leak - no
4. Does it suffer from wind noise in a similar way the T350t Targa top - no
5. As an everyday car, is it upto the job - no, no, no, no, no
I have just come back from Spa where I had a miss-fire for two days which almost breaks my sole but hasnt. They can be a massive source of stress and enjoyment within the same day !!
Ironic that I have thoughts about a T350T as a upgrade to a Griffith !!
1. The engine in the Griffith is well known but most are 10yrs old+ so things will alway need replacing
2. what model to go for - 500
3. Does the roof leak - no
4. Does it suffer from wind noise in a similar way the T350t Targa top - no
5. As an everyday car, is it upto the job - no, no, no, no, no
I have just come back from Spa where I had a miss-fire for two days which almost breaks my sole but hasnt. They can be a massive source of stress and enjoyment within the same day !!
Ironic that I have thoughts about a T350T as a upgrade to a Griffith !!
This is one of those things where you will get positive and negative answers but, ultimately how a car fits with your questions will boil down to the condition of the car you buy and the money you have to spend to keep it in tip top condition.
Assuming you find a car that has been looked after I'd agree with V8GRF, and it was also my experience of using mine as a daily driver for 4 years. People do drive them daily and they can cope very well with it as long as you take care of issues as they arise.
1. The engines are strong, well known and parts are readily available. ESDavey is right, most engines are getting on now, but unless the engines have been thrashed throughout their lives they should (all things being equal) be good for significantly more miles than most cars will have on the clock. So, you can buy a car with less miles knowing that it 'should' have less wear (though that is not necessarily true), or you can buy a car with average miles and budget for possible work yourself, or find an example with plenty of receipts showing work done.
2. Can only vouch for the 500
3. keep it waterproofed (fabsil) and seals in good condition and it should be fine.
4. Does it suffer from wind noise ? Not at normal/motorway speeds.
5. As an everyday car, is it upto the job ? yes, as long as it's looked after and you have the funds to fix problems quickly as they arise.
The only downsides I found to driving it everyday were that after a while you do get used to the power and speed. I considered a second car, but it would have had to have been just as much fun to drive. At the time I just find anything to fit the bill.
Assuming you find a car that has been looked after I'd agree with V8GRF, and it was also my experience of using mine as a daily driver for 4 years. People do drive them daily and they can cope very well with it as long as you take care of issues as they arise.
1. The engines are strong, well known and parts are readily available. ESDavey is right, most engines are getting on now, but unless the engines have been thrashed throughout their lives they should (all things being equal) be good for significantly more miles than most cars will have on the clock. So, you can buy a car with less miles knowing that it 'should' have less wear (though that is not necessarily true), or you can buy a car with average miles and budget for possible work yourself, or find an example with plenty of receipts showing work done.
2. Can only vouch for the 500
3. keep it waterproofed (fabsil) and seals in good condition and it should be fine.
4. Does it suffer from wind noise ? Not at normal/motorway speeds.
5. As an everyday car, is it upto the job ? yes, as long as it's looked after and you have the funds to fix problems quickly as they arise.
The only downsides I found to driving it everyday were that after a while you do get used to the power and speed. I considered a second car, but it would have had to have been just as much fun to drive. At the time I just find anything to fit the bill.
snmvaio said:
Thanks guys for the respnses so far, very informative, and conflicting, as to be expected.
What is the servicing intervals on a 500 and does anyone one have rough performace figures on the 500, ie 0-60 time plus top speed etc.
Are these cars any good around a track?
Thanks
The service interval is 6000 miles.What is the servicing intervals on a 500 and does anyone one have rough performace figures on the 500, ie 0-60 time plus top speed etc.
Are these cars any good around a track?
Thanks
Autocar figures for the Griff 500 were 0-60 4.1s, 0-100 10.2s, max speed 167mph.
IMO, they are better on a track than on the road.
snmvaio said:
What is the servicing intervals on a 500 and does anyone one have rough performace figures on the 500, ie 0-60 time plus top speed etc.
Service intervals are 6000 miles or 12 months. (and servicing and parts need not cost a fortune).Official performance figures are: ~320/340 bhp, ~340ft lbs torque, 0-60 4.1sec, top speed of 167mph.
Most people accept that these figures (esp. power/torque), in a standard/un-modified car are fanciful. Cars that have been tested typically output 280+ bhp. Those figures can vary wildly depending on car condition and there are one or two standard cars that I've read about on here that output 300+ bhp unmodified.
Autocar tested the 0-60 time at 4.1sec I think.... but some believe the car given to the press wasn't standard, and it's fair to say that the press wouldn't have been kind to the car, mechanically wise ?!?!
Some people do track their cars but I suspect the handling wont be as good as modern TVR's in standard form.
TBH, figures don't really mean that much in the real world. TVR over stated their performance figures but I imagine they are not alone in that respect. I bet there are plenty of 400bhp Ferrari's that don't quite make their quota either. Bearing in mind how light these cars are, even 280 bhp is more than enough to get you in trouble.
The best thing is to just get out there and try one
Other stuff, you'll still have to warm the engine up so if that bugged you in the T350T it'll still bug you in a Griff. Regards performance I'm going to say most TVRs are just blisteringly fast and you'll not notice much difference indeed with all the torque you may even feel it's quicker? Certainly on holidays to Le Mans with mates in Cerberas, Tuscans and T350s they are all matched so closely that one can't pull away from the other.
Which one to go for? Well, mine of course http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1258263.htm
FYI: I've had a T350 as well, and a Tuscan, and this is/ was my second Griff...
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1258263.htmFYI: I've had a T350 as well, and a Tuscan, and this is/ was my second Griff...
snmvaio said:
1. The engine in the Grith, does it have any issues or are they a well proven formule.
2. what model to go for?
3. Does the roof leak
4. Does it suffer from wind noise in a similar way the T350t Targa top
5. As an everyday car, is it upto the job.
1. Had 2 Griff 500's, about 7 years total ownership. NO engine issues for me, but can have top end issues requiring new cam's if oil doesn't circulate - golden rule is don't leave idling.2. what model to go for?
3. Does the roof leak
4. Does it suffer from wind noise in a similar way the T350t Targa top
5. As an everyday car, is it upto the job.
2. Later the better for reliability IMHO/. Non cats sound better.
3. No
4. No
5. Yes, far better than any TVR beforehand (I drove a 280, 350, 390 and 450 in all weathers previously and endured limited heating and demisting) and arguably just as good as the later ones. Not quite a good a modern saloon, but heating is good and demisting adequate for all weathers. Just be sure to service regularly and replace anything needed and it won't let you down.
You don't think about buying a Griff.
It is a desire without which your life is incomplete, a feeling in the pit of your stomach that increases as you approach one, apprehension unknown in case the car of your dreams is sold before you make the deal, a car that fills your waking thoughts and your dreams at night, a car with its individual soul as no two are the same,there is no other car quite like the Griff in full voice, others lesser beings are now sanitised, harmonised and politicised. No car can overpower your senses when stationary, no car can provide such promise at the simple turn of a key.
No, you don't think about buying a Griff as much as you would think of cutting off a limb, it is a need, and one that leads to fulfillment unlike any other.
It is a desire without which your life is incomplete, a feeling in the pit of your stomach that increases as you approach one, apprehension unknown in case the car of your dreams is sold before you make the deal, a car that fills your waking thoughts and your dreams at night, a car with its individual soul as no two are the same,there is no other car quite like the Griff in full voice, others lesser beings are now sanitised, harmonised and politicised. No car can overpower your senses when stationary, no car can provide such promise at the simple turn of a key.
No, you don't think about buying a Griff as much as you would think of cutting off a limb, it is a need, and one that leads to fulfillment unlike any other.
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