How does driving a Griffith compare..
Discussion
OK - here goes
I have been the proud owner of a Griffith now for 18 Months, however I bought it as a restoration project and I've not driven it.
A friend of mine recently bought an MX5 (Early one with pop up headlights) and it reminded me why I fell in love with driving sports cars in the first place - I forgot how much 'feeling' you get through the wheel with a non power steering car. Pity they have such a 'hairdresser' image because they are great to drive..
My Father and I have owned some cars in our time - Series 1 E Type, TVR 350i, DB7, Scooby (current daily driver) and a Westfield (current sprint and hillclimb car) and I have enjoyed driving them all - but for the sheer thrill and purity of driving on the roads - the MX5 has it...(the Westfield is a bit too 'track' for a nice run in the countryside)
So - just how good is a Griff and how does it compare to other sports and performance cars you have driven??
P.S - no offers of a drive please - the first Griff I drive will be mine!!!!!
I have been the proud owner of a Griffith now for 18 Months, however I bought it as a restoration project and I've not driven it.
A friend of mine recently bought an MX5 (Early one with pop up headlights) and it reminded me why I fell in love with driving sports cars in the first place - I forgot how much 'feeling' you get through the wheel with a non power steering car. Pity they have such a 'hairdresser' image because they are great to drive..
My Father and I have owned some cars in our time - Series 1 E Type, TVR 350i, DB7, Scooby (current daily driver) and a Westfield (current sprint and hillclimb car) and I have enjoyed driving them all - but for the sheer thrill and purity of driving on the roads - the MX5 has it...(the Westfield is a bit too 'track' for a nice run in the countryside)
So - just how good is a Griff and how does it compare to other sports and performance cars you have driven??
P.S - no offers of a drive please - the first Griff I drive will be mine!!!!!
Why not buy a MX5 and do this..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sG7TUVjfcb0&fea...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U13Y27Ji7WQ&fea...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gPuhA2taax4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gPuhA2taax4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sG7TUVjfcb0&fea...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U13Y27Ji7WQ&fea...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gPuhA2taax4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gPuhA2taax4
Edited by SILICONEKID340HP on Tuesday 5th July 15:11
Dave Westy said:
OK - here goes
I have been the proud owner of a Griffith now for 18 Months, however I bought it as a restoration project and I've not driven it.
A friend of mine recently bought an MX5 (Early one with pop up headlights) and it reminded me why I fell in love with driving sports cars in the first place - I forgot how much 'feeling' you get through the wheel with a non power steering car. Pity they have such a 'hairdresser' image because they are great to drive..
My Father and I have owned some cars in our time - Series 1 E Type, TVR 350i, DB7, Scooby (current daily driver) and a Westfield (current sprint and hillclimb car) and I have enjoyed driving them all - but for the sheer thrill and purity of driving on the roads - the MX5 has it...(the Westfield is a bit too 'track' for a nice run in the countryside)
So - just how good is a Griff and how does it compare to other sports and performance cars you have driven??
P.S - no offers of a drive please - the first Griff I drive will be mine!!!!!
That's a difficult one. I've driven quite a few 'similar' cars and none of them have ever been at all like the Griff.I have been the proud owner of a Griffith now for 18 Months, however I bought it as a restoration project and I've not driven it.
A friend of mine recently bought an MX5 (Early one with pop up headlights) and it reminded me why I fell in love with driving sports cars in the first place - I forgot how much 'feeling' you get through the wheel with a non power steering car. Pity they have such a 'hairdresser' image because they are great to drive..
My Father and I have owned some cars in our time - Series 1 E Type, TVR 350i, DB7, Scooby (current daily driver) and a Westfield (current sprint and hillclimb car) and I have enjoyed driving them all - but for the sheer thrill and purity of driving on the roads - the MX5 has it...(the Westfield is a bit too 'track' for a nice run in the countryside)
So - just how good is a Griff and how does it compare to other sports and performance cars you have driven??
P.S - no offers of a drive please - the first Griff I drive will be mine!!!!!
It'll be nothing like your E Type, or your DB7, or the Scooby, or the Westfield. It'll be a little bit like the wedge though.
You also need to take into account how you set it up and what spec your engine will be.
TJS10 said:
It's an interesting question. In addition to a late Griff 500 I also have a remapped and re braked Audi TT, a BMW Z1 and a 1968 MGB GT. They all have different traits and foibles, some good others not so good. The griff and Z1 are summer cars nearly always driven top down. The Z1 is a late 80's design with 170 bhp but heavy at 1500 kg despite the plastic body, it's isn't particulary quick but the ride and handling are excellent for long journeys, it's a convertible GT. The TT is turbo charged and c.265 bhp with four wheel drive. Same power as a standard Griff. It has great traction and grunt, handles ok with minor suspension mods but understeers badly when pushed hard. In standard trim the "golf in drag" tag is fair comment. The MG, it's actually good fun, you get a buzz pushing it along albeit at much lower speeds, again a cruiser rather than a sports car.
So where does this leave the Griff? It's relative power to weight ratio compared to the others makes it sneakily quick once you remember to use the full and very long throttle travel, the howl from the engine is seriously addictive. Look down at the speedo and you will be travelling at 3 figures. Handling and braking is good but be careful in the wet, no traction control or abs, but to be perfectly honest it doesn't need them. Mine has pas which is fine, it's not too light and the rack ratio is spot on. The TVR is a sports car which can also perform well as a GT. Ownership and maintenance cost. The TVR easily loses this contest by a big margin, but then you know that when you buy it. A long trip down the the south of France, the Z1. A summer evening blast through the countryside, the TVR. The TT, winter or foul weather souless cross country trips in a hurry.
Unlike the others the Griff has a soul and makes you smile.
The best drives I had in the Griff were either the massive, all day hoons across Europe (still hard to find a car as comfortable but I suspect that may be because I was early 20s and am now late 30s So where does this leave the Griff? It's relative power to weight ratio compared to the others makes it sneakily quick once you remember to use the full and very long throttle travel, the howl from the engine is seriously addictive. Look down at the speedo and you will be travelling at 3 figures. Handling and braking is good but be careful in the wet, no traction control or abs, but to be perfectly honest it doesn't need them. Mine has pas which is fine, it's not too light and the rack ratio is spot on. The TVR is a sports car which can also perform well as a GT. Ownership and maintenance cost. The TVR easily loses this contest by a big margin, but then you know that when you buy it. A long trip down the the south of France, the Z1. A summer evening blast through the countryside, the TVR. The TT, winter or foul weather souless cross country trips in a hurry.
Unlike the others the Griff has a soul and makes you smile.
) and the drives home from a girl's house in the early hours of the morning as the sun was coming up and the roads were empty and silent. They have the set up to drive long distance, the power to hoon and the real thing that many don't have, the wonderful interior and noise to make casual wafting down lanes simply a sublime experience that I always thought only duffers from a bygone age would recognise and couldn't be delivered by any other modern car.
DonkeyApple said:
TJS10 said:
It's an interesting question. In addition to a late Griff 500 I also have a remapped and re braked Audi TT, a BMW Z1 and a 1968 MGB GT. They all have different traits and foibles, some good others not so good. The griff and Z1 are summer cars nearly always driven top down. The Z1 is a late 80's design with 170 bhp but heavy at 1500 kg despite the plastic body, it's isn't particulary quick but the ride and handling are excellent for long journeys, it's a convertible GT. The TT is turbo charged and c.265 bhp with four wheel drive. Same power as a standard Griff. It has great traction and grunt, handles ok with minor suspension mods but understeers badly when pushed hard. In standard trim the "golf in drag" tag is fair comment. The MG, it's actually good fun, you get a buzz pushing it along albeit at much lower speeds, again a cruiser rather than a sports car.
So where does this leave the Griff? It's relative power to weight ratio compared to the others makes it sneakily quick once you remember to use the full and very long throttle travel, the howl from the engine is seriously addictive. Look down at the speedo and you will be travelling at 3 figures. Handling and braking is good but be careful in the wet, no traction control or abs, but to be perfectly honest it doesn't need them. Mine has pas which is fine, it's not too light and the rack ratio is spot on. The TVR is a sports car which can also perform well as a GT. Ownership and maintenance cost. The TVR easily loses this contest by a big margin, but then you know that when you buy it. A long trip down the the south of France, the Z1. A summer evening blast through the countryside, the TVR. The TT, winter or foul weather souless cross country trips in a hurry.
Unlike the others the Griff has a soul and makes you smile.
The best drives I had in the Griff were either the massive, all day hoons across Europe (still hard to find a car as comfortable but I suspect that may be because I was early 20s and am now late 30s So where does this leave the Griff? It's relative power to weight ratio compared to the others makes it sneakily quick once you remember to use the full and very long throttle travel, the howl from the engine is seriously addictive. Look down at the speedo and you will be travelling at 3 figures. Handling and braking is good but be careful in the wet, no traction control or abs, but to be perfectly honest it doesn't need them. Mine has pas which is fine, it's not too light and the rack ratio is spot on. The TVR is a sports car which can also perform well as a GT. Ownership and maintenance cost. The TVR easily loses this contest by a big margin, but then you know that when you buy it. A long trip down the the south of France, the Z1. A summer evening blast through the countryside, the TVR. The TT, winter or foul weather souless cross country trips in a hurry.
Unlike the others the Griff has a soul and makes you smile.
) and the drives home from a girl's house in the early hours of the morning as the sun was coming up and the roads were empty and silent. They have the set up to drive long distance, the power to hoon and the real thing that many don't have, the wonderful interior and noise to make casual wafting down lanes simply a sublime experience that I always thought only duffers from a bygone age would recognise and couldn't be delivered by any other modern car.
I've driven alot of different cars over the years and nothing quite gives me that 'special' feeling that I get when I take the Griff out. As an example, at an event last year through work I was lucky enough to get a quick drive in a Gallardo and an F430 for a few laps of an Aerodrome. Both were fun cars, the Fezza probably more so as the Gallardo just didn't do it for me. At the end of the afternoon it was a pleasure to get back in the Griff for the drive home.
having had a wedge and a griff
you sit higher in the wedge and the suspension is a little softer plus its a bigger and heavier car than the griff
however the fit and finish of the griff is a lot better than the wedge , wind noise being vastly reduced and while its a littel smaller inside its the better cruiser / long distance car
however its also a fair bit shorter in the wheelbase this makes its a lot more twitchy than the wedge abley assisted by more power and less weight
set-up and decent tyres, shocks etc are crucial
also make d@mn sure the front tyre isn't too wide, my griff came with 225's on the front and 235 rear dropping down to a 205 on the front transformed the car from being a camber chasing maniac to something that was far friendlier on the back roads
to sum up, its like the wedge only better
cr@p boot space mind
you sit higher in the wedge and the suspension is a little softer plus its a bigger and heavier car than the griff
however the fit and finish of the griff is a lot better than the wedge , wind noise being vastly reduced and while its a littel smaller inside its the better cruiser / long distance car
however its also a fair bit shorter in the wheelbase this makes its a lot more twitchy than the wedge abley assisted by more power and less weight
set-up and decent tyres, shocks etc are crucial
also make d@mn sure the front tyre isn't too wide, my griff came with 225's on the front and 235 rear dropping down to a 205 on the front transformed the car from being a camber chasing maniac to something that was far friendlier on the back roads
to sum up, its like the wedge only better
cr@p boot space mind
350Matt said:
having had a wedge and a griff
you sit higher in the wedge and the suspension is a little softer plus its a bigger and heavier car than the griff
however the fit and finish of the griff is a lot better than the wedge , wind noise being vastly reduced and while its a littel smaller inside its the better cruiser / long distance car
however its also a fair bit shorter in the wheelbase this makes its a lot more twitchy than the wedge abley assisted by more power and less weight
set-up and decent tyres, shocks etc are crucial
also make d@mn sure the front tyre isn't too wide, my griff came with 225's on the front and 235 rear dropping down to a 205 on the front transformed the car from being a camber chasing maniac to something that was far friendlier on the back roads
to sum up, its like the wedge only better
cr@p boot space mind
Life is easier when you chop the roof Matt. you sit higher in the wedge and the suspension is a little softer plus its a bigger and heavier car than the griff
however the fit and finish of the griff is a lot better than the wedge , wind noise being vastly reduced and while its a littel smaller inside its the better cruiser / long distance car
however its also a fair bit shorter in the wheelbase this makes its a lot more twitchy than the wedge abley assisted by more power and less weight
set-up and decent tyres, shocks etc are crucial
also make d@mn sure the front tyre isn't too wide, my griff came with 225's on the front and 235 rear dropping down to a 205 on the front transformed the car from being a camber chasing maniac to something that was far friendlier on the back roads
to sum up, its like the wedge only better
cr@p boot space mind
Hows things with you anyway mate?
350Matt said:
however the fit and finish of the griff is a lot better than the wedge
Really? Oh dear... Doing my restoration on the Griff made me laugh out loud at some of the things the guys in Blackpool did.... Not really a problem - there was a reason these cars were a lot cheaper than competitors. But Peter Wheeler's comment on Top Gear that he did not believe his build quality was anything less than Porsche was, having had an inside look, IMHO induced by drugs or illness. Sorry Peter, a bit harsh - I still love you for what you did and created. And my restoration/customisation is aimed to honour TVR, not to make my own creation.350Matt said:
also make d@mn sure the front tyre isn't too wide, my griff came with 225's on the front and 235 rear dropping down to a 205 on the front transformed the car from being a camber chasing maniac to something that was far friendlier on the back roads
Very interesting. Thanks for that comment!Onno
Glove box staying closed is a clear sign you've not gone fast enough yet
It's a cunning TVR safety device that warns you that you are more likely to hit a tree than usual
If you are talking about actual materials then absolutely. No arguement. Both Porkers and Fezzas are awful interiors in that regard. Highly untactile and tacky. The only people who like the materials are people who have upgraded from a Vectra or Mondeo
It's a cunning TVR safety device that warns you that you are more likely to hit a tree than usual
If you are talking about actual materials then absolutely. No arguement. Both Porkers and Fezzas are awful interiors in that regard. Highly untactile and tacky. The only people who like the materials are people who have upgraded from a Vectra or Mondeo
I started (rather late in life...) with a Westfield (with a 2.1 n/a Cosworth) which was rather quick!
Due to girlfriends requirement for 'a bit of comfort' this was sold and a TVR 3000M purchased. Engine was changed for another Essex V6 - but this time dyno'd at 200 brake = quite lively and much fun was had. Then I was made redundant...... but with willing girlfriend and redundancy package I bought a Rosso Pearl Griff 500 and have enjoyed it ever since (10 years).
Not only does it give the 'grin factor' every time I go out but it's resulted in me becoming the Regional Organizer for the local TVR club.
So buying a Griff could be dangerous to your spare time........ but 'what the hell!!@
Due to girlfriends requirement for 'a bit of comfort' this was sold and a TVR 3000M purchased. Engine was changed for another Essex V6 - but this time dyno'd at 200 brake = quite lively and much fun was had. Then I was made redundant...... but with willing girlfriend and redundancy package I bought a Rosso Pearl Griff 500 and have enjoyed it ever since (10 years).
Not only does it give the 'grin factor' every time I go out but it's resulted in me becoming the Regional Organizer for the local TVR club.
So buying a Griff could be dangerous to your spare time........ but 'what the hell!!@
Most will agree that the Griffith will not embarrass itself at a track day and has the capability to cross continents quickly and reasonably comfortably.
Given this breadth of ability what was it's main competitor when it was in production ? 911 cabriolet, maybe. Mercedes SL, no. Jaguar XJS convertible, no. Ferrari 355 GTS, probably ...but too expensive.
What is it's competition today? MX5, no. Out gunned in terms of performance. Lotus Elise, maybe
Given this breadth of ability what was it's main competitor when it was in production ? 911 cabriolet, maybe. Mercedes SL, no. Jaguar XJS convertible, no. Ferrari 355 GTS, probably ...but too expensive.
What is it's competition today? MX5, no. Out gunned in terms of performance. Lotus Elise, maybe
TJS10 said:
Most will agree that the Griffith will not embarrass itself at a track day and has the capability to cross continents quickly and reasonably comfortably.
Given this breadth of ability what was it's main competitor when it was in production ? 911 cabriolet, maybe. Mercedes SL, no. Jaguar XJS convertible, no. Ferrari 355 GTS, probably ...but too expensive.
What is it's competition today? MX5, no. Out gunned in terms of performance. Lotus Elise, maybe
A very good question. It is defined by it's own looks, not living off a baby boomer's childhood dreams. And it still stands alone today. It is very difficult to find a car from another brand from then or now that sits with it. Given this breadth of ability what was it's main competitor when it was in production ? 911 cabriolet, maybe. Mercedes SL, no. Jaguar XJS convertible, no. Ferrari 355 GTS, probably ...but too expensive.
What is it's competition today? MX5, no. Out gunned in terms of performance. Lotus Elise, maybe
My genuine guess is that it'll be this model that will in a long time transpire to be the collectors' TVR.
I completely agree with the last 2 assessments. The Griff is a unique combination that is very hard to find in modern cars or 'youngtimers'. And that is why I own one. Lots of my Ferrari-owning friends don't understand it, but I love the Griff and what it stands for. One of those Ferrari guys DOES understand it - he calls it the "thinking man's Cobra" and I think that's a fair assessment. It is a Cobra for the nineties. Plain and simple. And as said above - even when new there was nothing else like it, and I think it was also viewed as old school back then. Precisely because of that, it will be a collector's car, just like the Cobra became.
The Griff will allow future owners to capture the hedonistic times of yore. Long may they be celebrated behind that Personal steering wheel.
Onno
The Griff will allow future owners to capture the hedonistic times of yore. Long may they be celebrated behind that Personal steering wheel.
Onno
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