Do I, Don't I?
Discussion
I drove a Griffith 500 a few years ago for about a week and absolutely loved it apart from the wipers never stopped in the correct place.
Now I'm thinking of buying one but the usual stories of unreliability worry me.
I'd be spending around £20k - £25k. Over-heating is a concern as the car will be used daily for a 20 mile commute each way on the A1 and most days there's a crash and standing traffic. Is this a common problem and what other things tend to go wrong, if any???
Now I'm thinking of buying one but the usual stories of unreliability worry me.
I'd be spending around £20k - £25k. Over-heating is a concern as the car will be used daily for a 20 mile commute each way on the A1 and most days there's a crash and standing traffic. Is this a common problem and what other things tend to go wrong, if any???
Well, I cant see what all the overheating fuss is about.
Just come back from 5 days in Le Mans and did loads of driving whilst there. This meant lots of sitting in traffic jams too, especially at the ferry ports.
No overheating problems at all. Stays between 80C and 90C all the time and everything running fine despite the very hot French traffic jams.
Also managed to get it up to 155 on the Paege and it was still rising. Did this on a perfectly clear stretch but had to slow again as was approaching other cars. It felt stable at these speeds and was great to see the needle going round that far.
The only time I have seen it get hot was when I pulled of a circuit after not doing a full cool down lap. In this instance the needle rose to 100C but I left it running and it soon controlled itself. Also popped the bonnet a few inches in this instance. It didnt boil over or anything though, the needle just went a bit high.
I think most of the Tiv problems relate to the early Speed6 engines (Cerbera, Tamora, Tuscan) but since the Griffs have the good old Rover V8 they are pretty robust.
Get one thats been looked after and you should be fine.
I was in £17K teritory and I managed to get a good one that Im very happy about.
Go for it and you wont stop smiling for a long time!
>> Edited by DustyC on Wednesday 16th June 11:29
Just come back from 5 days in Le Mans and did loads of driving whilst there. This meant lots of sitting in traffic jams too, especially at the ferry ports.
No overheating problems at all. Stays between 80C and 90C all the time and everything running fine despite the very hot French traffic jams.
Also managed to get it up to 155 on the Paege and it was still rising. Did this on a perfectly clear stretch but had to slow again as was approaching other cars. It felt stable at these speeds and was great to see the needle going round that far.
The only time I have seen it get hot was when I pulled of a circuit after not doing a full cool down lap. In this instance the needle rose to 100C but I left it running and it soon controlled itself. Also popped the bonnet a few inches in this instance. It didnt boil over or anything though, the needle just went a bit high.
I think most of the Tiv problems relate to the early Speed6 engines (Cerbera, Tamora, Tuscan) but since the Griffs have the good old Rover V8 they are pretty robust.
Get one thats been looked after and you should be fine.
I was in £17K teritory and I managed to get a good one that Im very happy about.
Go for it and you wont stop smiling for a long time!
>> Edited by DustyC on Wednesday 16th June 11:29
RodneyBob said:
I drove a Griffith 500 a few years ago for about a week and absolutely loved it apart from the wipers never stopped in the correct place.
I'd be spending around £20k - £25k. Over-heating is a concern as the car will be used daily for a 20 mile commute each way on the A1 and most days there's a crash and standing traffic. Is this a common problem and what other things tend to go wrong, if any???
Hi RodneyBob,
'If we can answer your questions Mr Prospect, will you proceed?'
1) The device (parking switch) that returns the wipers to the right position can corrode, and is simply replaced for not much £.
2) 500s do generate a lot of heat but if the cooling system is in good shape, it will cope. Running temp always seems to vary with ambient temp and speed, but as long as the fans cut in around 90, you should be OK. It's when the fans fail to cut in for some reason that it cooks.
3) The most common problem is battery discharge - this can be solved by getting a battery conditioner which plugs into the cig socket. For a full list of what to look for, and to learn all about the breed, suggest you go to www.tvrbooks.co.uk and purchase the 'bible' - even if it does have the wrong car on the cover!
4) Your budget will buy you a very nice one.
Need I say more?!
In answer to your question "simpo two" - I would definitely buy one if I don't feel like I'm going to be back and forth to the garage all the time.
I was looking at Cerbera's earlier on this year but either they'd shrunk since I last drove one or I'd put on some girth! I think the latter is probably nearer the truth.
Reliability is a big issue for me as my wife will also use it for going to work. Are they good as a day to day car?
One thing that put me off the Cerberas was the treat of an engine rebuild. Is that likely with a griffith? I'm not even the slightest bit technical, even changing a fuse can be a massive challenge for me, so if minor things go wrong it'd be a trip to the garage.
I was looking at Cerbera's earlier on this year but either they'd shrunk since I last drove one or I'd put on some girth! I think the latter is probably nearer the truth.
Reliability is a big issue for me as my wife will also use it for going to work. Are they good as a day to day car?
One thing that put me off the Cerberas was the treat of an engine rebuild. Is that likely with a griffith? I'm not even the slightest bit technical, even changing a fuse can be a massive challenge for me, so if minor things go wrong it'd be a trip to the garage.
... usually does the trick 
Modwise do a 2 stage cooling kit which my Dad had fitted to his Griff which never actually overheated but neverthless used to get very hot - now absolutely no problems - the car is a J reg 4.0 Griff and since my Dad took ownership 2.5 years ago has never had a major problem touchwood....can't say more than that really! Hope this helps.
Don't worry, be happy, buy a Griff.
Why bother worrying. If you get one and it is unreliable, just get rid and get another one. Simple.
I would suggest that the majority of Griffs made are reliable so the chances of getting a decent one is better than getting a dog.
Crack on old boy!
Why bother worrying. If you get one and it is unreliable, just get rid and get another one. Simple.
I would suggest that the majority of Griffs made are reliable so the chances of getting a decent one is better than getting a dog.
Crack on old boy!
Why do people worry about overheating. My wifes car sits at 90, my seat does , my old peugeot does AND so does my Griff.
You will only have problems , IF the car is not/HAS not been maintained properly.
what age of car are you looking at..
As, trying to compare a 12 year old GRiff with a 2 year old one will give a different perspective on reliabilty. I will expect to replace the odd thing on ANY 12 year old car.
B
You will only have problems , IF the car is not/HAS not been maintained properly.
what age of car are you looking at..
As, trying to compare a 12 year old GRiff with a 2 year old one will give a different perspective on reliabilty. I will expect to replace the odd thing on ANY 12 year old car.
B
Hi Adam - the main thing I had done, purely as a preventative rather than a cure, was fit the Modwise 2-stage cooling kit, so I could set the fans to come on a earlier lot earlier at half speed then a little earlier than normal at full speed. Seeing the car in a motorway hold up in 110 degrees (I was trying to keep in the shade of the artic' next to me) with the needle sat at a steady 87 degrees was very reassuring... though at a guess, without the kit it would probably only have been just over 90.
The rest was just a bag of odd bits that may tide you over: mixed fuses inc 30s, exhaust tape, radweld, various heat resistant sticky tape, length of washer tube, spare heater hose, one ignition lead (longest), various size jubilee clips, bulb set, tyre weld x 2 + spare wheel, and a comprehensine tool kit, oh, and the bible.
Didn't need any of it, but nice to know it's there.
al
The rest was just a bag of odd bits that may tide you over: mixed fuses inc 30s, exhaust tape, radweld, various heat resistant sticky tape, length of washer tube, spare heater hose, one ignition lead (longest), various size jubilee clips, bulb set, tyre weld x 2 + spare wheel, and a comprehensine tool kit, oh, and the bible.
Didn't need any of it, but nice to know it's there.
al
I've had 18 cars in the last 10 years. 11 of them have been TVRs. One of them locked up its gearbox into reverse... burst its heater matrix and dissolved all the plastic piping on the air vents... started to catch fire forcing a quick stop on the hard shoulder and a very quick exit. That car was... a Volvo 850. Nuff said.
Only one note of caution - looking at your profile and seeing where you live I think it may be a little issue - is weather, or more specifically bad weather.
I live in the midlands, and we get a fair bit of snow & ice at times. Where I live is quite hilly, up to 190m above sea level, and the weather occasionally piles in accross the Shropshire plains & dumps it's everything it's got onto us.
I've not really used my car throughout the winter, so I don't know, how easy/difficult it is in bad conditions, but I'd guess it could be a real handful.
Anyone here with snowy or icy experiences they'd like to share? (Contributions from Finland not welcome or relevant - you guys could find traction on an greased baking tray.)
I live in the midlands, and we get a fair bit of snow & ice at times. Where I live is quite hilly, up to 190m above sea level, and the weather occasionally piles in accross the Shropshire plains & dumps it's everything it's got onto us.
I've not really used my car throughout the winter, so I don't know, how easy/difficult it is in bad conditions, but I'd guess it could be a real handful.
Anyone here with snowy or icy experiences they'd like to share? (Contributions from Finland not welcome or relevant - you guys could find traction on an greased baking tray.)
bjwoods said:
Why do people worry about overheating. My wifes car sits at 90, my seat does , my old peugeot does AND so does my Griff.
You will only have problems , IF the car is not/HAS not been maintained properly.
B
I think people worry about overheating because sometimes Griffs do overheat. But they only overheat if there's a problem with the cooling system.
Typical cooling system issue are:
low fluid levels (easy to fix - fill it up)
broken otter switch (easy to fix - have a new one put in)
malfunctioning thermostat (easy to fix - have a new one put in)
radiator inefficiency caused by gunge or leak (easy to fix but a bit more expensive getting it re-cored etc)
hose damage old or cracked (easy to remedy - put on some silicone hoses from ACT)
Fan fuses blowing due to high current draw (later model cars have dual fan wiring with two fuses so not an issue)
But with a later model car you're unlikely to need to do much of the above. However if you want a guarantee that it will start amd run every single day of the year without the slightest hitch at all then you're being a bit optimistic IMHO. Even the best high-volume manafactured cars have hitches sometimes.
I'm running my second Griff and have driven them often over the last 4 years, racking up about 30,000 miles. The only failures I have had are a broken throttle cable and a broken rear hub.
On the other hand I have also run a 318is and a 323CI which between then have needed two new clutches, various suspension items, an ECU and several trips to replace interior parts.
RodneyBob said:
In answer to your question "simpo two" - I would definitely buy one if I don't feel like I'm going to be back and forth to the garage all the time.
Reliability is a big issue for me as my wife will also use it for going to work. Are they good as a day to day car?
One thing that put me off the Cerberas was the treat of an engine rebuild. Is that likely with a griffith?
OK. If you get a good one and take the time to understand it and what to look for, then you will have a much better chance of success IMO. That's why I mentioned the 'bible'. I've had two Griffiths over 7 years and I've been caught twice: once at home with a flat battery - which has happened to every car I've had - and recently when the radiator developed a leak. But again, this is something that can happen to any car.
For me the Griff is a second car. I don't use it as a daily drive and whilst I know some people will shoot me down, IMO it's not much fun driving it in suburban crawl, in the rain, in supermarket car parks etc. People do, but I don't. Let's face it, it's not were they were designed for!
Re engine rebuild, no, that matter refers to 'Speed 6' engines which were not fitted to Griffs - they all use RV8s (old tech but tweaked) which are about as thoroughly tested and proven as any engine can be.
If you just want a car you can use, abuse, and forget about, then a Griff or any TVR is not for you.
So, you loved driving it and you know that it will look after you if you after it. When would you be able to take delivery Sir?
>> Edited by simpo two on Thursday 17th June 10:50
Had my Griff 500 for 6 months now, and have never had any overheating problems at all - despite several times having to crawl along for over an our in M25 traffic jams on scorching weekend days. Added bonus is people in traffic jams want to start conversations with you ! Go on, you know you should....
I'm on year 5 of ownership with a 1993 car. Never ever let me down or overheated. Until Oct last year (when company car arrived on the scene) it was my only day to day transport too.
That included getting stuck in a traffic jams for hours on that day last summer when all the "hottest day in UK" records were broken..... it was me and my girl that nearly died... not the bloody car.
Just buy it.
That included getting stuck in a traffic jams for hours on that day last summer when all the "hottest day in UK" records were broken..... it was me and my girl that nearly died... not the bloody car.
Just buy it.
Had the Griff since August now and no problems with overheating, in fact totally reliable.
Use every day so all throughout the winter. Not too good when we had the bad snow but took it easy and didn't bump so all OK.
Great car and the best value for money you will spend.
Just get one thats been well looked after - if in doubt use Rob Ingleby or James Agger - they'll take the stress out of the process.
I've had a Taimar since 1990 and ran that for 7 years as my main car - now if you want unreliability (or should it be part of the fun of ownership)!!!!!
FFG
Use every day so all throughout the winter. Not too good when we had the bad snow but took it easy and didn't bump so all OK.
Great car and the best value for money you will spend.
Just get one thats been well looked after - if in doubt use Rob Ingleby or James Agger - they'll take the stress out of the process.
I've had a Taimar since 1990 and ran that for 7 years as my main car - now if you want unreliability (or should it be part of the fun of ownership)!!!!!
FFG
FlipFlopGriff said:
Not too good when we had the bad snow
I take it you're referring to the snow which gridlocked Brum earlier this year?
Although this caused immense chaos, with huge traffic jams, the snow itself wasn't that deep - in other words it could have been worse - and this is the concern which keeps me from running one as my only car.
angusfaldo said:
bjwoods said:
Why do people worry about overheating. My wifes car sits at 90, my seat does , my old peugeot does AND so does my Griff.
You will only have problems , IF the car is not/HAS not been maintained properly.
B
I think people worry about overheating because sometimes Griffs do overheat. But they only overheat if there's a problem with the cooling system.
Typical cooling system issue are:
low fluid levels (easy to fix - fill it up)
broken otter switch (easy to fix - have a new one put in)
malfunctioning thermostat (easy to fix - have a new one put in)
radiator inefficiency caused by gunge or leak (easy to fix but a bit more expensive getting it re-cored etc)
hose damage old or cracked (easy to remedy - put on some silicone hoses from ACT)
Fan fuses blowing due to high current draw (later model cars have dual fan wiring with two fuses so not an issue)
But with a later model car you're unlikely to need to do much of the above. However if you want a guarantee that it will start amd run every single day of the year without the slightest hitch at all then you're being a bit optimistic IMHO. Even the best high-volume manafactured cars have hitches sometimes.
I'm running my second Griff and have driven them often over the last 4 years, racking up about 30,000 miles. The only failures I have had are a broken throttle cable and a broken rear hub.
On the other hand I have also run a 318is and a 323CI which between then have needed two new clutches, various suspension items, an ECU and several trips to replace interior parts.
I agree - AS I said not maintained properly - you will have problems, very early griffs were a bit marginal on the cooling, (but still would not overheat - if everything was working correctly) i.e only 1 fan on an early 92 griff, my Dec 92 4.3 had 2 fans, etc, so perhaps this is wear the myth comes from....
Problems may occur when the car is not driven for long periods of time, and also some people skimp on maintenance on cars, thus fluids aren't replaced when theyu should etc.
B
>> Edited by bjwoods on Thursday 17th June 14:33
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