Griff as a daily...?
Discussion
Keeping as many options open as I can and doing a bit of a Dusty....
1. Does anyone use their Griff as a daily driver.?
2. What are the problems and pitfalls.?
3. Does it make cost sense... Extra servicing, Petrol etc over buying a cheap runabout.?
4. Has anyone tried it and regretted it?
5. What is likely to fail with daily running = Big Bills.?
T.I.A
Dave
1. Does anyone use their Griff as a daily driver.?
2. What are the problems and pitfalls.?
3. Does it make cost sense... Extra servicing, Petrol etc over buying a cheap runabout.?
4. Has anyone tried it and regretted it?
5. What is likely to fail with daily running = Big Bills.?
T.I.A
Dave
I dont use it as a daily drive but have done over 11,000 miles in 7 months.
2 serivces, 1x£960 (new manifold) and 1x£430
1 set of tyres £400
Insurance £560
Oil (Mobil 1) = 8 litres (of which I still have 3-4)
Pub lunches since bought = £too much! (didnt budget for this bit!).
But to save money I bought the Golf TDi from which I just got 66mpg on my last tank full!
Cost for that.
I do 25,000 miles a year in it and running costs are about £300 servicing per year and between £120 and £240 in tyres depending on what you go for. Insurance = £360.
I can barely afford to run the Griff and I struggle but I still dont regret it.
I change other things in order to get more from the Griff and keep it (For example, I used to be a Controls Engineer but I am now a whore).
2 serivces, 1x£960 (new manifold) and 1x£430
1 set of tyres £400
Insurance £560
Oil (Mobil 1) = 8 litres (of which I still have 3-4)
Pub lunches since bought = £too much! (didnt budget for this bit!).
But to save money I bought the Golf TDi from which I just got 66mpg on my last tank full!
Cost for that.
I do 25,000 miles a year in it and running costs are about £300 servicing per year and between £120 and £240 in tyres depending on what you go for. Insurance = £360.
I can barely afford to run the Griff and I struggle but I still dont regret it.
I change other things in order to get more from the Griff and keep it (For example, I used to be a Controls Engineer but I am now a whore).
Much as I love my Griff it's a weekend only car for me and would be even if I didn't work in London / live near Brighton. It'd be too much hassle for me. Needs to be let off the leash on the right roads so to speak and I personally think the seats leave an awful lot to be desired in the comfort stakes!! That and the fact that I always feel on edge with it in the wet and there's no point in having all that torque if you can't safely let it loose without constantly fighting to keep it on the road.
I prefer to have 2 cars for these reasons
1)although my Griff has been reliable there have been times that I've not been able to use it, I guess the same goes for if my other car packed up too tho
2)I bought the Griff as a fun car and it's still a novelty to me when I use it as opposed to my everyday car
3)I don't find driving the Griff in the wet that much fun, it's a bit of a challenge at times with the back end and the cabin can get a bit stuffy
4)If I used it to get into work everyday I would spend half the time watching the fuel guage drop listening to the 8 cyclinders
drink my optimax whilst stationary in a line of traffic
Well they're my reasons for running 2 cars.
>> Edited by JoolzB on Thursday 28th October 13:27
1)although my Griff has been reliable there have been times that I've not been able to use it, I guess the same goes for if my other car packed up too tho
2)I bought the Griff as a fun car and it's still a novelty to me when I use it as opposed to my everyday car
3)I don't find driving the Griff in the wet that much fun, it's a bit of a challenge at times with the back end and the cabin can get a bit stuffy
4)If I used it to get into work everyday I would spend half the time watching the fuel guage drop listening to the 8 cyclinders
drink my optimax whilst stationary in a line of traffic Well they're my reasons for running 2 cars.
>> Edited by JoolzB on Thursday 28th October 13:27
I've run one daily for 5 years:
Down sides
1) Steering, brakes and gear changes are heavy
2) You have to be careful where to park it (theft) and you're always worried about numpties bumping into it while parked
3) You can't see past other waiting cars at roundabouts
4) It's a bit trecherous in wet and greasy conditions
5) There's no ABS or traction control
6) You increase the wear and tear and servicing bills considerably.
7) It's not entirely economical round town (15mpg)
8) It needs much more regular maintenance
9) You feel guilty just driving it to the shops and back (short journeys)
10) You can only get two people in it (unless you're really adventurous)
Upsides
1) You've always got it with you when you feel like a burn
2) It makes a lot of noise
3) They are more reliable when used regularly
4) It makes you look and feel good
5) You enjoy driving it EVERY DAY
6) You can fit a surprising amount in the boot
7) You have the power to get yourself out of trouble
8) A blip of the throttle works much better than a horn
9) You don't have to insure two cars
10) You can't beat the smell of hot waxoyl in the morning!
For 10,000 miles per year, budget £1000 for servicing, £300 for tyres, £1000 for insurance, £3000? for petrol, TAX, MOT...
Down sides
1) Steering, brakes and gear changes are heavy
2) You have to be careful where to park it (theft) and you're always worried about numpties bumping into it while parked
3) You can't see past other waiting cars at roundabouts
4) It's a bit trecherous in wet and greasy conditions
5) There's no ABS or traction control
6) You increase the wear and tear and servicing bills considerably.
7) It's not entirely economical round town (15mpg)
8) It needs much more regular maintenance
9) You feel guilty just driving it to the shops and back (short journeys)
10) You can only get two people in it (unless you're really adventurous)
Upsides
1) You've always got it with you when you feel like a burn
2) It makes a lot of noise
3) They are more reliable when used regularly
4) It makes you look and feel good
5) You enjoy driving it EVERY DAY
6) You can fit a surprising amount in the boot
7) You have the power to get yourself out of trouble
8) A blip of the throttle works much better than a horn
9) You don't have to insure two cars
10) You can't beat the smell of hot waxoyl in the morning!
For 10,000 miles per year, budget £1000 for servicing, £300 for tyres, £1000 for insurance, £3000? for petrol, TAX, MOT...
We use the Griff as a daily driver too.
My view of the cost is a little skewed, as the other car is a modified Impreza turbo... Here's a summary of my findings.
The Griff has averaged 19 mpg up to now and the Impreza has averaged 24 mpg.
Parts for the Griff seem to be cheaper than the Impreza. This somewhat offsets the extra fuel costs (I do a lot of my own servicing, so labour is not considered)
4 tyres for each costs about the same, and I hope they last a similar length of time.
The insurance is £50 a year cheaper for the Griffith.
I have no burning desire to heavily modify the Griff. This is not the case with the Impreza. This saves money
The controls are substantially heavier on the Griffith, and it can get unfomfortable creeping round in heavy traffic.
You do need to take a lot of care in the wet, and there have been some moments that can only be described as requiring cycle clips (long story) but this hasn't yet made me decide that it's a fine day only car.
I have even taken the Griff to B&Q to buy DIY stuff. (I ask PH for forgiveness now...
)
The previous owner used the Griff as a daily car too, and put something like 50k on it in 3 years! (See Beano500's profile for a rundown of the costs if it's still up there) They go better if they are used!
My view of the cost is a little skewed, as the other car is a modified Impreza turbo... Here's a summary of my findings.
The Griff has averaged 19 mpg up to now and the Impreza has averaged 24 mpg.
Parts for the Griff seem to be cheaper than the Impreza. This somewhat offsets the extra fuel costs (I do a lot of my own servicing, so labour is not considered)
4 tyres for each costs about the same, and I hope they last a similar length of time.
The insurance is £50 a year cheaper for the Griffith.
I have no burning desire to heavily modify the Griff. This is not the case with the Impreza. This saves money
The controls are substantially heavier on the Griffith, and it can get unfomfortable creeping round in heavy traffic.
You do need to take a lot of care in the wet, and there have been some moments that can only be described as requiring cycle clips (long story) but this hasn't yet made me decide that it's a fine day only car.
I have even taken the Griff to B&Q to buy DIY stuff. (I ask PH for forgiveness now...
) The previous owner used the Griff as a daily car too, and put something like 50k on it in 3 years! (See Beano500's profile for a rundown of the costs if it's still up there) They go better if they are used!
I wouldnt want to use the Chim as an everyday hack and thats more practical than a Griff, in terms of slightly softer ride (although not now with the adjustables set up on mine) and a bigger boot.
Same factors given already, worried about where I park, annoying in the wet, only 2 seats, gets filthy in crap weather, cant put junk in the boot for trips to the tip, handful to drive when you are tired, loss of "special" feeling when you climb in after a few days in the tin top.
I used my S daily and then the Chim daily when I first got it. The only reason I bought a second hack was due to the fact I was seeing an air hostess who lived abroad and would stay over in various london hotels, so I didnt fancy leaving the chim out there. I wouldnt go back to just the TVR everyday now.
Same factors given already, worried about where I park, annoying in the wet, only 2 seats, gets filthy in crap weather, cant put junk in the boot for trips to the tip, handful to drive when you are tired, loss of "special" feeling when you climb in after a few days in the tin top.
I used my S daily and then the Chim daily when I first got it. The only reason I bought a second hack was due to the fact I was seeing an air hostess who lived abroad and would stay over in various london hotels, so I didnt fancy leaving the chim out there. I wouldnt go back to just the TVR everyday now.
I used to use mine as a daily driver when I first bought it but after a couple of scary moments in the winter I decided to get a hack for daily driving instead. Although I have no problem driving the Griff in all weather conditions it does take alot of self control and effort, and isn't much fun. As I bought the car for fun I find it much nicer to be able to pick and choose when to drive it for maximum fun and have less worries about car park scratches and other idiots, especially in the winter months. I also find it more relaxing for my commute after work to be able to concentrate more on the other drivers than on driving the Griff in bad weather. In good weather the Griff gets any after work tension ebbing away just starting the engine.
They are certainly practicle enough if you can afford the running costs, which will depend on your mileage and your wallet
.
They are certainly practicle enough if you can afford the running costs, which will depend on your mileage and your wallet
.bridgdav said:
Thanks chaps...
Lots of useful advice.
Can I ask what the difference in Insurance costs for a limited mile policy to daily commuter is..?
Dave
dave, mine was around £560 last year, albeit a fairly high limited mile policy - 5000.
This year is unlimited and was £620...
not a great deal in it.
Cant use mine too regularly as I share it with a nest of mice 
During the summer they like a good topless blat like the next mouse, however they prefer to snooze more in the winter, so I have just tucked up in the barn and popped down a little appetizer here and there - coz,
- I AM NOW OFFICIALLY HOPPING MAD!!!! - 15 mice caught inside closed car in a fortnight - found to be nesting inside the sealed fusebox, kipping among main loom..
- lost my voice now,thanks to slight moment of 'loosing it' when I found out where they were camped out..
-Now built 400 sq ft garage within barn and endeavouring to make it mice proof, + considering setting Griff on axle stands with electrified perimeter fence with PIR triggered low level gattling guns + mini mouse sized mine field (a la Mad, Mad world!)
Dont you just love them to piecies, those pesky little meicies...
During the summer they like a good topless blat like the next mouse, however they prefer to snooze more in the winter, so I have just tucked up in the barn and popped down a little appetizer here and there - coz,
- I AM NOW OFFICIALLY HOPPING MAD!!!! - 15 mice caught inside closed car in a fortnight - found to be nesting inside the sealed fusebox, kipping among main loom.. - lost my voice now,thanks to slight moment of 'loosing it' when I found out where they were camped out.. -Now built 400 sq ft garage within barn and endeavouring to make it mice proof, + considering setting Griff on axle stands with electrified perimeter fence with PIR triggered low level gattling guns + mini mouse sized mine field (a la Mad, Mad world!)
Dont you just love them to piecies, those pesky little meicies...
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