Might buy a Griffith
Discussion
Hi everyone,
I might be considering buying a griffith in the near future.
As a soon to be ex 996 turbo owner and ex Noble M12 owner, I'm after a car with character, noise and sunny day feel good factors.
What's the opinions on an early 4.0 Griffith? I keep looking at the one at Castle Lotus, which I love the look of.
I'm abit worried that the claimed 240bhp could feel abit underwhelming and should I be concerned about reliability? I don't drive my cars hard and enjoy polishing and driving them.
Any pointers or opinions?
Thanks
Jay
I might be considering buying a griffith in the near future.
As a soon to be ex 996 turbo owner and ex Noble M12 owner, I'm after a car with character, noise and sunny day feel good factors.
What's the opinions on an early 4.0 Griffith? I keep looking at the one at Castle Lotus, which I love the look of.
I'm abit worried that the claimed 240bhp could feel abit underwhelming and should I be concerned about reliability? I don't drive my cars hard and enjoy polishing and driving them.
Any pointers or opinions?
Thanks
Jay
Hi,
I think that you would be far better off buying privately (get an independent specialist report done). I,ve seen the one that your talking about and the response is errr.ummm !!!! When you buy private, you see where the car is kept and how it,s been driven especially from cold.
Buy on condition and service history. I,m in for a slating now, but coming from a 996 Turbo you should look at a 500(TARAKA UPGRADE).
I think that you would be far better off buying privately (get an independent specialist report done). I,ve seen the one that your talking about and the response is errr.ummm !!!! When you buy private, you see where the car is kept and how it,s been driven especially from cold.
Buy on condition and service history. I,m in for a slating now, but coming from a 996 Turbo you should look at a 500(TARAKA UPGRADE).
Thanks for the replies so far.
Interesting comment on the one at Castle Lotus, would you pm me your observations and thoughts?. As the majority of cars are (hopefully) owned by like minded enthusiasts, I will look at all options (private and car trade).
Are there preferred choices for inspections (ie, garages in the north, midlands and south to do ppi's?).
I'm looking forward to joining this club!
Interesting comment on the one at Castle Lotus, would you pm me your observations and thoughts?. As the majority of cars are (hopefully) owned by like minded enthusiasts, I will look at all options (private and car trade).
Are there preferred choices for inspections (ie, garages in the north, midlands and south to do ppi's?).
I'm looking forward to joining this club!
My thoughts are that while a 4 litre will give you plenty of noise, character and a feel good factor, it will very quickly feel slow, based on the cars that you are moving on from. Most 4 litres are not 240 hp, but nearer 200-210 and that's at the fly. A 500 would be a better bet IMHO.
FactBV said:
My thoughts are that while a 4 litre will give you plenty of noise, character and a feel good factor, it will very quickly feel slow, based on the cars that you are moving on from. Most 4 litres are not 240 hp, but nearer 200-210 and that's at the fly. A 500 would be a better bet IMHO.
I agree about 4 litre bhp - mine made 202 at the 2012 Growl, albeit with one weepy head gasket, slack timing chain and worn cam. Can't beat a pre-cat for noise tho 
TVRs never produce the claimed factory BHP as standard so that's something to be aware of. I would suggest you need to drive a 4.0 and a 500 before you buy if you're concerned it might feel 'slow' after your last chariots.
The 500 is undoubtedly a quicker car but the Pre-cats sound epic.
The 500 is undoubtedly a quicker car but the Pre-cats sound epic.
Like all things
Look , feel , touch and taste , the right car is out there .
Without doubt 500 are meant to be quicker , but I have driven some in past and not a lot difference up to about 60 mph and then it become obvious , but not massive .
The noise of a pre- cat is epic no comparison within TVRs let alone the car world .
We are all different it will depend on your individual need , if honest my Cerbera left near everything on the road standing and that includes ( sad to say Griffith) other TVRs
But more importantly leaving Porches and Ferraris standing is what owning a TVR is all about , not to mention when they rev the engine , you rev a pre cat next to any other car , you will see .
Look , feel , touch and taste , the right car is out there .
Without doubt 500 are meant to be quicker , but I have driven some in past and not a lot difference up to about 60 mph and then it become obvious , but not massive .
The noise of a pre- cat is epic no comparison within TVRs let alone the car world .
We are all different it will depend on your individual need , if honest my Cerbera left near everything on the road standing and that includes ( sad to say Griffith) other TVRs
But more importantly leaving Porches and Ferraris standing is what owning a TVR is all about , not to mention when they rev the engine , you rev a pre cat next to any other car , you will see .
Jay, I bought a black Griffith 500 from James Agger in 2006 & he knows his onions so a good chap to talk with.
Griff's are excellent cars to drive, look at and work on. They go, stop and handle really well. There are some excellent garages for upgrades & servicing. The community is superb and every part is available and can be replaced ...... and EVERYONE loves TVRs. Drive one and people smile & wave (or just stare).
Mine's a keeper - no doubt !
Griff's are excellent cars to drive, look at and work on. They go, stop and handle really well. There are some excellent garages for upgrades & servicing. The community is superb and every part is available and can be replaced ...... and EVERYONE loves TVRs. Drive one and people smile & wave (or just stare).
Mine's a keeper - no doubt !
I bought a 500 last summer.
This one - a 500 with a V8 Dynamics stealth cam fitted:
http://www.topcatsracing.com/2013/07/for-sale-tvr-...
http://www.topcatsracing.com/2013/08/weve-whipped-...
I think sourcing a car from a good specialist is no bad plan, plus you should get a warranty and follow-up. I was lucky Topcats is local and have been excellent in dealing with follow-up on some minor things.
I had no interest in the smaller engine'd Griffs- wanted the 'full fat' experience. They're all relatively rare. I also wanted to avoid some of the more 'interesting' colour options.
The noise is just fantastic, as is the raw performance -though its all about the torque - it made a recent ride in a 996GT3 feel quite gutless below 5000rpm. (I'd guess a 4 litre after a 996 turbo could be a disappointment).
Added to the noise and shove is the whole old-fashioned '60s' sports car experience though - even though my last car was an older Porsche, it makes this and everything else feel civilised. With limited talent the car needs to be treated with respect though (no traction control or abs)- which was a lot of the appeal for me.
I have no regrets buying a more used higher than most miles car. I didn't expect it to be immaculate - but certainly wanted something well and regularly used and maintained. I looked at a few of other 500s with half the mileage, the majority looked far shabbier.
Sadly, (due to an impending house extension) I may need to move it on before I get to learn the car better (and enjoy next summer)- but I'll probably wait until spring/summer when the market seems to be more active.
John
This one - a 500 with a V8 Dynamics stealth cam fitted:
http://www.topcatsracing.com/2013/07/for-sale-tvr-...
http://www.topcatsracing.com/2013/08/weve-whipped-...
I think sourcing a car from a good specialist is no bad plan, plus you should get a warranty and follow-up. I was lucky Topcats is local and have been excellent in dealing with follow-up on some minor things.
I had no interest in the smaller engine'd Griffs- wanted the 'full fat' experience. They're all relatively rare. I also wanted to avoid some of the more 'interesting' colour options.
The noise is just fantastic, as is the raw performance -though its all about the torque - it made a recent ride in a 996GT3 feel quite gutless below 5000rpm. (I'd guess a 4 litre after a 996 turbo could be a disappointment).
Added to the noise and shove is the whole old-fashioned '60s' sports car experience though - even though my last car was an older Porsche, it makes this and everything else feel civilised. With limited talent the car needs to be treated with respect though (no traction control or abs)- which was a lot of the appeal for me.
I have no regrets buying a more used higher than most miles car. I didn't expect it to be immaculate - but certainly wanted something well and regularly used and maintained. I looked at a few of other 500s with half the mileage, the majority looked far shabbier.
Sadly, (due to an impending house extension) I may need to move it on before I get to learn the car better (and enjoy next summer)- but I'll probably wait until spring/summer when the market seems to be more active.
John
'Scuse the intrusion (Chim owner), on the basis that the Griff and Chim with the same suspension set up will handle pretty much the same then from personal experience one of the biggest differences you'll find will be handling. I test drove a Noble 3R earlier in the year, and (as pretty much expected) the difference to the Chim was night and day, although I don't have power steering... A Griff will feel like a wild beast compared to a Noble, which I felt was more like a thoroughbred race horse. Recent addition of Gaz Mono's and full geo has transformed the Chim's handling, but I'd say it's still nowhere near Noble standards.. Never driven a 911 Turbo so can't comment on differences.. Straight line speed of a 400 will be noticeably slower than a 911 Turbo or Noble.
Just a word of caution, the addiction to modifying in the TVR world is rife, andcan be is hugely expensive. Given the performance standards you'll be used to from your previous cars I would suggest looking at some of the already modified and well fettled Griffs that are available...
Just my personal thoughts, and good luck with the search..
Chilli
Just a word of caution, the addiction to modifying in the TVR world is rife, and
Just my personal thoughts, and good luck with the search..
Chilli
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