I want a Griff

[Colin Blues2]

After 2 years of S ownership I'm in the market to trade up to a Grif and enjoy the V8 roar that I've been hankering after. I've asked for the Griff/Chim Bible for Christmas so I have some research material over Christmas and the New Year and then I'm hoping to find a replacement in January or February. Hopefully I won't take as long as Dusty did to find his last year

So any buying tips you can offer, things to be wary of or good things to look out for? I'll probably be looking for something around 14k-16k but I'd like to have a bit of money in reserve just in case. Looking through the classifieds there appears to be a mix of 4l and 5l around this mark.

I haven't had a ride in a Griff yet so I'm wondering how different the 4l and 5l are? And how different is a Griff to an S? I'm expecting it to be more refined, if a TVR could be described as refined

I've also asked Rob Ingleby about his services as he seems to be highly recommended.

Here's to a roaring New Year

[mrmaggit]

James Agger has a good 500 in dark red/magnolia at the moment. Saw it at the EMTVRCC meet on Sunday. Just the colour combo I was looking for, still ne'er mind eh?

[angusfaldo]

mrmaggit said:

James Agger has a good 500 in dark red/magnolia at the moment. Saw it at the EMTVRCC meet on Sunday. Just the colour combo I was looking for, still ne'er mind eh?

My old car!

[dnb]

My advice is don't worry too much about the milage. We paid well under your budget and got a high milage MY96 500. It's certainly the best car I've ever driven. (I'm probably biased ) Ours has done just over 90k now, and touch wood is still going well. It was a daily driver for the previous owner, and still is for us. They like to be used regularly. It's failed to start once due to a damp distributor. (My fault for cleaning the engine)

I'd say that if you're used to quick cars (Imprezas, Evos M3 etc) then you'd be disapointed with the performance of a 4l.

Check the chassis and engine carefully. They seem to take the miles well, but only if they are looked after. A front-end respray is not all that expensive, so don't let this put you off if all the mechanicals are good.

[srebbe64]

Hi Colin,

I notice that you are situated in the Hants / Berks area.

I live in Basingstoke and if you live comparatively close you can pop over and see me and I can take you out for a spin (it's a 1999 5.0). If you get insurance for a day you could even 'take me out for a spin' (not literally I hope).

A griff is certainly, the best car I've ever owned and driving it is something else. However, in the winter - be very careful!

[RichB]

dnb said:

I'd say that if you're used to quick cars (Imprezas, Evos M3 etc) then you'd be disapointed with the performance of a 4l.

Where does it say in Colin's profile that has experience of Imprevo's?

Anyway, I went from my S3c to the Griff 500 and found a remarkable difference in build/ride quality/performance etc.

The problem was that from the moment I test drove a Griffith I was discontent with my S and had to trade up, good salesmanship by the dealer I guess! Rich...

[RichB]

dnb said:

I'd say that if you're used to quick cars (Imprezas, Evos M3 etc) then you'd be disapointed with the performance of a 4l.

Where does it say in Colin's profile that has experience of Imprevo's?

Anyway, I went from my S3c to the Griff 500 and found a remarkable difference in build/ride quality/performance etc.

The problem was that from the moment I test drove a Griffith I was discontent with my S and had to trade up, good salesmanship by the dealer I guess! Rich...

[Colin Blues2]

srebbe64 said:

Hi Colin, I notice that you are situated in the Hants / Berks area. I live in Basingstoke and if you live comparatively close you can pop over and see me and I can take you out for a spin (it's a 1999 5.0). If you get insurance for a day you could even 'take me out for a spin' (not literally I hope). A griff is certainly, the best car I've ever owned and driving it is something else. However, in the winter - be very careful!

Thanks for the offer I'm in Bracknell so not too far away and I might drop you a line in the New Year as I don't think I'm going to be able to do it before hand with work and family commitments.

I think driving it would be a mistake because I know I'll just go and buy the first one I see after that

[Colin Blues2]

RichB said:

dnb said: I'd say that if you're used to quick cars (Imprezas, Evos M3 etc) then you'd be disapointed with the performance of a 4l. Where does it say in Colin's profile that has experience of Imprevo's?

No experience with the likes of Scoobs etc. I know it will be faster than anything I've driven up to now (whichever one I go for). My regular car is an Alfa 156 2.0 so not in the M3 Impreza league but quick enough. I'm not really a speed freak though, I just enjoy an open road and a car that handles and goes well.

I've seen the various posts about handling on the Griff and the care required with down shifting so I'm aware the Griff has it's vices. I think it applies (to a lessor extent) to my S and that's as much about driver awareness and car control. I've had instruction in the past from an ex-police driving instructor that taught me a lot about observation, road positioning and car dynamics and I will be booking a Ride-Drive course once I have my new toy.

dnb said:

The problem was that from the moment I test drove a Griffith I was discontent with my S and had to trade up, good salesmanship by the dealer I guess! Rich...

That's my biggest fear - if I have a test drive I'll be lost to the dark side forever and I'll buy the first one I see.

>> Edited by Colin Blues2 on Tuesday 14th December 17:50

[Colin Blues2]

mrmaggit said:

James Agger has a good 500 in dark red/magnolia at the moment. Saw it at the EMTVRCC meet on Sunday. Just the colour combo I was looking for, still ne'er mind eh?

Yes I saw that - looks very tasty - I'm just not ready yet. He also had a gorgeous looking blue one a month or so back but that got sold

I just need to keep away from any showrooms.

[bjwoods]

Colin Blues2 said:

After 2 years of S ownership I'm in the market to trade up to a Grif and enjoy the V8 roar that I've been hankering after. I've asked for the Griff/Chim Bible for Christmas so I have some research material over Christmas and the New Year and then I'm hoping to find a replacement in January or February. Hopefully I won't take as long as Dusty did to find his last year So any buying tips you can offer, things to be wary of or good things to look out for? I'll probably be looking for something around 14k-16k but I'd like to have a bit of money in reserve just in case. Looking through the classifieds there appears to be a mix of 4l and 5l around this mark. I haven't had a ride in a Griff yet so I'm wondering how different the 4l and 5l are? And how different is a Griff to an S? I'm expecting it to be more refined, if a TVR could be described as refined I've also asked Rob Ingleby about his services as he seems to be highly recommended. Here's to a roaring New Year

Best tip - Take your time !

Check out a few TVR club meetings, lots of griffs in one place to compare well loved, vs not so well loved examples..

Haunt - Autotrader web site to get a feel for prices (look nationally on web site, ususally ~ 50 for sale at any one time)

Buy what you prefer, 4.0,4.3 (albeit all these are at least 12 years old now) or 5.0's with or without PAS.

A 93 Griff 500 is really very similar to a a 4.3, they gradually evolved into a better car,(ie mine is fine in traffic - used to commute regularly) BUT put a well looked after 4.3 against an unloved 5.0, get it and vice versa.

B

>> Edited by bjwoods on Tuesday 14th December 19:49

[icamm]

If you do head over to the Basingstoke area give me a shout and we may be able to meet up so you can see the difference between a 500 and a 4.3

[Ballistic Banana]

Some info am putting together here

(work continualy in progess)May be of some help.

BB

[srebbe64]

Ballistic Banana said:

Some info am putting together here (work continualy in progess)May be of some help. BB

Great website BB - just had a quick look. I'm off for a glass of wine now, but you've given me something constructive to occupy my time at work tomorrow.

Cheers - it'll go on my favourites and I'll watch the site develop with interest!

[veg]

I like the web site!

Love you crash pictures and gives me hope that they will rebuild mine to the same standard.

[griffter]

bjwoods said:

A 93 Griff 500 is really very similar to a a 4.3, they gradually evolved into a better car,(ie mine is fine in traffic - used to commute regularly) BUT put a well looked after 4.3 against an unloved 5.0, get it and vice versa. B >> Edited by bjwoods on Tuesday 14th December 19:49

I disagree. I drove an early 500 and the 4.3 I bought. The 4.3 was far more drivable and every bit as exciting - it may be a worse car, but it's not a daily driver. It was also in worse nick than the 500 - but noisier and revvier. Moral? Don't buy until you've tried a precat! Later 500s are by all accounts better, but the precats are a very different proposition IMHO.

[bjwoods]

Er... I said an early 500 is very similar to a 4.3... in driving experience, etc, a 4.3 is not a worse car.

(ie if you compare a good well looked after example of each against each other)

As both these cars are over 12 years old individual cars will be be ether better or worse based on how they been looked after, not what they were like originally.

As I said look at a few examples of each to see what is good or bad now.

B

[JoolzB]

It already looks like you're taking good measures to make sure you get a goodun. I also moved from an S to a Griff, as good as the S was, it was no where near the performance of the Griff.

Take yer time and as I found at this time of year you may well get one at a good price.

[griffter]

bjwoods said:

Er... I said an early 500 is very similar to a 4.3... in driving experience, etc, a 4.3 is not a worse car. (ie if you compare a good well looked after example of each against each other) As both these cars are over 12 years old individual cars will be be ether better or worse based on how they been looked after, not what they were like originally. As I said look at a few examples of each to see what is good or bad now. B

Sorry - I meant originally, ie in like for like condition, the 4.3 is a 'worse car' than the early 500. Hence the development of 1 piece suspension wishbones, rear anti-roll bar, brakes etc for the 500s.

I also meant that despite this I prefer the drive of the 4.3 - but bearing in mind, for me, it is not a daily driver. In other words I regard its short-comings as extra character!

I thought that the early 500 I drove, and the 4.3 I bought were very different to drive, but hey all these cars are different - we're probably both right!

[DustyC]

Get a blue 500 serpentine and be happy you have the best.

(let the fighting commence!)