Griffith for everyday use?
Discussion
Could any of you give me some advice Re: Griffiths?
I'm looking to buy one for around £15-20K and have taken note of the posts, very useful...thanks for that.
The one question that I need answering is; Is it practical to use a Griffith as everyday transport? I only commute around 4,000 miles a year so fuel, servicing, and insurance costs are not an issue but reliability would be. Also my apartment block has secure but not covered parking, would it suffer from being left out in the cold?
Any advice from those of you that own these cars would be greatly appreciated.
I'm looking to buy one for around £15-20K and have taken note of the posts, very useful...thanks for that.
The one question that I need answering is; Is it practical to use a Griffith as everyday transport? I only commute around 4,000 miles a year so fuel, servicing, and insurance costs are not an issue but reliability would be. Also my apartment block has secure but not covered parking, would it suffer from being left out in the cold?
Any advice from those of you that own these cars would be greatly appreciated.
I use mine every day, will probably drive around 10k this year and it sits on my drive at night.
In six months I've replaced the battery, starter motor, alternator, pulley tensioner and had to get the driveshaft reattatched...
Fairly routine stuff, I'm told (driveshaft aside).
Running costs are not average, but then you won't be tooling about in a Mundaneo!
My advice is go for it - you only live once.
edited to add: I think I've been a tad unlucky, and certainly don't gripe about it!
>> Edited by JulianHJ on Tuesday 3rd December 21:36
In six months I've replaced the battery, starter motor, alternator, pulley tensioner and had to get the driveshaft reattatched...
Fairly routine stuff, I'm told (driveshaft aside).
Running costs are not average, but then you won't be tooling about in a Mundaneo!
My advice is go for it - you only live once.
edited to add: I think I've been a tad unlucky, and certainly don't gripe about it!
>> Edited by JulianHJ on Tuesday 3rd December 21:36
I've had my Griffith from new, about a year ago. Apart from a couple of early niggles the car has been superb. I hope I don't regret this, but nothing has gone wrong with it. I've just booked for its 6000mile service and I haven't got anything to add to the list. Mine's garaged, but if I was going to park it outside in all weathers I'd invest in a car cap just to put over the soft top - bit of extra protection from serious rain and added security.
Paul
Paul
For that money you'll get quite a nice car.
IMHO everday use is not a problem, in fact it is a benefit. Its the underused cars that tend to get into difficulties. Regular driving seems to keep them in trim. Regular long journey driving can get a bit tedious though. After a week in the car driving South on holiday and back again I have to say I was glad to get out - it's a tense experience in a Griff and can get tiring after several hours.
Everyday use for reasonably short journeys won't be a problem at all. Just bear in mind that it does take a lot of miles to get the engine up to temp (some officianados claim you need to do up to 10 miles) and a lot of cold use will put more wear on the engine if you tonk it.
I get up everyday intending to use the Griff. I'm sorry to admit that working from home, I don't always get my way.
AF
IMHO everday use is not a problem, in fact it is a benefit. Its the underused cars that tend to get into difficulties. Regular driving seems to keep them in trim. Regular long journey driving can get a bit tedious though. After a week in the car driving South on holiday and back again I have to say I was glad to get out - it's a tense experience in a Griff and can get tiring after several hours.
Everyday use for reasonably short journeys won't be a problem at all. Just bear in mind that it does take a lot of miles to get the engine up to temp (some officianados claim you need to do up to 10 miles) and a lot of cold use will put more wear on the engine if you tonk it.
I get up everyday intending to use the Griff. I'm sorry to admit that working from home, I don't always get my way.
AF
'Is it practical to use a Griffith as everyday transport?'
I've owned two Griffs over 5 years and would say 'not really'. My reasons are: tricky parking (not so much PAS as rear visibility), risk of some loon bumping into it (no bumpers, hence any knock is going to show and cost £ to fix). Getting into the boot is also complicated as it doesn't work with the central locking.
'I only commute around 4,000 miles a year so fuel, servicing, and insurance costs are not an issue but reliability would be.'
I've not had undue problems with reliability
'Also my apartment block has secure but not covered parking, would it suffer from being left out in the cold?'
Not so much cold as rain. I wouldn't like to leave mine out in the rain. It's asking a lot to expect it to be 100% watertight in a storm, and the damp air isn't going to help the chassis either. A quality cover would help, but a garage is best. Plus, TVRs suffer from current drain. Weekend cars threfore are best with a conditioner plugged in (but you need mains or sunshine) - but if you use the car everyday that might not be a problem.
I know a good number of PHers use their TVRS every day quite happily, though personally I prefer mine as a second car. I guess the thing to do is try it and see how you get on - if you love it, great, if it's too much, at least you got it out of your system!
I've owned two Griffs over 5 years and would say 'not really'. My reasons are: tricky parking (not so much PAS as rear visibility), risk of some loon bumping into it (no bumpers, hence any knock is going to show and cost £ to fix). Getting into the boot is also complicated as it doesn't work with the central locking.
'I only commute around 4,000 miles a year so fuel, servicing, and insurance costs are not an issue but reliability would be.'
I've not had undue problems with reliability
'Also my apartment block has secure but not covered parking, would it suffer from being left out in the cold?'
Not so much cold as rain. I wouldn't like to leave mine out in the rain. It's asking a lot to expect it to be 100% watertight in a storm, and the damp air isn't going to help the chassis either. A quality cover would help, but a garage is best. Plus, TVRs suffer from current drain. Weekend cars threfore are best with a conditioner plugged in (but you need mains or sunshine) - but if you use the car everyday that might not be a problem.
I know a good number of PHers use their TVRS every day quite happily, though personally I prefer mine as a second car. I guess the thing to do is try it and see how you get on - if you love it, great, if it's too much, at least you got it out of your system!
I use mine most Days(5k yr) but dont have to commute to far and its safe where i park it at work.
I have also come to the conclusion that IMO that the more often that u use them the less likely u gonna get to many troubles.
On your sort af mileage, like mine u ant gonna spend a fortune on Fuel and if u look after the Chassis and keep the services regular, as well as weekly/monthly checks u should be fine.
The only Problem u will have is trying to take that stupid grin off your face
Go For It
BB
I have also come to the conclusion that IMO that the more often that u use them the less likely u gonna get to many troubles.
On your sort af mileage, like mine u ant gonna spend a fortune on Fuel and if u look after the Chassis and keep the services regular, as well as weekly/monthly checks u should be fine.
The only Problem u will have is trying to take that stupid grin off your face
Go For It
BB
Could you use one every day? Don't see why not, especialy considering your mileage.
Will it be reliable? Should be as long as you are willing to service it properly & spend when it's needed. In 16K miles & a dozen track days mine has probably needed 500 quid on top of normal servicing (diff mounting bushes & exhaust flexi joint),this doesn't include consumables such as tyres & brake pads etc. I have spent a fair bit of cash on upgrades tho'.
Can it live outside? Yes, but it will be a constant battle to keep it watertight - it is possible tho'.
Now here's why mine is NOT used every day:
They are not relaxing to drive, it's a noisy f@rk off spotrscar after all! As a fair whack of my mileage is on the motorway this matters to me.
You cannot just park & forget. It's a constant worry of where to park securely.
The doors will catch on lots of kerbs when you find somewhere good to park!
Fuel consumption.
Service every 6K miles.
But the main reason is that I don't want the car to become an 'appliance' that I use to smoke around in every day, I want to keep a sense of occasion to it.
To put this into perspective I do appx 20k miles pa. If it were 4k like you I might feel differently.
Go & try some!
Will it be reliable? Should be as long as you are willing to service it properly & spend when it's needed. In 16K miles & a dozen track days mine has probably needed 500 quid on top of normal servicing (diff mounting bushes & exhaust flexi joint),this doesn't include consumables such as tyres & brake pads etc. I have spent a fair bit of cash on upgrades tho'.
Can it live outside? Yes, but it will be a constant battle to keep it watertight - it is possible tho'.
Now here's why mine is NOT used every day:
They are not relaxing to drive, it's a noisy f@rk off spotrscar after all! As a fair whack of my mileage is on the motorway this matters to me.
You cannot just park & forget. It's a constant worry of where to park securely.
The doors will catch on lots of kerbs when you find somewhere good to park!
Fuel consumption.
Service every 6K miles.
But the main reason is that I don't want the car to become an 'appliance' that I use to smoke around in every day, I want to keep a sense of occasion to it.
To put this into perspective I do appx 20k miles pa. If it were 4k like you I might feel differently.
Go & try some!
My current Griff is my shopping trolley and has been since June 2000. I do around 6-8000 miles in it but have another TVR to play with and a laguna for carrying tyres. Yes I enjoy driving the Griff. I don't find it tiring to drive but compared to the other car it is like driving a diesel. That may be why I find it relaxing.
Any car could let you down so don't get hung up on that. Even BMWs or Mercs break down or are involved in accidents.
All I can say is that driving the Griff to work is so much fun that it is worth it everytime I do it.
steve
www.tvrbooks.co.uk
Any car could let you down so don't get hung up on that. Even BMWs or Mercs break down or are involved in accidents.
All I can say is that driving the Griff to work is so much fun that it is worth it everytime I do it.
steve
www.tvrbooks.co.uk
I have a Griff se and use it everyday on a 60 odd mile roundtrip.i am lucky in as much as I can take 3 or 4 different routes to work and thus remain entertained plus I have secure underground parking when I get there.So far the wiper motor and throttle cable have packed up (2 days apart with the former in torrential rain on the M3.....eeeeeek).
After a year or so it is becomming a little bum breaking but stil a pleasure.I agree with most comments that the more they are used the better off they r.I have just had the 12,000 mile service with only the wipers needing to be replaced.
The car is up for sale shortly but after early annoying niggles I have very much enjoyed the experience.This is the 2nd Griff and 3rd TVR I've had so off to get frontal labotomy to stop getting 4th !!
After a year or so it is becomming a little bum breaking but stil a pleasure.I agree with most comments that the more they are used the better off they r.I have just had the 12,000 mile service with only the wipers needing to be replaced.
The car is up for sale shortly but after early annoying niggles I have very much enjoyed the experience.This is the 2nd Griff and 3rd TVR I've had so off to get frontal labotomy to stop getting 4th !!
My shopping trolley / commutemobile is also a Griff.
For 12 months I kept a Yammie R6 in the second garage. Sort of insurance policy and something different to commute on. Guess what, in the time I had both the bike only covered 1400 miles - I couldn't justify the tax and insurance on the bike!!
For 12 months I kept a Yammie R6 in the second garage. Sort of insurance policy and something different to commute on. Guess what, in the time I had both the bike only covered 1400 miles - I couldn't justify the tax and insurance on the bike!!
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