S3 to Griff...
Discussion
Hello Chaps....I currently run an S3 but have always hankered after a Griff. I have heard many comments from current Griff and/or Chimeara owners that they miss their previously owned S's. A number of which have eventually sold on their current vehicles and reverted back to running an S. Now I will eventually sell my much loved S3 and buy a Griff....do you suppose the realisation of this long held ambition is going to be diminished by regret at passing on my much loved S3....? Are there many of you who regret selling your S's....Highly subjective i know 
...but any comments are welcome.
Paul.
Will a Griff fill the void in my heart...
...but any comments are welcome. Paul.
Will a Griff fill the void in my heart...
Edited by S3Paulo on Thursday 3rd May 21:50
If you buy a standard Griff you'll probably find it quieter, better handling, and more modern feeling, and you'll find it more comfortable on longer runs. It needn't cost much more to run if you get a well maintained one.
I don't regret changing from a V8S to a Griff - except when I think that if I hadn't changed I'd have more cash in the bank to spend on improvements. Don't underestimate the cost of getting a Griff to the condition you want.
I don't regret changing from a V8S to a Griff - except when I think that if I hadn't changed I'd have more cash in the bank to spend on improvements. Don't underestimate the cost of getting a Griff to the condition you want.
Never owned an S but cannot imagine why you would want to go back!
The noise, power and presence of a Griff makes the S pale into insignificance.
I wouldn't think the maintenance of a good Griff would be more than an S, the only
higher cost will be the fuel
Oh and maybe the insurance depending on your circumstances.
The noise, power and presence of a Griff makes the S pale into insignificance.
I wouldn't think the maintenance of a good Griff would be more than an S, the only
higher cost will be the fuel
Oh and maybe the insurance depending on your circumstances. Edited by V8 GRF on Friday 4th May 01:02
Hi Paul,
I changed last year, from a S2 to a Griff 500, like you I have always hankered after a griff, I think every school boy does at some point! There is a massive difference between the two, partly in speed, (obvious statement no. 1) but mostly in the feeling that you are driving a much more sorted car. The suspension, interior, build are all better. Personally I love the interiors and the quirkiness of the door controls etc.
To drive, the difference is huge! The cars are far more torquier, it pulls much, much harder from low down and the power just seems to keep coming and coming, where as the S had a reasonable limited power band, and many more gear changes needed! I do agree that the S has more of a go cart feel to it, and on small twisty roads they are fantastic, however the Griff is hardly a mondeo in handling terms, and is still a fairly narrow/small car compared to modern rep mobiles. One advantage the griff has is ground clearance, always a common problem on my S, especially on fast bumpy roads (always amazed I never lost the exhaust) it took me a long time to get used to not slowing right down over undulating roads when I got the griffith!
The S is a great car, and I enjoyed every moment I had with her, but I have never ever regretted buying a griffith. To me it represents what I personally consider to be one of the ultimate cars you can reasonably buy today.
I changed last year, from a S2 to a Griff 500, like you I have always hankered after a griff, I think every school boy does at some point! There is a massive difference between the two, partly in speed, (obvious statement no. 1) but mostly in the feeling that you are driving a much more sorted car. The suspension, interior, build are all better. Personally I love the interiors and the quirkiness of the door controls etc.
To drive, the difference is huge! The cars are far more torquier, it pulls much, much harder from low down and the power just seems to keep coming and coming, where as the S had a reasonable limited power band, and many more gear changes needed! I do agree that the S has more of a go cart feel to it, and on small twisty roads they are fantastic, however the Griff is hardly a mondeo in handling terms, and is still a fairly narrow/small car compared to modern rep mobiles. One advantage the griff has is ground clearance, always a common problem on my S, especially on fast bumpy roads (always amazed I never lost the exhaust) it took me a long time to get used to not slowing right down over undulating roads when I got the griffith!
The S is a great car, and I enjoyed every moment I had with her, but I have never ever regretted buying a griffith. To me it represents what I personally consider to be one of the ultimate cars you can reasonably buy today.
Thanks Chaps....you have said everything I wanted you to say...I like the notion of slightly more comfortable longer journeys...having tried a couple of longish motorway hauls in the S..I stepped from the car with a mild feeling of shell shock..
A Griff's soundtrack has certainly got the edge over an S...and greater ground clearance is definitely a bonus.
One thing that has occurred to me after reading another thread on this forum...a Griffs 76 inch width...I do struggle getting the S in the garage....a wing mirrors folded..carpeted walls jobbie..
Hmm..I'll have to think about that problem...cheers chaps...Paul.
A Griff's soundtrack has certainly got the edge over an S...and greater ground clearance is definitely a bonus.
One thing that has occurred to me after reading another thread on this forum...a Griffs 76 inch width...I do struggle getting the S in the garage....a wing mirrors folded..carpeted walls jobbie..
Hmm..I'll have to think about that problem...cheers chaps...Paul.
S3Paulo,
Hope you'll jump in and join us lot in Griff Ownership. Just a quick comment on the long distance driving thing. I drive a non-PAS 4.3 Pre-cat car and it always fries my senses on long journeys. Don't get me wrong - i wouldn' have it any other way - but its loud with the roof on and a physical experience to drive in all ways.
The later PAS catted 500's i would imagine to be more civilised event....perhaps.
Best of luck
Hope you'll jump in and join us lot in Griff Ownership. Just a quick comment on the long distance driving thing. I drive a non-PAS 4.3 Pre-cat car and it always fries my senses on long journeys. Don't get me wrong - i wouldn' have it any other way - but its loud with the roof on and a physical experience to drive in all ways.
The later PAS catted 500's i would imagine to be more civilised event....perhaps.
Best of luck
Ok I went from my S3 to my tuned Pre Cat Griff, and I have posted in a lot of detail regarding this subject. I won't go into massive detail but to summurise here is my thoughts.
First and foremost, the Griff, Pre Cat or 500 is faster. It doesn't feel like it, as the torque is much more progressive, and you lack that kick up th ebackside feel when you plant your foot. just glance at the speedo and you will find yourself going 30mph faster than in the S3. This can give a somewhat detatched feeling as you are not fully aware of how fast you are going.
On the handling front the detathced feeling is still there. You do not get the go kart like feedback that the S3 gives. This is either because the limit is much further. but personally I always get the feeling that the car is going to bite me suddenly.
The gearing is higher on the Griff and Chim so you can crusie at 80+ more comfortably (on those autobhans of course).
On my own car the following is true: heating is worse, roof fitment and waterproofness is worse. No storage space. Tunability is much , much better, fuel is around the same unless your really plant your foot and then you are 5mpg worse off. Tyres are more, lighting is abysmal, driving lights cost alot.
The Ford runnign gear feels much more solid than the RV8 and really by the time you have hit what is considered reasonable mileage in the S3, you are talking 2 clutches and 2-3 camshafts in the RV8.
Well if you want to find out nmroe dig out some of my posts. If you want a bit mroe in depth, mail me.
Cheers
Chris
First and foremost, the Griff, Pre Cat or 500 is faster. It doesn't feel like it, as the torque is much more progressive, and you lack that kick up th ebackside feel when you plant your foot. just glance at the speedo and you will find yourself going 30mph faster than in the S3. This can give a somewhat detatched feeling as you are not fully aware of how fast you are going.
On the handling front the detathced feeling is still there. You do not get the go kart like feedback that the S3 gives. This is either because the limit is much further. but personally I always get the feeling that the car is going to bite me suddenly.
The gearing is higher on the Griff and Chim so you can crusie at 80+ more comfortably (on those autobhans of course).
On my own car the following is true: heating is worse, roof fitment and waterproofness is worse. No storage space. Tunability is much , much better, fuel is around the same unless your really plant your foot and then you are 5mpg worse off. Tyres are more, lighting is abysmal, driving lights cost alot.
The Ford runnign gear feels much more solid than the RV8 and really by the time you have hit what is considered reasonable mileage in the S3, you are talking 2 clutches and 2-3 camshafts in the RV8.
Well if you want to find out nmroe dig out some of my posts. If you want a bit mroe in depth, mail me.
Cheers
Chris
But my God it will be worth the wait 
Wildfire said:
Ok I went from my S3 to my tuned Pre Cat Griff, and I have posted in a lot of detail regarding this subject. I won't go into massive detail but to summurise here is my thoughts.
First and foremost, the Griff, Pre Cat or 500 is faster. It doesn't feel like it, as the torque is much more progressive, and you lack that kick up th ebackside feel when you plant your foot. just glance at the speedo and you will find yourself going 30mph faster than in the S3. This can give a somewhat detatched feeling as you are not fully aware of how fast you are going.
On the handling front the detathced feeling is still there. You do not get the go kart like feedback that the S3 gives. This is either because the limit is much further. but personally I always get the feeling that the car is going to bite me suddenly.
The gearing is higher on the Griff and Chim so you can crusie at 80+ more comfortably (on those autobhans of course).
Thanks Chaps for a most interesting response...It will be this time next year when I go shopping for a Griff..and of course the S will have to be sold on...I on holiday at the moment in sunny Antigua...Had to use the resort free internet service to do this..Cheers ....Paul.
There's a great Griff for 18K in classifieds only done 3700miles...hmm.
On my own car the following is true: heating is worse, roof fitment and waterproofness is worse. No storage space. Tunability is much , much better, fuel is around the same unless your really plant your foot and then you are 5mpg worse off. Tyres are more, lighting is abysmal, driving lights cost alot.
The Ford runnign gear feels much more solid than the RV8 and really by the time you have hit what is considered reasonable mileage in the S3, you are talking 2 clutches and 2-3 camshafts in the RV8.
Well if you want to find out nmroe dig out some of my posts. If you want a bit mroe in depth, mail me.
Cheers
Chris
First and foremost, the Griff, Pre Cat or 500 is faster. It doesn't feel like it, as the torque is much more progressive, and you lack that kick up th ebackside feel when you plant your foot. just glance at the speedo and you will find yourself going 30mph faster than in the S3. This can give a somewhat detatched feeling as you are not fully aware of how fast you are going.
On the handling front the detathced feeling is still there. You do not get the go kart like feedback that the S3 gives. This is either because the limit is much further. but personally I always get the feeling that the car is going to bite me suddenly.
The gearing is higher on the Griff and Chim so you can crusie at 80+ more comfortably (on those autobhans of course).
Thanks Chaps for a most interesting response...It will be this time next year when I go shopping for a Griff..and of course the S will have to be sold on...I on holiday at the moment in sunny Antigua...Had to use the resort free internet service to do this..Cheers ....Paul.
There's a great Griff for 18K in classifieds only done 3700miles...hmm.
On my own car the following is true: heating is worse, roof fitment and waterproofness is worse. No storage space. Tunability is much , much better, fuel is around the same unless your really plant your foot and then you are 5mpg worse off. Tyres are more, lighting is abysmal, driving lights cost alot.
The Ford runnign gear feels much more solid than the RV8 and really by the time you have hit what is considered reasonable mileage in the S3, you are talking 2 clutches and 2-3 camshafts in the RV8.
Well if you want to find out nmroe dig out some of my posts. If you want a bit mroe in depth, mail me.
Cheers
Chris
Oh hes definitely Griff owner material:
"Thanks Chaps for a most interesting response...It will be this time next year when I go shopping for a Griff..and of course the S will have to be sold on...I on holiday at the moment in sunny Antigua...Had to use the resort free internet service to do this..Cheers ....Paul."
I'm sure there must be better things to do in Antigua.... compared to all you at home with your Polish fetishes maybe I should'nt be surprised
Dave
"Thanks Chaps for a most interesting response...It will be this time next year when I go shopping for a Griff..and of course the S will have to be sold on...I on holiday at the moment in sunny Antigua...Had to use the resort free internet service to do this..Cheers ....Paul."
I'm sure there must be better things to do in Antigua.... compared to all you at home with your Polish fetishes maybe I should'nt be surprised
Dave
Edited by spend on Sunday 6th May 21:35
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