Hello... and am i mad??
Discussion
Hello,
I'm new to the tvr section of pistonheads, but as i'm contemplating something which i've got a feeling in the back of my head could be a bit mad i thought i better ask some advice...
I want to buy a late griff 500 and use it as my only car. Bear with me...
I don't need to commute, as i live in london and use public transport. I have a garage where car will be safe. I will use it once or twice a week for trips of around half an hour, and weekend trips away / france / le mans etc.
Is this do-able? Will i ruin a good griff leaving sat in the garage all week? I was considering a t350, but am worried about it going pop... any advice?
Thanks
I'm new to the tvr section of pistonheads, but as i'm contemplating something which i've got a feeling in the back of my head could be a bit mad i thought i better ask some advice...
I want to buy a late griff 500 and use it as my only car. Bear with me...
I don't need to commute, as i live in london and use public transport. I have a garage where car will be safe. I will use it once or twice a week for trips of around half an hour, and weekend trips away / france / le mans etc.
Is this do-able? Will i ruin a good griff leaving sat in the garage all week? I was considering a t350, but am worried about it going pop... any advice?
Thanks
Barreti said:
Go For It !
If ever there was a perfect opportunity to own one of these lovely beasties its right now. Prices are as low as they are going to get now and not needing it all week means any minor niggles won't be a drama.
Yep Ian is spot on !! Go for it If ever there was a perfect opportunity to own one of these lovely beasties its right now. Prices are as low as they are going to get now and not needing it all week means any minor niggles won't be a drama.
Edited by Barreti on Thursday 31st May 10:09
you will not stop grinning 
jamesG20 said:
Hello,
I'm new to the tvr section of pistonheads, but as i'm contemplating something which i've got a feeling in the back of my head could be a bit mad i thought i better ask some advice...
I want to buy a late griff 500 and use it as my only car. Bear with me...
I don't need to commute, as i live in london and use public transport. I have a garage where car will be safe. I will use it once or twice a week for trips of around half an hour, and weekend trips away / france / le mans etc.
Is this do-able? Will i ruin a good griff leaving sat in the garage all week? I was considering a t350, but am worried about it going pop... any advice?
Thanks
Reading that, you couldn't have a more perfect reason or time to buy a Griffith 500 than you have now.I'm new to the tvr section of pistonheads, but as i'm contemplating something which i've got a feeling in the back of my head could be a bit mad i thought i better ask some advice...
I want to buy a late griff 500 and use it as my only car. Bear with me...
I don't need to commute, as i live in london and use public transport. I have a garage where car will be safe. I will use it once or twice a week for trips of around half an hour, and weekend trips away / france / le mans etc.
Is this do-able? Will i ruin a good griff leaving sat in the garage all week? I was considering a t350, but am worried about it going pop... any advice?
Thanks
On average, mine sits in the garage all week and gets played with at the weekend. No issues. At all.
Awesome cars.
Get it done.
Crickey that was quick. I had a feeling you were all going to say that.
As i was originally looking for a t350 i'm well versed in the running costs of the speed six engine, coupled with the higher purchase price over a griff and the likely hood of a rebuild, it's stretching my budget. I had a run out in a griff at the same garage and loved it.
Are there any issues with the rv8 that need attention / expected massive cost / how stressed are they in the griff? At what point do they usually require a rebuild?
I'm also slightly worried about safety. I know you don't buy a griff for its safety fetaures (!) but having nearly rolled my old westfield (don't ask) i would want to be fitting a rollbar. I know these are available, i found the thread from the guys in blackpool through a search. Whats the feeling on fitting the roll bar, sounds daft but will it knock money off the car for being non-orignal?
Thanks
As i was originally looking for a t350 i'm well versed in the running costs of the speed six engine, coupled with the higher purchase price over a griff and the likely hood of a rebuild, it's stretching my budget. I had a run out in a griff at the same garage and loved it.
Are there any issues with the rv8 that need attention / expected massive cost / how stressed are they in the griff? At what point do they usually require a rebuild?
I'm also slightly worried about safety. I know you don't buy a griff for its safety fetaures (!) but having nearly rolled my old westfield (don't ask) i would want to be fitting a rollbar. I know these are available, i found the thread from the guys in blackpool through a search. Whats the feeling on fitting the roll bar, sounds daft but will it knock money off the car for being non-orignal?
Thanks
I want to buy a late griff 500 and use it as my only car.
Is this do-able? Will i ruin a good griff leaving sat in the garage all week? I was considering a t350, but am worried about it going pop... any advice?
Thanks
[/quote]
I ran a griff all year as main car, more do-able than you might imagine!! PM me if you want to get my phone number for a chat
Is this do-able? Will i ruin a good griff leaving sat in the garage all week? I was considering a t350, but am worried about it going pop... any advice?
Thanks
[/quote]
I ran a griff all year as main car, more do-able than you might imagine!! PM me if you want to get my phone number for a chat
Agree with the above. Not nearly as temperamental as the S6's. My 500 would happliy (battery permitting) go a week or even 2 and be right as rain after a careful warm up of oils etc etc... The RV8 needs regular fluid changes and very basic servicing but other than consumables doesn't seem to be bad to live with at all. It is quite an agricultural piece of machinery in many way 
Still miss mine
Still miss mine
Check out these recent threads
How many people use their Tiv as an everyday car?
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Griff, everyday car?
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Whats the best 'everyday' TVR?
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Loads to read.
How many people use their Tiv as an everyday car?
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Griff, everyday car?
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Whats the best 'everyday' TVR?
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Loads to read.
Edited by V8 GRF on Thursday 31st May 15:29
Are there any issues with the rv8 that need attention / expected massive cost / how stressed are they in the griff? At what point do they usually require a rebuild?
The 5 litre Rover lump is a tough cookie. Not that highly stressed, as it's not that highly tuned by todays standards and not high revving. But a combination of a good helping of torque and a light car make the Griff a good performer.
I havn't seen much on here about engines not being reliable. Although quite a lot of reference is made to camshaft wear, often showing it's self through a loss of power. Although my 1994 car is still running fine on it's original cam at 68000 miles. In fact the whole car is holding out very well at this mileage. The suspension and steering rack will probably be the next job. I certainly don't have any plans for an engine rebuild at this stage.
My service history is testimony to the fact a Griff can be used as a day to day drive. The original owner covered 47000 miles in the first three years! Since then only having covered a low mileage.
I'm a firm believer that these first three years were good for the car.
Pick the right car and you'll have more giggles than niggles. Good luck.
The 5 litre Rover lump is a tough cookie. Not that highly stressed, as it's not that highly tuned by todays standards and not high revving. But a combination of a good helping of torque and a light car make the Griff a good performer.
I havn't seen much on here about engines not being reliable. Although quite a lot of reference is made to camshaft wear, often showing it's self through a loss of power. Although my 1994 car is still running fine on it's original cam at 68000 miles. In fact the whole car is holding out very well at this mileage. The suspension and steering rack will probably be the next job. I certainly don't have any plans for an engine rebuild at this stage.
My service history is testimony to the fact a Griff can be used as a day to day drive. The original owner covered 47000 miles in the first three years! Since then only having covered a low mileage.
I'm a firm believer that these first three years were good for the car.
Pick the right car and you'll have more giggles than niggles. Good luck.
jamesG20 said:
Whats the feeling on fitting the roll bar, sounds daft but will it knock money off the car for being non-orignal?
Thanks
I don't think so - after all, if somebody was that bothered about having it in original condition, it could simply be removed.Thanks
I have a factory bar in mine and it looks OK, I think. You never know if you'll need it. I do the odd track day. Not only is it a safety feature but it strengthens the chassis a bit too.
JamesG20
Sounds like the type of use I get out of my car living in France. Go for it, there'll be no regrets and as other people say prices are keen so even if you don't like it or use it (very unlikely), after a year you'll be able to resell and more or less recoup funds.
I would though if you expect to spend considerable number of weekends in France and hotter climate seriously consider looking for car with aircon; it makes all the difference on days over 30°c.
Cheers
Philip
Sounds like the type of use I get out of my car living in France. Go for it, there'll be no regrets and as other people say prices are keen so even if you don't like it or use it (very unlikely), after a year you'll be able to resell and more or less recoup funds.
I would though if you expect to spend considerable number of weekends in France and hotter climate seriously consider looking for car with aircon; it makes all the difference on days over 30°c.
Cheers
Philip
I've had mine three years, as a (good weather) weekend car. I've dome about 12,000 miles in it (currently 25,000 miles). It's been (virtually) perfect as far as reliability goes. I've been to Le Mans twice in it - and it didn't miss a bit. Last year I bought two new cars (BMW 330 and Ford Galaxy) because my previous cars (BMW 330 and Toyota MPV) were being too unreliable. As such, I was using my Tivver as a "back-up vehicle" because of the problems I was having with the German and Japanese engineering! So as long as you buy a well maintained Griff you should be absolutely fine.
James,
You saved me posting the same question, thanks, and thanks for the responses chaps. I have been "umming and arring" about getting a Griff for a while now. Have always wanted one since they first came out but obviously cost and reliability was always a considersation. I am probably closer now to getting one than ever before and have seen the one I want. So why now? Well I'm 40! and secondly, sadly lost one of my closest mates recently, so yeah, life is for too short and should be enjoyed by those who are able to.
Anyway! in a couple of weeks time I hope to have it sat in my garage.
You saved me posting the same question, thanks, and thanks for the responses chaps. I have been "umming and arring" about getting a Griff for a while now. Have always wanted one since they first came out but obviously cost and reliability was always a considersation. I am probably closer now to getting one than ever before and have seen the one I want. So why now? Well I'm 40! and secondly, sadly lost one of my closest mates recently, so yeah, life is for too short and should be enjoyed by those who are able to.
Anyway! in a couple of weeks time I hope to have it sat in my garage.
jamesG20 said:
Hello,
I'm new to the tvr section of pistonheads, but as i'm contemplating something which i've got a feeling in the back of my head could be a bit mad i thought i better ask some advice...
I want to buy a late griff 500 and use it as my only car. Bear with me...
I don't need to commute, as i live in london and use public transport. I have a garage where car will be safe. I will use it once or twice a week for trips of around half an hour, and weekend trips away / france / le mans etc.
Is this do-able? Will i ruin a good griff leaving sat in the garage all week? I was considering a t350, but am worried about it going pop... any advice?
Thanks
did that for pretty much 14 YEARS. griff 4.3 then 500I'm new to the tvr section of pistonheads, but as i'm contemplating something which i've got a feeling in the back of my head could be a bit mad i thought i better ask some advice...
I want to buy a late griff 500 and use it as my only car. Bear with me...
I don't need to commute, as i live in london and use public transport. I have a garage where car will be safe. I will use it once or twice a week for trips of around half an hour, and weekend trips away / france / le mans etc.
Is this do-able? Will i ruin a good griff leaving sat in the garage all week? I was considering a t350, but am worried about it going pop... any advice?
Thanks
Not remotely mad, seems silly even asking, it is a road car, drive it
B
Steve,
"So was I - what do we read into this I wonder?"
Erm.......well for me I regret not buying an RD350LC (bike) when I was a kid then on from that an RS2000 escort (Mk2) when only a little older. Be nice third time lucky to get a Griff
Ian
"So was I - what do we read into this I wonder?"
Erm.......well for me I regret not buying an RD350LC (bike) when I was a kid then on from that an RS2000 escort (Mk2) when only a little older. Be nice third time lucky to get a Griff
Ian
Edited by sonofshankly on Monday 4th June 21:52
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