Discussion
Hi everyone,
I have been lurking here for a while on the TVR forums and I think I have decided I would like to get a Griffith purely based on the looks and performance. I currently own a Mercedes 320 clk Cabriolet but frankly I am bored with it and am looking for something a little bit more raw but my only concern having never driven a TVR is that I believe they are a bit of a handful and I have been cosseted the last couple of years with ABS and traction control etc. The running costs and to a certain degree any reliability issues are not terribly high up on my priorities as I work from home.
What do you think?
I have been lurking here for a while on the TVR forums and I think I have decided I would like to get a Griffith purely based on the looks and performance. I currently own a Mercedes 320 clk Cabriolet but frankly I am bored with it and am looking for something a little bit more raw but my only concern having never driven a TVR is that I believe they are a bit of a handful and I have been cosseted the last couple of years with ABS and traction control etc. The running costs and to a certain degree any reliability issues are not terribly high up on my priorities as I work from home.
What do you think?
Firstly,welcome to the Griff forum,and to future Griff ownership
.
In answer to your questions.....
As long as you take the time to learn how to handle the griff,then you will have no problem.it comands respect,particularly in the wet,so just start off slowly and learn,it's as simple as that really,as long as your sensible then you'll have no problem.The running costs can vary quite a bit,and the condition you buy your car in,in the first place,will have a big impact on this in the early years.Servicing need not be expensive,just make sure you use someone with a good rep who knows the cars.
As is always the case,pick a good one and i absolutely gaurantee you will love it!
.In answer to your questions.....
As long as you take the time to learn how to handle the griff,then you will have no problem.it comands respect,particularly in the wet,so just start off slowly and learn,it's as simple as that really,as long as your sensible then you'll have no problem.The running costs can vary quite a bit,and the condition you buy your car in,in the first place,will have a big impact on this in the early years.Servicing need not be expensive,just make sure you use someone with a good rep who knows the cars.
As is always the case,pick a good one and i absolutely gaurantee you will love it!
Edited by The AJP Griff on Saturday 28th July 14:17
Wow, thanks for the quick reply! I suppose part of the reason I'm attracted to a Griff is the fact it's a bit of an animal! I have extensively driven an SL55 AMG which I suppose is comparable in performance but it does feel a little detached kind of like a little bit too perfect if you know what I mean.
Gonad said:
I have extensively driven an SL55 AMG which I suppose is comparable in performance but it does feel a little detached kind of like a little bit too perfect if you know what I mean.
Well you won't have that experience in a Griff I can assure you Come on in Gonad, its a lovely place to be here in Griff ownershipville.
All the stuff about them being a handful in the wet is true, but then so is any other rear wheel drive car, you know you don't just go stomping on the accelerator in the wet or you'll have it pointing the wrong way, but they aren't undriveable. You've just got to remind yourself "its wet, so I don't have the same grip, so take it easy" and drive like an old girl and Roberts your dads brother.
Loads of expertise on here to help you out, read through the forums and gen up a bit, ask any daft questions you feel you need to (except "do I get a Griff or a Chim" because that's guaranteed to get you howls of derision
), then go and look at a few. As with all cars, you'll find some are mutts with the owner wanting top dollar but the right one will stand out.Come on up to the Griff Growl Gonad, you won't have a better opportunity all year to look at the different versions, colours, wheels and mods done on Griffiths. Guaranteed as many passenger seat blasts around as you want too I'd guess.
Go for it!
Edited by Barreti on Saturday 28th July 15:14
Easy peesy to drive once you are used to them, good rules to avoid the embarrassment of the back end being in front are :-
Don’t press the right hand peddle unless the front wheels are straight ahead.
Always match the revs when changing down.
Other than that just like any other RWD car only a lot better.
Don’t press the right hand peddle unless the front wheels are straight ahead.
Always match the revs when changing down.
Other than that just like any other RWD car only a lot better.
Thanks guys for the very warm welcome and speedy replies! Unfortunately I will have to sell the Merc first before I start looking properly for a car so I am just trying to get a feel for what I should be looking out for. I will take a good read through the forums before asking any obviously stupid questions! Does anyone meet near to me, I am on the borders of London and Surrey? As I would much prefer to talk to an enthusiastic owner and don't waste a sellers time at the moment because I am not in a position to buy.
Thanks
Thanks
Gonad said:
Thanks Clive,
With regard to the social scene that's another reason that's attracting me to ownership, as it seemed you guys have regular get-togethers which I would be well up for as I have become a bit of a hermit of late!
As has already been said,come to the growl,it's a 'must do' event,it's griff heavenWith regard to the social scene that's another reason that's attracting me to ownership, as it seemed you guys have regular get-togethers which I would be well up for as I have become a bit of a hermit of late!
.This year promises to be the biggest and best ever!
Gonad said:
Thanks guys for the very warm welcome and speedy replies! Unfortunately I will have to sell the Merc first before I start looking properly for a car so I am just trying to get a feel for what I should be looking out for. I will take a good read through the forums before asking any obviously stupid questions! Does anyone meet near to me, I am on the borders of London and Surrey? As I would much prefer to talk to an enthusiastic owner and don't waste a sellers time at the moment because I am not in a position to buy.
Thanks
I would imagine the Merc would shift sharpish if you wanted it to Thanks
Re iterate the Growl mentions. Even if you havent sold by then come along. Keep posting on here and you may blag a lift to the Growl which would be a great intro having a lift there...
Check out the TVRCC forum as well (I think you can snoop around without joining, mind you if you are seriou then join the TVRCC as well) - from memory the Surrey Region is v active and v friendly so it would be worth making contact with them and getting to their next meeting for a sniff around
Welcome and stick around....
Graham
The best piece of advice - do NOT test drive a Griff because once you have, nothing else will be good enough.
That's how I got hooked on the best car I've had - and now I'm on my second Griff, with no regrets. It beats the h3ll out of alcohol and comes close to s3x!
Just do it!!
That really is a concern! also where I work in my house overlooks the drive and the Griff really is automotive s3x! a bit of a worry really
That's how I got hooked on the best car I've had - and now I'm on my second Griff, with no regrets. It beats the h3ll out of alcohol and comes close to s3x!
Just do it!!
That really is a concern! also where I work in my house overlooks the drive and the Griff really is automotive s3x! a bit of a worry really
Welcome Gonad
You say that you need to sell the Merc first. Is the Merc your only car?
What I mean is, are you planning to use the Griff as your daily driver?
Having to use it for a long run in the winter snow is a lot different to taking it out to watch the perfect dawn just for the hell of it.
Most of us running Griffs have them as a second car. Some Griffs have been used as daily drivers, but not many.
I would advise any new owner to have the suspension properly checked and aligned as soon as you buy it, unless there is good evidence that it has only just been done.
A well set up car is much less likely to bite you. There is also the fact that a TVR has ajustments not found on many cars, such as the ability to ajust the toe in on the rear wheels.
Getting more toe-in will make the rear less likely to break away. Note the word less. This will help you whilst you are new to Griffs.
Most importantly, get yourself along to your local TVR goup meeting.
They will know of any good cars up for sale near to you, be able to advise you where best to get work done and so on.
Fester
You say that you need to sell the Merc first. Is the Merc your only car?
What I mean is, are you planning to use the Griff as your daily driver?
Having to use it for a long run in the winter snow is a lot different to taking it out to watch the perfect dawn just for the hell of it.
Most of us running Griffs have them as a second car. Some Griffs have been used as daily drivers, but not many.
I would advise any new owner to have the suspension properly checked and aligned as soon as you buy it, unless there is good evidence that it has only just been done.
A well set up car is much less likely to bite you. There is also the fact that a TVR has ajustments not found on many cars, such as the ability to ajust the toe in on the rear wheels.
Getting more toe-in will make the rear less likely to break away. Note the word less. This will help you whilst you are new to Griffs.
Most importantly, get yourself along to your local TVR goup meeting.
They will know of any good cars up for sale near to you, be able to advise you where best to get work done and so on.
Fester
Hi Fester,
As I don't have to commute at all the car would only really be used for pleasure and as for snow the Merc is pants! I do have access to other vehicles so that would not be an issue. I think I will take a lurk on the TVR site and try and get myself along to a meeting, thanks
As I don't have to commute at all the car would only really be used for pleasure and as for snow the Merc is pants! I do have access to other vehicles so that would not be an issue. I think I will take a lurk on the TVR site and try and get myself along to a meeting, thanks
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