TEST DRIVE TOMORROW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Discussion
Sirtyro enjoy the experience, the boys at Fernies, Simon, Nick and especially Drew are that most rare entity, a dealer that’s nice to deal with. I had a look at and test drove a number of Griffs before I bought one a few weeks ago, some at Fernies some private (two 500s, one 430, one 400 & two Chim’s for reference). My preconceptions from reading about the various versions of the Griff were somewhat changed when I actually drove them. Even allowing for the impression that the noise of the pre-cats makes you feel you are going fast, the 500’s didn’t have as much of an edge as the published 0-60 times suggest. Indeed my old S2000 would give them all a good run if spanked properly. However, the responsiveness of the pre-cats and in particular the 430 made them a more pleasurable drive. Similarly, I found manual steering cars with well maintained steering and suspension preferable to PAS ones also in good condition, PAS Griffs with poorly maintained suspension and steering were terrible and scarily floaty at speed. Even though I bought a 430 privately in the end, Fernies were definitely guys I would be happy to deal with in the future.
Let us know how you get on, the Mica blue 400 PC I drove there was a peach.
Let us know how you get on, the Mica blue 400 PC I drove there was a peach.
Chad speed said:
Sirtyro enjoy the experience, the boys at Fernies, Simon, Nick and especially Drew are that most rare entity, a dealer that’s nice to deal with. I had a look at and test drove a number of Griffs before I bought one a few weeks ago, some at Fernies some private (two 500s, one 430, one 400 & two Chim’s for reference). My preconceptions from reading about the various versions of the Griff were somewhat changed when I actually drove them. Even allowing for the impression that the noise of the pre-cats makes you feel you are going fast, the 500’s didn’t have as much of an edge as the published 0-60 times suggest. Indeed my old S2000 would give them all a good run if spanked properly. However, the responsiveness of the pre-cats and in particular the 430 made them a more pleasurable drive. Similarly, I found manual steering cars with well maintained steering and suspension preferable to PAS ones also in good condition, PAS Griffs with poorly maintained suspension and steering were terrible and scarily floaty at speed. Even though I bought a 430 privately in the end, Fernies were definitely guys I would be happy to deal with in the future.
Let us know how you get on, the Mica blue 400 PC I drove there was a peach.
Whilst giving some gret advice there i IMHO disagree big time with the s2000 comment. Theres many a Griff that isnt performing as it should....Boy mine felt fast to me and wasn't far of that time. Let us know how you get on, the Mica blue 400 PC I drove there was a peach.
My Griff isnt far of standard atm, it felt like it wss pulling ok over the ranges..anyhow after a MA chip and a Paul at Austecs playing with it on his RR the car gained som3 60BHP and i flies now and isnt far of that 4.1.
I agree that he 4.x arent much differnet to thre 500's try em both and believ m you will feel the difference..
BB
Nail on the head BB, there are a lot cars out there running crap - but they still have enough performance so that the owners let it slide. I think they fool themselves they are becoming better drivers and able to handle the power 
They also handle very differently too!
Dave
PS if anyone is seriously wanting a Griff I would be harrying & hanging on for Mike Virgos, when L110 replaces it.
They also handle very differently too!
Dave
PS if anyone is seriously wanting a Griff I would be harrying & hanging on for Mike Virgos, when L110 replaces it.
ray_von said:
OOOHH OOOHH. Dave what's it worth.I'm thinking £12.5K 
this is obviously a joke BTW
YOU might be able to persuade Mike to let you have it for £125k, but only if you grovel profusely this is obviously a joke BTW
But seriously, don't be fooled there is a lot of costly stuff on cars like Mikes, and we are always complaining that we don't get anything like the money back when we sell...
Let Jigs buy all the un-molested cars for his collection
- no offence 'pony trap' old boy 
Dave
spend said:
[But seriously, don't be fooled there is a lot of costly stuff on cars like Mikes, and we are always complaining that we don't get anything like the money back when we sell...
Dave
Too right mate, you don't need to tell me about it. I think I got precisely nowt back for all the stuff I did on mine Dave
Anyhoo, back on topic, what was the test drive like?
Edited by ray_von on Friday 30th November 17:57
Thought the S2k comment might elicit a bit of a response and I think BB hit the nail on the head, a good proportion of Griffs & Chims may be under performing but probably most S2k's are on the money and I understand it's reasonably common for those that go on the rollers to better the manufacturers 238 bhp without modification (99 RON from Tesco certainly helps). I agree a Griff should always win but until you have got to know an S2k and how to get the best from it I don't think many appreciate how close it will get. All that said I would choose the Griff over the S2k without hesitation.
Anyhow, enough of the S2k guff we want to know how Sirtyro got on at Fernies - come on mate spill the beans.
spend said:
ray_von said:
OOOHH OOOHH. Dave what's it worth.I'm thinking £12.5K
this is obviously a joke BTW
YOU might be able to persuade Mike to let you have it for £125k, but only if you grovel profusely this is obviously a joke BTW
But seriously, don't be fooled there is a lot of costly stuff on cars like Mikes, and we are always complaining that we don't get anything like the money back when we sell...
Let Jigs buy all the un-molested cars for his collection
- no offence 'pony trap' old boy Dave
Mike gave me the inspiration to mod my car Dave and as you know even though my motor made 350 bhp at Joo's that's still 4 HP Less than Mikes car.
Someone is going to get a fantastic motor when Mike and Mel part with that beast that's for sure and you will not find a more genuine bloke than Mike
Edit to say Spendy should buy it imho
Edited by Pasco on Friday 30th November 20:56
Just been out in the Griff, the first time since BTaP
It's a lovely day up here in Nottingham and perfect for the Griff - although I did have to clean the windows because I couldn't see a damned thing
If you're out and about up here today keep an eye open for me because I'm off back out this afternoon just to waste some jungle juice
So up yours Gordon effing Brown. I can still afford to waste my money
It's a lovely day up here in Nottingham and perfect for the Griff - although I did have to clean the windows because I couldn't see a damned thing
If you're out and about up here today keep an eye open for me because I'm off back out this afternoon just to waste some jungle juice
So up yours Gordon effing Brown. I can still afford to waste my money
Dont swear at me with the MX5 rubbish
ok....so I was in southampton on business driving back past fernhurst which is why I went!
And by the time I got there it was dark and VERY wet. So didnt get to drive it! But got to have a good chat with Drew and start one up and get a feel for it! Must say I LOVE TVR!!!!!
The one I went to look at was 13k. But Drew mentioned (could be a sales tactic, but he seemed very down to earth) that the more you spend the better example you get, the longer they last and the better they are.
So think I'm going to spend around 15-20k. But we shall see. Hopefully in the new year!
ok....so I was in southampton on business driving back past fernhurst which is why I went!
And by the time I got there it was dark and VERY wet. So didnt get to drive it! But got to have a good chat with Drew and start one up and get a feel for it! Must say I LOVE TVR!!!!!
The one I went to look at was 13k. But Drew mentioned (could be a sales tactic, but he seemed very down to earth) that the more you spend the better example you get, the longer they last and the better they are.
So think I'm going to spend around 15-20k. But we shall see. Hopefully in the new year!
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