Pre-cat ownership by "non-mechanic" - folly?
Discussion
Still wracked with anguish over going down this particular road...
Reading this forum I get the impression everyone here is a mechanic, diagnosing and fixing most problems... This, coupled with TVRs renown for being of, well, inconsistent reliability, makes me wonder whether I would be buying a money pit if I bought a 15+ year old 4.3 and should, perhaps, give up on my dreams of a 'true' Griff, and opt for the more common (relatively speaking) 5.0, in which case I can get a 10 yr old one that MAY be more reliable... but is still 10 yrs old, so even that is a somewhat questionable assumption...
Or should I just give up on the whole idea - the only people who can live with a Griff are people who can fix them themselves...
If there are any non-mechanic Griff owners (especially pre-cats), could you say something to allay my fears and cure this angst...?
Jim
Reading this forum I get the impression everyone here is a mechanic, diagnosing and fixing most problems... This, coupled with TVRs renown for being of, well, inconsistent reliability, makes me wonder whether I would be buying a money pit if I bought a 15+ year old 4.3 and should, perhaps, give up on my dreams of a 'true' Griff, and opt for the more common (relatively speaking) 5.0, in which case I can get a 10 yr old one that MAY be more reliable... but is still 10 yrs old, so even that is a somewhat questionable assumption...
Or should I just give up on the whole idea - the only people who can live with a Griff are people who can fix them themselves...
If there are any non-mechanic Griff owners (especially pre-cats), could you say something to allay my fears and cure this angst...?
Jim
The RV8 is a pretty reliable and 'simple' old lump, there's not much to go wrong. I'd say the biggest challenge is chassis maintenance on these things. If you can tighten things up, grease things occasionally and glue stuff once in a while I'd say you'll be fine.
There's plenty of expertise out there for the servicing etc.
Now if you were asking about an Speed 6 car that would be a different matter altogether.
There's plenty of expertise out there for the servicing etc.
Now if you were asking about an Speed 6 car that would be a different matter altogether.
I've had 2 griffs - over 16 years...
I just drive them...
Try to understand a bitof what it is all about, Steve heaths griff chim book is good for that.
My only bit of personal work on my griff. is making a new glove box catch that actually works!!!
Find a good dealer/specialist that you trust. AND find a good car to start with.
Then just drive it.
I just drive them...
Try to understand a bitof what it is all about, Steve heaths griff chim book is good for that.
My only bit of personal work on my griff. is making a new glove box catch that actually works!!!
Find a good dealer/specialist that you trust. AND find a good car to start with.
Then just drive it.
Ah, OK... all these threads about replacing outriggers etc, which people all chipping in with "well, what I do is..." really got me worried...
Odd greasing and tightening of things is fine, I'm just not equipped, with time, kit or inclination to spend my weekends in the garage under my Griff trying to fix the knocking noise in the gearbox or do my own 12k service... or find, on the one dry sunny weekend of each year, that the damn thing refuses to start...!!!!
Well, I'll book the test drive at that infamous garage with the pair of 4.3's and see how it goes... I'm hoping it will be an absolutely black and white decision after I've driven it... one way or t'other...
Feeling a little better...
Odd greasing and tightening of things is fine, I'm just not equipped, with time, kit or inclination to spend my weekends in the garage under my Griff trying to fix the knocking noise in the gearbox or do my own 12k service... or find, on the one dry sunny weekend of each year, that the damn thing refuses to start...!!!!
Well, I'll book the test drive at that infamous garage with the pair of 4.3's and see how it goes... I'm hoping it will be an absolutely black and white decision after I've driven it... one way or t'other...
Feeling a little better...
I don't think you need to have any mechanical knowledge. When I bought mine I had very little idea of what did what but had some experience in car electronics from playing about on my old car. I was interested in how it all worked though and after buying the bible and speaking to friends I started doing odds and ends just for fun and to learn about how it all works. This proved quite addictive and I now do most things myself (apart from the things that really require experience to do right) and I find it hugely enjoyable to know whats going around the car as I drive it. I don't have to do it and could easily take it to a garage instead, but I like doing it which i'm sure is the reason a lot of people on here do the same. You never know, you might end up doing the same!
Er... I look at the dipstick, does that make me mechanically minded?
I suppose its a time/money continuum but on the basis that the running costs are unbelieveably reasonable even if one uses a garage I haven't really felt the need to get my hands too grubby. Ignore the doom mongerers, as long as you maintain the car there is no reason why it should be significantly less reliable than any other ten year old car.
(Mind you I wouldn't go anywhere without the number for the RAC in my pocket!)
I suppose its a time/money continuum but on the basis that the running costs are unbelieveably reasonable even if one uses a garage I haven't really felt the need to get my hands too grubby. Ignore the doom mongerers, as long as you maintain the car there is no reason why it should be significantly less reliable than any other ten year old car.
(Mind you I wouldn't go anywhere without the number for the RAC in my pocket!)
redbarchetta said:
If there are any non-mechanic Griff owners (especially pre-cats), could you say something to allay my fears and cure this angst...?
Jim
That'll be me then. Jim
Complete numpty. No idea which end of a spanner to screw with. Dulford Automotive & Neil Garner have done any and all work on mine - neither will get very rich on it either. If you get a good one it'll likely have a lot of miles but have everything sorted.
There is nothing to worry about. I fretted for the first six months or year when I bought mine - it's over seventeen years old with well over 100,000 miles on it now but it's not let me down (yet) :toucheswoodsmile: . Yep - things have broken as with any car but it's not the money pit some people would have you believe.
Precats are where it's at.
Many of us actually suspect that the earlier models were less complex + built with more care => more reliable / durable. It's a big generalization but there is no reason to be put off buying one of the older cars IMHO.
There were days when TVR attempted to scale the pinnacle, and other times when they struggled to fill orders taken. Historically human nature and economics are un-refutable elements in the mix IYSWIM
There were days when TVR attempted to scale the pinnacle, and other times when they struggled to fill orders taken. Historically human nature and economics are un-refutable elements in the mix IYSWIM
IF your buying one on a budget then dont bother matey, i'm no mechanic but have the basic ideas, i have had mine 6 mths and its cost me £600 to repair/replace a few things, i budget on £1000 a year for the griff, so its up to you...........????
But you will live the dream and more when you get one, i now dont care what it will cost to keep mine i adore it, and ive had some motors.
Grit your teeth dont be scared and definatly buy the 'HEATH BIBLE'
I have found help on here by all TVR owners to be second to non, far more than any other section of cars or clubs i have ever come across.
(I even flashed my lights and waived once to a passing chimera!!!!!!).....LOL
But you will live the dream and more when you get one, i now dont care what it will cost to keep mine i adore it, and ive had some motors.
Grit your teeth dont be scared and definatly buy the 'HEATH BIBLE'
I have found help on here by all TVR owners to be second to non, far more than any other section of cars or clubs i have ever come across.
(I even flashed my lights and waived once to a passing chimera!!!!!!).....LOL
I've had my Pre_Cat Griff for around 4 years now (I think) and it was only last year things went wrong. I ran it as an everyday car for 2 years with no issues. I just did my own regular services.
Just make sure you get one that is in good condition rather than on service history and mileage.
When I say wrong, things wore out. Shocks, Clutch, steering shaft, drop links.
As said above, you may need to tighten some bit and glue things back on once in a while but that's a about it.
Only things I don't do now are things that take time, eg cam shaft etc. But as this year progresses then I may go back to it as I now have an Elise to mess around with day to day, so I can afford for the Griff to be off the road.
Just make sure you get one that is in good condition rather than on service history and mileage.
When I say wrong, things wore out. Shocks, Clutch, steering shaft, drop links.
As said above, you may need to tighten some bit and glue things back on once in a while but that's a about it.
Only things I don't do now are things that take time, eg cam shaft etc. But as this year progresses then I may go back to it as I now have an Elise to mess around with day to day, so I can afford for the Griff to be off the road.
I've got a pre-cat...... I just dont like getting my hands dirty or have the patience to to undo nuts, and put them back.
..... a perfectly viable option for a non mechanic...
These cars are very basic so for most of it... if you choose, you can just get the manual follow the pictures and its as easy as that.
me... I'm lazy and just send the thing to the garage after I've had an 1hrs half hearted attempt.... and always get told by my garage just bring it in before I start playing with it
..... a perfectly viable option for a non mechanic...
These cars are very basic so for most of it... if you choose, you can just get the manual follow the pictures and its as easy as that.
me... I'm lazy and just send the thing to the garage after I've had an 1hrs half hearted attempt.... and always get told by my garage just bring it in before I start playing with it
Hoover. said:
me... I'm lazy and just send the thing to the garage after I've had an 1hrs half hearted attempt.... and always get told by my garage just bring it in before I start playing with it
Classic - that sounds just like me!!I want to thank you ALL for your comments, chaps. Booked a test drive of the dark blue 4.3 on Saturday afternoon, so keep off the roads in that vicinity if you value your lives...
Mike, will ping you a note shortly; thanks.
Will let you know how it goes next week... I can hear the dark side calling...
Jim
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