Discussion
I'm thinking of selling the Griff and, possibly, get a Tuscan/T350. Am I mad or not? I know The AJP Griff sold a Griff, bought a Tuscan and couldn't wait to get back. So should I do it or not?
I know all about the issues that, may or may not, occur with speed 6 engines so no need to mention those. Has anyone else gone from a Griff to speed 6 and not looked back.
I was indecisive but now I'm not so sure
I know all about the issues that, may or may not, occur with speed 6 engines so no need to mention those. Has anyone else gone from a Griff to speed 6 and not looked back.
I was indecisive but now I'm not so sure
The only way you'll know is to drive one. They are very similar in many ways, the later cars are still very 'TVR' in the way they drive but the power delivery is totally different. It will either suit the way you drive or it won't.
I had a Griff 500 and Chimaera 400 before my Tuscan. Whilst the Tuscan has certainly been more expensive to run, i wouldn't be without it. The feel of the performance when the Speed 6 gets in it's stride is amazing. The real-world performance isn't much different, but the way the whole car tingles as you go through 7000 rpm takes things up a level from the Griffith in my opinion.
Go on, give one a try.
Paul
I had a Griff 500 and Chimaera 400 before my Tuscan. Whilst the Tuscan has certainly been more expensive to run, i wouldn't be without it. The feel of the performance when the Speed 6 gets in it's stride is amazing. The real-world performance isn't much different, but the way the whole car tingles as you go through 7000 rpm takes things up a level from the Griffith in my opinion.
Go on, give one a try.
Paul
I went from T350c to a Griff and would never go back. The T350 is probably the superior car but the Griff (for me) is just so much nicer to own as a second car. If I had to use it as an only car then the T350 would get the nod.
As others have said, drive as many miles as you can in T350/Tuscans and then decide.
As others have said, drive as many miles as you can in T350/Tuscans and then decide.
Looking at the spec of your Griff it's hardly standard; click. I'd expect the 'real world' performance difference to be negligible so it's down to looks and feel. I think the Griffs (and Chimps to some extent) still look great 90% of the time. The only time they may appear a little dated is alongside the later Tivs, which in day-to-day use is pretty rare. It's only at TVR events it happens and then we're all the same family anyway. 
ray_von said:
I'm thinking of selling the Griff and, possibly, get a Tuscan/T350. Am I mad or not? I know The AJP Griff sold a Griff, bought a Tuscan and couldn't wait to get back. So should I do it or not?
I know all about the issues that, may or may not, occur with speed 6 engines so no need to mention those. Has anyone else gone from a Griff to speed 6 and not looked back.
I was indecisive but now I'm not so sure
I have a Griff 500 and a Sagaris and they are both fantastic cars, nothing much in it to 100mph but over that the Sag is in a different league. I know all about the issues that, may or may not, occur with speed 6 engines so no need to mention those. Has anyone else gone from a Griff to speed 6 and not looked back.
I was indecisive but now I'm not so sure
if you have a good 500 the 3.6 S6 will be a disappointment IMHO, though the 4 litre S engine is epic.
But would I ever sell the Griffith 500 to fund the purchase of a S6 engined Tiv, errr No.
ray_von said:
Has anyone else gone from a Griff to speed 6 and not looked back.
I am sure plenty have - hell, I am one of them. Different experience.Have I missed the Griff. Not entirely. I miss the V8 burble and torque, of course - the S6 is a totally different beast. In fact it's a pussy cat round town, easier to drive in virtually all conditions, but when it comes alive, well it just keeps going into territory where the Griff is puffing! The Griff was always a (manageable and enjoyable!) handful by comparison.
The passenger comforts are much better, the ride and handling show the ten years of development and generally speaking (I may just have a good example) it seems to be screwed together better.
Mine is up for sale at the mo for various reasons, partly because I need the garage space and it doesn't get a great deal of use compared to when I owned my Griff which I had as an every day drive. I know I will miss it for being a TVR - and will be hankering for another one, possibly move to a Cerbera at some time in the future. I've missed the Griff very occasionally, but not when I have been behind the wheel of the Tuscan!
I can't remember all the reasons I went for the Tuscan - there were so many - but I do remember figuring you only live once. GO for it!!
Ray von a difficult one this especially as the Griffs seem to be going up in value. From 50 mph in fifth the griff will eat it use the revs & the box the tuscan will win & the noise from the free reving S6 is intoxicating. The Tuscan suspension is better on rebound than the Griff on the bumpy bits & on the road with the roof in the Tuscan is much quieter but i am more used to the Griff for pushing on down country roads although overall i suppose the Tuscan is the better car but i just cannot bear to part with the Griff & fortunately at the moment i can afford to keep both. You will love the Tuscan but i find it needs more concentration to drive quickly.
Ian
Ian
2Munkys said:
I can tell you however, that most of my buddies that once had a Griff and ventured elsewhere always came back.
Is this just the way people are though? You used to see the same thing written about the S all the time - including from those who's friends had gone to Griffs! Maybe it's because moves that are perceived as 'upgrades' don't always offer as big a step up as people assume?That said, I preferred mine to the Chimaeras I tried, so maybe the S is just the hub of the TVR universe.
D14 AYS said:
the T cars are leagues ahead on every level.
in standard spec maybe but spend a few grand on upgrades and decent set up (like the OP has) and a 500 would be more than a match for a standard T car.Looking at the spec of the OPs Griff (if set up well) then a standard T car would be a step backwards.
IMHO
That, and IMHO you'd have to spend a couple of grand on a Tuscan Mk1 to make it a good day-to-day proposition rather than just something to scare yourself silly with whenever you like, too. Early Tuscans were easily the worst set up 'modern' TVRs, especially on 18" wheels; frankly I already felt like a god darn hero doing 90-100 mph on the motorway as the thing (2003 3.6 importer's demonstrator) just wouldn't settle down. Not sure what they've been smoking when they decided having an ultra-quick steering rack, weird steering geometry, a soft rear end and super heavy 18" wheels with rubber band tyres was a good combination... Felt great slingshotting it out of 90 degree corners and accelerating until the next one came up, but alarmingly 'edgy' as soon as you got on to the faster roads...
Edited by 900T-R on Thursday 11th February 18:24
Mark UB said:
D14 AYS said:
the T cars are leagues ahead on every level.
in standard spec maybe but spend a few grand on upgrades and decent set up (like the OP has) and a 500 would be more than a match for a standard T car.Looking at the spec of the OPs Griff (if set up well) then a standard T car would be a step backwards.
IMHO
The Surveyor said:
Then don't go for a 'standard' T car...! TVR Power are doing a very nice 4.3 Speed 6, and are also looking at a supercharger too, so no reason to think you can't throw loads of money at a Tuscan to take the performance into real 'brown trouser' territory...
I would have my testicles in my hands if I bought a new car and then spent a shedload on stuff that didn't need doing D14 AYS said:
I went from a 4.3 Griff to a Mk1 Tuscan and never looked back from a performance view, whilst I loved my Griff, and will always have a soft spot for them, the T cars are leagues ahead on every level.
Good luck
Good luck
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