another new owner
Discussion
Thanks very much to the people who gave me some pointers, probably a year or so ago. A spot of redundancy got in the way, but I now have a nice, shiny Griff 500.
Several things. Firstly, the build quality. There is another thread on here somewhere about the smell of glue and the shoddy quality and the odds of going up in a bonfire. Mmmm. What a load of old crap. My car feels really tight and solid and the only rattle coming from it is where I managed to put my knee through the speaker mesh which is now wonky and which is hardly TVR's fault. Other than that, it feels lovely, very well put together, and really nice and solid to drive. Very planted. I am used to German cars but can't honestly say I feel I am being hard done by as far as build quality is concerned (and certainly not in any other way).
I have just been on a long weekend trip to France and had to wait ages in traffic for the Eurotunnel and it didn't miss a beat. I have also had a few runs in England and it all seems spot on.
The gearchange is lovely. I have seen a few of Bosscerbera's vids, with that very deliberate gearchange, and now I've got one I find I am doing the same thing - very precise, but solid throw - (though unfortunately it's the only bit of my driving that has anything in common with BC's.) Clutch, very nice, and not too heavy. Drove it in heavy rain and: a) lived, and b) no leaks at all.
I would be very interested in how people think it stacks up against other sporty cars, in terms of performance. Someone told me they are 'brutal', but I just don't see that. First and second gear seem to be over in a flash and it doesn't really feel like it will hit 60 in 4.1. When I collected it I drove home soooo carefully, convinced it would spit me off the road with no warning but actually it feels quite safe. Sure, you can feel it twitch on roundabouts before you straighten up but it feels like it's on my side and is warning me, rather than springing surprises. The odd thing though is that at higher speeds it really comes alive. Partly, I think the issue is that I am very used to six cylinder jobs, where it's all high revs and bhp. I have spent a lot of time in an E36 M3 but am having a real job telling which is quicker. I get in the TVR and it feels about the same as the M3, but then back in the M3 again, and the M3 feels slow.
There was a thread on here recently where I read for the first time about the difference it makes if you have the roof down. Particularly in the targa position, it must be like having a huge air brake. Does that sound right?
And one more thing. I read on here that the oil pressure is a low pressure system so you should get in and drive (obviously not too hard until warm), and not warm it up by leaving it to idle. Presumably that is just until the oil is warm and it is quite happy idling in traffic.
All round though, a gorgeous car. Not sure I should have gone round the underground carpark on my little Europe trip quite that many times or backed up that Belgian campervan so I could hammer under that bridge in 2nd, but it felt GREAT.
Several things. Firstly, the build quality. There is another thread on here somewhere about the smell of glue and the shoddy quality and the odds of going up in a bonfire. Mmmm. What a load of old crap. My car feels really tight and solid and the only rattle coming from it is where I managed to put my knee through the speaker mesh which is now wonky and which is hardly TVR's fault. Other than that, it feels lovely, very well put together, and really nice and solid to drive. Very planted. I am used to German cars but can't honestly say I feel I am being hard done by as far as build quality is concerned (and certainly not in any other way).
I have just been on a long weekend trip to France and had to wait ages in traffic for the Eurotunnel and it didn't miss a beat. I have also had a few runs in England and it all seems spot on.
The gearchange is lovely. I have seen a few of Bosscerbera's vids, with that very deliberate gearchange, and now I've got one I find I am doing the same thing - very precise, but solid throw - (though unfortunately it's the only bit of my driving that has anything in common with BC's.) Clutch, very nice, and not too heavy. Drove it in heavy rain and: a) lived, and b) no leaks at all.
I would be very interested in how people think it stacks up against other sporty cars, in terms of performance. Someone told me they are 'brutal', but I just don't see that. First and second gear seem to be over in a flash and it doesn't really feel like it will hit 60 in 4.1. When I collected it I drove home soooo carefully, convinced it would spit me off the road with no warning but actually it feels quite safe. Sure, you can feel it twitch on roundabouts before you straighten up but it feels like it's on my side and is warning me, rather than springing surprises. The odd thing though is that at higher speeds it really comes alive. Partly, I think the issue is that I am very used to six cylinder jobs, where it's all high revs and bhp. I have spent a lot of time in an E36 M3 but am having a real job telling which is quicker. I get in the TVR and it feels about the same as the M3, but then back in the M3 again, and the M3 feels slow.
There was a thread on here recently where I read for the first time about the difference it makes if you have the roof down. Particularly in the targa position, it must be like having a huge air brake. Does that sound right?
And one more thing. I read on here that the oil pressure is a low pressure system so you should get in and drive (obviously not too hard until warm), and not warm it up by leaving it to idle. Presumably that is just until the oil is warm and it is quite happy idling in traffic.
All round though, a gorgeous car. Not sure I should have gone round the underground carpark on my little Europe trip quite that many times or backed up that Belgian campervan so I could hammer under that bridge in 2nd, but it felt GREAT.
Welcome to the world of permanent grins!!
I've had my Griff 500 for about 18 months and after driving mine for the first few hundred miles I felt exactly the same as you.
I think the reason it doesn't feel that fast, is because it goes so fast so easily. It is a very quick car. While 0 - 60 in 4.1 secs might be a 'sales' spin, I reckon a reasonable driver can do it in well under 5 secs and that is still fast by modern standards.
It is exactly the fact that it is you, the car and the road that I like about it (none of the fancy electronics making things easy for you) and I agree, it gives you adequate warning before biting.
I haven't found having the roof off, or in Targa mode makes much difference to the performance - but above 120 it gets very noisy!
Have a great time in it - and post some pics!!
I've had my Griff 500 for about 18 months and after driving mine for the first few hundred miles I felt exactly the same as you.
I think the reason it doesn't feel that fast, is because it goes so fast so easily. It is a very quick car. While 0 - 60 in 4.1 secs might be a 'sales' spin, I reckon a reasonable driver can do it in well under 5 secs and that is still fast by modern standards.
It is exactly the fact that it is you, the car and the road that I like about it (none of the fancy electronics making things easy for you) and I agree, it gives you adequate warning before biting.
I haven't found having the roof off, or in Targa mode makes much difference to the performance - but above 120 it gets very noisy!
Have a great time in it - and post some pics!!
Well done as you probably already know you have made an excellent choice!
I have on occasions some years ago now, on private roads of course, chased a good friend of mine driving an E36 Evo and I would say in "drag race" terms they are quite evenly matched I have found the same with the E39 M5 that he owned too.
I know which one I would want to open the garage door to on a Sunny Sunday morning though
I have on occasions some years ago now, on private roads of course, chased a good friend of mine driving an E36 Evo and I would say in "drag race" terms they are quite evenly matched I have found the same with the E39 M5 that he owned too.
I know which one I would want to open the garage door to on a Sunny Sunday morning though
Thanks very much all. I think it is the complete lack of effort that it seems to be making, once in the higher gears. Just a little tickle on the throttle and it piles on so much speed, something was next to you and then it just isn't. It's very reassuring on motorways, when you come up to those divs who haven't been looking ahead and you can see them deciding whether to break before slamming into the back of that coach, or swerve into your lane. Foot down and leave them to it.
The BM, though quick, is definitely working at it.
All round lovely. Even me old mam, who is not keen on fast cars, gasped when I backed it out of the garage for the first time, and she saw how beautifully designed it is.
The BM, though quick, is definitely working at it.
All round lovely. Even me old mam, who is not keen on fast cars, gasped when I backed it out of the garage for the first time, and she saw how beautifully designed it is.
just to add my welcome too! They are amazing to drive and look great parked up. Get plenty of wax polish on it as my biggest problem has been fingerprints! Lots of people want to touch the car! It is very tactile!
As mine has been laid up for a while (due to the redundancy and poo replacement job!) I am now starting to get it sorted and cannot wait to be back out there with you all.
Have many happy miles of fun.
Ellie
As mine has been laid up for a while (due to the redundancy and poo replacement job!) I am now starting to get it sorted and cannot wait to be back out there with you all.
Have many happy miles of fun.
Ellie
miller1899 said:
And I forgot to ask but difference does replacing the fuel lines make?
I am thinking of a trip to Austec at some point. I also forgot that I spoke to one of their very helpful mechanics the other day who said it was on a par with an M3, so this all sounds about right.
The extreme heat causes the ones in the engine bay to perish. I *thought* I had done all mine but missed the return line which started spraying fuel directly onto the O/S manifold yesterday. Had to replace it at the side of the road which was a real pain.I am thinking of a trip to Austec at some point. I also forgot that I spoke to one of their very helpful mechanics the other day who said it was on a par with an M3, so this all sounds about right.
My pet thing, but it caught me out.
Thanks for the help chaps (both on and off line). Isn't mine a cat, rather than a pre-cat?
Already thinking about some track days, which come as part of my insurance.
Can someone give me some tips on washing it and tell me what sort of wax I am supposed to use. I owned one car (a eurobox) for nine years and don't think I ever washed it, so it's not really one of my specialist subjects.
Already thinking about some track days, which come as part of my insurance.
Can someone give me some tips on washing it and tell me what sort of wax I am supposed to use. I owned one car (a eurobox) for nine years and don't think I ever washed it, so it's not really one of my specialist subjects.
oh the satisfaction of having had a good drive then cleaning!
I use autoglym stuff, think somewhere on the site thee is a review of waxes. includes some wonderful photos of gleaming cars
I like to keep a good layer of wax so the dirt comes off easier.
You can also get a film to cover the front, helps with stone chip prevention.
I use autoglym stuff, think somewhere on the site thee is a review of waxes. includes some wonderful photos of gleaming cars
I like to keep a good layer of wax so the dirt comes off easier.
You can also get a film to cover the front, helps with stone chip prevention.
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