Griff, a good daily driver?

[tosscops]

Hi again...

Still looking at getting a Griff either 4.0 or 4.3 pre-cat if the price is right just one thing is niggling me, will it be a worth while daily runner?

Excluding fuel costs, obviously , what are peoples expierences with using one daily? Good and bad views are welcomed.

Many thanks

-T

EDIT - Apologies, can a mod please change the title to 'Griff, a good daily driver?' as I can't seem to change it myself, thanks

EDIT 2 - Brilliant, many thanks

Edited by tosscops on Sunday 12th September 23:57

Edited by tosscops on Monday 13th September 00:05

Edited by tosscops on Monday 13th September 00:13

[Bluebottle]

That will depend on what type of daily drive it is, as i wouldn't recommend it if it is too short a journey for the engine etc to warm up.

In general i would say they are much the better for regular use. Mine is normally used all year around without issue. It has had a couple of long periods of no use lately and on both occasions it has resulted in little niggles due to lack of use that then needed sorting.

Edited by Bluebottle on Monday 13th September 09:20

[GJR]

Hey T, you'll probably get a mixed response to that question. There will be some people who have and still do drive them daily with no problems. I drove mine daily (around Portsmouth for the most part ) for four years with no 'left-by-the-roadside' problems. I think most people will tell you that these cars actually need to be driven regularly to stave off problems.

I guess ultimately it is up to you and how much you can afford remembering that they need servicing every 6K miles, plus other wear and tear etc., and fuel as you say.

Edited by GJR on Monday 13th September 08:48

[LordGrover]

So long as you keep on top of it with regards to servicing and maintenance no problem at all.
Wouldn't do for me as I like to retain the sense of occasion which I'd guess you'd lose if you drove it every day, but not for any other reason.

[Argent]

Very good for daily driving, but tend to agree with LG.

A.

Edited by Argent on Monday 13th September 10:53

[V8 GRF]

LordGrover said:

So long as you keep on top of it with regards to servicing and maintenance no problem at all.
Wouldn't do for me as I like to retain the sense of occasion which I'd guess you'd lose if you drove it every day, but not for any other reason.

Agree with LG about keeping on top of stuff but after nearly four years as a daily driver I still haven't lost the 'sense of occasion' as it never faisl to put a smile on my face and if anything enjoy it more bcause I'm so familiar with the car and don't need to 're-learn' how to drive it everytime I hop in it out of a eurobox.

[tosscops]

Thanks for the positive replies, seems like I'm worrying for nothing really the car would be used daily or if not every other day for a drive around 10-15 miles depending on the route and more so every weekend for an enjoyable drive, I understand servicing will also be another outlay to look at, but as it's every 6k this shouldn't be a problem as it will probably hit me twice every 1.5 years.

Is there any other things I will have bare in mind?

Cheers

-T

[Pum]

I wouldn't want to drive daily if short distance and lots of traffic. But I believe driven regularly on a run of decent distance, but not too many miles overall, is probably best for looking after the car and keeping on top of problems. If I could I'd drive mine to work once a week or so.

[dnb]

I drive mine most days and do quite a lot of short journeys. The car doesn't seem to mind too much.

Keep up with the maintenance and tours should be ok. And every day can be am occasion.

[ruaricoles]

I don't at the moment (because I share a lift with other half and we have to drop littl'un off at nursery) but I used my Griff every day for at least a couple of years and it was great. As said, keep on top of the maintenance and there's no reason why you can't treat it "like any other car" (ie. just use it without worrying about it). Lots of fun.

In snowy conditions I generally wussed out and used something else (like our old Series 3 Landy, rather better suited!) but that would apply to plenty of sportscars.

Ruari

[Johno]

I used to use mine every day, all weathers, all journeys from inner london commute to touring, to lugging whatever needed lugging . .

What it does is reduce the occasion of driving it and you have to keep on top of the maintenance as suggested. In the end I bought a £500 runt to do the donkey work and kept the Griffith for the fun stuff and longer journeys.

[tosscops]

I am also planing on getting a cheap motorbike for relatively short journeys so the sense of occasion should not fade anytime fast

Looks like the justification to buy one is increasing!

[Dr Wolff]

JFDI!!!!!!!

[Bluebottle]

^^ What he said...rofl

[Janiceps]

I agree. I finally JFDI 3 months ago and have loved all 5k miles since. Haven't got around to buying a sensible run-around yet, mainly as I don't want to drive anything else

[Bluebottle]

Janiceps said:

I agree. I finally JFDI 3 months ago and have loved all 5k miles since. Haven't got around to buying a sensible run-around yet, mainly as I don't want to drive anything else

My Espace donkey costs more to run than the Griff...6 or 7 yrs for me now and the sense of accasion never leaves you...no matter how often you drive them
and i only have the Bus cos i cant fit 2.5 kids and two pyranians in a tiv

Edited by Bluebottle on Monday 13th September 19:27

[tosscops]

I really wish I could JFDI now, but I will have to leave it until after Christmas as the money is very tight but as I'm looking at a payrise, it will all be possible after

Just doing my research as I can be very OCD about cars :S