Griffith vs MG RV8
Discussion
Took my Dad's RV8 for a spin yesterday, it is hillarious that people in the past have tried to compare the two, they are so different!
The RV8 is floaty light, everything feels massively over-assisted, however; having a clutch pedal that doesn't force me out of my seat and a gear change that only needs one hand was quite refreshing! The handling is fairly comical and bouncy, it basically doesn't like to be driven fast compared to the Griff which doesn't make sense unless you do.
The interior is fairly antiquated and you sit far too high, I am only 5'10 and my eyes are almost level with the top of the screen so for anyone over 6' you will always have the screen rail in your line of sight and wildlife in your teeth!
However I would say for someone like my Dad who is approaching 60 it probably makes more sense, he isn't going to drive it around like it is on fire and loves how smooth it is. Added to the galvanised shell and investment potential I think (like the griff) prices are only going one way.
MrMCI said:
Took my Dad's RV8 for a spin yesterday, it is hillarious that people in the past have tried to compare the two, they are so different!
The RV8 is floaty light, everything feels massively over-assisted, however; having a clutch pedal that doesn't force me out of my seat and a gear change that only needs one hand was quite refreshing! The handling is fairly comical and bouncy, it basically doesn't like to be driven fast compared to the Griff which doesn't make sense unless you do.
The interior is fairly antiquated and you sit far too high, I am only 5'10 and my eyes are almost level with the top of the screen so for anyone over 6' you will always have the screen rail in your line of sight and wildlife in your teeth!
However I would say for someone like my Dad who is approaching 60 it probably makes more sense, he isn't going to drive it around like it is on fire and loves how smooth it is. Added to the galvanised shell and investment potential I think (like the griff) prices are only going one way.
My Boss brought one The RV8 is floaty light, everything feels massively over-assisted, however; having a clutch pedal that doesn't force me out of my seat and a gear change that only needs one hand was quite refreshing! The handling is fairly comical and bouncy, it basically doesn't like to be driven fast compared to the Griff which doesn't make sense unless you do.
The interior is fairly antiquated and you sit far too high, I am only 5'10 and my eyes are almost level with the top of the screen so for anyone over 6' you will always have the screen rail in your line of sight and wildlife in your teeth!
However I would say for someone like my Dad who is approaching 60 it probably makes more sense, he isn't going to drive it around like it is on fire and loves how smooth it is. Added to the galvanised shell and investment potential I think (like the griff) prices are only going one way.
Took him out in my Griff a month before and he s
t his pants 
Nuff Sed
Although the engines are similar they are not meant for the same market. There was a test some years ago between a Chim and an MG RV8 in a magazine. It's conclusion was obvious.
I've never driven an MG RV8 but I've had a ride in one and at 6'3" the only thing that worried me was whether I would die of exposure or altitude first. The driver's seat had been replaced by a lower one (sympathetically done, it was only when it was pointed out that I noticed). I was allowed to sit in the seat and even then my eyeline was level with the header rail.
As a passenger I found the ride 'compliant' but very comfortable. The chap loved his car - and kept it immaculate - but was very complimentary about my Chim.
For an enthusiastic driver there is only one choice of course, but the MG RV8 has its attractions.
I drove a well sorted MGB V8 with coil-overs front and rear and a 3.9 slightly tuned engine. It was great and I could see through the screen (it was a GT). I was tempted but it was a wee bit pricey. And tremendously noisy.
The MG RV8 seemed to me to avoid the attractions of the MGB without getting much in return. For those who haven't driven a well-sorted B you have a real joy to come. It is slow but fun and rewards a bit of effort.
I've never driven an MG RV8 but I've had a ride in one and at 6'3" the only thing that worried me was whether I would die of exposure or altitude first. The driver's seat had been replaced by a lower one (sympathetically done, it was only when it was pointed out that I noticed). I was allowed to sit in the seat and even then my eyeline was level with the header rail.
As a passenger I found the ride 'compliant' but very comfortable. The chap loved his car - and kept it immaculate - but was very complimentary about my Chim.
For an enthusiastic driver there is only one choice of course, but the MG RV8 has its attractions.
I drove a well sorted MGB V8 with coil-overs front and rear and a 3.9 slightly tuned engine. It was great and I could see through the screen (it was a GT). I was tempted but it was a wee bit pricey. And tremendously noisy.
The MG RV8 seemed to me to avoid the attractions of the MGB without getting much in return. For those who haven't driven a well-sorted B you have a real joy to come. It is slow but fun and rewards a bit of effort.
Nothing wrong with the MG RV8 ,I owned a Oxford Blue Jap import with 19000 on the the clock ,air con.etc.Once you swop the standard shock absorbers and fit the Clive Wheatly sports exhaust it stops drives and handles very well,The running gear is nothing like the B .RV8 front cross member(used as a upgrade on B`s so it goes round corners))and limited slip diff.I only sold mine because it resembled a Bentley and was a bit to luxurious..Being a standard engine it ran like a swiss watch and smooth as a babys bottom.Sold it for 11k and the Oxford blue ones with low mileage are fetching 16K..0to 60 in less than 6 seconds is still a quick car plus i got 30mpg plus out of it..
MrMCI said:
...however; having a clutch pedal that doesn't force me out of my seat and a gear change that only needs one hand was quite refreshing!
Never driven an MGRV8 but this comment makes me wonder about your clutch & gearbox. The one in my Griff is smooth with a nice notchy change and the clutch is sweet as a nut. Does yours need adjustment?p.s. just checked your profile, you do have a Griff don't you?
Edited by RichB on Monday 25th April 22:08
Yep, 1994 Griffith 500 pre-serp (I bought it off Quinny about a month ago). Having spoken to him I think that it may be time for new clutch and slave cylinder seals. It is an interesting point that you say you have a sweet change, every Griffith I drove when I was looking felt different even if they had the same box.
Very strange; before buying my Griff new in '99 (a 500 with the T5 box) I drove several used ones and Chimaeras and never found the gearchange or clutch anhything to remark upon, other than the nice way it slots into gears with a nice click. Yes you have to engage a forward gear before going into reverse but everyone knows that.
MrMCI said:
Yep, 1994 Griffith 500 pre-serp (I bought it off Quinny about a month ago). Having spoken to him I think that it may be time for new clutch and slave cylinder seals. It is an interesting point that you say you have a sweet change, every Griffith I drove when I was looking felt different even if they had the same box.
You just need to eat more red meat and go out for a jog 
Some time ago Tiff NEEDLES worked for "TOP GEAR" and I belive that he did a road test in 1994 based on a non PAS Griff 500 (you know the light blue "L" reg one).
His final comment on the car was - This is not a car for wimps!
That comment was probably in relation to the car not having PAS and an exceptionally heavy clutch as standard.
His final comment on the car was - This is not a car for wimps!
That comment was probably in relation to the car not having PAS and an exceptionally heavy clutch as standard.
Mr Alive
Why don't you add a bit more info to your profile like your car and name? It's a free world and obviously not compulsory but is noticeable that the quality of people's contributions on here is usually in direct proportion to the amount of info they provide about themselves. Little bit of info - little bit of quality.
L.F.
Why don't you add a bit more info to your profile like your car and name? It's a free world and obviously not compulsory but is noticeable that the quality of people's contributions on here is usually in direct proportion to the amount of info they provide about themselves. Little bit of info - little bit of quality.
L.F.
FFS it was a bloody joke. Hence the peeping out thing in a box!!
Lighten up please.
You want constructive? I wouldn't replace the seals in either cylinder trying to get a lighter better feel pedal. If it came down to it I'd replace both cylinders if I doubted the integrity of the seals.
That said, I'd bleed the clutch with an Easy Bleed running it through for a good few seconds with good clean dot 4 pouring out, then lock the nipple. If you have good travel with steady state pedal pressure after, it's never going to get any better. Worth checking the pedal itself is well lubed too of course.
As for the steering. Worth pumping plenty of grease through the rack regularly as they do lighten up after they've not been greased for a while. Otherwise get a new rack because they're only noticeably heavy at very low parking type speeds.
I've many vehicles actually, and enjoy my privacy, like so many other PH'ers do thanks
Lighten up please.
You want constructive? I wouldn't replace the seals in either cylinder trying to get a lighter better feel pedal. If it came down to it I'd replace both cylinders if I doubted the integrity of the seals.
That said, I'd bleed the clutch with an Easy Bleed running it through for a good few seconds with good clean dot 4 pouring out, then lock the nipple. If you have good travel with steady state pedal pressure after, it's never going to get any better. Worth checking the pedal itself is well lubed too of course.
As for the steering. Worth pumping plenty of grease through the rack regularly as they do lighten up after they've not been greased for a while. Otherwise get a new rack because they're only noticeably heavy at very low parking type speeds.
I've many vehicles actually, and enjoy my privacy, like so many other PH'ers do thanks
citizen smith said:
Some time ago Tiff NEEDLES worked for "TOP GEAR" and I belive that he did a road test in 1994 based on a non PAS Griff 500 (you know the light blue "L" reg one).
His final comment on the car was - This is not a car for wimps!
That comment was probably in relation to the car not having PAS and an exceptionally heavy clutch as standard.
Or perhaps not? His final comment on the car was - This is not a car for wimps!
That comment was probably in relation to the car not having PAS and an exceptionally heavy clutch as standard.
Gassing Station | Griffith | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff