Advice: Corvette C5 or Griffith 500 ?
Discussion
Hi,
I have for some years had a Super 7 which I sold because it was just too much kit car (and with a 1700 X-flow Ford too little engine). I have for some time been looking to buy a TVR Griffith 500 as I like the sound and looks of the car. When doing some reading I have learned that these cars are far from being trouble free and that instead of the claimed 340 PS they have something in the range 270 PS ( still ok as a light car).
I am now wondering if a Corvette C5 would be a better car for me and would like to hear your advice. I was thinking of a convertible manual shift. How is the performance compared to the Griff – how is the feel for the car – steering. Any advice is much appreciated.
Cheers,
Dan
I have for some years had a Super 7 which I sold because it was just too much kit car (and with a 1700 X-flow Ford too little engine). I have for some time been looking to buy a TVR Griffith 500 as I like the sound and looks of the car. When doing some reading I have learned that these cars are far from being trouble free and that instead of the claimed 340 PS they have something in the range 270 PS ( still ok as a light car).
I am now wondering if a Corvette C5 would be a better car for me and would like to hear your advice. I was thinking of a convertible manual shift. How is the performance compared to the Griff – how is the feel for the car – steering. Any advice is much appreciated.
Cheers,
Dan
I owned a Griff 500 in the mid-90s and a C5 convertible auto from 2001-2003. In terms of noise and raw performance, the Griff wins hands down - the C5 is fast, but it lacks the edge that the Griff has. So, that's the end of the good news 
My Griff was unreliable, to the extent that something (often terminal or bad enough to need a trip to the dealer) would go wrong on most journeys. The low-revs shunting from the engine/transmission was horrible, the handling was hilariously unpredictable, the roof leaked, the gearbox was like stirring concrete, the clutch was way heavier than it needed to be, etc, etc. I got sick of it after 6 months and sold it.
The C5 was quite capable of doing 15K miles a year, didn't leak, handled fairly well (and at least predictably).
Which to go for? If you get a good one, and you want something raw, go for the Griff (but make sure you get air-con!). If you want a car that works well, go for the C5.
My Griff was unreliable, to the extent that something (often terminal or bad enough to need a trip to the dealer) would go wrong on most journeys. The low-revs shunting from the engine/transmission was horrible, the handling was hilariously unpredictable, the roof leaked, the gearbox was like stirring concrete, the clutch was way heavier than it needed to be, etc, etc. I got sick of it after 6 months and sold it.
The C5 was quite capable of doing 15K miles a year, didn't leak, handled fairly well (and at least predictably).
Which to go for? If you get a good one, and you want something raw, go for the Griff (but make sure you get air-con!). If you want a car that works well, go for the C5.
It is relatively cheap to transform the handling of the C5. Fit a set of coilover shocks and stiffer swaybars and it will handle like a go-kart compared with a standard car.
It is a simple job for a competent mechanic, you need to get a full alignment done afterwards but trust me it transforms the cars handling.
Noise is not an issue with a vette, if you want a louder one buy a different exhaust system.
Servicing a C5 is simple, cheap and it only needs an oil change ever 10,000 miles.
Bomb proof reliability only problems to look out for is the original AC Delco batteries tend to die and through up weird electrical problems. Change for an Optima gel filled battery usually fixes the problems.
Join the CCCUK www.corvetteclub.org.uk as it will give you access to the club mag which includes ads for cars for sale etc.
P.S. It is the Corvette Nationals at Huntingdon Racecourse on Sunday so there may well be a few of the cars for sale and what better place to compare cars than when 300 are gathered together
It is a simple job for a competent mechanic, you need to get a full alignment done afterwards but trust me it transforms the cars handling.
Noise is not an issue with a vette, if you want a louder one buy a different exhaust system.
Servicing a C5 is simple, cheap and it only needs an oil change ever 10,000 miles.
Bomb proof reliability only problems to look out for is the original AC Delco batteries tend to die and through up weird electrical problems. Change for an Optima gel filled battery usually fixes the problems.
Join the CCCUK www.corvetteclub.org.uk as it will give you access to the club mag which includes ads for cars for sale etc.
P.S. It is the Corvette Nationals at Huntingdon Racecourse on Sunday so there may well be a few of the cars for sale and what better place to compare cars than when 300 are gathered together
the corvettes are a good solid car! with pretty much all box's ticked however what i will say is if you get a decent griff your love it! over past 6 years never let me down! usually find one's that have stood or been abused have major issue which then seem to continually reappearing giving them a bad name.
really comes down to personal preference!
really comes down to personal preference!
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