TVR Griffith Help
Discussion
Hi all,
I'm trying to convince my uncle to buy the Griffith 500 thats on Trade Me at the moment as his second car. He currently owns an M Roadster that is for sale (PM if anyone is interested, its on Trade Me too). The car in question is at this link;
http://www.trademe.co.nz/structure/auction_detail.asp?id=28317410&key=15734927
and I'm wondering if anyone knows this particular car, also how you think owning it might compare to the BMW. He's no stranger to expensive servicing and reasonably high running costs but would definitely want it to run first time every time even if it has to sit for a week between trips. He has been looking at the Porsche Boxster S (bleugh) and was impressed by the refinement. I think the Boxster is an every day kinda thing and that the TVR might be just the ticket for the weekends. What say ye, oh Pistonheaders of NZ?
I'm trying to convince my uncle to buy the Griffith 500 thats on Trade Me at the moment as his second car. He currently owns an M Roadster that is for sale (PM if anyone is interested, its on Trade Me too). The car in question is at this link;
http://www.trademe.co.nz/structure/auction_detail.asp?id=28317410&key=15734927
and I'm wondering if anyone knows this particular car, also how you think owning it might compare to the BMW. He's no stranger to expensive servicing and reasonably high running costs but would definitely want it to run first time every time even if it has to sit for a week between trips. He has been looking at the Porsche Boxster S (bleugh) and was impressed by the refinement. I think the Boxster is an every day kinda thing and that the TVR might be just the ticket for the weekends. What say ye, oh Pistonheaders of NZ?
I've only ever driven a Griff once so take this with a grain of salt.
They're a fantastic car for putting a smile on your dial - If you get the right one.
There is something different there, something primative that you cannot get from a lot of euro cars. It gets you in the guts more than in the brain.
I would not consider it to be an everyday car (although it's alot more everyday than my Westy) but as long as you garage it properly, keep the battery trickle charged and follow a proper start procedure then there is no reason why it shouldn't start (almost) every time.
They're a fantastic car for putting a smile on your dial - If you get the right one.
There is something different there, something primative that you cannot get from a lot of euro cars. It gets you in the guts more than in the brain.
I would not consider it to be an everyday car (although it's alot more everyday than my Westy) but as long as you garage it properly, keep the battery trickle charged and follow a proper start procedure then there is no reason why it shouldn't start (almost) every time.
I know of that Griff... looked over it a few years back when it was for sale in Christchurch and was in lovely condition.
The Griff would be a great car and, although not the most practical everyday driver.... it'd be a good weekend car... you COULD use it every day, but that's not really what they're best at... certainly not the sort of car you could compare to a boxster S anyway.... much harier and scarier.... gotta remember that if you want a car with a huge grin factor then the Griff will do great.... it's the sort of thing that DEMANDS that if you want to drive it fast, you've got to be VERY good.
The Griff would be a great car and, although not the most practical everyday driver.... it'd be a good weekend car... you COULD use it every day, but that's not really what they're best at... certainly not the sort of car you could compare to a boxster S anyway.... much harier and scarier.... gotta remember that if you want a car with a huge grin factor then the Griff will do great.... it's the sort of thing that DEMANDS that if you want to drive it fast, you've got to be VERY good.
I've seen the car and have exchanged emails with the guy who owns it over the last few years. The last time I saw it it was in nice condition and is an unusual colour combination - but it works really well.
All Griffiths and Chimaeras are fairly crude. Some of what passes (or passed) for engineering at TVR was/is a joke. Having said that, a properly sorted Griffith has to be one of the best value performance cars out there. Of course, if you want to be subtle or anonymous then this is not the car for you as they attract Lambo levels of attention in NZ.
From what you've said about your uncle and the cars he is looking at or has owned, I wouldn't recommend he buy a TVR. Whilst it's not my cup of tea I hear the Boxster S is a good car and reasonable value for money.
I find it odd that some of you don't think it could be used as an everyday car. They are perfectly docile in traffic and whilst the non-pas steering can be heavy and the clutch a little heavy too, they still offer reasonable economy, comfortable accomodation and plenty of luggage space. They are also small and wieldy and don't tend to attract the sort of negative attention that a Porker would.
Oh and they SHOULD be used as often as possible, ideally on a daily basis. Problems only really arise when they are left in the garage week-in and week-out without being driven. That's not what they were designed for.
If you take the vehicle to the right people (i.e. Mike at Airport Service Garage) it can be serviced and maintained for no more than your average saloon.
All Griffiths and Chimaeras are fairly crude. Some of what passes (or passed) for engineering at TVR was/is a joke. Having said that, a properly sorted Griffith has to be one of the best value performance cars out there. Of course, if you want to be subtle or anonymous then this is not the car for you as they attract Lambo levels of attention in NZ.
From what you've said about your uncle and the cars he is looking at or has owned, I wouldn't recommend he buy a TVR. Whilst it's not my cup of tea I hear the Boxster S is a good car and reasonable value for money.
I find it odd that some of you don't think it could be used as an everyday car. They are perfectly docile in traffic and whilst the non-pas steering can be heavy and the clutch a little heavy too, they still offer reasonable economy, comfortable accomodation and plenty of luggage space. They are also small and wieldy and don't tend to attract the sort of negative attention that a Porker would.
Oh and they SHOULD be used as often as possible, ideally on a daily basis. Problems only really arise when they are left in the garage week-in and week-out without being driven. That's not what they were designed for.
If you take the vehicle to the right people (i.e. Mike at Airport Service Garage) it can be serviced and maintained for no more than your average saloon.
To clarify, he's looking for a weekend/special occasion car.
EDIT: Just saw Jamie's comment about luggage space. He was kinda disappointed in the Boxster given that it doesn't haul like the 320HP in his little roadster (even through a 5 speed) so I'm wondering if something more visceral would be good. Also got him considering Lotus's... there's a gorgeous yellow Esprit on Trademe at the moment as well.
>> Edited by htsd on Monday 6th June 10:28
EDIT: Just saw Jamie's comment about luggage space. He was kinda disappointed in the Boxster given that it doesn't haul like the 320HP in his little roadster (even through a 5 speed) so I'm wondering if something more visceral would be good. Also got him considering Lotus's... there's a gorgeous yellow Esprit on Trademe at the moment as well.
>> Edited by htsd on Monday 6th June 10:28
. . . was just about to climb out over the door htsd said:
To clarify, he's looking for a weekend/special occasion car.
EDIT: Just saw Jamie's comment about luggage space. He was kinda disappointed in the Boxster given that it doesn't haul like the 320HP in his little roadster (even through a 5 speed) so I'm wondering if something more visceral would be good. Also got him considering Lotus's... there's a gorgeous yellow Esprit on Trademe at the moment as well.
>> Edited by htsd on Monday 6th June 10:28
The Griff would be good for him... it's an "everyday useable" sort of car if not a "everyday convenient" sorta car.... think similar levels of practicality to an Elise (for different reasons).
That Esprit on Trademe could be quite the deal.... have a look at the Titanium Esprit V8 on Trademe too.... same guy that's selling that sold me my Elise and the Esprit looks in pretty good nick and it's a pretty awesome spec Esprit.... For me I'd probably have the Griff though, in this case as it'd probably be more useable than the Esprit, and I've already got my Elise for the track at the moment.... having said that the Esprit ranks higher on my "dream car" list than the Griff so who knows?
Good to be in your uncle's situation.. that's for damn sure!
You're well on your way George- not many recent grads would be rolling in an Elise!
And I can't seem to find that Titanium Esprit... its not the 1989 one is it? Probably a bit older than what my uncle is after. The Boxster S is now off the list due to the dealer offering him an abysmal trade-in. Unfortunately its not the sort of thing that really shifts in the private market either.
Thanks for everyone's advice, I've passed it on to him and hope to see him get something a little more exotic than is the norm!
And I can't seem to find that Titanium Esprit... its not the 1989 one is it? Probably a bit older than what my uncle is after. The Boxster S is now off the list due to the dealer offering him an abysmal trade-in. Unfortunately its not the sort of thing that really shifts in the private market either.
Thanks for everyone's advice, I've passed it on to him and hope to see him get something a little more exotic than is the norm!
Hehe don't worry... I consider myself VERY lucky to be an Elise owner.
As for the Esprit, it's not there any more so it's either been sold or it's been taken off the market for whatever reason (he was keen to hold onto it if there was no interest).
Could have picked it up for mid-seventies, it was a '98 (last gen-spec; post-97 revamp) with the latest recaro interior in Titanium and was BALLISTIC.... just gorgeous
Keep an eye out on trademe over the next few weeks just in case it's re-advertised
As for the Esprit, it's not there any more so it's either been sold or it's been taken off the market for whatever reason (he was keen to hold onto it if there was no interest).
Could have picked it up for mid-seventies, it was a '98 (last gen-spec; post-97 revamp) with the latest recaro interior in Titanium and was BALLISTIC.... just gorgeous
Keep an eye out on trademe over the next few weeks just in case it's re-advertised
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