Your Thoughts Please
Discussion
I''m new to this forum and I was wondering if members would offer some info in response to a genuine question. Having not owned a powerful sportscar for a few years, I would be interested if anyone would offer their thoughts regarding the pros/cons of a Griff 500 compared to the breed of small, very light, two seaters. i.e Caterham, Westfield, Grinnall, Elise, Tiger etc. I am not asking to be converted, but I would be very interested in peoples experiences. From a teenager I have always wanted a Griffith. I think they look wonderful, and the sound... As you can see, I''m nearly there, but I have hesitated a little with the advent of a wide choice of the above, with even faster acceleration than the Griff as well as better MPG. I read, of these cars, that through twisty B roads there is nothing more agile, nimble, communicative andfun etc. Is this true? What are the differences? With what type of driving is the Griff king?Unfortunately, I have yet to drive any of the above, which will of course be the deciding factor, but when I do, it would be useful to bear in mind others advice. By the way, the car would not be used on the track. Thanks in advance, Chris. (Hope there are not too many questions).
Two different animals. A Seven-esque kit will outhandle just about anything on twisty roads. A Griff will destroy most things ('cept Cerbies & Tuscans) in a straight line. A kit car will leak more in the wet, sound & look less like the dog's nads, never carry more than minimal luggage, attract fewer comments from members of the opposite sex and be a royal pain in the arse (literally) on long journeys.
Drive 'em, then makes yer choice.
Paul's right, two different kettles of fish so to speak.
Power to weight ratio, or BHP per tonn, are the biggest players in my book. A Griff or any TVR always will have better acceleration than most same BHP powered cars due to being constructed of a space framed chassis and GRP body, and not forgetting plenty of umph under the bonnent, but it always comes down to basic physics, a Westfeild etc may have a smaller but more revvy engine (4 cylinders, less moving parts/less friction) but it has the same (or more looney than a TVR!!) power to weight ratio, but the whole package weighs simular to a tea cloth - hence it corners better.The smaller engine however is no match for mid to high range accelaration of the bigger engined TVR.
It's horses for courses, and different styles of driving etc. But take it from someone who currently has a 4 cylinder rev box, the noise can become tiresome on long journeys, where as a 8, or 6 cylinder (dont forget the TVR S series!) has a less stressed engine - so it's not "full on" revs to make the thing cover ground quickley.
These chaps are right. A westfield is by far the best thing for handling. However TVR's if deiven sensibly are no slug around bends. plus they are demon on straight line speeds. Insurance and running costs are greater, but it is definatley worth it, every penny. The other option is to get a Wesfield V8 but you would probably end up terrified to drive it. I thought of getting a westfield but like you, have wanted a griff for years, id go with your heart. Good luck and enjoy.
I wanted a Caterham for years, but the wife wasn't keen and she preferred the looks of a TVR. So that's what we got as there was no convincing her. I've only ever driven a Caterham on a track and the Griff on the road so never had a like for like comparison. As a driving experience I daresay the Seven would feel racier, not to mention the added pleasure to be had by your arse almost scraping the ground, the tiny steering wheel, etc. The Griff is different proposition altogether, snarlier, meaner, sexier. Plus it goes like stink and overtakes on a blast of pure sonic energy. I was behind a Caterham the other day, ok on an A road, nailed the Grifff without changing down and the poor Seven was practically evaporated by my twin afterburners (sorry, exhauts). Well done wifey!
To add my 2p worth. Remember a TVR is for everyday, not just for Christmas. A Griff/Chim as well as providing serious driving pleasure will act as a (almost) practical vehicle for many types of journey.
What this means is that you CAN use it more often. This means you WILL use it more often. This means MORE HOURS of driving happiness than you would get otherwise.
So at what type of driving is a TVR king? Driving driving! (Rather than sitting in the garage because its too cold/wet/far for the less practical toy).
Oh. And they go like stink too 
I've been lucky enough to have owned two Griff's; a 4.0 and my current 5.0. I also had the opportunity to drive an Elise 111s around Oulton Park last year with a promotion Lotus were running.
The Elise is very easy to get to grips with, and extremely handles well BUT, it doesn't have the 'white knuckle' factor of the Griff. In the Elise, you somehow feel you're not achieving as much, or not being challenged, and it has no answer to the brutally relentless grunt of the Griff'.
By the way, whichever you choose, I do think you should at least try a track day. The car will cope OK, and very few people ever come to grief on track days. I'd bet that once you've tried it, your thought will be finding out when the next track day is.
Happy motoring!
Marcus
& Ocean Haze Griff 500
CelticPrince(where are you from?)
The Griffith is much more comfy and despite its slightly inferior handling (to the elise), its sound, looks and outright power by far outweigh this.
The Elise was a seriously fun car to drive but getting in and out of it and also taking the roof off is such an arse that you end up not bothering. You also get lots more space in the griff, more toys and more luggage space.
Good luck, look at lots, oh and get some AA Cover. PS Just sold my Griffith through Adrian Blyth, can't recommend him enough.
There's only one answer - you need both!! A Griff for grinning long journeys, a Caterham for local screaming fun, alternated on track days. The driving experience is different, but fantastic, in both as described already.
(My household has a Caterham and a TVR, although the TVR is a Chim)
Seriously, you are probably going to get more use from the Griff, and a Seven with the "roof" on is seriously ear damamging on long journeys if the weather is bad. doesn't do much for your spelling either! If you want fast, the top end Caterhams will win, but for all round sportscar including looks and that sound, it has to be the Griff.
Chris,
I think to sum up what most of us have said here, is that as an allrounder (great looks/noise/performance/comfort/bit of a boot!) you'll find it hard to get that anywhere other than in a TVR for the same money.
Which is why I'm now looking for one! 
Edited by Dave_H on Saturday 14th July 07:18
Edited by Dave_H on Saturday 14th July 07:18 Westfield/Caterham vs TVR isn't an easy comparison. As most people have said they are for different uses. I have a Westie, and on the track I can pass most TVRs (Possibly Cerbies at a big track like Silverstone would be a bit of a problem) That feels great and makes me think I'm glad I didn't waste my money on a Tiv. However on long trips like the annual Le Mans pilgrimage, when I am in convoy with mates in TVRs, it's bloody exhausting and pretty much impossible to keep up, as they cruise at around 120mph across France, and at 120mph, my Westie is doing 6500rpm in 5th. At that rate it wouldn't last long. I think everyone should have a TVR and a "Caterfield"
Sparkey
I am maybe well qualified to answer this one (makes a change, you say.....). My little bruv has a Dax Rush (Westfield clone), with a fairly standard 200BHP Rover V8. It is as quick as my Griff 500, as the Dax weighs 690kg. It goes round corners like a kart, and is real "hat & goggles" motoring.
However, it is not a practical vehicle (engine-on-a-stick is closer), as it has a 7 gallon fuel-tank, no boot, and is ridiculously hot with the hood up (and looks like a pram when top up!).
It also took 3 years to build, and cost as much as a late 4.3 Griff/early Griff 500.
So, it is a "horses for courses" job, as others have said!
The Nut.
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