cant decide????
Discussion
Head scratching time,
I have had my 98 Griff 500 for nearly six months and it has provided me with bags of fun and (frights as well). The car has been faultless apart from a few minor probs (one was the alternator - replaced a few months ago).
I really enjoy the car but cant help feeling that there is something missing? The problem is that whilst I am out on the road with no other cars around the thing feels really, really quick. However when confronted with other cars the thing seems to lose a bit of the magic. I am not talking about supercars here, the other day I was driving the thing hard to see off a norml looking Honda Civiccy thing. Is it the car or am I expecting too much?
Does anyone else here sometimes feel their car should be doing more bearing in mind that it has a gas guzzling V8 up front??
I am now considering selling her and going for a Cerby or Tuscan - cant decide
Cheers
I have had my 98 Griff 500 for nearly six months and it has provided me with bags of fun and (frights as well). The car has been faultless apart from a few minor probs (one was the alternator - replaced a few months ago).
I really enjoy the car but cant help feeling that there is something missing? The problem is that whilst I am out on the road with no other cars around the thing feels really, really quick. However when confronted with other cars the thing seems to lose a bit of the magic. I am not talking about supercars here, the other day I was driving the thing hard to see off a norml looking Honda Civiccy thing. Is it the car or am I expecting too much?
Does anyone else here sometimes feel their car should be doing more bearing in mind that it has a gas guzzling V8 up front??
I am now considering selling her and going for a Cerby or Tuscan - cant decide
Cheers
hi andy,
i do understand what u mean. i once had trouble with an escort cosworth once, but it turned out to have over 350bhp, so once cars are moving at a steady pace the performance difference becomes tiny. i have had plenty of good meetings with 900cc sports bikes and not much in it, and b4 anyone says, the biker was getting sparks off his knee as we went around corners
if u are that worried maybe take it to be rolling roaded ans see if it is putting out a fair amount of real world bhp
jody
i do understand what u mean. i once had trouble with an escort cosworth once, but it turned out to have over 350bhp, so once cars are moving at a steady pace the performance difference becomes tiny. i have had plenty of good meetings with 900cc sports bikes and not much in it, and b4 anyone says, the biker was getting sparks off his knee as we went around corners
if u are that worried maybe take it to be rolling roaded ans see if it is putting out a fair amount of real world bhp
jody
As a long term TVR owner who upgraded to a Griff 6 months ago, I can't see your problem. If you're talking about other cars being able to keep pace with you round the twisty bits, you are expecting too much. Most cars these days have handling limits way beyond most of us "average" drivers, so it stands to reason that some "ordinary" cars may keep pace as the weak link in both vehicles is the driver, not the car. But when it comes to coming round that last 40mph bend onto a short straight, the ability of the Griffith to overtake the 6 cars in from and leave them as specs in your mirror is way beyond anything I have experienced.
If the Griff doesn't do it for you, I doubt if the Tuscan or Cerbera will do it either as they're only fractionally faster than the Griff, whereas your Griff is a quantum leap faster than the "ordinary" car behind you!
If the Griff doesn't do it for you, I doubt if the Tuscan or Cerbera will do it either as they're only fractionally faster than the Griff, whereas your Griff is a quantum leap faster than the "ordinary" car behind you!
From when I started seriously looking for my Griff, I only ever saw it as a step on the way to a Tuscan. I love the Griff, accept its faults and tantrums without question, and think it is an excellent introduction to the marque.
It is by far the quickest car I've ever driven, and I'm accutely aware of just how fast it can go. However, I'm also aware of just how tricky it can get when pushed, and I'm cautious never to overstep the mark where my abilities are concerned. It leaves regular cars for dead, particularly on the 'overtaking from 40mph on a country road' scenario. The corners are where I'm most cautious, especially if the road is damp/wet.
I intended to keep it for a year or two before upgrading, and this is still the case. I'm almost certainly going to get a T350 now though.
I only have other peoples' comments to go on, but aren't Tamoras/Tuscans meant to be far more stable/confident through corners than the Griffith?
>> Edited by julianhj on Thursday 26th December 15:06
It is by far the quickest car I've ever driven, and I'm accutely aware of just how fast it can go. However, I'm also aware of just how tricky it can get when pushed, and I'm cautious never to overstep the mark where my abilities are concerned. It leaves regular cars for dead, particularly on the 'overtaking from 40mph on a country road' scenario. The corners are where I'm most cautious, especially if the road is damp/wet.
I intended to keep it for a year or two before upgrading, and this is still the case. I'm almost certainly going to get a T350 now though.
I only have other peoples' comments to go on, but aren't Tamoras/Tuscans meant to be far more stable/confident through corners than the Griffith?
>> Edited by julianhj on Thursday 26th December 15:06
handling wise the Tam leaves the Griff for dead, I was in Flashers when he took on a jap sports bike on a twisty road and was gobsmacked, Flash'll be the first to admit he aint Tuff Noodle but he kept right on the tail of that bike as he tried to lose us (so much so that I thought he was going to become intimate with the scenery) For sheer tarmac ripping grunt tho the 500 has it, every time
I know Flasher doesn't hang around...
However, a Griff 500 is still pretty nippy by any standards!
If you ever get used to the peformance, take a passenger who has not had the "Griff experience"...they will quickly remind you to slow down between howls of joy and fright!
As for comparing with other cars...it is the Griff mid-range performance that is awesome! As for handling, slow in fast out 
However, a Griff 500 is still pretty nippy by any standards!
If you ever get used to the peformance, take a passenger who has not had the "Griff experience"...they will quickly remind you to slow down between howls of joy and fright!
As for comparing with other cars...it is the Griff mid-range performance that is awesome!
As for handling, slow in fast out
Toffer said: If you ever get used to the peformance, take a passenger who has not had the "Griff experience"...they will quickly remind you to slow down between howls of joy and fright!
Oh? I generally find that after the initial "wows" they go very quiet and then hold their breath for a bit.
andysgriff said.....the other day I was driving the thing hard to see off a norml looking Honda Civiccy thing. Is it the car or am I expecting too much?
All depends on the Civic, if it was a type R then they can certainly shift, albeit using all of the revs in all of the gears
. I recently had one up my chuff on the M3 that kept within 10 lenghts from 60 up to ***mph, I comfort myself on the fact that he had to use 8500rpm in 3rd 4th and most of 5th to hang on, me I just lugged it in 5th
. Don't forget that most of these are getting on for 10 year old designs (mine a little more
). Do not lose sight of the fact that in their day they could out perform, in gear, a Tessarosa(sp?) and the porker carrera 
. I think now days its more of the case that all other cars have cauught them up in many areas, (but not grunt department
), the case for getting one of the modern 'T' cars is getting stronger each day 
. Harry
I think of the Griff as two cars. One usually lives below 3-4000rpm and is quite capable of seeing off most opposition, as well as looking and sounding far nicer. For the braver driver (I'm talking ordinary roads here) you can then explore the bit above 4000rpm and that should see off the rest. However, damp roads, catseyes and bends - not to mention other road users - make this something to be attempted with great caution - I'm not Tuff Needle either!
Sounds as if you might benefit from some driving instruction...
robably the cheapest way of improving your car's performance.
I've been driving these cars for years and still get some instruction a couple of times a year to help.
Can take seconds off times because in my experience of track day assessments, most drivers don't know how to drive them because they don't realise the different techniques needed and the fact they have fallen into bad habits.
The best place to do this is on the track. Less to hit if it goes pear shaped!
robably the cheapest way of improving your car's performance.
I've been driving these cars for years and still get some instruction a couple of times a year to help.
Can take seconds off times because in my experience of track day assessments, most drivers don't know how to drive them because they don't realise the different techniques needed and the fact they have fallen into bad habits.
The best place to do this is on the track. Less to hit if it goes pear shaped!
'Sounds as if you might benefit from some driving instruction...'
Who me? No doubt - but all my driving is done on ordinary roads and I think you'd agree that's not the place to 'push the envelope', regardless of where instruction has repositioned it. If I want to try ten-tenths I do it in a kart - far cheaper, safer and it belongs to someone else!
Who me? No doubt - but all my driving is done on ordinary roads and I think you'd agree that's not the place to 'push the envelope', regardless of where instruction has repositioned it. If I want to try ten-tenths I do it in a kart - far cheaper, safer and it belongs to someone else!
Do you run the Griff as an only car, or do you have a 'normal' runaround as well?
If the former, you may just have become used to the performance. Trading up to the Tuscan or Cerb will be an expensive way to gain fractionaly more speed, & a few months down the line feel exactly the same.
I run a Seat leon cupra R as my everyday car. Not slow by any means (210bhp), but the griff makes it feel like a 1Litre micra in a straight line. Corners are a bit different as the seat (as with most modern 'performance' cars) will let you get away with stuff that would have you off the road backwards in the Griff - i.e. charging into an unknown bend too hard & having to back off. This gives the confidence to push the limits confident in the knowledge that no nasty surprises await. I think that on a circuit however the Griff would leave it for dust thru the bends, never mind the straights
If the former, you may just have become used to the performance. Trading up to the Tuscan or Cerb will be an expensive way to gain fractionaly more speed, & a few months down the line feel exactly the same.
I run a Seat leon cupra R as my everyday car. Not slow by any means (210bhp), but the griff makes it feel like a 1Litre micra in a straight line. Corners are a bit different as the seat (as with most modern 'performance' cars) will let you get away with stuff that would have you off the road backwards in the Griff - i.e. charging into an unknown bend too hard & having to back off. This gives the confidence to push the limits confident in the knowledge that no nasty surprises await. I think that on a circuit however the Griff would leave it for dust thru the bends, never mind the straights
Before i brought mine Doug at David Geralds took me for a spin first.
It was wet and we went round some twistys in the countryside and it scared the living daylights out off me
But did make realise how much grip this have if you know how to use it.But the only way to find its limits are to go off the road so i reckon a bit of Advanced driving Lessons or some track days would be good.
I had an S3 before my Griffith and can still remember how much quicker the Griffth felt the day i changed over.
So although there are diffences trading to the Cebera/Tamora they might not be as huge as you might think.IMO
BB
It was wet and we went round some twistys in the countryside and it scared the living daylights out off me
But did make realise how much grip this have if you know how to use it.But the only way to find its limits are to go off the road so i reckon a bit of Advanced driving Lessons or some track days would be good. I had an S3 before my Griffith and can still remember how much quicker the Griffth felt the day i changed over.
So although there are diffences trading to the Cebera/Tamora they might not be as huge as you might think.IMO
BB
just a couple of thoughts...
your griff (if standard) aint that devastating compared to other pokey machinery! the power is "ONLY" in the 200bhp range low down, you have to get it to 3.5k to get your 300 horses! most people are quite happy with that as generally the massive torque will give you a nice progressive push thru the mph. you do need to "work" the engine to get the performance!
also, you have to "know" the car well to get the most out of it. as stated by other owners earlier, some lessons on the track will pay dividends...i go once a month or so, and have a lesson every 3-4. still plenty to learn. the art of toe heeling,power sliding and steering via the trottle have taken a long time to appear and if i'm honest, i'm STILL getting used to em!
if you take a griff 500 out on the track with other road cars, you will see its still no slouch. in standard form it can stay with cars costing MUCH more and they don't look or sound anywhere near as good IMHO
one final point, from the sound of your tussle with the civic (a quik car!) he was following you. this is easy! he will have been revving the nuts off it (company car?)and following your braking points allowing him to catch up the advantage you had with power (if you were using the revs) AND his brakes are better than yours!
so dont worry... yours is a classic that people dream of owning, and his is...a civic! NUF SED
your griff (if standard) aint that devastating compared to other pokey machinery! the power is "ONLY" in the 200bhp range low down, you have to get it to 3.5k to get your 300 horses! most people are quite happy with that as generally the massive torque will give you a nice progressive push thru the mph. you do need to "work" the engine to get the performance!
also, you have to "know" the car well to get the most out of it. as stated by other owners earlier, some lessons on the track will pay dividends...i go once a month or so, and have a lesson every 3-4. still plenty to learn. the art of toe heeling,power sliding and steering via the trottle have taken a long time to appear and if i'm honest, i'm STILL getting used to em!
if you take a griff 500 out on the track with other road cars, you will see its still no slouch. in standard form it can stay with cars costing MUCH more and they don't look or sound anywhere near as good
IMHO one final point, from the sound of your tussle with the civic (a quik car!) he was following you. this is easy! he will have been revving the nuts off it (company car?)and following your braking points allowing him to catch up the advantage you had with power (if you were using the revs) AND his brakes are better than yours!
so dont worry... yours is a classic that people dream of owning, and his is...a civic! NUF SED
I've decided!!
After just having got out of my other car (VOLVO 850 T5) the Griff is the king once again!!!!! I have been trying to sell the Volvo for sometime and I have not used it for some time as the Griff is much more fun and I have another Volvo estate for work. The Volvo felt incredibly slow by comparison and even if it is easier to drive fast (motorway and other straight lines) the sheer grunt and flexibility (in any gear)of the Griff is an order of magnitude higher than the Volvo which is supposed to be a quick car.
I suppose it is all about becoming desensitized to the Griff after so long in it. A quick reality check was all that was required!!
Cheers
Andy
After just having got out of my other car (VOLVO 850 T5) the Griff is the king once again!!!!! I have been trying to sell the Volvo for sometime and I have not used it for some time as the Griff is much more fun and I have another Volvo estate for work. The Volvo felt incredibly slow by comparison and even if it is easier to drive fast (motorway and other straight lines) the sheer grunt and flexibility (in any gear)of the Griff is an order of magnitude higher than the Volvo which is supposed to be a quick car.
I suppose it is all about becoming desensitized to the Griff after so long in it. A quick reality check was all that was required
!! Cheers
Andy
andysgriff said: The Volvo felt incredibly slow by comparison and even if it is easier to drive fast (motorway and other straight lines) the sheer grunt and flexibility (in any gear)of the Griff is an order of magnitude higher than the Volvo which is supposed to be a quick car.
Back from the brink! Congrats Andy!
But in the great scheme of things, the T5 is still a quick car....
Have to say I sort of agree with you Andy. After my 200sx I expected the Griff to feel mind-numbingly fast, but it doesn't particularly if I'm honest. I think with a turbo car, the kick you get in the back makes it feel ike you've got more thrust, even though you're probably not travelling as fast. However, the looks and sound and "feel" of the Griff make it absolutely outstanding - I am thrilled to own one, and all my friends seem to love it as well. A definite classic in my opinion!!
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