Living with an early Griffith
Discussion
It is always sad to read of others bad experiences with a Tiv and the poor impression it can give to aspiring new owners to take the plunge and buy one, I have had my car for exactly 2 years now and this is how I have got on with my car. I set out to find a pre-cat with full hide and Wilton with reasonable miles and found the ideal car for me at Portfield, 92 4 litre with the ported heads option in Moonraker black,with 42K on the clock, top money at the time but with a years warranty and full service record. This was a daily driver for the previous owner and had all the usual bits replaced, full exhaust and manifolds, radiator, SO2''s etc.
The day I collected it I did a 500 mile round trip to Devon and back in a day to get the feel of it.I really did not want to go home again, surely that''s what it''s all about!
The only problems in the first year were a failed micro switch on the heater flap motor and a broken courtesy switch that prevented me from locking the doors,both done under warranty. After 5K miles a fuel pump relay failed, fixed that myself.Since then the only neccesary expense has been on routine servicing and I did replace the seat belts, water had travelled along the lower reel mounting bolt from the wheel arch on the passenger side and started to corrode the reel bracket,I have sealed the reinforcing plate in the arch with silicone now.
The car was regularly sprayed with waxoyl and the front wishbones are the originals and are as good as new, the front crossmember has some light rusting now but this will be dealt with over the winter, I use black underbody waxoyl on the outriggers and wheel arch struts and clear on the visible areas.The car still wears the original Koni shocks with red stripe front and yellow stripe rear springs as it left the factory and am perfectly happy with it. A few people have been of the opinion that the earlier cars were better built, there may be some truth in that but can''t really comment,some trim on later cars I have looked at certainly looked a bit rough.
I am also completely satisfied with the performance from the 4 litre, yes the 500 is quicker but this does me! I have managed to frighten myself a couple of times but was completely my fault and treat with utmost respect in the wet etc. which is just common sense really.
A couple of products I can recomend are Renovo roof sealer and hood reviver, these maintain the roof looking as new and I have no leaks, also have used some leather care products with great success from Gliptone, they do a colour wash kit, cleaner and hide food , my drivers seat was creasing and losing some colour in the cracks, being magnolia it realy showed but now looks great with just a nice slightly used look. Non essential expense has been limited to Leven alloy bits and some 500 rims as the OZ split rims are a pain to clean, oh yes I did fit a set of Magnecor leads and new plug shrouds,highly recomended,great quality and feels smoother at low RPM.
Nothing has broken or fallen off.
All in all a happy bunny, take your time when looking, find a good independent specialist for service and enjoy!
I've just sold my 4 litre Griff. I had it for just over a year and had hardly any problems with it. Changed the cooling fan for a better one..and that was about it.. started first time every time.. I used the Renovo roof care stuff.. very good... car never leaked when I had it...
Miss it already.. so I'm now TVR less... not for long though... Think I might need a Cerbie...
Miss it already.. so I'm now TVR less... not for long though... Think I might need a Cerbie...
I think with TVRs it's a bit of a gamble as to what you get. I'm really pleased that Griffer has had such a positive experience with your Griff.
I bought a 98 Griff 500 with full dealer history etc etc and had a complete nightmare with it, (won't detail all the problems here) and sold it after 9 months.
I think it's luck of the draw, so good luck to all TVR buyers!
I bought a 98 Griff 500 with full dealer history etc etc and had a complete nightmare with it, (won't detail all the problems here) and sold it after 9 months.
I think it's luck of the draw, so good luck to all TVR buyers!
I'm glad you sold it Tom, I came to see yours with my dad and we both loved the way it looked - the one he bought was the same colour but had cream leather which pipped it for him - good luck with finding a nice Cerbie. Lets hope my dad has a trouble free ownership unlike some people in these forums!
Same here Griffer, mine has been absolutely fantastic and has only ever let me down once in four years (ignition amplifier), how many ten year old specialist cars can boast that. I am led to believe that the earlier, less powerful Griffs are known to be more reliable, everything is under less stress, not as complicated (engine wise) less to go wrong etc etc.
Only things I've ever had to replace (other than normal service items) are tyres and guage senders, otter switches etc.
Love the cars looks, sound, flames from the exhaust, the feel of it, the social life that goes with having one, should you want to take it up.
I am very proud to own it, also very privalaged.
A true modern classic.
Only things I've ever had to replace (other than normal service items) are tyres and guage senders, otter switches etc.
Love the cars looks, sound, flames from the exhaust, the feel of it, the social life that goes with having one, should you want to take it up.
I am very proud to own it, also very privalaged.
A true modern classic.
)? I have it on video somewhere, was also told by several other Tivvers that it was regularly breathing fire on the way down to Le Mans. Can see it light up the road (down a dark lane) on overrun in the mirrors sometimes and have mastered the art of flaming at will by running a small amount of fuel through on a trailing throttle by just touching the pedal.
Have also followed a few other Pre Cats and they all seem to do it every now and then, normally between change-ups while accelerating hard, would imagine the V8S' do it too.
It makes a popping sound too, so that's how ya know. Can sometimes sound like a shot-gun going off.
>> Edited by dougal on Friday 19th April 16:54
Have also followed a few other Pre Cats and they all seem to do it every now and then, normally between change-ups while accelerating hard, would imagine the V8S' do it too.
It makes a popping sound too, so that's how ya know. Can sometimes sound like a shot-gun going off.
>> Edited by dougal on Friday 19th April 16:54
quote:
I am led to believe that the earlier, less powerful Griffs are known to be more reliable, everything is under less stress, not as complicated (engine wise) less to go wrong etc etc.
Usually the reason that they are more reliable is that their owners have had longer to sort them out
There is just as much to go wrong and the later cars have far better brakes, suspension and so on and the benefit of a lot more experience in building them which means that many of the problems that the early cars had have gone.
Steve
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