Please help me make up my mind, criteria inside...........
Discussion
Hi
I currently own an Integra R, and in looking to change, have identified the TVR Griffith 4.3 as an ideal choice.
Problem is, my money can only stretch to a '92 (Pre Cat) model, as I have around 14k to spend.
It will be my only car, and as such, reliability becomes a big concern.
I work as a Systems Administrator, and we work to very tight SLA's, and do 24/7 support on a call basis.
What this means, is that if I get a call at 3AM on Sunday morning, I need to be there ASAP, and no "I had car problems" excuse would do, I would simply lose my job.
I travel approximately 40-50 miles a day, excluding calls (standard 8-5 day), so I would need the car to be capable of getting me there and back, reliably, on a daily basis, and also providing reliable transport for when things go pop out of hours.
Now, Ive done some research, and have heard that the Rover 4.3 V8 in the Griff is a reliable unit, and that the build quality issues were largely sorted out for the Griff, so this gives me some hope, but, I also cant risk everything without being sure Im making a sensible move.
As owners and enthusiasts, would you say the cars are solid? and ten years on, are they still a good buy?
If not, I will stop with the Teg, and save a little more towards a younger and more reliable model, so would appreciate recommendations if you feel thats a better idea.
I can accept that you'll be slightly biased towards them, and rightly so, they are lovely!! but I really need some advice pertaining to my situation, so any ideas would be appreciated.
Thanks
Graham
I currently own an Integra R, and in looking to change, have identified the TVR Griffith 4.3 as an ideal choice.
Problem is, my money can only stretch to a '92 (Pre Cat) model, as I have around 14k to spend.
It will be my only car, and as such, reliability becomes a big concern.
I work as a Systems Administrator, and we work to very tight SLA's, and do 24/7 support on a call basis.
What this means, is that if I get a call at 3AM on Sunday morning, I need to be there ASAP, and no "I had car problems" excuse would do, I would simply lose my job.
I travel approximately 40-50 miles a day, excluding calls (standard 8-5 day), so I would need the car to be capable of getting me there and back, reliably, on a daily basis, and also providing reliable transport for when things go pop out of hours.
Now, Ive done some research, and have heard that the Rover 4.3 V8 in the Griff is a reliable unit, and that the build quality issues were largely sorted out for the Griff, so this gives me some hope, but, I also cant risk everything without being sure Im making a sensible move.
As owners and enthusiasts, would you say the cars are solid? and ten years on, are they still a good buy?
If not, I will stop with the Teg, and save a little more towards a younger and more reliable model, so would appreciate recommendations if you feel thats a better idea.
I can accept that you'll be slightly biased towards them, and rightly so, they are lovely!! but I really need some advice pertaining to my situation, so any ideas would be appreciated.
Thanks
Graham
Depends on wether you're stretching yourself to £14K - don't forget that insurance will be around the £1K depending on age, location, etc. Servicing would be best taken care of by a specialist rather than main dealer at this age but will require a minor service every 6000 miles and a major every 12000 miles. Don't forget that tyres are consumable items and you will probably go through at least one set per year if this is your only transport. You will also need to keep it topped up with Mobile1 = 1ltr for every 500-1000 miles driven.
The 4.3 Griff is a rare beast - if you do mainly town driving then consider a 4.0 as the engines are smoother when in traffic. Don't pay over the odds for a 4.3 or a BV. If you want the power go straight for the 500.
Make sure that it has been correctly serviced either at a reputable main dealer or specialist. Try LOTS and LOTS before buying. If you can't find a Griff in your price range you could try a Chimaera as they are more realistically priced when compared to Griffs of the same age/engine size and there is more choice available.
It's worth making sure that the car you're interested in has just had a major service and a new set of tyres as these are the most expensive part of owning a Griff.
Don't be afraid of cars with high mileages as any faults will have been sorted out. If an old car has done less than 10,000 miles and has had lots of owners I'd be suspicious.
Happy hunting....
The 4.3 Griff is a rare beast - if you do mainly town driving then consider a 4.0 as the engines are smoother when in traffic. Don't pay over the odds for a 4.3 or a BV. If you want the power go straight for the 500.
Make sure that it has been correctly serviced either at a reputable main dealer or specialist. Try LOTS and LOTS before buying. If you can't find a Griff in your price range you could try a Chimaera as they are more realistically priced when compared to Griffs of the same age/engine size and there is more choice available.
It's worth making sure that the car you're interested in has just had a major service and a new set of tyres as these are the most expensive part of owning a Griff.
Don't be afraid of cars with high mileages as any faults will have been sorted out. If an old car has done less than 10,000 miles and has had lots of owners I'd be suspicious.
Happy hunting....
I agree with Trefor. I bought a Chimaera around a year ago and have used it as my every day cars since. Although on the whole it has been reliable during this time, there have been a couple of days on the back of an RAC van.
A SAAB 9000 Turbo from auction is now my winter car- it leaves time to get the Tiv prepared for next year also if there are any bad days at least you are not stranded!
Also agree with the other comments, don't stretch yourself with £14k, these cars are relatively expensive to insure, run and service.
A SAAB 9000 Turbo from auction is now my winter car- it leaves time to get the Tiv prepared for next year also if there are any bad days at least you are not stranded!
Also agree with the other comments, don't stretch yourself with £14k, these cars are relatively expensive to insure, run and service.
Thanks all.
The insurance I have found is via Tesco's, and is almost in line with the Tegs.
Petrol I imagine will be a lot, and I havent been able to get any idea of servicing costs, but Im guessing from what you've mentioned they're a lot.
May have to wait, but Station Hill have a lovely Azure Blue 4.3 for sale (£14950), and I am unbelievably drawn to it!!
I suppose expecting such a machine to be a daily driver is asking a lot of it. The 2nd car idea is a good one, an old Ford Escort or something, which would make me appreciate the drives in the TVR all the more.
Im terrible when Ive seen a car I really like, will do anything to get it, but Ive decided to try and make a sensible move this time, a first for me
The insurance I have found is via Tesco's, and is almost in line with the Tegs.
Petrol I imagine will be a lot, and I havent been able to get any idea of servicing costs, but Im guessing from what you've mentioned they're a lot.
May have to wait, but Station Hill have a lovely Azure Blue 4.3 for sale (£14950), and I am unbelievably drawn to it!!
I suppose expecting such a machine to be a daily driver is asking a lot of it. The 2nd car idea is a good one, an old Ford Escort or something, which would make me appreciate the drives in the TVR all the more.
Im terrible when Ive seen a car I really like, will do anything to get it, but Ive decided to try and make a sensible move this time, a first for me
There'll be a few "I drive mine everyday comments" and I dare say alot of people do but my vote would be hang on for a bit and save another couple of grand do your £14K on a good 4.3, another grand on a "disposable car", and a grand on "stand by !!!!" incase it all goes tits up....The disposable car is always great I use mine if there's anywhere I don't want to leave the Griff, service time, or when you have those Little projects to do that tempt all TVR owners.
I can recommend my rule of buying 2 cars, the faster one being EXACTLY 100 times the price of the slower one - ie my mk1 golf 1.4 @ £225 & my Griff 500.
It really is worth having a fallback vehicle - my Griffith is 99.9999% reliable (or 100% for the last 18 months) but in awful weather - and there's plenty of that recently - I just DONT WANT to take it out!
It really is worth having a fallback vehicle - my Griffith is 99.9999% reliable (or 100% for the last 18 months) but in awful weather - and there's plenty of that recently - I just DONT WANT to take it out!
I've had two Griff's a new 500 & an older (92) 4.0. I'd take the latter one any day, sweeter to drive & more reliable (it only broke down on days with a 'Y' in them!). My local TVR garage hates 4.3's as they say they are unreliable... against other TVR's that must be some unreliability level.
If I was you I would do what everybody here seems to be saying by a pile of reliable crap & push the boat out on a totally unreliable, but wonderful Griff.
Richard
If I was you I would do what everybody here seems to be saying by a pile of reliable crap & push the boat out on a totally unreliable, but wonderful Griff.
Richard
After owning a Griff 4.0 for the past year I think I could say that they keep on running (unless you spin it off at the 'Ring') but niggly bits will keep going wrong. You would either have to ignore these or find alternative transport while the garage sorts it out. Anyone who thinks it is going to be reliable like a Honda is in for a bit of a shock. You only have to read this board to realise the electrics are a bit shoddy (the weakest link). But I love mine and would put up with it as my only car.
quote:
After owning a Griff 4.0 for the past year I think I could say that they keep on running (unless you spin it off at the 'Ring') but niggly bits will keep going wrong. You would either have to ignore these or find alternative transport while the garage sorts it out. Anyone who thinks it is going to be reliable like a Honda is in for a bit of a shock. You only have to read this board to realise the electrics are a bit shoddy (the weakest link). But I love mine and would put up with it as my only car.
This is generally the case - when using my old Wedge as daily transport (109,000 miles though, so what can one expect!) it was "little things" that went wrong. However, even little things can sideline a car. Another disadvantage is that if you need the car daily, it means paying money for repairs - if you have an alternative the repair can be DIY at the weekend, which is much more satisfying (or am I just mean, or wierd....).
Also, powerful RWD cars are not ideal on icy nights, and you cannot laugh about it when you bash the TVR unlike a £300 Fiesta!
Edited by TVR_nut on Sunday 4th November 19:07
I have just bought a griff 500.
I traded my company car in and took a new van instead which ment i am not giving away more in tax.
I got my insurance through sunninghill, I am paying £550 per year full comp. full RAC breakdown thrown in for free and they will insure me on an organised track day(that one was hard to belive).
I found my car on the net and looked at topmarques.co.uk, Autotrader.co.uk and exchangeandmart.co.uk, the latter being the one that i eventually found my car on.
I must admit though I do only use it at weekends, I would also like to point out that these types of cars attract attention which takes a lot of getting use to.
Hope you find the car of your dreams
I traded my company car in and took a new van instead which ment i am not giving away more in tax.
I got my insurance through sunninghill, I am paying £550 per year full comp. full RAC breakdown thrown in for free and they will insure me on an organised track day(that one was hard to belive).
I found my car on the net and looked at topmarques.co.uk, Autotrader.co.uk and exchangeandmart.co.uk, the latter being the one that i eventually found my car on.
I must admit though I do only use it at weekends, I would also like to point out that these types of cars attract attention which takes a lot of getting use to.
Hope you find the car of your dreams
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