Author
Discussion

MikeG

148 posts

291 months

Friday 2nd November 2001
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I have owned my current Griffith 500 for the last 4 years averaging 8k miles per year with no reliability problems. In fact I would go as far to say that the car has been excellent and exceeded all of my expectations.
It would be well worth you buying Steve Heath's book on the Griffith before buying to help in getting a good car. I would also recommend that you join the TVR Car Club and go along to the local meetings as many experienced owners would be happy to advise.
Servicing is every 6k miles and if you use a specialist instead of a main dealer this costs around £250 to £300 a time instead of the usual £500 to £600. Being based in Cambridge I am lucky that we have a very good specialist close by. Fuel consumption works out at around 18 to 20 mpg, although spirited driving can knock this back further. Other main cost items are the Bridgestone tyres (a must have) at around £150 a corner or a bit less; wear rate depends on your driving but some owners have reported 15k road miles out of the tyres.
A must have accessory is a battery trickle charger as there is a steady drain on the battery when the car is parked up and not used. A further cost (which may not apply to you) is in advanced driving lessons if you are not experienced in driving cars of this performance.
All in I believe that the Griffith provides the best performance/running cost ratio of any comparable sports car and still brings a great big smile to my face when I get behind the wheel.

Mike

Marshy

2,749 posts

291 months

Saturday 3rd November 2001
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You should get more than 20mpg on a long run. On commuting journeys to Cheltenham (from near Cambridge) I expect to get around 26mpg, which is nice.

bjwoods

5,017 posts

291 months

Saturday 3rd November 2001
quotequote all
There is a quite good article about buying used griffith's in this months EVO mag.

Enjoy, but it will probably cost you more to run than you plan for, if you are doing a lot of miles.

B

steelnads

171 posts

280 months

Sunday 4th November 2001
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Mike G
Please could you let me know who is the independant firm you use for servicing?

Thanks Steelnads

MikeG

148 posts

291 months

Sunday 4th November 2001
quotequote all
Hi Steelnads,

I use Offord. Only had one service at the main dealer and was not impressed, then went to Offord's Newmarket garage (Suffolk Motors) when Simon was based there but now moved to Offord as they deal with most TVRs. Despite either Offord Motors or Suffolk Motors charging a lot less the work done on my car has always been first rate.

Mike

steelnads

171 posts

280 months

Sunday 4th November 2001
quotequote all
Top banana!

thanks
steelnads