Any one upgraded from a Griff
Discussion
I went from a 99 Griffith to a new Tuscan Red Rose in 2000. The Tuscan is faster; better handling; easier to drive; mine had aircon which was really good; better mpg (although that doesn't really bother me); and more "presence" down the high street. The roof and nowadays the running costs, are better on the Griffith. And as a trader I've had more Griffiths and Tuscans since then.
You are in a fortunate position being able to have either car. They are both brilliant (and they both frustrate you too).
You are in a fortunate position being able to have either car. They are both brilliant (and they both frustrate you too).
tvrinbfg said:
I went from a 99 Griffith to a new Tuscan Red Rose in 2000. The Tuscan is faster; better handling; easier to drive; mine had aircon which was really good; better mpg (although that doesn't really bother me); and more "presence" down the high street. The roof and nowadays the running costs, are better on the Griffith. And as a trader I've had more Griffiths and Tuscans since then.
You are in a fortunate position being able to have either car. They are both brilliant (and they both frustrate you too).
Is the roof worse on the Tuscan? mine leaks like a sive and has fade badly in just a few months, I was hopeing the tuscan would be better suited to west wales weather.
You might find that a spot of Renovo and a few coats of Thompsons will sort that for about £25 - a bit less than a Tuscan! 
A half cover is only about £150 IIRC.
Actually, thinking about it, do I infer from this that you keep the car outside? If so, you might find the insurance a bit on the
side for a Tuscan. In fact, I'd ring around the insurers to see what the difference would be anyway. Been a lot of single-vehicle Tuscan accidents in the last couple of years; they're not now considered a very good risk. The difference you'd be paying might well turn out to be enough to sort the snagging on your Griff.
A half cover is only about £150 IIRC.
Actually, thinking about it, do I infer from this that you keep the car outside? If so, you might find the insurance a bit on the
side for a Tuscan. In fact, I'd ring around the insurers to see what the difference would be anyway. Been a lot of single-vehicle Tuscan accidents in the last couple of years; they're not now considered a very good risk. The difference you'd be paying might well turn out to be enough to sort the snagging on your Griff.My 2000 RR roof is water tight, I haven't had any leaks/drips since purchase and have driven quite a few miles in pretty rubbish weather. Even left it out all day in the rain two weekends ago and no signs of ingress.
The usual rules apply, drive loads, look in the door pockets and feel/lift the carpet. It should give you an idea on how well the roof fits and whether any ingress has occured. The Tuscan hard top certainly is a step forward from the rag top S's and Griffs.
IMHU I think a well looked after/sorted Tuscan will put a smile on your face if treated with mechanical sympathy for years to come, just as long as you approach it with your eyes wide open.
Trawl the threads and ignore most of what Jigs says.
>> Edited by jurdy on Sunday 2nd May 19:01
The usual rules apply, drive loads, look in the door pockets and feel/lift the carpet. It should give you an idea on how well the roof fits and whether any ingress has occured. The Tuscan hard top certainly is a step forward from the rag top S's and Griffs.
IMHU I think a well looked after/sorted Tuscan will put a smile on your face if treated with mechanical sympathy for years to come, just as long as you approach it with your eyes wide open.
Trawl the threads and ignore most of what Jigs says.
>> Edited by jurdy on Sunday 2nd May 19:01
same old same old, have you thought about maybe going back to the Cerbie forum and writing the same old same old on there again Jigs. 
I changed from a Griff 500 to a Tuscan. I had two Tuscans, they were faster and handled better but the first one spent four of its six months in my hands back at either the dealer or the factory and the second one threw a piston through the block when touring Italy after I had owned it for two months.
I always treat my cars with the utmost mechanical sympathy but whereas this really paid off with the Griffs, the Tuscans didn't seem to be so charitable!
I now have a 4.5 Cerbera.
Having said that I understand that since around 2002/2003 they have become a lot more reliable so I guess it depends on the age of car you're looking at.
Despite my experience I will be back in a Tuscan as soon as 2004 Tuscan S's drop into my price range.
Cheers
DC
I always treat my cars with the utmost mechanical sympathy but whereas this really paid off with the Griffs, the Tuscans didn't seem to be so charitable!
I now have a 4.5 Cerbera.
Having said that I understand that since around 2002/2003 they have become a lot more reliable so I guess it depends on the age of car you're looking at.
Despite my experience I will be back in a Tuscan as soon as 2004 Tuscan S's drop into my price range.
Cheers
DC
im just in the middle of upgrading from a griff to a tuscan 's'.ive no qualms about doing this.the tuscan,'s' or not is streets ahead in terms of handling and performance.reliability really isnt an issue to me,as i had a nightmare with a chim 5.0 v8 before my griff.the chim ate mains,big ends,cam and followers etc.its all down to how theyve been looked after nowadays,especially now all old reliability issues are long gone,and little to do with the type of engine/car etc.if you want a tuscan then go for it,and dont let sad scaremongers put you off,itll be the green eyed monster usually!
Mongoose --- or maybe just good common sense expressed in an opinion that differs from yours.
Nsparey - hey you don't have to take my advice but you did ask - I just think that from your postings you're maybe not the type of person who needs the upgraded potential problems of a Speed Six engined TVR - channel your annoyance at the dealer - good luck.
>> Edited by jigs on Sunday 2nd May 23:18
Nsparey - hey you don't have to take my advice but you did ask - I just think that from your postings you're maybe not the type of person who needs the upgraded potential problems of a Speed Six engined TVR - channel your annoyance at the dealer - good luck.
>> Edited by jigs on Sunday 2nd May 23:18
My comment re the roof is to do with the design. The Tuscan is pretty water tight (for a TVR). The Tuscan roof and rear window are fiddly in comparison and when in place, creak (which is really annoying), unless regularly lubricated.
The Griffith roof fabric might get the odd scuff as it goes in and out of the boot, but after time, the Tuscan roof paint chips. The Tuscan's fibreglass around the roll-over hoop also gets chipped too.
A Tuscan with a Griffith/Chimaera/Tamora type roof (full convertible) would be cool (see other threads going around).
The Griffith roof fabric might get the odd scuff as it goes in and out of the boot, but after time, the Tuscan roof paint chips. The Tuscan's fibreglass around the roll-over hoop also gets chipped too.
A Tuscan with a Griffith/Chimaera/Tamora type roof (full convertible) would be cool (see other threads going around).
rude girl said:
You might find that a spot of Renovo and a few coats of Thompsons will sort that for about £25 - a bit less than a Tuscan!
A half cover is only about £150 IIRC.
Actually, thinking about it, do I infer from this that you keep the car outside? If so, you might find the insurance a bit on the
Its kept in a double, carpeted, heated garage, all to its self. It rains rather alot here so gets a soaking. Im lucky enough to live in one of the lowest risk areas in the UK so insurance is really an issue for me.
>> Edited by nsparey on Monday 3rd May 09:33
I went from a griff 500 to a tuscan and they are like chalk and cheese. Tuscan does not leak, the head lights work, the alarm works properly, the hood stows better you can still use the boot,it uses less oil, is more economical,faster,easier to drive around town and has A/C.
So far the tuscan has been cheaper to run.
Most griff's are getting on a bit now and are starting to wear out. I spent more on the griff in one year than i have on the tuscan probably because the griff had done 40K and the tuscan has only done 10K.
Buy a later car they are a lot better I test drove 4 cars of all ages before i found mine.
If you cannot afford a 2002 car wait for the prices to drop untill you can.
Well that's my opinion anyway
good luck Lee
So far the tuscan has been cheaper to run.
Most griff's are getting on a bit now and are starting to wear out. I spent more on the griff in one year than i have on the tuscan probably because the griff had done 40K and the tuscan has only done 10K.
Buy a later car they are a lot better I test drove 4 cars of all ages before i found mine.
If you cannot afford a 2002 car wait for the prices to drop untill you can.
Well that's my opinion anyway
good luck Lee
I have to agree with Lee, I have changed from a Chim 450 for an 02 Tamora, and I can echo what Lee said about more economical, faster, more modern,, but,, I cannot get the damn roof in the boot!!
It is nice, however, not having to fill the tank up every 4 days when used to take me to work, like the Chim did, and the Tam runs fine on ordinary unleaded, and is still a lot quicker and more responsive, I am assuming the Tuscan isn't that much different.
Chris
It is nice, however, not having to fill the tank up every 4 days when used to take me to work, like the Chim did, and the Tam runs fine on ordinary unleaded, and is still a lot quicker and more responsive, I am assuming the Tuscan isn't that much different.
Chris
I went from a 95 Griffith 500 to a sorted Tuscan 2000. The Tuscan is faster, handles better, more stable at high speed and better mpg. And has "presence" like no other. But there is a huge downside... everytime something goes wrong (even minor stuff) you are at the mercy of TVR and the dealers. with a Griffith, the 5litre is a tried and tested bit of kit and if you run into problems most competant mechanics or indies can have a look at it and sort it. with the SP6 it has to be shipped back to the dealer for attention. This can be a huge problem especially in my case when I take the car aboard (often) ..I had several problems with my Griffith whilst aboard and always managed to get it sorted because parts & know how was always available. I guess you pays your money you takes your chance!
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