1998 TVR Griffith 500 5.0 V8

Summary:

Still can't wipe the grin off my face

Faults:

Alarm sounding, bad siren fixed no problem.

General Comments:

Kicks the ass of any Cosworth. Fast furious fun, just watch their faces.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 21st April, 2001

1996 TVR Griffith 500 5.0 HC

Summary:

AJP stands for All Junk Parts

Faults:

Paint runs.

Water leaks everywhere.

Electrical failure (ECU).

Fading roof.

Wheel bearing.

General Comments:

The attitude of TVR once I had bought the car was "they did not want to know".

Dealer service was non-existent.

I would not recommend a TVR to anyone.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 17th March, 2000

7th Dec 2000, 10:42

Which dealer did you go to?

Some are better than others, and it is worth shopping around rather than going for your nearest.

21st Apr 2001, 06:37

I have owned a Griffith 500 from new. The car is designed for enthusiasts who have an empathy with motor cars. My car has been superb and my dealer, The TVR Centre excellent, I just wish they had a branch nearer to my home! I would never recommend a TVR to a former BMW or Porche owner, the ownership experience is neither better or worse.. just different.

8th May 2001, 12:17

The Griffith doesn't use the AJP...

8th Feb 2002, 04:53

You have to understand that when you are buying a used TVR, you are buying a machine that was made with performance in mind and sheer thrills. You are also buying a car that will embarrase the likes of Porsche and Ferrari when it comes to performance, at half the price.

Bearing that in mind, the car will demand some level of pampering and patience, sometimes.

If you want reliability buy a VW Golf.

If you want rock solid build quality buy a Mercedes, BMW or Volvo.

If you want a convertible that may never leak but a Mercedes, etc convertible.

But, if you want a car that has all the above AND the performance of a TVR, win the lottery first.

I am sorry to hear you have had bad dealings with the dealer you bought the car from. It is a real shame, and it should not be a reflection of TVR.

2nd Mar 2002, 12:56

I own a Mitsubishi EVO 5 Lancer and a TVR Griffith, both different beasts, both stunning car's. If you find owning a TVR problematic, buy a Rover!!!...

1995 TVR Griffith 500 5.0 V8 petrol

Summary:

When it's good, it's very, very good but when it's bad, it's horrid

Faults:

Total electrical failure after owning 3 weeks. Horn fuse blew - also feeds ECU. Cause never found; problem has never recurred.

Goes off tune very quickly.

Alarm runs battery flat in about two weeks (easily fixed by regular charging).

General Comments:

Much better on petrol than you would ever think (23mpg ave, 27mpg on a run).

Gearbox stiff but sure.

Handling good if twitchy.

Wonderful V8 noise, sadly sanitised by those who think they know best.

Poor low speed running round town with lots of driveline shunt, which make the diff and driveshafts clank and knock.

Completely evil in the wet - hates standing water.

Incites total envy from large proportion of other road users, a sad number of whom want to try and prove something. Normally in a 30 mph limit.

Never, ever leave it unattended anywhere (see envy above).

Probably the most beautiful car in the world.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 14th March, 2000

21st Apr 2001, 06:39

Totally agree.

1998 TVR Griffith 500 5.0 petrol

Faults:

Only very minor bedding in problems from new, easily dealt with by the dealer.

General Comments:

This car is all I wanted it to be and more. It's very fast, reliable, comfortable, and eye catching.

Keep your Italian stallions!

"Buy British Beef Instead"

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 1st June, 1999

1995 TVR Griffith 500 5.0 V8 petrol

Faults:

Nothing, and this is my second TVR in a row, the previous one (an S2) I owned for 2.5 years and it only visited the dealer once for repairs.

General Comments:

Awesome performance, 0-60 in 4.2 seconds fast enough for you?

Don't let comments about reliability put you off, they suffer if not cared for, so go and find a clean low miler with full TVR service history and get a warranty! The usual things that fail are electrical related. The engines a well proven Rover V8 (tweaked!) and the gearbox (on newer Griffs) is a BorgWarner T-5 so there's no problem there.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 21st December, 1998

20th Jun 2001, 12:40

Sometimes buying an older higher mileage car can have some benefits.

Teething problems have usually been fixed (at someone else's cost).

Recent parts may have been fitted and best of all, THEY ARE CHEAPER.

1996 TVR Griffith 500 5.0 petrol

Faults:

Nothing so far.

General Comments:

Awesome power for the money. If you want to burn off 911's for half the price then get a TVR. It can be used as an everyday car but will drink petrol and is not over happy about traffic jams. Never the less a monster of a car and British as well. Excellent.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 16th March, 1998

1995 TVR Griffith 4.0 HC 4.0 V8 High Compression petrol

Faults:

Nothing as yet.

General Comments:

Awesome performance. The 4.0 High Compression engine really flies with stacks of torque. You do need throttle control in 3rd gear! Handles well, though tail happy. Brakes very good -due to being lightweight car. Fab gearbox. I recommend this car! Though quite pricey.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 10th December, 1997