TVR Griffith (1991 - 2000)

Last updated 5 October 2013

Buying Guide

Good

• Hairy-chested all-British sports cars we can now feel proud of.
• Compact AJP8 engine is utterly brilliant. AJP6 'Speed Six' and Tuscan have 350bhp 4,185cc six putting out 320 lb ft torque allied to six-speed gearbox.
• Older models still used modified Rover/Buick pushrod V8s.
• S1s, S2s and S3s had Ford pushrod V6s with 187 bhp (S3C).
• Late cars reliable and well put together.
• Some owners do 25,000 miles a year in them.

Bad

• Lack of problems by no means guaranteed.
• Many cars have an extremely hard ride and are very noisy.
• Cerbera coupe with AJP8 has very little flywheel effect and revs like a racing car which can catch out the unskilled with snap oversteer.
• S and T plate Chimaeras 13th from bottom in 2001 Top Gear / J.D. Power Customer Satisfaction Survey.

Watch

• Only buy from true enthusiasts or from TVR specialists.
• Be prepared to spend a few grand to get a used car the way you want it.
• Use your judgement or get the car checked by a TVR expert. HPI or AA/Experian history check also well advised as the car could have been bought on the drip, after which the 'owner' hit hard times.
• Block porosity of older 4.6 litre Rover V8s is a sign that these engines may have been over-bored. Check oil and coolant very carefully.