2001 Tiff Needell TVR Griffith 500 SE Road Test

[@philip771]

Some of the best sounding cars ever. Such a shame that we couldn't nail the reliability.

[@Dan-bm9zw]

Agreed. I own a Chimaera (different bodyshell, same car underneath), and it's frustrating because the fundamental mechanicals in these cars are absolutely bombproof. Despite the reputation, a TVR is incredibly unlikely to leave you stranded because of a fundamental mechanical failure. The old Rover V8 is well proven, very under-stressed (it's only pulling 1,060kg along), and if looked after, will happily rumble on for an easy 100k before it needs anything much more than routine servicing. The gearbox is the Borg Warner T5 as used in the Sierra Cosworth, Ford Mustang and many others. Neither engine or gearbox even notice a 1,060kg car, and are not remotely stressed. Many other parts are straight out of the parts bin from the likes of Ford, Land Rover, PSA and Vauxhall/GM, and are as reliable as they are in their original applications. Almost all of the reliability issues are down to the electrical system. Like all GRP bodied cars, they suffer earthing faults, particularly as they age, and this is not helped by the factory wiring being almost comically haphazard and shoddy. For example, the engine ECU, and various relays are stuffed behind a panel in the passenger footwell, and just rattle around in there with nothing to secure them. The engine wiring loom is off the shelf Rover, and is all neat and properly terminated, but the contrast after the point where it plugs in to the "TVR bit" is almost unbelievable. All this stuff can be improved upon and tidied up, and many cars have now had wiring mods that really help. If TVR just spent a bit more money and a bit more attention on stuff like this, the cars would have been as reliable as anything else out there. But I guess compromises had to be made when they offered one of the best soundtracks on the road at any price, and performance that would keep contemporary Porsches and Ferraris honest, for Mondeo money.

[@lukemallory7832]

@@Dan-bm9zw Good info - thanks!

[@AdamDeSteCroix]

One thing that is difficult with the Griffith is letting go of them. Had mine for 20 years now and it's been very reliable. More so than 2 VW golfs and a Transporter during the same period!