Saying goodbye to my TVR after 30 years

[northpole]

I think that your dealer has put in front of you all the compelling reasons that you might have glossed over in arriving at your decision to sell. He has raised serious points for you to consider; they resonate with the points others have mentioned in this thread; and I think it is now obvious that you and your wife have made your somewhat painful decision that your time with the TVR is up and it should be moved on. Well done in raising this thread which hopefully provides some more comfort that all angles have been considered in reaching your decision.

Peter

[JonathanG]

We’re home and I have just been catching up on the comments on here and as ever this forum feels like a collection of supportive friends. I have genuinely realy enjoyed reading and considering everyone’s points of view, so thank-you! It was odd and a little strange unloading the bikes into an empty garage, but it was also some comfort seeing the MX5 sitting on the drive looking ready for more adventures.

One of our last drives in the mistress last week was the Black Mountain road in the Brecon Beacons, which is a popular test road for EVO and Top Gear. I snapped a few pics while there on a rather overcast day and have just run them quickly through Lightroom. It’s comforting to have some nice photos to spark memories of a great drive and a much loved car.

As others on here have alluded to age plays a part in this decision and I think @Mulberry raises a very valid point that sometimes you hang on to things for all the wrong reasons or out of a sense of guilt at letting go.

After we were home I went up the road for a chinese in the Mazda. I needed to remind myself what it’s like and sort of reassure myself that it’s as good as I remembered/hoped. I slipped into the cosy cabin, dropped the roof without leaving the driver’s seat and backing out of the drive savoured the reassurance of rear parking cameras and sensors.

After 2 weeks in the TVR the controls felt so light it feels like they were made by Fisher Price, but actually in a good way. The suspension, driving position and gearbox are sublime, although you miss the booming V8 thunder of the Blackpool beast. It’s a peppy little thing though the MX5, responsive and surprisingly punchy, in a way that makes driving fun and rewarding without endangering anyone or risking your licence. It’s a genuine homage to the MGB roadsters, TR’s and Lotus Elans of the golden age. They all delivered driving thrills too without being spine crushingly fast.

I’m sure there will be a few more moments of regret I’m going to have to work through, but this little roadster from Japan is going to be a great tonic.

Thanks for all the messages of support, it has certainly helped sharing the difficult decision with you all and reading everyone’s thoughts.

Savage Geese, which is a truly excellent motoring channel, did a number of features on all generations of the MX5 and it’s genuinely impressive to learn just how much care and attention went into every element of its design. I particularly enjoy the segments with Dave Coleman, Mazda’s charismatic director of driving dynamics. Worth a look if you have ever wondered what it is that makes the MX5 so very special: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=38SE1-1hBlI

In the meantime a picture paints a thousand words, so here’s a few from the Black Mountain Road…

JonathanG

[Richard.Dane]

Jonathan, I really feel how torn you are regarding letting the Griffith go. It’s a beautiful example of a very special car. I used to get Car magazine back in the '80s and '90s and the issue that had the BRG Griffith on the front cover was a favourite. I ached to have one just from that review - sadly not really practical enough for me at the time, so a VR6 was ordered instead (awful!). However, the hankering has never really gone away, and in recent years, as I have started to do more and more work of my own on my cars, and have more garage and barn space, it might actually be a car that starts to make a lot of sense.

[PW42]

I could jump in mine and drive it to Lake Como today with no preparation and no fear of ever breaking down.

Exactly what we did in the Fiat Spider. Thought about the XK8 but my wife, wisely, didn’t trust it. Plus the Spider was a lot more practical on the narrow Italian Lakes roads.

After that the XK8 had to go; a wrench at the time but was definitely the right decision. The Fiat is more fun, a whole lot cheaper and more reliable (never thought I would say that about an Italian car although of course it is largely an MX5) and gets a lot of positive comments. All round, one of the best cars I’ve owned.

Enjoy the MX5.

Lovely pics of the TVR by the way.

[JonathanG]

@Richard.Dane

However, the hankering has never really gone away, and in recent years, as I have started to do more and more work of my own on my cars, and have more garage and barn space, it might actually be a car that starts to make a lot of sense.

Hi Richard, I would certainly be delighted to see her go to someone like you who I know, and who has the space and passion to own a Griffith.

What I can say is that this is a uniquely fine example of the Griffith in its original 4.0 litre incarnation which had gas flowed heads for another 10BHP from the factory. Fernhurst always said mine felt very fast for a 4.0 litre car because TVR’s do vary. The ultra-rare 4.3 big valve is slightly quicker, while the later 5 litre has even more power at the expense of more issues with cooling, more chance of camshaft/engine wear issues. a less free-revving nature and has a less enjoyable (but still excellent) exhaust note. If you need any further info just pop me a message. I wrote a very long and detailed account of my history and ownership of her for TVR Sprint magazine around 5 years back which you may enjoy and I can send that over via email on PDF.

They’re all fabulous for sure, but one thing I would say is that condition and provenance matters more than which model you buy. Restoration is expensive (don’t I know it!) All Griffiths frankly have more power and performance than the chassis or indeed public road can handle and compared to even a friend’s 2005 911 turbo I drove they all feel frighteningly fast.

As you know the decision to part with her has been very difficult and I oscillate between thinking it’s the right decision to thinking “Oh God, what I have I done?” I’m going to take the MX5 out to get her washed this morning, stop by my local secondhand record shop and grab a coffee and then after the missus finishes working from home around 4pm we are going to head out to a local country pub in her and take her for a spin across the South Downs. For certain it won’t feel as epic as any journey does in the TVR, but I am hopeful it will still feel fun and might deaden my slightly hollow feeling right now!

JonathanG

[fergch]

…should have made Jonathan an offer…

[Richard.Dane]

Well, I would feel guilty as that probably wouldn’t be very ethical, considering I enforce the forum rules around here.

However, more to the point Jonathan and I are probably in a fairly similar place, at an age where we want a fun drive but without too many headaches, and with some little luxuries like AC and power steering thrown in for good measure. So, while I hate to say it, I may be getting on a bit for something like the Griff. For me, the Boxster I currently own is probably ideal. It wasn’t hugely expensive, so if it ever does go “bang” on me then I will never be too far out of pocket (I’m told that mine has desirable extras such as sports seats, which can fetch quite a lot of money if ever I had a disaster with the car), and it’s actually remarkably cheap to run overall, especially as I do most of the service work myself. So…

What I can say is that knowing Jonathan, I’m sure it will be an amazing car, very well cared for, and whoever does end up as the next owner, whether sooner, or later, will be lucky indeed!

[JonathanG]

I think you make a good point Richard, age is certainly a factor and the Boxter is for sure a very driveable and enjoyable sports car.

I did consider selling her privately for a moment - particularly as my employer has a sales bulletin board, 60 000 staff and over 4000 pilots who are the kind of people who a TVR might appeal to. However, I felt more comfortable selling via the UK’s leading TVR specialist who will service the car, sort out any niggles and warranty it for the next owner which gives us both peace of mind. Crucially I know I will get my money (no tyre kickers or dodgy bankers drafts) and the buyer knows they are protected by a dealer with a great reputation so it works to protect both parties.
JonathanG

[Count.d]

It’s a shame Richard isn’t going to buy this car. This thread is like watching Sleepless in Seattle. Maybe Richard will change his mind? He loved the car, always wanted one, has the garage space. Maybe Richard will go to the garage to view the car? Maybe meet up with Jonathan and run off together?

Going to keep my eye on this thread, it could go anywhere.

[JonathanG]

Haha great post @Count.d - we might be last seen together in it running for the border with miles of empty road ahead and the wind ruffling our faintly greying hair…

Last seen crossing the continent, believed to be heading for the Italian Lakes for a dawn rendezvous with destiny…

[mikehughescq]

I think the truth lies somewhere between Thelma and Louise and Driving Miss Daisy.

[Jimmyblues1959]

Jonathon it’s called wisdom! When I was in my twenties I bought a brand new Honda CRX-Si. The car was so basic and well sorted that it needed nothing. It was, aside from my Ford Contour SVT, the most fun car I have ever owned. Much like the Miata it was very reliable and inexpensive to own.

However, now in my 60’s (67 today as a matter of fact) , I would no longer want to drive a car that has such a choppy ride due to its very short wheel base. I’ve always wanted to own a Caterham 7 and I have no doubt that I would have truly enjoyed driving one in a spirited fashion twenty years ago. But as a senior citizen, what I would once have found both exciting and appealing about the Caterham, I would now find loud and lacking in refinement. The car is as good as it ever was. It’s myself who’s changed. As I said in an earlier post, time marches on and we learn to appreciate what we’ve had and move forward with what pleases us at present.

You’ve made the best argument for selling your TVR and keeping your Miata. Hold on to the wonderful memories that you and the TVR have created together, and enjoy the financial windfall while allowing your TVR to bring joy to its next owner.

[porkyg]

A lot of love for the MX5.

Sadly the 2.0ltr is now dropped in UK due to emissions, however Mazda do have some stock left, about 4/5 months worth.

[JonathanG]

Great post @Jimmyblues1959 and I agree totally, and happy birthday by the way. I never owned a Caterham, but can see the appeal to a younger man! The other car I always thought looked like a lot of fun is Morgan, they seem to be as loved today as ever and strangely when I see one they seem to attract older drivers despite the apparent discomforts.

As you say I think the MX5 is the answer and I hope my little gang of closest mates might all get tempted to buy one for retirement. I rather fancy the idea of 3-4 of us heading out for example to drive around the Nazi sites in Europe Top gear style in a fleet of MX5’s, using walkie talkies and generally larking about. A sort of Last of the Summer wine old duffers driving club! I know with a boot bag I can tour in an MX5 with a tent indefinitely because the missus and I did 2 weeks camping in Scotland like that last Summer. The boot bag turns the MX5 into a driver orientated motor home!

[Jimmyblues1959]

Thanks so much Jonathan! Your MX5 is a beauty, I love the color!
I never really thought of the MX5 as a vehicle for camping but you’ve maxed out its potential with the camping bag you use. I really like the minimalist concept.

Yes, Caterhams are classic and do offer many different engine options depending on how much one is looking to spend.

My only experience with a Morgan was back in 1965, when an attorney friend of my Dad’s took my younger Brother and me for a quick ride around our neighborhood.

The car sat very low to the ground, and with the low contour of the doors I felt like I could almost touch the pavement! lol

That camp ground looks beautiful. Wishing you and your wife many healthy and happy years driving your MX5 to future camp grounds. Enjoy!