Discussion
Finally given in and am now looking for a Griff 500...
I have got a copy of Steve Heath's 'bible' and think I have a small fraction of a clue regarding what to look for, but I don't have the balls to buy privately!
Looking to spend 18-20k at an independent dealer (Fernhursts current favourite due to good customer feedback) - what sort of warranty is an essential with these cars?
I have done a quick search and warranties have been described as 'not worth the paper they're written on' - is this the PH considered opinion? I expect a couple of niggles with any 6-7 yr old TVR but I would prefer to have some protection against the V8 blowing up one week after I've bought it.
What do you think???
I have got a copy of Steve Heath's 'bible' and think I have a small fraction of a clue regarding what to look for, but I don't have the balls to buy privately!
Looking to spend 18-20k at an independent dealer (Fernhursts current favourite due to good customer feedback) - what sort of warranty is an essential with these cars?
I have done a quick search and warranties have been described as 'not worth the paper they're written on' - is this the PH considered opinion? I expect a couple of niggles with any 6-7 yr old TVR but I would prefer to have some protection against the V8 blowing up one week after I've bought it.
What do you think???
Not had any mechanical problems with my Griff but did have with my S3 I bought from TVR Centre, Barnet. It was still under TVR warranty, they picked it up, replaced a valve and delivered it back within a week. That's my 1 experience and I thought it was worth while for what it's worth.
I'm a newcomer to the Griff scene and had this same dilemma. I didn't want to pay the hefty mark up charged by franchised dealers and those at independents seemed little better in some cases.
I wouldn't consider myself a risk-taker, but after considering the options I decided to buy privately. I also wouldn't consider myself an expert on looking at used cars of any make, let alone a TVR. I would say I'm like most car enthusists - I know a bit, but not enough!
So, I found myself a Griff here on Pistonheads and went to take a look. To me the car looked okay, but obviously in need of some TLC. No way would I have bought it based on that viewing though, so I enlisted the expert help of Rob Ingleby (again, through the helpful advice of PHers) to check the car out. He gave me the thumbs up and I duely became the owner of a Griff.
My way of thinking is that the £3-4K I saved by avoiding the dealers is a (hopefully not needed) cushion if anything were to go wrong. Judging by the comments on here though, the Rover V8 is a decent engine which is unlikely 'to blow up tomorrow'. I've also read loads of comments about warranties being a waste of time and the problems people have had in getting payouts.
Hope this was of some use, I personally felt a greater sense of satisfaction having bought my car privately than any I've owned before purchased from dealers.
I wouldn't consider myself a risk-taker, but after considering the options I decided to buy privately. I also wouldn't consider myself an expert on looking at used cars of any make, let alone a TVR. I would say I'm like most car enthusists - I know a bit, but not enough!
So, I found myself a Griff here on Pistonheads and went to take a look. To me the car looked okay, but obviously in need of some TLC. No way would I have bought it based on that viewing though, so I enlisted the expert help of Rob Ingleby (again, through the helpful advice of PHers) to check the car out. He gave me the thumbs up and I duely became the owner of a Griff.
My way of thinking is that the £3-4K I saved by avoiding the dealers is a (hopefully not needed) cushion if anything were to go wrong. Judging by the comments on here though, the Rover V8 is a decent engine which is unlikely 'to blow up tomorrow'. I've also read loads of comments about warranties being a waste of time and the problems people have had in getting payouts.
Hope this was of some use, I personally felt a greater sense of satisfaction having bought my car privately than any I've owned before purchased from dealers.
Ghouly Boy said:
My way of thinking is that the £3-4K I saved by avoiding the dealers is a (hopefully not needed) cushion if anything were to go wrong.
I spose Ghouly has said it as it is, it's a good point. I did pay over the odds and advice you'd probly get on here would hopefully point you in the right direction if something did go wrong.
Any thoughts on this,not a griff but a warranty thing. g/f bought a 3 y-o Peugeot 306 in April. 18k miles. No probs til a couple of weeks ago when the brakes start to judder. One disc fine, t'other corroded on inner face and a pitting on the face about 6mm dia poss half to 1mm deep.
Full Peugeot Platinum Warranty, says discs covered but small print says not against wear & tear. Main P dealer says this is W&T. Car now done 20.5k miles.
Kinda think in future we'll buy private and save the dealer hike up but........
Full Peugeot Platinum Warranty, says discs covered but small print says not against wear & tear. Main P dealer says this is W&T. Car now done 20.5k miles.
Kinda think in future we'll buy private and save the dealer hike up but........
My limited experience is that the value of the warranty is marginal. I bought from a main dealer and the warranty cost was automatically included in the price of the car. Its a TVR Total (or something like that). Covers what I have needed it for, which is a wheel bearing and a new alarm system - but the cost (about £750??) makes it touch and go as to whether its worth it.
Like most insurance policies, the odds are that you will not recover the cost of the policy in the claims you make, otherwise the insurer would make no money.
Do you feel lucky?
Like most insurance policies, the odds are that you will not recover the cost of the policy in the claims you make, otherwise the insurer would make no money.
Do you feel lucky?
prop said:Or more to the point do you feel particularly unlucky
My limited experience is that the value of the warranty is marginal. I bought from a main dealer and the warranty cost was automatically included in the price of the car. Its a TVR Total (or something like that). Covers what I have needed it for, which is a wheel bearing and a new alarm system - but the cost (about £750??) makes it touch and go as to whether its worth it.
Like most insurance policies, the odds are that you will not recover the cost of the policy in the claims you make, otherwise the insurer would make no money.
Do you feel lucky?
I'm not concerned about using the warranty for things like brake discs etc.
There have been a few threads recently about duff camshafts / lifters requiring engine rebuilds. If the warranties cover these sorts of major failures then are they worth it? I'm not going to pay main dealer prices but rather use an independent - do they offer similar warranties?
I fully appreciate the 'save the cash' attitude but I'd like to at least protect myself against major failures.
Really what I'm getting at is whether the usual warranties cover big failures. If they only cover the first grand of any claim in the year then they're worthless.
There have been a few threads recently about duff camshafts / lifters requiring engine rebuilds. If the warranties cover these sorts of major failures then are they worth it? I'm not going to pay main dealer prices but rather use an independent - do they offer similar warranties?
I fully appreciate the 'save the cash' attitude but I'd like to at least protect myself against major failures.
Really what I'm getting at is whether the usual warranties cover big failures. If they only cover the first grand of any claim in the year then they're worthless.
Ghouly Boy said:
My way of thinking is that the £3-4K I saved by avoiding the dealers is a (hopefully not needed) cushion if anything were to go wrong.
Couldn't have put it better myself. I now have 3 'cushions' from having bought 3 TVRs privately. I'd much rather have a comfy well-sorted and cared-for Griff a few years old than anything with a Speed Six 'Explodamatic'...
I had a warranty on my '99 Griff and when I tried to claim on it Warranty Holdings showed themselves to be the Kings of Avoidance. Things such as needing to see things before they authorised sound sensible in principle, but when it's your only car and they can't see you for over a week it no help. They then argued the toss about everything, so I ended up paying myself to avoid the stress.
Also things such as the camshaft problems would be avoided through the "wear and tear" get out clause, as would brake disks (that one is fair in my view).
I turned down WH's offer to renew - though they very quickly took there price down from £550 to £250 with a little gentle persuasion.
Personally when / if I get another Griff I woul dbuy privately (pocketing the £3-4K dealer mark-up) get an inspection by an expert (not AA / RAC0 and put the £3k that I had saved into a bank account in case the unthinkable happens.
Mike.
Also things such as the camshaft problems would be avoided through the "wear and tear" get out clause, as would brake disks (that one is fair in my view).
I turned down WH's offer to renew - though they very quickly took there price down from £550 to £250 with a little gentle persuasion.
Personally when / if I get another Griff I woul dbuy privately (pocketing the £3-4K dealer mark-up) get an inspection by an expert (not AA / RAC0 and put the £3k that I had saved into a bank account in case the unthinkable happens.
Mike.
Ok then TVR warranties are pretty much a waste of time. What is the most likely expensive thing to fail then, and how much would it cost?
I may sound unduly nervous but my first 911 blew up its gearbox (pretty much unheard of with 993s) and the bill came to more than 8 grand. Luckily the Porsche warranty did the job and they replaced the gearbox and clutch free of charge, and sent the old one back to Stuttgart!!
This is NOT a TVR vs. Porsche thing - so don't flame me!
To be honest the biggest problem I'm having at the mo is finding a suitable car, so I'll probably buy the first one close to my desired spec I see
so I guess I'll have no-one but myself to blame 
I may sound unduly nervous but my first 911 blew up its gearbox (pretty much unheard of with 993s) and the bill came to more than 8 grand. Luckily the Porsche warranty did the job and they replaced the gearbox and clutch free of charge, and sent the old one back to Stuttgart!!
This is NOT a TVR vs. Porsche thing - so don't flame me!
To be honest the biggest problem I'm having at the mo is finding a suitable car, so I'll probably buy the first one close to my desired spec I see
so I guess I'll have no-one but myself to blame Expensive bits:
Differential - 500 quid
Camshaft - 800 quid fitted
Clutch - 600 quid
Exh manifold gaskets - 200 quid (labour mostly)
Gearbox - dunno, but it's a Ford used T5 usually so under a grand?
(all prices approx and non main stealer)
You should worry more about how all the little bits add up. HT leads here, new hoses there, ally bits inside, sports exh conversion, rolling road/rechip. Then there's brake upgrades, Nitron shocks ... that's where the cost of running these things is. Doing things to your pampered toy.
Differential - 500 quid
Camshaft - 800 quid fitted
Clutch - 600 quid
Exh manifold gaskets - 200 quid (labour mostly)
Gearbox - dunno, but it's a Ford used T5 usually so under a grand?
(all prices approx and non main stealer)
You should worry more about how all the little bits add up. HT leads here, new hoses there, ally bits inside, sports exh conversion, rolling road/rechip. Then there's brake upgrades, Nitron shocks ... that's where the cost of running these things is. Doing things to your pampered toy.
lx993 said:
Ok then TVR warranties are pretty much a waste of time.
You reckon! Got my Chim (sorry guy's, bit of cross pollination going on) from Fernies last November with warranty.
Alarm went ape $hit after 3 days, replaced under warranty.
Hot start problem after 3 months, a new starter motor fitted under warranty.
Radiator leakingafter 3 months new rad required, yep! under warranty. So far so good.
So what’s next ...not sure but still got a couple of months to go before it runs out!
OK, so it's swings and roundabouts, but I have got piece of mind at least until I'm confident with the mechanics and workings of the car.
Just my 2-penny worth
:SlipsQuietlyBackToChimForum:
Big Al. said:
Ok then TVR warranties are pretty much a waste of time.
You reckon! Got my Chim (sorry guy's, bit of cross pollination going on) from Fernies last November with warranty.
Alarm went ape $hit after 3 days, replaced under warranty.
Hot start problem after 3 months, a new starter motor fitted under warranty.
Radiator leakingafter 3 months new rad required, yep! under warranty. So far so good.
So what’s next ...not sure but still got a couple of months to go before it runs out!
OK, so it's swings and roundabouts, but I have got piece of mind at least until I'm confident with the mechanics and workings of the car.
Just my 2-penny worth
:SlipsQuietlyBackToChimForum:
Hi Alan - no I have no idea, that's why I'm asking here!!
What company do Fernies use for their warranties then?? After speaking to you I'd definitely buy my Griff from them - but for some reason they can only get red ones
, or yellow.... Silver, blue or green and I'd be there tomorrow 
As to warranties, I'm confused now. I thought that buying from a dealer gave an automatic 3 month dealer warranty (sale of goods act??) - more than that requires buying a warranty (usually insurance backed). Presumably the issues in the first 3 months would get sorted by the dealer even if no extended warranty was bought??
Trefor said:
You should worry more about how all the little bits add up. HT leads here, new hoses there, ally bits inside, sports exh conversion, rolling road/rechip. Then there's brake upgrades, Nitron shocks ... that's where the cost of running these things is.
But most of that list is optional goodies, nothing to do with fixing bits that break.
If you are thinking of getting one from Fernies I am sure that they all automatically come with a 12 month warranty included in the price.
I bought one a chimaera from there 6 months ago, very good service and am confident that if anything did go wrong they would be very helpful in sorting it out, and other threads on here are eveidence that. But you do pay a little more compared to private purchase.
However I am lucky enough to say that my has been faultless since I've had it.
I bought one a chimaera from there 6 months ago, very good service and am confident that if anything did go wrong they would be very helpful in sorting it out, and other threads on here are eveidence that. But you do pay a little more compared to private purchase.
However I am lucky enough to say that my has been faultless since I've had it.
I bought my Griff with a 1 year warranty from TMS and had a few claims with them new radiator, door seals, alarm and some other minor stuff, oil leaks etc. I also made a claim through my local (non franchised) garage for a new alternator. There was never any problem with the warranty which was the TVR total through warranty holdings.
I didn’t re-new it and a few months later required a full set of rocker arms and hydraulic elements, another radiator and a power steering rack and rack had to be replaced as the casting had split.
I hind sight I would have been better taking on the second year, which then was £650. Since then she has settled down and is now very little bother.
The moral I believe is if you buy a low mileage car for its age that has not been used on a regular basis be prepared for some big bills in the first couple of years possibly sooner if you drive hard.
Cheers,
Simon.
I didn’t re-new it and a few months later required a full set of rocker arms and hydraulic elements, another radiator and a power steering rack and rack had to be replaced as the casting had split.
I hind sight I would have been better taking on the second year, which then was £650. Since then she has settled down and is now very little bother.
The moral I believe is if you buy a low mileage car for its age that has not been used on a regular basis be prepared for some big bills in the first couple of years possibly sooner if you drive hard.
Cheers,
Simon.
I bought my cerb from Fernies last Dec, had 12 month WH cover. My clutch failed last month and they got WH to pay 50% which I thought was resonable (50% wear to clutch) the starter motor has started to make horrible noises when hot so I will look to have that replaced when its serviced next month.
Alan
Alan
lx993 said:
Hi Alan - no I have no idea, that's why I'm asking here!!
Hi Alex, now I recognise you, your handle didn't click until your reply. Still hunting then?
Sorry for the late reply.. Just checked back on the thread, if you still want to know who the warranty is with I'll check tomorrow evening and post.
Don't rush it, the right one is worth waiting for! OH
Gassing Station | Griffith | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff