looking to buy a griffith-advice needed

[marantz]

Hi all. I am interested over the next few months in buying a used Griffith. Looking to pay up to £15k so I am guessing at a 1995 or before.

No experience as yet in this area. Looked at Griffith, drooled for a long time and decided that now is the right time. I am certainly not mechanically minded.

Any advice on preferred models, reviews, running costs, good sources to purchase, insurance (27 yrs old), pitfalls to avoid, driving clubs (I live in Miton Keynes, Bucks.) are gratefully received. Matt

[simpo one]

Hi there - you will find loads of advice on this subject from people who were in a similar position to you. Try searching the threads, and also go along to your nearest TVRCC meeting to see some in the flesh and quiz the owners - they/we actually like it! If you're really serious, then get the Steve Heath 'bible' aka 'The Griffith and Chimaera Handbook', available via the Club and £35 I think. (Perfect except for the Chimp on the cover...!). Do your homeowrk, find a good one and enjoy

[shpub]

There is also a Buyers guide on my website where you can look at the Chimp on the bible cover...

Steve
www.tvrbooks.co.uk

[bloggs]

If not mechanically minded and you want a private deal then Rob Ingleby gets very good write-ups on this forum and has just sourced a stunning Cerbera for a friend. Do a search on the archives there are numerous threads on this subject.
If going along the dealer lines then go and ask for a test drive. The independents will probably be more in your price range but keep a good look on all the web-sites that's how I saw mine (95 M 5 Ltr Griff). You won't regret it, go on you know you want to....

[beano500]

Welcome aboard!

Your starting point for reference material has to be PH and the Steve Heath "bible".

As far as clubs are concerned it has to be worth joining TVRCC, and check out local events and groups. A local get together will be only too happy to welcome you and talk TVRs.

Every one around here will give you lots of sound advice, like don't be tempted to buy the first you see, and then go and break that rule ourselves

Running costs vary, best value is if you run one full time. They don't like being laid up doing nothing - tend to complain by giving you little niggles to play with. For one used regularly and serviced by a top notch independent look under my (and other owners, you can search) profile where the running costs have been used.

just at the moment the Griff is a relatively rare find (compared to Chimaeras at least) probably because there have been a few articles around letting out the secret of how much fun they are for the money. Fashions change quickly though.

For your budget you might find a lot of character in an early Griff. Just two words: NO CATS!!!!!

The 500 is a pussycat really - but you get the full 340*bhp engine and there were a number of chanegs through the run from '93 - whether they had PAS (option), a change from Rover to Borg Warner gearbox (the latter is reputed to be better) et cetera, et cetera...

...and I expect everyone will have told you all this by the time I get this posted!

* Subject to lots of caveats - don't pay any attention to the numbers, they all do what it says on the tin and that's all that matters!

Edited to add: Ah yes - found a picture of the first edition bible! Much nicer.....

For pictures of monkeys try here

>> Edited by beano500 on Tuesday 1st July 16:06

[gemini]

home page of www.tvrcc-cumbria.co.uk!!!

[beano500]

gemini said:

home page of www.tvrcc-cumbria.co.uk!!!

Oooh - suits you, Sir!!!

[ddgriff]

Why not come along to your local meet, we will be meeting at the Queen Eleanor Hotel, Northampton on Thurs 10th July see instructions on Northants web site by following link from tvrcc.com There will be plenty of griff owners to talk to including Rob Ingleby, and sometimes there is the odd car for sale.