Megablade advice

[Griffter]

Hi,

I've got a crazy idea (and opportunity) to swap my 4.3 litre Griffith for a Westfield Megablade. I'd be very grateful for any comments/advice/words of wisdom please.

Basically although I love the Griff, I don't use it much. At best I get 8-10 dry early morning runs a year and the odd track day. So why bother with a windscreen, roof (that's a real PITA to put up and down) and a 6k rev limit?!

I'm under no illusions the Westfield will be 'basic', but if all I use it for is early morning forays and track use (albeit driving there and back...) I don't see that as a problem. So here's the spec on the Westfield:

2001 'Y'
Factory built
10k miles
Modified Fireblade engine
6 speed sequential with reverse

My thinking is that factory build is a good thing (I'm sure some home-builds are great, but presumably there's resale value in a factory build?), and a degree of component and build quality assurance?
I'm quite happy with the 'blade engine - seems they're generally reliable and don't require fancy sumps (presumably Westfield would baffle or whatever is necessary?)
10k miles seems a hell of a lot - but I hear a few mumblings about persistent problems with BECs - presumably if the 'blade's done 10k miles it's sorted?
'01 is quite old - but I'm guessing doesn't matter as condition is paramount (as with TVRs)? Any road tax advantages?

Here's the rub though - although I'm angling for a straight swap with my Griff, the owner wants £12995 for it. I think that's pretty optimistic! Am I going to be swapping a £12-£15k car for one that I can't sell tomorrow for more than £9k?

All comments welcome - and is there anything specific I should look for and ask?

Cheers.

[Jon Ison]

If the value of your car is 12-15k I think the swap is not too your advantage.

Yup you will get cheap road tax.

Personally I would be selling the TVR then go looking with cash in hand, cash talks.

Ive done over 10k miles with a modded blade, France twice with camping gear, thrashed it over 1000's of track miles. show it the key it sits there purring for more, the blade is pretty bullet proof as bullet proof goes.

[BobM]

Griffter said:

Here's the rub though - although I'm angling for a straight swap with my Griff, the owner wants £12995 for it. I think that's pretty optimistic! Am I going to be swapping a £12-£15k car for one that I can't sell tomorrow for more than £9k?

The engines themselves are reliable and that shouldn't be a problem. The reverse gearboxes are often a PITA - they wear, lose oil and add quite a bit of vibration and backlash to the transmission. Also there's a big difference between 10k road miles and 10k miles on a car that's been used for trackdays etc.

It will have a baffled sump. What other modifications does the engine have?

£12995 sounds ludicrous to me for a 5-6 year old one, factory built or not!

[Cpt_Crustacean]

BobM said:

Griffter said:

Here's the rub though - although I'm angling for a straight swap with my Griff, the owner wants £12995 for it. I think that's pretty optimistic! Am I going to be swapping a £12-£15k car for one that I can't sell tomorrow for more than £9k?

The engines themselves are reliable and that shouldn't be a problem. The reverse gearboxes are often a PITA - they wear, lose oil and add quite a bit of vibration and backlash to the transmission. Also there's a big difference between 10k road miles and 10k miles on a car that's been used for trackdays etc.

It will have a baffled sump. What other modifications does the engine have?

£12995 sounds ludicrous to me for a 5-6 year old one, factory built or not!

I agree, I would have though £9000 ish, maybe 10K, You can just about get 'busa's for that kind of money.

[renmure]

I sold my 04 megablade last year. It was mint condition, had all the c/f bits, top spec, great condition and it went for 10k. I think if you are paying much more than that then (good luck to the sellers but IMO) you are being generous.

I was glad to get rid of it tbh. I enjoyed owning it and it never missed a beat, was quick as hell and looked (and sounded) fabulous. However I found it too compromised to drive often. I was turning into a wuss by watching the weather to make sure I could get to where I wanted to go and back again before getting soaked or freezing. On the great sunny days when the aim of the day was to take the car out and have a blast then it was great. On any other occasion when there was a ounce of practicality involved in the journey then, for me, it was easier to just take something else. Being a mechanical numptie I didnt get the enjoyment of tinkering with it that some others get either. I took it on track once and it was a hoot. I guess if I ever got another one I would get a trailer as well and keep it for the track.

[Griffter]

Jon Ison said:

Personally I would be selling the TVR then go looking with cash in hand, cash talks.

You're right, of course. But I never had any intention of EVER selling the Griff! It's just that this deal is in front of me, potentially on a plate, so to speak. The problem with selling the Griff (I'm sure kit-car owners can sympathise) is that I know just how good and sorted it is. I also know just how riddled with problems (and potential problems) most other Griffs are. I know that buying a typical £10k car (that's how cheap they are now) and bringing it up to the standard of mine would cost £15-£17k all in - so I think mine's worth £15k! But no-one would pay that for it. Most people seem to want a worn, usable, improvable Griff rather than a ready-made minter. Probably get £12k tops for mine in the real world.

Thanks for all your input and advice so far. Sounds like the megablade is a good option, but I need to get my head around the value disparity (or get a reality check...).

Re engine mods, it's advertised as a '980' - so I assume it's bored and ecu modified to suit. Frankly I'd be happy enough with a stock-standard engine!

At the moment I'm thinking I might go an look at it but NOT take the Griff. That way I'll have to be objective and 'go away and think about it'.

[Jon Ison]

Griffter said:

Jon Ison said:

Personally I would be selling the TVR then go looking with cash in hand, cash talks.

At the moment I'm thinking I might go an look at it but NOT take the Griff. That way I'll have to be objective and 'go away and think about it'.

Nooooooooooo, if its 1/2 decent you will buy it. The performance if you get too drive it should be better all round than the Griff up too and some way beyond road legal speeds. The heater wont be as good though.........

Edited by Jon Ison on Monday 19th February 14:45

[jeffc]

as mentioned for that money for a blade is madness, at £13k you are into sorted Busa money.. If you sell the Tvr for good money and can justify it buy the Busa , a blade is quick but not it in the same street as a Busa, Ive had 2 blades and 4 busas. (I bought and sold them on ) Blades tend to be around £8-£9k and have a ceiling price of £10k and it will take something *very special to achieve more.. Busas start at £11k and specced exaples with dry sump etc can make £13-£13.5k..