Griff at Fernhurst - wisdom please

[ToneyCaroney]

Good morning all. I am thinking (very hard) about jumping over the fence into the griff camp and am particualry interested in this car at fernhurst:

http://www.fernhurst-tvr.co.uk/car-details.php?id=...

I've been down to see and drive it and it is an excellent car. I would be very happy to own it.

Thing is, I'm not sure about one thing and would like the combined wisdom of the PH griff community. The car has done 56,500 miles but has a TVR Power engine rebuild at 48,000. Chassis is excellent too.

Do you think this is preferable or not to, say, this one:

http://www.fernhurst-tvr.co.uk/car-details.php?id=...

Same price but much lower mileage (no engine rebuild).

If , say, I need to sell in a couple of years, I don't want to drop a shed load of money because the first car will be over the 60k mile threshold.The second car will still only be in the mid 30k mile bracket.

What do you think?

Cheers!

[Argent]

A Power rebuild is a valuable asset, no doubt about that, the received wisdom is that a low mileage car of ten plus years hasn't been used enough and can be problematic, however I bought my Griff at eight years old with 19k on the clock and it has been faultless over the past five years. Both of the previous ones I had (a 400 and a 500) were high mileage, around the 60k mark, in lovely condition and also ran faultlessly, the interiors and body work had been well looked after. The first 500 only needed a bit of repair to the outriggers but not a full replacement.

A.

ETA - personally colour is an important issue for me and I prefer the first one.

Edited by Argent on Wednesday 29th May 10:26

[Podie]

Have to agree with Argent - a rebuild by a known builder is an asset.

Secondly, the interior on the first one is nicer IMO

[PeteGriff]

Hi there, I bought my 4.3 pre-cat with 70,000 miles on the clock! Engine runs like a dream, has been regularly used over the years. though now only has 75K on clock. I believe a car that has been used and had some good miles is often better than a very low mileage show car. Don't let the mileage put you off of a good car. All the best, Pete

[FlipFlopGriff]

As ever its all about personal preference. I prefer the 2nd one as I'm not a fan of light interiors and I like the blue.
Mileage isn't a major issue so don't be too hung up on it. These cars are at least 10 years old now with some over 20, so the main thing is that the car has been well looked after with a good file of receipts and regularly maintained. Condition is key and I would keep as original as you can but sensible upgrades are always a plus for you, and if you ever come to sell.
Plenty of advice on here from people, who in the main, know what they are talking about.
It the Growl in just over 5 weeks so whether you've bought by then or not get yourself along and meet the owners and have a few beers in a relaxed environment.
FFG

[ToneyCaroney]

Thanks gents. All useful stuff. I am not concerbed about the higher mileage of the first one, in that sense, because I know all the big work has been done. Plus, it feels tight as a drum to drive.

It's more whether a higher mileage but with major work done is a more prudent financial decision (when I eventually sell on - if ever )or a low milegae car.
I now really I should go with my heart (the first one) but, unfortunately, I am not financially well enough off to ignore my head.

That said, I suspect there is no clear cut answer to this!

FFG, thanks, i'll try and get to the Growl. Maybe persuade my brother (who also has a griff) to come along as well...

[Podie]

As others have said, mileage does not matter on these cars.

Buy on 3 provisos - condition, condiction, condition.

[Jhonno]

Been in a similar situaiton with my Cerbera.. I bought one with the higher miles but an engine rebuild.

[cp81]

You could always talk to Dom at Powers to get his thoughts on the car he has worked on. His knowledge and advice is second to none.

If both cars have good history with them, then it's just down to your preference.

A TVR Power engine rebuild is worth it's weight in good and I would certainly myself have that bit more reassurance knowing the engine had been built by them!

[T1pper]

Hi,
I personally think the first car with the higher mileage looks the nicest, however for a "safe" purchase to keep the bank manager happy I believe the lower milage one to be the better buy.

It seems that once a car hits 60K miles this is reflected in its value, I understand that the lower milage cars may suffer from not being used as often but once a car has a high milage this can not be avoided in the resale price!!

However even the higher milage car has only covered around 3K a year so its nothing really and as time goes buy all the cars will have increasing milages so we all may have to adjust our thinking.

Good luck and I am sure you will be happy in what ever you choose.

[lockhart flawse]

IMO you should buy the lower mileage one unless you plan to keep it long-term. Most buyers will prefer a lower-mileage car (whatever the rights and wrongs)and I also prefer the colour combination. An engine rebuild on the RV8 isn't very expensive anyway.

[ToneyCaroney]

T1pper, lockhart, yes, this is exactly my concern with the first car. I may keep it for years or I may not. Difficult to say at the moment.

CP81, that's good advice. I have emailed Dom. Hopefully I will hear back.

Cheers.

[cp81]

Ok, another thought then... Why are both cars priced the same?

Seems strange that if the lower mileage car is thought be of better value long term, why has Fernhurst not priced it to reflect this in comparison to the other?

[Olgit]

The second one was up for sale privately a couple of months ago and advertised for ages at £14k, so buying from a dealer you may drop a fair bit of cash come sale time.

[Hedgehopper]

Personally I wouldn't buy either car at those prices. Both cars are realistically worth 14/15k, the 7k balance is for the warranty. For that money you could have an engine rebuild and a body off chassis rebuild. However, buying from a dealer should be less hassle in the long run.....if you can afford it.

[dumbfunk]

Golden rule with TVR has always been to buy on condition above all other factors and its still the case today. My 75k griff is in way better condition now than it was at 40k thanks to an improvement approach that lost of owners also share.

[macdeb]

Podie said:

As others have said, mileage does not matter on these cars.

Buy on 3 provisos - condition, condiction, condition.

that's two provisos

[Sardonicus]

Shame about the poorly fitted screen & big gaps in the seal ends on the 1st one and what looks like a 5 year old has been under the bonnet with the satin black paint getting over-spar over the chassis we are talking 21k after all I would have fixed those things before fronting it the 2nd car looks more honest IMO as for the rebuild why would a 46K engine need a rebuild? cam & lifters maybe but a rebuild oh yeh forgot it's a racing engine

Edited by Sardonicus on Wednesday 29th May 20:06

[leerdam23]

What is

and has GC5P chassis number for easy registration in France

since I might want to reg mine in France...? Its a Precat though.

[ToneyCaroney]

Thanks gents, I'm no stranger to Fernhurst and very happy to buy the right car from them again. It is the relative merits and contrast between the two situations that I'm interested in.

Still thinking!

Cheers!