Discussion
Hi guys and girls
Been lurking in the background of your site for sometime now picking up valuable info on the purchase of my new Griff, just would like a bit more advice that I can't seem to dig up.... oh, and to say what a wonderful site you have here and you all seem to be lovely people etc
After reading various 4.3 vs 500 threads have initially decided to go for the precat and if I feel the need will "upgrade" to a 500 in the future. I say initially because I'm yet to view a Griff let alone test drive one but I'm won over by the noise of the precat (supported by the vs threads) after hearing one pootle past me at the age of 11 and been in love and aspired to own one since that day.
Well, with a pay rise imminent that day is getting closer and am just wondering whether it would be sensible for me to leave the important job of sourcing one up to an expert such as Rob Ingleby. I've heard his name mentioned before and with my lack of mechanical knowledge might prefer this option. Also, don't seem to be too many 4.3s on the market at the moment, is this normal? Perhaps he'll be aware of some that aren't yet advertised?
I'm after a dark blue one with cream leather, I take it the 4.3s came in this?
I've told myself I'm not going to spend more than £12,000 on a 4.3 with some in reserve for any jobs that need doing. I know this is hard to answer but do you think this amount is reasonable enough to find a good one? I would have liked to jumped in at the top and buy a 500 (would've thrown more than 12 grand at it) but don't want to regret not experiencing owning a 4.3 as if and when I make the move to a 500 can't see myself ever selling it
Maybe this will change but I've always preferred the 500 wheels over the others. I've looked long and hard and can't seem to find any for sale. Is it just a matter of keeping my eyes open on Ebay and the classifieds or is there somewhere else to look? And what sort of price do they go for?
Finally, don't seem to be many places round the Bournemouth area that have any Griffiths at the moment just for me to have a peruse around. If there are any owners out there that wouldn't mind for me to get a feel of what these cars are like up close, I would be forever grateful.
Piers
ps apologies for the rediculous length of this post
>>> Edited by cockey on Monday 25th April 10:57
>>> Edited by Cockey on Monday 25th April 20:55
Been lurking in the background of your site for sometime now picking up valuable info on the purchase of my new Griff, just would like a bit more advice that I can't seem to dig up.... oh, and to say what a wonderful site you have here and you all seem to be lovely people etc
After reading various 4.3 vs 500 threads have initially decided to go for the precat and if I feel the need will "upgrade"
to a 500 in the future. I say initially because I'm yet to view a Griff let alone test drive one but I'm won over by the noise of the precat (supported by the vs threads) after hearing one pootle past me at the age of 11 and been in love and aspired to own one since that day. Well, with a pay rise imminent that day is getting closer and am just wondering whether it would be sensible for me to leave the important job of sourcing one up to an expert such as Rob Ingleby. I've heard his name mentioned before and with my lack of mechanical knowledge might prefer this option. Also, don't seem to be too many 4.3s on the market at the moment, is this normal? Perhaps he'll be aware of some that aren't yet advertised?
I'm after a dark blue one with cream leather, I take it the 4.3s came in this?
I've told myself I'm not going to spend more than £12,000 on a 4.3 with some in reserve for any jobs that need doing. I know this is hard to answer but do you think this amount is reasonable enough to find a good one? I would have liked to jumped in at the top and buy a 500 (would've thrown more than 12 grand at it) but don't want to regret not experiencing owning a 4.3 as if and when I make the move to a 500 can't see myself ever selling it
Maybe this will change but I've always preferred the 500 wheels over the others. I've looked long and hard and can't seem to find any for sale. Is it just a matter of keeping my eyes open on Ebay and the classifieds or is there somewhere else to look? And what sort of price do they go for?
Finally, don't seem to be many places round the Bournemouth area that have any Griffiths at the moment just for me to have a peruse around. If there are any owners out there that wouldn't mind for me to get a feel of what these cars are like up close, I would be forever grateful.
Piers
ps apologies for the rediculous length of this post
>>> Edited by cockey on Monday 25th April 10:57
>>> Edited by Cockey on Monday 25th April 20:55
Hi Piers,
I bought a 500 about a year ago, and I love it to bits....by coinsidence I did look at a great 4.3 Blue with magnolia in Bournemouth at that time - what are the chances...and it was 12.5k but high milage.
Now I heard loads about Rob Ing and in the end he sourced me my 500, it was one he sourced a couple of years previously and knew it was coming up for sale.
I bought it following Robs recommendation and in the first 3 months I had to spend just short of 3 grand on it!!! not what I ordered!! I spoke to Rob and as expected there was not much comeback as he does make you sign a 'sold as seen' invoice. Now I do think I was unlucky as I know many people who have had success with Rob - well thats all he does for a living.
If i was buying again I think there are basic checks to do (like Rob does) and save yourself the 600 sheets, even better if you know someone in the area who has one who may help??
Basic checks are:
clunks in transmission - Diff, Drive shafts, Prop shaft
Chassis Wishbones - no signs of serious rust or welding (surface rust expected)
Engine Electronics - Smooth running everything works!
I would advise having some spare cash as I am sure there will be some little niggle that will need attention - there always is on a Griff!!
But Superb beasts and you wont be dissapointed!
Regards,
Lig.
I bought a 500 about a year ago, and I love it to bits....by coinsidence I did look at a great 4.3 Blue with magnolia in Bournemouth at that time - what are the chances...and it was 12.5k but high milage.
Now I heard loads about Rob Ing and in the end he sourced me my 500, it was one he sourced a couple of years previously and knew it was coming up for sale.
I bought it following Robs recommendation and in the first 3 months I had to spend just short of 3 grand on it!!! not what I ordered!! I spoke to Rob and as expected there was not much comeback as he does make you sign a 'sold as seen' invoice. Now I do think I was unlucky as I know many people who have had success with Rob - well thats all he does for a living.
If i was buying again I think there are basic checks to do (like Rob does) and save yourself the 600 sheets, even better if you know someone in the area who has one who may help??
Basic checks are:
clunks in transmission - Diff, Drive shafts, Prop shaft
Chassis Wishbones - no signs of serious rust or welding (surface rust expected)
Engine Electronics - Smooth running everything works!
I would advise having some spare cash as I am sure there will be some little niggle that will need attention - there always is on a Griff!!
But Superb beasts and you wont be dissapointed!
Regards,
Lig.
Cheers Lig. As above, said I'd heard of Rob Ing mentioned on here before (twice) one of those times being from you! Mmmmm, were they things he should've spotted? Guess he must've learnt from it whatever the situation.
If I could find the exact car I'm looking for I probably wouldn't need him but just don't seem to be any around at the moment. It makes it a bit tough following the advice of seeing and driving as many as possible a bit tricky - unless I forget the cosmetic spec and run round looking at every 4.3 on the market. Would feel a bit tight wasting a private seller's time when I had no intention of buying so probably best to express some interest with a dealer but as I said before Grifiths seem to be very few and far between in this part of the world
If I could find the exact car I'm looking for I probably wouldn't need him but just don't seem to be any around at the moment. It makes it a bit tough following the advice of seeing and driving as many as possible a bit tricky - unless I forget the cosmetic spec and run round looking at every 4.3 on the market. Would feel a bit tight wasting a private seller's time when I had no intention of buying so probably best to express some interest with a dealer but as I said before Grifiths seem to be very few and far between in this part of the world
Just sold my 4.3, as a matter of interest perhaps I found that having advertised Griff' for sale privately I recieved a phone call from the dealer who had sold me the car one year previously. He offered me £6000 less than I had paid him one year and 1300 miles ago.
If all dealers try and take the pi55 like this idiot then I'm not surprised that you say not many around in dealers.
The Griff' went for £3300 more than dealer offer, I know they have overheads and all the rest of that bull but this dealer seems to want to cream you at both ends. I wont be taking my cash there again.
If all dealers try and take the pi55 like this idiot then I'm not surprised that you say not many around in dealers.
The Griff' went for £3300 more than dealer offer, I know they have overheads and all the rest of that bull but this dealer seems to want to cream you at both ends. I wont be taking my cash there again.
You'll find a 4.3 for £12k but I doubt if you'll find one at that money through Rob Ingleby. I've never had any contact with him, but would assume he sources only cars he will comfortably and happily reccomend and to be quite honest that might be a bit much to ask of a £12k 4.3. Same goes for dealer sourced, so you're looking at a private sale and a professional inspection (recommended mechanic or TVR specialist) - a must if you're at all unsure of what you're doing. Full marks for keeping some cash by, however. You won't get a meaningful warranty on a pre cat, so make your own.
Restricting your colour choices will, I'm afraid make your task virtually impossible. Only 3-400 4.3s were produced, probably half of these have died. The rest are going to be not for sale or in the wrong part of the country. If colour is paramount remember that a respray costs less than a retrim (but get your own quotes to vreify this). Otherwise, buy on condition and trust me, you'll forgive it being any colour when you get to drive it! I bought one with a mauve interior - believe me, I know what I'm talking about!!
500 wheels do come up for sale - average price is probably £4-500 for a set of four. Personally I think they destroy the look of a pre cat but there are a few precats around with them already fitted so you might be able to save yourself a bit if you can find one of these.
Finally a better bet might be to look for a 4.0 - possibly more around, almost certainly cheaper like for like.
Good luck and don't give up - you'll find one in the end.
Restricting your colour choices will, I'm afraid make your task virtually impossible. Only 3-400 4.3s were produced, probably half of these have died. The rest are going to be not for sale or in the wrong part of the country. If colour is paramount remember that a respray costs less than a retrim (but get your own quotes to vreify this). Otherwise, buy on condition and trust me, you'll forgive it being any colour when you get to drive it! I bought one with a mauve interior - believe me, I know what I'm talking about!!
500 wheels do come up for sale - average price is probably £4-500 for a set of four. Personally I think they destroy the look of a pre cat but there are a few precats around with them already fitted so you might be able to save yourself a bit if you can find one of these.
Finally a better bet might be to look for a 4.0 - possibly more around, almost certainly cheaper like for like.
Good luck and don't give up - you'll find one in the end.
I just bought a 4.3.....
Initially I was looking at 500s and to be honest there is a lot of rubbish/neglected ones about... hence they are the cheaper priced ones.
I only looked at one pre-cat one... (My one now).... parted with £15k... (hefty but fair price considering mileage and condition)
Now colour???????.... I started with a colour restriction..... You need to broaden your horizons a bit, otherwise you'll could never get what excatly wanted (unless its a common colour combination).
Good luck in the hunt.
Initially I was looking at 500s and to be honest there is a lot of rubbish/neglected ones about... hence they are the cheaper priced ones.
I only looked at one pre-cat one... (My one now).... parted with £15k... (hefty but fair price considering mileage and condition)
Now colour???????.... I started with a colour restriction..... You need to broaden your horizons a bit, otherwise you'll could never get what excatly wanted (unless its a common colour combination).
Good luck in the hunt.
Thanks for the replies guys. As I said I've only just started looking and am in no particular rush (this will more than likely change ) so will stick it out for the moment. There are so many 500s for sale fitting my spec so might take the plunge if I get no joy with the 4.2. The 4.0 is a good idea but of the precats only really wanted the 4.2.
So, anyone with a dark blue 4.2 feels like a change, pm me If you're not looking to sell immediately bear me in mind when you do come to do so.
Piers
FYI: Just got an online quote from Bell Direct, the 4.2 and 500 returned the same premium of £666 (
) which seems very reasonable (25yrs old, 5 yrs no claims)
) so will stick it out for the moment. There are so many 500s for sale fitting my spec so might take the plunge if I get no joy with the 4.2. The 4.0 is a good idea but of the precats only really wanted the 4.2. So, anyone with a dark blue 4.2 feels like a change, pm me
If you're not looking to sell immediately bear me in mind when you do come to do so. Piers
FYI: Just got an online quote from Bell Direct, the 4.2 and 500 returned the same premium of £666 (
) which seems very reasonable (25yrs old, 5 yrs no claims)2Munkys said:
But remember Cockey, with summer being just around the corner, any new stuff finding its way into the classifieds may start attracting a premium for that very reason.
Happy Huntin'
Apparently prices rise in summer - but so do the numbers of cars for sale. Net effect = stability?
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