Tempted but not quite sure yet

[26jcd]

Hi, I am a TVR virgin

Finances permitting, I am very tempted by the prospect of owning a Griff 500 Can anybody advise me on the best sort of Griff I can get for around 11-15k? Also how much should I budget each year for running costs (i'll prob do about 8k a year)?

Also can the Griff be fitted with the later style spyder alloy wheels?

Any help would be much appreciated

[Wildfire]

At the lower end of your price scale you are looking at a Pre Cat 400 or an early Pre Serpentine, probably Pre T5 500. At the higher end a 95-96 500. But as always buy on condition not age. Chassis is of utmost importance, as it will be very costly to fix.

Personally I don't hold much store by FSH, but reciepts are good to have and the overall condition of the car is waht is important, mainly mechanical. My 400 is cosmetically Tatty, the S3 I sold was in far better condition all round. But the chassis and mechanicals of my 400 are in excellent condition. Being 13 years old and it still passed the MOT with no work required.

Spiders can be fitted but you will need to change the hubs and calipers. IIRC this is around £1700 for the kit, but i could be wrong.

[antonyj]

I spotted this one in the ad's, it sounds really good.
www.pistonheads.com/sales/69692.htm

Sounds as if the guys gone right through it.

Pics:
www.tvrwestlancs.co.uk/db/gallery.asp?stableID=43

The clocks may take some getting used to , but I sure they could be put back to the original

[Green Meanie]

Thanks Antonyj
You are right in what you said this is a superb fully sorted Griff,I know because I own it.If anyone wants a reliable fully sorted Pre-Cat then this is it.

>> Edited by Green Meanie on Wednesday 19th April 19:30

[David H]

Green Meanie said:

Thanks Antonyj You are right in what you said this is a superb fully sorted Griff,I know because I own it.If anyone wants a reliable fully sorted Pre-Cat then this is it. >> Edited by Green Meanie on Wednesday 19th April 19:30

Some good pictures would generate more interest mate.

Plus I always want to see more pictures of Griffs

[jigsty]

Best advice is to stick with original unmolested Griffiths - they will hold their value best - unoriginal features, either mechanical or aesthetic, will put off future buyers. As cars such as the Griffith become classics the market favours the 'as original' examples.

[davidindevon]

Welcome AJC
Just a few words of advice, yes the unaltered one's are likely to hold the demand and price better but in my experience they are not daily drivers and most of all you WILL need an enormous pocket.
I purchased mine about 3 years ago when it was about 4 years old with only 34,000 on the clock - Thought I'd paid a high price but it looked and drove beautifully, service record, new MOT the lot. Almost everything has given problems. I haven't totted up the total expenditure on the repairs but it covers almost everything except body/chassis. I know repair costs have gone easily over £10K and I've been without the car for weeks at a time whilst only covering a total of approx 4000 miles. Not much fun. Do be prepared to accept the worst when it happens as it surely does. Good luck with whatever you decide.

[26jcd]

Thanks for the advice gentleman.

I spoke to a TVR servicing specialist yesterday and he said the Rover V8 is a solid engine but he did also mention that a TVR is for an enthusiast (I presume he is talking about all the little niggles or in some cases big ones!). He also advised me on buying a second car as a run about; I think i'll just use public transport more often!

He also mentioned a Chimeara? I think the Griff looks the biz

Thanks for the suggestion on that Griff but i think the colour i would go for would be Paris Blue, Starmist blue or Black.

Now all i have to do is find one

[mrmaggit]

James Agger has a very nice black one in stock at the moment.

[Nuggs]

26jcd said:

...He also advised me on buying a second car as a run about; I think i'll just use public transport more often!

I wouldn't take too much heed of that - I use my Chim as an everyday car and it's never let me down. The Griff's boot is a bit smaller but provided you don't plan to shift too much stuff on a regular basis, it shouldn't cause any difficulties.

Of course if you need to fit golf clubs in the boot, the Chim's the only way to go

[simpo two]

One thing I can tell you for certain is that it'll be the complete opposite of your BMW in every respect!

[26jcd]

Thanks for the advice chaps

[v8griff]

Wow those running costs seem scary to say the least.

My 500 is my third TVR and after owning it for 5 years have spent the grand total of (not including servicing - see below) around £250 on replacement battery and otter switch (coolant problem).

Servicing is very reasonable at a local specialist, typically costing between £90 to £140 labour only as I supply the parts.

Granted I only do about 2500 miles a year, but I think these costs are manageable!!

Incidentally insurance is £300 for 3k miles per annum.

My advice? Buy on condition and history. Age and mileage are secondary.

HTH.

[jamesk]

Nuggs said:

26jcd said: ...He also advised me on buying a second car as a run about; I think i'll just use public transport more often! I wouldn't take too much heed of that - I use my Chim as an everyday car and it's never let me down. The Griff's boot is a bit smaller but provided you don't plan to shift too much stuff on a regular basis, it shouldn't cause any difficulties. Of course if you need to fit golf clubs in the boot, the Chim's the only way to go

Not so. Golf clubs go in a Griff no problem. I got 2 sets in if I had to. A driver may need to go in seperately mind you