Pricing dilemma

[mack]

I've had to make a very reluctant decision, one that I've been putting off for a long time, and decide to sell my Griff

Basically, I work away at sea for six months of the year, and want to get back to a shoreside job so I don't miss out on our boys growing up. By doing this, I'm going to lose approximately 40% of my salary and that, coupled with the need to remortgage to extend the house, has meant it's unrealistic to keep the Griff

I'm just trying to compose an advert at the moment but, due to the unique history of my car, am struggling to put a realistic price on it.

I wondered if anyone has seen any SE Griffs up for sale at the moment, and if so, what sort of price were they up for?

I'm trying to be realistic with the price but, at the same time, I'm not giving her away. Unfortunately, there doesn't seem to be many later higher spec cars around at the moment, looking on here and autotrader, to compare with - anyone noticed any at dealers?

At the end of the day, family is the most important thing in life and if I get to spend more time with our two babies, then it's not a bad thing.
I know I'm doing it for all the right reasons, but, it's still a horrible decision to have to make
(there'll be a clause written in that whoever buys her, has to give me first option if they ever want to sell in the future )
Cheers,
mack

[_DeeJay_]

Ah Bugger. I remember reading about your car on here years ago and earmarked it as one I'd love to own in the future.

Then, in the year I've just bought a bigger house and am planning a wedding you go and put it up for sale

Best of luck with it anyway, just make sure it goes to a good home!!

[Pasco]

Mack, sorry to hear of your dilemma but in the long run i think you are making a good call.
When the kids are older i am sure you will return to Griff ownership.

One thing is for sure, and that is she has been well looked after since leaving the factory.
You must ensure she goes to another safe pair of hands.

Chin up mate

Pasco

[reeso]

I was debating this a few months ago and talking to other SE owners a figure of £25-£30k was concidered the right price depending on extras, service history, condition etc. Mine, if being sold, would be on the upper limit of these figures due to the above, plus a lot of engine work.

Good luck and make sure you keep Roger Thomas informed with the new owner details and inform the new owner of the following site too: www.griffith500se.co.uk/

[mack]

Pasco said:

When the kids are older i am sure you will return to Griff ownership.

You betcha!!!!!
Unfortunately, the lads will miss out on the street cred of being dropped off at school, albeit one by one, in future years - I was looking forward to that!

I toyed/am toying with the idea of a cheaper cerb (like UKBob's) but, realistically, I suppose they're not an all year round second family car and probably can't fit two child seats in the back anyway

I suppose I'll just have to bide my time until we can afford another Griff in the future - one thing you can guarantee, prices will have rocketed by then I bet!!

[mack]

reeso said:

I was debating this a few months ago and talking to other SE owners a figure of £25-£30k was concidered the right price depending on extras, service history, condition etc.

Reeso,
That sounds more like it - I know mine isn't the same age as an SE, but, it did undergo a 3 month restoration at the factory in 2003, including a new chassis
It's been valued for insurance purposes at £25k

One 'independent' TVR trader I rang today suggested a value of £12k, the same as a '91 4.0ltr he had in, as 'people aren't interested in history or cars that have been messed around with'
FFS I bet he wouldn't advertise it like that!!

[97octane]

That is almost impossible to price given its history. I can see your problem!! Bearing in mind that it has such a well documented and detailed history, it is quite likely to be important as a collector's item. Have you thought about putting it up for auction through a specialist? You might at least get a valuation from them. I know that the T440 R and Typhon were bought to "preserve the history of the marque" and are in the hands of PHers.

Alan

[mack]

That's a good idea Alan - I've never even thought of anything like that before - I wouldn't even know who to approach about it
( must go and buy a classic car mag afterwards and see if they list any numbers)

[97octane]

Brooks, I think, specialise in classics but there are others. Worth a call, at least.

[mack]

Cheers again Alan
Researching the web, as we speak!! (seems to be a few hundred pounds to enter and 2.5-5% commission on the sale - might be worth a gamble, I suppose)

Only thing is I always like to 'vet' potential buyers to ensure the car goes to a good home (I've even persuaded a couple of people not to buy one of my cars in the past, as I wasn't convinced she was going to be looked after!!)

[puffsorted2]

Given the amount of work spent on it and its secure place in TVR history I would have jumped on it a year ago when I was buying - and would have had no hesitation in spending 20k plus on it.

[mack]

Cheers Martin,
That's my own fault for trying to prolong the inevitable!!

I know something's only worth what someone wants to pay for it but, obviously I don't want to rip people off, while at the same time not ripping myself off and making sure she goes to a good home
(she's cost me well over £25k and that's even with the factory only charging me about a third of the cost of the rebuild!)

Personally, I think the car is worth more than an 'average' late 5ltr, but, obviously some people will disagree as everyone has their own idea of value

Edited by mack on Wednesday 24th January 16:59

[tvrgaas]

97octane said:

Brooks, I think.

Brooks did a reverse take over of Bonhams. Auctions for the non headline cars are basically trade swap meets, so be careful. TVR can be at low trade prices unless you are lucky. So set a good reserve, which will bring you back to a valuation. So is your car the first and a 1991 car or really the last and a 2003 car? I see from your profile it's both. I guess it depends how much was rebuilt, possibly most of it over the years. If I was buying, and I'm not - I have one, I'd be asking what's the engine/transmission mileage? This may be a better way of dating the car for comparables.

You're right, there don't appear to be many SE's for sale - the last few sold were asking around £25K and the 1999 cars are up for £20K ish. Dealer offering £12K to take it off your hands - I guess you'd get a few better offers here.

[Phil Dicky]

Must have been really hard to make this descision, yours is a real one off car.
Hope your not long out of the fold

[FlipFlopGriff]

Mack,
Sorry to hear this but yes family comes first.
Given its unique history I would have said at least £22/£23 but at the end of the day it's what you can get given it's really a buyers market.
Hope you get what you want for it and that you return to the fold soon.
Keep in touch.
FFG

[mack]

Cheers Paul,
I'll still be lurking around the TVR forums, whatever car I end up with!!
Hopefully, it'll only be a temporary measure and I'll be back before Griffs become even more highly sought after and too expensive to buy!!
(the way my luck runs though, Griffs WILL reach an all time high price the minute mine goes )

2007's certainly going to be a year of change - selling my Griff and my Morris (which was my first car, that I rebuilt, and have owned for 21yrs) and Lorraine and me both changing posts at work, but, needs must unfortunately

I'll be Griffless for the first time in 8yrs

mack

[puffsorted2]

mack said:

I wondered if anyone has seen any SE Griffs up for sale at the moment, and if so, what sort of price were they up for?

SE No 68 came up for sale yesterday in the TVRCC classifieds

[bluebottle]

It may be a 91/89? car, but its is essentially a unique 2000 SE car and i am sure people would pay on that basis... I know if i were in the market (I'm not) I would definately take it over a std SE

[UpTheIron]

mack said:

It's been valued for insurance purposes at £25k

One 'independent' TVR trader I rang today suggested a value of £12k

Whilst I personally couldn't bring myself to pay £25k, I would snap your hand off for £12k!!! Perhaps someone like James Agger could offer a sensible view on it's value, he has sold off quite a number of the ex-factory cars IIRC.

[mack]

puffsorted2 said:

SE No 68 came up for sale yesterday in the TVRCC classifieds

Cheers Martin, I'll look the price up