i need a griff!

[funbobby]

right, im looking to get a griff and apart from the obvious such as chassis condition and the likes of, what else are problem areas and faults? also hoping to get a 500 but im wondering if these have reliability issues over the smaller engine models? any advice much appreciated.

[BIG DUNC]

Check out the Griffith pages, there is plenty of that advise there.
Also, look at as many as you can, as they do vary a lot.
Buy on condition rather than age or milage.
Look for history. The cars are at an age now where a lot of owners do it themselfs. This is OK, as long as there is a large file of receipts / invoices for parts.
As far as I know there is no significant reliability issue between the engines. All the cars will have been driven hard. If they have been looked after, the engines MAY last a long time. If not, they MAY not. However, there will always be exceptions.
Good luck, and you enjoy the search for the right car nearly as much as owning it after.

ps, and as you said, chassis, chassis, chassis ( and check everything electrical works, and trim and body work can be expencive to put right. How could you go wrong ? )