Newbie Question? Pre Cat Griff Wanted?

[Edmundo2]

Hi All,

I'm new to posting on this forum but have been watching it for quite a while and wondered if anyone could advise me on where to find a Pre Cat Griff? I've recently updated my wanted ad, ( sorry can't seem to insert link ), on this site and I've been spending unhealthy amounts of time scouring all the usual sites, ( autotrader/ebay etc..) but to no avail. I'm a being too picky re spec? Is my budget realistic? Is it just the time of year that's responsible for lack of cars for sale? I'm aware of Lord Grovers car and Offords and whilst both look good I really wanted something in a colour other than Cooper Green or Starfire/Mica Blue, ( also weary of Lord Grovers mileage from standpoint of ever needing to sell on? ). Any advice on other places to search or cars likely to come up for sale in the future would be appreciated as I really want my next Tiv to be the sort I've always wanted - Dark,Loud, and Griff shaped!

Thanks,
Ed.

[clive f]

go for quality, I know looking for the right colour for you is one of the key things in finding the right car, but in the end I`d buy from someone who was an enthusiaste, making the condition of the car a much safer bet, if its his pride and joy it will have been treated as such so should be in very good nick.
so give Grovers a good look, have you been to see the car and had a chat with him, the mileage should not put you off at all, I`d be very worried about a 16 +yr old car with only 30k on it, thats not even 2k a year!
I tried to find the same ideal car like you 3+ years ago, and ended up with brooklands green instead of the blue that I always liked, my reason for the change of heart was the bloke selling the car, he had spent alot of money on it keeping it in excellent condition, had pictures of it on his wall, he basically loved it to bits but had no choice but to sell for purely financial reasons, so for me the element of risk thats always present when buying a car was reduced.

hope you find the right one you are looking for, but try to keep an open mind, the colour of the car is important, but its only the coat hiding whats underneath, get out an visit a few and chat to a few owners in person.

good luck, and keep us informed.

clive

[LordGrover]

Here's your link: click

Thanks to clivef for kind words.

I understand my car may not be 'right' for you but I challenge you - try a few others then come and try mine.
I spent many months and miles searching for my perfect pre-cat Griff. I had a budget of c. £16k plus a couple of grand put aside for the inevitable minor crisis/big service. I saw the one I now have quite early in my search but rejected it for similar reasons to your own - too many miles, a bit tatty, etc. I still went back and bought it though - it drives so much better than any other I've been in. There's nothing special about the spec, it's just a good'n. The money I didn't spend on the initial purchase has since come in handy too.
When I bought it the previous owner had spent many thousands in the preceeding 18 months (I have the receipts) and I've spent a few bob to ensure it's as good as it can be. I've spent over £5,000 in two years here and it's at Dulford's at the moment having a reconditioned gearbox, diff and steering rack as well as a 12k service and a few other little bits and pieces - I won't see much change from two grand. But it's worth it. I have a duty and responsibility to keep such a cracking piece of motoring excellence up to the best standard I can justify.
It still ain't no beauty queen but for my money it blows any other I know of into the weeds. There may be more powerful, quicker Griffs and Chimps out there but I couldn't find one that delivered the grunt so well. A few pre-catters have been in mine at last years Growl - ask AntonyJ or Griffter what they think of it - i hope they will be as kind as clivef above - they were at the time, but you may get a more honest reaction from them if I'm not about.

[AntonyJ]

He is absolutely mad to sell it(but I dont know his reasons), especially at that price.

A precat that puts quite a few 500's to shame on the RR?

Edited by AntonyJ on Sunday 25th January 10:38

[STEV8E]

Why has that red 20,000 miler at Offords not sold yet
Supposed to be as it left the factory. High or low miles
Has pros and cons I know but most collectable cars
Make better money on resale with low miles.

Would link to the ad but I am on the blackberry

[spend]

LG's numbers have always astounded us, in that its still good for a BV , but it does show that the car was built with some extra care. You won't get another like that, and the money you save on not having to upgrade for that bit more (they always want it eventually!) you can have it painted and trimmed however you want!

[Pasco]

spend said:

LG's numbers have always astounded us, in that its still good for a BV , but it does show that the car was built with some extra care. You won't get another like that, and the money you save on not having to upgrade for that bit more (they always want it eventually!) you can have it painted and trimmed however you want!

Spot on Dave LG Motor is legendary for it power output

[Mr MoJo]

Another for LG's car here, had a good look at it on the Bristol regions Gorge Rumble just before Xmas, and followed LG on most of the hoon there and back. The car is a beauty, sounds awesome (although my 500 gave a higher db reading ) and spits the odd flame or to on over run (which sadly mine doesn't).

I know where my money would be going and the mileage wouldn't bother me one bit.

Simon

[Barkychoc]

If you definately want a pre cat don't forget the lil old V8S

[Edmundo2]

Hi all and thanks for the advice,it's all taken on board. I agree completely re buying a TVR on condition and not mileage and also to try and see past your dream colour combo if presented with a great car in a different spec to your first choice, ( have always followed these rules in the past ). However I currently find myself in the common situ of not wanting to buy whats out there through fear of my dream car coming up for sale the day after I've handed over the money for something else -everyones been there I'm sure! Also I don't want to waste peoples time arranging to view cars that I think I possibly might not want. I have to admit that LG's car looks like a good one and very tempting but just a few things I would prefer to be different. Also the price has now gone back up no doubt due to recent work and completely understandable, but now out of range of my max budget which is already considerably larger than it started off when telling wife that the Elise replacement would be a cheap Caterfield job in light of first child/loft conversion/recession etc..! I've had some contact re other cars so I guess for the time being I'll just keep watching/waiting as I won't really use it till Spring/Summer. You know what it's like when your without a toy for too long -Impatience is not a virtue!

[3024E]

You hang on in there Ed...........

I wanted a griff 4 years ago and as you do i wanted a red or yellow pre-cat, complete with its original early front end,good history low miles etc etc.....Anyway looking for about a year i gave up, and bought myself a mint 1986 chrome bumpered 300sl merc of which i stumbled across and adored for 4 yrs, then while not looking and petrol at a high of £1.25 a litre, my mate said he'd seen a griff for sale red pre-cat 4.0 loads history 38,000 miles and it was quite local.

Long story short i had a look at it, and this retired guy had bought it done 200 miles in the last 3 yrs and with 128 miles done in the first year of ownership his wife didnt like it and had put a deposit on a 911 because it had power steering so it had to go..


£6K BOUGHT IT, and i drove it home..........

So ED there is a car out there with you arse print on the seat waiting to be discovered, just be patient

[5.0ltr]

Ed, dunno what your budget is, but this one is similar money to what LGs was, and another vote for his car. Bit of a trip, but guess you know you will have to travel, looks tidy in pictures. Good dealer as well. Near me can go and have a look for you if you want? Hth. Bob.


http://www.tonygilbertcars.co.uk/?page=viewcar&amp...

Edited by 5.0ltr on Tuesday 27th January 09:48

[jimed]

I'm also keeping my eyes open for a pre-cat Griff and am disappointed that there are few for sale - in fact few Grifs period! Maybe its not to be but if the right one comes along ...but then the S is great fun as well and I know what I've got which has a lot to be said for it.
Re the one ref above at Tony Gilbert - the interior trim (doors and seats) looks as if its off an Montego or similar. I can't believe that TVR used that stuff (did they? - sorry if others do have Griff with that in but not at all my taste!) so rather off putting ...
Jim

[3024E]

JIMED,

That one at tg's has been for sale for absolute ages, i guess the trim doesnt help, and i dont like those x-spoke lattice wheels on griffs, but they look dead right on wedges??????


Andy

P.S.Will be in touch when the sun shines

[Edmundo2]

You did well 3024E! Hope I get lucky too. Only problem is how many cars do you let go by that are 90% right? Decisions,decisions! Re the car at Tony Gilberts it does look v.tidy but as others have mentioned I think the colour combo is whats stopping it shifting, ( sure it was for sale when I bought my Chim last time around? ). Seat trim looks like those little paper bags you get when you buy a birthday card from the gift shop. I don't mind OZ lattice on Griffs as the wheel seems to represent that generation, however I think that car/colour really needs a set of spyders/gaz or similar to stop it looking so dated.

[3024E]

EDMUNDO..................

Mines about 90% right ........at the moment

I am just having the wheels fully refurbed.....£300

front seats re trimmed by ex tvr guys.....£650

And a new set of seat belts just bought on ebay.......£58


Then it will be 100%.....and still stand me at £7k


Its a waiting game but dont expect to get one cheap quickly, most people who own griffs are generally not short of money, i waited 4 yrs and just happened to fall very very lucky.....

I doubt i would find another,

all the very best on the hunt,

Andy.