Help needed, should I sell my Griff?

Help needed, should I sell my Griff?

Author
Discussion

phazed

21,844 posts

205 months

Friday 25th March 2022
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griff59 said:
I’m in my late 60’s,
Blimey! I wish I hadn't read that. I am of similar age..........Better slow down a bit.

Tyre Smoke

23,018 posts

262 months

Friday 25th March 2022
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You're only as old as the woman you feel, or something like that. My memory isn't what it used to be. laugh

Don't leave the Griff out in all weathers though! If it's forecast for a week of rain, best put her away.

SonicHedgeHog

2,539 posts

183 months

Friday 25th March 2022
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Don’t forget what has happened in the last two years. My Tamora hasn’t gone far either but that’s because I’ve not been allowed to go anywhere and even when I could I either had to work or the weather was rubbish. This summer should be different. Even if it isn’t I still love seeing it in the garage.

TrotCanterGallopCharge

423 posts

91 months

Friday 25th March 2022
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My 2p...

These cars are the stuff of dreams, but to do this, they can't have any 'faff' in their ownership, which takes away whatever is the feel good factor, be it driving, tinkering, detailing etc.

Having to move other things about, or not getting the dog in, will always place it 2nd best, and it will just get left, & these cars run better when used. You can feel & hear how much better the engine is after a long run.

You need to be able to drive it easily both when planned, or on the spur of the moment (by yourself or with the wife). This means that you will either have to be prepared leave the dog behind at times, & get a more accessible shelter, otherwise it may be best to sell, as your current lifestyle/situation will leave it just sat there.


Tasmin200

1,275 posts

188 months

Friday 25th March 2022
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griff59 said:
"hang on to it, why are you even thinking of selling it? I think she loves it more than I do, and she’s always trying to get me to drive it."

Keep me he car and your partner.

" I do find it scary after not driving it for awhile, that feeling soon goes though, after a couple of hours, and I’m used to it again"

Drive it more!

"Another issue, is that it’s a pain to actually get the car out, it takes about ten minutes, to move things and get it out of the garage, then I have to struggle with two sets of drive gates'

Get rid of the crap in the way.

Sorted

rallye101

1,913 posts

198 months

Friday 25th March 2022
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Hope you get sold,

I'm similar, dying to get a griffith but cannot sell a mk 1 granada to free up garage space before as an older generation cannot see it gone..

They don't get the fact it's costing me £2k a year just sitting still but there you go I guess...

Belle427

9,011 posts

234 months

Saturday 26th March 2022
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It’s always a difficult decision but these cars do need to be used regularly, I only ever used my Chim for a lengthy weekend drive out but this was whenever the conditions were good.
Sadly my decision was made for me when I had a silly low speed accident on greasy roads, I made the decision to let the car go and it was written off.
Do I miss the car?
A little I suppose, the event that it was made it a special car to drive even though it’s not a precision instrument, a feeling I doubt most cars would give.
I’m 50 in a years time and promised myself a Porsche of some description as it’s an itch I want to scratch but I always still think a V8 engined Tvr is a better proposition.
If I had the storage space and spare funds to run it I’d definitely have one in my collection.
I’ve looked at many cars but not many offer the same level of thrill the Tvr did.

griff59

Original Poster:

273 posts

71 months

Saturday 26th March 2022
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The Griff is actually very cheap to run per year, the cheapest car I’ve owned.
Limited mileage insurance, tax, a yearly service, still well under a grand, total, including fuel.
Someone mentioned a shed, that’s a very good idea, we’ve got a lawnmower and garden tools that could be swallowed up by a shed, they are the things we keep having to move out of the way,

Belle427

9,011 posts

234 months

Saturday 26th March 2022
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griff59 said:
The Griff is actually very cheap to run per year, the cheapest car I’ve owned.
Limited mileage insurance, tax, a yearly service, still well under a grand, total, including fuel.
Someone mentioned a shed, that’s a very good idea, we’ve got a lawnmower and garden tools that could be swallowed up by a shed, they are the things we keep having to move out of the way,
Yes, buy the biggest you can within reason, very handy storage places.

NicBowman

785 posts

239 months

Saturday 26th March 2022
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There’s another good point made. Sort your loft out, put stuff in it that normally gets in the way. I can get in the loft in 60 seconds, lid hinges down, big wooden ladder pulls down, all floored out with good lights. Sucks up tons of 'crap' that I might need one day. I am pretty religious with the garage, everything not used regularly goes in the loft.

Then, get racking for the garage. Cheap as chips, amazingly strong. See pic in thread above, that blue racking was only £150 ish. Put all the regular use crap on that.

Great fun!

Nic

SFTWend

851 posts

76 months

Saturday 26th March 2022
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This question is easy. One reason to sell (lack of use) and a list of reasons not to. So don't sell.

Despite best intentions mine barely came out through the winter due to salt, rain etc and I started thinking I should change her for something more usable. But when I did get her out I soon changed my mind.

gruffgriff

1,597 posts

244 months

Saturday 26th March 2022
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Squirrelofwoe said:
Imagine you've sold the car, then you see / hear a similar one out an about one sunny afternoon
The sadness at having to sell mine is still triggered by hearing one now...15 years later...and I'd arguably devalued it's 'specialness' by using it daily for 3 years. I adored it, nothing better in this weather!

Tyre Smoke

23,018 posts

262 months

Saturday 26th March 2022
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Exactly. Just backed the Chimaera out of the garage. Coolant change and removal of the plug extenders to fit socks instead. A horrible job getting the plug extenders out. Not difficult, but very sweary. New coolant in, just doing some pre flight checks and when the wife gets home we're off to the pub in her.

No other car I'd rather drive on a day like today. I'm sure it's the same for a Griffith!

colin mee

1,193 posts

121 months

Saturday 26th March 2022
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Keep it.the the old tvr owners that are trying to find there old cars to buy them back. Worth having just to clean and start up ever now and again

R8FUN

266 posts

204 months

Saturday 26th March 2022
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I do look after it, it’s fine, just a couple of little things to do on the bodywork, and a new alarm system.



Mine needed a new Alarm, I noticed it was shot on the way home from buying it. I should maybe have had it replaced under warranty but the seller was 200 miles away so I put up with it for a while.
I eventually had it replaced by Heath @ X-Works, along with a new Walnut dash by Pete Wiggins & new Stereo. You don't really want to be pulling the dash out too often so I did the lot.

Thing is with TVRs costs can get out of hand because you just want the best for the car.

TR4man

5,234 posts

175 months

Saturday 26th March 2022
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R8FUN said:
Thing is with TVRs costs can get out of hand because you just want the best for the car.
Very true!

Sometimes it is difficult know when to stop!

griff59

Original Poster:

273 posts

71 months

Sunday 27th March 2022
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R8FUN said:
I do look after it, it’s fine, just a couple of little things to do on the bodywork, and a new alarm system.



Mine needed a new Alarm, I noticed it was shot on the way home from buying it. I should maybe have had it replaced under warranty but the seller was 200 miles away so I put up with it for a while.
I eventually had it replaced by Heath @ X-Works, along with a new Walnut dash by Pete Wiggins & new Stereo. You don't really want to be pulling the dash out too often so I did the lot.

Thing is with TVRs costs can get out of hand because you just want the best for the car.
Yes, it’s difficult, there are things that some people say I should have done regardless, uprated brakes, suspension, and LED lights. Others say leave it alone, it’s fine as it is, and it’s original, so that’s a bit of a dilemma.
The car is looked after by Dan Taylor, who’s amazing, really knows his stuff, got complete confidence in him.
He has a guy visit once in awhile, who specialises in electrics, and alarm systems, so that’s going to be done this summer.
There’s a couple of little scratches on the near side front wing that need sorting out that were done by the dreaded lawnmower getting in the way, a perfect argument for that shed!
I can’t find anyone to do the bodywork though, I’m in Kent, and any recommendations would be welcome.



Edited by griff59 on Sunday 27th March 08:09


Edited by griff59 on Sunday 27th March 08:10


Edited by griff59 on Sunday 27th March 08:11

8Speed

731 posts

67 months

Monday 28th March 2022
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griff59 said:
Yes, it’s difficult, there are things that some people say I should have done regardless, uprated brakes, suspension, and LED lights. Others say leave it alone, it’s fine as it is, and it’s original, so that’s a bit of a dilemma.
The car is looked after by Dan Taylor, who’s amazing, really knows his stuff, got complete confidence in him.
He has a guy visit once in awhile, who specialises in electrics, and alarm systems, so that’s going to be done this summer.
There’s a couple of little scratches on the near side front wing that need sorting out that were done by the dreaded lawnmower getting in the way, a perfect argument for that shed!
I can’t find anyone to do the bodywork though, I’m in Kent, and any recommendations would be welcome.



Edited by griff59 on Sunday 27th March 08:09


Edited by griff59 on Sunday 27th March 08:10


Edited by griff59 on Sunday 27th March 08:11
I had my difficult to match paint done by these guys who are based just off the A21 Lamberhurst by pass junction - recommended.

Autosport Customs
Terry Dennington
01892 890096
07494 886054

lockhart flawse

2,042 posts

236 months

Monday 28th March 2022
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OP - I am in a similar situation but I have owned my SE for 17 years and feel like a change; I would like a Bullitt Mustang but the bloomin things wont drop below 42k. Also it can be a bit of a faff to sell a Griffith.

You seem to find more reasons to sell yours than keep it so in your position I would be inclined to sell. They dont cost much to run, wont depreciate but if you are only taking it out a few times a year there's not a lot of point in having it IMO.

porterpainter

655 posts

38 months

Monday 28th March 2022
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Hey Op,

Sounds to me like you need to go the other way.

Double-down and buy yourself a second TVR biggrin

Classic or a T car…doesn’t matter! Twice the fun!

Sorted.