Starting Search for a Griffith
Discussion
Higgins23 said:
I have decided to start a slow search for a Griff. My goal is to have it in my garage and ready to enjoy by next Spring. The target price is around GBP 15,000. What type of car can I expect to get in this range ? Thanks, Higgins23
Well, Higgins. It sounds as if you are exactly where I was 2 years ago to the date.
My search started around about now and I finally purchase one in March, the following year working to the same budget.
To be honest, I don't think there has been too much of a shift in values, so hopefully, your story will be similar to mine.
For £15K I ended up with a lovely 1995 Griff 500, with low/med mileage and a full TVRSH. Excellent (in the extreme) condition and a brilliant runner. Never had a serious problem. A misfire was the only thing but hey, thats happened with most of my cars.
OK, so we're two years on. I've mentioned that Griff values haven't changed much. What I mean is, the same 1995 car might cost you the same now as it did me then, so technically they've held, if not increased, in value.
Aim for a well sorted M/N/P plate for £15K. Buy right and you'll have a minter on your hands.
Higgins23 said:
lazyitus, Any particular areas of concern that I should look out for when looking at Griffs ? Thanks Higgins23
As mrmaggit says really.
I went down the route of a private purchase, not a dealer. This probably saved me a couple of K.
I'm fortunate that I've bought and sold 100's of cars over the last 15 years so generally can spot a good car from a nail.
A test drive (by you) is a must as it can reveal all sorts of trouble that the owner can easily hide, as he is used to driving it.
Buy 'The Bible'. Steve Heaths book is probably 'the' definitive guide to buying this kind of car.
If you are unsure, take somebody else with you who has a level head. When faced with actually being in contact with a Griffith, your head can do funny things and this can lead to people just buying it because its there, and beautiful! (if you get my drift)
Above all, make sure you end up with a nice one and enjoy it. If you do buy one, you will not regret it. That is a cast iron guarantee!
If you're not feeling brave enough to go privately, I can't help but suggest you'll find a number of good independents such as Adrian Blyth or James Agger, depending upon whereabouts you are. Being enthusiasts themselves, and with a reputation to protect, they have good quality motors and some sound advice!
Motors like:
Motors like:
Oh yeah and use it regularly...they hate sitting around!
Hi Higgins23,
I was in exactly same situation around Sept last year with same amount of money. I really wanted a pre-cat and have ended up with a mint 93 4.3 which has been great. I have little experience with TVRs and was worried my heart will rule so got the help of Rob Ingleby, who took about 6 weeks to find my car. Having driven a 500 I much prefer mine, both for the seemingly more easier revving ability and much improved sound. It all depends on the state of tune of the engine too. In any case by over condition rather than mileage. Happy hunting
>> Edited by laz11 on Wednesday 22 September 12:05
Hi Higgins23,
I was in exactly same situation around Sept last year with same amount of money. I really wanted a pre-cat and have ended up with a mint 93 4.3 which has been great. I have little experience with TVRs and was worried my heart will rule so got the help of Rob Ingleby, who took about 6 weeks to find my car. Having driven a 500 I much prefer mine, both for the seemingly more easier revving ability and much improved sound. It all depends on the state of tune of the engine too. In any case by over condition rather than mileage. Happy hunting
>> Edited by laz11 on Wednesday 22 September 12:05
It's true, your heart really will rule your head.
So to avoid the temptation of buying the first thing that comes along go to events such as Griff Growl or TRVCC meetings and you will see examples of everything in the toy shop without being able to buy them. Most people are only too happy to tell you how long they've owned their pride and joy for, how much they paid for it, etc, etc, etc, etc, etc, ...
I still bought the first one I drove but at least I knew it really was as good as James Agger said it was.
Pre-Cat is best
that should stir things up nicely for you
So to avoid the temptation of buying the first thing that comes along go to events such as Griff Growl or TRVCC meetings and you will see examples of everything in the toy shop without being able to buy them. Most people are only too happy to tell you how long they've owned their pride and joy for, how much they paid for it, etc, etc, etc, etc, etc, ...
I still bought the first one I drove but at least I knew it really was as good as James Agger said it was.
Pre-Cat is best
that should stir things up nicely for you
Higgins23 said:
My goal is to have it in my garage and ready to enjoy by next Spring.
Depends on how much of a Handy Andy you are, you could buy a broken one (like I did) and have it ready for spring (notice I didn't say NEXT spring) and you will be an expert by then!
I paid £6.3K for the one on my profile and it now looks like www.pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?t=121605&f=9&h=0
BARRETI said:
It's true, your heart really will rule your head.
So to avoid the temptation of buying the first thing that comes along go to events such as Griff Growl or TRVCC meetings and you will see examples of everything in the toy shop without being able to buy them. Most people are only too happy to tell you how long they've owned their pride and joy for, how much they paid for it, etc, etc, etc, etc, etc, ...
I still bought the first one I drove but at least I knew it really was as good as James Agger said it was.
Pre-Cat is best
that should stir things up nicely for you
Me too, but mine's better than James said it was.
Whatever you do, make sure you get an HPI check done on the car before you part with any cash. This costs about £40 and will tell you if the things been in a serious prang! There are some cracking looking Griffs around which are insurance write-off's - I know cos I put £500 deposit on one and then found out it was a cat4 write-off. Needless to say I didn't buy it. I'm not saying "don't buy a write off" cos if it's been very well fixed and the price is adjusted accordingly then it might be a good buy; what I am saying is, make sure you know what you're buying. I'd recommend commissioning Rob Ingleby to find you one (he found my griff 500 which I've cherished for the past 18 months)-he's not cheap, but when you compare it to the cost of a 12,000 mile service it ain't dear either, and what price do you pay for peace of mind?
Go for a 500, cos it don't get any better than that.
Steve
Go for a 500, cos it don't get any better than that.
Steve
I have a list of mechanical things to check at home from when I was looking... I'll try to remember to email it to you. History is important. It's a guide to how well the car has been looked after and it's a good guide to the spending plan you need to make - eg. has the suspension been replaced recently?
I have to say that I fall into the "we bought the first one seriously looked at" category... But it was the right car in the right colour at the right price at the right time, and we'd done the going to meets type of research.
As already said - look at as many as possible, go to some meets, read DustyC's research threads here on PH and read the "bible".
£15k should get you a nice example. So far, I'm very happy with ours.
Oh, and drive it regularly when you get it!
Ours is used most days.
I have to say that I fall into the "we bought the first one seriously looked at" category... But it was the right car in the right colour at the right price at the right time, and we'd done the going to meets type of research.
As already said - look at as many as possible, go to some meets, read DustyC's research threads here on PH
and read the "bible". £15k should get you a nice example. So far, I'm very happy with ours.
Oh, and drive it regularly when you get it!
Ours is used most days. Gassing Station | Griffith | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff