I'd Quite Like A 500 Really...
I'd Quite Like A 500 Really...
Author
Discussion

DanBoy

Original Poster:

4,899 posts

272 months

Monday 18th October 2004
quotequote all
I've been trying to think of cars I'd like to buy in a year or so's time.

Most of the cars I can think of have been Japanese cars - RX7s, Supras, even Silvias.

But out of all of those, only the RX7 seems capable of ticking all the right boxes, and even then I'm not quite sure it will feel 100% special due to the somewhat bland interior (and Mazda badge).

So then I started thinking about other cars that would fit roughly into or around my budget, and I got to thinking about the Griff. Then I started to feel quite excited!

It's bloomin' fast, but I'm told that TVRs are actually cheaper to insure than the Japanese cars.... Probably something to do with the boy racer image.

Anybody know of any companies that are especially good at insuring TVRs? I'm probably being too optimistic as I'll only be 22 with 3 years NCB if/when I get the thing, but it's worth a shot.

beano500

20,854 posts

304 months

Monday 18th October 2004
quotequote all
You only need to search on here to find a variety of companies to try.

I don't know about min age - but I'll start you off by letting you know that I was with Direct Line (of all people) as being one of the cheapest for several years with the Griff.

Mannings are good too - I used them this year for the first time (and they were very apologetic about the hike in premium when I went to the Tuscan) and met them at P&P - worth a try!

ZooMattTVR

12 posts

268 months

Monday 18th October 2004
quotequote all
If you go for a Griff - you can get it insured as a "future classic". I've been with Classicline since I was 27 (34 now - ouch) and had TVR's all the way. They're "statistically" much less attractive for knicking than the JapMobiles of the FastAndFurious brigade - so cheaper to insure.

Go for a kitcar if you want outright performance for lo-cost insurance, though.

Cheers.

DanBoy

Original Poster:

4,899 posts

272 months

Monday 18th October 2004
quotequote all
I would go for a kit car but I'd like a good degree of comfort too!

(I know they get hot behind the wheel, but at least when you're not actually driving, TVRs are comfortable)!

Ultima (don't let them hear me calling it a kit car!) would be nice but I don't have 30 grand to spend!

burriana500

16,556 posts

283 months

Monday 18th October 2004
quotequote all
They may want to know what previous experience you have had of high powered rear wheel drive sports cars though as statistically about 20% of all TVR owners crash within their first year of ownership, and 80% of all TVR crashes involve no other drivers!

DanBoy

Original Poster:

4,899 posts

272 months

Monday 18th October 2004
quotequote all
Really?

That's quite amusing!

I have an MR2 at the moment. Nowhere near the same level of torque but I do have some experience of my cousin's Cerbera!

DanBoy

Original Poster:

4,899 posts

272 months

Monday 18th October 2004
quotequote all
Just ran a quote on a pre-cat instead as I understand the noise they make is fearsome...

Got quoted £1600 comprehensive with £250 excess.

Not too shabby really, and that's only my first quote (with Admiral).

Cool!

I've been quoted £3000+ for Japanese imports that are considerably slower!

shnozz

30,630 posts

300 months

Monday 18th October 2004
quotequote all
danboy - in my experience TVR insurance is far far less than Jap stuff. I think the owners are often considered fastidious (read anal ) so the insurers consider them a better risk. Its also rare that a TVR is stolen, whereas prezzas/skylines etc get regularly nicked...

To get an idea, I paid £620 this year to insure the TVR with unlimited miles and TVRCC track day cover. When I was looking for an everyday hack, they wanted £1400 to insure a scooby. So I bought the turbo rover which was £340 to insure....

I was 23 and bought an S3. That was about £1300 at the time to insure, on a mainstream policy with privilege. I would expect a Griff (especially a 5 litre) to be closer to 2k, dependant on your postcode (i know you are near guildford but no idea how the insurers think of that area).

There are several chim owners that are sub 25. Unless you get an S to tie you over

maca

146 posts

288 months

Monday 18th October 2004
quotequote all
interesting Dan...i've owned both rx7 and currently a 500 and i'm looking at switching back to the mazda.

DanBoy

Original Poster:

4,899 posts

272 months

Monday 18th October 2004
quotequote all
maca said:
interesting Dan...i've owned both rx7 and currently a 500 and i'm looking at switching back to the mazda.


Interesting indeed!

Care to explain why?

andy43

13,148 posts

283 months

Monday 18th October 2004
quotequote all
For insurance, try getting a classic policy - anything over 10 yrs old qualifies ie precats and early 500s - my renewal premium is £304 agreed value/limited mileage Do a search on here for who is cheapest for insurance and ring them - you'll be surprised. All you need is a sher £100 daily driver to qualify - a 'classic' can't be your sole means of transport to qualify for the cheaper insurance.

>> Edited by andy43 on Monday 18th October 19:55

shnozz

30,630 posts

300 months

Monday 18th October 2004
quotequote all
andy43 said:
All you need is a sher £100 daily driver to qualify - a 'classic' can't be your sole means of transport to qualify for the cheaper insurance.



not so sure on that mate. I was refused classic policies until I was 25...

andy43

13,148 posts

283 months

Monday 18th October 2004
quotequote all
Fair point! Me being an old and creaky thirty-something before I got the Griff, never even thought about an age limit. So THATS why the 'young people' all drive Corsas they've spent £20k on instead of something half-decent.

battlecat

945 posts

267 months

Tuesday 19th October 2004
quotequote all
For what its worth I'm 24 and bought my Griff 500 a few months ago. I had trouble finding companies willing to insure me because of my age, but my current policy is with Elephant.co.uk and they were happy to cover the Griff. However I expect to change to Footman James as shortly my policy will expire and i'll turn 25, for which they quoted £760 on a limited mileage.

The mainstream companies were no help to me so ring around companies mentioned on previous threads and see what you come up.

Be persistent, it's worth it.

loose cannon

6,057 posts

270 months

Wednesday 20th October 2004
quotequote all
my insurance cost me £1700 for my griff 500 with unlimited mileage and im now 29 could of possibly got it cheaper though, as for classic policy's
i had a 1985 xj12 on a 3000mile policy which cost £146.00 also had a cortina ghia which only cost £80.00
but cost more in sick bagg's

Blanco

6 posts

267 months

Wednesday 20th October 2004
quotequote all
I'm 29 and have a '95 500, and only pay £800ish per year for 12000 miles with Admiral.

>> Edited by Blanco on Wednesday 20th October 12:11

lazyitus

19,931 posts

295 months

Wednesday 20th October 2004
quotequote all
I'm 33. My '95 500 costs me about £550.00 a year with a 5K limit.

sphorne

63 posts

263 months

Wednesday 20th October 2004
quotequote all
Try A.Manning (01491 578 759) - I'm 29 and it costs me £450 for a Chim 400. If you join the TVRCC, you get a further discount.

nutcase

1,145 posts

281 months

Wednesday 20th October 2004
quotequote all
Danboy- i'm in the same position mate, although i've owned a Tuscan and Chimaera in the past (regret selling the Chim). Insurance via Tesco has been the most competitive (2200 at the time, 21 yrs old with 1 yr no claims back then).

Can't wait for spring now, then i'm on the lookout for Griff 500...!

Timmon

22 posts

264 months

Wednesday 20th October 2004
quotequote all
Hi Dan,

I was 22 when i insured my 4.0 Chimp and taht cost me about £2000. I had 1 years NCB and no accidents or points. I live in Woking, Surrey.

I would deffinately go for a Tiv over the Mazda mate, theres nothing like it!