RE: Johno's TVR Griffith 500SE

RE: Johno's TVR Griffith 500SE

Author
Discussion

gadgit

Original Poster:

971 posts

268 months

Tuesday 29th October 2002
quotequote all
Christ Johno! have you won the lottery?

can't find a pic of it! it sounds great mate.

Gadgit.

shnozz

27,503 posts

272 months

Wednesday 30th October 2002
quotequote all
he sold his S in parts and recouped £24,000

Paul V

4,489 posts

278 months

Wednesday 30th October 2002
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One rather tasty Griff!

johno

8,429 posts

283 months

Wednesday 30th October 2002
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Last time I bought cheap and ended up spending a fortune to get the car to the condition and performance I wanted it to have. I can't do with a shabby car.

When you work out the maths it is cheaper to buy more expensive (full retail value warranty ) than to keep chasing trouble and upgrading bits. Forgetting the depriciation of course. But this puppy is not going anywhere for a while ...

The car is absolutely perfect in terms of what I wanted. I do not doubt in time I will want to upgrade the brakes and the suspension, but at the moment there is nothing I need or want to do to the car.

I spent 6 months looking for the right Griffith and walked away from 2 others that were close but not quite right.

I have waited 8 years to own a 500. The S was my stop gap until I could afford one.....Now I have the one I always wanted.

Its easy when you have no wife, kids or house Saying that though the rent I pay is probably double most peoples mortgage .... Next year is house buying year.

There are more piccies around than this (hadn't even seen this one) which I will get posted in due course...

johno

8,429 posts

283 months

Wednesday 30th October 2002
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shnozz said: he sold his S in parts and recouped £24,000


Thats not far off !!!!




Paul V

4,489 posts

278 months

Wednesday 30th October 2002
quotequote all
Mummy paid for it

johno

8,429 posts

283 months

Wednesday 30th October 2002
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Paul V said: Mummy paid for it


Bless her.

If only that were true. But then again it is costing me less than yours

RichB

51,640 posts

285 months

Wednesday 30th October 2002
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John, out of interest - what is the SE bit all about?

Rich...

Paul V

4,489 posts

278 months

Wednesday 30th October 2002
quotequote all
That’s more to do with my twat of a neighbour than anything thing else
Will be interesting to comparing running costs, I don’t suppose you’ll spend much more than me, before accident costs!!!

beano1197

20,854 posts

276 months

Wednesday 30th October 2002
quotequote all

RichB said: John, out of interest - what is the SE bit all about?

Rich...


That's the SE version!! "Simply 'Eavenly" - standard on a black Griff

johno

8,429 posts

283 months

Thursday 31st October 2002
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RichB said: John, out of interest - what is the SE bit all about?

Rich...



Special Edition. Number 5 of the last 100. That's all, but is badged accordingly and has a little plaque in the glovebox.


chimburt

751 posts

260 months

Thursday 31st October 2002
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she looks fruity

well done son

gadgit

Original Poster:

971 posts

268 months

Saturday 2nd November 2002
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I hope the bezzels are not rusty on this one Mark. Have you found any bits that you can tel us to look for when buying an older version of these beasts!

gadgit.

M@H

11,296 posts

273 months

Thursday 7th November 2002
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Lovely

bcms

241 posts

283 months

Thursday 7th November 2002
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My God your beautiful Vanessa!!! gorgeous!!

jellison

12,803 posts

278 months

Thursday 7th November 2002
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Mark - are they 16" rears on the front? Heard alot of the se's were (not all)

Johno

8,429 posts

283 months

Thursday 7th November 2002
quotequote all

gadgit said: I hope the bezzels are not rusty on this one Mark. Have you found any bits that you can tel us to look for when buying an older version of these beasts!

gadgit.


The Bible is very good for this. I looked round several Griffiths before I bought one and the most important thing is to talk to as many owners as possible. I looked at both old and new cars although ultimately I knew I was being a dealer supplied newer car.

I would steer clear of the Rover box and try to get a post '96 car as they appear to be better by reputation.

I would certainly look for faultless service history. You know your way around a TVR. Apply that knowledge to a Griffith and you will not go far wrong.

As for the engine .... if you are not completely happy with the way it runs get it inspected or checked.

Otherwise most of the points you are looking for when buying an S you are going to be looking for with a Griffith.


Johno

8,429 posts

283 months

Thursday 7th November 2002
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jellison said: Mark - are they 16" rears on the front? Heard alot of the se's were (not all)


They are 16". I do not know how many were released with them though. I have only been in 1 other and it did have 16's.

I didn't notice much difference between the 15's and th 16's although I only did test drives with 4 new Griffiths and a few older ones. I did feel that it made the turn in better, but I have power steering and some cars I drove didn't and tyres are different etc etc so it is very difficult to make comparisons.

Think they make the car look better though IMHO ...

AndrewD

7,541 posts

285 months

Thursday 7th November 2002
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They also seem to induce a *lot* more squeal when driven at the limit, eh Mr Squealy?

Very impressed with how it grips! (your car that is)

mr_tony

6,328 posts

270 months

Thursday 7th November 2002
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wow johno, looks awesome! Congrats mate.