450 seac or a 500 grif?????????????????
Discussion
Stainless:
Wow. What a decision to make.
In terms of reliability, I feel neither will be more reliable than the other. Obviously, well maintained cars will go for a premium, and will have a provide longer life in the future. I wouldn't mess with cars that don't have at least a full service history (FSH) or TVRFSH. In terms of performance, I would slighty recommend a stock 500 over a stock 450 SEAC; 500 has a bit more horsepower, and slightly out-accelerates the 450 to 60 and 100 mph(I may get some flack there from some fellow PH'ers). In the short term, the depreciation of the Griffith will be less. But in long term valuation, I look for the cars to be about equal due to the rarity of the 450 (18 built, how many still survive?); many more than 18 Griff 500's built.
In the end, I think your decision will come down to the fact of styling (rounded Griff vs. angular Wedge).
Plenty of Griff 500's available now, very few of the 450 SEAC for sale these days. A year-and-a-half ago, I placed an offer of 16,500 on the 450 SEAC currently for sale in the Classifieds of PH. Bid was refused. I notice now, that it is still for sale and the price has dropped to 16,900 from the 20,000 starting price! It is a beatiful car.
If I ever am in the position to purchase a second TVR, a Griff 500 it will be.
Good Luck
Shawn Ford
450 SE
Wow. What a decision to make.
In terms of reliability, I feel neither will be more reliable than the other. Obviously, well maintained cars will go for a premium, and will have a provide longer life in the future. I wouldn't mess with cars that don't have at least a full service history (FSH) or TVRFSH. In terms of performance, I would slighty recommend a stock 500 over a stock 450 SEAC; 500 has a bit more horsepower, and slightly out-accelerates the 450 to 60 and 100 mph(I may get some flack there from some fellow PH'ers). In the short term, the depreciation of the Griffith will be less. But in long term valuation, I look for the cars to be about equal due to the rarity of the 450 (18 built, how many still survive?); many more than 18 Griff 500's built.
In the end, I think your decision will come down to the fact of styling (rounded Griff vs. angular Wedge).
Plenty of Griff 500's available now, very few of the 450 SEAC for sale these days. A year-and-a-half ago, I placed an offer of 16,500 on the 450 SEAC currently for sale in the Classifieds of PH. Bid was refused. I notice now, that it is still for sale and the price has dropped to 16,900 from the 20,000 starting price! It is a beatiful car.
If I ever am in the position to purchase a second TVR, a Griff 500 it will be.
Good Luck
Shawn Ford
450 SE
Also, I think the Griff front end is a near copycat of the Jag XKE -- that's just my 2p. I thought that the Wedge looked and still looks very innovative from a styling standpoint. I constantly have people in Germany thinking it is a new car when in actuality it is 12 years old. Since purchase, I have not seen another TVR on the road here, and German TVR shows usually attract 15 or 20 cars.
Shawn Ford
Shawn Ford
Steve, It really depends what you are after. If you have always wanted a wedge go for the SEAC. and its true what they say nothing sounds like a SEAC and in my experience that even includes other SEAC's
I don't know where Nacnud's been for the past week or so but he could advise you on what to look for. You are guarranteed entry into an exclusive club.
However... Griffs are great cars I've had mine for a little over 18mths now and wouldn't swap it for anything, even after test driving Cerbies and a Tamora, oh and the Griffs a bit faster
Somewhere on Pistonheads is a vid file of 3 SEACs at duxford which is worth a watch.
Cheers Dan
I don't know where Nacnud's been for the past week or so but he could advise you on what to look for. You are guarranteed entry into an exclusive club. However... Griffs are great cars I've had mine for a little over 18mths now and wouldn't swap it for anything, even after test driving Cerbies and a Tamora, oh and the Griffs a bit faster
Somewhere on Pistonheads is a vid file of 3 SEACs at duxford which is worth a watch.
Cheers Dan
I'm biased but get a SEAC. Hold out pricewise for either a 420 or 450 they're both very capable. Take your time...
There is one for sale here on PH and it's in excellent condition - I saw it many years ago and it was immaculate - today it looks just as good in the picture.
As for a Griff - an award winning design without doubt - but everyone's got one
Whereas the SEAC has such a presence and awesome noise and style.
Did I say I was biased...?
There is one for sale here on PH and it's in excellent condition - I saw it many years ago and it was immaculate - today it looks just as good in the picture.
As for a Griff - an award winning design without doubt - but everyone's got one
Whereas the SEAC has such a presence and awesome noise and style. Did I say I was biased...?
Also slightly biast, I've owned 2 SEACs now have a Griffith, maybe temporarily, until i get another SEAC ? The SEAC will be a better investment IMO due to very low volume & racing heritage, the TVR that was banned in 96' for being too fast ! The Griffith is a very good package easier to drive has a bigger boot and probably the the most pure designed TVR. but there are loads of them. SEACs handle better, a bit controversial i know but this is the Wedge forum.
At present there aren't many SEAC's available for sale so difficult to make a proper accessment, probably only 1 or 2, 18 months ago there were at least 5. Big SEAC feature in Spint soon !
Oh and the Green one in the ads ( A5 EAC) is a good one.
if you need any help/ advice email me
Tim
At present there aren't many SEAC's available for sale so difficult to make a proper accessment, probably only 1 or 2, 18 months ago there were at least 5. Big SEAC feature in Spint soon !
Oh and the Green one in the ads ( A5 EAC) is a good one.
if you need any help/ advice email me
Tim
I was in a similar boat recently. I couldn't decide on an early Griff or a late Wedge. I tried both and after much contemplation I got a 400SE which I'm really pleased with. I felt the build of the 400 was much better than early Griffs I tried.
The only advise I can give is treat each car as an individual and have a good look round and a drive. You'll know which one you want then. The exterior looks are superficial once you get in it and drive it.
The only advise I can give is treat each car as an individual and have a good look round and a drive. You'll know which one you want then. The exterior looks are superficial once you get in it and drive it.
hi all , im new on here, im looking to buy a tvr 450 seac but the price some are asking i could buy a 500 griff?. i like the wedge but almost 17 grand? ,let me know wot u all think
cheers
The Griff 500 will be faster, easier to maintain, is more civilised. The SEAC is different more expensive to look after as many of the bits are fast going and having to be remade but is a select car. Most of the SEACs have now been heavily modified which can make upkeep a bit harder.
Depends what you want it for.
Steve
hi all , im new on here, im looking to buy a tvr 450 seac but the price some are asking i could buy a 500 griff?. i like the wedge but almost 17 grand? ,let me know wot u all think
cheers
The Griff 500 will be faster, easier to maintain, is more civilised. The SEAC is different more expensive to look after as many of the bits are fast going and having to be remade but is a select car. Most of the SEACs have now been heavily modified which can make upkeep a bit harder.
Depends what you want it for.
Steve
The Duxford SEAC Video Dan mentioned is on the downloads page at www.tvrcc-bristol.co.uk
I like the Griff, but I wouldn't swap my SEAC for one
And there is nothing that sounds better than a SEAC..... Though the Cobras are coming next week and I may have to change my mind
I like the Griff, but I wouldn't swap my SEAC for one
And there is nothing that sounds better than a SEAC..... Though the Cobras are coming next week and I may have to change my mind
Steve,
there is another for sale on the wedgepages :
TVR 450 SEAC for sale. Seal blue with blue leather. 32,000 miles with lots of history. 17" OZ racing split rims on 245/40ZR17 tyres. AVO coils over shocks. ACT performance products carbon fibre plenum and trumpets. A rare beast. £14,500 ono.
Also for sale a 420 / 240 SEAC rear boot spoiler in primer £100.
Contact: Lee Hodgkins
Email: lee@infiniti.fsbusiness.co.uk
Phone: 0121 7644477 (Day). 0121 2425134 (Eves). 07769 702602 (Mob)
there is another for sale on the wedgepages :
TVR 450 SEAC for sale. Seal blue with blue leather. 32,000 miles with lots of history. 17" OZ racing split rims on 245/40ZR17 tyres. AVO coils over shocks. ACT performance products carbon fibre plenum and trumpets. A rare beast. £14,500 ono.
Also for sale a 420 / 240 SEAC rear boot spoiler in primer £100.
Contact: Lee Hodgkins
Email: lee@infiniti.fsbusiness.co.uk
Phone: 0121 7644477 (Day). 0121 2425134 (Eves). 07769 702602 (Mob)
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