Buying a Griffith 500, Advice needed please.
Discussion
I am buying a Griffith 500 in the next few days, I have looked at a few but still slightly undecided on which one to go for, what should I be looking for when buying a 500? the one I have in mind has 25k with FSH on an M plate(1994), I have also taken a test drive and it was superb, I need information on any pitfalls that this car may have, thanks.
You'll pick up loads of good tips back through the archives here.
All I would add is that you often come across TVRs that have had relatively little use - keep some budget back for a few bits of routine stuff, and you don't need to get too disheartened if a few things need sorting (look at my profile for a few ideas over the first 16 months of ownership). A couple of niggles are bound to come to light when it starts getting some serious use!!
Mine's going in tomorrow for it's fourth service since I had it and over the time the niggles have been relatively few and far between. Now it's just all the routine maintenance to cope with wear and tear.
All I would add is that you often come across TVRs that have had relatively little use - keep some budget back for a few bits of routine stuff, and you don't need to get too disheartened if a few things need sorting (look at my profile for a few ideas over the first 16 months of ownership). A couple of niggles are bound to come to light when it starts getting some serious use!!
Mine's going in tomorrow for it's fourth service since I had it and over the time the niggles have been relatively few and far between. Now it's just all the routine maintenance to cope with wear and tear.
Keep money spare and drive as many cars as you can so you know if it drives right.
I've had mine under a week and so far its cost £500+ for a new alarm and will cost around £350 for a service and then another £100 or so for a leaking gasket replacing.
So that will be around £1,00 in a week
and was what I was expecting.
Cars are great but remember you are buying a hand built sports car and things will fall off and it will stop working etc.
I'm not sure I'd want one for every day use (not just because of reliability).
Dave
I've had mine under a week and so far its cost £500+ for a new alarm and will cost around £350 for a service and then another £100 or so for a leaking gasket replacing.
So that will be around £1,00 in a week
and was what I was expecting. Cars are great but remember you are buying a hand built sports car and things will fall off and it will stop working etc.
I'm not sure I'd want one for every day use (not just because of reliability).
Dave
factor - can't beat it!!!!Azzuri,
I would look for a serpentine one, ideally 1996; after 1996 the power drops a bit.
Plus go for a BW gearbox: much stonger and smoother.
Also, go for PAS: easier to drive, easier to catch it when it steps out.
If possible, have one with aircon (check whether it works !!). Good for demisting in Autumn and Winter, nice for long drive with the hood up in Summer.
And: watch out for engine noises. A 500 should be a very dark sound, no high pinched side effect sounds. If there are, something is wrong.
Finally: one with a full service history and moderate mileage (not too much but certainly not too low, say around 5000 per year). Also ask for warrantee !!
I would look for a serpentine one, ideally 1996; after 1996 the power drops a bit.
Plus go for a BW gearbox: much stonger and smoother.
Also, go for PAS: easier to drive, easier to catch it when it steps out.
If possible, have one with aircon (check whether it works !!). Good for demisting in Autumn and Winter, nice for long drive with the hood up in Summer.
And: watch out for engine noises. A 500 should be a very dark sound, no high pinched side effect sounds. If there are, something is wrong.
Finally: one with a full service history and moderate mileage (not too much but certainly not too low, say around 5000 per year). Also ask for warrantee !!
quote:
quote:How high pitched are we talking about? enough to know straight away??
A 500 should be a very dark sound, no high pinched side effect sounds. If there are, something is wrong.
Difficult to describe, it should be one type of sound only, being a dark one. Any squeekes, rattles etc could mean trouble. Warm the car up (15 min) then listen carefully. Probably best to stop the car, leave it runnning, open the hood and listen. Maybe there is a PH member with a solid Griff/Chim 500 in your area you could listen to or he could listen to the car you have in mind.
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