How much would you pay for it?

[_DJ_]

I've been looking around for a cheapish Grif, and have found the following:

Griffith 500 (94)
29,000 miles
half hide
non-PAS (not a real issue for me)
decent(ish) paint (the usual chips on the mirrors and a couple of minor scatches on the body)
Decent tyres
Good service history.

What would you pay for it?

cheers,

Darren.

[julianhj]

I bought mine from a dealer a year ago, v. similar spec, extra 15k miles on the clock - £16.5k

Private I guess c.£15k, another grand or two if it's a dealer car.

PAS on cars that age was not standard, most tend to come without. I get on fine without it - have you tried both PAS and non-PAS cars?



>> Edited by julianhj on Friday 28th March 10:16

[_DJ_]

I haven't to be honest. I've driven similar weight cars before without PAS, and intend to use the car as a weekend toy so the extra 5 minutes getting into the odd parking space won't concern me. I'm 6'5 so should have enough leverage! Also, my girlfriend is a very slight build and probably would find it difficult to drive .The dealer in question has 2 in stock, one with and one without (and a 4k difference in price) so I'll try before I buy!

[beano500]

Presumably at a dealer you are looking at the 15-17k bracket - which I don't think will be anything less than a helluvalotofcar for you r money!

PAS, as you point out, will only be a problem when you do lots of manouevring at low speed. Mine feels very heavy if you have to push it (ahem - not that it breaks down often) - or recently when the fluid decided to leak out. But that's counteracted a little by the tyre size which TVR only beefed up on the PAS ones.

I would add that the PAS ones often weep a bit, which can be irritating but not a desperate problem, as mine has for most of teh last 36,000 miles!

[donatien]

PAS has another advantage - it increases the steering rate for faster response. IIRC it's about 2.5 turns lock to lock non-PAS and 2.2 with.

Dave

[Skip]

Have you looked at Price Guides in the Classified section of PH?

Good luck with your prospective purchase

[_DJ_]

I have, based on that 16-17k seems about right, especially if it's a good one and has a warranty. My only concern is that the few scratches will bother me, and from what I understand, the whole bonnet would need painting, as well as a repair for the (large) chip on the wing mirror. Any indication of cost for doing those jobs? Thanks for all your help. I've got a potential buyer coming to look at my car this afternoon, so fingers crossed I'll have cash to play with at the weekend

>> Edited by _DJ_ on Friday 28th March 10:21

[julianhj]

A front end respray is generally quoted as between £500 - £600 for most metallics. Special paints will up the cost a little bit.

[apache]

front end resprays are a biannual routine with fibreglass cars, the fb doesn't yield like steel when hit by a stone, therfor they chip easily, don't let that put you off but use it as a bargaining tool, it also shows him you know yor stuff. Full service history, dealer or good independant and all receipts is more important

[_DJ_]

That's what I'd planned. I realise it's a frequently performed task, though I'd have preferred it if it had been done before I bought it! After all, it's an old car, and the paintwork was never going to be pristine. As you say, it's a bargaining tool. I'm also eager to thumb through the S/H; I'm concerned about the likely health of components like the radiator, shocks etc. I think I'm going to get a car within a couple of thousand of my budget, assuming the worst rather than going for a later, more expensive car. I figure that most components degrade with mileage rather than age, which is why i'm particularly interested in this car.

[big albee]

Hi DJ
I bought my 94 griff five months ago 48000 on the clock from a dealer for £15000,full history and just been serviced.car been great and not had as much fun for years,first one I looked at but fell in love, bits and bots to fix but nothing to break the bank

good luck

>> Edited by big albee on Friday 28th March 17:05

[_DJ_]

Good News, I've just sold my car so come next week I should have the cash to buy. I'm going to look at a couple this weekend (including the '94). Does anyone know of any other Griffs available for the 15-17 grand mark?

[EdT]

_DJ_ said: Good News, I've just sold my car so come next week I should have the cash to buy. I'm going to look at a couple this weekend (including the '94). Does anyone know of any other Griffs available for the 15-17 grand mark?

Last Summer I oh so nearly sold mine to a pal.. it's 96 N 30K miles full leather & PAS , goood colour combo etc etc.

Was going to ask for around £17K. BTW it was & still is in very very good condition.. so for that sort of cash you really should be able to get a good 500

Ed

[GarryM]

Mate of mine has a very similar one to yours Ed. Last summer I'd have said the same value - he's just sold it for £20k! If Griff's are in good condition there are people prepared to pay good money for them at the moment (and rightly so )