Advice?

[IanMorewood]

Hi all, I am new here so please be nice;

I am interested in what I should look out for on a second hand Griffith, I would like something round the £15,000 so I am assuming that it wont be a perfect car but am I being realistic? Also is it worth me running any prospective car to the main dealers for them to give it the once over or would that be money down the drain?

[beano500]

Phew - where to start?

Well, here is as good a place as any. Have a good look through PH and you'll be going in with your eyes open.

Definitely get a TVR specialist to look over the car for you - RAC/AA inspections tend to be a bit patchy, cos they don't always know what they're looking for.

How about using the services of someone like Rob Ingleby to get you on the right track. Or buy from someone like James Agger/Adrian Blyth (I put James first 'cos you're oop north!) where you have some reassurance compared to a private purchase, without the main dealer mark ups.....

[david010167]

Get the Steve Heath TVR Griffith & Chimeara book from the www.TVRCC.com, it will tell you all about the cars, and if I remember rightly it has a good buyers guide in the book as well.

As has been said above, chat to the people on this board, do not be afraid of asking questions, although you may get the odd sarcastic reply, but all in good humour. I would also say, drive as many cars as possible as they are all a bit different.

Lastly, go along to a local meeting and talk to the owners and see what they say.

David

[simpo two]

Also try to get get EVOs buying guide report, Dec 01. I saw a thread recently where someone's got photocopies of it.

[mrmaggit]

Definitely speak to James Agger, give him your wish-list and see what he comes up with. He's on holiday until the end of august, though.

maggit

[IanMorewood]

OK thanks for the advice so far, will join TVRCC and I will give James Agger a call begging of next month. What do you reckon I should be looking at in the £15K price bracket?

[simpo two]

IanMorewood said:

OK thanks for the advice so far, will join TVRCC and I will give James Agger a call begging of next month. What do you reckon I should be looking at in the £15K price bracket?

If you're going to buy from a dealer I suppose the need to know is reduced, as they are supposed to do the research and take the worry away from you. You will certainly pay a big dealer premium. So perhaps your question should be 'should I buy it privately or from a dealer?' The former will get you more car for the money, you just need to bone up more.

[beano500]

IanMorewood said:

What do you reckon I should be looking at in the £15K price bracket?

Have a browse through the PH price guide to get a feeling. It's here and you can filter down to any model you want. But bear in mind Griff's are at a little bit of a premium now due to demand exceeding supply!

[dg1]

To try to answer your question on what you'll get for £15k... as a general rule you should buy the best example you can afford of whatever year/mileage, so assuming this and a private sale I'd say you're looking at '93/'94. Whether to go for high or low mileage is debateable - low mileage means less wear and tear in some areas but my personal opinion is that you are better off with a car that has been used regularly as provided you get it properly checked out it's less likely to spring expensive suprises on you.

That's my opinion, YMMV
Don