Help me out chaps!

[pedestrian]

Unfortunatly, after wanting a chim for Sooooo long, I've just driven a precat grif - reminded me of my bike days too much

So help me out by saying 'don't buy the first one you see' or 'that one's trouble' or something..

this one 43K, V clean, new S03s etc, FSH - no mad bills. Aargh.

[davidd]

Go on you you know it makes sense :-)

Is it from a dealer? If so are they a good one? If not get it checked out, and by a TVR specialist not the AA!

When you say pre-cat what do you mean? Beware of fake 4.3BV's etc.

Is there a warranty?

Sorry if this is all teaching you to suck eggs stuff, but be careful, if this is the first one you have driven please take a couple of others out. Try a 4.0 and a 500, remember cats can always 'fall out' and exhausts can be modified.

Still whatever Griff it is it will be better than a pesky Chimaera (ducks and runs :-))

David

[RUF 3]

Don't buy the first one you see - unless, regardless of whether its a Main Dealer or Private sale, you get it thoroughly checked over by somebody who really knows about them. I've had my Griff for 15 weeks and its been in for fixing for the last 6 weeks (in fairness to those involved it did not help that Parcelfarce sent the Diff 400mls in the wrong direction and then took a month to find it again !)
It had been through a main dealer 700 mls before I got it and they omitted to notice that the Diff bearings were sh@gged, the wishbones have pinholes from corrosion, the discs were at the end of their useful life, the fanbelt was in tatters and all the suspension bushes were needing done (although I believe they are such crap quality they need done constantly).On a brighter note I'm going in to visit it tomorrow in the hope that I decide I still want to own it - I'll probably forgive it when I see it again. Had I paid to have it checked thoroughly beforehand, things may have been different.

[500 GRF]

...just go and buy a copy of the new Autocar. They've just bought what you have just tested and they LOVE IT!

[M J H]

Know the problem, I decided to try different cars etc.etc.....so just before last Xmas, before I had the money really, saw and fell in love with a 4.3 Griff. First and only Griff I,ve driven and before I knew it I was the proud owner.( so much for my careful plans ! )
Now 1200 miles later, not missed a beat, basically has exceeded expectation.( However was a main dealer purchase/full history/2 yr. warranty..but paid more than top money !! ) In my case I got what I was paying for.

[pedestrian]

Thanks guys;

here's the sales blurb:

1992 K TVR Griffith 400 , This 4 Ltr pre-cat Griff is just the best! 3 owner from new with full TVR service history.45,000 miles only from new. Amazon Green Metallic (Porcshe colour-dark blue) with grey leather, grey carpets and a black moehair hood. This car is has just had new wish bones, and exhaust manafolds. One of the nicest 4.0ltr Grif that we have seen for ages. OZ cross spoke alloys on nearly new bridgestone SO2 tyres. Full TVR service history which is 100 % up to date.

Old bills for new cluch 20K, radiator 30K, now has SO3s..
Driving it again tom...

[UpTheIron]

The sales blurb sounds like Dominic @ Hamilton Cars (Bristol). I can happily state that they sold me a more than satifactory (nothings perfect!) 1993 Chim a few months ago.

Friendly, knowledgeable and happy to answer stupid questions weeks/months after you have bought the car.

[pedestrian]

err, Thanks again guys, I've no problem with Dom @ Hamiltons, decent enough chap, - the car (i've sort of done this before, but you never know, part of the joys of ownership, eh...) looks, seems to handle great, smooth through all revs/gears when warm (though i'm rusty!!), nice change, burbly nice on tickover.. However, though I feel i'm a reasonably consistent driver (who isn't on this thread.. ), is the arse end supposed veer between and (read inconsistent) when it's hammered out of a corner? ..should add that i've done the RWD slidey [sp] stuff B4 in cars and on bikes.. -can the spring rates be moved, are SO3s something i'm not used to, what shocks have you guys got?..

waffle waffle etc
More tom..

>> Edited by pedestrian on Saturday 27th April 02:30

[tivhead]

If you havn't driven a 4.3 yet, I strongly suggest you do! If you like the 4 ltr and the sound it makes, you will fall for the 4.3 just as I did 2 months ago.

Drive one through a tunnel!

[simpo one]

All 4.0 and 4.3 Griffs are 'precat', as they registered before the end of 1992 and therefore didn;t have to have one. Conversely all Chimaeras and Griffith 500s have cats as standard (unless exported to the Channel Islands, it says in the Book). The question of whether a '4.3BV' is really a BV is a different issue.

[MikeyT]

Get the best car you can for your budget – simple as that ... and remember, there's a;ways another car ... but you'll know when you've found yours!

[pedestrian]

..belt falling off clinched it.

By the way how do you get rid of this stupid grin I've developed?

Due, Thurs - I've still got face cramp after 3 days.

>> Edited by pedestrian on Tuesday 30th April 00:22

[bcms]

My Father bought a 4.0 pre cat less than a month ago he too has the type smile - the looks and the noise! No problems to report as yet....is there a better looking car to be found?