Buying A Griff Thats Been In "Storage"

[as400]

Looking at a 4.0 K plate that's been in professional dry storage since 2008...

It has been used each year around 500 miles...

Looks mint and shiny...but what issues could lie underneath with that huge time of not really being used?...

https://www.carandclassic.com/l/C1878840

[RayTVR]

If it's been used 500 miles a year then its not really been 'in storage' it's just a low mileage car that's kept in a garage the rest of the time - pretty much like every other TVR. Wouldn't bother me, better that it's had light use rather than parked up entirely

[Belle427]

Suggests its been used sparingly so in reality should be fine, things to check as a priority due to safety are rubber fuel hoses and tyre age.
Chassis looks fairly good on the pictures, hard to say if suspension bushes will be a bit old and tired by now.
Looks well priced to be fair and well worth a look, nice colour too.

Edited by Belle427 on Thursday 28th August 09:46

[Sardonicus]

Agree with above comment ^ bloody good VFM if it is the car it looks in those pics what a peach

[as400]

Hmmm...have been following an old thread of someone who bought a Griff that looked fab and shiny...but then ended up spending many £1K's...so am trying not to let the loveliness of the colour scheme and shine sway me...

There is a TVR 'checking's service on Ebay that I may employ for £300..

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/236244519316

[lancepar]

Have a look at its MOT history, It's been regularly MOTed almost every year.

[Geoff-Griff500]

Agree with the MOT check, provides most of the history you need and lets you know what's been done in the last few years. Also lets you know how many years it's been sat there and if it indeed has.

[mk1fan]

Nice find that. Might go have a look.

[NDA]

I can't comment on TVR's, but I bought a 911 recently that had only done 400 miles a year for many years - otherwise kept in storage. It is in fine condition throughout and I've already added 6,000 trouble free miles to it.

[Dudley99]

It's advertised on PH Classifieds too, but at £16,995, not £16,495 and as a trade sale, not a private sale, so that rings some alarm bells. It is better value as a trade sale as there is some comeback if there are major issues with the car. With a private sale, you are on your own.

Is it good value though? There is a 1994 500 on PH for £3,000 or £3,500 more, depending on how much this car really is. Newer car, even less miles, 500 not 400, so much more desirable. Better colour than sludge green. Cat, so might save on road tax in the future when the governent look into a system based on emissions on older cars. Described as a trade sale, so some comeback.

[The Three D Mucketeer]

Advert on here says " Selling on behalf on one of AUTOSTOREs employees " ... sounds legit to me

[Dudley99]

But is that a trade sale or not? Sounds confusing to me. Are they selling as a trader, or are you dealing with the employee and buying privately from him. Liability wise, it makes a massive difference.

[The Three D Mucketeer]

Since it says "on behalf" I would expect it's still a private sale , and it probably that AUTOSTORE have a PH account and could place the ad... I'm sure anyone interested a quick call would resolve it

[Dudley99]

It's false advertising to say it's a trade sale when it isn't, and it's very wrong that one site says one thing at one price, and another site says something else at another price.

[The Three D Mucketeer]

Dudley99 said:

It's false advertising to say it's a trade sale when it isn't, and it's very wrong that one site says one thing at one price, and another site says something else at another price.

Why ??? Is everything you buy sold at the same price at every outlet ?
Sorry for playing with the Troll

Edited by The Three D Mucketeer on Thursday 28th August 15:30

[AstonZagato]

That's round the corner from me if you want someone to go and take pictures/video. I'm not mechanical though!
ETA: The tyres are probably ancient and, if so, would need changing. Easy to ask for a picture of the age stamp.

Edited by AstonZagato on Thursday 28th August 15:54

[macdeb]

Sardonicus said:

Agree with above comment ^ bloody good VFM if it is the car it looks in those pics what a peach

^^^^ I'm with him.

[Adrian@]

Missing the simple things...it has never having been serviced well enough to have suspension thrust washers fitted. I had a 93 new car that had them all fitted, along with a full rear ARB kit installed all FOC at it's second service . If I am right, it looks to be on early original 92 Koni shocks. A@

[citizen smith]

I've Seen it. Basics can make a nice car.

[Belle427]

Just to add if you don`t do any work yourself that`s when they can begin to come an expensive proposition as they do suit a tinkerer.
If your not hands on a previous poster is probably right in that you may be better spending a bit more and getting a car that has had some decent maintenance work done to it.