Cerbera purchase question?

[TVR57S]

I can only afford a second hand Cerb, say 25000 max.
I notice a lot of people dispose of their cars when they have covered 20,000 to 30,000 miles, which places these vehicles in my price bracket. Have any members here bought vehicles in this price/mileage bracket,
and if so have the cars then suffered or required major mechanical work. I know this is a difficult question to answer, please give me your thoughts on the matter. I mean I would have no hesitation buying a Griff or Chim with 40000 miles covered, its the old reliability thing.
And a question for members selling their Cerbs in this mileage bracket Why

>>> Edited by TVR57S on Monday 28th April 09:40

>>> Edited by TVR57S on Monday 28th April 09:41

[cinman]

Don't know how useful this info is, but I've just bought my first Cerbie, '97 4.2 for £19K, with 32K miles. I understand the clutch is due for replacement at around 30K miles (mine had it done before I bought it, by the previous owner) which might be an expensive job if you've got to do it yourself. I would strongly recommend you enlist the services of a local expert to cast their eye over it before you commit funds, as TVRs do have real "character" - and unless loved by current/previous owners, may scare you at the next service!! The service interval is every 6K miles, usually with a minor service (approx. £450) followed in 6K miles by major service (approx. £650) followed by minor, followed by major, etc. (as I understand it anyway - anyone have any other thoughts on that?). Also, make sure you HPI it - for £35 it's money well spent. Might be worth checking out the interior, as the quality of upholstery leaves a little to be desired at the best of times.
Good luck mate - I hope this has helped a little?

[Byff]

I bought my Cerb in exactly the same situation as you. I was really put off by reliability etc but you shouldn't let this put you off as you never hear from the people who are running perfectly reliable cars, only the people who have had problems.

You will get niggles - some big some small and they do cost a fair bit more to run than a normal car and require more TLC but this is more than made up for in the Grin department.

Normal rules apply - look at as many as you can, you can get a general feel of how well its been looked after and look at how many reciepts/services its had and who done it. If it doesn't seem to all add up - walk away.

I love mine, the wife says I love it more than her, which is probably true but I'd better not admit it.

[beemer]

Same position as Cinman - just bought mine a month ago, a 1999 4.5 with 22,500 miles for £21.5K. The car had just had it's 24K service at well respected independent (Colin Blower) and a new set of Toyos and fresh MOT, plus a WH warranty til December. I've had a couple of what can only be described as "niggles" (boot solenoid, throttle switch, seized steering column UJ), but nothing that wipes the permanent grin off my face every time I drive it. My other half likes it, my two young kids absolutely love it, cannot recommend Cerb ownership more highly. Am now on countdown to Le Mans.....
I would follow cinman's advice (although I didn't get the inspection - gulp!) and go for it!!

[cinman]

Beemer ... thanks mate, and for the record I was advised by everyone to "check out thousands of cars before deciding" and "get them inspected" ... however, I got so excited when buying the first one I looked at that I bought it there and then?? To be fair, I did give it a thorough going over, inside and out, but I do consider myself "fortunate" that I wasn't stung. I think the prob is that if you get stung, its going to be an expensive sting probably ... else just niggles which we all get. As a matter of interest, I too have steering UJ that's looking a bit orange (probably have to change before MOT in August). One thing worth considering, strangely I found, is the tyres ... they're so expensive that you should try to get some newish ones on it, or at least use them (if they're worn) as an opportunity to knock some cash off the price. For the price of 4 new tyres, bought and fitted to standard Cerbie wheels, you could be checking out £600 (approx.) !!!!

[Chancer]

I bought my 1998 4.5 about a month ago so it's too early to tell as far as major bills go. It's just had it's 42k service with Andy at APM. There are a few things that need doing but it's a good car. Here are my tips:

Don't be afraid of higher mileage cars. Mine was used as an every day car which says something about its reliability. I'm a firm believer that if you leave these cars standing your asking for trouble!

Make sure the owner has a pile of receipts showing any work carried out on the car. Smaller the pile, bigger the bills!

Don't buy the first one you see. Go and see as many as you can. You'll begin to build up a picture of what's good and what's a pile of sh1t. If you need some expert help try Rob Ingleby www.findasportscar.co.uk, he saved me from buying a real dog!

Sure these cars can cost a bit to own, but if you do buy one and it needs some work, find a good independent like APM or Joospeed. You'll get a quality job at half the price of a main dealer.

Don't let the horror stories put you off. Cerbera's are the dogs danglers!

M

[K1 CERB]

I P/Exd my Griff 500 for a 4.5 Cerb 6 months ago...Best Days work I've ever done. I to was told to look at loads and buy one with > 20,000 on the clock...well mine has a reasonable mileage anyway . I can honestly say, that it's very reliable...niggles yes, problems no. :crossesfingersandlookstothesky:
Happy driving
K1 CERB

[beej]

beemer said: Same position as Cinman - just bought mine a month ago, a 1999 4.5 with 22,500 miles for £21.5K. The car had just had it's 24K service at well respected independent (Colin Blower) and a new set of Toyos and fresh MOT, plus a WH warranty til December. I've had a couple of what can only be described as "niggles" (boot solenoid, throttle switch, seized steering column UJ), but nothing that wipes the permanent grin off my face every time I drive it. My other half likes it, my two young kids absolutely love it, cannot recommend Cerb ownership more highly. Am now on countdown to Le Mans.....
I would follow cinman's advice (although I didn't get the inspection - gulp!) and go for it!!

bugger me that was cheap! what colour is it?

I think the mileage thing is a red herring. I'm guessing that most Cerberas on the road currently fall into the 25 to 35k miles bracket (based on the average age and use of such cars) so it stands to reason most being sold are in that frame? There are some really high mileage examples out there and they have proved no less reliable than the 20k examples. In fact, I agree that the daily drivers are the ones to buy.

I use mine every day.

[beemer]

beej

yeah, starting to get worried now that a couple of people have said it sounds cheap!!

Car is AML Highland Purple, was advertised on here (with no. plate ROK3T), and I'm hoping it continues to be as good as it is at the moment.

Have had it on a ramp now, and there are a couple of things I'll want to get sorted - another Waxoyl treatment, new dampers (it's had one front and one rear done recently, so will probably get Andy at APM to fit a set of AVOs at next service).

Other than that, pretty good so far (understatement of the year!!)

cheers
sean

[gazzab]

One front and one rear damper !!?? People should never fit just one damper at a time! Sounds like previous owner might not like to spend the correct money on a cerb!

[beemer]

I know - suspect this may have happened just before it was sold!!

good excuse to get some AVOs though (or save up for some Nitrons!)

[leszekg]

Bought mine almost a year and a half ago. A 1998 4.5 for £22k with 24000 miles on the clock. It has done 8500 since then, used as a daily driver. Mostly trouble free. Was unlucky when a tensioner bolt worked its way free causing some minor engine damage. Engine out job so quite a big bill but could have been much much worse. Overall, no regrets. I had budgetted up to £3K on bills in the first year which is about what I spent in the end. Would have been much less if it wasn't for that errant bolt .....