Just got the nod, now looking for help

[DonnyMac]

The Missus, after just returning from the pub, has confirmed that life is too short and I should stop lovingly drooling at the classifieds on PH and hovering over buy-it-now on eBay when starring at the beautify formed Wolf that is the Cerb – and should just go buy one.

Hehehehe bl**dy he.

Life really hasn’t been the same for the past 11years since I had my 4.2 Cerb for a whole 10 weeks before unceremoniously bouncing it off two trees and landing it in someone’s back garden (whilst wearing a skirt – but that’s another story).

So, anyhow, after scanning many thousands of posts here I believe that the 4.5 is the one to go for this time round (just in case I feel like tuning it), and that perhaps a £13.5-£15k budget seems reasonable with a contingency of £3.5k in the savings account for the engine re-build if/when it becomes necessary.

Now it’s over to you guys, firstly, does anyone know of this car –

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2001-TVR-CERBER

Any history, know the previous owners, has it been cared for? (I do realise the yellow ones are slower).

I’m always up for a bargain, love to negotiate hard and have a (very) low mileage ’02 Fireblade which I may px if the vendor is interested.

I’m based in Croydon, can travel to view any day up to w/c14th and would like a friendly face who’d like to recommend and view with me.

I can see you’re a friendly helpful lot and look forward to catching up with you all soon when I have a set of decent wheels.

Any takers?

Best,
Donny

Edit: Hold on a sec, 4wd? is that a Nigerian upgrade?

Edited by DonnyMac on Thursday 3rd May 23:57

[_deano]

didn't UKBob have one in that colour? don't know if it's the same car though.

[Cooky]

I think you'll find its a scam

£11k for a car thats book value is 18k

prob a hacked account....if it isn't my apologies to the seller but it looksvery suspect to me.

[DonnyMac]

It was spotted in this thread -

www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&t=386787&hw=scam

Anyone around between now and Sun 13th to help me find a 4.5?

[DonnyMac]

Does anyone know the history of this Cerb -

www.pistonheads.com/sales/141741.htm

48k miles = problems?

[brooksie]

you were wearing a skirt whilst driving a Cerbera ?

[DonnyMac]

Kilt

[BCA]

DonnyMac said:

Does anyone know the history of this Cerb -

www.pistonheads.com/sales/141741.htm

48k miles = problems?

Nope, not familiar with that one...

70k miles doesnt = problems with our 4.5. Its age may though, as the chassis protection is Ours will need a body off rebuild in the next couple of years as an example, and we did all we could to avoid such problems during our ownership (66k miles/7 years) - however all weather driving/ untouchable parts mean its inevitable for a hell of alot of Cerbs as they get older.

As for helping you get one, we're all here on this forum and know of various cars history through their owners posts on here. I've been a member for ages and can remember a frankly disturbing amount about various cars, so just post up any queries.

All the best with your search Dont break this one.

[petclub]

I am unable to access ebay from here so this post may be meaningless as I cannot check on the item (sorry). I 'won' a yellow 4.5 in the south coast area some 3 months ago and found it to be a scam. The seller stalled, then told me it needed a rad, then told me the garage wrote it off. This took some time, many telephone calls and was all because I had 'won' it at a low price.

Subesequently, I made enquiries and found out the seller was using someone else's ebay account (against their rules). I informed ebay security who were polite and of no use whatsoever as the account was still active some weeks later (although gathering more negative feedback from other 'winners; that never actually got their cars).

Therefore, be careful if a thing looks too cheap there's probably something wrong. Good luck, Dave

[RUSSELLM]

Hi Danny.

There's a glut of 99 4.5's in the classifieds for around £15K, including one that's had a rebuild.

I wouldn't waste to much time on ebay looking for Cerbs. The straight one's are normally advertised with a phone number & also advertised elsewhere eg here or on AT.

[byker28i]

I looked around before I bought mine. To be honest I'd use the PH classifieds first, TVR club contacts next. You're much more likely to get a better looked after car than someone whose taken a punt on Ebay.

[Steve_T]

Donny,

It's worth talking to Austec Racing (01293531080) to say you're looking, just in case they hear of one of their customers selling. They look after a lot of Cerbs near you, and not every one those people use PH.

Cheers,

Steve.

[southendpier]

Steve_T said:

.....and not every one those people use PH.

weirdos...what on earth do they do with their day's then?

[Steve_T]

southendpier said:

Steve_T said:

.....and not every one those people use PH.

weirdos...what on earth do they do with their day's then?

No idea mate - it's a worry isn't it.

[DonnyMac]

Many thanks all, will update on search as it progresses.

[touching cloth]

Just buy Gazzab's if it's not gone, it's the one mentioned above that has just had a rebuild (by Andy@APM) and has also been looked after by Andy since Gary got it - am sure he would also give it a further inspection if required to make sure (obviously chargeable) and given you are Croydon it is not too far from you either.

www.pistonheads.com/sales/154966.htm

[RUSSELLM]

It's amazing how many V8's with around 50K on the clock, are for sale that have had rebuilds.

Is it A case of, they'll all need one at some stage ?

My 4.2 with 45k on the clock, could definitely benefit from one.

[grrrrr]

I guess from a race derived engine, 50k before a rebuild is pretty good

[grrrrr]

DonnyMac said:

The Missus, after just returning from the pub, has confirmed that life is too short and I should stop lovingly drooling at the classifieds on PH and hovering over buy-it-now on eBay when starring at the beautify formed Wolf that is the Cerb – and should just go buy one.

My missus did the same

I honestly thought she wouldn't break, but she did

[touching cloth]

I think it has a lot to do with how they were run in when new more than any inherent design fault. Gary's as far as I know was running absolutely fine so it never failed as such, but I think it was using oil a bit like yours Russ. I think when I asked Andy about it (because my mileage is not far off) he said something about the wrong oil maybe being used early on in life or bad running in practice being employed when new, these had caused glazed cylinders. Simon Sparrow's 4.2 is way past double the 50k without a rebuild as far as I know so it's not the engine, but of course buying one can be a lottery as you never really know how it was treated 8 years or so ago.

Think I have got all that correctish, sure Gary will correct me if I have it wrong.

Edited by touching cloth on Friday 4th May 11:11