Discussion
Looking to either spend around £20k on a dealer-sold Cerb with warranty or around £17k on a private sale. Would prefer something with <40k miles, and pref. '98 or newer.
Castle TVR have a 98 'R' 4.2 with 39k on the clock for £19,995, but it's had four owners and it's half-hide
Alternatively, there are a couple in the private ads on this site that look interesting (rosso pearl one in Cheltenham at £16k, metallic grey 4.5 in Kent at £19,995).
What's the better way forward? There don't seem to be many about with the Hydratrack diff.
Castle TVR have a 98 'R' 4.2 with 39k on the clock for £19,995, but it's had four owners and it's half-hide
Alternatively, there are a couple in the private ads on this site that look interesting (rosso pearl one in Cheltenham at £16k, metallic grey 4.5 in Kent at £19,995).
What's the better way forward? There don't seem to be many about with the Hydratrack diff.
Why do you want that diff option? All 4.5s have it but not everyone thinks it is a good thing.
You pays your money you takes your choices.
If you want to buy private then go for it, there are loads of cars for sale on here that are as good as you get with a cerbera. Some people just have to buy from a dealer.
Personally I would expect you to be able to get a car with excellent history and with few owners and to be 98 onwards for under £19K private.
Just dont be making your mind up on stone chips, and tyre wear. Base it on the owners knowledge of warm up, history, bills, and of course an inspection of engine and chasssis by an expert.
Chips, scuffs etc are all relatively cheap.
Engines arent.
You pays your money you takes your choices.
If you want to buy private then go for it, there are loads of cars for sale on here that are as good as you get with a cerbera. Some people just have to buy from a dealer.
Personally I would expect you to be able to get a car with excellent history and with few owners and to be 98 onwards for under £19K private.
Just dont be making your mind up on stone chips, and tyre wear. Base it on the owners knowledge of warm up, history, bills, and of course an inspection of engine and chasssis by an expert.
Chips, scuffs etc are all relatively cheap.
Engines arent.
carl_w said:
Well I'm coming from a 4WD Impreza which is nearly impossible to provoke, so I thought the Hydratrack would make the step change a bit smaller. Not convinced that I have the skill for lairy arse-out action, but prepared to learn!
The Cerbera has it's own version of traction control... a really long "loud" pedal. It's only if you're trying to provoke a reaction that you'll generally get one. The best thing to do is take it for a test drive and see.
Agree totally with gazzab that cosmetic problems should be overlooked - a couple of hundred quid on a bonnet respray or patching up some leather is nothing compared to a new engine. Buying privately is a great way to get a feel for how sympathetic the previous owner has been to the car.
carl_w said:
Well I took one for a test drive, but didn't think it was a good idea to try and provoke it!
As long as you're thinking like that, you'll probably be fine. Treat it with respect, and get used to what it can/can't do around corners/with your foot to the floor in low gears (or both
), and it's quite a predictable pussycat. I guess the problems start when people treat it the same as some Evotronic turbo-pretzel. (Now *I'm* trying to provoke a reaction 
) For £20k, I'd look to indys/private sellers, and expect something like an S plate 4.2 with 20k on the clock. I'd definitely get one of the experts to look it over first, too. You should be able to make their cost back in the amount they help you haggle off the price for any minor niggles.
Where are you in the UK? as Offords have a black 98 4.2 for 20k. Must be good they're advertising it twice 
www.offord.com/sales.asp
www.offord.com/sales.asp
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