Tricky question....
Discussion
This is potentially an impossible question to answer....
What sort of mileage is considered to be high for a Cerbera? Some cars I've seen on Autotrader for around £16-17k have about 40k on them, is this high? I saw that thread about engine rebuilds at 45k miles and it's a bit worrying, does this mean that any car at that mileage that's not been rebuilt is best avoided even with full service history?
My other post that you've all kindly answered have highlighted things to look for (clutch etc) but I'm keen to know what cars I should totally discount. From watching Autotrader the cheaper Cerberas don't seem to sell very quickly, what are the reasons for this?
Cheers,
Duke
>>> Edited by Duke Thrust on Friday 21st May 13:44
What sort of mileage is considered to be high for a Cerbera? Some cars I've seen on Autotrader for around £16-17k have about 40k on them, is this high? I saw that thread about engine rebuilds at 45k miles and it's a bit worrying, does this mean that any car at that mileage that's not been rebuilt is best avoided even with full service history?
My other post that you've all kindly answered have highlighted things to look for (clutch etc) but I'm keen to know what cars I should totally discount. From watching Autotrader the cheaper Cerberas don't seem to sell very quickly, what are the reasons for this?
Cheers,
Duke
>>> Edited by Duke Thrust on Friday 21st May 13:44
Duke Thrust said:
From watching Autotrader the cheaper Cerberas don't seem to sell very quickly, what are the reasons for this?
Cheers,
Duke
Perception that lots of cash means a good car?
There are a few things to consider.
1) A TVR is a very special bit of kit, people who buy them (like you) are very specific about what they want, colour, miles, history spec, etc etc. It is their dream car and therefore they want to make sure ot is exactly what they want.
2) Just because a Cerbera is cheap does not mean it is bad. I paid peanuts for mine (no really I did) 20 months ago, all it has cost me is normal servicing, a few upgrades, tyres, insurance and fuel. Sometimes people need to get out of them for a good reason, do not count it out cos it is cheap.
3) However much you spend you cannot ever be certain that it will not break within 5 miles, of course this can be said about any car TVR, Ford, ferrari, BMW or whatever.
In your position I would not dicount a car just because it was cheap, make yourself a criteria of things that it must satisfy and then judge it accordingly.
D
For a 96/97 30-40k should be about average. Anything over 50k I would consider to be "high" mileage.
However I wouldn't buy an early car with under 20k on the clock.
Engine rebuild for the V8 is a trifle misleading, if the clatter cams have been replaced then you should have any major need for engine work. The piston rings may wear if the car has been mistreated in its early life and that will need work to fix, this can happen as low as 30k or it can never happen.
However I wouldn't buy an early car with under 20k on the clock.
Engine rebuild for the V8 is a trifle misleading, if the clatter cams have been replaced then you should have any major need for engine work. The piston rings may wear if the car has been mistreated in its early life and that will need work to fix, this can happen as low as 30k or it can never happen.
GCerbera said:
The only cars I'd discount would be Cat d/c damaged
I'd agree with all graham says, except this. A cat D or possibly a C could be a good cheap car(depending on why it was a write off). The only thing to remember is that it will always be a c/d and will always be worth only about 2/3 of a 'straight' one. Providing it had been properly repaired (no chassis damage) from an 'economic' write off I would buy one like a shot.
Assuming it's been properly repaired by a reputable body shop do I need to let my insurance company know?
I've thought about this in the past and would consider a 'write off' because it's that much cheaper (might be able to get more for my money - without wishing to seem mercenary...)
I understand that for cat C it must have an inspection before it's allowed back on the road - is this the case? If so I'd need to see the certificate before buying that car? Or can I assume that if the accident was 2 years ago (for instance) and the car been MOT'd since it's got/had and passed an inspection?
>> Edited by Duke Thrust on Friday 21st May 14:09
I've thought about this in the past and would consider a 'write off' because it's that much cheaper (might be able to get more for my money - without wishing to seem mercenary...)
I understand that for cat C it must have an inspection before it's allowed back on the road - is this the case? If so I'd need to see the certificate before buying that car? Or can I assume that if the accident was 2 years ago (for instance) and the car been MOT'd since it's got/had and passed an inspection?
>> Edited by Duke Thrust on Friday 21st May 14:09
Duke Thrust said:If you intend to keep the car, that's fine.
I've thought about this in the past and would consider a 'write off' because it's that much cheaper (might be able to get more for my money - without wishing to seem mercenary...)
But come to sell the car and any money added to the original outlay on upgrades
won't really be reclaimed and you will have far less interest in the car IMO.
Don't assume anything about buying write off cars. Some are cars that should have been crushed but haven't and there are a fair few about that should go to a crusher!
Engine mileage is interesting My first Cerbera needed an engine rebuild when the con rod bolt sheered and shrapneled the engine. I was out dragging a BMW touring car at Snetterton at the time.
Current Cerb now has 92k miles on the clock with its original engine and no engine work.
Tower View and I have started the TLC restoration - been a bit neglected over the last 2-3 years but apart from a small mark on one cam bearing, no problems with the engine at all. The suspension is now being cleaned up and rose jointed to take a 520 derived suspension setup using GAZ shocks. Brakes are being upgraded and a few other bits and pieces are in the pipeline.
The best thing is to budget for the worst, enjoy the car and don't be surprised if nothing happens.
>> Edited by shpub on Friday 21st May 15:07
Engine mileage is interesting My first Cerbera needed an engine rebuild when the con rod bolt sheered and shrapneled the engine. I was out dragging a BMW touring car at Snetterton at the time.
Current Cerb now has 92k miles on the clock with its original engine and no engine work. Tower View and I have started the TLC restoration - been a bit neglected over the last 2-3 years but apart from a small mark on one cam bearing, no problems with the engine at all. The suspension is now being cleaned up and rose jointed to take a 520 derived suspension setup using GAZ shocks. Brakes are being upgraded and a few other bits and pieces are in the pipeline.
The best thing is to budget for the worst, enjoy the car and don't be surprised if nothing happens.
>> Edited by shpub on Friday 21st May 15:07
shpub said:
Don't assume anything about buying write off cars. Some are cars that should have been crushed but haven't and there are a fair few about that should go to a crusher!
Agreed, I was only referring to a car that has been documented as to why it was written off (i.e. for rebuild costs) that is verifyable.
There are a lot of dogs out there. It's a case of buyer beware!
) Yes. They have been joined by the head AJP man from The TVR Centre and can now support work on AJP cars. As both they and I like modding cars, we are taking the opportunity to strip my Cerbera and rebuild it (tender loving care) with alsorts of upgrades based on the mods and changes that I/we have done to my Wedge. May seem strange but the Wedge is basically a competition car that is still road legal. That has given us and me in particular a lot of experience on how to improve the cars and the tradeoffs involved. Some of the mods were done to my Griff so we are going to do the same to the Cerbera.
It also is providing the detailed hands on knowledge for the forthcoming bible. I am Garage Lackie grade three on this whole project and have already got my hands well and truly dirty. Gearbox is out and being checked over and to let me paint the transmission tunnel. The engine has been checked over and the first set of suspension and brake upgrades defined. So it is quite exciting. Rocker covers and bits are off being crackle finished. The plan is to end up with a very capable and sorted car that hasn't cost the earth and to demonstrate that there is life in the older cars still. When finished it will replace the Griff as my daily shopping trolley.
It also is providing the detailed hands on knowledge for the forthcoming bible. I am Garage Lackie grade three on this whole project and have already got my hands well and truly dirty. Gearbox is out and being checked over and to let me paint the transmission tunnel. The engine has been checked over and the first set of suspension and brake upgrades defined. So it is quite exciting. Rocker covers and bits are off being crackle finished. The plan is to end up with a very capable and sorted car that hasn't cost the earth and to demonstrate that there is life in the older cars still. When finished it will replace the Griff as my daily shopping trolley.
Hmmm - at the end of the day all the tips are on the site re how to avoid a lemon BUT ultimately you pays your money and you takes your chances.
Just minimise the risk. Higher miles normally means better value - it doesnt necessarily mean more risk.
So I see that Alexs old Griff might be for sale soon then !! That will have been a good investment !!! A model of TVR that has effectively appreciated in value over last 3 yrs.
Just minimise the risk. Higher miles normally means better value - it doesnt necessarily mean more risk.
So I see that Alexs old Griff might be for sale soon then !! That will have been a good investment !!! A model of TVR that has effectively appreciated in value over last 3 yrs.
)gazzab said:
So I see that Alexs old Griff might be for sale soon then !! That will have been a good investment !!! A model of TVR that has effectively appreciated in value over last 3 yrs.
Gazzab, think you might be tempted out of scoobydom back into the land of TVR then? You really have not lived till you've had a Griffith.
D (who very nearly bought an scoobaroo last week but no, I must resist, one somewhat less than normal car is enough. Mind you it was an estate so the dog would go in, and it was very cheap. No no no
To be honest the scooby is not exciting me. Now matter how good a P1 is it really isnt very exciting. Went out for a blast last night. Used to be my private test track for my Chimp and my Cerbera.
The p1 might well have been faster in many (most!?) places that the TVRs but it was not exciting. You drive it fast round bends and it forgives everything - no fun in that.
The p1 might well have been faster in many (most!?) places that the TVRs but it was not exciting. You drive it fast round bends and it forgives everything - no fun in that.
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