Time for a change
Discussion
Hello everyone!
So, finally made up my mind about what car to get without even having to start a what car thread  Had been considering Toyota Celica ST205, Monaro, Maserati 3200GT and a 996. But after doing all my homework and reading lots of owners threads settled on the Cerbera (was between that and the 3200GT in the end). I’m coming from a supercharged MX5 with 250bhp that I’ve done most of the work to and servicing myself. Hopefully that will stand me in good stead for the Cerbera! I work in London so it will be my only car but still only used at the weekends.
Only problem now is to find one...
There are a couple in the PH classifieds that look about right:
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3193994.htm
Looks good but can’t help thinking that even with all the work done the price is a bit steep for a 60K car. I would have thought ~£15K would be more realistic. What do you guys think?
And
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2894749.htm
Not as fond of the interior, looks like the fleshy innards of a beast, which is actually quite apt
The only problem with this one is its in Lancashire which is quite a trip from Surrey...
So what do you think? Are these about right for a reasonably sorted Cerb?
Unfortunately I don't have a garage to keep it in. Would it be worth getting a cover for it, or just leave it open to the elements? It wouldn't be under any trees so just rain. I've heard that they can scratch the paint work but they do seem fairly popular...
Cheers,
Jim
So, finally made up my mind about what car to get without even having to start a what car thread  Had been considering Toyota Celica ST205, Monaro, Maserati 3200GT and a 996. But after doing all my homework and reading lots of owners threads settled on the Cerbera (was between that and the 3200GT in the end). I’m coming from a supercharged MX5 with 250bhp that I’ve done most of the work to and servicing myself. Hopefully that will stand me in good stead for the Cerbera! I work in London so it will be my only car but still only used at the weekends.
Only problem now is to find one...
There are a couple in the PH classifieds that look about right:
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3193994.htm
Looks good but can’t help thinking that even with all the work done the price is a bit steep for a 60K car. I would have thought ~£15K would be more realistic. What do you guys think?
And
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2894749.htm
Not as fond of the interior, looks like the fleshy innards of a beast, which is actually quite apt
The only problem with this one is its in Lancashire which is quite a trip from Surrey...So what do you think? Are these about right for a reasonably sorted Cerb?
Unfortunately I don't have a garage to keep it in. Would it be worth getting a cover for it, or just leave it open to the elements? It wouldn't be under any trees so just rain. I've heard that they can scratch the paint work but they do seem fairly popular...
Cheers,
Jim
Best of luck with your search
Personally I would be drawn to the 2nd one. If its got a great chassis then thats one thing off the worry list.
The interiors of Cerbs dont photograph well. I have had a couple of magnolia interior cerbs and one red interior. I prefer the latter. Seems more in keeping with a 'racey' car, its not an XJS.
They dont really like to be left outside and the covers can scratch. Why not rent a local lock up for it?
Personally I would be drawn to the 2nd one. If its got a great chassis then thats one thing off the worry list.
The interiors of Cerbs dont photograph well. I have had a couple of magnolia interior cerbs and one red interior. I prefer the latter. Seems more in keeping with a 'racey' car, its not an XJS.
They dont really like to be left outside and the covers can scratch. Why not rent a local lock up for it?
I bought a cover for mine as it lives outside too, but recently I've tended to use it less as it means I tend use the car more! Mine got caught out without its cover when it snowed last winter and was ok
Just be careful when washing the car as the bonnet vents tend to ingest more water than even the hardest of rainy days which can cause havoc with coil packs and lambda connectors!
I had my door seals changed to the later mk2 ones (which sometimes leak but nothing compared to before!) and also keep a 'moisture mate' in the car which is very effective (I had one overflow!)and keeps the carpets/interior dry when its damp out
Just be careful when washing the car as the bonnet vents tend to ingest more water than even the hardest of rainy days which can cause havoc with coil packs and lambda connectors!
I had my door seals changed to the later mk2 ones (which sometimes leak but nothing compared to before!) and also keep a 'moisture mate' in the car which is very effective (I had one overflow!)and keeps the carpets/interior dry when its damp out
I would need a close look at that second one, how much of that suspension has been painted in situ?
Why would you paint over the track rod adjusters and bushes? From the look of the overspray around the hub upright I'd say that was all covered up when the outriggers were done, needs a close look.
Regards the price, they are worth what someone will pay for them, you won't get much back up trying to talk the prices down here.
If I was looking for a Cerb, I would only buy one from someone on here, too many have fallen into unloving hands and subsequently appear to be a bargain that then costs thousands when it all goesnwrong.
Good luck with your search.
Why would you paint over the track rod adjusters and bushes? From the look of the overspray around the hub upright I'd say that was all covered up when the outriggers were done, needs a close look.
Regards the price, they are worth what someone will pay for them, you won't get much back up trying to talk the prices down here.
If I was looking for a Cerb, I would only buy one from someone on here, too many have fallen into unloving hands and subsequently appear to be a bargain that then costs thousands when it all goesnwrong.
Good luck with your search.
The chassis on the second one looks like it has been given a coverup job! The rubber bushes, track rods and ball joints have been painted - which should not be, if its been done properly. It would need very careful investigation indeed.
My Cerb lived outside in all weathers for the first 4 years I have had it. Once you track down the inevitable little leaks and cure them it is no problem at all. Personally I think covers do more harm than good both in terms of increased condensation and scratching the paintwork unless it is washed immediately before putting the cover on every time!
My Cerb lived outside in all weathers for the first 4 years I have had it. Once you track down the inevitable little leaks and cure them it is no problem at all. Personally I think covers do more harm than good both in terms of increased condensation and scratching the paintwork unless it is washed immediately before putting the cover on every time!
Edited by Tanguero on Friday 9th September 11:18
Choosing between those two, I would think about your priorities - the first one has £2000 of suspension, the second has £2000 of hi-fi?
Also both set off tiny warning jangles re chassis, and why did the first one stop servicing at Fernies? Did they find some big bill he didn't want to cover? And has the second one only done 100 miles in 8 months?
Anyway it's easy to give advice on a forum! Speaking as someone who bought a Tuscan without even driving it, good luck and have fun, whatever you choose!
Also both set off tiny warning jangles re chassis, and why did the first one stop servicing at Fernies? Did they find some big bill he didn't want to cover? And has the second one only done 100 miles in 8 months?
Anyway it's easy to give advice on a forum! Speaking as someone who bought a Tuscan without even driving it, good luck and have fun, whatever you choose!
That second one is really ringing alarm bells.
Look at picture 9 left side lower wishbone, you can see the rust reappearing. Now if the outriggers were so bad they needed replacing, what was the rest of it like? That's had a cover up job. There's paint on the exhaust both sides where the lower chasis rails have been painted, surely the tops have not been touched, it's not hard to take the exhaust off for access. Paintnon the steering rack aswell. That's terrible.
Look at picture 9 left side lower wishbone, you can see the rust reappearing. Now if the outriggers were so bad they needed replacing, what was the rest of it like? That's had a cover up job. There's paint on the exhaust both sides where the lower chasis rails have been painted, surely the tops have not been touched, it's not hard to take the exhaust off for access. Paintnon the steering rack aswell. That's terrible.
Hi,
I will also be selling mine due to a move abroad
Its a 1998 4.5 in Blue Magnetique ( similar to Crystal Topaz ), I've done A LOT of work to it and spent around £20k in the last 4 years. Engine re-built by Jason at STR8-6 to red rose spec plus more, Joo re-map & induction, ally rad, ceramic manifolds, stainless pipes, big AP brakes, clutch, slave and master. Diff, poly bushed, new Gaz gold pros plus loads more......
Email me for the full spec
I will also be selling mine due to a move abroad
Its a 1998 4.5 in Blue Magnetique ( similar to Crystal Topaz ), I've done A LOT of work to it and spent around £20k in the last 4 years. Engine re-built by Jason at STR8-6 to red rose spec plus more, Joo re-map & induction, ally rad, ceramic manifolds, stainless pipes, big AP brakes, clutch, slave and master. Diff, poly bushed, new Gaz gold pros plus loads more......
Email me for the full spec
all suspension parts removed, blasted and powder coated white.
Do you think that's an honest description of the suspension parts? There's no way that suspension was stripped blasted and coated, you'd need to reset the tracking, and that clearly has been done in situ, plus you can see the rust coming back, not to mention everything in sight having been painted white. No that would make me run for the hills.
Sorry to destroy the chaps add, but it's not right.
Do you think that's an honest description of the suspension parts? There's no way that suspension was stripped blasted and coated, you'd need to reset the tracking, and that clearly has been done in situ, plus you can see the rust coming back, not to mention everything in sight having been painted white. No that would make me run for the hills.
Sorry to destroy the chaps add, but it's not right.
I agree with you that all is not what it seems and especially the browning of the wishbones showing rust coming through doesn't shout blasting/coating to me. Don't know why the steering components have been painted. Would've been better to leave it as-is, it can only make people suspicious (run for hills as you say)
Nickccc said:
all suspension parts removed, blasted and powder coated white.
Do you think that's an honest description of the suspension parts? There's no way that suspension was stripped blasted and coated, you'd need to reset the tracking, and that clearly has been done in situ, plus you can see the rust coming back, not to mention everything in sight having been painted white. No that would make me run for the hills.
Sorry to destroy the chaps add, but it's not right.
Absolutely - the more I look the worse it appears to be. 40ft bargepole on this one!Do you think that's an honest description of the suspension parts? There's no way that suspension was stripped blasted and coated, you'd need to reset the tracking, and that clearly has been done in situ, plus you can see the rust coming back, not to mention everything in sight having been painted white. No that would make me run for the hills.
Sorry to destroy the chaps add, but it's not right.
Just goes to show how careful you have to be!The beauty of PH is you have a wealth of experience at your finger tips. What seems obvious and paint over rubber stands out like the balls on a bulldog. As time goes by it will be harder to buy a good Cerbera as the low price brings in buyers who cannot afford to keep them and they are offloaded when something goes wrong. When I was looking for a Cerbera I was looking for the 4.5 and was very very lucky to buy a beautiful 4.5RR from TVRmads. I know you want a 4.5 but you will not go wrong with Amazons 4.2 a car from a true Cerbera enthusiast who is greedy and also had a 4.5.
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