Buying a Cerbera

[listercat]

I now have the funds in place to buy a Cerbera and wonder if anyone can help me. I have been told that there are people on this planet that will search the country far and wide to find the car of your dreams (or something like that), for a small fee of course. If anyone is such a person or knows a good person who is it would be greatly appriciated if you could respond to this note. I basically have £20k to spend and would ideally like a 4.5 (but would consider a 4.2).

Also, does anyone know a good insurance company to use I have had a quote for £880 but wonder if I can better that?

[carl_w]

If you have £20k to spend, I would go for a good 4.2 rather than a ratty/leggy 4.5.

[ajcerb]

Call James Agger - many others will say the same thing. Used him to buy my first 6 months ago, Silver 4.2. Very happy. For insurance Sunninghill have been very good for me - speak to Aaron. Get it in time to enjoy the summer.

[airwalk]

I paid 20k for a superb example. 30000 miles 98R 4.5 FTVRSH etc. You can get a good 4.5 if you look. I travelled 250 miles to get mine. Good luck.

[joospeed]

agger is the *only* man to use for sourcing your tvr. Top bloke with a fantastic suntan

[gbbird]

carl_w said:

If you have £20k to spend, I would go for a good 4.2 rather than a ratty/leggy 4.5.

I would'nt . Get a 4.5 - there are lots of good deals out there at the moment

[carl_w]

Maybe I should clarify this.

I'm not saying "don't get a 4.5". I'm saying "if you have a choice between a sorted 4.2 and a ratty 4.5, get the 4.2". I heard the same said about Porkers a long time ago -- get a sorted 944 instead of a ratty 911.

[rob_h]

My 4.2 is for sale!!! well sorted car. Email me if you want any further info or check the classifieds www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/detail.asp?i=24513&s=6

[ocean1]

listercat said:

I now have the funds in place to buy a Cerbera and wonder if anyone can help me. I have been told that there are people on this planet that will search the country far and wide to find the car of your dreams (or something like that), for a small fee of course. If anyone is such a person or knows a good person who is it would be greatly appriciated if you could respond to this note. I basically have £20k to spend and would ideally like a 4.5 (but would consider a 4.2). Also, does anyone know a good insurance company to use I have had a quote for £880 but wonder if I can better that?

Of course your not even considering an S6?....silly of me to ask. The best cerb by far, that was my opinion when I was looking, considerations about reliability went out the window after I had driven an S6, couldnt bear the awfull noise made by a 4.2 on start up.

[jedi]

I seem to remember when I was buying in late 98,that 4.5 Cerbs were only any good on average from early 98 onwards and the 4.2's were a no go zone due to the fact there were MORE problems with 4.2's than 4.5's.

Ended up buying a 5.0 Chim instead and then threw my brain out window and bought a tuscan.... only to have it catch fire...ooops.

Personally I would go for a 4.5 and not bother with the 4.2.

[david smith]

IVE JUST BAUGHT MY FIRST TVR - 98 CERB 4.2
PAID £16K PRIVATE COMPARED TO £20K DEALER - HAS HIGH MILES - BUT VERY GOOD HISTORY AND LOOKS FANTASTIC WITH HEADLIGHT CONVERSION ...
- IF YOU ARE NEW TO CERBERA THE POWER AND EXPERIENCE WILL BLOW YOU AWAY WHAT EVER MODEL - IM SURE - IT HAS ME!

- TESCO WAS CHEAPEST INSURANCE AND I HAVE USED THEM BEFORE NO PROBLEMS ...

[pdavison]

The speed six is the way to go ... and don't simply take mine and Ocean's word for it, drive one!

[arcbeer]

jedi said:

I seem to remember when I was buying in late 98,that 4.5 Cerbs were only any good on average from early 98 onwards and the 4.2's were a no go zone due to the fact there were MORE problems with 4.2's than 4.5's. Ended up buying a 5.0 Chim instead and then threw my brain out window and bought a tuscan.... only to have it catch fire...ooops. Personally I would go for a 4.5 and not bother with the 4.2.

If you drove a 4.2 and a 4.5 back to back not knowing which was which I bet you couldn't tell the difference.

As to the "problems" pre '98 Cerberas suffered, the main concern is if it's on the original clutch as a replacement requires a complete upgrade (bellhousing etc.).

I've never heard of 4.2's having more faults than a 4.5 of the same age.

[olly]

Call Sunninghill for insurance : 0870 7878022

Beat everywhere by over £130 & give you free track day cover (as long as it's properly organised), and free 90 days european cover !

The difference between a 4.2 & 4.5 is only really shown once you break 120mph, so it doesn't really matter that often (and any Cerbera is a b100dy fast car !)

[ceejay]

Sorry Arcbeer, don't agree. I think the 4.2 and 4.5 have quite different driving characteristics. Throttle response on a 4.2 is usually much better but get a 4.5 in the zone and ............

Recommend you test drive both and see which suits you best then get Agger to find a nice example for you. No matter which you won't be disappointed.


Ceejay

>> Edited by ceejay on Friday 25th June 12:23

[joospeed]

I always recommend going for the 4.2 over the 4.5 ...

the 4.2 is as fast, saves you 2k gbp, has better throttle response, has a better under-bonnet look.

the 4.5 has bigger front brakes and a 3mm larger front anti roll bar, not much benefit for 2k

[Julian64]

joospeed said:

I always recommend going for the 4.2 over the 4.5 ... the 4.2 is as fast, saves you 2k gbp, has better throttle response, has a better under-bonnet look. the 4.5 has bigger front brakes and a 3mm larger front anti roll bar, not much benefit for 2k

Hmm.. If you're after a race car I'd agree with you. However I use my car every day on normal roads and the majority of its life it has to behave itself. I found the two 4.2's I drove vicious and snatchy on the throttle. My 4.5 is as fast, but a lot more refined for normal driving than the 4.2's I tried. I wouldn't want to be pootling around with the two I tried. small sample I guess?

[darreni]

Now my 4.2 is set up as nature intended, its fine for 3rd gear 20 mph pootling. But crack open the throttle ........

Without getting into the 4.2/4.5/sp6 debate again the only way to choose is to try them all for yourself, as us owners could, just possibly, be ever so slightly biased.

[davidd]

rob_h said:

My 4.2 is for sale!!! well sorted car. Email me if you want any further info or check the classifieds www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/detail.asp?i=24513&s=6

Rob

Just read the ad, and it says...

'The engine has had all the relevant upgrades including struts etc'

Engine struts? What are they?

D

[olly]

I suspect it's not related....

Should read "all engine upgrades, and struts" (struts = suspension upright struts, which had a safety recall about 2 years ago)