Cerbera buyers guide/purchase advice

[Chas88]

Apologies as there's probably a thread on this but I can't find it at the moment (search facility is not working) but does anyone have a link or a list of things to check for when buying a Cerbera like the sticky on the Tuscan forum as I can only find bits of information at the moment? I'm not sure how much of a difference there is between the different versions but I'd only be looking at the 4.2 or 4.5 AJP engined cars.

I'm looking to swap my Chimaera for either a Cerb or a Tuscan in the new year, will need to test drive both before I decide, although any comments from people who have owned both would be appreciated. The car would mainly be used as a fast road car with maybe the occasional track day once or twice a year.

[Rawhide]

http://www.thetvrsite.com/cerbera/buyers-guide

Hope this helps.

[Spathodus77]

I like this one: http://www.evo.co.uk/buying/buyingguide/239641/tvr...

[Mr Cerbera]

Chas88 said:

Apologies as there's probably a thread on this but I can't find it at the moment (search facility is not working) but does anyone have a link or a list of things to check for when buying a Cerbera like the sticky on the Tuscan forum as I can only find bits of information at the moment? I'm not sure how much of a difference there is between the different versions but I'd only be looking at the 4.2 or 4.5 AJP engined cars.

I'm looking to swap my Chimaera for either a Cerb or a Tuscan in the new year, will need to test drive both before I decide, although any comments from people who have owned both would be appreciated. The car would mainly be used as a fast road car with maybe the occasional track day once or twice a year.

Hi Charlie,

I tried to start a thread on this here that didn't get too far.

Don't want to sound like a boring fart but, in the 5/6 years I've been visiting this site there must have been at least 50 posts similar to yours so have a look here or here if you're having a problem with the search engine.

All the info is out there and you will need to get used to the search engine work-arounds if you're going to be a happy owner.

Hope you DO choose Cerberadom and look forward to chatting with you in the future.

---

ETA

Sorry, re-read that and thought "That is NOT the spirit of Christmas"
so here goes.....

Early 4.2s had occasional crank probs but I believe that, by now, all that were going to go have, indeed, gone. In performance I believe the choice is immaterial. If you are looking to play with it (and it is almost inevitable) then the 4.5s are cheaper to increase the horsepower on than the 4.2s (Mainly because the 4.2 was well sorted on the induction side). A “short induction kit” and individual ECU re-map would cost approx £800 and give around 20% increase, for example.

I bought mine from a dealer with a Year’s warranty.
There are several types who will say that this is a waste of money but I have had phenomenal reliability so I believe it IS worth the mark-up. I would advise negotiating a replacement clutch in the deal (as I did).
Even so, the car will require a complete service history and good, believable reasons for any break in average mileage.

Otherwise if you go private then first choice would be a PH owner’s ride.
Second choice would be to take a PH member with you when you have to look at one. I went with a guy recently to a (non-TVR) dealers who had advertised a 4.2 at €18K. We looked at the car and the dealer said he would take €14K. I told the guy to offer €4K. It WAS that bad (but sounded marvellous).

If neither is available then it is the obvious for most cars I believe:

Chassis outrunners and braces.
Clean Clutch and Brake reservoirs.
VERY clean engine oil.
Exhaust manifold cracks.
Differential leaks.
Steering Rack leaks.
Shock absorber leaks.
Starter-motor function (and history).
Brake disc surfaces (and dimensions).
Make sure that the cooling system registers correct levels as it goes through its cycle.

Almost anyone on here would love to advise you so offer 'em a stay over when
you want to go and check it and you'll have your experienced critic to hand

If anything looks dodgy then get in contact with the last owner or walk away.

Best of Luck

Paul
p.s. Surprised that you're looking to chop the chimp in after 7 months

Edited by Mr Cerbera on Thursday 15th December 10:44

[Chas88]

Mr Cerbera said:

so have a look here or here if you're having a problem with the search engine.

Thanks, bookmarked that for future reference.

Some good advice here and I'll keep a look out for all the stuff mentioned. I will be going for a dealer car with a good warranty or a well known car on here as I want to make sure I get a good example. I'll be looking for FSH and steady milage, although what do we think to cars like this (new classifieds have messed up the formatting so not easiest to read) which have a gap with no service history and very small mileage but have since had an engine rebuild? Or is it best just to always go for fully serviced examples with regular use over the years as a rebuild doesn't cover other aspects of no use?

Mr Cerbera said:

Almost anyone on here would love to advise you so offer 'em a stay over when
you want to go and check it and you'll have your experienced critic to hand

I'll certainly be looking for people's expertise and advice as I get closer to purchasing. At the moment there doesn't seem to be too many about in the price range and spec/colour that I want. Although I'm happy to wait a few months if necessary to get the right one. Would be nice to find one by June ready for the summer though. Still need to actually have a go in one as I've only sat in a stationary one so far.

Mr Cerbera said:

p.s. Surprised that you're looking to chop the chimp in after 7 months

I have really enjoyed the car, especially as it's my first TVR. However sadly it didn't take too long till the urge for a bit more power came along, which I think the Cerb might help with. The only downside is no roof to come off, which is the only reason I was potentially considering a Tuscan instead. Cerb + cheap MX-5 could be another option.

[PuffsBack]

Chas88 said:

Apologies as there's probably a thread on this but I can't find it at the moment (search facility is not working) but does anyone have a link or a list of things to check for when buying a Cerbera like the sticky on the Tuscan forum as I can only find bits of information at the moment? I'm not sure how much of a difference there is between the different versions but I'd only be looking at the 4.2 or 4.5 AJP engined cars.

I'm looking to swap my Chimaera for either a Cerb or a Tuscan in the new year, will need to test drive both before I decide, although any comments from people who have owned both would be appreciated. The car would mainly be used as a fast road car with maybe the occasional track day once or twice a year.

I have owned a Chim 400 and a Griff 500 and now a Cerb Speed 6. In the summer yes I admit I am going to miss having the roof off and coming from the Chim will be worse as the Griff roof is far more of a faff than the Chim. I had to remove the boot seal everytime I needed to get the roof out the boot of the Griff it was that tight!
However I much much perfer the cockpit of the Cerb, it feels much more enclosed and wrapped around you which I like, especially at night. The Griff had an inch gap between the hood door seal and the back of the drivers window!

I miss the V8 rumble but the Speed Six pops and bangs a lot more. The Rover V8 would but I had to provoke it. Of course the AJP8 just pops and bangs all the time regardless

The Cerb feels far far more modern, the interior, seats . General handling is much better and in the dry gives huge confidence. Feels a much bigger car to drive though than the Griff or Chim.

The Speed 6 and Rover V8 are chalk and cheese. Pulling away from the lights the Speed Six feels like a normal car (almost), the clutch is light, there is power from 2000rpm but nothing that makes you take any precautions. The Griff 500 was far torquer and always gave the impression the wheels were going to spin however as you accelerate the whole experience is very linear. The Speed Six is completely different, gentley prod the thottle and keep the revs below 4000rpm and you will wonder what all the fuss is about, even be slightly disappointed, its quiet, smooth and generally without drama. Push the throttle pedal down though and let the revs over 4000rpm its suddenly like a werewolf has gotten under the bonnet, it howls and the throws you back in the seat acceleration wise in a way the Griff never could - its extremely smile inducing

Some other observations -

1) I am still suffering from the Speed Six 'whats that noise?' phobia. Though the last 12k service at STR8Six in May says all is good

2) Powder coating seems much better than my 1999 Chim and Griff (The Cerb is a 2002) Zero rust anywhere

3) Working AirCon is a must!

4) Don't expect the 2 rear seats to be practical. My 6 year old daughter even complains its tight!

5) Access to the mechanicals seems better. My alternator is a little flakey and probably could do with changing. Looks simple to change. I changed the Speedo Sensor over last month and that was very easy. Put a quick connect Accumate lead on the battery as well and that was far simpler than mooching around the passenger footwell upside down. Changed the notorous wiper park switch and that was really easy.

6) The last service on my car was at STR8Six in May and the bill (previous owner) was £2500 which is scary but then you read what was done at most of it was not the service (£800 was for 2 new tyres and the wheels to be refurbed). The starter motor was removed and cleaned - simple to do at home. Oil pressure sensor replaced, again simple plus a bunch of other stuff that wouldn't stress anyone who knows which way a spanner is up.

Edited by PuffsBack on Friday 16th December 12:21

[Chas88]

Yeah I will be looking to do some work myself if possible, although I don't have much space in terms of getting at anything underneath and I've only got a fairly basic set of tools at the moment. But a car like this is one that doesn't appear overly complicated which is good. I know my parents old car which was a BMW E92 had electrical/engine problems which I (and the BMW garage it turned out) wouldn't have a clue how to fix.

I do wonder if I should look into the Speed 6 Cerb as well since it would open the door to a few more cars. My only worry is I plan on this car being a long term keeper and I'm not sure if I'd regret not going for the V8.

[Chas88]

Just thought I'd give this thread an update/ending. I've looked at some Cerbs and a few Tuscans as well, and in about a weeks time I should be picking up my Cerbera 4.5.

[spongy]

Chas88 said:

Just thought I'd give this thread an update/ending. I've looked at some Cerbs and a few Tuscans as well, and in about a weeks time I should be picking up my Cerbera 4.5.

Well done sir.....hope you enjoy it

[fr0zent0ast]

Hey Chas

Which cars did you drive and how did you find them? Im looking at buying a Cerb at the moment and hope to drive some in the coming weekends, but unsure If a Speed6 or a V8 is the way to go..

Did you drive both and how would you compare them?

Cheers !

[Chas88]

I only drove the 4.5 V8 Cerbera, which I found to be easier to drive than my Chimaera 400 especially at low speeds. When I was just driving slowly everything felt smooth and almost calm but as soon as you press the accelerator down all hell breaks loose, the performance and noise was simply staggering.

I did drive a Tuscan with the Speed 6 engine so can't compare the handling/ride as it's two different cars but the engine is still very fast and perhaps felt a bit smoother lower down the rev range and a little bit easier to manage the power, although you do have to rev it quite hard as all the power kicks in after 4k rpm.

I think as long as you drive both engine types you'll soon know which one you prefer for whatever reason and at the end of the day a Speed 6 or an AJP 8 are both going to be amazing cars.

[madmover]

cracking cars, can end up with high running costs so be sure to do your research....buy wise and you should be fine