Time to start hunting!
Discussion
Afternoon all! After owning, a BMW 330i, Golf GTI, and a VW Touareg, I've decided (or my wife has let me) to go hunting for the car of my dreams, a TVR Cerbera!
So first things first, does anyone know of any specialists in Essex which have any for sale at the moment? I'm looking at spending around £11-12k, preferably I'd go for the 4.5 Mk1 for its softer ride and cheaper insurance.
Secondly, apart from the obvious button testing, and general running of the car, are there any really important things that I should look out for? Ie, recalls in the log books, service intervals etc.
Thanks in advance, fingers crossed this wont be a long and drawn out process, but I am prepared to wait for the right car to come up for sale.
Sav
So first things first, does anyone know of any specialists in Essex which have any for sale at the moment? I'm looking at spending around £11-12k, preferably I'd go for the 4.5 Mk1 for its softer ride and cheaper insurance.
Secondly, apart from the obvious button testing, and general running of the car, are there any really important things that I should look out for? Ie, recalls in the log books, service intervals etc.
Thanks in advance, fingers crossed this wont be a long and drawn out process, but I am prepared to wait for the right car to come up for sale.
Sav
Hi Savvas,
I searched a fair distance for a good cerb last year and I finally found one. There were two there at the time and the other is now sold to Dazza N on here.
I can only go by my experience (and I think I speak foor Dazza) that Hilton & Moss (or Castle Sports cars as they are known) were very good and they have a service dept with a TVR mechanic of 21 years experience, so they're cars are pretty good.
They're located near Stansted. failing that there is another TVR specialist near them called Bespoke, the guy there might be able to help, although I'm not sure they're a dealer as such more of a garage (I may be wrong).
Hope you find a good'un, but do bear in mind that sometimes it's worth paying slightly more for a good example.
I'm sure the other guys on here will be able to help more with what to look for in a good one.
I searched a fair distance for a good cerb last year and I finally found one. There were two there at the time and the other is now sold to Dazza N on here.
I can only go by my experience (and I think I speak foor Dazza) that Hilton & Moss (or Castle Sports cars as they are known) were very good and they have a service dept with a TVR mechanic of 21 years experience, so they're cars are pretty good.
They're located near Stansted. failing that there is another TVR specialist near them called Bespoke, the guy there might be able to help, although I'm not sure they're a dealer as such more of a garage (I may be wrong).
Hope you find a good'un, but do bear in mind that sometimes it's worth paying slightly more for a good example.
I'm sure the other guys on here will be able to help more with what to look for in a good one.
Hey Tomej, cheers mate, I had a look at Castle Sports earlier today, they dont have any Cerberas at the moment, but I'll keep my eye on them just in case.
With regards to the price, I'm looking to spend around the 11-12 mark, because that will leave me a bit of extra cash to do any work that the car would require - although no where near a rebuild!
thanks again.
With regards to the price, I'm looking to spend around the 11-12 mark, because that will leave me a bit of extra cash to do any work that the car would require - although no where near a rebuild!
thanks again.
Tomej said:
Hi Savvas,
I searched a fair distance for a good cerb last year and I finally found one. There were two there at the time and the other is now sold to Dazza N on here.
I can only go by my experience (and I think I speak foor Dazza) that Hilton & Moss (or Castle Sports cars as they are known) were very good and they have a service dept with a TVR mechanic of 21 years experience, so they're cars are pretty good.
They're located near Stansted. failing that there is another TVR specialist near them called Bespoke, the guy there might be able to help, although I'm not sure they're a dealer as such more of a garage (I may be wrong).
Hope you find a good'un, but do bear in mind that sometimes it's worth paying slightly more for a good example.
I'm sure the other guys on here will be able to help more with what to look for in a good one.
I searched a fair distance for a good cerb last year and I finally found one. There were two there at the time and the other is now sold to Dazza N on here.
I can only go by my experience (and I think I speak foor Dazza) that Hilton & Moss (or Castle Sports cars as they are known) were very good and they have a service dept with a TVR mechanic of 21 years experience, so they're cars are pretty good.
They're located near Stansted. failing that there is another TVR specialist near them called Bespoke, the guy there might be able to help, although I'm not sure they're a dealer as such more of a garage (I may be wrong).
Hope you find a good'un, but do bear in mind that sometimes it's worth paying slightly more for a good example.
I'm sure the other guys on here will be able to help more with what to look for in a good one.
The Cerbera is a rare beast, and a 'good one' is worth going the extra mile for (litteraly). Don't restrict yourself to cars only located in Essex, for the right car you may have to travel. If I had a choice between a decent car at a dealer locally or a good known (ie a PHer's) car with all the right upgrades 100 miles away, I would go for the known car every time. 
Defo agree with that FUBAR, all of my automated searches are set to national. But would be great to find a good one local, in the hope that I could strike up a decent relationship with the dealer (I get the feeling that TVR's need a fair bit of love and mechanic attention)
FUBAR said:
The Cerbera is a rare beast, and a 'good one' is worth going the extra mile for (litteraly). Don't restrict yourself to cars only located in Essex, for the right car you may have to travel. If I had a choice between a decent car at a dealer locally or a good known (ie a PHer's) car with all the right upgrades 100 miles away, I would go for the known car every time.
The Mk1 cars arent softer (in terms of ride) - the Mk1 and 2 are going to be the same albeit it depends what dampers, settings etc
The insurance is unlikley to be cheaper - most cerbs qualify for the same deals give or take. So unless you are high risk then the premiums will be similiar regardless of car age and spec (notwithstanding mods).
If you want a 'softer' cerb then the S6 should be your choice. You will also get a later car for your money.
At the price point you are at you will want to search very hard to find a good un.
I would avoid dealer cars at that price point - find a private car with a stack of recent (ie last 2 or 3 yrs) bills.
Be prepared to get your hands dirty to keep it on the road or get the wallet limbered up.
The insurance is unlikley to be cheaper - most cerbs qualify for the same deals give or take. So unless you are high risk then the premiums will be similiar regardless of car age and spec (notwithstanding mods).
If you want a 'softer' cerb then the S6 should be your choice. You will also get a later car for your money.
At the price point you are at you will want to search very hard to find a good un.
I would avoid dealer cars at that price point - find a private car with a stack of recent (ie last 2 or 3 yrs) bills.
Be prepared to get your hands dirty to keep it on the road or get the wallet limbered up.
Don't disregard PH classifieds either. Mostly well known cars.
Or the 4.2's
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3533198.htm
Or the 4.2's
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3533198.htm
Edited by Byker28i on Monday 12th March 19:01
Heu Byker
To be honest with you im more likely to buy from a PH member then anywhere else.
Already seen a couple which ive got my eye on.
To be honest with you im more likely to buy from a PH member then anywhere else.
Already seen a couple which ive got my eye on.
Byker28i said:
Don't disregard PH classifieds either. Mostly well known cars.
Or the 4.2's
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3533198.htm
Or the 4.2's
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3533198.htm
Edited by Byker28i on Monday 12th March 19:01
I wonder if it really has only done 26,000 miles or if it has the common stuck odometer 'feature' !! (see the dash pic)
Byker28i said:
Don't disregard PH classifieds either. Mostly well known cars.
Or the 4.2's
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3533198.htm
Or the 4.2's
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3533198.htm
Edited by Byker28i on Monday 12th March 19:01
Hi Sav. What part of Essex are you in ? I have just got my Cerb and seem to have been lucky. I can recommend Hiltons it may be worth you speaking to Ben and telling him what you are after. Seems to be a little newbie group in Essex, we will have to meet at the Ph Thursday south woodham ferrers . If you have any Cerb questions or would like to see my speed 6 just shout. Cheers. Dazza.
Hey Daz, I'm in Romford at the moment, but moving to Laindon at the end of the month (I wont be buying the Cerb whilst I'm still in Romford!)Where are you?
Is this the Hiltons you were talking about? http://www.hiltonandmoss.com
Is there a regular meet in South Woodham Ferrers? I need to see some more Cerbs in the flesh, they are so rare!
Cheers
Is this the Hiltons you were talking about? http://www.hiltonandmoss.com
Is there a regular meet in South Woodham Ferrers? I need to see some more Cerbs in the flesh, they are so rare!
Cheers
Dazza N said:
Hi Sav. What part of Essex are you in ? I have just got my Cerb and seem to have been lucky. I can recommend Hiltons it may be worth you speaking to Ben and telling him what you are after. Seems to be a little newbie group in Essex, we will have to meet at the Ph Thursday south woodham ferrers . If you have any Cerb questions or would like to see my speed 6 just shout. Cheers. Dazza.
Gray_101 said:
If it has got a full service history with all the old Mots, you may be able to work out if it's genuine mileage.
There are still a few low mileage Cerbs out there, mine has only got 23k on the clock.
Buy on condition... Not just mileage!There are still a few low mileage Cerbs out there, mine has only got 23k on the clock.
A car can pick up all sorts of problems, just being sat idle for long periods of time. Seals, bushes, etc... These cars like to be driven.
M
All Cerbs have little niggles, but I'm not sold on buying a high mileage car just because there's a bucket load of service history.
I consider myself lucky that every thing on my car is in full working order, but I have spent many an hour in the garage working all the little niggles out.
I can only go on personal experience but I looked at two Cerbs before buying mine, they were in a terrible state and i walked away. As for mine it was dry stored for a few years and yes the rubber fuel lines and a few bushes needed replacing , but the chassis is mint and as nearly as good as the day it left Blackpool
I guess you ll have to take each car you view on merit and you ll know when you find the right one.
Just dont buy the first one you see
I consider myself lucky that every thing on my car is in full working order, but I have spent many an hour in the garage working all the little niggles out.
I can only go on personal experience but I looked at two Cerbs before buying mine, they were in a terrible state and i walked away. As for mine it was dry stored for a few years and yes the rubber fuel lines and a few bushes needed replacing , but the chassis is mint and as nearly as good as the day it left Blackpool
I guess you ll have to take each car you view on merit and you ll know when you find the right one.
Just dont buy the first one you see
Sounds like good advice about not buying the first one.
Did anyone have a mechanic or the AA give theirs a once over before they bought it?
Did anyone have a mechanic or the AA give theirs a once over before they bought it?
Gray_101 said:
All Cerbs have little niggles, but I'm not sold on buying a high mileage car just because there's a bucket load of service history.
I consider myself lucky that every thing on my car is in full working order, but I have spent many an hour in the garage working all the little niggles out.
I can only go on personal experience but I looked at two Cerbs before buying mine, they were in a terrible state and i walked away. As for mine it was dry stored for a few years and yes the rubber fuel lines and a few bushes needed replacing , but the chassis is mint and as nearly as good as the day it left Blackpool
I guess you ll have to take each car you view on merit and you ll know when you find the right one.
Just dont buy the first one you see
I consider myself lucky that every thing on my car is in full working order, but I have spent many an hour in the garage working all the little niggles out.
I can only go on personal experience but I looked at two Cerbs before buying mine, they were in a terrible state and i walked away. As for mine it was dry stored for a few years and yes the rubber fuel lines and a few bushes needed replacing , but the chassis is mint and as nearly as good as the day it left Blackpool
I guess you ll have to take each car you view on merit and you ll know when you find the right one.
Just dont buy the first one you see
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