Arranging a viewing?

[Chaz9950]

So, after reading several threads on PH about folks taking test drives without a good chance they'll buy the car they're driving (like a test-pilot fancying a drive in a faster car than they own), is it unreasonable to request a viewing of one you're not really in a position to buy? I wouldn't be comfortable taking a car for a spin from anywhere if I wasn't seriously considering buying one, but to me, looking around and sitting in one for a while wouldn't be a big deal?

Let me clarify this - I'm probably 9-12 months from officially pulling the trigger on getting a cool car. I've always owned pretty sensible, boring motors (a Nissan Micra, Volvo S40, Mitsubishi Warrior, BMW 330d and a 520d, and currently I drive a Volvo XC70), so I really fancy owning something 'out there'. I've got a bike (a Triumph Speed Triple), but have always loved V8's as they are a proper man's engine! Sound, power delivery, everything. So, I'm in a position where I've got some spare cash (and no, pouring it into my house / savings / something else boring REALLY doesn't interest me, so don't suggest anything like that, thank you!) I'd like something with a big sense of occasion. Something special.

I'd consider myself a patriot, so something British appeals. I've just about narrowed it down to a Cobra kit car, a Noble, or a Cerbera. I'm leaning more towards the Cerbera, since I've loved them since I was a kid watching them on Top Gear.

So, would it be rude or inconsiderate to ask a dealer somewhere local to me to view a car (NOT take one for a drive) to get a feel for the size, the seating position, colour, shape, just a good general impression? I'm split between Leicester and Hereford, so pretty much central to everywhere in the Midlands, so if there's a local meet somewhere on a monthly basis even, I'd love to turn up to see a Cerb' or two.

Over to you guys, I guess.

[Supateg]

Tvr Car Club Meets

Warwickshire & West Midlands
Regular Meet 3rd Sunday The Bulls Head, Meriden
www.tvrcc-westmidlands.co.uk

Northants
Regular Meet 2nd Sunday from 12 The Aviator Hotel, Sywell Aerodrome NN60BN
www.tvrcc-northants.co.uk

Or go to Burghley House April 13th, may be one or two cerbs there

Hope this helps a little

[ukkid35]

Supateg said:

Tvr Car Club Meets

Or go to Burghley House April 13th, may be one or two cerbs there

And if you are around on Saturday 12th as well, there will almost certainly be an organised drive around the locality, where you definitely get a PAX ride, even if it's only with me!

These are from Chatsworth (same meet different location)

[Chaz9950]

Ahh, brilliant!

Thanks for the info guys. If I'm around (work is crazy busy), I might just take someone up if they offer a pax ride. I'd pay for the obligatory bacon sarnie and coke! And chip in for the fuel - these things are hardly going to be very economical... Ha!

Just looking at pictures on the 'net, and hunting out the common problems and fixes isn't really enough to get a complete picture. I've done some hardcore digging around on them, and realise if the chassis is rusty, it's worthwhile to pour somewhere in the region of £5k on a body-off chassis restoration. Likewise for the engines - if they go wrong, assuming the block isn't holed, it's a fair wedge. BUT - they're not exactly new cars now, and for the equivalent performance and occasion, something else could easily cost 10x more.

For example, there's Maserati's that are now looking VERY affordable, but I'd dread to think what the running costs would/could be. I'd hate to find a bill for just the discs and pads, let alone any engine or bodywork....

[Supateg]

Chaz9950 said:

Just looking at pictures on the 'net, and hunting out the common problems and fixes isn't really enough to get a complete picture. I've done some hardcore digging around on them, and realise if the chassis is rusty, it's worthwhile to pour somewhere in the region of £5k on a body-off chassis restoration. Likewise for the engines - if they go wrong, assuming the block isn't holed, it's a fair wedge. BUT - they're not exactly new cars now, and for the equivalent performance and occasion, something else could easily cost 10x more.

For example, there's Maserati's that are now looking VERY affordable, but I'd dread to think what the running costs would/could be. I'd hate to find a bill for just the discs and pads, let alone any engine or bodywork....

The big saving on cost of ownership is if you can do most of the work yourself. Most jobs are straightforward for a competent diyer. Specalists can eat away at the budget quite rapidly. Parts are cheap compared to modern car prices and if you can find cross referenced parts you can save alot.
I just replaced the Aircon tensioner bearing. £60-£90 from tvr parts supplier. Ebay QH part from a 2.0 16v vauxhall £11 delivered - Bargan!

£5k for a chassis restoration is tame. Its the while its off jobs that rocket the budget.

[Byker28i]

Supateg said:

£5k for a chassis restoration is tame. Its the while its off jobs that rocket the budget.

My body off chassis restoration cost £7.5k and I replaced everything possible. The thing is, that's a one off (ish) as my car is a 97 so I've just given it another 15-20 years life on the chassis and at least 5 years before I have to touch anything else (hopefully).

The words of wisdom I was given when I bought was to expect £3k a year, so I put £250 a month away into savings. However it's cost me nowhere near that over 7 years of ownership, but having that money means I don't scrimp when anything needs doing.

I don't see a problem with you wanting to sit/look at a cerbera. I have several people I try to convert to the dark side at car shows.

Edited by Byker28i on Saturday 1st March 09:33

[RAFsmoggy]

Byker as you are a long term owner , do you recollect the average it has actually cost you per annum ?

[jamckeown]

I would consider myself a long term owner. As you will see I rarely post but the question you asked about long term running costs intrigued me enough to sort through all my history and add up the invoices. I purchased my car in early 2003. The car was a low mileage early example (first registered 31st December 1996 and purchased from a main TVR dealer. Since ownership the car has always been serviced by TVR dealers and TVR independents. A sharp intake of breath and here goes:

2003 - Mileage 15150 £ 28.22
2004 - Mileage 22450 £ 5592.39
2005 - Mileage 26155 £ 1798.62
2006 - Mileage 27184 £ 6992.10
2007 - Mileage 29053 £ 6208.36
2008 - Mileage 36009 £ 2325.35
2009 - Mileage 42300 £10091.16
2010 - Mileage 45897 £ 7008.48
2011 - Mileage 49088 £ 2551.19
2012 - Mileage 54000 £ 2181.75
2013 - Mileage 60029 £ 4017.16
2014 - Mileage 62931 £ 1894.61 TOTAL £50689.39

The above includes for new Cams in 2006, rebuilt engine with Red Rose 4.5 upgrade in 2009, bottom end rebuild - shells etc due to a failed Woodruff key in 2010. All srvicing as due, suspension upgrades, Zircotec coated manifolds, new exhaust, tyres and wheels when required (spiders are so soft!) and all other necessary ancillaries. The costs, however do not include Purchase Price, Insurances, tax or fuel!

Eye watering in reality! But would I sell - Never!!!

[s p a c e m a n]

[Robert Lees]

As we say up north chuffing Nora!

Will keep the Chimaera!

[robsco]

Wow. I think I totted my first Cerbera's bills up to be in the region of 35k, of which I spent around 7k in 7k miles and 18 months or so. It had done 53k miles when I sold. Make no mistake, they are not cheap cars to run, but you can account for 30% of the costs through "upgrades" rather than necessity. Most owners spend a lot more on their Cerberas than is really required.

[jamckeown]

Robsco - you are right about the upgrades and furthermore I forgot to mention two of the invoices relate to a full respray in 2007 and a front end respray in 2013. If I had the time, space and skill the costs could be drastically reduced by undertaking work myself. Regards John

[Rick101]

Holy moly!

I think that's killed the dream for me.

[mbrown5]

Nice way to put people off buying a Cerb and lower current values!
Some of the average costs quoted are staggering, it's important not to confuse running costs with upgrades which aren't necessary.
By comparison I've owned my Cerb 5 years and when I add up running costs (servicing and repairs) my average per year is about £1800, that includes lots of big things like clutch, master, slave, brakes, Nitrons, exhaust etc. All work done by X Works Service. Cerbs can cost a lot to own but they don't have to.

To be fair it would probably have cost me double that had I gone to an Ex TVR main dealer.

Edited by mbrown5 on Sunday 2nd March 19:48

[Chaz9950]

mbrown5

I should think that most people who find this thread would realise the (somewhat astronomical) running costs of some individuals on here are largely avoidable. Engine upgrades, suspension upgrades and resprays are all non-essential.

From what I understand, tyres, pads and discs and servicing, along with a few running repairs come at a reasonable cost, especially considering the performance of the car.

[Englishman]

For me it was £12K in first year (actually first 6 months), £3.5K in second year and just a couple of tyres ~£400 so far this year. Of that ~£14K was essential to keep going and legal.

[mbrown5]

Englishman said:

For me it was £12K in first year (actually first 6 months), £3.5K in second year and just a couple of tyres ~£400 so far this year. Of that ~£14K was essential to keep going and legal.

Did you buy the Speed Six cerb that had only done about 800miles in 10 years and needed completely re-commissioning including an engine rebuild?
I thinks its important to tell the full story so as not to put potential buyers off. Some on here seem to be getting scared off "killed the dream".

[jamieduff1981]

Quite, and yes, that was the famous 800 mile Speed Six with a borked engine above.

Cerberas need not cost the price of a small hatchback every year to run - not ever. I know some people like to wear massive spends like a badge of honour, which is great for any future owners but there is absolutely no need to spend that much on running these. They can't be run for 5 year-old Mondeo money, and nobody is suggesting they can, but they in no way require £6k+ per year.

This year I spent £4k including all insurances etc, and most of that was upgrades such as refurbishing wheels just because I didn't like the colour and similar stuff. I needed an exhaust and decided not to spend £800 on one, so got hold of a used standard backbox and some used 4.5 centre pipes and welded them together until I did feel like buying an ACT system. My bodged exhaust cost me £70 plus some welding wire. I can't weld for sh*t - but it's still fitted, and will be until after I've moved house.

[RAFsmoggy]

Blimey! Wish I hadn't asked the question now...
1st off ,well done that man Jamie ....that's more like it!

Owned mine just a few weeks over a year now £780 on a 12k service & few quid to a mate's ,mate who was a sparky, £ 148 on Mot work & that's it... unless we are counting fuel ???

[grahamn]

jamckeown said:

2003 - Mileage 15150 £ 28.22
2004 - Mileage 22450 £ 5592.39
2005 - Mileage 26155 £ 1798.62
2006 - Mileage 27184 £ 6992.10
2007 - Mileage 29053 £ 6208.36
2008 - Mileage 36009 £ 2325.35
2009 - Mileage 42300 £10091.16
2010 - Mileage 45897 £ 7008.48
2011 - Mileage 49088 £ 2551.19
2012 - Mileage 54000 £ 2181.75
2013 - Mileage 60029 £ 4017.16
2014 - Mileage 62931 £ 1894.61 TOTAL £50689.39

But would I sell - Never!!!

Brave man for adding it up, I wouldn't have the balls.

2 engine rebuilds
3 gearbox rebuilds
chassie off restoration

To name a few of the bigger bills. But using it as a track car quite often, i expect a few things to wear out quicker than most.