Potential First Time TVR Buyer

[pilchard8]

Will be looking at getting a new car soon, currently own a mk4 Supra and I fancy a change. I put up a what car thread up in general a few months ago and a few car choices came up. One of those was a TVR which wasn't currently on my list but after a bit of man maths and thinking with my heart instead my head I need to experience one before other priorities come first.

The two in budget (20k) are a Chimaera and a Cerbera, with the Cerb been the one Ive always wanted since I started getting into a cars as a kid. The sound, the looks, the interior, everything about them appeals to me and Ive seen quite a few at shows.

Ive been doing my research and Im looking into getting a pre facelift 4.2 Cerb. I will be buying on condition and I will up my budget if the correct one comes along. I will be keeping some money aside for maintenance. The car will be stored on a driveway and I have another car as a daily so this a weekend toy only. Just wondered if this is ok for a cerb?

Never got chance to talk to an owner or have a look around one properly. Just wondered if anyone in the Yorkshire has one I could passenger ride in or ask some advice, I will obviously pay for fuel, food/beers to compensate for this.

Thanks

[Tanguero]

My Cerb lived outside on the drive for the first 5 years I had it. Once you have found and sorted out any of the water leaks that most of them seem to have, it living outside it isn't a problem, so don't let that put you off. Covers tend to destroy paintwork unless you clean the car every time before you put the cover on so don't bother going down that route.

The Cerbera in general prefers to be used than sat idle, infrequently used cars seem to be the most troublesome. and once you have one sat on your drive, your choice of daily drive may change...

Edited by Tanguero on Wednesday 1st June 16:19

[mk1fan]

Get along to the local TVRCC monthly meets - most have Facebunk pages. You don't have to be a member to attend and there will be willing owners more than happy to talk about the cars and offer lifts - well that's been my experience to date.

[m3coupe]

Tanguero said:

My Cerb lived outside on the drive for the first 5 years I had it. Once you have found and sorted out any of the water leaks that most of them seem to have, it living outside it isn't a problem, so don't let that put you off. Covers tend to destroy paintwork unless you clean the car every time before you put the cover on so don't bother going down that route.

The Cerbera in general prefers to be used than sat idle, infrequently used cars seem to be the most troublesome. and once you have one sat on your drive, your choice of daily drive may change...

Edited by Tanguero on Wednesday 1st June 16:19

The last sentence especially really does become true. You will find it almost impossible to walk past the TVR on your drive and jump into the supposed daily drive if you buy one, even at 06:00 on a cold, icy, snowy January morning in the north east of scotland.

[m60ddy]

Depends where you live?

There are Cerbera's in Doncaster, Sheffield, Leeds and Huddersfield that I know of. TVRCC meets would be a good start. The WY meet is second Wednesday of the month close to Leeda IKEA

[pilchard8]

Thanks all. I think priority at the moment is to continue my research and once my current car is sold get out looking for one. I live in Sheffield so any meets around there would be great a opportunity to speak to some owners. The car will be used mostly every weekend in the summer but will be put away in winter. I have a mate with garage so I may put it in there and take it out every so often to keep everything running.

Theres a TVR specialist near me called RT Racing if anyone has used them, which I may pop into to ask advice. Would 20k budget be enough to buy a good Cerbera?

[ukkid35]

pilchard8 said:

Theres a TVR specialist near me called RT Racing if anyone has used them

Last year I needed some suspension parts identified and replacements prepared ready for collection within a few hours. Richard could not have been more helpful, enabling me to get to Zolder a couple of days later. His company is also featured in the WheelerDealers Cerb Chassis Replacement episode.

[gruffalo]

£20k should get you a good enough example.

They are addictive, buy one you feel comfortable with and drive it for a while, after a few weeks you will be able to formulate a plan of what needs doing to tailor the car to what you want.

[bobbins]

Hey pilchard8

I posted a similar thing 10 years ago when I was looking at getting into Cerb ownership.

You'll be fine with a Cerb as a second car. I never intended using mine as a daily driver, they're not much fun in the snow and the ice and the bills for petrol and maintenance can bite. Plus, used daily, IMO they stop feeling special.

A trickle charger is a must though and a garage would help.

I've not used RT Racing but from what I've seen on here they have a good rep.

You're welcome to come and have a poke around mine (no beers or food needed, a spin in the Supra would be canny though ). I'm just outside Leeds. Drop me a PM if you like.

[pilchard8]

Im glad RT racing have got a good rep, only about 15 minutes away from me so will have to pop along sometime.

I may rent a garage out or use my mates for storage, will see how it goes when I purchase one.

I found out classic insurance is really cheap for me especially for my age which is surprising so that's always a plus and tax is same as my current car. Just the maintenance costs Ive got to worry about.

Thank you Bobbins, Ive sent you a PM.