Hi all. New to forum. Possibly getting a Cerbera
Discussion
4.5.
Found a nice one, like it, would buy it, but its close to dealer money and the guy is selling privately, so obviously no warranty/backup.
Question is, would you spend circa £23k on a car private when you could spend another £1-1.5k and get a car with warranty and backup from a dealer?
I found when I was selling my Griffith 500 that nobody would touch such a car at that sort of money with no main dealer facilities. So maybe there in lies the answer to my dilemma? (I ended up selling cut price to a dealer!!)
What are your thoughts on such a purchase?
Found a nice one, like it, would buy it, but its close to dealer money and the guy is selling privately, so obviously no warranty/backup.
Question is, would you spend circa £23k on a car private when you could spend another £1-1.5k and get a car with warranty and backup from a dealer?
I found when I was selling my Griffith 500 that nobody would touch such a car at that sort of money with no main dealer facilities. So maybe there in lies the answer to my dilemma? (I ended up selling cut price to a dealer!!)
What are your thoughts on such a purchase?
Well as you know, you pay your money, you take the chance.
Naturally, research is the key.
Plenty of fine private cars out there, but my advice never part with money until
you have documented proof of history or know the owner or the car.
Ignore that and it becomes a lottery.
Good luck.
Naturally, research is the key.
Plenty of fine private cars out there, but my advice never part with money until
you have documented proof of history or know the owner or the car.
Ignore that and it becomes a lottery.
Good luck.
Graham, thought you were gonna mention James Agger for a second there???? 
Buying private or buying from a dealer - you need to feel comfortable... if you have any doubts - just dont do it. I bought my current one privately... and she was great, not a problem.... but then, I did buy a special one and a very well looked after one at that too... maybe I'll buy Woolfies viper next too... the guy looks after his cars like a rolex watch
Buying private or buying from a dealer - you need to feel comfortable... if you have any doubts - just dont do it. I bought my current one privately... and she was great, not a problem.... but then, I did buy a special one and a very well looked after one at that too... maybe I'll buy Woolfies viper next too... the guy looks after his cars like a rolex watch
This car is mint for the year, FTVRSH, looks to have been very well looked after. Asked about problems, it had suffered an oil leak, which was repaired and a couple of other minor things.
The car looks genuine. It has however been standing for 6mths. There is a bad external scratch on the windscreen in drivers view. Could affect MOT pass.
No warranty, and although I could buy one, well that would bump the price significantly for a decent comprehensive warranty that was worth anything.
There are a couple of 4.5s around the same price at main dealers. But they are further afield and not all that up for travelling. This private one is nice, but I reckon what I have offered, £2k less for a private sale still makes it good for both parties!!???
The car looks genuine. It has however been standing for 6mths. There is a bad external scratch on the windscreen in drivers view. Could affect MOT pass.
No warranty, and although I could buy one, well that would bump the price significantly for a decent comprehensive warranty that was worth anything.
There are a couple of 4.5s around the same price at main dealers. But they are further afield and not all that up for travelling. This private one is nice, but I reckon what I have offered, £2k less for a private sale still makes it good for both parties!!???
You say FTVRSH.
Have you called any of the service people to see what has been done and when?
I checked a car out once and it had fake stamps in the book.
Not suggesting for one minute this has, but research the history, don't just read it.
If I was you I'd leave it and buy one from James Agger 
Happy now Ash?
Have you called any of the service people to see what has been done and when?
I checked a car out once and it had fake stamps in the book.
Not suggesting for one minute this has, but research the history, don't just read it.
If I was you I'd leave it and buy one from James Agger
Happy now Ash?
Gazza, the £20k that I was offering is a good price, upped to £21k, and still no bite, thats a very good price!!
Also, I know the car had been sitting but started fine, however, the MIL light kept coming on, what is this light, also the alarm seemed to be playing up as in the car was running, but every few seconds, all the external lights would flash a few times, and a couple on the dash? Any ideas?
Im banking on the guy seeing the light on £21k for a private sale with no warranty and a service needed after the laying up period......
I would also want to put some 18" spiders on any Cerb I eventually buy, if it doesn already have. So another cost....
Also, I know the car had been sitting but started fine, however, the MIL light kept coming on, what is this light, also the alarm seemed to be playing up as in the car was running, but every few seconds, all the external lights would flash a few times, and a couple on the dash? Any ideas?
Im banking on the guy seeing the light on £21k for a private sale with no warranty and a service needed after the laying up period......
I would also want to put some 18" spiders on any Cerb I eventually buy, if it doesn already have. So another cost....
Vinny73 said:
Also, I know the car had been sitting but started fine, however, the MIL light kept coming on, what is this light, also the alarm seemed to be playing up as in the car was running, but every few seconds, all the external lights would flash a few times, and a couple on the dash? Any ideas?.
MIL is the engine management warning light!
Electrical problems as well?
Seriosuly, my advice, have the car inspected and base your offer on that or walk away.
Hmmm, I could be wrong that MIL was flashing, it was just one of the ones I remember, does that one come on at ignition until car is started?
But definitely external and internal dash lights were all flashing together a few times every x amount of time. Could only be alarm issue of some kind?
But definitely external and internal dash lights were all flashing together a few times every x amount of time. Could only be alarm issue of some kind?
I'd walk away from that one.
There's plenty of decent cerbs around at a lot lower prices, i'd have a good look at a few before making a decision.
I would want everything to be running perfect before I bought too, Alarm acting up and scratched windscreens would put me off when you could find one without these faults for less or the same price.
The MIL light comes on when the ignition is switched on then should go out when the engine is started, gives an annoying buzzing noise too!
If it comes on whilst car is driving indicates some fault in the engine management, could be numerous things from water on the ECU or lambda sensors, plug leads, throttle pots etc etc....
Good luck with hunting for one, they're great cars and i've never regreted buying mine.
There's plenty of decent cerbs around at a lot lower prices, i'd have a good look at a few before making a decision.
I would want everything to be running perfect before I bought too, Alarm acting up and scratched windscreens would put me off when you could find one without these faults for less or the same price.
The MIL light comes on when the ignition is switched on then should go out when the engine is started, gives an annoying buzzing noise too!
If it comes on whilst car is driving indicates some fault in the engine management, could be numerous things from water on the ECU or lambda sensors, plug leads, throttle pots etc etc....
Good luck with hunting for one, they're great cars and i've never regreted buying mine.
Cheers for all your advice guys. Problem is, Im still sitting here thinking that one is the one, it is MINT. It runs fine, and ok so the alarm is an issue, maybe, but little things like that can get sorted. Texted the guy and said £21k thats it, as no warranty, no backup, and will need a service after sitting for a few months.
Where is the Rolling Road day, that sounds a good idea Ceejay!! ;-)
Where is the Rolling Road day, that sounds a good idea Ceejay!! ;-)
I agree with all that's been said above, I'd say that for 21K you can get a nice car from a dealer, perhaps slightly high miles. I'm not scared off by high miles as it many people on here will tell you that means it has been used and looked after rather than left in the garage.
I know you called me about mine (16.5K), obviously you basically have the same worries with mine as any other private car, however there is anopther way to look at it - if you spend significantly less privately than from a dealer, so long as you get the car checked over before you buy, there is no reason why you can't get the car SERIOUSLY serviced, and fix any niggles, add your wheels etc and still spend less money.
The key I would suggest is taking the car to specialist of your choice (near you I recomend Austec or Fernies) and get them to do a report for you. Then you can decide if the car represents a good deal or not. Obviously I'm happy to do this, and so should any other seller be - DO NOT BUY A CAR YOU HAVEN'T HAD CHECKED OUT !!!!
However, think about it, under 20K for a fabulous looking, special, great handling (in the dry - I've been so impressed by the Cerb after a Chimp..), almost 200mph, 0-60 under 4s (allegedly) car is amazing value. Even a major engine problem just means that you can go and get a red rose upgrade, likewise with shocks !
I love my Cerb, and hope I can't sell it, but if I do I'll be getting another asap.
I would add that the type of trouble that causes the MIL light to come on is likely to cost a LOT of money.
I know you called me about mine (16.5K), obviously you basically have the same worries with mine as any other private car, however there is anopther way to look at it - if you spend significantly less privately than from a dealer, so long as you get the car checked over before you buy, there is no reason why you can't get the car SERIOUSLY serviced, and fix any niggles, add your wheels etc and still spend less money.
The key I would suggest is taking the car to specialist of your choice (near you I recomend Austec or Fernies) and get them to do a report for you. Then you can decide if the car represents a good deal or not. Obviously I'm happy to do this, and so should any other seller be - DO NOT BUY A CAR YOU HAVEN'T HAD CHECKED OUT !!!!
However, think about it, under 20K for a fabulous looking, special, great handling (in the dry - I've been so impressed by the Cerb after a Chimp..), almost 200mph, 0-60 under 4s (allegedly) car is amazing value. Even a major engine problem just means that you can go and get a red rose upgrade, likewise with shocks !
I love my Cerb, and hope I can't sell it, but if I do I'll be getting another asap.
I would add that the type of trouble that causes the MIL light to come on is likely to cost a LOT of money.
Vinny73 said:
Cheers for all your advice guys. Problem is, Im still sitting here thinking that one is the one, it is MINT. It runs fine, and ok so the alarm is an issue, maybe, but little things like that can get sorted. Texted the guy and said £21k thats it, as no warranty, no backup, and will need a service after sitting for a few months.
Where is the Rolling Road day, that sounds a good idea Ceejay!! ;-)
Cerb only RR day is this Saturday, here
www.surreyrollingroad.co.uk/
Ceejay
Ok, Camberley, just down the road, well 20 mins drive. I'll pop along.
Also yes, called about the £16.5k 4.5, also found a 4.2 in nice condition by sounds of things locally. Taking a look first thing tomorrow morning.
Thing is to me, the 4.5 for me is prob the one to have, cos Im BHP hungry :-) But can I get a decent 4.2 up to 4.5 power, decatting for example, will that give a reasonable increase? (I'll MOT, then decat so no worries for a year)
Any major pitfalls on 4.2's?
Also, will the newer 4.5 seats fit straight into older 4.2/4.5? what about the Zeon light pods, the ones that look like direct replacements for the round light pod, not the "glassed" in ones?
Sorry if its alot of questions that alot have already asked, trolled through 15 pages gathering info already.
Also yes, called about the £16.5k 4.5, also found a 4.2 in nice condition by sounds of things locally. Taking a look first thing tomorrow morning.
Thing is to me, the 4.5 for me is prob the one to have, cos Im BHP hungry :-) But can I get a decent 4.2 up to 4.5 power, decatting for example, will that give a reasonable increase? (I'll MOT, then decat so no worries for a year)
Any major pitfalls on 4.2's?
Also, will the newer 4.5 seats fit straight into older 4.2/4.5? what about the Zeon light pods, the ones that look like direct replacements for the round light pod, not the "glassed" in ones?
Sorry if its alot of questions that alot have already asked, trolled through 15 pages gathering info already.
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