Where to buy from?
Discussion
So ive been looking at these for years... and this summer is time to buy. Wanted an Aston V8V, but budget wont stretch the extra £15k, so this is a VERY happy 2nd choice.
Question is - where to buy it from?? I would prefer to pay a few quid more and get it from a good dealer, so thinking Mole Valley, str8six and fernhurst.
Who else would you learned folks recommend? I dont mind travelling or waiting for the right car.
Question is - where to buy it from?? I would prefer to pay a few quid more and get it from a good dealer, so thinking Mole Valley, str8six and fernhurst.
Who else would you learned folks recommend? I dont mind travelling or waiting for the right car.
Speaking as one finds, it's not so much 'where' as 'who' to buy from; the ideal outlet is one where there's a good measure of knowledge, marque enthusiasm combined (above all) with trustworthiness. It's worth travelling 'far' in order to genuinely find that, not least for peace-of-mind.
Putting "one's money where one's mouth is", since 2002 I've bought three TVRs (Griffith 500, Cerbera Speed Six & Tuscan Racer; one when new, other two secondhand) and one Lotus (new Elise) from Hexham Horseless Carriages/HHC sportscars. Would I go back? Most certainly, indeed highly recommended for: Mr Abrams' honest, ethical & enthusiastically knowledgeable services - a classic combination of 'substance over form/marketing'.
Putting "one's money where one's mouth is", since 2002 I've bought three TVRs (Griffith 500, Cerbera Speed Six & Tuscan Racer; one when new, other two secondhand) and one Lotus (new Elise) from Hexham Horseless Carriages/HHC sportscars. Would I go back? Most certainly, indeed highly recommended for: Mr Abrams' honest, ethical & enthusiastically knowledgeable services - a classic combination of 'substance over form/marketing'.
JamesAagger has a fantastic reputation although I have no personal experience of it.
Simon at Fernhurst's is my personal favourite, although I never actually bought from him.
Simon at Fernhurst's is my personal favourite, although I never actually bought from him.
I bought mine from James Agger and was really pleased.
Took an initial trip by to test drive a Cerb, which sold before I'd got rid of my previous car.
The car I bought eventually was well known to James having been previously sold by him. The car I bought I'd only seen photos of and had a couple long chats with him about the extensive documented history. I suppose the 350 miles back to Glasgow was the test drive and it went without incident.
As noted above Tony at HHC comes with good reputation - During my search he put forward a couple options. I've dropped in a couple of times over the years and really liked his approach and the quality of his stock.
Brian
Took an initial trip by to test drive a Cerb, which sold before I'd got rid of my previous car.
The car I bought eventually was well known to James having been previously sold by him. The car I bought I'd only seen photos of and had a couple long chats with him about the extensive documented history. I suppose the 350 miles back to Glasgow was the test drive and it went without incident.
As noted above Tony at HHC comes with good reputation - During my search he put forward a couple options. I've dropped in a couple of times over the years and really liked his approach and the quality of his stock.
Brian
+1 for Fernhurst or James Agger.
I've mentioned on here in the past how incredibly helpful each of them were regardless of whether or not I'd eventually be buying a car from them. Very knowledgeable and obliging.
Whilst the Aston is bond-ish, you'll find the Cerbera is definitely a villain's car. And villains are cooler, they just are.
They all die violent deaths though.... and I for one certainly can't pretend that's not a possibility in a TVR. But don't let that put you off.
I've mentioned on here in the past how incredibly helpful each of them were regardless of whether or not I'd eventually be buying a car from them. Very knowledgeable and obliging.
Whilst the Aston is bond-ish, you'll find the Cerbera is definitely a villain's car. And villains are cooler, they just are.
They all die violent deaths though.... and I for one certainly can't pretend that's not a possibility in a TVR. But don't let that put you off.
Edited by NuddyRap on Wednesday 8th February 10:25
James Agger is excellent and he let me test drive two Cerberas when I was looking to buy(S6/4.5).
I've also dealt with Tony Gilbert twice and purchased my Cerbera/Z4M off him and he comes highly recommended from me.
I used Str8six for servicing a few times and thought they were massively knowledgeable so I wouldn't hesitate to buy from them either.
I've also dealt with Tony Gilbert twice and purchased my Cerbera/Z4M off him and he comes highly recommended from me.
I used Str8six for servicing a few times and thought they were massively knowledgeable so I wouldn't hesitate to buy from them either.
Cerbhd said:
I'd definitely second Simon or Graham at Fernhurst, not the cheapest but if you're after a cheap car don't buy a Cerbera!
2 years warranty is great peace of mind
2 years warranty is great peace of mind
Griffithy said:
Another happy Cerbera from Simon and Graham of Fernhurst here. 
Dear Both,You have shocked me there as I had heard that Graham had moved on.
Am I wrong ?
Ta !
NuddyRap said:
....
Whilst the Aston is bond-ish, you'll find the Cerbera is definitely a villain's car. And villains are cooler, they just are.
They all die violent deaths though.... and I for one certainly can't pretend that's not a possibility in a TVR. But don't let that put you off.
though NOT a Cerb I think the correct balance of the general situation is perfectly represented hereWhilst the Aston is bond-ish, you'll find the Cerbera is definitely a villain's car. And villains are cooler, they just are.
They all die violent deaths though.... and I for one certainly can't pretend that's not a possibility in a TVR. But don't let that put you off.
Edited by Mr Cerbera on Sunday 12th February 11:22
Mr Cerbera said:
Cerbhd said:
I'd definitely second Simon or Graham at Fernhurst, not the cheapest but if you're after a cheap car don't buy a Cerbera!
2 years warranty is great peace of mind
2 years warranty is great peace of mind
Griffithy said:
Another happy Cerbera from Simon and Graham of Fernhurst here.
Dear Both,You have shocked me there as I had heard that Graham had moved on.
Am I wrong ?
Ta !
NuddyRap said:
....
Whilst the Aston is bond-ish, you'll find the Cerbera is definitely a villain's car. And villains are cooler, they just are.
They all die violent deaths though.... and I for one certainly can't pretend that's not a possibility in a TVR. But don't let that put you off.
though NOT a Cerb I think the correct balance of the general situation is perfectly represented hereWhilst the Aston is bond-ish, you'll find the Cerbera is definitely a villain's car. And villains are cooler, they just are.
They all die violent deaths though.... and I for one certainly can't pretend that's not a possibility in a TVR. But don't let that put you off.
Edited by Mr Cerbera on Sunday 12th February 11:22
I can answer the true cost of a chassis change.
In my case the base price of £6,600 became just over £10,000 plus in my case a donor chassis
It gets quite scary if you're not loaded with cash as once the car is in a million bits its not easy to back out.
The thing to remember is that its not just body off, sort chassis, body on but all the extras like maybe new wishbones, bushes, bolts, brake lines, brake hoses then other stuff like heat insulation which if the car is 18 years old will be bad.
The other nasties come out like shot radiator, new ACT water hoses and stainless pipes needed, starter motor, steering rack refurbishment.
Then its a case of other stuff that is miles easier to do when it is all apart as it is for the most part just fitting the new bits rather than more labour.
Then after that bank on another £500 to £1000 for snagging the stuff that has got upset in the surgery and things like a geo setup after you've shaken it down.
Mind you, what with the other bits I've fixed, we're not in too bad a shape now
Just waiting for some better weather so I can drive her a bit more.
In my case the base price of £6,600 became just over £10,000 plus in my case a donor chassis
It gets quite scary if you're not loaded with cash as once the car is in a million bits its not easy to back out.The thing to remember is that its not just body off, sort chassis, body on but all the extras like maybe new wishbones, bushes, bolts, brake lines, brake hoses then other stuff like heat insulation which if the car is 18 years old will be bad.
The other nasties come out like shot radiator, new ACT water hoses and stainless pipes needed, starter motor, steering rack refurbishment.
Then its a case of other stuff that is miles easier to do when it is all apart as it is for the most part just fitting the new bits rather than more labour.
Then after that bank on another £500 to £1000 for snagging the stuff that has got upset in the surgery and things like a geo setup after you've shaken it down.
Mind you, what with the other bits I've fixed, we're not in too bad a shape now
Just waiting for some better weather so I can drive her a bit more.wurgle said:
I can answer the true cost of a chassis change.
In my case the base price of £6,600 became just over £10,000 plus in my case a donor chassis It gets quite scary if you're not loaded with cash as once the car is in a million bits its not easy to back out.
The thing to remember is that its not just body off, sort chassis, body on but all the extras like maybe new wishbones, bushes, bolts, brake lines, brake hoses then other stuff like heat insulation which if the car is 18 years old will be bad.
The other nasties come out like shot radiator, new ACT water hoses and stainless pipes needed, starter motor, steering rack refurbishment.
Then its a case of other stuff that is miles easier to do when it is all apart as it is for the most part just fitting the new bits rather than more labour.
Then after that bank on another £500 to £1000 for snagging the stuff that has got upset in the surgery and things like a geo setup after you've shaken it down.
Mind you, what with the other bits I've fixed, we're not in too bad a shape now Just waiting for some better weather so I can drive her a bit more.
I concur, £10,000 is about right for a chassis refresh.In my case the base price of £6,600 became just over £10,000 plus in my case a donor chassis
It gets quite scary if you're not loaded with cash as once the car is in a million bits its not easy to back out.The thing to remember is that its not just body off, sort chassis, body on but all the extras like maybe new wishbones, bushes, bolts, brake lines, brake hoses then other stuff like heat insulation which if the car is 18 years old will be bad.
The other nasties come out like shot radiator, new ACT water hoses and stainless pipes needed, starter motor, steering rack refurbishment.
Then its a case of other stuff that is miles easier to do when it is all apart as it is for the most part just fitting the new bits rather than more labour.
Then after that bank on another £500 to £1000 for snagging the stuff that has got upset in the surgery and things like a geo setup after you've shaken it down.
Mind you, what with the other bits I've fixed, we're not in too bad a shape now
Just waiting for some better weather so I can drive her a bit more.The wheeler Dealer Cerb I wouldn't want, they did such a bad job on it I wouldn't go near it.
gruffalo said:
I concur, £10,000 is about right for a chassis refresh.
The wheeler Dealer Cerb I wouldn't want, they did such a bad job on it I wouldn't go near it.
I remember watching it and thinking : they're gonna have to take the body off again to get those wishbone bolts out that they've put in the wrong way around ...The wheeler Dealer Cerb I wouldn't want, they did such a bad job on it I wouldn't go near it.
Rule 1 : never buy a cerbera from someone who doesn't know how a cerbera goes together
Gassing Station | Cerbera | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff