Buying a Cerbera as their first TVR...
Discussion
Hi guys..
One of my work collegues is considering a Cerbera as their next car. From chatting to them I can gather that he is after a 4.2 or 4.5 V8, and is not interested in the Speed6 due to hearing about the reliability issues.
What adivce can you give that I can pass on, with regards to known issues, common complaints, what to look for when buying, what to ask, pros and cons of the V8 etc...
Also is there much difference between the 4.2 and 4.5 in terms of speed, power, running cost and dare I say reliability.
Anything you can say to help and give a realistic view of what it's like to own such a car will help I'm sure.
Many thanks :)
One of my work collegues is considering a Cerbera as their next car. From chatting to them I can gather that he is after a 4.2 or 4.5 V8, and is not interested in the Speed6 due to hearing about the reliability issues.
What adivce can you give that I can pass on, with regards to known issues, common complaints, what to look for when buying, what to ask, pros and cons of the V8 etc...
Also is there much difference between the 4.2 and 4.5 in terms of speed, power, running cost and dare I say reliability.
Anything you can say to help and give a realistic view of what it's like to own such a car will help I'm sure.
Many thanks :)
If he's a eurobox driver - tell him to get some PROPER driving lessons first. And then tell him to Book-A-Ride with one of those racing tuscans for a measily few quid. If he likes the feeling and still wants one - then tell him to make sure he's got a security fund of at least 6k reserved for the car, doesnt mean it will be used, but JUST IN CASE!
They're solid cars, niggles are here and there, they get ironed out and then new ones come along when you least expect them, sometimes ever straight after a service.
Simply put, its not a car, its a high-maintenance supercar, and I hate it when budget concious owners buy them and neglect them - boils my blood! If I could, I'd buy every single one of them and store them in a specially designed underground garage with an automated ventilated system to fuel/oil/wash start/run/stop the cars on a regular basis... on second thought, I'll drive a different one every few hours...
They're solid cars, niggles are here and there, they get ironed out and then new ones come along when you least expect them, sometimes ever straight after a service.
Simply put, its not a car, its a high-maintenance supercar, and I hate it when budget concious owners buy them and neglect them - boils my blood! If I could, I'd buy every single one of them and store them in a specially designed underground garage with an automated ventilated system to fuel/oil/wash start/run/stop the cars on a regular basis... on second thought, I'll drive a different one every few hours...
No problem, bought one off a guy who was emigrating to australia to replace my BMW for day to day trips. Never wash it, never bother getting it serviced, costs me virtually nothing to own, and doesn't use any oil. Wife always complains she has to thump it into gears when she's manouvering around Tesco's.
Important you rev the nuts off it from startgo to really warm the engine quickly.
How am I doing Ash?
Important you rev the nuts off it from startgo to really warm the engine quickly.
How am I doing Ash?
Well all I can say is he seems to know already...avoid the Speed 6 was my advice too. Apparently the top of engine is liable to small failures, e.g. explosions, implosions etc..
In terms of performance, some say the 4.2 is faster, others say the 4.5 has more torque (obviously). But it really depends on the instance of the engine you opt for. Generally the 4.5 has a hydratrack and aircon, but performance wise there is not much in it - both are great!
I have had my 4.5 for two months now and done 1500 miles in it - and experienced no *major* issues. Some hot start issues, idle issues and electrical anomalies - but no stopping me from moving issues.
Figures for ownership - I was advised by most people you need to factor in about 2-3k a year for up keep.
They are wonderful cars, but they are not mass produced, testing in Siberia cars. So expect unique issues to occur. Fortunately you/he have a wealth of enthusiastic knowledge banded around (mostly around here).
So if he can afford to treat her right, have a spare 2-3k for petrol and 1-2k for insurance. And most importantly he can give her the love she WILL deserve
- I'd say...spend at least 4 months looking around and waiting for the perfect one.
In terms of performance, some say the 4.2 is faster, others say the 4.5 has more torque (obviously). But it really depends on the instance of the engine you opt for. Generally the 4.5 has a hydratrack and aircon, but performance wise there is not much in it - both are great!
I have had my 4.5 for two months now and done 1500 miles in it - and experienced no *major* issues. Some hot start issues, idle issues and electrical anomalies - but no stopping me from moving issues.
Figures for ownership - I was advised by most people you need to factor in about 2-3k a year for up keep.
They are wonderful cars, but they are not mass produced, testing in Siberia cars. So expect unique issues to occur. Fortunately you/he have a wealth of enthusiastic knowledge banded around (mostly around here).
So if he can afford to treat her right, have a spare 2-3k for petrol and 1-2k for insurance. And most importantly he can give her the love she WILL deserve
- I'd say...spend at least 4 months looking around and waiting for the perfect one.
As a first TVR, go for it. I bought one after buying an Alfa GTV and then Audi TT when what I really wanted was the cerb. I done my research on here but then went and bought the first one I saw. I did look at one other but came back to the first one.
My profile looks like it has cost me a fortune but it's only been 2k a year on breakdowns and servicing, the rest has been upgrades, petrol, insurance, etc.
It was my only car for about a year until I finally relented and got a shopping trolley at the GFs nagging as she didn't like driving the cerb (she knew it was my baby and was worried about scratching or worse).
Tell your mate to go for it, find a good one and they are fantastic. incidentally, mine is in the classifieds
My profile looks like it has cost me a fortune but it's only been 2k a year on breakdowns and servicing, the rest has been upgrades, petrol, insurance, etc.
It was my only car for about a year until I finally relented and got a shopping trolley at the GFs nagging as she didn't like driving the cerb (she knew it was my baby and was worried about scratching or worse).
Tell your mate to go for it, find a good one and they are fantastic. incidentally, mine is in the classifieds
I have bought two Cerbera's from James Agger (www.jamesagger.com). The first one was my first TVR and I have to say that James does a first class job not only in finding truly sorted cars (therefore taking the hassle out of asking all the must-ask questions), but explains the car as well. Top bloke.
Plug ended
I hope your friend finds a nice one. Timing's lousy though - summer was last week! Got to wait another 12 months now
Plug ended
I hope your friend finds a nice one. Timing's lousy though - summer was last week! Got to wait another 12 months now
Go for it. It was the first car I ever bought.
I'd say drive as many as you can. I had a 4.2 and loved it, not driven a 4.5. No engine problems at all with mine.
Loads of advice on here. Look for water ingres in the foot-wells, windscreen, headlights and boot. Check oil level has been maintained. Full service history, it's one of those cars that benefits from regular driving rather than the odd weekend. Look at the exhause back box and tips if they're original. Go post '98 if you can.
Extras, look for suspension upgrades and engine re-map.
It is expensive to run and things will go wrong but if you're prepared to accept this from the outset you'll forgive it everything when it's on song.
>> Edited by arcbeer on Wednesday 27th July 16:52
I'd say drive as many as you can. I had a 4.2 and loved it, not driven a 4.5. No engine problems at all with mine.
Loads of advice on here. Look for water ingres in the foot-wells, windscreen, headlights and boot. Check oil level has been maintained. Full service history, it's one of those cars that benefits from regular driving rather than the odd weekend. Look at the exhause back box and tips if they're original. Go post '98 if you can.
Extras, look for suspension upgrades and engine re-map.
It is expensive to run and things will go wrong but if you're prepared to accept this from the outset you'll forgive it everything when it's on song.
>> Edited by arcbeer on Wednesday 27th July 16:52
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