Cerbera, Yes or No?

[raceboy]

The Chimarea''s up for sale, very tempted to go for an early 4.2 Cerbera, know about all the usual things to look for, clutch, camshafts, etc, is it a good idea, or should I just get a newer Chimaera, its my only car, but only used at weekends/sunny nights, I''m prepared, for most things, but don''t want it going back to the factory for 1/2 the year. Go on convince me.

[barry]

I have owned my 96 4.2 for 3 years and no problems. Servicing expensive but as expected. Performance is mind blowing. Drive one and you'll be hooked.

[raceboy]

From the people I have spoke to, early 4.2's have a bit of a problem with cams, and when they fail both need replacing and you are looking at about £5k if you havent got a warrenty, also clutches are no longer available, so have to be uprated to 4.5 spec which involve a bit of work and comes in at about £3k. Any other problem are going to be expensive as well because you can't look for the ford/vauxhall/rover/etc part numbers! But as soon as the Chimaera goes I'll be looking for a sorted one!

[P922LOJ]

Here's my 2 pence. I've had 4.2 for over 4 years from new. Done 35k. Plenty of leaks, small elec. problems broken shock, door needs regular adjustment, handbrake crap - hardly anything else. I've heard aout other broken ones so kept hold a good one. I've had it resprayed (Team Central/Proactive) - as Rosso Pearl fades badly. Now looks better than new, have adjustable shocks(now 1.5 inches lower), de-catted, new style headlights, sport exhaust. Looks, goes, sound and handles better than ever before. Don't what all the slagging off aout early 4.2's is all about. Also I reckn they are the bext sounding ones because of the hard cams which were changed about 98 I think to a softer quieter version. Buy a 4.2, keep hold of it and keep the used prices as high as possible !!

[P922LOJ]

Oh Yeah, I forgot to add, they do cost a lot to service, I don't think that many people are aware of the 36k one that needs tappits etc. Will cost over a grand.