FIRST TIME BUYERS

[JASE AND TASHA]

HI WE ARE LOOKING TO BUY OUR FIRST CERBERA AND HAE A FEW QUESTIONS AND WAS WONDERING IF ANYONE COULD HELP US HERE GOES WE HAVE SEEN LIGHTWEIGHT WROTE IN A FEW ADDS WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?
HOW MUCH IS A HEAD LIGHT CONVERSION?
IS IT BEST TO LOOK FOR STANDERD OR ARE SOME UPGRADES ESSENTIAL SUSSPENSION/CLUTCH/BRAKES?

[BLUETHUNDER]

Lightweight is the 4.5 with lightweight boot and some other panels and some interior parts,but i may need correcting on that by a lightweight owner.A good head light conversion will cost about £1200.I would make sure it has had a new clutch fitted or one recentley fitted.

[thegreengoblet]

The Cerbera had some revisions at the back end of 1999, these cars are 'Lightweight' models. They are supposed to be lighter than the existing models although I have seen some threads that suggest otherwise! (depends if you have Air Con etc as this all increases the weight)

Bodywork wise, they have the Head Light conversion as standard and the front pillar uprights have a colour-coded cover instead of the carbon fibre on the older models - although I nearly lost one of mine once when going rather fast on the motorway!

Inside, they have the Tuscan seats which were much better than the older ones especially if like me you are on the larger side.

Many Cerbs have upgraded suspension and larger alloys - although in late 1999 TVR did offer 18" wheels as an upgrade for the 4.5 LWT. A lot of Cerb owners have taken a fancy to the Tuscan Spider Alloys which do look very nice indeed but are rather prone to liking kerbs!

On the inside, I was told by a dealer that Air Con was a must for re-sale values. Not too sure if it is true, but I must admit that it can get rather hot inside and it's a blessing to have it.

Hope this helps.

[thegreengoblet]

Oh and I the rear light clusters are different too.

[phil green griff]

JASE AND TASHA said:

HI WE ARE LOOKING TO BUY OUR FIRST CERBERA AND HAE A FEW QUESTIONS AND WAS WONDERING IF ANYONE COULD HELP US HERE GOES WE HAVE SEEN LIGHTWEIGHT WROTE IN A FEW ADDS WHAT DOES THAT MEAN? HOW MUCH IS A HEAD LIGHT CONVERSION? IS IT BEST TO LOOK FOR STANDERD OR ARE SOME UPGRADES ESSENTIAL SUSSPENSION/CLUTCH/BRAKES?

STOP SHOUTING take your caps lock off

[phil green griff]

daggart said:

phil green griff said: JASE AND TASHA said: HI WE ARE LOOKING TO BUY OUR FIRST CERBERA AND HAE A FEW QUESTIONS AND WAS WONDERING IF ANYONE COULD HELP US HERE GOES WE HAVE SEEN LIGHTWEIGHT WROTE IN A FEW ADDS WHAT DOES THAT MEAN? HOW MUCH IS A HEAD LIGHT CONVERSION? IS IT BEST TO LOOK FOR STANDERD OR ARE SOME UPGRADES ESSENTIAL SUSSPENSION/CLUTCH/BRAKES? STOP SHOUTING take your caps lock off Its their first post,typical PH'er,jump down the throats of the newbies!!!.

I KNOW I JUST CAN'T HELP IT

[gazzab]

Whats your budget?
What engine do you want?
Buy on condition and history , preferably buy private from a recommended owner (eg via an indie garage).
Upgrades worth having = suspension (eg Nitrons, gaz, protech, Avos.....)
Find someone local who know their cerbs, buy him a pint and convince him to take you for a ride and tell you all about them (not after a pint).
Get a car inspected by an indie.
Avoid bargains.
Ensure you have done research re running costs and useage.

[headcase]

WHAT????? DID SOMEBODY SAY SOMETHING!!!!!

[FUBAR]

daggart said:

phil green griff said: JASE AND TASHA said: HI WE ARE LOOKING TO BUY OUR FIRST CERBERA AND HAE A FEW QUESTIONS AND WAS WONDERING IF ANYONE COULD HELP US HERE GOES WE HAVE SEEN LIGHTWEIGHT WROTE IN A FEW ADDS WHAT DOES THAT MEAN? HOW MUCH IS A HEAD LIGHT CONVERSION? IS IT BEST TO LOOK FOR STANDERD OR ARE SOME UPGRADES ESSENTIAL SUSSPENSION/CLUTCH/BRAKES? STOP SHOUTING take your caps lock off Its their first post,typical PH'er,jump down the throats of the newbies!!!.

Ahh daggart. 'ello mate LTNS

How's the car

[JASE AND TASHA]

Thanks to everyone for they tips we are going to look in to all of this very carefully,we are going to look for a 4.5 we know that much, and now know that we are looking for lightweight or after 1999 version.Thanks again

[markys]

Looking to put mine up for sale soon, recent big service and and near perfect condition, have a look at my profile, not a 4.5 or a lightweight but local'ish to you, always welcome to come and have a look, mail me via the profile if your interested

[alinton]

JASE AND TASHA said:

Thanks to everyone for they tips we are going to look in to all of this very carefully,we are going to look for a 4.5 we know that much, and now know that we are looking for lightweight or after 1999 version.Thanks again

I recommend you talk to Rob Ingleby at www.findasportscar.co.uk.

I've use him twice to find a Cerb and both times he's found exactly what I was looking for.

Top bloke.

Andy.

[jensena]

Theres not a huge difference between the 4.2 and 4.5, but theres a huge difference between a good Cerb and a bad one, and you'll spend a fortune making a bad one into a good one. I'd say your better off spending money on a sorted well looked after 'older' one, that spending the same money on what appears to be a bargain one because its 1 or 2 years newer.

[byker28i]

Any other things to look for. I'm hoping to buy one soon, probably July/August just waiting for some money to come through.

Is the 4.5 and easier engine to look after than the 4.2? Aircon is a good hint.

[gbbird]

Me personally, i would go for one which has had all the essential upgrades only eg nitrons, newer clutch; one with mid mileage (30-40k), FTVRSH, and in yellow

[RUSSELLM]

markys said:

Looking to put mine up for sale soon, recent big service and and near perfect condition, have a look at my profile, not a 4.5 or a lightweight but local'ish to you, always welcome to come and have a look, mail me via the profile if your interested

I can't see a car in your profile

[KM2]

I am a would be first owner as well. I plan to buy mine in around October / November, so there is plent of time to get informed and research.

Some basic questions:

- I would definitely prefer a 4.5. I know TVRs are not benign to drive and that is fine. I've got some driving experience (say 200k miles) and am perhaps above the average driver in skill but not a pro by a long shot. Is the 4.5 going to see me learning the inside of ditches intimately with sensible driving? Would a Speed 6 or 4.2 be a more sensible choice?
- Many of the TVRs run on Toyo rubber. I have little experience with the company but they do not seem to be mentioned in thetop quality bracket usually. Would alternate tyres make the car behave differently? Anyone with experience?
- 16 or 18 inch wheels? The look of the Spider alloys is great but I'd rather have a sensible coice. How do the larger wheels affect the handling? Curb friendliness is not an issue, I have not had trouble with those so far
- Is the Red Rose package sensible / essential and again, how does it affect handling? I do not need my car to be th fastest on the block, I want a fast, exciting transport, that I can use in rain / snow etc.
- I know that build quality is not one of TVRs strong suits, which is fine. Still would you rather recommend one of the newer examples, since there have been steps in the right direction in this area? Or is an older one more likely to have been sorted out by now?
- AC is an absolute must
- Is it possible to fit a small child in the back or are the seats for show only? The question arises since within the next couple of years I might get to the point and do not want to switch cars immdiately.
- I guess it's fine as a daily driver, if needs be?
- Anyone ran it in winter in snowy conditions? It could well be that I'll live outside of the UK and have it, so it's a necessary question It would run on propper winter tyres.

My budget is not fixed right now but could stretch to 28.000 pounds, with the spread being from say 24-28k. Can I expect a reasonable example for that amount of money (say 4.5 with AC)?

Any help is much appreciated

[markys]

RUSSELLM said:

markys said: Looking to put mine up for sale soon, recent big service and and near perfect condition, have a look at my profile, not a 4.5 or a lightweight but local'ish to you, always welcome to come and have a look, mail me via the profile if your interested I can't see a car in your profile

Looks like my profile had been reset, in ther now !

[mark r skinner]

alinton said:

JASE AND TASHA said: Thanks to everyone for they tips we are going to look in to all of this very carefully,we are going to look for a 4.5 we know that much, and now know that we are looking for lightweight or after 1999 version.Thanks again I recommend you talk to Rob Ingleby at www.findasportscar.co.uk. I've use him twice to find a Cerb and both times he's found exactly what I was looking for. Top bloke. Andy.

Likewise. An independant inspection for a couple of hundred notes is a must. 4.2/4.5 performance is minimal but 4.5 tend to go out of tune fairly quickly. Happy hunting.