Newbie buyers guide

[leecerb]

Hi guys, I will be out looking for my first Cerbera this week and some pointers what to look out for would be great. Also is power steering an option on the cerbera? Is it true that alot of Cerberas leak like sieves if left out in the rain etc? I'm looking for a V8 if that matters any
All help and suggestions would be appreciated
Thanks ...Lee

[gazzab]

Find an owner who is someone who cherishes his car and warms it up properly, fixes every niggle etc....
Dont buy on colour, lights and spec.
I see you are in Hampshire. You will have the god of Cerbs to look after you - Andy at APM. He doesnt do mobile RAC Style inspections but I am sure he might look out for a customer car that meets your needs.

Edited by gazzab on Monday 9th April 19:08

[big_treacle]

leecerb said:

Hi guys, I will be out looking for my first Cerbera this week and some pointers what to look out for would be great. Also is power steering an option on the cerbera? Is it true that alot of Cerberas leak like sieves if left out in the rain etc? I'm looking for a V8 if that matters any
All help and suggestions would be appreciated
Thanks ...Lee

Power steering does exist. Not sure if you can get them without?...
My car lives outside and doesn't leak. There are a few seals which if neglected can cause leaking - specifically the mastic seal over the clutch reservoir thing is a typical culprit if not down properly after a fluid change.

Do a search as 'buyers guide' questions come up all the time.

[BLUETHUNDER]

All Cerbera,s had power steering.

[leecerb]

Thanks for the replies.They are all very helpful. The power steering thing is a strange thing as i enquired about one car and the owner told me it had no PAS.

[oli_quick]

Lee things to think about - maintenance, you have to love her (it is hard not too) but you will be spending between 2 and 4k per year on her. You will be upset with her...something small will always catch you out once or twice each year.

But I would say now is the time to buy...prices are at a low and future classic status must be ensured.

If you're interested in getting to know one mine is for sale - you are welcome to come for a test drive to see if you like the bread...I would recommend test driving a few, every one feels different...

check my profile for the car....

http://pistonheads.co.uk/sales/150652

Though after my wonderful weekend drives may have changed my mind as to the sale - they really are the best things on 4 wheels...

[leecerb]

Yep i'm expecting to have to maintain it. I do all my own mechanical work once i have familiarised myself with the car. Do people often get stranded on journeys? Do people think twice before going on long runs etc?
Very nice cerb you have there

[pappa lurve]

Let me preface this by saying my cerbie is deepl unwell now as you may have read in my other thread...

On the whole, I don't worry about long runs at all. Check the fluids etc carefully and if she feels good then she should be good for a long run.

The leaking thing may also be down to the seals on the windows which the PO of mine had a problem with. I had them repalced and it is fine. The car lives in a a garage but I used a power washer thingy on her at the weekend and there was no sign of a leak.

Ultimatly, the cerbi is a 60k supercar with prformance that puts some 200k cars in the shade. It is not perfect and they do have their niggles but it is an awesome car and for the kind of car it is, not too bad in terms of costs.

[grahamn]

leecerb said:

Yep i'm expecting to have to maintain it. I do all my own mechanical work once i have familiarised myself with the car. Do people often get stranded on journeys? Do people think twice before going on long runs etc?
Very nice cerb you have there

Hi Lee

Had mine 2 1/2 years now and it has never let me down (touching wood with my fingers crossed), never give it a second thought about long journeys. There are 19 going across to the Nurburgring this weekend & I bet they will all make it back.

Graham

[leecerb]

grahamn said:

Hi Lee

Had mine 2 1/2 years now and it has never let me down (touching wood with my fingers crossed), never give it a second thought about long journeys. There are 19 going across to the Nurburgring this weekend & I bet they will all make it back.

Graham

That's very reassuring to hear. I don't do many miles anyway but it's nice to know that i can travel long distances if needed.

[grahamn]

Oh and I forgot to add, I have done about 270 miles today.

[byker28i]

Mine gets driven occaisionally but I've never thought about taking it on long journeys, I just jump in and enjoy the drive.
Last October I took it on a thousand mile trip over 5 days to the lake district and back. Never missed abeat and it's an excellant long distance vehicle.

[oli_quick]

I regularly do long journey's - I think they are probably better than short blasts - giving the component time to warm and cool together....

Plus - long journeys are not sooo long in the cerb...partly cause of the fun factor and attention and party due to the old speed x distance = time (hehehe)

[Wilder]

Dont forget, The Cerbera was designed as a long distance GT so its what it was built for. BTW Lee, have you sold your Ford now?

[byker28i]

Wilder said:

Dont forget, The Cerbera was designed as a long distance GT so its what it was built for.

Exactly why I'm using mine on a run to London and back tomorrow.

[jensena]

I did 500 miles in mine at the weekend, didnt miss a beat -and I went to the South of France in it last year, again no problems. Don't expect Toyota/Honda like reliability though, it's a car that you have to make a lot of sacrifices for, but its worth it.

[bobk]

Hi Leecerb,

I regret that i'm having to consider selling my 4.2 V8 for financial reasons. Its a great car - two owners from new - bought from Westover Sports Cars in Poole as new and well known to them ever since for MOTs ETC. It is in excellent condition and best of all I live in Dorset just adjacent to the Hampshire border and the car has been serviced by Andy of APM -the god of Cerbs as Gazzab says- for the past two year so he also knows it well too.
If any interest let me know.

BobK