Newbie Looking for a Cerbera :D

[grrrrr]

Hi everyone,

Excuse the user name, but after about 20 attempts at finding one that wasn't already used, I settled for this one

Ok, I've been a lurker on this forum for a while and had a good read at the posts going back some way now. Seems like you are a nice bunch for advice?

I've posted in the wanted section and today looked at a very nice 4.5 LW 2000 example, to be slightly put off by the number of previous owners (5/6) Anyway, the car had covered less than 16k miles and ticked all the right boxes as far as service history is concerned.

Am I just being silly, bearing in mind these are generally 2nd or 3rd cars? As you can guess, I have no idea where to start

This being my first viewing (at a very helpful dealer) I was disappointed with the external finish which was pretty chipped and full of swirl marks. Admittedly, it was a dark colour, so should be expected.

Are these generally in what I would consider to be a poorer condition compared to that of a steel bodied car?

Don't get me wrong, the car is a stunner, but up close things aren't so good although the front end was resprayed recently, the rest of the car wasn't so clever, namely a crack in the gelcoat where the roof meets the rear wing I have no idea about fibre glass bodied cars, especially TVR's. Is the paint easily chippable and is the paint finish from factory quite thin and not of a very high standard?

Any advice or info to steer me in the right direction would be great. Should I give the car another viewing out of the showroom and in proper daylight, or move on?

Thanks in anticipation

John

P.S. Anyone know of a cherished example for sale that I am unaware of?

Edited by grrrrr on Thursday 26th April 00:41

Edited by grrrrr on Thursday 26th April 01:27

[morebeanz]

Just a couple of opinions from my experience:

Stone chips are par for the course, as are front end re-sprays (to cover the offending items). The problem is that some are trying to run Cerbs on a shoestring and skimping on the quality of paintwork.

I've just had my Cerb properly machine polished to remove swirls etc, and some of the paint thickness readings were shocking - down below 60 microns. Whether that was down to over enthusiastic mopping by an amateur or poor consistency of paint application, I don't know. I suspect a combination of the two.

Number of owners is utterly irrelevant, they are cheap to buy, but many get a shock come service time (or when the wife finds out!).

Edited to add that if the mechanicals have been well cared for, then the paint is quite easy to fix, including the fibreglass...

Edited by morebeanz on Thursday 26th April 08:16

[SI-PEN]

I've seen some old dog looking cerb's but there are lots of very good, well kept examples too. Some cars are used as everyday runners and can get a bit scruffy like any other car being used daily and not kept in tip-top condition.

Like matey said, paint can be fixed along with any other cosmetic's but mechanical condition I would agree is more important, look for recent history and speak to the previous owner if buying from a garage.

If not completely happy with this one then look at lots of others!

[hugepiece]

don't forget that fibreglass cars will always be more prone to stone chips as the body flexes (as advised by a friend in the paint industry). Also as these are 2nd or 3rd cars for many people they often change hands so I would say the number of owners isn't a big deal as long as the service history and records are complete with no gaps.

[baguaman]

i recently bought a 4,5./.. i went through the same search as you...i wanted to sell it after 4 weeks.. but now i have put everything right with the car and i think it is one of the best cars i have driven..i had a 996 carrera cabriolet before the cerbera ..i also owned a M3 cabriolet...

the score is this ...every cerbera feels like a different car...no two feel the same...you can have a 4.5 lw 2003/// that feels worse than a 4.2 97....the condition and mapping of the engine is vital...the suspension kit that the car rides on is also vital..standard shocks are not good enough..not for a car with that level of power..

also these cars take ages to sell ...there not like bm and porsches which dissaper if u are slow to get your cash out...so find your car...get it inspected...nothing matters untilits been inspected...then drive it not for ten mins the guy needs to go out with you and should be prepared to allow you to drive the car ...

so the best possible buy...would be ....4.5 cerb...(cos you will be able to pull more out of the engine later) it should have induction kit...sp sports exhuast...suspension .gaz .protec .nitron intrax...if you know high end vehicles then you want to go for the more high end shocks.. new clutch...(will save you money in the future)..the more recent work the less you will have to fork out in the immediate future,,,

Mine is not for sale anymore so this is not an advert for mine..and if u are in my vicinity and want to check out what a good one drives like ..just let me know

[ro_butler]

In general the finish on a GRP car won't be as goos as a steel bodied car.
If you check out the Ferrari 308 which was made in both GRP and steel during
it's life the paint finish on the GRP one isn't as good (assuming the steel one hasn't rusted )

Stonechips are very common and the crack between the rear pillar and wing is very common, it is due
to body flex. It generally shows up more on darker colours as the contrast with the underlying
gel coat (which is usually white) is greater.

HTH.

[FUBAR]

Stone chips? Speak to PHer BossCerb about stone chips!

BossCerbera said:

Doesnt slow Boss down none

[grrrrr]

Thanks for the comments everyone.

Ok, you have convinced me that number of owners is irrelevant, service history and condition of mechanicals are top priority. This one seems to tick the boxes, but I have no idea about the clutch.

If the car were mopped I'm sure it would be transformed, it's just that crack on the rear quarter that concerns me. The dealer said it would mean the whole panel would have to be done. But, would the damn crack re-appear?

One other question... interior - what's the score 1/2 leather of full? I know what I prefer, but is there any real difference as far as that's concerned, or is it just feel good factor?

What are opinions on this?

John

[touching cloth]

Number of owners is less of a worry than with most normal cars - they are prone to being passed on quickly and it doesn't indicate the car is a lemon like it can with more everyday cars (although I am not saying that cannot still be a reason but getting a car properly checked can help remove that doubt) - a Cerb is an acquired taste so some buy in and leave fairly quickly when the car is just not right for them. Mileage is a funny one, too little is as bad as too much - 16K in 6 and a bit years of the one you looked at would be on the lower end of reasonable and might be slightly worrying, less than 3K a year and the cars don't like sitting around too much.

If you would like a recommendation then I can suggest a look at Gazzab's one which has had a recent engine rebuild from the master himself, Andy @ APM, who would also be happy I am sure to give you an honest appraisal of the car as he knows it intimately.

www.pistonheads.com/sales/154966.htm

[oli_quick]

Mine is still up...very cared for Dom @ TVR Power can give any details required...

www.pistonheads.com/sales/157762.htm

[grrrrr]

Stunning cars for sale and thanks for the sound advice

Unfortunately, I'm looking for the revised 2000 onwards cars

I have £35k to play with - £30k for the car, with £5k for servicing and any nasty surprises

[cerealsurfer]

grrrrr said:

Stunning cars for sale and thanks for the sound advice

Unfortunately, I'm looking for the revised 2000 onwards cars

I have £35k to play with - £30k for the car, with £5k for servicing and any nasty surprises

I think my previous car 2001 LW RR is still up for sale at Offords... no expense spared upkeep... as per profile + extra pics

www.pistonheads.com/sales/152137.htm

[grrrrr]

cerealsurfer said:

grrrrr said:

Stunning cars for sale and thanks for the sound advice

Unfortunately, I'm looking for the revised 2000 onwards cars

I have £35k to play with - £30k for the car, with £5k for servicing and any nasty surprises

I think my previous car 2001 LW RR is still up for sale at Offords... no expense spared upkeep... as per profile + extra pics

www.pistonheads.com/sales/152137.htm

That is one stunning car. I would snap that up if my wife would sit in it.

She's superstitious She will not sit in a green car

Edited by grrrrr on Saturday 28th April 10:13

[Far Eastender]

Morebeanz siad: I've just had my Cerb properly machine polished to remove swirls etc, and some of the paint thickness readings were shocking - down below 60 microns. Whether that was down to over enthusiastic mopping by an amateur or poor consistency of paint application, I don't know. I suspect a combination of the two.

Where did you get this done? I've picked up a few scratches after our Nurbergring trip.

[DC53]

Could a Mod make this a sticky??

So many people are asking about cerbs recently, maybe this would save time, and Ted's bandwidth if it was sticky?

[FUBAR]

DC53 said:

Could a Mod make this a sticky??

So many people are asking about cerbs recently, maybe this would save time, and Ted's bandwidth if it was sticky?

That's what the Classifieds are for

[grrrrr]

What's a sticky?

[DC53]

grrrrr said:

What's a sticky?

The topics right at the top of the page as you come into the 'Cerbera' section!

[grrrrr]

Ah, ok

[Cooky]

DC53 said:

Could a Mod make this a sticky??

So many people are asking about cerbs recently, maybe this would save time, and Ted's bandwidth if it was sticky?

Shhhh! we don't want everyone to know our secret