Time to buy my dream car.

[Carlos29]

Hi everyone,as this is my first post i'd like to introduce myself before seekeng advice.
I'm 28 (29 next month) and I am from Birkenhead on the Wirral (Near Liverpool)
I work as a Chemical Process Operator and I drive a Mitsubishi FTO
Anyway time to buy my dream car I think as I have outgrown the FTO and almost killed it too I'll be keeping it as a backup for when my Cerbera inevitably breaks down.
Anyway I have a budget of 20k, finance to be agreed with bank on Friday, no problems anticipated there, I allready have 11k in the bank and earn £30k a year flat rate now anyway.
I am currently off work for two weeks and I am hoping to go back to work in a newly aquired 4.5 litre cerb.
20k will be my absolute upper limit and I would prefer a 4.5 cerb with reasonably low mileage.
I have came across this one whilst searching: http://www.castlesportscars.co.uk/index.php?mod=de...
Don't realy like the wheels , but it looks pretty clean and is the model that i would most like to buy.
I am aware of all the cars in the classifieds on here and one or two also interest me on there.
Could you guys possibly steer me in the right direction, this is probably a once in a lifetime dream car purchase for me so I don't want to buy a bag of spanners or end up excessively using them
Any advice would be appreciated , many thanks,

Carl.

[Buffoon]

3 pieces of advice.. Contingency, Contingency, Contingency.

Don't spend the £20k unless you get an offer you can't refuse. There are I would look at £17.5k and keep £2.5k for a rainy day. Spares and repairs may cost this or more, but you will at least have a degreee of assurance. Also take out an AA Warranty (covers upto £500).

Having said that, there are plenty of great cars out there in this range. Would not worry about the mileage too much, history is paramount. There are plenty of threads on do's and don'ts.

I am sure a few of the fellah's will be plugging their cars soon, but if you can stick to someone known on PH you are heading in the right direction.

Good luck with the hunt and let us know how it goes

[mickk]

Hi Carl, cant comment on that individual model, but i purchased mine from Castles and was pleased with there customer service, ive had it about 40 months with no probs.
You will no doubt find a cheaper one in the classifieds, but the year warranty from Castles should put your mind at rest (just check what it covers}

Good luck with your search

[hugepiece]

Agree, you will have no problem getting something nice for that figure. To be honest there are plenty of nice 4.5s (pre LW) in the classifieds on Pistonheads for around the 16k mark giving you a nice contingency of 4k. Another option is using a car finder service including inspections etc. I've heard great things about James Agger for example. You can easily spend 20k and still have 5k to spend or could spend 16k and not have to spend a penny. using someone like James will give you peace of mind at least. Advice to buy from another pher is very wise!

[Scrooloose]

I'm thinking about selling mine.

It's currently having a 12K service and MOT, so will be completely up together.

Total mileage is 34k, but had a new engine at 14k.....

email me if interested

[Whitey]

that car at Castles was the first ever LW car used at the 99 motorshow.

[Carlos29]

Thanks for the advice guys, 20k is the limit I am willing to spend on the car alone. Like I say I am keeping my car as a backup and I have a budget should things go wrong with the cerb.
I am going into this fairly well informed and before registering I have been watching the classifieds on here like a hawk and reading about some of the problems you guys have with the Cerbera, my favourite so far being 'Hold down the ignition button and sound the horn to start the car'
I am aware that lightweight was supposedly a motor show model, I may be tempted to take a look.
I will keep you updated and keep checking back here.

[Carlos29]

Just call me Sherlock

Seems the car in Castles belonged to a guy on here, is that good?

Nickname: yg649
Name: Lee

he owned the 4.5 lightweight, I think I will try mailing him to see if he has any info on the car.

[DonnyMac]

Carlos29 said:

my favourite so far being 'Hold down the ignition button and sound the horn to start the car'

I think that may have been me that wrote that!

I got a load of great advice when I bought mine in May - you can take a look at the thread here - http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?h=0...

If you do buy the Cerb at Castles and want to shift the wheels email me as I'd like to see what the colour combo looks like on mine.

[Norbury90]

Carlos29 said:

I am from Birkenhead on the Wirral (Near Liverpool)

Another PHer on the Wirral!

And a soon-to-be TVR owner as well...
I shall have to look out for you in future!

[Carlos29]

Thanks DonnyMac, I'll take a look through the link you posted now.
Slightly going off the idea of the car from Castles as I know it has been resprayed, possibly track raced and was sold quite a long time ago for around the price they are asking now.
I don't like black alloys, not realy my thing, the only colour combination I have seen them look good on was on one particular Yellow Cerb.
Besides your car looks ace as it is mate.

Rob, I'm new to the forum, but I have been lurking in the classified adverts for months
I'm sure you'll see me out and about in the coming weeks, I aint seen many Cerbs up this neck of the woods.

Edited by Carlos29 on Tuesday 26th June 23:16

[JensenA]

It's easy to get the Wheel colour changed, theyre only painted black. If you like the car just ask them to get the wheels painted silver.

[Norbury90]

Carlos29 said:

Rob, I'm new to the forum, but I have been lurking in the classified adverts for months
I'm sure you'll see me out and about in the coming weeks, I aint seen many Cerbs up this neck of the woods.

I have seen one Cerb in Neston, in many years of looking! Apparently there are 2 Sagarises on the loose though on the Wirral... just got to keep your eyes peeled I guess.

[Carlos29]

Nice one Donny, I just read through all the posts throughout your own search for a Cerbera, made some great reading.
Can't wait till I have the Cerbera Smile !!!

[Wilder]

A word of advice, get a car 5 yrs old if possible from a dealer -that way you can get the gold Autoprotect warranty ( a must have) to avoid those nasty suprises.
I bought my car from Castle and thats what I got with it.

[Carlos29]

Indeed.

The 2002 Cerbera in Castles looks like a real gem, unfortunately out of my price range though.

[oli_quick]

Mine is also up for sale...just had some more work done @ TVR Power on mine...some one is very interested in at present - but bear it in mind if you want (plus I often go to manchester - I can take it up one week)....

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/172155.htm

[Gazzab]

Go for it ....
Dont forget that a Cerb can easily expect your salary income to be supercar supporting territory. If I was earning 30K I would be very worried about the running costs even if my other living expenses werent too bad. BUT if you already have a few K set aside then you will be fine.

[Carlos29]

£30 K is a lot of money up here Gazza, specialy when you have no mortgage , children or nagging wife to worry about.

I'm embracing the cerbera with all it's potential problems as a hobby until I decide to grow up

[Mattt]

Carl - i'm no expert on Tivs, but have a word with PHer Ben (L100NYY), i'm sure he will be happy to fill you in on the car

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/profile.asp?h=0...