Where to buy a Cerbera from..?

[skoff]

Hi All,

I have been without a P&J for quite a while now as nothing is really flicking my switch for available funds. This has the added advantage of saving the pennies whilst running a bicycle and a Polo for distances out of reach of the bike (though I did make it to Le Mans and back on the bike!).

Anyway, I have been an avid reader of the Cerb forum for a good while now, and have always discounted them as being a bit out of my budget to run, but the hypothetical devil has been troubling me a bit more than usual recently, as I have managed to swell the emergency slush fund quite a bit over the last few months...

So My question is as follows... Most of the 'problem' cars seem to be privately purchased cars, if one buys from a reputable dealer / indie, can you expect better reliability? For example Offords have a Cerb up for sale at under 11K - that's at the cheap end of the market, usually a bit of a no-no if you aren't to expect HUGE bills, but the car will be coming from a well respected garage.

Now, I understand and have listened to the advice on here, (however hard it is to swallow dammit) that these cars are expensive to run. 1.5k - 3k per year, ok I accept that, and could pretty much afford it. However, reading through AlVals recent thread, a bill like 7K plus with the potential for up to 10K is out of what I could possibly afford (especially considering the likely purchase price of the vehicle). So should I revise my sums even further up from 2K slush fund, plus 1.5K - 3K per year to run, or do you get extra peace of mind buying from a respected indie? I guess I am answering my own question here, and I think maybe a Cerb is out of the picture in harsh cold reality, but still interested in views...

[Dave 500]

I got mine from Fernhurst with a 12 month warranty and not had a problem yet had a free service included in the sale aswell. This years running cost will only be tyres and fuel.

[FUBAR]

Sadly Alval bought a non PH car AFAIK.

If I was buying again, I would sit and wait for a 'known' PH car to come up. One thats had most of the upgrades done, such as remap/short induction/new shocks (and new style lights, if thats you 'bag') and one that is owned by an entusiast (most of us enthusiast nutters lavish fortunes on our cars...because, as the tv advert goes, they're worth it )

If the right car came up (for the right price) at a known/reputable dealer or indie, then Id certainly consider that, taking into account any dealer warranty that comes with the car.

Whichever route you go down, make sure it is inspected by someone who knows what they are doing.

Please dont, for the love of God, buy an unknown and apparantly 'cheap' Cerb from AN Other Sports Car & Boat Sales of Stretham (made up name! ) as it will more than likely come back and bite you in the arse.

All IMO of course

[touching cloth]

Arguments for both sides, it is true that a garage will not sell you an unsafe car and you get a certain backup from sale of goods act etc etc but there is only so much they can know about the history, how it has been treated when cold etc etc - just because something is working now doesn't mean it will be in 3 months - Buying privately, ideally from someone who has run the car for at least a couple of years, you get the chance to judge their character and to a degree how they treat the car on a test drive and that can go a long way to telling you what you need to know - also if it is a private sale from a well known Ph'er then you get to trawl their profile and see if they have had constant probs with the car etc. There is also an argument to say that people might be happier to sell or trade into a dealer if their car is a lemon rather than risk a private sale and find themselves slated on here a week later by the new buyer.

Not much help I know, personally I like to buy privately but if a dealer is throwing a warranty in then this can be nice.

[JensenA]

Personally I'd buy a known car from a PH'er. It's been said before, but they are expensive cars to run. Budget for 3k a year, and also bear in mind that if an unexpected £6k bill would bankrupt you, and be impossible to meet, then think again.

[Buster44]

touching cloth said:

Arguments for both sides, it is true that a garage will not sell you an unsafe car and you get a certain backup from sale of goods act etc etc but there is only so much they can know about the history, how it has been treated when cold etc etc - just because something is working now doesn't mean it will be in 3 months - Buying privately, ideally from someone who has run the car for at least a couple of years, you get the chance to judge their character and to a degree how they treat the car on a test drive and that can go a long way to telling you what you need to know - also if it is a private sale from a well known Ph'er then you get to trawl their profile and see if they have had constant probs with the car etc. There is also an argument to say that people might be happier to sell or trade into a dealer if their car is a lemon rather than risk a private sale and find themselves slated on here a week later by the new buyer.

Not much help I know, personally I like to buy privately but if a dealer is throwing a warranty in then this can be nice.

Exactly how I like to buy a car.

If you are handy with the spanners this can go a long way to keeping the costs down.

[skoff]

Intersting advice from you all - thanks.

A 6K bill plus 3K per year to run might not (quite) bankrupt me, but I would be unlikely to see my next birthday were the missus to find out... I mean, if you factor in insurance and fuel, then you are getting closeish to the purchase price of the vehicle for keeping it on the road for a year.

As advised, maybe best to think again..

ho hum.

Now, off to PH classifieds!

[dkennedyvxt]

I bought my car from GazzaB and felt reassured by his postings and history on the forum. All problems (and every car has them) were transparent. Gary was even kind enough to send some bulbs he'd found when moving house and the original ECU.

I would only every buy from main dealer or someone from PH or if you have to buy from a private sale with no visibility of the cars history....make sure you take it to one of the reputable indie's to get the once over.

Thanks again for the car Gary...still makes me smile every weekend

Edited by dkennedyvxt on Tuesday 10th July 14:33

[FUBAR]

skoff said:

As advised, maybe best to think again..

If thats the case, then may I respectfully advise you NOT to test drive one 'just for the hell of it'

You will be doomed! Doomed I say!

[trooperiziz]

FUBAR said:

If I was buying again, I would sit and wait for a 'known' PH car to come up. One thats had most of the upgrades done, such as remap/short induction/new shocks (and new style lights, if thats you 'bag') and one that is owned by an entusiast (most of us enthusiast nutters lavish fortunes on our cars...because, as the tv advert goes, they're worth it )

Sounds like perfect advice to me!

<cough> classifieds </cough>

[FUBAR]

ETA: Except dont buy one from anyone called Neil. Odd blokes they are

[trooperiziz]

FUBAR said:

ETA: Except dont buy one from anyone called Neil. Odd blokes they are

Your just jealous because mine is a faster red* one.

• admittedly not quite as red as it used to be...

[Byker28i]

I bought mine from a fellow PH member. very recommended.

[skoff]

FUBAR said:

skoff said:

As advised, maybe best to think again..

If thats the case, then may I respectfully advise you NOT to test drive one 'just for the hell of it'

You will be doomed! Doomed I say!

Unfortunately it's way too late to follow that advice... That's why this little devil on my shoulder just won't go away - he knows he will get me in the end, it's just a matter of when.

[FUBAR]

In that case, just do what I did (with the Cerb, and the Griff...ooh, and the 350i) which is ignore ALL advice, go buy THE first one you try/drive and then pray to the big Petrolhead in the sky it all holds together.

You get a 'feeling' with Tivs if it is the one for you IMO

[hugepiece]

FUBAR said:

In that case, just do what I did (with the Cerb, and the Griff...ooh, and the 350i) which is ignore ALL advice, go buy THE first one you try/drive and then pray to the big Petrolhead in the sky it all holds together.

You get a 'feeling' with Tivs if it is the one for you IMO

I'll hold my hands up to this too in both my TVRs. I did months of research, window shopping and asked for loads of advise, but then did actually buy the first Cerb I actually test drove - right there on the spot! I've had to spend some money but very very happy with my choice. Car did actually come from PH but not a known PH'er. Was a top chap tho and had owned the car for 4 year which is alwasy a good sign. Definitely do your research first though so at least your decision can be "somewhat" informed at least.....

Edited by hugepiece on Tuesday 10th July 16:12

[cerbielee]

I also bought from a fellow p/h'er! had no probs with the car at all! well a button on the drivers door! i tend to ask as many questions as possible on known problems so i can get agood idea of any symtoms and put them right before its too late! and then ends up costing you more! I personally woulnt buy one from Autotr*der or *bay!
Go get yourself one

[Marian]

I have been hunting for over a year and have yet to secure one

I'm beginning to think I am being too particular as the last 2 cars I have viewed I didn't even test drive them due to their condition.

Am I being too picky?

[cerbielee]

Marian said:

I have been hunting for over a year and have yet to secure one

I'm beginning to think I am being too particular as the last 2 cars I have viewed I didn't even test drive them due to their condition.

Am I being too picky?

No! buy on conditon! you know i bought Brooksies 96 P reg! even with its 10 years its in lovely condition! DO be picky!
May be regretably swapping mine for a chim 500 as the wife says its toooo Fast and dangerous and totally refuses to drive it she also hates the letter box view out the front window(wich i love)
Dont give up mate the right car is out there!

[skoff]

Just another thought, does anybody have any experience of warranty claims?

Specifically the after market kind of thing? They usually have all sorts of get out clauses and maximum claim cost etc, but somebody on here might have had a positive experience?