Nearly There Newbie
Discussion
Well, nearly there. Have a Cerbie being checked out today by a specialist and if all is as advertised, it'll be mine.
Going to use it as a dialy driver (gulp) for a year or so, though I'll have use of the wifes car for a fair bit. But I think I've got the perfect drive to work for one of these beasties - 30 miles of quick country roads and no traffic.
Wish me luck!
Going to use it as a dialy driver (gulp) for a year or so, though I'll have use of the wifes car for a fair bit. But I think I've got the perfect drive to work for one of these beasties - 30 miles of quick country roads and no traffic.
Wish me luck!
Cyclone1 said:
Gazzab said:
Hope you are buying a very late model and that you have the running costs worked out
Why would it matter if it was a late model or not, as has been said a million times, condition is key when buying a Cerb?Jules.
The car will maybe cost about £1.50 a mile to run (I paid a lot more than this in the total of some 20K miles in my 2 cerbs). so if you are planning on 14K a year (60 miles a day plus weekends) then you could be paying out a lot. Am sure others may dispute £1.50 a mile but I would allow at least 4K a year on those miles for service and repairs plus fuel plus ins plus tyres (plus updgrades ?). Then you need to ensure the chassis is ok - lots of the 8 yrs plus cars are getting towards chassis repair time. Engine pops are becoming more common as people skimp on servicing and repairs and as the cars get older. Am sure if you do the maths you will see that a cheap run about would save you cash and save cerb for weekends and odd weekdays.
Think I agree with Cyclone here, The Cerb is one of those cars where normal car rules don't apply, age is pretty unimportant, unfortunately we've all been brainwashed into accepting normal car rules so older Cerbs (like all cars) go for less money - Cerbs should be sold and bought 'as they are' not what the plate says.
Also IMHO country roads are the worst possible roads for driving a Cerb on - I hate them, they're hot hatch territory, best roads for a Cerb are the sweeping roads in France where you can drive at the speeds the Cerb is designed for.
Also IMHO country roads are the worst possible roads for driving a Cerb on - I hate them, they're hot hatch territory, best roads for a Cerb are the sweeping roads in France where you can drive at the speeds the Cerb is designed for.
JensenA said:
Think I agree with Cyclone here, The Cerb is one of those cars where normal car rules don't apply, age is pretty unimportant, unfortunately we've all been brainwashed into accepting normal car rules so older Cerbs (like all cars) go for less money - Cerbs should be sold and bought 'as they are' not what the plate says.
Also IMHO country roads are the worst possible roads for driving a Cerb on - I hate them, they're hot hatch territory, best roads for a Cerb are the sweeping roads in France where you can drive at the speeds the Cerb is designed for.
Also IMHO country roads are the worst possible roads for driving a Cerb on - I hate them, they're hot hatch territory, best roads for a Cerb are the sweeping roads in France where you can drive at the speeds the Cerb is designed for.
If you've ever driven across the Mendip Hills in Somerset you might change your mind 
The wife works at a school, so 3 months of the year I can take hers. Will look for a runabout in 10 to 12 months.
Used to have a GTD40 a while ago, a home built one. I'm quite happy (looking forward to!) sorting minor issues with electrics, leaks, etc. So I don't think I'm going in totally blind.
Once the runabouts in situ, the cerbie becomes my toy. Thing is, I'm guessing if I have 2 sets of keys in front of me it's going to be very difficult to resist the cerbie.
The wife works at a school, so 3 months of the year I can take hers. Will look for a runabout in 10 to 12 months.
Used to have a GTD40 a while ago, a home built one. I'm quite happy (looking forward to!) sorting minor issues with electrics, leaks, etc. So I don't think I'm going in totally blind.
Once the runabouts in situ, the cerbie becomes my toy. Thing is, I'm guessing if I have 2 sets of keys in front of me it's going to be very difficult to resist the cerbie.
SomersetBoy said:
Running costs, general servicing, keeping on top of maintenance - these are covered.
It's the possibility of the 'big bang' theory being proved that has me concerned!
Still, by the time the wife finds out the true cost of fixing a biggie it'll be too late (cue evil laugh).....
Been there....done that!! Had the big bang, had to take oot a wee loan to get a new engine but after 2 mins driving the car when i got it back i forgot about all the bad stuff lolIt's the possibility of the 'big bang' theory being proved that has me concerned!
Still, by the time the wife finds out the true cost of fixing a biggie it'll be too late (cue evil laugh).....
Age is unimportant, condition is everything!
I've spent the last couple of months reconditioning the suspension on my car, it WILL be better than a standard road car when it's finished, I don't mean the paint finish necessarily, but I do mean the quality of components used to rebuild it. Polybushes, stainless steel fixings where possible, adjustable ARB, Nitron adjustable shocks, M'sport Bosch fuel pump. The list goes on, and more importantly I'm not alone, there are plenty of people lavishish either money or time, and in some cases both, on what is their pride and joy. The quest to get the best out of the Cerb' isn't limited to cars less than 7 yrs old.
I've rebuilt the heads, have new cams, am reasonabaly confident that the if necessary, I could use the car everyday. The fact that it's now running 500 and 400 lbs springs may make it a tad hard, but that's the trade off for a track bias car.
Choose well, look at what's been done, and see what needs to be done, go in with your eyes open and it will be a rewarding experience.
Tim
I've spent the last couple of months reconditioning the suspension on my car, it WILL be better than a standard road car when it's finished, I don't mean the paint finish necessarily, but I do mean the quality of components used to rebuild it. Polybushes, stainless steel fixings where possible, adjustable ARB, Nitron adjustable shocks, M'sport Bosch fuel pump. The list goes on, and more importantly I'm not alone, there are plenty of people lavishish either money or time, and in some cases both, on what is their pride and joy. The quest to get the best out of the Cerb' isn't limited to cars less than 7 yrs old.
I've rebuilt the heads, have new cams, am reasonabaly confident that the if necessary, I could use the car everyday. The fact that it's now running 500 and 400 lbs springs may make it a tad hard, but that's the trade off for a track bias car.
Choose well, look at what's been done, and see what needs to be done, go in with your eyes open and it will be a rewarding experience.
Tim
Edited by TT Tim on Saturday 1st March 17:40
Well, I've done the deal on the Peak Porsche 4.2 advertised on Pistonheads.
Andy there has been geat so far. Had the car inspected by Stephen Wallinger at Infomotion, who's done a great job. Picked up a couple of things which Andy is getting sorted befor I pick the car up.
Car's got a good history and is, mechanically is good nick. There's a couple of bits that need the personal touch, but I'm looking foward to that side of it (we'll see how long that lasts!)
I'll be picking it up later this week and drving back from the Peak District to Somerset. My first chance to get acquainted. Feels like a first date!
By the way, thanks for the advice gents.
Andy there has been geat so far. Had the car inspected by Stephen Wallinger at Infomotion, who's done a great job. Picked up a couple of things which Andy is getting sorted befor I pick the car up.
Car's got a good history and is, mechanically is good nick. There's a couple of bits that need the personal touch, but I'm looking foward to that side of it (we'll see how long that lasts!)
I'll be picking it up later this week and drving back from the Peak District to Somerset. My first chance to get acquainted. Feels like a first date!
By the way, thanks for the advice gents.
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