Do I want a Cerbera

[mick8186]

Hello all, i am new to Piston Heads and look forward to getting to know some of you.

I am looking to replace my current BMW 330CI and was looking at an M3. but then i remembered the TVR Cerbera. This car took my breath away when i was a youngster and it still does. The only concern i have after looking at all the comments from PistonHeads members is the running costs ect.

What would i expect in the first year of ownership, i would really love to own one and experiance what everyelse says about this awsome car.

Any thoughts?

Mick

[Marian]

Question, Do you want one? Answer, Absolutely

Cost per year? many people say budget on £3k per year, my first year was closer to 10K Worth it? without a doubt

[mick8186]

I doo really want one,
just want to know what i should look out for and what are the most comman faults.

Looking at £10,000 to £15,000 to get a Cerbera, but in the current climate closer to the 10k mark.

[Marian]

Are you wanting a speed 6, a 4.2 or a 4.5?

If looking for a 4.2 then I would advise buying one that has had a rebuild due to chocolate cranks(personal opinion so don't slate me please)

Buy on condition regardless to colour etc, check chassis for rust etc. Buy a known car from a pistonheader and you won't go too far wrong.

[Ireland]

If you plan to use it as your main car then you'll get frustrated very quickly but if it's going to be a second car then YES it's the car to go for.

[mick8186]

I am looking at the 4.2, as far as i can see there is no real defferance in the performance and the sound of a V8, is well god like.

Mechanically i can get around, but i am the first to say i am a novice so please forgive my ignorance. I have looked at some of the Cerbs on the classified section of the web site and there are allready some that are getting my attention.

Thanks for your help and i cant wait.

[911 Turbo LE]

mick8186 said:

I am looking at the 4.2, as far as i can see there is no real defferance in the performance and the sound of a V8, is well god like.

Mechanically i can get around, but i am the first to say i am a novice so please forgive my ignorance. I have looked at some of the Cerbs on the classified section of the web site and there are allready some that are getting my attention.

Thanks for your help and i cant wait.

The Cerbera has also recently got my attention, like you Mick i have not much experence in the marque, i once owned a Chimera 4.0 for a short time.

Which one is the Cerb to have 4.2, 4.5, Speed 6 , LW, Silver rose, what are the pros and cons of each car can anyone tell.

I am looking for low miles, pref one owner car.

[davidd]

I would not worry about miles, as folks have said buy on condition, history and owners and be prepared to spend a bit of cash.

If you have not tried them then have a go in an s6, 4.2, 4.5, early (letterbox) and later styles they are all different. Then you have to remember that these are handbuilt so each one is going to be 'individual', also a lot of owners have made improvements so make sure you know what these are.

You will always get a lot of help from folks on Pistonheads, don't be afraid to ask.

Good luck, keep us posted.

D

[dirty boy]

911 Turbo LE said:

mick8186 said:

I am looking at the 4.2, as far as i can see there is no real defferance in the performance and the sound of a V8, is well god like.

Mechanically i can get around, but i am the first to say i am a novice so please forgive my ignorance. I have looked at some of the Cerbs on the classified section of the web site and there are allready some that are getting my attention.

Thanks for your help and i cant wait.

The Cerbera has also recently got my attention, like you Mick i have not much experence in the marque, i once owned a Chimera 4.0 for a short time.

Which one is the Cerb to have 4.2, 4.5, Speed 6 , LW, Silver rose, what are the pros and cons of each car can anyone tell.

I am looking for low miles, pref one owner car.

I'd go on condition and condition alone. Check through the service history, if you can, buy from someone known on PH as they're 'generally' enthusiast owned and will want for nothing.

Miles are largely irrelevant as a well looked after one (ie SimonSparrow) will do well over 100k.

Chassis is the major worry.

Silver Roses are Porsches (924 IIRC) you'll be wanting a Red Rose, which has the higher compression ratio and slightly reworked heads, giving a geniune 400bhp+

Remapped 4.5s will be 400 ish, most 4.2s will be at least 350 (assuming well maintained of course)

SP6 is a nice car, bit easier to live with, but the engine is made out of matchsticks and sellotape, so if you find one, make sure it's got the Racing Green FFF or 4.3 power rebuild for peace of mind.

Feel free to ask questions, as although they've all been answered before, I know that the search function is playing silly buggers as I've not been able to find threads I know i've seen.

Good luck, and buy a purple one because they're faster.

[greenm]

You need a 4.5 W 400 hp in red in pefect condition with all done and upgradd that could be?? Yep mine for sale look in here for the Peral rosso red one in the snow?? Hat to let her go but time is a problem for me and she heeds useing and is in need of absolutly nothing, am a little flexible so get back to me for any further info although I think the ad says all and anyone who has seen her at the few PH sows I have been to will agree. PH actually asked me to bring her to the Birmingham motor show in Jan but wont ne over. mail me on here, cheers I sure am going to miss that silly grin my kids always josh me about!!!!

[dirty boy]

greenm said:

You need a 4.5 W 400 hp in red in pefect condition with all done and upgradd that could be?? Yep mine for sale look in here for the Peral rosso red one in the snow?? Hat to let her go but time is a problem for me and she heeds useing and is in need of absolutly nothing, am a little flexible so get back to me for any further info although I think the ad says all and anyone who has seen her at the few PH sows I have been to will agree. PH actually asked me to bring her to the Birmingham motor show in Jan but wont ne over. mail me on here, cheers I sure am going to miss that silly grin my kids always josh me about!!!!

I've tried to get my old man to buy yours

[greenm]

Try harder u will not find a better one wiust spent a lot sorting a few lastthings and upgrading brakes discs ectth everything sorted will not be disspointed and I would not be selling if there was ay way i could keep her So go on!!!!!

[dirty boy]

greenm said:

Try harder u will not find a better one wiust spent a lot sorting a few lastthings and upgrading brakes discs ectth everything sorted will not be disspointed and I would not be selling if there was ay way i could keep her So go on!!!!!

I'm not sure he could if he wanted to. He might be able to afford it (unless Mum takes him completely to the cleaners) but he has no-where to keep it at the moment, and with both of us currently keeping our cars in mums garage and her having to keep hers outside, I'm not sure it's the ideal time.

Who knows though?

[greenm]

yea understand been there well good luck u never know??

[prettyboyben]

yes yes yes you do! i ummed and ahed about getting mine for all of about ten minutes when i saw it. yes, i do cry myself to sleep most nights because i cant really afford it and it does need some money spending on it, but.... every time i get in it, not even start it up, just get in it i smile and realise why i got it. then when i start it up and go for a drive i just cant stop smiling!!! and plus, if the fact on here the other day about there only being 400 left now youre gonna be wanting to buy one soon so you can actually get to experience one. im pretty sure im going to hold onto mine now cos if theyre getting rarer theyre only gonna go up in value and people wont want to get rid of the good ones.

[Pursyluv]

Like you i'm a PH virgin and also intend to get a Cerbera in the near future.

I'm sure you will get very good advice from some extremely knowledgeable people, unfortunately i'm not one of them, however having spoken to numerous PH members both via e-mail and face to face one piece of advice i can offer is don't get hung up over a particular engine. For me it was going to be a 4.5 or nothing, but many people have told me that there is a good chance i will overlook a very good 4.2 or Speed 6 if this is my attitude.

Common sense I know, but listen to as many PH members as you can and you won't go far wrong, happy hunting.

[JensenA]

Ireland said:

If you plan to use it as your main car then you'll get frustrated very quickly but if it's going to be a second car then YES it's the car to go for.

[Scrooloose]

Pursyluv said:

Like you i'm a PH virgin and also intend to get a Cerbera in the near future.

I'm sure you will get very good advice from some extremely knowledgeable people, unfortunately i'm not one of them, however having spoken to numerous PH members both via e-mail and face to face one piece of advice i can offer is don't get hung up over a particular engine. For me it was going to be a 4.5 or nothing, but many people have told me that there is a good chance i will overlook a very good 4.2 or Speed 6 if this is my attitude.

Common sense I know, but listen to as many PH members as you can and you won't go far wrong, happy hunting.

Welcome to PH

[Tanguero]

JensenA said:

Ireland said:

If you plan to use it as your main car then you'll get frustrated very quickly but if it's going to be a second car then YES it's the car to go for.

Sorry chaps - can't really agree there. Main car for 2 years now and still love every moment of it. True its handy to have access to another vehicle - but my other car is very definately the second car.

[mick8186]

This is all good stuff, I think I am sold on a Cerb. will be looking in the new year for one. Therefore I will be asking some more questions around Jan time to see what is out there. I cant wait