4.5 cerbera ooooh can't make mind up what to do

[zooooom]

Hi everyone.
Ok heres the senario been lurking and researching this & other forums on pistonheads for months.
I've decided to take the plunge and buy 4.2 or 4.5 cerbera year 2000 plus, I was finally convinced after hearing the short films of owners cerberas that have been posted and lifes to short for what if's and if I only I'd .
My only concern is that I have read a few posts regarding the avalibilty of parts for the V8 AJP engine, I beleive that one guy on here has been waiting months for replacemnt cams.
Also is tvr still making or supporting parts for the V8 AJP engine as it seems that they are very bias towards the speed 6 engine ?
I'm aware and prepared for the pluses & minuses of cerbera ownership, but the thought of the car being off the road for months on end because of the avalibility of parts is a little off putting.

I need some reassurance from those in the know that im doing the right thing buying the V8, I really don't what a speed6

[dai capp]

Well I bought a 4.5 in December and wasn't too worried about parts. It was only in March 03 that I took my Tuscan up to the factory and they told me they couldn't rebuild any speed sixes cause they'd gone on hold at the cam supplier!

At the end of the days if the factory choose not to support the engine then there's plenty of clever folks around like Joolz who'll find ways and means of keeping these cars on the road.

As they say, lifes too short, go out and buy a blue 4.5 and you'll never look back!

All the best

DC

>> Edited by dai capp on Thursday 29th April 13:26

[j_s_g]

When they do stop making any parts, there'll be a natural market for 3rd party manufacturers to come into and replace. It may cost more, but if you've got a warranty (that's willing to pay out), it may not be a problem. I imagine the problem that guy's having at the moment is that it's just continual delays from TVR, and you can't really turn round to a warranty company and say "I want more compensation because I'm impatient". (Fair play to the guy - he deserves his car back, and I'd be impatient, but warranty companies won't see it that way)

Most of the parts on the car that are going to break are off the shelf from standard suppliers/other manufacturers/used on newer TVRs, anyway. The engine's the big TVR-only piece of complex mechanics that's going to be expensive to fix, and the AJP engine is a pretty solid design. If you get a well-maintained lower-mileage one that shouldn't need any engine work (breakage or wear & tear) for a couple of years, the car will most likely be long gone from your drive before anybody has to deal with the problem.

Now, TVR not paying their suppliers is another matter entirely...

[darreni]

I don't think that 3rd party manufactuers will fill the gap if TVR cease supply, the r&d cost will be huge for a very limited (2000ish?) market.

I'd see people fitting 'vette, rover, etc engines, as there is already a huge aftermarket for them. The AJP engine will then be the preserve of those with enough money to retain the originality.

i do hope that all the above is crap, & parts supply is plentiful for all, but i doubt it.

any news on the guy waiting for cams?

[jmh99]

I would agree with the above posts. The only point I would add is that last year I was suffering from an uncontrolable urge to buy a Cerbera. The only thing that stop me was reading posts on pistonheads. I know you must go in to any purchase with your eyes fully open but remember that in a forum like this, the problems naturally get posted due to the great frustration when they occur, whereas the weeks and months or care free motoring do not.

Buy it.

[J_S_G]

darreni said:

I don't think that 3rd party manufactuers will fill the gap if TVR cease supply, the r&d cost will be huge for a very limited (2000ish?) market.

If TVR stop producing stuff, they'd be daft not to sell off/give away all the specs for things like cams to other companies (who probably actually designed half of the bits to begin with!) It'd make them money up front/stop bad publicity, etc. Yes, small runs of bits would be pricy, but it's not as though TVR order parts in bulk now!

I guess only time will tell.

[washy]

I reckon there must be around 3000 of these units out there, maybe more. I can't imagine parts not being available at any time in the near future.

Washy

[SXS]

Life is too short to worry about it, the cerbera is one of the best cars to roll out of blackpool and will always be a gold medal on TVR's uniform...

Get it, I know it might cost you, but hey, so do all cars with the performance and looks you're gonna have parked on your driveway....

IMO speed 6 is a little too sweet, the AJPV8 is raw, the closest thing you'll get to the first blackpool medal, the griffith.

V8's rule... I hope they never stop production of them or at least replace them with V10's or something...

Now that would be fun, a whole new chassis design and a V10, Cerbera Speed 10! But, by then, I'll most likely be bankrupt and end up driving a shed... but like I said, lifes too short... just go for it, but make sure you get a sorted one! there are many lemons all polished up and will be more of a headache than fun, so be aware!

[John Wilson]

I've had a few high performance cars over the years including a 300 bhp E-type, Porsche etc..I've had my 4.2 Cerbera now for six weeks and there is no comparison, it is brutal and still gives me a tingle in the spine when I get in and start up. They do cost and to enjoy owning one you need to budget, go in with your eyes open. Try it, you can always sell it!

[trooper1212]

daggart said:

mine is considered by the dealership as a good one!!!!!!!!!.

I think we've been through this before

Part of your problem appears to be your dealership! If they really have said to you that they consider your car to be a good one, run away, run away fast...

Go to someone who knows about Cerbs and get it fixed correctly.

[washy]

I've gone through 3 Cerbera's, 53,000 miles, all AJP8's. The first, a 4.2, had new cams (but then they nearly all did). And all 3 have eaten a starter motor a piece. Aside from that, engine wise, no other worries.

Just buy one!

Washy

[zooooom]

Thanks for the info guys sort of put my mind at rest.
Perhaps I can trouble your brain cells on another question Haggling over the price .
When buying a secondhand cerbera from a dealer or independent garage, if the car is mechanically OK with no major problems or faults and for arguments sake its sticker price is £27,995 for a 2000 w plate 4.2 with 17,000 miles on the clock and ftvrsh what resonably can I expect to get off the sticker price ??
Or are you expected to pay the price what it says on the tin in tvr circles.

>> Edited by zooooom on Friday 30th April 15:57

[j_s_g]

zooooom said:

Thanks for the info guys sort of put my mind at rest. Perhaps I can trouble your brain cells on another question Haggling over the price . When buying a secondhand cerbera from a dealer or independent garage, if the car is mechanically OK with no major problems or faults and for arguments sake its sticker price is £27,995 for a 2000 w plate 4.2 with 17,000 miles on the clock and ftvrsh what resonably can I expect to get off the sticker price ?? Or are you expected to pay the price what it says on the tin in tvr circles. >> Edited by zooooom on Friday 30th April 15:57

"Sticker price" will always be what they want to sell the car for. What they want to sell the car for and what they're willing to sell that car for will depend on demand. It sounds like a reasonable dealer price for the car, and it's sports-car buying season, so demand will be (relatively) high. When buying from a garage, I'd always walk in there ready to do the deal on the spot via a bank-transfer/switch card/cheque, and drive off in the car, rather than beg them to hold it for me, etc. and weaken my position.

Doing that, I'd probably say "it's a nice car, but not quite the spec I wanted", offer them no more than £1k under what they're asking (quite possibly £2k then haggle), and demand a set of 18" wheels/sports exhaust/full service/something else that will cost them less than you'd think, and make sure they give you a longer warranty on it than you're going to keep the car for, so you can sell it off still under warranty (e.g. a two year one).

Important: Don't be scared to offer them an absolutely paltry sum for the car - you can guarantee that's what they'll do to you when you try and sell it back to them.

If you've got the balls, offer them £25k and see what they say. I just sold my V Reg 4.2 with headlight conversion, 18" wheels, sports exhaust, FTVRSH, warranty remaining, full leather (including door inserts, rear parcel shelf), Leven goodies, etc. all for just under £23k. Whoever sold them that car probably got given £21k for it, so there's plenty of margin in it for them! For what it's worth, I got my car without the zorst, spiders, and front-end job for £22k a year ago from an independent sports car place...

When I was just Tuscan-hunting, I got a £28k W reg Tuscan down to £26.5k with an additional 18 months warranty (over their standard 6 month one) over the phone without even seeing the car, just by saying... "What if I turn up tommorow, money in hand, pick up the keys, and drive off in it... knowing that I'm someone that understands that TVRs are quirky and hence aren't going to get arsey everytime some electrical gremlin/whatever occurs".

[zooooom]

Hmmm thanks j s g for good advice, some food for thought their I think.
The car Im interested in is the 2000 w 4.2 at Offords, hope Im allowed to mention names .
Not to keen on the colour of the spiders but that only cosmetic and can easily be changed.
Anyone on here know of this car ??????
Oh yeh and its BLUE

[j_s_g]

zooooom said:

Hmmm thanks j s g for good advice, some food for thought their I think. The car Im interested in is the 2000 w 4.2 at Offords, hope Im allowed to mention names . Not to keen on the colour of the spiders but that only cosmetic and can easily be changed. Anyone on here know of this car ?????? Oh yeh and its BLUE

There's something to ask for for a start: get them to respray the wheels. It's a hassle for you to arrange, pay for, etc. but they'll not doubt have be able to get it done quicker, cheaper, etc. than you ever could.

Don't be frightened to ask the earth of them - if they don't do you any favours, why are you buying from them rather than a private seller. Equally, if they're not willing to play nice to sell you a car, how are they going to treat you once it's sold and you go back to them with a problem that's going to cost them. Not saying anything bad about Offords at all - I've never dealt with them; just a general comment.

[SXS]

zooooom said:

Hmmm thanks j s g for good advice, some food for thought their I think. The car Im interested in is the 2000 w 4.2 at Offords, hope Im allowed to mention names . Not to keen on the colour of the spiders but that only cosmetic and can easily be changed. Anyone on here know of this car ?????? Oh yeh and its BLUE

Hmmm, Offords.... be very weary of purchasing a car from a non-main dealer, ask where they sourced it from and if you can speak to the previous owner!

I'd still recommend you buy your beast from someone on here over a non-main dealer!

Goodluck, and like the rest say here, EYES WIDE OPEN! otherwise get ready for a heart attack on major bills!

[Apache]

SXS, offord are well known and I'd buy a Cerb from them, I bought my Saab there

[carl_w]

Bought my Cerb there. As did several others on this board (davidd?)

[zooooom]

Please forgive me if my research is wrong but after reading throw this forum at least twice. I came to the conclussion that the V8 cerberas built after 2000 had most of the major problems ironed out ( cams, clutch, suspension, etc), and that there were only minor problems like fixtures and fittings ?????
BUT PLEASE CORRECT ME IF IM WRONG I'm not an owner yet just a potential purchaser

>> Edited by zooooom on Sunday 2nd May 01:46

[darreni]

zooooom said:

Please forgive me if my research is wrong but after reading throw this forum at least twice. I came to the conclussion that the V8 cerberas built after 2000 had most of the major problems ironed out ( cams, clutch, suspension, etc), and that there were only minor problems like fixtures and fittings ????? BUT PLEASE CORRECT ME IF IM WRONG I'm not an owner yet just a potential purchaser >> Edited by zooooom on Sunday 2nd May 01:46

true the later cars are more developed, but cams & clutches etc are wear & tear items, they still cost big bucks when they go.