Looking for a Cerbera
Discussion
Hello
I'm looking for a Cerbera in time for the summer! A bit of background might help. I'm 33 and I've lusted after Cerberas since first seeing the Top Gear review all those years ago. I'm finally in a place where I can afford one, both financially and in terms of lifestyle. I'm not a petrolhead but I know a bit about cars. My only experience with rear-wheel drive is a few months spent with a Boxster S a while ago, and I'm aware that a Cerbera is a completely different beast altogether. I don't plan on getting the back sliding out, or leaving vast amounts of rubber on the tarmac when pulling away from the lights but I'm hoping to get the 'buzz' that I've read so much about.
My questions are these:
- I've kind of got my heart set on a V8 but is there really much difference between the 4.2 and 4.5?
- Any suggestions for where to look? I'm pretty much decided on going to a dealer. I've looked at Fernhurst and Stephen James so far.
- Any particular Cerbera-related gotchas that I should be checking for?
Any info gratefully received!
Thanks,
Max
I'm looking for a Cerbera in time for the summer! A bit of background might help. I'm 33 and I've lusted after Cerberas since first seeing the Top Gear review all those years ago. I'm finally in a place where I can afford one, both financially and in terms of lifestyle. I'm not a petrolhead but I know a bit about cars. My only experience with rear-wheel drive is a few months spent with a Boxster S a while ago, and I'm aware that a Cerbera is a completely different beast altogether. I don't plan on getting the back sliding out, or leaving vast amounts of rubber on the tarmac when pulling away from the lights but I'm hoping to get the 'buzz' that I've read so much about.
My questions are these:
- I've kind of got my heart set on a V8 but is there really much difference between the 4.2 and 4.5?
- Any suggestions for where to look? I'm pretty much decided on going to a dealer. I've looked at Fernhurst and Stephen James so far.
- Any particular Cerbera-related gotchas that I should be checking for?
Any info gratefully received!
Thanks,
Max
Welcome.
Dont choose between the 4.2 and 4.5 on paper buy on condition. Both will thrill. The S6 is favoured by many too.
If you buy from a dealer then you will pay a fair old margin. There are horror stories with dealer cars as well as private cars. At least with a private car you can see the owner and question him / her about how its been treated and cared for. The best cars are owned privately (some of them end up in dealers but in my view the best ones are sold privately normally).
If your budget is high end eg £18K - £25K then you can afford to buy a late car in tip top condition. I would suggest looking out for a well known car on here. Otherwise some of the indies might know of good cars coming up. There is always James Agger, he has a great reputation.
Ensure you get the car inspected by an indie on ramps and that the chassis, engine, electrics etc etc are all in order.
Dont choose between the 4.2 and 4.5 on paper buy on condition. Both will thrill. The S6 is favoured by many too.
If you buy from a dealer then you will pay a fair old margin. There are horror stories with dealer cars as well as private cars. At least with a private car you can see the owner and question him / her about how its been treated and cared for. The best cars are owned privately (some of them end up in dealers but in my view the best ones are sold privately normally).
If your budget is high end eg £18K - £25K then you can afford to buy a late car in tip top condition. I would suggest looking out for a well known car on here. Otherwise some of the indies might know of good cars coming up. There is always James Agger, he has a great reputation.
Ensure you get the car inspected by an indie on ramps and that the chassis, engine, electrics etc etc are all in order.
Look at plenty bud,dont buy with the heart but when you see the right car you will know.Once you have seen the right car you will most probably not even look under the hood have a small man wee, urge on the way home and stay up all night looking out the bedroom window with a semi on and most of all a big smile
You will i dont care what anyone else says love it in a way you cant imagine(fact)
You will i dont care what anyone else says love it in a way you cant imagine(fact)
they even do it when parked upBuy what model and year you like as we all have different likes and needs. Don't listen to the my models best because they are all fantastic. Yes they can cost lots to keep on the road but then sometimes they only cost fuel etc. You can buy a dog that looks amazing and a fantastic car that has a million stone chips. Track V Road Is the garage for me but so is dealer TVR Mads.
Good advice so far.
I'd say try as many as you can, I was only interested in a V8 but the cars are all as different as the drivers.
I bought off PH Classifieds and suggest you monitor it day and night as the best ones tend to crop up on there.
Gremlins? They all suffer from them now and again but you can avoid a lot of heartache by having a £500 snotter to run around in, that way you shouldn't be left high and dry and the Cerb will always feel fast and special when you take it out. I wouldn't have a Cerb as a daily runner - would be hell in the winter with the ice, snow and gritters peppering your front end.
Getting one with a decent chassis has to be the top priority (for a V8). Engine rebuild just as important for a Speed Six I'd say. Recent clutch a bonus with all of them, or offer £1k less if it's troublesome on the test drive.
As for getting the back end out, it doesn't take much. I'd wager the first time it happens to you is when you're coming off a roundabout! Beware the long throttle travel - slam it into the floor when you're going in anything other than a straight line and it will end in tears.
Good luck in the hunt - I've had mine three years and it's the best buy I've made. Great therapy cars, every drive an occasion etc, but you've probably read all this sentimental s
te before!
I'd say try as many as you can, I was only interested in a V8 but the cars are all as different as the drivers.
I bought off PH Classifieds and suggest you monitor it day and night as the best ones tend to crop up on there.
Gremlins? They all suffer from them now and again but you can avoid a lot of heartache by having a £500 snotter to run around in, that way you shouldn't be left high and dry and the Cerb will always feel fast and special when you take it out. I wouldn't have a Cerb as a daily runner - would be hell in the winter with the ice, snow and gritters peppering your front end.
Getting one with a decent chassis has to be the top priority (for a V8). Engine rebuild just as important for a Speed Six I'd say. Recent clutch a bonus with all of them, or offer £1k less if it's troublesome on the test drive.
As for getting the back end out, it doesn't take much. I'd wager the first time it happens to you is when you're coming off a roundabout! Beware the long throttle travel - slam it into the floor when you're going in anything other than a straight line and it will end in tears.
Good luck in the hunt - I've had mine three years and it's the best buy I've made. Great therapy cars, every drive an occasion etc, but you've probably read all this sentimental s
te before!Hello again
Does anyone here know the history of this one:
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2337769.htm R220 EOX
It looks like just the thing I'm looking for and I might have a look at the weekend.
Thanks
Does anyone here know the history of this one:
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2337769.htm R220 EOX
It looks like just the thing I'm looking for and I might have a look at the weekend.
Thanks
If you are unbendable on the 'Dealer' front then negotiate a year's guarantee and a new clutch in their vastly-overpriced markup.
Otherwise:
Chassis outrunners and braces.
Clean Clutch and Brake reservoirs.
VERY clean engine oil.
Exhaust manifold cracks.
Differential leaks.
Steering Rack leaks.
Shock absorber leaks.
Brake disc surfaces.
Alost anyone on here would love to advise you so offer 'em a stay over when
you want to go and check it and you'll have your experienced critic to hand
If anything looks dodgy then get in contact with the last owner or walk away.
Best of Luck
Otherwise:
Chassis outrunners and braces.
Clean Clutch and Brake reservoirs.
VERY clean engine oil.
Exhaust manifold cracks.
Differential leaks.
Steering Rack leaks.
Shock absorber leaks.
Brake disc surfaces.
Alost anyone on here would love to advise you so offer 'em a stay over when
you want to go and check it and you'll have your experienced critic to hand
If anything looks dodgy then get in contact with the last owner or walk away.
Best of Luck
Had mine for a year,so very aware of behaviour(grins)under hoon acceleration,out for an early Sunday morning blast recently,had the back step out ( pants check moment) exiting a slowish dual carriageway bend and stepping on the gas.On reflection had backed off on approach then came on cam as I was exiting the bend,lesson learnt!!
Had mine for a year,so very aware of behaviour(grins)under hoon acceleration,out for an early Sunday morning blast recently,had the back step out ( pants check moment) exiting a slowish dual carriageway bend and stepping on the gas.On reflection had backed off on approach then came on cam as I was exiting the bend,lesson learnt!!
Thanks again for the replies, folks. I've emailed James Agger to enquire about R220 EOX. I've also contacted Stephen James as well.
Mr Cerbera - thank you for the advice on what to look for. I'm not sold on a dealer - I just don't know enough about TVRs to appraise one myself. I'll put the word out on here when I have a test drive lined up to see if anyone would be able to help with giving it the once-over, making it worth their while obviously.
I'm going to try to get to the East Mids meeting on Sunday anyway - it's bit of a trek for me but I think it would be really worthwhile.
Mr Cerbera - thank you for the advice on what to look for. I'm not sold on a dealer - I just don't know enough about TVRs to appraise one myself. I'll put the word out on here when I have a test drive lined up to see if anyone would be able to help with giving it the once-over, making it worth their while obviously.
I'm going to try to get to the East Mids meeting on Sunday anyway - it's bit of a trek for me but I think it would be really worthwhile.
lechatster said:
Thanks again for the replies, folks. I've emailed James Agger to enquire about R220 EOX. I've also contacted Stephen James as well.
Mr Cerbera - thank you for the advice on what to look for. I'm not sold on a dealer - I just don't know enough about TVRs to appraise one myself. I'll put the word out on here when I have a test drive lined up to see if anyone would be able to help with giving it the once-over, making it worth their while obviously.
I'm going to try to get to the East Mids meeting on Sunday anyway - it's bit of a trek for me but I think it would be really worthwhile.
Hi,good luck with your search for a cerb,i drove R220 EOX with james back in sept 2005,when he was selling it previously & thought it was a lovely motor & james knows all the history on it.Mr Cerbera - thank you for the advice on what to look for. I'm not sold on a dealer - I just don't know enough about TVRs to appraise one myself. I'll put the word out on here when I have a test drive lined up to see if anyone would be able to help with giving it the once-over, making it worth their while obviously.
I'm going to try to get to the East Mids meeting on Sunday anyway - it's bit of a trek for me but I think it would be really worthwhile.
He is a great chap with loads of knowledge of the marque,only reason i didnt buy that car was that it wasnt the colour combo i wanted at the time.
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