Cerbera 4.5

[Froddan]

Hi, I'm new here, so bear with me:-)

Does anyone know anything about a black Cerbie, PIA 1361, 36k miles, 25k pounds, for sale at Fernhurst? I'm very interested in buying it, but still slightly worried after reading about problems of the cars here.

[guydw]

My personal experience of buying cars from Fernhurst has been very good. The car will be in good order and will have been serviced. They will be helpful if you have any problems. The price seems on the high side of about right for the miles.

The Cerb is a truly awesome car, but you need to make sure you go into it with your eyes open. If you search this forum you will find lots of advice, however, in a nutshell ...

expect to spend 3k plus a year, many people get away with less, and some people spend more. The costs have to be viewed in context - if you want any other car with similar performance / presence you need to spend 80K and up, and servicing will also be high (imho this puts a 10K engine rebuild into perspective...).

expect some niggles, for example my own experience is that the basic car (engine/transmission/etc) is very good, strong and reliable, the problems will be annoying things like the rod that holds the bonnet open dropping off, bits of trim coming off, wipers not working, minor electrical things - annoying but not expensive. The biggest problem I have had has been waiting for inexpensive parts.

I use mine daily and it is fine. Basically so long as you don't expect Honda - esque reliability then go for it - there's nothing quite like flooring a Cerb and feeling that power coming in at 6,500 revs .....

[Froddan]

Thanks for your reply.
I try to go into it with my eyes open, but it's hard to think logically once you are behind the steering wheel of it.
My problem would in short be; I'd be using it as a normal car, drive to work, shopping, etc. In other words, it would be my main (only) car. I am somewhat undecided between a Cerb or a XKR, so all comments are very welcome:-)

[GCerbera]

Welcome.

What sort of mileage would you be looking at doing each year?

[Froddan]

Thank you, again.

I'm looking at 12k miles a year.

[blue 4.5]

..no one turns around and stares at an XKR I bought mine from Fernies last July and have had one minor niggle that I took down there and they sorted it out there and then and the need for a new CAT, which took them a couple of days to diagnose but everything was done on warranty. The guys there treat you well and its a pleasure every time I go back in. Shame you missed out on the diablo purple one!

It would seem buying it from them means you get a year of worry free motoring even though you pay a premium in the price. If your buying this type of car, I think that makes up for no sleepless nights!

I would say go for it, if you only keep it for a year, then at least you have done it and can go for the more mature XKR next time

[blue 4.5]

..no one turns around and stares at an XKR I bought mine from Fernies last July and have had one minor niggle that I took down there and they sorted it out there and then and the need for a new CAT, which took them a couple of days to diagnose but everything was done on warranty. The guys there treat you well and its a pleasure every time I go back in. Shame you missed out on the diablo purple one!

It would seem buying it from them means you get a year of worry free motoring even though you pay a premium in the price. If your buying this type of car, I think that makes up for no sleepless nights!

I would say go for it, if you only keep it for a year, then at least you have done it and can go for the more mature XKR next time

[GCerbera]

ok, well as you may have read, the cars need a service every 6k, so you would
have two service costs to consider.

That said, I was up at around 10k each year and if you use the right people to
maintain your car, the mileage won't be an issue.

It is an excellent GT and my family went everywhere in it, school runs, shopping,
trips abroad etc.

You MUST however firstly do your homework on ownership and then on the car
you wish to buy, failure to do so could end a Cerbera relationship quickly.

Budget may also aid or detract from your ownership, depends which end of the market
you are going to look at.

All the information you need and more is written here in the forums, so do some searches
and feel free to ask away.

Additional information can be found at the site listed below.

Good luck.

Go create some weather...
Graham
TCR The Cerbera Register

www.TVR-Cerbera.com / www.Cerbera.info

[Froddan]

Thanks for all your help guys. I really need to do some serious thinking about this.

[guydw]

don't think, just do it !!!!!!!!!

To be honest with Fernhurst you are in good hands.

I love my Cerby, I'm having to sell it right now, but I will be back for more.

[gazzab]

I would say that you are best avoiding garages that dont know their TVRs (so Fernies are good!). Have you thought about the GTS blue one advertised on here (James Agger) ? Have you tried findasportscar.com ? Have you tried calling the indie servicing guys eg Joolz and APM? They might have customers who are selling who they might recommend (and they might inspect a car for you). PistonTed bought the best condition cerb I have seen in a long time via James Agger - so I would recommend him just on that recommendation.
Pay a premium for a good known car.

[GCerbera]

gazzab said:

PistonTed bought the best condition cerb I have seen in a long time via James Agger - so I would recommend him just on that recommendation.

And if Ted had been quicker he could have had mine.

James Agger is the man alright, probably more Cerbs on here sold by James in
the last few years than anyone else.

[Froddan]

I checked with Fernhurst, and their warranty of a year. It seems you guys are right, it covers in short everything except tyres and stuff like that, but it fully covers mechanics and electrics, which should give me at least one year of great, no-worries motoring

Thanks to you guys I may very well be a proud Cerb owner soon

[GCerbera]

Froddan said:

Thanks to you guys I may very well be a proud Cerb owner soon