Is it worth a visit or a gamble

Is it worth a visit or a gamble

Author
Discussion

Franky boy

Original Poster:

110 posts

163 months

Sunday 23rd July 2017
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Hi all, there's a 97 Cerbera advertised here by www.Target cars. Eu, looks clean and a good price.

Has anyone heard or dealt with them, what are your thoughts on the car, I could possibly fly over to view. Or should I just bite the bullet and pay more for a car in the UK.

Any thoughts/opinions/advice greatfully recieved

gruffalo

7,509 posts

225 months

Sunday 23rd July 2017
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Target seem to have a bit of a poor reputation.

I believe they just buy in cars and flip them, so not doing them up or adding any value.


Jhonno

5,762 posts

140 months

Monday 24th July 2017
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They have had it for sale for years..

mac315p

134 posts

116 months

Monday 24th July 2017
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I agree on their reputation. A dutch guy who was interested in my T350c went to look at a car there and also said they weren't very good at all (both in terms of the car on sale and the customer service) but other than a couple of emails about a T350t they were selling a while back I've no personal experience. . .

gruffalo said:
I believe they just buy in cars and flip them, so not doing them up or adding any value.
Isn't this what most car sales / salvage dealers do??? biggrin

Phil Dicky

7,162 posts

262 months

Monday 24th July 2017
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mac315p said:
I agree on their reputation. A dutch guy who was interested in my T350c went to look at a car there and also said they weren't very good at all (both in terms of the car on sale and the customer service) but other than a couple of emails about a T350t they were selling a while back I've no personal experience. . .

gruffalo said:
I believe they just buy in cars and flip them, so not doing them up or adding any value.
Isn't this what most car sales / salvage dealers do??? biggrin
Seem to remember something about a Cat D car they sold that they avoided disclosing as the sale was outside the UK.??

Franky boy

Original Poster:

110 posts

163 months

Monday 24th July 2017
quotequote all
Thanks for the info, I think I will give it a swerve and conentrate on finding a car in the UK.

RedSpike66

2,336 posts

211 months

Monday 24th July 2017
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They have a history of selling Cat D cars !!

gruffalo

7,509 posts

225 months

Monday 24th July 2017
quotequote all
mac315p said:
Isn't this what most car sales / salvage dealers do??? biggrin
Not any of the TVR dealers I would use, they take in a good car and make it brilliant, interiors sorted and engine refreshed, that sort of thing and then they offer a minimum 12 month warranty.

As mentioned Target don't.


Juddder

835 posts

183 months

Monday 24th July 2017
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From the pictures the TargetCars.eu one doesn't look like anything is majorly wrong

http://www.targetcars.eu/cars/tvr-cerbera-coupe-4-...

The alloys and rear lights are after market, and the car is an early model I believe as it has the centre console speaker, and the little speakers in the door arms

I'd get them to send you some shots of the underneath so you can check the out riggers and the general chassis or maybe send a 3rd party local mechanic to check it over if you're serious

25,000 miles seems pretty low too so might be worth asking on here if anyone knows the history of the car?

Edited by Juddder on Monday 24th July 16:06

Franky boy

Original Poster:

110 posts

163 months

Monday 24th July 2017
quotequote all
I had a mail back from them today, I asked about condition that where quire vague, so marks on body, no dents signs of wear and tear inside and surface rust on chassis. Have written back asking what paperwork exists and if it's been in an insurance claim.

If it hasn't, at the price, plus about 1k to get it delivered to cornwall, seems reasonable. I'm good with a spanner so would expect a few jobs.

Tempting, any one know a tvr expert in Holland or near Stanstead airport?

ukkid35

6,138 posts

172 months

Monday 24th July 2017
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Juddder said:
From the pictures the TargetCars.eu one doesn't look like anything is majorly wrong

http://www.targetcars.eu/cars/tvr-cerbera-coupe-4-...

The alloys and rear lights are after market, and the car is an early model I believe as it has the centre console speaker, and the little speakers in the door arms

I'd get them to send you some shots of the underneath so you can check the out riggers and the general chassis or maybe send a 3rd party local mechanic to check it over if you're serious

25,000 miles seems pretty low too so might be worth asking on here if anyone knows the history of the car?

Edited by Juddder on Monday 24th July 16:06
I agree with everything Alex has said.

However, Jhonno said it's been on sale forever, so that's not a good sign. But the only real value that car has in NL is if it's on NL papers, which is isn't, so it's hardly surprising they can't shift it.

Bolster wear looks commensurate with stated mileage.

Idle is a little high, cold oil pressure is a little low (nothing to worry about necessarily).

You do need to see it on a lift to get an idea of chassis condition, unless they can send you photos of really clean chassis/outriggers.

£1k for delivery? Really? You wouldn't drive it home? Ask for recovery cover for the journey home, if they hesitate it's a bit a of a giveaway.

Finally, there is one major concern - there's no Upright Recall Sticker on the VIN plate. I would want to find out more about that before driving it.


ukkid35

6,138 posts

172 months

Monday 24th July 2017
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Franky boy

Original Poster:

110 posts

163 months

Monday 24th July 2017
quotequote all
Many thanks for the responses, I was thinking about delivery due to time limitations, but your right driving it back would be best.

If the upright recall has not been done, delivery it would be anyway, what is the cost of replacing the uprights, should I say buying, I can fit myself.

Il have to see the response to my last mail, but to be honest it is looking tempting again!

ukkid35

6,138 posts

172 months

Monday 24th July 2017
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I must admit I'd never looked in to it before - seems it affected every Cerb from end 1996 until May 2001

http://www.vosa.gov.uk/vosa/apps/recalls/searches/...

Edited by ukkid35 on Monday 24th July 22:10

lancia4wd

171 posts

242 months

Tuesday 25th July 2017
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Think many have said already - I have sold a few cars to Target many years back - they buy cat C and D cars and then sell them without disclosure

Regards

FarmyardPants

4,099 posts

217 months

Wednesday 26th July 2017
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Franky boy said:
I had a mail back from them today, ... no dents
hehe

Franky boy

Original Poster:

110 posts

163 months

Wednesday 26th July 2017
quotequote all
Had another message, yep, its a CAT C, had to ask the direct question, seemed to good to be true.

Thanks to all for the comments and advice.

Back to trolling the used ads again.

Cheers Frank

NuddyRap

218 posts

102 months

Thursday 27th July 2017
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Probably the wisest thing. As Jhonno mentioned it being up for ages: when I was looking 2 and a half years ago it was for sale then.

m4tti

5,426 posts

154 months

Thursday 27th July 2017
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Franky boy said:
Had another message, yep, its a CAT C, had to ask the direct question, seemed to good to be true.

Thanks to all for the comments and advice.

Back to trolling the used ads again.

Cheers Frank
Tvr's are definitely worth being patient for the right one.

Buy in haste, repent in time... plenty of money pits out there.