Cerbera 4.5 - Pro's and Con's.
Discussion
Last week I was in the process of buying a '99 Cerbera 4.5. Before the garage delivered the car they were doing some work on the car, and discovered some problems.
I'm not too sure of the exact problems, but it was something to do with the valve clearances being incorrectly adjust which has resulted in some engine damage. The upshot of this is the car has to go back to Blackpool for an engine rebuild.
The garage have given me the option of backing out from the deal. But I would just like peoples opinions on the pro's and con's of still getting the car once they get it back from the factory.
I would just go out and find another car, but because of other commitments I wouldn't really be in a position to look around for about three weeks.
Thanks in advance.
Neil
I'm not too sure of the exact problems, but it was something to do with the valve clearances being incorrectly adjust which has resulted in some engine damage. The upshot of this is the car has to go back to Blackpool for an engine rebuild.
The garage have given me the option of backing out from the deal. But I would just like peoples opinions on the pro's and con's of still getting the car once they get it back from the factory.
I would just go out and find another car, but because of other commitments I wouldn't really be in a position to look around for about three weeks.
Thanks in advance.
Neil
Hi Neil;
I suppose much depends on the price you're paying for the car. I have to say, I had one of these from new and I should've bought it direct - Lord knows, it was back there often enough!
Most PHers love TVR and you'll get loads of wildly differing experiences but my experience leads me to recommend sticking to a 2nd hand one - depreciation aside, most initial glitches (if any) should have been sorted...
An engine rebuild may put you off but if it's being done by Blackpool and the thing's warrantied then it wouldn't necessarily be a prob IMHO.
Unless you think you can get a similar/lower miler for similar money I wouldn't panic. Good luck and enjoy. P.S - If it hasn't got one, tell the garage you'll stick with them if they put on a (decatted) sports exhaust. Extremely anti-social!
I suppose much depends on the price you're paying for the car. I have to say, I had one of these from new and I should've bought it direct - Lord knows, it was back there often enough!
Most PHers love TVR and you'll get loads of wildly differing experiences but my experience leads me to recommend sticking to a 2nd hand one - depreciation aside, most initial glitches (if any) should have been sorted...
An engine rebuild may put you off but if it's being done by Blackpool and the thing's warrantied then it wouldn't necessarily be a prob IMHO.
Unless you think you can get a similar/lower miler for similar money I wouldn't panic. Good luck and enjoy. P.S - If it hasn't got one, tell the garage you'll stick with them if they put on a (decatted) sports exhaust. Extremely anti-social!
I'd second what plotloss has said, as well.
Personally, I'd have no worries about having a re-built engine. At least you'd know it'd be run-in properly. However, if you don't use it often it might take a year's motoring to complete that particular task, given the mileages I've seen on many used ads.
My advice is to consider carefully how much you'll use it, as the three main advantages of buying used are depreciation, niggle-cure and engine run-in (which is an obvious disadvantage if it's not done well!)
Personally, I'd have no worries about having a re-built engine. At least you'd know it'd be run-in properly. However, if you don't use it often it might take a year's motoring to complete that particular task, given the mileages I've seen on many used ads.
My advice is to consider carefully how much you'll use it, as the three main advantages of buying used are depreciation, niggle-cure and engine run-in (which is an obvious disadvantage if it's not done well!)
I'd go for the rebuilt engine. Having to run it in, while annoying, definitely makes up for not knowing how it had been treated up until you owned it.
The main reason I bought a new Cerbera was to make sure it had been serviced properly and not thrashed from cold, etc. However I now reckon that second hand cerbies are so cheap it makes up for an engine rebuild anyway. The rest of the car is fine, if you consider the suspension as replaceable and brakes as consumables.
And the fact that a decent dealer/independent will improve the car significantly over how it comes new from the factory.
danny
>> Edited by dannylt on Wednesday 17th July 19:17
The main reason I bought a new Cerbera was to make sure it had been serviced properly and not thrashed from cold, etc. However I now reckon that second hand cerbies are so cheap it makes up for an engine rebuild anyway. The rest of the car is fine, if you consider the suspension as replaceable and brakes as consumables.
And the fact that a decent dealer/independent will improve the car significantly over how it comes new from the factory.
danny
>> Edited by dannylt on Wednesday 17th July 19:17
quote:
I see you've posted several times saying that... boring. This is a forum for cerbera owners talking about cerberas.
Correct me if I'm wrong but the author of this piece has also commented on Chimaera, Tamora, and Speed Six threads, which by his own logic he should not go near.
Come on dannylt, if you have this cosy little world where only Cerbera owners have a right to comment on Cerberas etc. we may as well all give up now. Controversy, opinions, experience, disagreement and debate are what keeps this together and allows us all to learn from each other. Please do not try to turn each topic into some sort of elitist thing. I did used to own a Cerbera so I hope it is OK to contribute to this debate.
p.s. jellison may have a point.
Pros: Mind numbing power, awesome acceleration (beats anything this side of an XJ220 in a straight line), exclusivity (up here in't north anyroad), but best of all...
The astonished looks on everyone's faces as you burble past them with the exhaust popping, whizzing and banging. The friendly waves, nods and thumbs up from fellow drivers (and the Boys in Blue!). The coffee bean shake gesture from the jealous w**nkers in their Golf GTIs, max power Novas and BMW M3s as you scream past them spitting flames in their wake. The incessant marriage proposals from 40 something frustrated housewives and the knicker dropping reactions of the 20 something brigade. The constant crowd gathering that builds everytime you leave the car for more than 5 minutes, usually made up of grown-up kids mouthing 'fcuking hell, it's got 210 on the speedo'... And that noise, WoW!.. Howls like a rabid werewolf (looks just as evil) and screams like a hyperactive banshee (and scares everyone just the same).
Cons: Um...er...Pardon?
The astonished looks on everyone's faces as you burble past them with the exhaust popping, whizzing and banging. The friendly waves, nods and thumbs up from fellow drivers (and the Boys in Blue!). The coffee bean shake gesture from the jealous w**nkers in their Golf GTIs, max power Novas and BMW M3s as you scream past them spitting flames in their wake. The incessant marriage proposals from 40 something frustrated housewives and the knicker dropping reactions of the 20 something brigade. The constant crowd gathering that builds everytime you leave the car for more than 5 minutes, usually made up of grown-up kids mouthing 'fcuking hell, it's got 210 on the speedo'... And that noise, WoW!.. Howls like a rabid werewolf (looks just as evil) and screams like a hyperactive banshee (and scares everyone just the same).
Cons: Um...er...Pardon?
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