How Much?

[Smallend]

Afternoon all.
Newbie here - been watching from afar for a while and thought I would finally get around to asking some questions and making some nice polite comments!
What I would like to know is - what is the cheapest you would go for a 2nd hand Cerb? Not fussed about whether it's a Spd 6 or V8, or really what age it is, but in your valued opinions, at what point do you think... 'Hmmm, it's too cheap' and walk away?
Looking to get on the Cerb wagon at some point soon and want to know what I should be budgetting.
Thanks in advance for any ideas!

[RUSSELLM]

I'd say you can pick up a decent 96 model, low mileage, straight car for around the 16k mark.

There was a 98 4.5 for sale recently at 12k, but someone commented it needed work or was on the register or something.

[GCerbera]

I'd agree, a '96 V8 at around 16k.

You do get some bargains lower than that and some very nice examples at 17 - 18k.

Naturally if it's an old car you need to consider the clutch / cam costs if they
have not been changed

For a Speed Six, due being more recent, 19 - 20k is a good deal.

Most important rule though, don't impulse buy.

Good luck!

[arcbeer]

20K, i'd say it's definitely worth paying the extra for a sorted model.

I really would set aside 2-3K to look after it for a year if you can.

[tonyhetherington]

That's really about as low as you'd want to go I think. You will see Cat D cars, for example, or cars that need some work for low prices, and the buy itself may be a good one for a good car, but you'd have to think of how impossible it will be to sell on! I even saw a quite modified Cerb 4.5 (body modifications) that was up for sale for about a year, and that started off at over £20k (22 if i remember rightly) and ended up at about 17......not because it wasn't "*worth" that amount, but because he couldn't sell it


* worth = difficult subject. The car's value vs what somebody would ACTUALLY give you for it are two different things.

Sorry....I'm rambling a bit....anyway - I'm looking for a Cerb at the moment too. There are some good cars out there for around the 16 - 17k mark (you're almost certainly be looking at 4.2's or S6's at that price range, and 96-98 type year).

Good luck......keep looking! The one thing I have learned is that trying to buy a Cerb can take AGES. I've been looking for 18months and have still not found "THE ONE". I am a fussy bugger, but there we go

Good luck!

[RUSSELLM]

I know this has been said before, but do make sure you've some money put aside for emergencies (clutch, gearbox, engine bits) none of which are cheap.

Be a shame to spend 16k & have it sitting on your drive,

You might be a millionaire for all I know, but worth thinking about if your not.

Good luck in finding your beauty.

[Smallend]

Thanks for all the replies so far. Its great to get a nice fast response being a newbie! Make's you feel all warm!
One other point - Our driveway is on a bit of a slope (up to the house) and we only have a single garage which has been tacked on by a previous owner and is normal width until you open the door, and then it's about a foot narrower (don't ask!?), so basically no chance of it fitting in there... hmm back to the point - Would a Cerb be happy sitting overnight in-gear and handbrake on? Its pretty at about 30 degrees and I wouldn't want to buy a car that is going to be knackered because of where I have to park it!
(I hope this doesn't sound like a really dumb question but our current cars have started squeaking from being parked on it all the time!)

[GCerbera]

My car lives on a slope and no problems.

[plug]

Mine also lives on a slop out side, try and keep it parked front upwards, water collects at the bottom off the rear screen around the petrol filler and sometimes when i wash the car it the water completly covers it, i hope it does'nt let water in, its been ok so far.

[gazm]

Hi Smallend - noticed your from Surrey - there are a few dealer in that neck of the woods - I'm sure some of the 'more qualfyied' people ie owners on here can recommend some but I happen to live near Mole Valley and have been tempted for quite some time to bite the bullit they have 2 cerbs which are a bit out of the price range you are talking about but they may be able to source you what you are looking for.

Personally I am starting to think you don't need to spend loads but the thought of a newer cerb seems more attractive cos of all the stories you read. I'd love to know what the right price = sorted cerb is - I know it depends very much on the car itself but surely theres a ball park!

[Smallend]

Excellent - thanks for that...
My cunning plan is slotting into place!
Now I just need a special brainwashing drink to give the other half and we may start getting somewhere!
Don't know if I should mention this but I did actually manage to get her out on a test drive in a Cerb once... she was 9 months preggers with our 1st one... looked bloody hilarious lowering her into the passenger seat. Turned out to be a really bad idea as she started doing her panting and breathing exercises at the slightest hint of a heavy foot... made me slow down I can tell you! Must be the first Cerb test driver to not break the 30 mph barrier!!!

[gazm]

Ahh - I've just come out of the whole its not practical thing (have 5 month girl) - bought a jeep grand cheeroke and she's decided its too big for her so the plan is to sell it, get something for a couple of grand and then get the cerb. Was at mole valley today demonstrating to her that there is enough room in the back for a small child - she seems convinced only problem is she is adament that I don't lose anymore money selling the Jeep

[yiw1393]

Only thing about parking on a slope is to chock the wheels and/or park in first gear, because the lever thing next to the gear stick does absolutely f-all - except make a red light come on on the dash As a fellow newbie to the Cerb fraternity, I was mildly amused to read in the handbook that when parking on a hill make sure it's in gear and the wheels are turned toward the kerb.


And there was me thinking my Chimaera was quick, I've never driven anything that has some much pull right up to 7k, especially a 4.5 litre car. The best car for the money? You'd better believe it.

[Smallend]

gazm said:

Ahh - I've just come out of the whole its not practical thing (have 5 month girl) - bought a jeep grand cheeroke and she's decided its too big for her so the plan is to sell it, get something for a couple of grand and then get the cerb. Was at mole valley today demonstrating to her that there is enough room in the back for a small child - she seems convinced only problem is she is adament that I don't lose anymore money selling the Jeep

Yep - know the feeling well. We actually got the dealer (can't remember who it was, someone in Surrey / Hampshire) to stick that special seat extender thing in so we could see if it was a possible charge for us. There's no doubt in my mind that its going to be a pretty expensive hobby but I do love my cars and I'm driving a complete chuffing shed at the moment for the sake of saving some cash for a while... so she knows she's going to have to relent some day soon(ish) - I think/hope/pray!
We've got 2 boys now, one coming up to 3 and one just gone 3 months, so what other car with that kind of grunt and good looks are you going to get for the money and stil be able to tranport your little ones in comfort?! Time will tell!

[gazzab]

Private = £16K up - remember enthusiasts over value their cars. So you might find this site a little biased. I sold a totally sorted 98 S 4.5 (£13K spent sorting it) with highish miles for £17,750. Generally though a decent private car is probably normally around the £20K mark.
Dealers will want £24K up for a 'decent' car I guess.
If you are in surrey then call Andy at APM and ask him to recommend a customers car that is up for sale (ie he is the souths no 1 cerby expert).

[trooper1212]

gazm said:

Personally I am starting to think you don't need to spend loads but the thought of a newer cerb seems more attractive cos of all the stories you read. I'd love to know what the right price = sorted cerb is - I know it depends very much on the car itself but surely theres a ball park!

There is a ball park figure. As of 6 months ago I would say £19k will get you a good early cerb.
From experience £16k will get you an early cerb that needs a few grand spent on it. Prices have dropped a tiny amount since then so maybe £15k for a cheapy plus £3k to sort, or £18k for a fully sorted one.

[RUSSELLM]

Thres's 3 low milers in Top Marques a 96, 97 & 98 from 16k to 16.5k.

All 4.2's, one of which has reportedly just been serviced & had a new clutch.

Happy hunting

edited to add

My drive's on a steep slope, getting off without rolling in to the road backwards is a test,
left foot on the brake, handbrake off & fire her up with a bit of right foot if required.

I must get that handbrake mod, I must I must I must

>> Edited by RUSSELLM on Saturday 24th July 08:04

[Byff]

I've got a slopey drive and have no problems at all. The handbrake works fine, but I've found it's easier to just put two wooden blocks at the foot of the drive and leave it in gear, just in case.

My Blue Cerb leaked in the boot, so I had to park it boot down, but my much superior Red Cerb doesn't leak at all, so I can park it either nose or arse down.

If you wash it on the slope, it's best to be arse down so the water runs away from the fuel filler area in the boot.

The only hassle I find is checking the oil - I wish I had just a little bit of flat so I can check it properly.