Advice/help on first Cerbera purchase
Discussion
Hi everyone.
I'm Darren and I'm joining the mad world of Cerbera ownership!
I've been in contact with Alan about this and am fully prepared for breaking down/ spending far too much money etc etc!
I owned a RenaultSport Clio stripped out track car, running 231 bhp in 900 kgs until a few days ago, so am used to the big grins, the empty pockets and a personal line to the AA.
The only real difference will be is an interior, a bit of class, and RWD
I have looked at a few cars, test drove a couple, any hints or tips would be helpful, or if people know of a good car for sale, please let me know.
Thanks Darren
Ps can't wait for my first v8 tunnel run!
I'm Darren and I'm joining the mad world of Cerbera ownership!
I've been in contact with Alan about this and am fully prepared for breaking down/ spending far too much money etc etc!
I owned a RenaultSport Clio stripped out track car, running 231 bhp in 900 kgs until a few days ago, so am used to the big grins, the empty pockets and a personal line to the AA.
The only real difference will be is an interior, a bit of class, and RWD
I have looked at a few cars, test drove a couple, any hints or tips would be helpful, or if people know of a good car for sale, please let me know.
Thanks Darren
Ps can't wait for my first v8 tunnel run!
Might be worth paying a local indie to do an inspection if you find a suitable car? I guess a couple of hours labour is cheaper than an official 'inspection', plus any faults found might be useful for bargaining.
Having said that, I had my first one inspected, where it got a clean bill of health, and then when it was serviced shortly after by one indie they found a load of faults on it, which another garage then said didn't exist (weeping shocks etc).
Having said that, I had my first one inspected, where it got a clean bill of health, and then when it was serviced shortly after by one indie they found a load of faults on it, which another garage then said didn't exist (weeping shocks etc).
Its also worth popping across to a local TVRCC meet, you will be very welcome & lots of informed owners to share experience with you.
The chassis is a big priority on the Cerbs as you dont have to worry about the body, both V8 & Speed Six cars are great & you have done the right thing in driving a few, good luck in your search, its a special ownership experience & on a nice dry sunny day they go like stink!!
The chassis is a big priority on the Cerbs as you dont have to worry about the body, both V8 & Speed Six cars are great & you have done the right thing in driving a few, good luck in your search, its a special ownership experience & on a nice dry sunny day they go like stink!!
Buy the best one you can afford.....a `cheap` Cerbera is a mythical beast,if you by a cheap one...its cheap for a reason....try and find one that`s been in long term ownership where the owner knows the car inside out and will tell you if the car has faults if he knows about them.You will not find a perfect car,they all require money spending on them eventually.....but the smile it will put on your face will be well worth it!
esso said:
Buy the best one you can afford.....a `cheap` Cerbera is a mythical beast,if you by a cheap one...its cheap for a reason....try and find one that`s been in long term ownership where the owner knows the car inside out and will tell you if the car has faults if he knows about them.You will not find a perfect car,they all require money spending on them eventually.....but the smile it will put on your face will be well worth it!
Very very good advice - my car has been very very well looked after by its previous owners and in the year before I bought it £4000 spent on it to keep it in tip top condition but still it had some minor niggles - aircon not working, reversing light and boot light not working etc Still to this day I cannot get the ice warning light to behave properly.Buy wise because a bad one will cripple you - a good one though is very very special
ukkid35 said:
It's not going to be your first RWD car though is it?
The Cerbera was the first RWD car I owned. I don't understand this mindset - any RWD car can potentially bite, dependent on how much of a t
t you behave. If anything, I would say that buying a TVR as an introduction to RWD could be a positive thing as you begin, if anything, with an ultra cautious attitude. i recently accquired my 4.5v8, tried to do sum research , was told rob inglebury was the man to check them out but he was on holiday , but suffering from impulsiveness and a spell of hot weather , went out and bought 1 with no check , having been told to pay a bit more did so ,
2nd night i had her , tore center rear diff ( 4 people grounded out on a tiny ledge) , whilst up they changed the rear shocks, then needed this small unit that controls fuel flow a low revs ,leaking water hose sum how took 3 hours to change, then fixed ac ,now none of this was cheap but then the clutch went, that was painful ,
now plagued by a mental window thats not sure where it wants to b , a door that wont let me out some times and need a new alarm siren
but that seems to be it ( for the time being) just to giv u an idea , i dont know wether i been unlucky or lucky or is this just standard tvr world ? (comments please )
if u got the spare cash definitely do it and never mention any of it to your girlfriend.
my best advice is to source a local mechanic that knows tvrs and wont charge the earth because it probably wont b long before u need 1, all the major players seem to b taking mick ( eg locking wheel nuts @ bespoke £60 or racing green £40 ,
GET 1
2nd night i had her , tore center rear diff ( 4 people grounded out on a tiny ledge) , whilst up they changed the rear shocks, then needed this small unit that controls fuel flow a low revs ,leaking water hose sum how took 3 hours to change, then fixed ac ,now none of this was cheap but then the clutch went, that was painful ,
now plagued by a mental window thats not sure where it wants to b , a door that wont let me out some times and need a new alarm siren
but that seems to be it ( for the time being) just to giv u an idea , i dont know wether i been unlucky or lucky or is this just standard tvr world ? (comments please )
if u got the spare cash definitely do it and never mention any of it to your girlfriend.
my best advice is to source a local mechanic that knows tvrs and wont charge the earth because it probably wont b long before u need 1, all the major players seem to b taking mick ( eg locking wheel nuts @ bespoke £60 or racing green £40 ,
GET 1
BE WARNED......It will get under your skin like nothing else.They consume you-in a good way of course.Take your time in choosing.Don't "make do " with one,wait for the right one.Be prepared for things to go wrong...coz they will,but the wealth of knowledge on this forum is incredible. 
You will be entering a mad house.
It will frustrate & thrill in almost equal measures...
Go for it.
You will be entering a mad house.
It will frustrate & thrill in almost equal measures...
Go for it.
Thanks for the various inputs, had a bit of a chuckle as I fancied a blue one! Drove a slow yellow one, lol
I'm an electronics engineer so tvr electrics are easy compared to what I usually play with! Just got to make my self a lead and some wiring diagrams and it'll be plain sailing. Tbh the only thing that concerns me is the chassis, as clutches, slave cylinders etc, I can tackle myself.
Do you get the quoted power out of the 4.2's, if not what can be done about it? Cams/ head work/ intake /exhaust?
I'm an electronics engineer so tvr electrics are easy compared to what I usually play with! Just got to make my self a lead and some wiring diagrams and it'll be plain sailing. Tbh the only thing that concerns me is the chassis, as clutches, slave cylinders etc, I can tackle myself.
Do you get the quoted power out of the 4.2's, if not what can be done about it? Cams/ head work/ intake /exhaust?
4.2s are generally bang on the money in standard form. There's not really as much scope for tuneability as there is with the 4.5. Exhaust, remap and manifolds might see you pushing towards 380bhp but anything further is stretching it. I'll tell you this, my 4.2 was standard with the exception of sports exhaust and decats, it NEVER felt short of performance. Any healthy Cerbera is an absolute flying machine.
Its a shame Darren as ive just sold mine last month, it was blue & i live in Brant Broughton so not far from your neck of the woods, i would have been happy to show you around it & take you out.
The last guy i took out at one of the meets loved it, it was a little wet & he loved how the car was snapping sideways everytime i was heavy on the throttle, they are great fun! it has caught me out a few times though, so you have to have respect for them.
The last guy i took out at one of the meets loved it, it was a little wet & he loved how the car was snapping sideways everytime i was heavy on the throttle, they are great fun! it has caught me out a few times though, so you have to have respect for them.
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