!st Cerbera purchase

[lorneg7]

Hi Guys,

Im new to the Tvr world and am looking at a couple of cars at the moment, do any of you guys know these cars and what are your thoughts? Guidance would be much appreciated!

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TVR-Cerbera-Coupe-2-2-A-...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1996-TVR-CERBERA-YELLOW-...

Cheers Lorne

[Jhonno]

Impossible to tell you anything without looking at the cars..

First has no mention of history/reciepts/work done (other than 'bling'), couldn't find a description for the 2nd either.. Just at a glance, the green one @10k looks a better car.

[Gazzab]

Green one is Russell from raceproved. Worth a look.

[lorneg7]

hi,

yeah i was thinking the same, apparently the green one was owned by a guy that develops tvr parts? not too sure. The yellow again has good history from the last owner but has been owned for 6 months ish by new owner? seems strange to be so cheap! are aa inspections on cerberas worth it or best to go on own with a check list of usual probs etc?

Cheers

Lorne

[Gazzab]

Prices look right to me for cat d cars and needing some work .
AA inspection, no get a proper independent Tvr inspection.

[DJR 7]

The fact that the best selling point is afterburner lights says it all! My opinion ....... Stear clear of both! Never seen a good Cerb under 10K.
I'm sure this will cause a stir in the hornets nest but it's my view and I'll stand by it
D

[lorneg7]

how do i go about getting a tvr inspection? is the tvr club worth joining at all? I have also seen another Cerb with £6k of work done in the last year, most wear and tear items etc is this a good thing or a steer clear? Sorrry for being so clueless!!

Lorne

[Tanguero]

Gazzab said:

Green one is Russell from raceproved. Worth a look.

I wonder what the outriggers are like...

[Gazzab]

6k in a year isn't big money for a cerb (average for me! ;-))
Buy a known car that's had tons spent in last 3 yrs. homework is important ...

[DJR 7]

Talk to Jason at str8six ... Straight talking guy. Don't buy cheap for the sake of owning, these cars are truly fantastic but need a lot of up keep which doesn't come cheap!

[Nickccc]

Not sure about the first one, but as the second one is owned by some one with a rather limited grasp of the English language, I would probably give it a miss. Sorry if that sounds harsh, but after looking for a runabout last year, it seems to follow. In my experience " yeah m8 cu r intersted in the mota" usually spells see you next Tuesday in my book.

[Jhonno]

Look for one that has had all the common issues sorted in the recent history.. Check the chassis.

[bobbins]

lorneg7 said:

how do i go about getting a tvr inspection? is the tvr club worth joining at all? I have also seen another Cerb with £6k of work done in the last year, most wear and tear items etc is this a good thing or a steer clear? Sorrry for being so clueless!!

Lorne

There are people ITK who will check one over for you but they come at a price (£300ish each time) and aren't totally without risk. Rob Ingleby is well spoken of, google him to find out more.

I'd hang fire on joining the club until you've got one - would say meeting up with a Cerb owner or two is a better way of getting a feel for the car for now.

Money spent is good news but did the £6k get the car sorted? If it's been spent on new outriggers, clutch, big service and tidying up the electrics by someone who knows what they're doing, great. Not so good if the seller's idea of "wear and tear items" is a stereo system, retrim/carpet revamp and front end respray to catch the eye (some leak despite not being soft tops) while ignoring the bigger picture under the bonnet and sills. That money might easily need spending again, and some...

The bottom line though is they both have a bit of previous and I'd certainly be avoiding a car being sold by someone whose first selling point is the afterburner rear lights. Buying a Cerb is a gamble, more so on the bay - I'd be looking at the Classifieds on here first.

Take your time and don't be in a rush to get one, no matter how much you want one. We've all been there but the more level your head the better the chance you'll get it right.

Good luck

[DarrenRGD]

As far as I know the green one is sold, or was when I rang up on Monday. The yellow one screams boy racer, bodge up!
I have just bought mine, and I know a lot about cars etc, and like everyone said, buy on condition not price. You can still buy a £15k basketcase and a £9k original, like mine. Test drive some, look at loads more.
Where are you from? I'm quite sure you can look around some owners cars if you ask.

[lorneg7]

Thanks guys, some good info! I think I will go and look at a few and see how I feel, I will try if possible not to buy the first one!! Im from Aberdeen, not too sure how to get in touch with an owner tho? That was my idea behind joining the tvr club.

[ukkid35]

Nickccc said:

Not sure about the first one, but as the second one is owned by some one with a rather limited grasp of the English language, I would probably give it a miss. Sorry if that sounds harsh, but after looking for a runabout last year, it seems to follow. In my experience " yeah m8 cu r intersted in the mota" usually spells see you next Tuesday in my book.

Nearly woke up my gf laughing last night when reading this.

[fubar sounds]

after the niggling issues i v had in the 1st 3 months that would have all been covered by buying from an established garage, i will never buy privately again.

[PuffsBack]

fubar sounds said:

after the niggling issues i v had in the 1st 3 months that would have all been covered by buying from an established garage, i will never buy privately again.

Have to say I am the opposite of you - I would probably never buy from a established garage, would always go private. The only difference I have noticed is the price! between what can be done with private sellers compared to garages. My Chimaera and Cerbera came from private sellers and the Griff from a dealer. The Griff I probably overpaid for but only because I a very limited selection on the private scene at the time. Though the Griff came with a warranty it was pretty worthless and most of the niggles so small it wasn't worth the aggro arguing with the dealer involved (plus it was a 200mile roundtrip)

Repairs to my Cerbera in the year I have had it (Christ! a year already) that realistically could have maybe be claimed under warranty have amounted to an Alternator and a Speed Sensor plus maybe the aircon(the aircon wasn't working when I looked at the car but didn't pickup on it as it was -2 Celcius when I viewed the car!) Fixing those three has amounted to under £300 (and to be honest even if I had a warranty I I think I still would have done the work myself, hate leaving my car with anyone) - and I think I am therefore quids in compared to what I would have paid to buy the car from a dealer in the first place.

As for the Chimaera, well in 2 years nothing went wrong! - oh other than a seat belt retractor that I had to replace (for £15!)

The key I think is to Buy Private - but wait and wait until a cherished loved example comes a long. Then when it does snatch the sellers hand off.

[PuffsBack]

And the yellow one the OP has posted a link two doesn't fall under the "Cherished and Loved" to me. They can't be ar$ed to to hoover it it when taking some picture for FFS, and the advert text is plain awful.

[PuffsBack]

This one is making some right noises. A lot more detailed needed but for around the £10k mark could be a good buy

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3996794.htm