Trying to get info on Cerbera??
Trying to get info on Cerbera??
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Discussion

mattler

Original Poster:

20 posts

206 months

Tuesday 22nd January 2013
quotequote all
Hi, I potentially looking to purchase a Cerbera in the near future but unfortunately the TVR owners forum is on complete lockdown until you join as a paid up member.
Is there anyone out there can give me advice on what to go for and what to avoid.
Budget is £20-£25
Thanks in advance
Matty

pjac67

2,040 posts

281 months

Tuesday 22nd January 2013
quotequote all
Very limited budget:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/TVR-Cerbera-Pewter-Effect-...

and change for sweets and comics...

GT6k

963 posts

191 months

Tuesday 22nd January 2013
quotequote all
I will probably get drummed out for saying this but the PH Cerbera forum is much more active and technically more informative than the TVRCC forums. There's a buying information thread on the PH page about once a month.

The TVRCC is worth joining for the magazine, the local groups and the discounts (I had a discount on tyres equal to twice the annual membership fee), also some cars are for sale via the club forums and magazine. If you are seriously thinking of buying then join TVRCC go to a local group and read the PH Cerb page

pjac67

2,040 posts

281 months

Tuesday 22nd January 2013
quotequote all
Apologies for sense of humour.

Google is your friend. Here's a recent thread:

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=3&a...

you could do worse than buying gcpeters beauty:

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Good luck and do post in the Cerb forum...

mattler

Original Poster:

20 posts

206 months

Tuesday 22nd January 2013
quotequote all
The only issue is that I want to move on this in the next couple of months. If I joined and then decided to go for another marque then my money is wasted. I`m pretty sure I want a cerbera and at the budget I`ve quoted I`m obviously looking at the last examples but just dont know enough about them yet to make an informed decision

mattler

Original Poster:

20 posts

206 months

Tuesday 22nd January 2013
quotequote all
pjac67 said:
Apologies for sense of humour.

Google is your friend. Here's a recent thread:

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=3&a...

you could do worse than buying gcpeters beauty:

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Good luck and do post in the Cerb forum...
Cheers dude smile
I will start reading

jamieduff1981

8,092 posts

169 months

Wednesday 23rd January 2013
quotequote all
mattler said:
The only issue is that I want to move on this in the next couple of months. If I joined and then decided to go for another marque then my money is wasted. I`m pretty sure I want a cerbera and at the budget I`ve quoted I`m obviously looking at the last examples but just dont know enough about them yet to make an informed decision
Don't assume that younger cars are better. Infact, that's probably a folly.

Rather, choose a car with a strong history and that has had a great deal of money spent on it recently renewing components.

At all costs, avoid a car from a seller who claims it's been very reliable and has cost him very little to maintain - that car is probably storing up a lot of issues (PAS failures, alternator failures, starter motor failuers, suspension bushes, dampers, diff bushes, chassis corrosion etc etc etc).

It's far better to find a car that's been apart regularly and had a steady stream of money spent renewing all the parts which wear, and generally keeping on top of the car's overall condition.

Hot1

402 posts

227 months

Wednesday 23rd January 2013
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As above you want a car that has been used and had a lot of money spent replacing common issues. There is a lot of info on this forum you just need to do a lot of searching. The link above with the beautiful red cerbera for sale is probably one of the best you could possibly buy for the money! Good luck with your search smile

Mrs_T

1,533 posts

278 months

Wednesday 23rd January 2013
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Turning up at a TVRCC monthly meet is free if you are looking for some good advice about a particular model. Have a look on the TVRCC site and choose the meet location closest to you as there is nothing like having a chat with owners who will let you have the benefit of their experience over a pint. I own a Cerbera and don't see that ever changing. Happy hunting!

chibbard

1,554 posts

289 months

Wednesday 23rd January 2013
quotequote all
Hi Matty, Where abouts in the south east are you. I'm in Wickford Essex and if you are local, you are welcome to pop round to look at mine. It's currently up for sale too, but not pressurizing you at all (i'm not sure if i want to sell it anyway).

Byker28i

91,030 posts

246 months

Wednesday 23rd January 2013
quotequote all
mattler said:
The only issue is that I want to move on this in the next couple of months. If I joined and then decided to go for another marque then my money is wasted.
Club membership is probably the cheapest thing you'll buy all year wink

7 TVR

2,589 posts

197 months

Wednesday 23rd January 2013
quotequote all
Look & Drive as many as you can before making a decision smile

julian64

14,325 posts

283 months

Wednesday 23rd January 2013
quotequote all
jamieduff1981 said:
Don't assume that younger cars are better. Infact, that's probably a folly.

Rather, choose a car with a strong history and that has had a great deal of money spent on it recently renewing components.

At all costs, avoid a car from a seller who claims it's been very reliable and has cost him very little to maintain - that car is probably storing up a lot of issues (PAS failures, alternator failures, starter motor failuers, suspension bushes, dampers, diff bushes, chassis corrosion etc etc etc).

It's far better to find a car that's been apart regularly and had a steady stream of money spent renewing all the parts which wear, and generally keeping on top of the car's overall condition.
Odd advice.

If you are replacing lots of bits recently it could easily be because the car is being abused, either tracked to within an inch of its life, or not garaged.

Its perfectly possible to have a garage queen that gets used once or twice a month, and has low maintenance issues.

My advice would be that each Cerb is a kit car in its own right, and has to be judged the same way.

The only thing I would add is that the Cerb engine is not a long lived beast relatively speaking.

nawarne

3,176 posts

289 months

Wednesday 23rd January 2013
quotequote all
OK - probably confused with some of the comments above.

I'd advise to get along to a local TVR Cub meet/meets. Speak to some Cerbera owners.
'Drive as many as you can' is very sensible advice.
Get someone knowledgeable to accompany you when looking - if needs be, pay for this service. Most TVR service folk would be prepared to help with this.

With £20K to £25K to spend you should get a very good example.

Nick

jamieduff1981

8,092 posts

169 months

Wednesday 23rd January 2013
quotequote all
julian64 said:
jamieduff1981 said:
Don't assume that younger cars are better. Infact, that's probably a folly.

Rather, choose a car with a strong history and that has had a great deal of money spent on it recently renewing components.

At all costs, avoid a car from a seller who claims it's been very reliable and has cost him very little to maintain - that car is probably storing up a lot of issues (PAS failures, alternator failures, starter motor failuers, suspension bushes, dampers, diff bushes, chassis corrosion etc etc etc).

It's far better to find a car that's been apart regularly and had a steady stream of money spent renewing all the parts which wear, and generally keeping on top of the car's overall condition.
Odd advice.

If you are replacing lots of bits recently it could easily be because the car is being abused, either tracked to within an inch of its life, or not garaged.

Its perfectly possible to have a garage queen that gets used once or twice a month, and has low maintenance issues.

My advice would be that each Cerb is a kit car in its own right, and has to be judged the same way.

The only thing I would add is that the Cerb engine is not a long lived beast relatively speaking.
Like the immaculate 975 mile Speed 6 which needed an engine rebuild you mean? My advice to avoid a car which hasn't had anything spent on it is not specific to Cerberas but 2nd hand cars in general. You're correct that it's possible to find a nice example with little spend history, but even garaged cars suffer degredation of rubbers etc. With a car with history you know it's been maintained. One without is a very big gamble because you'll probably be paying top whack for it on the probably mistaken belief that it's 'as new' which probably only applies to the carpets and paintwork.

Obiwonkeyblokey

5,400 posts

269 months

Thursday 24th January 2013
quotequote all
youll get the best available for your budget, unless yu want to save a little more and get the Unique Carisma car. although for my money the Red 4.2/4.5/4.7 is the best one around at present.
so save time and oney and go buy it now. If Red isnt your colour then you can buy my late silver 4.2 and Ill buy the red one. :-)

Mines mint and low mileage.

scotty_d

6,795 posts

223 months

Thursday 24th January 2013
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With a budget like that you will have a very tidy car from the outset if you go in with your eyes wide open.

What i have spent in 2 years on mine i could have 2 average Cerbs. Mine was what i thought to be a good one turns out it was very average so i have been pulling it to bits ever winter and driving it as much as i can in summer. Greta fun cars, You need to be enthusiastic to own one. If not you will hate the thing.

mattler

Original Poster:

20 posts

206 months

Thursday 24th January 2013
quotequote all
chibbard said:
Hi Matty, Where abouts in the south east are you. I'm in Wickford Essex and if you are local, you are welcome to pop round to look at mine. It's currently up for sale too, but not pressurizing you at all (i'm not sure if i want to sell it anyway).
GUTTED frown
I was in saffron Walden but just relocated to Banchory near Aberdeen

TimJM

1,497 posts

239 months

Thursday 24th January 2013
quotequote all
julian64 said:
The only thing I would add is that the Cerb engine is not a long lived beast relatively speaking.
I don't know - the AJP is quite a strong engine. Plenty of high mileage non rebuilt ones out there (4.5 especially as didn't suffer from early 4.2 cam shaft issues IIRC).

scotty_d

6,795 posts

223 months

Thursday 24th January 2013
quotequote all
TimJM said:
I don't know - the AJP is quite a strong engine. Plenty of high mileage non rebuilt ones out there (4.5 especially as didn't suffer from early 4.2 cam shaft issues IIRC).
Do you mean crank shaft issues? Not been aware of any issues with cam shafts?