Am curious about this Cerbera..

[Monsterlime]

I love my Chimaera, and am not really looking to change it, but wandering eyes and all that.

I'd really only consider a car from a trusted dealer (although the red one in the classifieds is lovely, but slightly above my current budget).

Just browsing the classifieds brought me to this Cerbera - http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/t... Which, to me, seems cheap.

Is it cheap? Does anyone know anything about this car?

Thanks

[Monsterlime]

Righto. To be honest, I suspected as much, but thought it best to check!

Thanks

[gerradiuk]

Ok Sold as seen, I wouldn't let that put me off what might be a very good buy. Have an inspection by a Good respected TVR Indie of your choice which should shine a light on faults potential or current.
As you own a TVR you have some idea of what your getting into,just read the report objectively.

Have fun & good luck.

[scotty_d]

I don't like this bit

"please do not try to negotiate on the £13,995 asking price"

Its a 14K car not pocket change, I sure you could walk round it and find a few issues and knock a few hundred quid off here or there. Not a great sales approach writing things like that on a add from a used car garage in this economic climate.

That would be enough out of principal alone to look else where. Comes across as greed and no come and go.

Each to there own i am not buying it.

[JFReturns]

From Fernhust who are respected in these parts, no?

I've read a similar ad from them when looking for a Chim - does sound a little strange that a dealer is selling 'sold as seen'.

Re-reading the ad, does it mean price not negotiable if they fully prepared it?

[GT6k]

I found Fernhurst very helpful when i was buying and I am pretty sure they will tell you why it is sold as seen. I think this one might have been there 2 1/2 years ago when i was looking but that time was about 50% more expensive.

[billy no brakes]

If you read the add it says "it could be fully repaired for a higher asking price"

Why not and ask what needs to be repaired and if you can do it yourself you could save some money or get them to repair it

[Bollycerb]

I think you'll find it says " fully prepared"...

[chibbard]

Maybe its being sold as a sale or return on behalf of the owner and no room in the price for their commision. Ive been sent emails from either them or another dealer offering the same service after seing mine in the classifieds. I wouldnt be put off by the advert as there is so much scare being put out by keyboard warriors that cars like mine that dont have full service history that people wont buy. Although, it dont bother me as i will just keep it and carry on enjoying it. Buyers loss in my opinion !!

[ukkid35]

According to the Office of Fair Trading

OFT said:

One in 11 car dealers relies on illegal disclaimers about the car's history and condition, such as that a car is 'sold as seen' or 'No Refund'.

My guess is that it has chassis or outrigger issues, otherwise their 'good' condition would have mentioned in the ad.

Edited by ukkid35 on Saturday 26th January 09:29

[RUSSELLM]

Monsterlime said:

I'd really only consider a car from a trusted dealer

Out of interest, what are the advantages of buying from a dealer ?

I'm fairly confident you wont be getting a manufacturers backed warranty any time soon, which leaves those 3rd party one's which aren't worth the paper they're written on.

What am I missing ?

[Byker28i]

Him wonder what mine would be worth then after I've finished the chassis restoration?

[al 350i]

RUSSELLM said:

Out of interest, what are the advantages of buying from a dealer ?

I'm fairly confident you wont be getting a manufacturers backed warranty any time soon, which leaves those 3rd party one's which aren't worth the paper they're written on.

What am I missing ?

When it comes to buying the next family runabout its usually more convenient for people to buy from a dealer, most people can't be without a car and it might be their only car, so its easy to trade their old one in and pick up new one in a weekend with out the fuss and hassle of selling the car privately then having to find a new one, plus not everyone likes the worry and hassle of selling cars privately. I agree with you on 3rd party warranties and the likely hood of anything that they list on the policy actually falling is slim, they are very cleverly worded and although list a lot of parts, its all the things that are unlikely to fail but they do occassionally pay off so i wouldn't wright them off totally but what most car buyers don't realise you can still buy the car privately and then purchase your own warranty and actually pick one that suits you best or from a good company and not a huge amount of money...............unless your buying a TVR or lotus ..........you've got know hope of getting anyone mad enough to warranty one for sensible money!!!

as for buying a TVR from a dealer or privately its a matter of choice and generally not your main car so you can spend a bit more time looking, you'll pay more from a dealer but the likes of fernhurst or other TVR dealers do know these cars very well and i'd like to think can give you a very good opinion of the car with good knowledge and after sales help. Buying privately you get to meet the last owner and a good feel for how the car has been looked after, you can get a good idea on how the car has been treated and cared for, but once you've bought it you're on your own with no come back!

In the long run i'd say buy a car you like (no point buying the best example in the world if you can't stand the colour, engine, spec etc. you'll never enjoy it), also has been well cared for and is in the condition you expect for the money your paying (if its a 20k plus cerb it wants to be mint but if its a sub 10k example don't moan when it needs a little or a lot of work done).

[Monsterlime]

Thanks all.

The "sold as seen" and no negotiation points had raised flags with me, and I was interested to see if anyone knew the car so I could go pre-armed with a bit of extra knowledge.

Buying from a trusted dealer is less about the warranty, and more about lower likelyhood to sell a lemon, and since Fearnhurst has a good reputation, you wouldn't really expect a bad car to be sold, even if they are doing it on a sale or return basis.

If I were to buy it, then I would get it inspected first.

[Monsterlime]

I don't know if someone has read this thread or not, but the advert has been updated with a lot more information, including comments re the outriggers, chassis and sold as seen.

The interest is growing..

[TV8]

Monsterlime said:

I don't know if someone has read this thread or not, but the advert has been updated with a lot more information, including comments re the outriggers, chassis and sold as seen.

The interest is growing..

All the words in the advert seem sensible. I wonder what the retail premium is??

[chibbard]

Monsterlime, do yourself a favour and go and look at the car for yourself. Ignore these keyboard warriors otherwise they will put you off everything in the classifieds. I think this is why mine isn't selling, not that i'm too bothered !!!!

[RUSSELLM]

chibbard said:

Monsterlime, do yourself a favour and go and look at the car for yourself. Ignore these keyboard warriors otherwise they will put you off everything in the classifieds. I think this is why mine isn't selling, not that i'm too bothered !!!!

Why, what's been typed that's going to effect the sale of your car. Or Fernhurst's car for that matter ?

Edited by RUSSELLM on Tuesday 29th January 14:05

[chibbard]

RUSSELLM said:

Why, what's been typed that's going to effect the sale of your car. Or Fernhurst's car for that matter ?

Edited by RUSSELLM on Tuesday 29th January 14:05

Nobody has yet. But it's amazing how much negativity the Fernhurst car has got without anybody actually going to see it. For all we know it's a genuine car. I'm just trying to advise the OP not to take too much notice of the negativity....

[good40]

Got to agree with you there, look at the 2nd post Doom & Gloom all day long!