thinking on a change to a cerb.......
Discussion
hi everyone, nice forum with lots of info 
currently running an alfa gt which has proven to be an excellent choice for reliability vs right foot but I have reached that stage when a change is on the cards in the late summer. thought about a porche cayman but I have always appreciated the sleek lines and curves of a cerb but never thought to look at them since expected them to be out my price range. looking at around 15k or so spend so have a few Qs for you cerb owners
1 - any reliable service centres in scotland? I stay way north near inverness. if not, any suggestions re dealer garage which can do services reliably?
2 - for my budget, can I expect something reasonably reliable enough to be my main wheels or do I need to factor in a run about? average mileage is less than 10k a year.
3 - how much "pocket money" would I need set by roughly to keep her running over a year? I already put away 1k for the alfa a year.
apologies if these Qs have been asked before but could not find them with searches.......though this could say more about my search ability than what info is actually available!
regards
greg
currently running an alfa gt which has proven to be an excellent choice for reliability vs right foot but I have reached that stage when a change is on the cards in the late summer. thought about a porche cayman but I have always appreciated the sleek lines and curves of a cerb but never thought to look at them since expected them to be out my price range. looking at around 15k or so spend so have a few Qs for you cerb owners
1 - any reliable service centres in scotland? I stay way north near inverness. if not, any suggestions re dealer garage which can do services reliably?
2 - for my budget, can I expect something reasonably reliable enough to be my main wheels or do I need to factor in a run about? average mileage is less than 10k a year.
3 - how much "pocket money" would I need set by roughly to keep her running over a year? I already put away 1k for the alfa a year.
apologies if these Qs have been asked before but could not find them with searches.......though this could say more about my search ability than what info is actually available!
regards
greg
Hi Greg and welcome. I'm just north of Aberdeen myself. Should you want to have a ride in a Cerbera just shout - it'll be a wee trek for one or both of us but you just have to expect that in Scotland!
Barry at TVR Ecosse is really good. He's always busy which is a good sign for the customer, and he is very reasonable with pricing too. He has a Tuscan customer not far from you. I've yet to catch him trying to B/S me in to paying for something I don't need which I appreciate and he's given me very good customer service too, beyond what I'd normally expect to be honest.
£15k will buy you a decent one. It wont be the best out there, but it should be very presentable and in very good mechanical order. They work best when used regularly. Depending on how I'm driving my 4.5 returns about 15mpg if I'm driving enthusiastically, or around 25mpg on a longer run.
Most people reckon £2k/year on average will see you right for the slush fund. You can save a lot if you're willing to do some things yourself - e.g. I've replaced the electric window regulator and windscreen wiper park switch this year. Non-issue if you're willing to spend an hour on a Saturday with your spanners, or a garage trip if not.
Barry at TVR Ecosse is really good. He's always busy which is a good sign for the customer, and he is very reasonable with pricing too. He has a Tuscan customer not far from you. I've yet to catch him trying to B/S me in to paying for something I don't need which I appreciate and he's given me very good customer service too, beyond what I'd normally expect to be honest.
£15k will buy you a decent one. It wont be the best out there, but it should be very presentable and in very good mechanical order. They work best when used regularly. Depending on how I'm driving my 4.5 returns about 15mpg if I'm driving enthusiastically, or around 25mpg on a longer run.
Most people reckon £2k/year on average will see you right for the slush fund. You can save a lot if you're willing to do some things yourself - e.g. I've replaced the electric window regulator and windscreen wiper park switch this year. Non-issue if you're willing to spend an hour on a Saturday with your spanners, or a garage trip if not.
Personally I think the Cayman is a great car. It would be very easy to choose between the two, depending on what you're looking for in a car.
The Cayman is a refined and precise car with exceptionally good handling.
The Cerbera is a sledgehammer by comparison. I'd ignore performance facts and figures and just see what a Cerbera is like to be in. The Cayman is everything you expect it to be. The Cerbera is quite old-school in its delivery. Awesome, but not if you want a Porsche. They're kinda at opposite ends of the spectrum really.
The Porsche is everything a Cerbera isn't, and vice versa.
The Cayman is a refined and precise car with exceptionally good handling.
The Cerbera is a sledgehammer by comparison. I'd ignore performance facts and figures and just see what a Cerbera is like to be in. The Cayman is everything you expect it to be. The Cerbera is quite old-school in its delivery. Awesome, but not if you want a Porsche. They're kinda at opposite ends of the spectrum really.
The Porsche is everything a Cerbera isn't, and vice versa.
jamieduff1981 said:
Personally I think the Cayman is a great car. It would be very easy to choose between the two, depending on what you're looking for in a car.
The Cayman is a refined and precise car with exceptionally good handling.
The Cerbera is a sledgehammer by comparison. I'd ignore performance facts and figures and just see what a Cerbera is like to be in. The Cayman is everything you expect it to be. The Cerbera is quite old-school in its delivery. Awesome, but not if you want a Porsche. They're kinda at opposite ends of the spectrum really.
The Porsche is everything a Cerbera isn't, and vice versa.
agree with everything you say here. when I started looking around for something different I initially tied it down to the cayman or either the mas 4200, GS or quatroporte. all pretty appealing and with different pros and cons for each of them. the upkeep costs of the 3 mas' are their major downside, the cayman less so but finding an "extras full" one is pretty hard. have never driven a cerb so agree that test driving one is the next order of business to rule in or out.The Cayman is a refined and precise car with exceptionally good handling.
The Cerbera is a sledgehammer by comparison. I'd ignore performance facts and figures and just see what a Cerbera is like to be in. The Cayman is everything you expect it to be. The Cerbera is quite old-school in its delivery. Awesome, but not if you want a Porsche. They're kinda at opposite ends of the spectrum really.
The Porsche is everything a Cerbera isn't, and vice versa.
old school not worrying me though, I still have my midnight blue corrado in the garage which has been there 3 years now since I got the alfa....just have not been able to bring myself to part with it though beginning to accept I will have to at some point since I don't use it and I realistically will have to make room for whatever I go for later in the year
..........maybe just extend the garage though? hipflask said:
that is getting near maserati territory estimates, was hoping for a little spare
Perhaps the contributor could expand on a breakdown as to where /how 3k would be potentially be spent year on year ? Not just for the benefit of the OP, but also to a newby cerb owner like me.
sandy
RFC1 said:
hipflask said:
that is getting near maserati territory estimates, was hoping for a little spare
Perhaps the contributor could expand on a breakdown as to where /how 3k would be potentially be spent year on year ? Not just for the benefit of the OP, but also to a newby cerb owner like me.
sandy
Clutch and slave cylinder around £1000 on parts + labour if you don't spanner your self.
Rule of thumb 20-30k out a clutch.
Suspension if old anything from £500-1500+ depending on Diy and what spec.
service every 12k + labour intensive valve cleances over £1000
6k service a lot less if in good order extra £££ if anything flags up extra like any car.
Chassis open pit here depends on condition ,then diff bush's fuel lines suspension bushing...
Gear box re con I had to have mine done a few little issues anything from £500-1500 depending on upgrades etc.
Steering rack re con. £500+
Wear and tear, discs, callipers pipe work, hoses all add up not cheap for a cerb.
Exhaust manifolds on ajp bad for cracking. Act ones £1000
Starter motor £350
Dirty injectors cleaned £230
My list is endless but just a few major items that fail, the cara are getting on now some over 15 years old give or take, they are starting to need fresh parts.
Just a few things I have had to deal with b
scotty_d said:
RFC1 said:
hipflask said:
that is getting near maserati territory estimates, was hoping for a little spare
Perhaps the contributor could expand on a breakdown as to where /how 3k would be potentially be spent year on year ? Not just for the benefit of the OP, but also to a newby cerb owner like me.
sandy
Clutch and slave cylinder around £1000 on parts + labour if you don't spanner your self.
Rule of thumb 20-30k out a clutch.
Suspension if old anything from £500-1500+ depending on Diy and what spec.
service every 12k + labour intensive valve cleances over £1000
6k service a lot less if in good order extra £££ if anything flags up extra like any car.
Chassis open pit here depends on condition ,then diff bush's fuel lines suspension bushing...
Gear box re con I had to have mine done a few little issues anything from £500-1500 depending on upgrades etc.
Steering rack re con. £500+
Wear and tear, discs, callipers pipe work, hoses all add up not cheap for a cerb.
Exhaust manifolds on ajp bad for cracking. Act ones £1000
Starter motor £350
Dirty injectors cleaned £230
My list is endless but just a few major items that fail, the cara are getting on now some over 15 years old give or take, they are starting to need fresh parts.
Just a few things I have had to deal with b
3k a year average to run a Cerb is about right if you don't do the spannering yourself and also providing that nothing major needs tackling like outriggers.
Doing your own mechanical work will reduce that fairly significantly until you need to fix the chassis or have the engine rebuilt, in which case you are looking at closer to 7k.
Doing your own mechanical work will reduce that fairly significantly until you need to fix the chassis or have the engine rebuilt, in which case you are looking at closer to 7k.
Sorry I was not very clear, not replacing all the items every 3 years, but if I was buying a cerb and knew what I know now I would have bought a car that had all those items sorted more or less.
The man hours alone on what I have done would be terrifying if I had to pay that in labour cost. That is not even a full body off restoration that some guys have done on here.
I am starting to see light when I will have a very sorted Cerb , however it is still going to cost me ££££ to get it there.
Then it is a matter of keeping on top of it all and I think my running costs will be minimal.
I think what I am getting at through all my waffling on is these cars are getting pretty old, there components are needing freshing up and it will cost. They are labour intensive to keep 100% all the time so to budget 3k a year would be wise. Once you get to grips and do some jobs your self you will be saving money to fuel it
The man hours alone on what I have done would be terrifying if I had to pay that in labour cost. That is not even a full body off restoration that some guys have done on here.
I am starting to see light when I will have a very sorted Cerb , however it is still going to cost me ££££ to get it there.
Then it is a matter of keeping on top of it all and I think my running costs will be minimal.
I think what I am getting at through all my waffling on is these cars are getting pretty old, there components are needing freshing up and it will cost. They are labour intensive to keep 100% all the time so to budget 3k a year would be wise. Once you get to grips and do some jobs your self you will be saving money to fuel it
Edited by scotty_d on Sunday 26th January 22:53
Hi Steven,
I got your message and will write you a proper reply this morning but it's going to be a "yes" in short. I'll be happy to talk about them for ages
So far this year I've spent:
Raceproved clutch slave cylinder and new master ~£400 (failed on the drive home from buying)
New tyres - £600 (they were old and past their best)
Wheel refurbishment - £200 (nothing wrong, just didn't like the colour)
Leven windscreen wiper upgrades - £100?? (can't really remember - old ones were cack, new ones much better)
Spare scuttle panel - £100ish? (fancied a spare)
ACT carbon fibre airbox backplates - £180 (my originals had collapsed. They are cheaper ways to fix, this is the chequebook method)
Windscreen wiper park switch - £9 (failed)
Driver side window regulator - £100 (failed)
New stereo - £150 (volume buttons fell off)
12k service - £800ish (by TVR Ecosse)
Replacement exhaust - £130 (using 2nd hand original back box and centre pipes, welded up myself - it had a 4.2 sized Blueflame on and I had blown the baffles out of the silencers. Power was well down and it sounded like a Saxo)
Furniture clinic leather repair stuff - £50 (haven't got round to actually using it yet!)
Detailing - £240
New HT Leads - £150ish??? (the plugs fell off my originals during 12k service - they were old and knackered)
New front and rear discs and pads - £900 from Brummie's group buy (to be fitted by Barry who's going to tart up my calipers too - I want to get my MG Midget back together with available free time and non-working, non-raining daylight hours)
Insurance - £400
VED - £280??? I'm out of touch!
I'd say my car was a decent used example. There are far nicer ones on here, but I've seen far worse too. Mine gets used regularly and I enjoy it. I'm trying to move house at the moment, but next year or ideally the year after I'll lift the body and join the chassis porn ranks. For now though, mine (which is worth similar to your budget) works well and looks good from 6ft away.
I've spent a reasonable amount but a lot of that was choice rather than necessity.
I got your message and will write you a proper reply this morning but it's going to be a "yes" in short. I'll be happy to talk about them for ages
So far this year I've spent:
Raceproved clutch slave cylinder and new master ~£400 (failed on the drive home from buying)
New tyres - £600 (they were old and past their best)
Wheel refurbishment - £200 (nothing wrong, just didn't like the colour)
Leven windscreen wiper upgrades - £100?? (can't really remember - old ones were cack, new ones much better)
Spare scuttle panel - £100ish? (fancied a spare)
ACT carbon fibre airbox backplates - £180 (my originals had collapsed. They are cheaper ways to fix, this is the chequebook method)
Windscreen wiper park switch - £9 (failed)
Driver side window regulator - £100 (failed)
New stereo - £150 (volume buttons fell off)
12k service - £800ish (by TVR Ecosse)
Replacement exhaust - £130 (using 2nd hand original back box and centre pipes, welded up myself - it had a 4.2 sized Blueflame on and I had blown the baffles out of the silencers. Power was well down and it sounded like a Saxo)
Furniture clinic leather repair stuff - £50 (haven't got round to actually using it yet!)
Detailing - £240
New HT Leads - £150ish??? (the plugs fell off my originals during 12k service - they were old and knackered)
New front and rear discs and pads - £900 from Brummie's group buy (to be fitted by Barry who's going to tart up my calipers too - I want to get my MG Midget back together with available free time and non-working, non-raining daylight hours)
Insurance - £400
VED - £280??? I'm out of touch!
I'd say my car was a decent used example. There are far nicer ones on here, but I've seen far worse too. Mine gets used regularly and I enjoy it. I'm trying to move house at the moment, but next year or ideally the year after I'll lift the body and join the chassis porn ranks. For now though, mine (which is worth similar to your budget) works well and looks good from 6ft away.
I've spent a reasonable amount but a lot of that was choice rather than necessity.
thanks for replies scotty & tanquero. appreciate the honesty.
at least now if I decide to go into this it will be with my eyes open! the budget of 3k does not necessarily put me off, it is my inadequacy under the bonnet (have not lifted a spanner since the early 80s when I had a mk3 cortina) so guessing to try and avoid as much of that list as possible I now need to find knowledgeable mechanics to check out potential purchases for me?
at least now if I decide to go into this it will be with my eyes open! the budget of 3k does not necessarily put me off, it is my inadequacy under the bonnet (have not lifted a spanner since the early 80s when I had a mk3 cortina) so guessing to try and avoid as much of that list as possible I now need to find knowledgeable mechanics to check out potential purchases for me?
There's very little from anyones' lists above, other than clutch issues really, which prevent the car from being used. An option might be to save up your niggles and have them blitzed at each service.
The Cerbera certainly has a few jobs that are utter b*st*rds to do (diff bushes being one of the worst?) but in general I've found it a really easy car to work on. It's just so basic.
The Cerbera certainly has a few jobs that are utter b*st*rds to do (diff bushes being one of the worst?) but in general I've found it a really easy car to work on. It's just so basic.
Hi I have a Speed Six 2003 Cerbera in Scotland.
I have also spent £3k a year averaged out over nearly 5 years since I bought it. The biggest expense was an £8k engine rebuild at TVR Power, If you remove that cost then it works out at around £1500 a year so not too bad. So I would look to buy one that has had a fair bit spent on it recently even if it meant going slightly over your budget as it will save you cash in the long run.
I was like you had never picked up a spanner in years but they are fairly easy to work on and I have done a fair bit my self such as replaced all four shocks, replaced the radiator x 2, new water hoses,thermostat and sensor,engine mounts twice as I fitted the first ones on upside down, front brake discs and pads, battery replaced,removed cam cover and fuel rail for powder coating, front bushes and track rod ends and ball joints, Hids front lights and more that I can't remember at this time but all these items are quiet easy to replace they had to be If I can do it!!.
I love the Cerbera but not sure I would want to use it everyday but if you did take the plunge you will not suffer much depreciation as prices are very stable and are starting to increase so now might be a good time!.
I have also spent £3k a year averaged out over nearly 5 years since I bought it. The biggest expense was an £8k engine rebuild at TVR Power, If you remove that cost then it works out at around £1500 a year so not too bad. So I would look to buy one that has had a fair bit spent on it recently even if it meant going slightly over your budget as it will save you cash in the long run.
I was like you had never picked up a spanner in years but they are fairly easy to work on and I have done a fair bit my self such as replaced all four shocks, replaced the radiator x 2, new water hoses,thermostat and sensor,engine mounts twice as I fitted the first ones on upside down, front brake discs and pads, battery replaced,removed cam cover and fuel rail for powder coating, front bushes and track rod ends and ball joints, Hids front lights and more that I can't remember at this time but all these items are quiet easy to replace they had to be If I can do it!!.
I love the Cerbera but not sure I would want to use it everyday but if you did take the plunge you will not suffer much depreciation as prices are very stable and are starting to increase so now might be a good time!.
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