Bad idea to stretch budget?
Discussion
Hi all, another newbie
I currently have a Impreza STI 5 and i'm looking at blowing my car budget and getting a 4.2 or 4.5 Cerbera. I'm looking to get one with around 20k miles on it from a local dealer but I keep hearing from various people that it's going to cost a fortune to keep it running. I'm aware it's going to drink a lot and I know the insurance and servicing costs but are there any likely faults which are going to cost a fortune to fix? Are most of the common problems fairly inexpensive to put right? probably only cover 10k miles a year max so it's not going to be run a great deal although it would be my only car.
Thanks for any comments
I currently have a Impreza STI 5 and i'm looking at blowing my car budget and getting a 4.2 or 4.5 Cerbera. I'm looking to get one with around 20k miles on it from a local dealer but I keep hearing from various people that it's going to cost a fortune to keep it running. I'm aware it's going to drink a lot and I know the insurance and servicing costs but are there any likely faults which are going to cost a fortune to fix? Are most of the common problems fairly inexpensive to put right? probably only cover 10k miles a year max so it's not going to be run a great deal although it would be my only car.
Thanks for any comments
Plenty for sale on here mate. Take your pick... Although have a look through the 'most common problems' thread for an idea of things that go... still young, but theres plenty more to go in there... Good-luck - one thing though, you will miss your Impreza's superior handling and japanese build quality - any TVR is an enthusiasts car - a Porsche turbo is a good alternative if you're looking for reliability and better build quality at a similar performance level (without the grunt of course)
Hi
Thanks for the comments, I love Porshe but I really can't stretch the budget any more than 25k so that's why I have been looking at the cerberas. I do love the scooby but I'm looking to upgrade and not compromise on power and I love the look of the cerbera. My big concern is that it may spend more time off the road, I looked at the common problems but I was keen to know if any of those are going to cost me a fortune? I know nobody can predict whats going to happen but I guess I'm just after a general opinion, like, is this really a good idea if you haven't got very deep pockets...
Thanks for the comments, I love Porshe but I really can't stretch the budget any more than 25k so that's why I have been looking at the cerberas. I do love the scooby but I'm looking to upgrade and not compromise on power and I love the look of the cerbera. My big concern is that it may spend more time off the road, I looked at the common problems but I was keen to know if any of those are going to cost me a fortune? I know nobody can predict whats going to happen but I guess I'm just after a general opinion, like, is this really a good idea if you haven't got very deep pockets...
Byff said:
For a budget of £25k, I'd buy one for £20k and stick £5k in the bank for emergencies.
Agree. Or £22k, with £3k in the bank.
In the year I had mine, the car was never off the road unexpectedly. Only actual failure was one blown fuse. Still bl**dy expensive to run, though, by the time you factor in insurance, petrol, upgrades, and servicing.
But it's got to be done before the government turns the whole of the motorway network into bus lanes with speed limits of 10mph.
If you're on a tight budget, my advice is DON'T do it. You'll end up with a car that's unreliable, will reinforce the stereotype that TVRs break down, residuals will fall even lower, etc etc.
Buy something more suited to your needs, like an Imprezza.
Just the fact you mention cerbera and budget in the same sentence suggests you haven't the funds to keep the car in the manner it should be, it'll just be another uncared for cerbie, and as a die-hard cerbie fan i can't allow you to do that.! sorry
Buy something more suited to your needs, like an Imprezza.
Just the fact you mention cerbera and budget in the same sentence suggests you haven't the funds to keep the car in the manner it should be, it'll just be another uncared for cerbie, and as a die-hard cerbie fan i can't allow you to do that.! sorry
Sounds to me like you have a reasonably good budget, especially if you're looking at putting £5K on hold for possible problems, obviously you can look at a slightly older car for less money and put even more aside. Just make sure you have it fully inspected by the likes of Rob Ingleby/Joospeed to throw up any areas of immediate concern and I don't think you'll regret it
Have you driven one? - be careful, once you do you won't be able to resist 
However I had only had my '96 4.2 about 3 weeks when I took it in for a service and due to a loose bolt on the timing chain guide the engine is being removed to as I write this (yes, just to tighten a bolt). Ho hum, still love it to bits and want her back.
If you go to a good dealer and get a good warranty and hold some cash back you should be okay, although time off the road is far more likely than with a mas produced Jap or German car.
If you go for it do so with your eyes (& wallet!) wide open and HAVE FUN !!!
Simon
However I had only had my '96 4.2 about 3 weeks when I took it in for a service and due to a loose bolt on the timing chain guide the engine is being removed to as I write this (yes, just to tighten a bolt). Ho hum, still love it to bits and want her back.
If you go to a good dealer and get a good warranty and hold some cash back you should be okay, although time off the road is far more likely than with a mas produced Jap or German car.
If you go for it do so with your eyes (& wallet!) wide open and HAVE FUN !!!
Simon
I run my Cerbera on a tight budjet but it has still cost me over 10K in four years. 
Granted this has not all been for repairs, had quite a lot of upgrades as well.
I love the car but not sure I could live with it every day, and the associated costs.
Buy one for 20K put 4K in bank and buy a banger for the winter and see Jools for your servicing requirments.
Granted this has not all been for repairs, had quite a lot of upgrades as well. I love the car but not sure I could live with it every day, and the associated costs.
Buy one for 20K put 4K in bank and buy a banger for the winter and see Jools for your servicing requirments.
joospeed said:
If you're on a tight budget, my advice is DON'T do it. You'll end up with a car that's unreliable, will reinforce the stereotype that TVRs break down, residuals will fall even lower, etc etc.
Buy something more suited to your needs, like an Imprezza.
Just the fact you mention cerbera and budget in the same sentence suggests you haven't the funds to keep the car in the manner it should be, it'll just be another uncared for cerbie, and as a die-hard cerbie fan i can't allow you to do that.! sorry
Joo's got a BIG point - there are quite a few running cerbies on a shoe-string budget!.... and it definitely aint doing the model any favours!
Not to mention the many which have been written-off!
I've got a rouch count of how many are off the road permanently, and its a scary number!...
If you can cherish the car, love it to bits and throw loads of dosh at it, along the lines of people like Cerber450, Satman, JSG.... then we want you in sooner rather than later in the pack!
Wow, a great response, thanks for all the comments.
My thoughts were to spend the full 25k on the car so in doing so I would buy a more reliable car which then didn't (Hopefully!) need too much work done.
I'm so glad I haven't test driven one yet because otherwise I would be buying one this morning regardless of anything, my insurance on the scooby was £2550 when i got it but I had already test driven it so there was no way I could not buy it!
So basically what you guys reckon is that if I can buy a pretty decent Cerbera for say 23k and keep about 3k in the bank anuually, just for repairs/servicing then I should go for it?
My thoughts were to spend the full 25k on the car so in doing so I would buy a more reliable car which then didn't (Hopefully!) need too much work done.
I'm so glad I haven't test driven one yet because otherwise I would be buying one this morning regardless of anything, my insurance on the scooby was £2550 when i got it but I had already test driven it so there was no way I could not buy it!
So basically what you guys reckon is that if I can buy a pretty decent Cerbera for say 23k and keep about 3k in the bank anuually, just for repairs/servicing then I should go for it?
Running any TVR (assuming you're putting a reasonable mileage on it) is easily going to cost £1500 a year in tyres, servicing and extras. A Cerbie has the potential to be more than that. Personally I'd budget for a little more and then if you don't spend it you'll have a handy stash. Better to go into it with that frame of mind then find yourself close to your budget each year and be trying to scrimp and save and take shortcuts.
Agree with what Ted says except that the general rule of thumb on this forum is for 3K a year. If you get away with less then you are lucky. Also, sooner or later you will get a bigger bill. To reiterate what Joospeed and SXS have said, you'll need to spend money in order to keep it in top condition.
So, for example, if you buy privately (and get it checked out..) you will almost certainly want to get it serviced sooner rather than later, and there is a fair chance that it'll cost more than usual to get everything up to spec.
I would also say that 10k a year is reasonably high so you can expect higher costs (though using them every day helps stop some things from going wrong - I do more than 10k and find this to be true...).
Basically if you accept that it will be costly, and you will be constantly caring for it, then you cannot get more bang for buck anywhere.
So, for example, if you buy privately (and get it checked out..) you will almost certainly want to get it serviced sooner rather than later, and there is a fair chance that it'll cost more than usual to get everything up to spec.
I would also say that 10k a year is reasonably high so you can expect higher costs (though using them every day helps stop some things from going wrong - I do more than 10k and find this to be true...).
Basically if you accept that it will be costly, and you will be constantly caring for it, then you cannot get more bang for buck anywhere.
Thanks for the comments. If I buy, It will definately be from a dealer, i was hoping that also this way I would have a courtesy car in the event it was off the road.....? I have looked at getting a banger incase the tvr was poorly as I need to get to work etc but it seems a bit extreme to have another car and insurance policy just incase. If I buy a Cerbera I will use it every day and probably cover 10k miles a year(ish)
Just do it! 
The worst thing that can happen is you get horribly burnt and sell it on.
However, if you get a good one and look after it you may never see yourself buying another car.
They are that good.
Budget in for Suspension upgrade (Trip to Joospeed recommended) as it's very important to get the handling right so you can enjoy the car to its potential.
quote=SXS]Impreza's superior handling[/quote].
Not convinced that's the case Ash? My mate has an FQ300 (8) and I'd take my chances against him any day in the dry and much prefer the Cerbs Handling.
The only advantage the Jap 4WD rally saloons have is traction in the wet but you've still got to be careful.
Duncan
The worst thing that can happen is you get horribly burnt and sell it on.
However, if you get a good one and look after it you may never see yourself buying another car
. They are that good.
Budget in for Suspension upgrade (Trip to Joospeed recommended) as it's very important to get the handling right so you can enjoy the car to its potential
. quote=SXS]Impreza's superior handling[/quote].
Not convinced that's the case Ash? My mate has an FQ300 (8) and I'd take my chances against him any day in the dry and much prefer the Cerbs Handling.
The only advantage the Jap 4WD rally saloons have is traction in the wet but you've still got to be careful.
Duncan
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