To buy...or not to buy ? That is the question

[fdevitt]

Hi All,
I am reading a lot about the TVR Cerbera, especially the "what can go wrong/reliability issues" sections, and I must admit I am little scared. I am in love with the car, but also very wary of low mileage/low price ads that I am seeing. Not that I am totally paranoid, but I would like to avoid buying a car that has had recurrent issues, not maintained properly, hidden issues (clutch etc...). I also have to consider maintenance costs and find a reliable garage that can handle TVR in my area (SW London). So my questions are:
1) any reasons to be afraid when buying ? what to look for and what questions to ask
2) reliable garage in SW London
3) maintenance costs ? (consider 2,000 miles / year).
Much appreciate your replies guys.
Cheers

[mk1fan]

All TVRs should be bought on condition not a 'check-list'.

Elmwood TVR near Tolworth / Ewell are good for maintenance / service.

TVRs are better when driven. Doing such low mileage you're going to need to do some laying up stuff. Trickle charger, car cover and some moisture absorbing bags for the interior is what I do during the week.

Both the AJP engines are effectively race engines tuned for road use. They need to be properly warmed up and treated accordingly until they reach temperature. Even following acting in this way and they can still go bang so I just have the money aside for a rebuild.

Personally, I believe a car (in the UK) needs an oil change every year regardless of milage. TVRs are not that complicated, quirky would be more accurate. With this in mind, there's no reason why a competent home mechanic can't service the cars on the drive.

If the car is a keeper then buying one with a few niggles is a good proposal. If you're looking for a flip car then I can think of other marques that would be better.

[Gazzab]

You're buying a 10 plus year old car, stuff will need doing regularly. If it doesn't then lots of stuff will need doing at once.
1 yrs servicing / maintenance can cost between. £500 and £10k depending....

[Cerberaherts]

Gazzab said:

You're buying a 10 plus year old car, stuff will need doing regularly. If it doesn't then lots of stuff will need doing at once.
1 yrs servicing / maintenance can cost between. £500 and £10k depending....

Good post. Get an inspection done and mitigate immediate risk. Rot, lack of maintenance/general neglect can be very, very expensive to put right. Buying a bad car will put you off the marque for life. Buy a good one though, and they are a performance bargain. Don't expect to buy one though, and run it at little or no cost. If you can afford to buy one and still have a pot set aside for the "what ifs" then go for it..

[waveydavey1000]

I had the same concerns as yours before I bought mine. I did a great deal of research and found alot of negativity on the net. Whilst there are issues, there is also alot of nonsense written. People tend to post about what has gone wrong as opposed to the more common, what is going right!
The three things I considered when buying was the chassis, clutch and slave cylinder.
Obviously the more service history that went with the car the better. Look at a few examples and ask on here for advice. As mentioned earlier they are a supercar but now approaching 20 years old.

I took the plunge in summer and so far, apart from a flat battery, a heat related slight misfire, all has been well. They are a fabulous car. The noise, the looks and the drama make them a real headturner and there is nothing out there to match them for the money and fun factor.

You only live once!

[otp]

Having had my cerb ownership cut very short I can only say that despite all the stuff I read about the cars I still wanted one. They are a fairly simple car for the most part. Check chassis and make sure the engine has a known history the V8 is a fairly noisy engine by modern standards look for all the usual signs and wear items clutch brakes etc as they are expensive and not always on the shelf . I also had to have the alarm and immobiser replaced to cure an intermitant non start bearing in mind the car was 16 years old and things wear out even electrical bits don't last for ever.

I sold a Porsche 997 S to buy my one the cars are miles apart in refinement etc but Cerb just had something that made me smile every drive. From the caress of its door mirror to open the door the window drops the door pops open push the starter button and its bursts into life ....... Nothing like any other car I have owned. I now have to look for a replacement car I have always not bought something I've already had. But I'm really struggling not to this time they just get under your skin.
I read a post by jamieduff which listed all it's foibles/ character building bits they are all true but I still got one and may well do again.......

Buy it with yours eyes open there's a good chance it will want money being spent on it possible lots enjoy !!!!!

Clive

[Mr Cerbera]

BUY !

[scotty_d]

As above just do it, and your surname is how people spell mine wrong lol, mine has a I instead of the e.

[jamieduff1981]

It has just occurred to me, Scott, that the school-taught rhyme "I before E except after C" is infact misleading, unless the fact that C comes a few letters earlier in the alphabet squares that sequence away too?

[Mr Cerbera]

Francois,
If you want to know what it's really like, living with a Cerb for years,
then read This Thread

p.s. Read the last note on My Cerb's page in my Garage Profile.
I wrote that about nine years ago and my opinion hasn't changed.

Edited by Mr Cerbera on Tuesday 4th November 08:48

[geeeman]

Cerberaherts said:

Gazzab said:

You're buying a 10 plus year old car, stuff will need doing regularly. If it doesn't then lots of stuff will need doing at once.
1 yrs servicing / maintenance can cost between. £500 and £10k depending....

Good post. Get an inspection done and mitigate immediate risk. Rot, lack of maintenance/general neglect can be very, very expensive to put right. Buying a bad car will put you off the marque for life. Buy a good one though, and they are a performance bargain. Don't expect to buy one though, and run it at little or no cost. If you can afford to buy one and still have a pot set aside for the "what ifs" then go for it..

i agree- i got jason at str8six to inspect the one i liked the look of.. 1.5 hour inspection.. and so i felt confident to buy, knowing exactly what work may need to be done in future. (infact he almost recommended i buy it)

Edited by geeeman on Tuesday 4th November 20:28

[geeeman]

otp said:

. I also had to have the alarm and immobiser replaced to cure an intermitant non start bearing in mind the car was 16 years old and things wear out even electrical bits don't last for ever.



Clive

who fixed your electrics clive, and what cost?

[Mags]

For servicing and possibly inspection as youre in SW London it's a nice little drive out to Andy at APM in Liphook. Andy is highly recommended by plenty of Cerb owners. A couple of miles from Andy are Fernhurst who sometimes have cerbs for sale although they will typically be more expensive but worth a visit for a chat and a coffee if nothing else. Racing green are pretty nearby as well i think although I've not been there.

[otp]

Geeeman Carl Baker sorted it out I had to put my name on the list and wait for him to come over to the UK he spent a day sorting it. I think price depends on what needs doing I had the lot replaced at £650

[geeeman]

otp said:

Geeeman Carl Baker sorted it out I had to put my name on the list and wait for him to come over to the UK he spent a day sorting it. I think price depends on what needs doing I had the lot replaced at £650

i know its a big job.. my siren was playing up recently so i removed it. But everything else still works ok. Carl recommended i have the lot replaced, but not sure if i will do that just yet.. although i may be delaying the inevitable?

[otp]

My immobiliser was playing up so it made sense I also only had 1 remote and emergency key . As Carl said to me it's not a case if but it goes wrong

[geeeman]

yeh he made it really clear to me too! he is quite enthusiastic