Cerbera 0 - Bank Account 1
Discussion
Okay so I lasted just over a month without a TVR, incredible I know but today I began my comeback – unsuccessfully though.
Looked at my first Cerbera, 4.5 99 (S) 25,000 on the clock full TVRSH dealer asking £23K. On paper all seemed fine but in the flesh less so. Bit disappointed with the car and wondered what you all though about the following points.
1. So2’s front, S03’s back – is this alright?
2. Windscreen delaminating and milky – haggled for replacement, may oblige but warned me that it won’t fit property and will probably leak.
3. Carbon fibre A pillar trim delaminating – would not replace but may paint
4. Drivers side footwell heater ducting hanging down to pedals but no vent on the end – is that right? I mean the vent.
5. Both rear lights full of condensation & water – is that normal – told no cure other than me to remove drain and refit, not keen on that.
6. Original clutch and told won’t need replacing at this mileage, is that right?
7. Leather peeling away on trans tunnel around gear stick and under steering wheel instrument pod – easy to fix but seemed odd.
8. Very noticeable swirl marks all over paint - told due to weather and will all polish out. Not convinced.
9. Numerous blemishes (dull patches) on paint work. Should expect this on a 5 year old car – or should I?
I declined a test drive as it was starting to snow and didn’t think I would learn much about this car in the conditions other than it moved and stopped. By this time I was pretty sure I wouldn’t buy it and didn’t see the point in wasting the guys time.
Although all I describe are small things the car just felt unloved to me. I am sure there are better examples out there but would anyone part with this kind of money for this kind of car or am I being too picky?
The search continues.
Cheers
David
Looked at my first Cerbera, 4.5 99 (S) 25,000 on the clock full TVRSH dealer asking £23K. On paper all seemed fine but in the flesh less so. Bit disappointed with the car and wondered what you all though about the following points.
1. So2’s front, S03’s back – is this alright?
2. Windscreen delaminating and milky – haggled for replacement, may oblige but warned me that it won’t fit property and will probably leak.
3. Carbon fibre A pillar trim delaminating – would not replace but may paint
4. Drivers side footwell heater ducting hanging down to pedals but no vent on the end – is that right? I mean the vent.
5. Both rear lights full of condensation & water – is that normal – told no cure other than me to remove drain and refit, not keen on that.
6. Original clutch and told won’t need replacing at this mileage, is that right?
7. Leather peeling away on trans tunnel around gear stick and under steering wheel instrument pod – easy to fix but seemed odd.
8. Very noticeable swirl marks all over paint - told due to weather and will all polish out. Not convinced.
9. Numerous blemishes (dull patches) on paint work. Should expect this on a 5 year old car – or should I?
I declined a test drive as it was starting to snow and didn’t think I would learn much about this car in the conditions other than it moved and stopped. By this time I was pretty sure I wouldn’t buy it and didn’t see the point in wasting the guys time.
Although all I describe are small things the car just felt unloved to me. I am sure there are better examples out there but would anyone part with this kind of money for this kind of car or am I being too picky?
The search continues.
Cheers
David
How many TVR's have you owned?
The above points are pretty generic... you might get 1 or 2 out there that are perfect, but rarely.
If you're worried about quality of workmanship, theres always a Porsche?
TVR's IMO are all about the engine... all other points are secondary - the mechanics need to be sound, and you want good warranty for them if buying from a dealer...
My tiv will be on sale at 135k after the project, if you're interested. All receipts and project paperwork included, no test-drives allowed. But I know that no one will pay me that so she's for keeps
The above points are pretty generic... you might get 1 or 2 out there that are perfect, but rarely.
If you're worried about quality of workmanship, theres always a Porsche?
TVR's IMO are all about the engine... all other points are secondary - the mechanics need to be sound, and you want good warranty for them if buying from a dealer...
My tiv will be on sale at 135k after the project, if you're interested. All receipts and project paperwork included, no test-drives allowed. But I know that no one will pay me that so she's for keeps
davidn said:
3. Carbon fibre A pillar trim delaminating – would not replace but may paint
surprised they won't replace it, they're not that expensive
4. Drivers side footwell heater ducting hanging down to pedals but no vent on the end – is that right? I mean the vent.
vent on mine just like the one under the steering wheel. it doesn't hang down that far.
5. Both rear lights full of condensation & water – is that normal – told no cure other than me to remove drain and refit, not keen on that.
easy enough to do, take it off from the inside of the boot. but, my car is 9 year old and dry as a bone....
6. Original clutch and told won’t need replacing at this mileage, is that right?
first clutch lasted 28000, second is going strong. depends how the previous owner treated the car.
7. Leather peeling away on trans tunnel around gear stick and under steering wheel instrument pod – easy to fix but seemed odd.
not surprised really
I declined a test drive as it was starting to snow and didn’t think I would learn much about this car in the conditions other than it moved and stopped. By this time I was pretty sure I wouldn’t buy it and didn’t see the point in wasting the guys time.
Although all I describe are small things the car just felt unloved to me. I am sure there are better examples out there but would anyone part with this kind of money for this kind of car or am I being too picky?
The search continues.
Cheers
David
I think you have answered your own question, find a more 'loved' one.
alderley said:
"My tiv will be on sale at 135k after the project, if you're interested".
At first I thought the 135k was miles but then I realised no way - it's a TVR!
There is one fella on here whos running his over 100k... even put up an image of his speedo to prove it! Never say Never!
TVR-Phoenix said:
"My tiv will be on sale at 135k after the project, if you're interested".
At first I thought the 135k was miles but then I realised no way - it's a TVR!
There is one fella on here whos running his over 100k... even put up an image of his speedo to prove it! Never say Never!
That could be me, just come back from a track day at Bedford, now 105k miles......
I agree with the above post - no TVR is going to be perfect, but this sounds more tatty than most, plus a dealer that either doesn't care, or is full of s
t - or both! Walk away, and find another....
About the only non-cosmetic question was the tyres. No problem with S02F, 3R, so long as they're identical across axles - IE both S02s front, both S03s rear. You may find, as many of us have, that the S0 series don't suit your driving at all, and you'd prefer Eagle F1s or Toyo Proxes, but that's down to personal choice - nowt wrong with Bridgestones, bearing the above in mind.
Oh, the clutch - ballorx I'm afraid. They'll last as long as your lucky, or as short as your wallet. Frankly an original clutch at that mileage is a miracle!
Final thought - thats sounds a tad pricey....
t - or both! Walk away, and find another.... About the only non-cosmetic question was the tyres. No problem with S02F, 3R, so long as they're identical across axles - IE both S02s front, both S03s rear. You may find, as many of us have, that the S0 series don't suit your driving at all, and you'd prefer Eagle F1s or Toyo Proxes, but that's down to personal choice - nowt wrong with Bridgestones, bearing the above in mind.
Oh, the clutch - ballorx I'm afraid. They'll last as long as your lucky, or as short as your wallet. Frankly an original clutch at that mileage is a miracle!
Final thought - thats sounds a tad pricey....
davidn said:
1. So2’s front, S03’s back – is this alright?
That should be fine, to be honest, as long as they're matched on the same axle. (Would drive it to make sure it's balanced right, etc., though.
2. Windscreen delaminating and milky – haggled for replacement, may oblige but warned me that it won’t fit property and will probably leak.
Would demand that sorting properly, and no leaks.
3. Carbon fibre A pillar trim delaminating – would not replace but may paint
Got quoted 80 quid to have those replaced (can't remember if it was per side or per pair). In the end I just put about 8 coats of Ronseal varnish on.
4. Drivers side footwell heater ducting hanging down to pedals but no vent on the end – is that right? I mean the vent.
Pass. Doesn't sound right.
5. Both rear lights full of condensation & water – is that normal – told no cure other than me to remove drain and refit, not keen on that.
Would expect that sorting from a garage - that's what you pay the premium for.
6. Original clutch and told won’t need replacing at this mileage, is that right?
Pahahahahahaha. 25k and almost 6 years old. If the slave cylinder's not been done yet, I'd guess it's living on borrowed time!
7. Leather peeling away on trans tunnel around gear stick and under steering wheel instrument pod – easy to fix but seemed odd.
Again, that's what dealer premiums are for sorting...
8. Very noticeable swirl marks all over paint - told due to weather and will all polish out. Not convinced.
Then why isn't it polished out? Wouldn't buy until this was proven to me
9. Numerous blemishes (dull patches) on paint work. Should expect this on a 5 year old car – or should I?
Only if you're getting it at a price that takes that in to consideration!
I got mine from an independent almost 2 years ago... 22k for a V reg (late) '99, with 23k on the clock. And with none of the more expensive (or questionable) problems above. I'd definitely walk away from that one.
>> Edited by J_S_G on Sunday 6th March 02:08
Thanks for the replies all, so still looking. Saw this on Autotrader
www.dealer.autotrader.co.uk/_scottperformance.htm
Does any one know anything about this company or that particular car?
Cheers
David
www.dealer.autotrader.co.uk/_scottperformance.htm
Does any one know anything about this company or that particular car?
Cheers
David
gazzab said:
it is recommended that one treads very carefully with dealers who dont know their tvrs.
Sound advice.
I made this mistake on my first Cerbera.
I did all the research, had a paid inspection that stated it was one of
the better early cars out and 'thought' I had a bargain.
It didn't stop a bill of almost 4k 'appearing' within 10 miles of the
forecourt and leaving me with a legal battle.
Once sorted the car was spot on, didn't miss a beat again and was a joy,
but I'd learnt the hardway.
From what you say, the car you looked at has a list of problems and will no
doubt have many more 'lurking under the surface' that will bite your pocket hard.
I wouldn't walk away from it...I'd run bloody fast!
Don't buy it!
Talk to James Agger who accounts for many of the cars being run by owners on here.
By using his knowledge of the car's history, top service people like Joospeed
and TVR Power you get as 'safe' a package as you can get with a Cerbera.
Good luck in your search.
Thanks Gazzab & Graham.
Sound advice, so left that one and took a trip to Fernie's today. This thread now needs renaming - Cerbera 1 - Bank Account dead and burried.
Totally different experience, great bunch of cars all nicely prep'd just begging to be bought.
Spent a pleasant day test driving and going through the history of 3 examples and am happy to report my search has ended all 3 days of it! I took longer choosing a sofa but somehow that didn't seem quite as exciting.
Problem is I can't pick the car up for another 3 weeks but that gives them plenty of time to fit the sports exhaust
.
Cheers
David
Sound advice, so left that one and took a trip to Fernie's today. This thread now needs renaming - Cerbera 1 - Bank Account dead and burried.
Totally different experience, great bunch of cars all nicely prep'd just begging to be bought.
Spent a pleasant day test driving and going through the history of 3 examples and am happy to report my search has ended all 3 days of it! I took longer choosing a sofa but somehow that didn't seem quite as exciting.
Problem is I can't pick the car up for another 3 weeks but that gives them plenty of time to fit the sports exhaust
. Cheers
David
Hello Graham,
I went for the 99 starmist blue 450 mainly for the condition but also 1 owner and nice service history. Clutch, dampers, wishbones recently done plus new spiders and tyres.
I know they'll be niggles but hopefully this lot should give me a head start.
I bet my next drive home from Fernie's will be a lot more fun especially the Dartford tunnel.
Cheers
David
I went for the 99 starmist blue 450 mainly for the condition but also 1 owner and nice service history. Clutch, dampers, wishbones recently done plus new spiders and tyres.
I know they'll be niggles but hopefully this lot should give me a head start.
I bet my next drive home from Fernie's will be a lot more fun especially the Dartford tunnel.
Cheers
David
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