Cerbera ownership

[Gaz944]

Hi Chaps
I currently run a 944 Turbo which I service and maintain myself.
If things go as planned I should have a budget of about 15k in a few years time.
Is this enough to buy a quality Cerbera?
How much is agreed value insurance?
Is it a model I can maintain myself?
Are they reliable?

Sorry to ask so many questions, but I'm deadly serious about having one at some stage but I need to be sure it's affordable. The Porsche has been great in all these aspects but I want a Cerbera eventually.

Thanks
Gary

[gazzab]

It isnt really a great car in the £15K bracket - there are a few that are good at that price but not many. Not many people maintain themselves. A 944 turbo is much easier to work on (ie mainstream in comparison). Cerbs arent good every day cars (esp if you are looking at a 'cheap' 96 car). IMHO

[bosscerbera]

Owning a Cerbera (second only to Tuscan Challenge racing) is the best fun you can have with your clothes on.

But "Practical Classic" it ain't.

[cerealsurfer]

Is this enough to buy a quality Cerbera?

A cared for older model would be in this price bracket also some poorer later examples... however older models have the old style clutch etc that cannot be sourced and will require an upgrade/retrofit to bring up to maintainable spec....but it is do-able.

Major revisions were 97/98 (change clutch and crank),2001 (revised body shape, lights, LW version and spider wheels)

How much is agreed value insurance?

A lot you're probably looking at easily double your 944 insurance if not more!! and as the 944 is not 350+bhp it generally cannot be used as High Performance experience to most insurance companies.

Is it a model I can maintain myself?

Definately NOT!! the AJP8 V8 engine is a F3000 derivative whose perantage is from the Late 80's V12 Le Mans Jag Prototypes. Specialists only. People with REAL experience on Cerb V8's. Take a look on here or ask about dealers/Indy's in you're local area. We probably can point you in the right direction.

Are they reliable?

Some are more than others however a general consenus us that you'll need to keep the running gear in it's top 5% operating efficency to keep the problems at bay. It's also worth noting that a fist full of bills is not a bad sign probably a digligant owner.

As per the myrad of previous posts expect to run 2-3K per year on repairs and 1k for insurance. (average year)

Find a good indy and source your car from a reputable indy or TVR dealer who is prepared to backup the quality of the car by a warranty.

Expected cots to consider when evaluating a potential car are:

Tyres : Toyo T1-S : 120 front and 160 rear + fitting

Wheels : 200ish front and rear for the 18 spiders the older wheels can be hard to source

Distributors and leads : £60 disty (you need 2) and the leads are £90 for the set. + fitting

Purple intake pipes : 37+vat + fitting each so make sure they are in good condition as this can set you back £500 straight off the bat!

Other than that expect service bills of 400ish for 6k and 1K for an all in (tappets included) 12K service.

Bottom line.........it's a super car....shoestrings do not apply!

It can empty your wallet quicker than a hooker!! But can satisfy just the same.

[TVR-Oneday]

Thanks guys that was good reading as I too want to be the proud owner of this wonderfull supercar.

[SXS]

In a few years time, they'll be all off the road cos the ruling emperor might pass a new law "cars which create their own weather are no longer welcome".

Oh, not 20 years? you mean like 2-3 years?
oh well, in that case, 15k should get you a good deal, I cant say they will hold their prices, as more miles get put onto these rockets, their values will depreciate, but as long as you buy one which has been looked after by a meticulous owner and indie, you'll be fine.

[gaz944]

Thanks for the replies, the in depth answers are great but it sounds as though TVR ownership is beyond my budget, I'm truly gutted.
Cheers guys
Gary (944 Turbo in Maidstone)

[daviddanaher]

Gaz944 said:

Hi Chaps I currently run a 944 Turbo which I service and maintain myself. If things go as planned I should have a budget of about 15k in a few years time. Is this enough to buy a quality Cerbera? How much is agreed value insurance? Is it a model I can maintain myself? Are they reliable? Sorry to ask so many questions, but I'm deadly serious about having one at some stage but I need to be sure it's affordable. The Porsche has been great in all these aspects but I want a Cerbera eventually. Thanks Gary

[daviddanaher]

Hi Gary

I take delivery of my cerb in 2 weeks, have been saving or resisting for some time now. Ive done a lot of research and can expect larger than average running cost but I will not be using it as my main car. If you were thinking of a cerb as a main car running cost will be high. Do what I did test drive one and you will forget your original budget plans.

good luck anyway

David

[Toady1]

imo its just a car, and if your a techie then why on earth should you not be able to service/repair it yourself, after all, you say you do it on your porker?

[gbbird]

Gaz944 said:

Hi Chaps I currently run a 944 Turbo which I service and maintain myself. If things go as planned I should have a budget of about 15k in a few years time. Is this enough to buy a quality Cerbera? No, perhaps 15-20k to be safe How much is agreed value insurance? i pay around £770 for my insurance, if thats what you mean Is it a model I can maintain myself? No not really Are they reliable? i think in the grand scheme of things (ie supercars), reasonably so, but i would'nt have one as my only car Sorry to ask so many questions, but I'm deadly serious about having one at some stage but I need to be sure it's affordable. The Porsche has been great in all these aspects but I want a Cerbera eventually. Thanks Gary

Hi Gaz,

please see my answers above. To sum up, i would say go for it - they are wonderful things these Cerberas

[raf dug]

I too am looking to take this plunge, probably after xmas. I got myself a quote off Churchill for a 420hp one with a reg number out of the classifieds, because of the extra power and the fact that they would only insure it because I have 2 cars and my house with them, they came up with £663 fully comp(i'm 41 and have no claims since I was 17)I told them I thought I could do better and they are going to get back to me
I'm looking to spend about £18k and I've seen R-T reg for this price, or W reg speed 6's(I want a v8 though).Prices vary wildly though, I've seen one R Reg formely owned by peter wheeler for £18k and another one the same age for £32K.

[UpTheIron]

gaz944 said:

I'm truly gutted.

Gary,

Either keep saving, or perhaps consider a £10k-ish Chimaera/Griff/V8S/Wedge to introduce you to TVR's. You won't regret it.

[UKBob]

gaz944 said:

Thanks for the replies, the in depth answers are great but it sounds as though TVR ownership is beyond my budget, I'm truly gutted. Cheers guys Gary (944 Turbo in Maidstone)

You dont know whats round the next corner - in a few years, you could be better off financially than you thought possible todya. That said, the cerb is the most expensive TVR to maintain, ever... (I think... and stand to be corrected)

What about another model, perhaps? Or a test drive in a cerb to inspire you to get the cash together - most people here would take you for a spin if you asked.

[Toady1]

i got taken out in a 4.2 the other week, believe me, once youve been in one you will make sure you can afford one! do some overtime, get a new job, pimp yourself out if you have too....i am!lol!

>> Edited by Toady1 on Tuesday 20th September 12:32

[raf dug]

Toady1 said:

i got taken out in a 4.2 the other week, believe me, once youve been in one you will make sure you can afford one! do some overtime, get a new job, pimp yourself out if you have too....i am!lol! >> Edited by Toady1 on Tuesday 20th September 12:32

Thats whats happened to me I was thinking of getting a chim 450/500 until byff took me out in his cerby at cadwell park.

[Byff]

Bear in mind I was taking it easy, now the diff bushes have been done, it's full throttle every time.

I suppose it's about time I got round to taking some pictures and getting it up for sale on here, I'm just enjoying it too much. If it wasn't for needing the cash later next year, I wouldn't be selling.