Cerbera instead of T350 - Help Please

[Rippers]

Hi everyone

I've been a regular poster over at the T350 section but this is my first time here. The reason is simple I need advice about a Cerbera.

About 8 years ago I parked my Rover (Not proud) next to a Cerbera and instantly fell in love with TVRs. Now I am the proud owner of a 05 T350T but I have a problem.

I posted this thread
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=292598&f=7&h=0
a few weeks ago when I was trying to decide what to do with my car. I wanted to free up some capital for a new busuness venture and considered getting a cheaper T350 to lower my monthly overheads. The general opinion however was not to do this but get rid of my car, get something cheap then get another TVR when the finances were straight again.

Great in theory, I took my car to a BMW dealership as possible trade in and they came back with a price from the very dealer I got the car from 5 months ago which was over £14k less than I paid!!!!!!

The other solution is that I get my "new" car from a TVR dealer in the hope that this will improve the deal. As I am wanting to save money an older Cerbera is possible (no offense, it's just this car has been around longer than the T350 and older models are easier to find, I also love its looks)

As an example I have found a car with 50k on the clock for about £16, well inside my budget and leaving me with enough cash for a banger for winter. I still get the TVR thrill, the noise, the attention but all at a reasonable price. My question is, is this a good deal?, or will I end up paying a fortune just to keep the car on the road. If the latter, what age of car should I look for and how much should it cost.

Thanks a bunch

Cheers - Rippers

[Nickccc]

I would have a look at this one if I was looking for an older (cheaper ) Cerb.
It has had the lot done.
Chap is a member here aswell.
Nick.

[Rippers]

Nickccc said:

I would have a look at this one if I was looking for an older (cheaper ) Cerb.
It has had the lot done.
Chap is a member here aswell.
Nick.

Sorry Nick - which car are you talking about?

Cheers - Rippers

[Nickccc]

www.pistonheads.com/sales/90958.htm
Sorry forgot the link.

[Rippers]

Like it, these caught my eye, anyone know anything about them

www.pistonheads.com/sales/89684.htm

www.pistonheads.com/sales/88911.htm

Cheers - Rippers

[cossiemetro]

i truly believe older cars are a better buy as they have had most major problems sorted
or modded etc tvrs needs to be drivern so don't be put off of cars with over 30-40k on them they are the reliable ones IMHO

[bennno]

Rippers said:

I took my car to a BMW dealership as possible trade in and they came back with a price from the very dealer I got the car from 5 months ago which was over £14k less than I paid!!!!!!

The other solution is that I get my "new" car from a TVR dealer in the hope that this will improve the deal. As I am wanting to save money an older Cerbera is possible (no offense, it's just this car has been around longer than the T350 and older models are easier to find, I also love its looks)
Thanks a bunch

Cheers - Rippers

You will find that the TVR dealer will probably also offer you a rubbish part ex bid if you go to one directly. You will be offered a minimum of 20-25% less than you paid as the car has dropped in value plus the dealer will want some wedge to fund reconditioning, warranty, post sale repairs, stock financing and their premises.

When you look at this your price differential will reduce to a pointless level particularly when you get in to the costs of running an older cerb.

The best bet is to take a look at the classifieds on here and advertise it privately at a competitive price 3-4k below dealers if you wish to sell.

I know one guy who works at a BM dealer that always used to go to the workshop if ever somebody came to the dealers in a nearly new TVR as it always ended in tears in terms of p/ex.

Bennno

[Rippers]

I'm curious, so need to ask "what is a Cerbera like to drive?" It is said that my T350 is easy to drive, light clutch, gear change etc. I car you can drive easily every day, How do the two cars compare?

Cheers - Rippers

[Cyclone1]

Whereabouts in South yorkshire are you? You are welcome to a test drive in my Cerb as a passenger......

Jules.

[Rippers]

Hey Jules

Sounds great, I work in Barnsley, where abouts are you?

Cheers - Rippers

[Cyclone1]

Live in Barnsley, work in Wakefield.

Jules.

[Rippers]

Small world, surprised I've never seen you on the roads

[Cyclone1]

Bloody fast car that's why you've not seen me, but you may have heard it.....

Drop me an email to let me know a date/time that's good for you, alternatively Saturday morning is good with me.

Jules.

[oli_quick]

It maybe a false economy - cerberas are notoriously expensive to keep - people spending on averaged > 3-4k per annum.

I am not sure as to how exactly the TVR warrantee works...but I doubt it will cover all work (or we'd all have one!) - I also remember something about it only being for cars < 5 years old?

I was considering a T350 at one point...but just did not think it would really do - if u want a TVR go for the best ;-) (I think the one for sale by Mr Agger is a speed 6 :-()

[Rippers]

oli_quick said:

It maybe a false economy - cerberas are notoriously expensive to keep - people spending on averaged > 3-4k per annum.

I am not sure as to how exactly the TVR warrantee works...but I doubt it will cover all work (or we'd all have one!) - I also remember something about it only being for cars < 5 years old?

I was considering a T350 at one point...but just did not think it would really do - if u want a TVR go for the best ;-) (I think the one for sale by Mr Agger is a speed 6 :-()

Is that not good?

[Nickccc]

Rippers check out this thread

www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=296199&f=7&h=0
chap looking for a T350, might work for you.

[Julian64]

oli_quick said:

It maybe a false economy - cerberas are notoriously expensive to keep - people spending on averaged > 3-4k per annum.

Not sure this is true, its just said a lot . Would be nice if we had a real poll of what people have spent repairing their cars in the last year.

I'll start about £100 on shims and new cable clips for purple hoses, exhaust rubber, and assorted paint for underneath

[bennno]

i had 2 cerbs over the course of 3 years. both cost in excess of £4k per annum to keep on the road and both were relatively new, well maintained main dealer cars

bennno

[BCA]

bennno said:

i had 2 cerbs over the course of 3 years. both cost in excess of £4k per annum to keep on the road and both were relatively new, well maintained main dealer cars

bennno

Main dealer cars dont always mean good cars.

Nor do relatively new cars mean that they'll be good.

We've had ours for 6 years+, 60k miles+ and I dont think its yet cost us over £4k per annum... lots of little niggles over the years, an occaisional big bill (under £2k) - always independantly serviced and driven alot, often sprints/hillclimbs/speed trials. So its not exactly a molly coddled car.

[bennno]

if you add up the obscene cost of servicing and the bits which frequently need replacing or fettling on a cerb such as diffs, front hubs, ribbon cables, tappet adjustments etc then before you know it you can quickly run up 4k in a year

bennno