Help Needed - Buying my First Cerb

[monkeymechanic]

Hey all,

I bet you get this all the time, but I'm looking at buying my first Cerbera (it only took me 18 months to convince the wife) and had a few questions that I thought you may be able to help me with.

It would have to be my main car, and I wondered what the consensus was on using cerbs as an 'everyday' day car (in actaul fact, it would probably only be 3-4 days a week).

I also wondered about how secure they are, I don't have a garage, so it would be sat outside, I would imagine that with no door handles, the risk of theft is less.... but you never know!

Cheers Everyone

[gazzab]

They can be used everday BUT to many of us they are bit too raw for everyday use. Each to their own though.
They are ok outside EXCEPT TVRs dont like the elements that much. A cover will help though. They can leak.
Just buy UKBobs !!?

[byff]

I used mine as an everyday car, usually covering about 4 days a week and the weekends. In the two years I had it, only grief it gave me was for a set of clutch seals and a new clutch and on both occurances, it let me know gradually that something was about to let go so the job could be planned to an extent.

My only concern with it was overheating in traffic jams, I was paranoid about letting it sit ticking over for any length of time - it never actually gave me any bother, but it was just a terrible feeling of doom watching the temperature gauge go over 100 degrees.

Mine also sat outside in all elements with no cover - I sometimes think that some owners treat them like children, wrapping them up warm for bedtime The only thing I found was that if you live on a hill, you'll have to find out which way round to park it - my 4.5 had to be parked nose up and the 4.2 had to be parked nose down, so each one is different. They will either leak water into the footwells or into the boot if you get it wrong.

I have fond memories of my Cerb's and I will never regret buying them, but I often regret having to sell them.

[FUBAR]

gazzab said:

Just buy UKBobs !!?

Or Diddyman's if you want one of the slow colours

[Cyclone1]

FUBAR said:

gazzab said:

Just buy UKBobs !!?

Or Diddyman's if you want one of the slow colours

Is everybody on commission on UKBobs Cerb?

[FUBAR]

I didnt mention Bob's car (on this thread)

[RUSSELLM]

There fine as everyday run about. I do lots of short journeys, and my last clutch only lasted 18 months, but that may have been down to how it was fitted.
I purchased a car cover with the car, but only put it on twice, as I'm to idle.
Theft wise, they're quite rare, and not much use it there's you and three mates armed with baseball bats, trying to smash your way in to a jewellers.
You'll most likely buy a car from someone who's had it garaged, so expect to be chasing a few leaks for the first couple of months.
The "finding which way to park on a slope" is good advice

[FUBAR]

frazer guest said:

FUBAR said:

gazzab said:

Just buy UKBobs !!?

Or Diddyman's if you want one of the slow colours

links please?

Bob's www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/119352.htm

Diddyman's www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/89091.htm

HTH

[BLUETHUNDER]

Whats your budget??

[gazzab]

BLUETHUNDER said:

Whats your budget??

If your budget is sub 15K then think VERY carefully about it as an everyday car unless you are good with spanners, very lucky and/or have deep pockets. IMHO

[FUBAR]

Griff? :washesmouthoutwithsoap:

[HarryW]

frazer guest said:

FUBAR said:

Griff? :washesmouthoutwithsoap:

had thought of a griff, but they seem to command high residuals.

Settled a Chimaera then, its a Griff in drag with a bigger boot

[HarryW]

frazer guest said:

HarryW said:

frazer guest said:

FUBAR said:

Griff? :washesmouthoutwithsoap:

had thought of a griff, but they seem to command high residuals.

Settled a Chimaera then, its a Griff in drag with a bigger boot

are you trying to twist my arm?

No, just trying to help steer you............

[BLUETHUNDER]

frazer guest said:

gazzab said:

BLUETHUNDER said:

Whats your budget??

If your budget is sub 15K then think VERY carefully about it as an everyday car unless you are good with spanners, very lucky and/or have deep pockets. IMHO

yeah, thats what i was thinking.
the budget that i have set myself is 12.5k. i wanted to put about 1/3rd of my savings into a car, and the other 2/3rds in to a house. i would really, really love a cerb, but i dont want to go bankrupt having one.
other vehicles on my shortlist include a wedge, chimp, catherham, or maybe a skyline. its the same situation for me as the OP, only car, (excluding the wifes), daily driver etc. i have just heard too many scare storys about the maintinance costs on a cerb. to be honest, i dont think i could afford to run one. the realisation of this makes my heart feel like it is made with lead. to look on the bright side however, i could pick up a mint wedge for 8k (?), and spend the rest on MORE POWER!

Having owned both and with the situation you have set yourself,then i would say settle for a Chimaera.For 12.5 you should get a nice 500 for that.

[byker28i]

£12.5k is bottom range for a Cerbera. You could get lucky wih an older one (I did ) but you possibly won't. I budgeted 15K allowing for another £3k in the bank as just in case money. If you don't need the 4 seats then perhaps another TVR?

[killerscum01]

I bought mine for £11,000 4.2,97, imperial blue, 38k, tvr history, although i am a mechanic turned mechanical engineer, so they are out there for cheap money, and i reckon you can chip most people a grand with the cash.

I say go for it, and if you feel it's not for you, sell the thing. They've reached the price where they'll stay now so you won't lose a penny,

I love mine, and it's nowhere near as nice as some of the peoples cars on here, but its my first venture into TVR'dom so i was'nt gonna spend a fortune, but already i know i will go for a nicer one in the future.

DO IT GET THE CERBERA

[smithsi]

killerscum01 said:

I bought mine for £11,000 4.2,97, imperial blue, 38k, tvr history, although i am a mechanic turned mechanical engineer, so they are out there for cheap money, and i reckon you can chip most people a grand with the cash.

I say go for it, and if you feel it's not for you, sell the thing. They've reached the price where they'll stay now so you won't lose a penny,

I love mine, and it's nowhere near as nice as some of the peoples cars on here, but its my first venture into TVR'dom so i was'nt gonna spend a fortune, but already i know i will go for a nicer one in the future.

DO IT GET THE CERBERA

Who's the lady climbing out of your Cerb on your profile?

[killerscum01]

smithsi said:

killerscum01 said:

I bought mine for £11,000 4.2,97, imperial blue, 38k, tvr history, although i am a mechanic turned mechanical engineer, so they are out there for cheap money, and i reckon you can chip most people a grand with the cash.

I say go for it, and if you feel it's not for you, sell the thing. They've reached the price where they'll stay now so you won't lose a penny,

I love mine, and it's nowhere near as nice as some of the peoples cars on here, but its my first venture into TVR'dom so i was'nt gonna spend a fortune, but already i know i will go for a nicer one in the future.

DO IT GET THE CERBERA

Who's the lady climbing out of your Cerb on your profile?

Do you like her, She's a babe isn't she

[simonpk]

I'm new to the site but have found the questions and answers very helpful and I took the plunge last year on my first TVR cerbera.

It will blow your mind the power and the feeling of driving this car is immence ,I was quite worried about taking the plunge and went to see a few first before buying a Yellow 4.2 from an advert in autotrader.

I have taken on so much advice from people who will tell you different ideas on how to look after the car and its problems but I would not be without the car and so far all as been well.

Good look in your search,you will not be dissapointed!!!!!


Just a question to you all,how do I post a question on gassing station????

[Cyclone1]

simonpk said:

Just a question to you all,how do I post a question on gassing station????

At the top of the page towards the left hand side you'll see the words "Post New Topic", just click on it and away you go.