What to look out for in a TVR Cerbera for under 12k???

[marcel77]

Ok... I came to the conclusion that I might want to risk it getting one...

But it has to be a 4.2 and under 12k!!!

What's the whole story with the engine rebuild? Can I get one where I wont have any problems for 12 - 18 month doing about 8k - 10k miles for that price??

When is an engine rebuild necessary and how much does it cost, and is there any warranty on it?

What else can be big financial death traps for such an ownership?

Thanks a lot, I know I have much reading up to do, I wished it was easier to become part of the Cerb family!!
To be honest some of the running costs you guys have in your profiles are scary!!!
Seriously how much do I have to calculate for running a Cerb 4.2 for 12 month (without depreciation)?

Thanks for all advice...

[BLUETHUNDER]

The cars with the least problems are cars that are used on a regular basis. Engine wise.The 4.2 and 4.5 AJP are very good engines.There are a couple of high milers on here which adds some substance behind this. On inspection of one the first thing you should do is check the condition of the chassis.

The earlist cars are now coming up for 14 years old. Powder coating of the chassisfrom TVR was never a strong point. Pay particular attention to the area just behind the front and rear wheels,and the outer chassis rail that runs the lenth of the sills. Its these that collect the most moisture due to the nature where they are located.Dont be put off by high mileage cars. These tend to be used on a regular basis. And for a Cerb thats a good thing.

One other point dont be tempted to go for a later car. Always judge the car on condition rather than the year. There are many that have bought Cerbera,s realised they cant afford them,then skimmed on the work needed to keep it in shape. This will clearly show in the condition of the car. Get out try a few.Maybe there is someone near you who maybe able to give a look over of there car to give you an idea.Whereabouts are you located.

Finally if you are looking for a car that is involving and where you are part of the whole driving experiance,rather than just being along for the ride. Then you wont be dissapointed.

[al 350i]

i don't think you should worry to much about rebuilding an engine on the 4.2 too much as they are generally fairly robust (although i'm not saying it can't happen).

bluethunder is spot on and the only thing i would add is that clutches can be a weak point but there isn't alot you can do about this, 15-25,000 miles seems to be the average life, so budget around £1000.

[Tanguero]

View the clutch as a consumable/service item rather than a weak point...

[dave_s13]

In terms of servicing and things like clutches do you really need to be using a Tiv specialist or would my usual mechanic be able to manage? Are they rocket science?

I trust my usual chap completely and he charges very reasonably indeed.

[amazon]

Agree with comments above .

The areas to look out for remain the same regardless of how much you are paying for the car - imho!

Being into the car enough that you tackle some smaller jobs yourself, will help to keep running costs reasonable.

Totally agree with BlueThunder - I truly believe the more you drive a Cerbera (TVR in general) the better they are and there are fewer niggly problems. I drive my Cerbera all the time - regardless of the weather etc. and believe it is all the better for it.

It's good to be aware and research things, but don't 'worry' too much - they are wonderful cars and you will happily provide it with everything it needs, just so long as it lets you drive it

[DanTVR]

Good choice of car! I bought a 4.5 at the end of last year and its been brilliant. Not been out ar much as I would like due to the weather. As said I think buying one thats been used regularly is good advice. Mine has 69k on it and doesn't even use any oil. With regard to servicing, I personally would only take it to a specialist. Not because the are overly complicated, more because people that work on them all day will have more idea what they are looking at and have more knowledge on common problems. With regard to running costs, most people budget around 2-3k per year for servicing and repairs. Buy a good one and treat it well and it will never let you down. You will get little problems, mostly electrical niggles, but imo that what gives there cars such character. There are some very helpful people on here and im sure given a couple of beer tokens they would be willing to come and view any potential purchase. Happy hunting

[al 350i]

they're not a particularlly complicated car to work on but are very time consuming, the indy's are quite reasonable rates and do know the cars better, a 12k service is going to cost approx £550 but will take about a day and half, its not just an oil and filter change!

for smaller items or one off jobs i don't think using a local garage would be a prob as long as you trust them!!

[dave_s13]

al 350i said:

they're not a particularlly complicated car to work on but are very time consuming, the indy's are quite reasonable rates and do know the cars better, a 12k service is going to cost approx £550 but will take about a day and half, its not just an oil and filter change!

for smaller items or one off jobs i don't think using a local garage would be a prob as long as you trust them!!

How come it takes a day and a half? Thats a loooong service

They are the only "proper" V8, thunderously quick, and marvelous looking 2+2 I can think of that I actually want to own as a 3rd/weekend car. My misses says it's OK to get a daft car for the weekend but only if we can all go out in it together I have a 10month old daughter who should fit nicely in the back seats. But, there is the small matter of moving house this year which kind of scuppers things for a bit. This summer fingers crossed!

[Tanguero]

The day and a half for a 12k service is because (amongst other things) the valve shims have to be checked and adjusted which entails a top end strip down and removal of the cams, then re-timing.

[Gazzab]

You wont find one where you wont have any problems. You might find one where you have no significant or costly probs. You may find one where you spend under a grand running it for a year (excl tyres, fuel, tax and insurance). By buying a 'known' car with a good chassis and lots of recent work (eg evidence that the owner has spent money resolving niggles) then you should reduce the chances of big bills.
Get one and you will find a way of funding it...?

[AlexH22]

dave_s13 said:

They are the only "proper" V8, thunderously quick, and marvelous looking 2+2 I can think of that I actually want to own as a 3rd/weekend car. My misses says it's OK to get a daft car for the weekend but only if we can all go out in it together I have a 10month old daughter who should fit nicely in the back seats. But, there is the small matter of moving house this year which kind of scuppers things for a bit. This summer fingers crossed!

sounds like me, bar the house move. Although i have the garage to build and a private school education to avoid.

[JensenA]

Follow all the advice above. Only get one if your a real Petrol head, don't buy one just because you hanker after a 'flash' car.
I'd also advise to keep £3k stashed in the bank 'just in case'. The Cerbera is a 'real' car, and demands a lot of time and attention to fix all the constant niggles. It's these 'niggles' that give it it's reputation (to the un-informed) of unreliabilty. Bssically it's a simple, robust, mechanically reliable Car. the best and most rewarding car I have ever owned. Even if you think you 'know' all about fixing cars, how they work, and how to use a spanner. After a year you'll be surprised at just how much more knowledge you have learnt from owning one. It's an amazing car, and this forum is invaluable.

[greenm]

"What to look for in a Cerb under 12k"

A really big bag of dosh and a tool kit then you will be well sorted??

Oops sorry

[Devil's Advocate]

al 350i said:

i don't think you should worry too much about rebuilding an engine on the 4.2 too much as they are generally fairly robust (although i'm not saying it can't happen).

Early 4.2s had a weak crank which will be VERY expensive to repair if it fails. But I would imagine that most will have been repaired by now. Not easy to ascertain whether it's been done but definitely worth looking out for.

[Pursyluv]

From recent personal experience, when you've found a car you like the look of, get a report done by a Rob Ingleby type individual and speak to the garage where the car was last serviced, this will let you ascertain the vehicles current condition and allow you to uncover its more recent history - it worked for me and know nowt about cars

[al 350i]

Devil's Advocate said:

al 350i said:

i don't think you should worry too much about rebuilding an engine on the 4.2 too much as they are generally fairly robust (although i'm not saying it can't happen).

Early 4.2s had a weak crank which will be VERY expensive to repair if it fails. But I would imagine that most will have been repaired by now. Not easy to ascertain whether it's been done but definitely worth looking out for.

i did hear that it was a very small batch were of poor standard and i think your right in the fact that most would have snapped by now if they were going to. i did hear that the ones that snapped their cranks were fitted with 4.5 cranks and that the dip stick is moved to the front of the engine, how true this is i don't know?

[al 350i]

Tanguero said:

The day and a half for a 12k service is because (amongst other things) the valve shims have to be checked and adjusted which entails a top end strip down and removal of the cams, then re-timing.

+ geometry, gearbox oil, diff oil...... wash and hoover if your lucky

its very easy to get caught up in the bad and expensive things but you will never drive such an amazing car and for the headache it can cause it will more than make up for it in thrills and smiles, there nothing like backing off the throttle at 3,000 rpm with a set of decats fitted and making the whole street turn around and old ladies jump out of there skins

[marcel77]

so is 2k per 12 month reasonable for repairs and service (without tires, fuel, depreciation etc)??

[BLUETHUNDER]

To be honest i think we are now at the bottom of depreciation. I can only prices going up in the future. Whereabouts in London are you???.