considering a cerbera

[IANVRS]

did have a Tamora,but sold it 2yrs ago.....need a TVR so thinkin of a cerb,have about 22k to 25k to spend and want a 05ish car??????? any tips please??? speed6 or 4.2????

[Mr.Cerbera]

I know that there will be more knowledgeable people along in a sec but I thought '04 was the last year of manufacture - probably wrong though.

With that budget I'm sure you're gonna find a good ún.

There are thousands of threads on engines but my reading and experience says:-
Speed 6: too many probs experienced to risk it
AJP 4.2: Some problems with early cranks (which you're not interested in)
ALP 4.5: Solid but less 'racy' than the other two.

When I was looking, I researched for a while and decided that a '98 for £20K would be a good bet. In the end I spent £28K on a '01 (which included a new clutch and a year's guarantee).
I have never made a better choice in my life. The car has been faultless

As a single statistic, I don't believe that mileage is something you should place too much importance in. Frequently used Cerbs are - huge generalisation - a better bet than 'low mileage' ones. At least they were reliable until you bought it (He says with 70K coming up on the clock)

(Chassis) Condition, (Service) History and driveability are most important IMHO.

Good Luck in your search.

(The knowledge and attitude of the current owner are a personal guide for me too)

[mikeinsheffield]

With that budget you really should be able to pick up the cream of the crop! If I had that budget - probably be looking for as late a car as possible, and would definitely be an AJP engine 4.2 or 4.5. I think that the later "4.2's" actually had a 4.5 bottom end but with the 4.2 injection / induction on.

With that budget, you should be able to pick a good car, have a budget to "make it yours", plus the "rainy day" contingency to put aside incase there is an expensive repair bill you haven't anticipated. Stuff I'd consider adding to the car could be new shocks, HID headlights, and keep some money aside for a RaceProved clutch for when the original one goes....

[G20RG B]

Dont listen to anyone telling you that the AJP is SOLID.... There are more than a few people who have had AJP rebuilds so don't be fooled into thinking if you buy an AJP it is Solid,Safe, etc because they can also go POP...Check out TVR power they offer AJP rebuilds they wouldn't do this if there was not a demand.

THe SP6 also has had issues so buy carefully 03/04 saw big improvements and this engine is used in Tamore/Sagaris/T350/Cerb/Tuscan so plenty of spares and as far as rebuilds are concerend there are some really good reliable builds being done by quiet a few speciallists now.

The Cerb is a cracking motor but buy carefully and you wont be dissapointed and I guess the later the better.

[stuthemong]

an alternative option is to get a 'nice' one for 12-15K and do a 10K rebuild.

Full body off, patchup/repair chassis/protect, new bushings/clutch/rebuild engine if leggy, if fine leave as-is for now, respray, recover seats etc...

I daresay the car would end up in better condition (i.e. it would be like new) than a 25K 05 car, but it really depends what you want

[Mr.Cerbera]

G20RG B said:

Dont listen to anyone telling you that the AJP is SOLID....

Almost as unbiased as me there, George

[floatingjimi]

I was looking recently and ended up getting a 2002 4.5rr. There was a 2005 4.2 up for sale in Bournemouth, also there is a nice 2001 4.5 yellow ex show car and a 2003 sp6 ex show car available.

[FarmyardPants]

stuthemong said:

an alternative option is to get a 'nice' one for 12-15K and do a 10K rebuild.

Full body off, patchup/repair chassis/protect, new bushings/clutch/rebuild engine if leggy, if fine leave as-is for now, respray, recover seats etc...

I daresay the car would end up in better condition (i.e. it would be like new) than a 25K 05 car, but it really depends what you want

I think that's what I'd do

[stuthemong]

It's certainly what I would do - you could get a cerb 100% spot on and to your ideal specification for 12K buy & 13K spend!

Potential to put some seriously fruity mods in there too on that budget.....

[dth]

I have a 2003 4.2L Cerbera for sale with TVR MADS that I can recommend!

New radiator, clutch, steering rack and only 28000 miles.

Drives really well but a change in job and longer commute means that sadly it must go.

Feel free to contact me for further info,

Dan.

[JensenA]

FarmyardPants said:

stuthemong said:

an alternative option is to get a 'nice' one for 12-15K and do a 10K rebuild.

Full body off, patchup/repair chassis/protect, new bushings/clutch/rebuild engine if leggy, if fine leave as-is for now, respray, recover seats etc...

I daresay the car would end up in better condition (i.e. it would be like new) than a 25K 05 car, but it really depends what you want

I think that's what I'd do

The downside is that you will have spent £25k on a car that will be worth £15k - uless of course you plan to keep it for ever (and can predict what the future holds for you)

[VPower]

IANVRS said:

did have a Tamora,but sold it 2yrs ago.....need a TVR so thinkin of a cerb,have about 22k to 25k to spend and want a 05ish car??????? any tips please??? speed6 or 4.2????

I think you should just make Brummie an offer for his!

[FarmyardPants]

JensenA said:

FarmyardPants said:

stuthemong said:

an alternative option is to get a 'nice' one for 12-15K and do a 10K rebuild.

Full body off, patchup/repair chassis/protect, new bushings/clutch/rebuild engine if leggy, if fine leave as-is for now, respray, recover seats etc...

I daresay the car would end up in better condition (i.e. it would be like new) than a 25K 05 car, but it really depends what you want

I think that's what I'd do

The downside is that you will have spent £25k on a car that will be worth £15k - uless of course you plan to keep it for ever (and can predict what the future holds for you)

Agreed, it wouldn't suit everyone.

[SL500]

Get one with an AJP and not a speed six. I have had two cerbs both with AJP and no problems. Had a new T350 with a speed six UGH!! Never again!!!

Both the AJP 4.2 and my present 4.5 go like ste off a shovel. Awesome

[peteA]

SL500 said:

Get one with an AJP and not a speed six. I have had two cerbs both with AJP and no problems. Had a new T350 with a speed six UGH!! Never again!!!

Both the AJP 4.2 and my present 4.5 go like ste off a shovel. Awesome

Uh oh...

[5tu Mac]

Hello everyone,

I'm not quite as fortunate as the op to spend that kinda money, I'm looking at spending about £15k on a cerbera (or maserati 3200) preferably the 4.2 come spring summer.

I've been doing a fair bit of reading on issues, reliabilty etc, however I'm still not sure if I'm dreaming when I'm hoping to buy a decent example for 15 thats not gonnae fall apart on me.

I've got a few questions but didnt want to start up a new thread, so apologies if it comes across I'm hijacking this one! sorry!

I'm a tall guy, any tall owners out there? I'm 6ft 6 could I fit alright?

Is self servicing alright in between an annual service? i.e. are they easy enough to work on? simple?

Also do many people use theirs all yr round? How are they to live with day to day, it would be my main car (not that I'm gonnae be doing big miles)

my apologies in advance if these questions get asked a lot, as I said I've been googling and reading a bit, but still hungry for more knowledge and advice

cheers

Stuart

[Pursyluv]

5tu Mac said:

Hello everyone,

I'm not quite as fortunate as the op to spend that kinda money, I'm looking at spending about £15k on a cerbera (or maserati 3200) preferably the 4.2 come spring summer.

I've been doing a fair bit of reading on issues, reliabilty etc, however I'm still not sure if I'm dreaming when I'm hoping to buy a decent example for 15 thats not gonnae fall apart on me.

I've got a few questions but didnt want to start up a new thread, so apologies if it comes across I'm hijacking this one! sorry!

I'm a tall guy, any tall owners out there? I'm 6ft 6 could I fit alright?

Is self servicing alright in between an annual service? i.e. are they easy enough to work on? simple?

Also do many people use theirs all yr round? How are they to live with day to day, it would be my main car (not that I'm gonnae be doing big miles)

my apologies in advance if these questions get asked a lot, as I said I've been googling and reading a bit, but still hungry for more knowledge and advice

cheers

Stuart

I think the answer to all your questions have been posted on here in the last 6 months, try a search or better still go to a local TVR specialised and get face to face advise

[Gazzab]

Added comments in CAPS below (I'm not shouting!)

5tu Mac said:

Hello everyone,

I'm not quite as fortunate as the op to spend that kinda money, I'm looking at spending about £15k on a cerbera (or maserati 3200) preferably the 4.2 come spring summer. A MASERATI IS A BARGAIN BUT WITH BILLS THAT COULD KILL YOU !

I've been doing a fair bit of reading on issues, reliabilty etc, however I'm still not sure if I'm dreaming when I'm hoping to buy a decent example for 15 thats not gonnae fall apart on me.
FOR 15K YOU CAN GET QUITE A LATE S6 OR A 99/00/01 4.2/4.5. IF YOU ASSUME IT WILL HAVE A FEW NIGGLES EACH YR THEN YOU WONT BE DISSAPOINTED.
A 10 YEAR OLD CERB WILL NEED CARING FOR THOUGH AND SO CHASSIS FOR EXAMPLE MIGHT NEED SOME WORK AT SOME POINT.

I've got a few questions but didnt want to start up a new thread, so apologies if it comes across I'm hijacking this one! sorry!

I'm a tall guy, any tall owners out there? I'm 6ft 6 could I fit alright?
YOU NEED TO SIT IN ONE - THEY ARE OK FOR TALL DRIVERS BUT YOU WILL HAVE TO FOLD YUORSELF IN.
Is self servicing alright in between an annual service? i.e. are they easy enough to work on? simple?
THATS FINE BUT DESPITE WHAT PEOPLE SAY THERE IS AN ART TO LOOKING AFTER THEM. IF YOU HAVE THE TIME, TOOLS, SPACE AND SKILLS THEN GO FOR IT.
Also do many people use theirs all yr round? How are they to live with day to day, it would be my main car (not that I'm gonnae be doing big miles)
I WOULD NOT RECOMMEND THIS. THE JOY OF A CERB GETS LOST USING IT EVERYDAY. YOU WILL NEED IT OFF THE ROAD TO WORK ON IT. IT WILL GRATE AS AN EVERYDAY CAR. IMHO. GET A £500 SHED ALONGSIDE IT.
my apologies in advance if these questions get asked a lot, as I said I've been googling and reading a bit, but still hungry for more knowledge and advice

cheers

Stuart

[WorAl]

My advice to both people asking here is to buy a car for less than your intended budget at stick some money aside for a rainy day.

OP with £25k to spend I would spend £20 max and have the rest for mods, servicing etc for next couple year.

New poster with £15k to spend, I'd go for about £12-13k and have a couple grand in the bank just in case.

Cannot stress this enough though, GO ON CONDITION NOT MILEAGE/AGE!!!!!!!!

[JensenA]

WorAl said:

My advice to both people asking here is to buy a car for less than your intended budget at stick some money aside for a rainy day.

OP with £25k to spend I would spend £20 max and have the rest for mods, servicing etc for next couple year.

New poster with £15k to spend, I'd go for about £12-13k and have a couple grand in the bank just in case.

Cannot stress this enough though, GO ON CONDITION NOT MILEAGE/AGE!!!!!!!!

.....and also don't be too hung up on getting it in your choice of colour, a good 'un in the wrong colour is a better Cerb than a bad one in the wrong colour (within reason of course)