Discussion
Good afternoon chaps
I'm hoping to be in the market for a cerbera in the near future. The first issue i have is ground clearance but i think from my previous thread that i'm happy that it should be okay because of my steep drive.
Ideally i would like a V8 model as i have a V8 MG ZT at the moment. prefer a 4.5 but looking at the 4.2 the speed 6 is very simular
Am i right in saying that the big issue to look out for is any rust on the chassis, wouldn't necessary put as being a welder believe i could tackle this.
How easy is it to remove the body from chassis at home?
i'm 27 and so far insurance quotes of about £1700 are what i'm getting which i don't think it bad.
I'm looking at around the £10000 mark to get one, on the condition that i can sell my ZT and get some descent money for all the spare parts that i have.
Hopefully going to travel round to some dealers and have a look at some on wednesday if i can and have a drive if possible.
What other issues are there to look out for.
I would say that any ones for sale that have a good history and perhaps a engine rebuild and clutch are good ones to go for?
lots of questions that i hope can be answered
Peter
I'm hoping to be in the market for a cerbera in the near future. The first issue i have is ground clearance but i think from my previous thread that i'm happy that it should be okay because of my steep drive.
Ideally i would like a V8 model as i have a V8 MG ZT at the moment. prefer a 4.5 but looking at the 4.2 the speed 6 is very simular
Am i right in saying that the big issue to look out for is any rust on the chassis, wouldn't necessary put as being a welder believe i could tackle this.
How easy is it to remove the body from chassis at home?
i'm 27 and so far insurance quotes of about £1700 are what i'm getting which i don't think it bad.
I'm looking at around the £10000 mark to get one, on the condition that i can sell my ZT and get some descent money for all the spare parts that i have.
Hopefully going to travel round to some dealers and have a look at some on wednesday if i can and have a drive if possible.
What other issues are there to look out for.
I would say that any ones for sale that have a good history and perhaps a engine rebuild and clutch are good ones to go for?
lots of questions that i hope can be answered
Peter
pmessling said:
Hopefully I'll be able to stretch to £12000 as I would like a good one like any one buying one. Insurance is always an issue with being young. Running costs will be similar to my MG so no worries there
Your MG will be cheaper to run than a Cerbera. Your MG runs a low maintainance american V8. Cerb V8,s need fettling. Tappets on an AJP need adjusting every 12,000mls. That can be a time consuming affair. In general they require a bit more than your average performance car. You want to be looking for a car that is in regular use,rather than one with one that has low miles. It will present less problems in the future.What are you using the car for? Everyday or weekend? A weekend car should cost £500 or less on insurance. I've been quoted about £1k for insurance if I was to use the Cerb everyday (25, unlimited mileage, Cerb 4.2 with Mannings).
Try to budget for a good car, but allow yourself enough to put aside some money each month just in case. Things like outrigger replacement, cam replacement, head gasket, clutch, brake pads and disks can all be £500-£1000+, and own your car for more than a year or two and you'll probably end up paying for at least one of these things.
Try to budget for a good car, but allow yourself enough to put aside some money each month just in case. Things like outrigger replacement, cam replacement, head gasket, clutch, brake pads and disks can all be £500-£1000+, and own your car for more than a year or two and you'll probably end up paying for at least one of these things.
Well my MG requires an oil change every 6k and generally do about 7k a year driving. Plus rear tyres yearly. I'm bored of my MG and looking for a bit more fun. But given the value of my MG I feel it's the time to move on whilst young and not having a house yet. Saving for that as well. I'm very hands on with cars yes changing the cams I would pay for to be done but other things I'm happy to do.
More advice the better for if I consider getting one. They are a lot of car for the money and whilst the MG is worth something would like the change.
More advice the better for if I consider getting one. They are a lot of car for the money and whilst the MG is worth something would like the change.
I'd say go for it - but go in with your eye's open. Use the search facility / search the Cerbera forum for lots of threads on people asking advice on buying a Cerb - there is some good info in here with lots of questions on V8 v's S6 and the condition of older Cerb's / known trouble spots.
At your budget (as Gazzab posted) you are potentially looking at the older cars - and here you need to be careful. There are some well cared for Cerbs that have cherished and looked after, all necessary work done; but there are also some real money pits that will drive you mad / make you skint. Be careful.
Also note that the V8 in a Cerb is NOT the rover derived unit that you will be used to with the ofset firing order that gives the distinctive "US muscle car rumble" - it's a flat plane crank that is more similar in design to a Ferrari - it's more of a screamer / high revs howler of an engine, although it does pull well at low revs and can be driven in traffic!
Try and look at a few, and if possible get someone who knows Cerbs to come with you = or get your potential favoured car inspected either by one of the specialist inspecter (Rob Ingleby / James Agger to name a couple) or get a well regarded TVR specialist to get it up on the ramps for a detailed inspection. Beleive me, that will be money well invested.
Above all - try and get one and enjoy the unique ownership experience whilst you can. And make no mistake - it is MUCH faster than your MG!
Best of luck - keep posting - this is a great forum with some good contributors.
At your budget (as Gazzab posted) you are potentially looking at the older cars - and here you need to be careful. There are some well cared for Cerbs that have cherished and looked after, all necessary work done; but there are also some real money pits that will drive you mad / make you skint. Be careful.
Also note that the V8 in a Cerb is NOT the rover derived unit that you will be used to with the ofset firing order that gives the distinctive "US muscle car rumble" - it's a flat plane crank that is more similar in design to a Ferrari - it's more of a screamer / high revs howler of an engine, although it does pull well at low revs and can be driven in traffic!
Try and look at a few, and if possible get someone who knows Cerbs to come with you = or get your potential favoured car inspected either by one of the specialist inspecter (Rob Ingleby / James Agger to name a couple) or get a well regarded TVR specialist to get it up on the ramps for a detailed inspection. Beleive me, that will be money well invested.
Above all - try and get one and enjoy the unique ownership experience whilst you can. And make no mistake - it is MUCH faster than your MG!
Best of luck - keep posting - this is a great forum with some good contributors.
Yeah been looking through all the threads on the forum, up to about page 8 of over 300 so got a bit more reading to do yet, but some excellent advice so far.
Still only an idea at the minute, but hope to have a look around one soon. Looking around other makes of cars for similar money there is nothing on the market with the great looks of the cerbera or the performance. Have always like the cerbera especially the later ones with the head light conversion which i would like to aim for.
Live near heathrow so if anyone is about and fancies giving me a ride would be great.
Still only an idea at the minute, but hope to have a look around one soon. Looking around other makes of cars for similar money there is nothing on the market with the great looks of the cerbera or the performance. Have always like the cerbera especially the later ones with the head light conversion which i would like to aim for.
Live near heathrow so if anyone is about and fancies giving me a ride would be great.
I have seen a few at around 10-12, although the earlier car with what looks like the headlight conversion. Would really like a 99 T or above really so that i can still use my private plate.
I like the look of this one, any thoughts?
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1722863.htm
I like the look of this one, any thoughts?
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1722863.htm
Most people run Cerbs on classic policies and run a 2nd car. My insurance is £450 or so, 5K / year miles on a classic policy. I was 27 when I Took it out. My full NCB is then used on my 'daily' car, an audi, which is some £400 also or so. Anyway, both cars come well under the 1.7K for your cerb as a 'normal' car, please look into classic policies, they are the nuts 
Edited by stuthemong on Saturday 17th July 11:53
Got some good quotes yesterday, the best from endsleigh insurance for £1200, that was parked on the drive, 8k a year with my dad on the policy as well, guess thats an advantage of living at home still, will also have a tracker installed although the policy didn't ask for one, but may help in the future.
thought £1200 was pretty fair, pay £800 on my zt V8 at the moment so pretty good.
thought £1200 was pretty fair, pay £800 on my zt V8 at the moment so pretty good.
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