Daily use challenges
Daily use challenges
Author
Discussion

Hedgetrimmer

Original Poster:

572 posts

286 months

Wednesday 5th January 2011
quotequote all
About to take the plunge and purchase a cerbera AJP. I here lots of reliability stories and but the odd owner has been lucky.

Assuming I buy a car that has:
A chassis that is in good shape
New shocks
Ally rad
Replacement clutch and slave
New starter,alternator, battery
Engine well cared for and has later steel crank.

What other reliability issues could I experience with the ownership? The car will be used daily and travel only 3 miles each way and therefore I will give it a good run out each weekend.


jammy_basturd

29,778 posts

241 months

Wednesday 5th January 2011
quotequote all
I really wouldn't want to use a Cerbera to do a commute of three miles, the oil won't even begin to warm up over that distance.

Don't think you'd need to worry about that Ali rad either!

1Dog74

146 posts

198 months

Wednesday 5th January 2011
quotequote all
I doubt the journey of 3 miles each way would be a problem, although like its been said before I doubt you'd get upto temp unless its a nose to tail journey!

I wouldn't limit yourelf to a cerbera with an ally rad, mine has its original and you'd be hard pushed to justify changing it as it works 100% and still looks as new.

It's all about the condition of the overall car, mileage isn't an issue - buy one on that basis and you'll be happy.

Mad Mark

2,345 posts

261 months

Wednesday 5th January 2011
quotequote all
I use mine as an everyday car and use it for work which is a 7mile trip. And had no problems although a blast every now and again is always good.
I wouldn't fuss with an ally rad either in your searches.
Of the other bits on your list the Chassis is probably the most important. If it's got a recent clutch then thats good too.
The others do fail but if they not been replaced recently don't let that put you off the car.
Also a high mileage car doesn't necessarily mean it's going to give you problems. In fact possibly the opposite as its not been left sitting slowly corroding away unattended.

Just get one you like the look and feel of :-)

jammy_basturd

29,778 posts

241 months

Wednesday 5th January 2011
quotequote all
Over the shocks, battery, alternator, and maybe even the starter and steel crank, if it's the older cars I'd start looking for receipts for new fuel lines too. Most Cerbs are nearly or over 10 years old now, and there have been a few instances of very near misses where old, brittle fuel lines have split, spraying fuel all over a hot engine or exhaust manifold.

Hedgetrimmer

Original Poster:

572 posts

286 months

Wednesday 5th January 2011
quotequote all
3 miles is never ideal for the engine but it shouldn't case damage assuming it gets used properly at the weekend ie longer runs to get some oil on the bores.

Thanks for the feedback on the radiator as I thought ally rads were necessary.


Gazzab

21,640 posts

311 months

Wednesday 5th January 2011
quotequote all
Wouldn't recommend it, 3 mile journeys will kill it and the car will lose it's sheen etc

amazon

3,704 posts

240 months

Wednesday 5th January 2011
quotequote all
If ever there was a car to tempt you into taking the long route to work, it is a Cerbera. There are people on here that do 70 miles just for a pint of milk tongue out


Gazzab

21,640 posts

311 months

Wednesday 5th January 2011
quotequote all
or drive 300 miles to camp in a field and watch drunk idiots whilst listening to racing cars.

TDFPELTD

3,402 posts

278 months

Thursday 6th January 2011
quotequote all
I do between 2 and 200 miles in mine depending what day it is. Daily use is fine. Not sure how the neighbours feel about it though as it sits on my drive at 1500RPM for a few mins from cold before I drive off.

amazon

3,704 posts

240 months

Thursday 6th January 2011
quotequote all
Gazzab said:
or drive 300 miles to camp in a field and watch drunk idiots whilst listening to racing cars.
What? eek Really?

Unbelievable! tongue out

Hedgetrimmer

Original Poster:

572 posts

286 months

Thursday 6th January 2011
quotequote all
Gazzab said:
Wouldn't recommend it, 3 mile journeys will kill it and the car will lose it's sheen etc
There is always the long run home... and the misses can always put some miles on it during the week:-) when I steal her 330d.


davidd

6,713 posts

313 months

Thursday 6th January 2011
quotequote all
I have a short commute (6.5 miles), the car gets warmed up getting out of the garage and out of the lane (not very straightforward) then I have to pootle through the village, sit in traffic for a bit which means that for about 6 miles the car is pretty warm and so I can 'press on', not all the way up the rev range but enough to keep me entertained...

It then get s a couple of longerish journeys every week or so..

Shame fuel is so expensive.

Using them daily, is, in my experience, better.

D