Buying a Cerbera

[minicooperturbo]

I'm getting close to buying a Cerbera 4.5:

www.hawthornstvr.co.uk/used/usedcerbera_1.htm

(It's the one on the left, 1999T)

I've been on a test drive, and I was surprised to see the temp go all the way around to 80psi on the oil pressure gauge! Should I worry? (it didn't seem to slow the car down in any way).

Also, the air/con seemed very poor - is this normal?

Is there anything I should especailly ask about/look at?

FYI, I'm going to use this as a main car, doing about 10,000 miles a year.

[RolexBlue]

I shouldn't worry about the oil pressure as they all tend to be high (especially from cold) and the engine temp always seems to be in 100's before the fans cut in.

Paul

Forgot to add.........nice car

>> Edited by RolexBlue on Thursday 29th August 16:51

[RichB]

quote:...getting close to buying a Cerbera 4.5... I was surprised to see the temp go all the way around to 80psi on the oil pressure gauge!... (it didn't seem to slow the car down in any way).

Perhaps that's because the rev counter went all the way up to 190mph! Rich...

[ro_butler]

Reckon there is something wrong with the gauge.
Most of them overread but that is a bit silly.

Rob.

[deanpluthero]

get them to check it when you go out... if they come back with the comment 'they all do that sir' make sure you get that in writing... higher pressure is always a good sign ... but that's HIGH

Dean
www.theratpac.com
ps v.nice cerbera though, sold my T cerby 2 months ago....gutted.. gonna get another in march

[flasher]

Good choice but the one you are looking at is outrageously overpriced. Have a good look around the market before you purchase, you could have a W reg one for that money......

[ro_butler]

Just to clear something up..... do you mean the oil pressure was 80PSI (a bit on the high side) or that the temp needle was straying out of its temperature markings and into the oil pressure region (far too high).

Agree with Flasher, it seems that they are adding a little more than the usual 5k dealer premium.

[deanpluthero]

i do think it's a little over priced... but cerbies are becoming harder to find (4.5) especially later reg.

[chibbard]

I too think it sounds a little expensive. Feel free to use mine as a comparison.
The car: Cerb 4.5 LW, 2000MY, Reflex Purple, Tuscan seats, Air con, 9,500 miles etc.
Three months ago paid £36.995 at TVR main dealer.
This also included an almost reasonable p/ex for my Griff 500.
Also, make sure you check out the PH classified as there's a couple on there with a similar price tag etc.
I'm new to PH's and have not yet sorted a picture of mine out yet, however it was at Duxford and someone put it on the Fontango website. (I think it looks the nuts if you don't mind me saying so)

[minicooperturbo]

Thanks for all the replies.

I also think it's a bit pricey - but it's in good nick. What do you all think is a good price for it? 30K? 32K?

Just to clarify on the temp issue. The temp needle does go all the way to the oil pressure gauge, passing on it's way, the 100C and 110C temp marks.

[gazzab]

Private you would try and pay 25K for that car. So Garage should let one go for around 30K I would argue.
That is a very high price.

[ro_butler]

Hmmm, I am not ure they would let it go for £30k but you never know. Mole Valley had a Black 4.5 LW on their site for almost a year before dropping the price to 'Please Enquire'. It is not there anymore so I assume they sold it.
Time is on your side so make them an offer and if you are not 100% happy walk away.

If you do get it make them fix that gauge, they are only really a guide but this one sounds utterly worthless given that it is using the oil pressure part of the display.

Rob.

[gazzab]

I am not suggesting that they should let it go for 30K I am only suggesting my view on what they should be charging. there are always other punters. Maybe 32K woud be the top price to pay. 35K is really too far over what it is worth. But at the end of the day you make your choices and go for it. But look at any car at hawthorns and whether it is a TVR or not it is always advertised as 'ony nnnnn miles' (even if the miles are way over avg) and they are always well over book.

[RichB]

quote:Just to clarify on the temp issue. The temp needle does go all the way to the oil pressure gauge, passing on it's way, the 100C and 110C temp marks.

Oh sorry Rich...

[chibbard]

Just to let you know that i did actually look at the black one at Mole Valley and was not impressed at the condition at all.

[ro_butler]

quote:
Just to let you know that i did actually look at the black one at Mole Valley and was not impressed at the condition at all.

Probably why it took them ages to sell it.
IMHO condition and history is everything, it increases the odds of getting a good 'un. If you know what to look for and the Hawthorns car fits the bill then go for it (but as stated earlier, any doubts walk away).

Rob.

[minicooperturbo]

Well, I went down to the showroom on Saturday, and brought the car. I couldn't help myself.

[MikeyT]

minicooperturbo,

Top man. Hope you're happy with it!

Did you get a lot of the price?

:beingnosey:

[minicooperturbo]

Thanks MikeyT.

Got 2.5K off the price, as well as 2 years unlimited warranty, new MOT, 12 months road tax, a service, a new rad and temp senser.

So I'm quite happy

Just need to sort out the finance and insurance.

So a couple of weeks should see me with the beast.

>> Edited by minicooperturbo on Monday 2nd September 16:56

[pedestrian]

quote:

Just need to sort out the finance and insurance

How much you puttin' aside for maintainence then.

It's one of the things putting me off. A £400 gearbox for a griff is fine but Cerbera boxes (..etc)...