Looking to buy my first Cerbera, anyone know P885 KON?
Discussion
Hi,
I’m looking to purchase my first Cerbera and any advice is welcome. I know it’s subjective, but I’ve was advised by a friend to go for a 4.2 over the 4.5 as it’s a nicer drive, is this good advice?
I’ve seen a ‘97 Cerbera for sale reg P885KON and wondered if anyone on here knows it’s history.
Lastly, it’s in High Wycombe and I’d like to take a TVR expert along with me to check for hidden issues a newbie would miss, do you have any contacts who would travel to that area for an inspection?
Thanks in advance,
Matt
I’m looking to purchase my first Cerbera and any advice is welcome. I know it’s subjective, but I’ve was advised by a friend to go for a 4.2 over the 4.5 as it’s a nicer drive, is this good advice?
I’ve seen a ‘97 Cerbera for sale reg P885KON and wondered if anyone on here knows it’s history.
Lastly, it’s in High Wycombe and I’d like to take a TVR expert along with me to check for hidden issues a newbie would miss, do you have any contacts who would travel to that area for an inspection?
Thanks in advance,
Matt
I had a 4.5, I dint think in the real world it makes any difference.
Buy on condition, condition and history. Don't buy a garage queen that does 700 miles a year. They like to be used.
Make sure the chassis (particularly the outriggers) is solid and have a good look through the service history.
Don't buy the first one you look at.
And take someone who knows Cerbs. An AA or other report is next to useless, they don't understand small production cars.
Buy on condition, condition and history. Don't buy a garage queen that does 700 miles a year. They like to be used.
Make sure the chassis (particularly the outriggers) is solid and have a good look through the service history.
Don't buy the first one you look at.
And take someone who knows Cerbs. An AA or other report is next to useless, they don't understand small production cars.
All I'll say, is they like being driven.
In the last 19 years how much of the perishable stuff has been replaced? Brake flexies, fuel lines, various seals...
How much has the electrics been used? How many time have the washers and wipers been used in that time (apart from MOT)?
When did it last get a good long drive?
Go and see it, but be VERY picky.
In the last 19 years how much of the perishable stuff has been replaced? Brake flexies, fuel lines, various seals...
How much has the electrics been used? How many time have the washers and wipers been used in that time (apart from MOT)?
When did it last get a good long drive?
Go and see it, but be VERY picky.
Hiya MKC 
I think after 4 days of PH membership and looking to buy a Cerb you may have broken a record - Congratulations.!
As the guys have already said
Condition, Service History, Contact previous owners,
You are already doing the two best things by using PH and by asking someone to go with you.
I can't as I live in Luxembourg - but someone will offer
Take it out - 4.2 or 4.5 doesn't matter
"Nicer drive" ? These cars are so different from anything you've had before (probably)
that you won't be able to sense the difference.
When I was looking, I tried two that were Series 1s and each had summat that wasn't quite right.
I plumped up an extra 15%, at the time, and went for a Series 2.
I was VERY Lucky (he says 14 years and 70K miles later)
If you don't know what you're looking at yet, take a gander over my guide
Best of
I think after 4 days of PH membership and looking to buy a Cerb you may have broken a record - Congratulations.!
As the guys have already said
Condition, Service History, Contact previous owners,
You are already doing the two best things by using PH and by asking someone to go with you.
I can't as I live in Luxembourg - but someone will offer
Take it out - 4.2 or 4.5 doesn't matter
"Nicer drive" ? These cars are so different from anything you've had before (probably)
that you won't be able to sense the difference.
When I was looking, I tried two that were Series 1s and each had summat that wasn't quite right.
I plumped up an extra 15%, at the time, and went for a Series 2.
I was VERY Lucky (he says 14 years and 70K miles later)
If you don't know what you're looking at yet, take a gander over my guide
Best of
https://www.hillclimbgarage.co.uk/used-cars/999912...
One owner car, blue with magnolia interior, not a bad colour scheme. Exterior looks good, still got the cats in. with the large rear exhaust
Is that oil or waxoil on the chassis? Easy to see, oil leaks are usually rear of the engine, so drips from the gearbox, or from the diff
The steering wheel looks worn, owner probably had a ring
Worth a look, check the service history - see whats been done
Check the MOT history, it's done very few miles since 2006
https://www.check-mot.service.gov.uk/
One owner car, blue with magnolia interior, not a bad colour scheme. Exterior looks good, still got the cats in. with the large rear exhaust
Is that oil or waxoil on the chassis? Easy to see, oil leaks are usually rear of the engine, so drips from the gearbox, or from the diff
The steering wheel looks worn, owner probably had a ring
Worth a look, check the service history - see whats been done
Check the MOT history, it's done very few miles since 2006
https://www.check-mot.service.gov.uk/
Edited by Byker28i on Sunday 25th August 20:27
It's listed on ebay too:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TVR-Cerbera/11372686370...
Passed the MoT in May with no advisories (25,886 miles) after fixing the headlamp aim and windscreen wipers failure items from the first test.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TVR-Cerbera/11372686370...
Passed the MoT in May with no advisories (25,886 miles) after fixing the headlamp aim and windscreen wipers failure items from the first test.
ianwayne said:
It's listed on ebay too:
Hillclimb Garage said:
The car has completed approximately 2000 miles in the last 19 years
Was it part of a car collection, or was it never reliable enough to use?There are several pictures of the rear number plate, but none of the engine bay (let alone the underside)
It would be worth letting it idle on a summers day like this, for long enough to see the fans cycle on and off
It may have had a recent service, but did that include tappets?
Since it has hardly moved in 19 years, I expect there are a lot of consumables that will have perished and need replacing
That may well include head gaskets if the coolant hasn't been refreshed religiously
ukkid35 said:
Was it part of a car collection, or was it never reliable enough to use?
There are several pictures of the rear number plate, but none of the engine bay (let alone the underside)
It would be worth letting it idle on a summers day like this, for long enough to see the fans cycle on and off
It may have had a recent service, but did that include tappets?
Since it has hardly moved in 19 years, I expect there are a lot of consumables that will have perished and need replacing
That may well include head gaskets if the coolant hasn't been refreshed religiously
It does have engine bay and underside photos on their own website https://www.hillclimbgarage.co.uk/used-cars/999912...There are several pictures of the rear number plate, but none of the engine bay (let alone the underside)
It would be worth letting it idle on a summers day like this, for long enough to see the fans cycle on and off
It may have had a recent service, but did that include tappets?
Since it has hardly moved in 19 years, I expect there are a lot of consumables that will have perished and need replacing
That may well include head gaskets if the coolant hasn't been refreshed religiously
I don't know the garage myself but I believe they are well regarded.
With it being in a garage I would highly recommend asking them to put it on the ramps so you can have a good poke around underneath.
As Paul says it may need some work, take a good torch with you to look at it there are lots of things you need to check for like coolant seeping past headbolts(a clear sign the head gaskets have rotted) as will as all the rubber bits underneath and the chassis especially the out riggers and where the exhaust manifolds go past the chassis.
With it being in a garage I would highly recommend asking them to put it on the ramps so you can have a good poke around underneath.
As Paul says it may need some work, take a good torch with you to look at it there are lots of things you need to check for like coolant seeping past headbolts(a clear sign the head gaskets have rotted) as will as all the rubber bits underneath and the chassis especially the out riggers and where the exhaust manifolds go past the chassis.
Twin sump plugs so early engine still. Dirty fingermarks under the instrument binnacle so someone's been in there and not cleaned up after themselves, everything else looks pretty tidy though. Odd catalysts too but cat issues are commonplace anyway. Bellhousng's deep webs suggests early bellhousing so still on an early clutch too ? Fair enough price at 20k from a garage I would think if it has a generous warranty to cover engine and clutch. Nice original early cerb as TVR intended including single bubble door seals and bodgey foam down the A pillar to stop wind noise! All standard early spec.
History suggests the first and last of a model are the ones that get the best prices so worth a punt I'd say as an unmolested single headlamp / fiesta rears / saturn 16s car.
History suggests the first and last of a model are the ones that get the best prices so worth a punt I'd say as an unmolested single headlamp / fiesta rears / saturn 16s car.
I went to see it this morning and it is a nice honest looking car, half leather interior and a bit of wear on the drivers bolster.
Carpet and boot carpet are lovely and clean. Boot smelly of petrol so I would guess all the normal bits for the fuel system need replacing.
Service history is all stamped up with MOT Certs and the V5 is with the car. There are no receipts or details of any work done and has not been serviced for 19 years but not used either.
The garage said they would put the car on a lift if a buyer wanted so you could have a look at the bits that can go rusty. I did feel underneath and the outriggers need cleaning up but I couldn't find any holes.
Any way got to go out for lunch now but if the OP wants a chat then call me.
07920494667.
Carpet and boot carpet are lovely and clean. Boot smelly of petrol so I would guess all the normal bits for the fuel system need replacing.
Service history is all stamped up with MOT Certs and the V5 is with the car. There are no receipts or details of any work done and has not been serviced for 19 years but not used either.
The garage said they would put the car on a lift if a buyer wanted so you could have a look at the bits that can go rusty. I did feel underneath and the outriggers need cleaning up but I couldn't find any holes.
Any way got to go out for lunch now but if the OP wants a chat then call me.
07920494667.
Take or get someone to take a close look as possible at as much wiring as can be got to, if any of the following terminals (see images below) can be found in use it means that the vehicle has been worked on by people that are clueless with electrics and there is also every chance that mechanical jobs around the vehicle have not been carried out to a good standard
Messed up electrics = Big bills in the future
I'm serious, the above method never fails
Messed up electrics = Big bills in the future
I'm serious, the above method never fails
Edited by Penelope Stopit on Monday 26th August 14:13
Small world. I live in high Wycombe and use hillclimb garage to mot and maintain all our family cars and to MOT my griff each year. They are a family run decent/honest garage who don't charge the earth for maintenance and repairs.
I had a look at the cerb when i was there getting another car fixed last week. It is not immaculate but it's pretty good and looks like an honest car. I started it and it sounded good from cold and not too rattly in fact it sounded exactly the same as my early 97 4.2 cerb, which brought back happy memories.
I had a look at the cerb when i was there getting another car fixed last week. It is not immaculate but it's pretty good and looks like an honest car. I started it and it sounded good from cold and not too rattly in fact it sounded exactly the same as my early 97 4.2 cerb, which brought back happy memories.
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