1996/P 4.2 Cerb
Discussion
I drive a '96 4.2.
I would look in particular at the service history. You want to see if things like Starter motors have been replaced in its life, and Lambda sensors (which seem to get eaten).
Look to see if the car has had any engine rebuilds, and later mods applied. The dipstick position can be an indication of this - no mods will leave the dipstick in the V, close to the bulkhead. Later mods put the dipstick at the front of the engine IIRC.
Make sure the test drive is fairly long. You are looking for Warped disks in particular, which the car is prone too, but will not show their head until the brake surfaces are warmed through.
Things that you might notice, but that are completely normal would include Tappety sounding engine, particularly when cold, but still when warm.
The car will tramline given half a chance
The pedals are heavy - particularly the clutch
The accelerator has a very long travel (make sure it finds the carpet at a well chosen point
)
The car will seem to splutter at 2-3000rpm. This is due to the mix being cat friendly, but not cerbera engine friendly.
I am sure others will be able to add to this list for you!!
Happy hunting.
I would look in particular at the service history. You want to see if things like Starter motors have been replaced in its life, and Lambda sensors (which seem to get eaten).
Look to see if the car has had any engine rebuilds, and later mods applied. The dipstick position can be an indication of this - no mods will leave the dipstick in the V, close to the bulkhead. Later mods put the dipstick at the front of the engine IIRC.
Make sure the test drive is fairly long. You are looking for Warped disks in particular, which the car is prone too, but will not show their head until the brake surfaces are warmed through.
Things that you might notice, but that are completely normal would include Tappety sounding engine, particularly when cold, but still when warm.
The car will tramline given half a chance
The pedals are heavy - particularly the clutch
The accelerator has a very long travel (make sure it finds the carpet at a well chosen point
) The car will seem to splutter at 2-3000rpm. This is due to the mix being cat friendly, but not cerbera engine friendly.
I am sure others will be able to add to this list for you!!
Happy hunting.
Hi, I've seen a 96/P 4.2 Cerbera for sale near to where I live for £15,995, I spoke to the owner, he's had it two years and uses it every day, it's done about 45k miles.
I was wondering if this sounded like an 'ok' car for the money? I've had other TVR's, but never a Cerb, so would be interested in opinions.
I've heard that Cerbs are more reliable if used every day, so I'm thinking that this one will be okay, any suggestions on what I should look out for on it.
Or you could look at my wonderous 97P, with a few less miles, lots of goodies & history for not an awful lot more. OK, so I'm probably miles away, but EasyJet are cheap.
WB
Steve's spot on.
the only things i'll add is:
check for water ingress/under mats etc. the early ones do sometimes leak (see my profile)
given the mileage its likely to have the updated clutch
check ALL electrical switches/window auto close works
spend a while looking over the bills/receipts
do not be put off but the "lumpy" idle when cold, once warm the engine should be smooth (but fairly cammy)
see how the owner drives it from cold, cautious warming up is sign the car's been well looked after
they do like being used everyday - but high mileage = 2 services a year which can be costly
Chris
>> Edited by chrissy g on Thursday 27th February 18:25
the only things i'll add is:
check for water ingress/under mats etc. the early ones do sometimes leak (see my profile)
given the mileage its likely to have the updated clutch
check ALL electrical switches/window auto close works
spend a while looking over the bills/receipts
do not be put off but the "lumpy" idle when cold, once warm the engine should be smooth (but fairly cammy)
see how the owner drives it from cold, cautious warming up is sign the car's been well looked after
they do like being used everyday - but high mileage = 2 services a year which can be costly
Chris
>> Edited by chrissy g on Thursday 27th February 18:25
i think £15,995 is plenty cheap enough for a cerb.
i know all things get cheaper in time but wouldn't it be in the interests of current owners not to go to cheap when selling.obviously no one wants to pay more than they have to but for the performance and style on offer, to me a cerb is always going to be worth more than a ordinary family saloon,don't you think?
i know its frustrating when you want a car that you can't quite afford and so hope they get cheaper in time ,but how long before there are tatty neglected cerbs everywhere 'cos there in the 'wrong' hands.
i hope i don't sound snooty it just seems a shame that a premium product is getting so cheap.
i think its worth paying that little bit extra for something thats really nice.
i know all things get cheaper in time but wouldn't it be in the interests of current owners not to go to cheap when selling.obviously no one wants to pay more than they have to but for the performance and style on offer, to me a cerb is always going to be worth more than a ordinary family saloon,don't you think?
i know its frustrating when you want a car that you can't quite afford and so hope they get cheaper in time ,but how long before there are tatty neglected cerbs everywhere 'cos there in the 'wrong' hands.
i hope i don't sound snooty it just seems a shame that a premium product is getting so cheap.
i think its worth paying that little bit extra for something thats really nice.
I have a 96 Cerbera quite an early one engine no. 92 I think, I paid 24K from a dealer nearly 3yrs ago. I would personally still price my car at 24K.
I beleive I have added to its value with the verious mods I have carried out wheels, lights etc. However most here will be thinking 24k for a 96 Cerb no way and if I was in the market for a 96 cerb now I would say no way. The point I am trying to make is the car is only worth what an individual thinks its worth.
Also taking into account the running costs of a Cerb then the only way to shift one is a low purchase price.
By the way the comments above pretty much cover all that goes wrong with a Cerbera, check how much oil it uses and what oil its running. 1ltr of mobil 1 per 1k miles is around norm.(oil is very thin)
Paul
I beleive I have added to its value with the verious mods I have carried out wheels, lights etc. However most here will be thinking 24k for a 96 Cerb no way and if I was in the market for a 96 cerb now I would say no way. The point I am trying to make is the car is only worth what an individual thinks its worth.
Also taking into account the running costs of a Cerb then the only way to shift one is a low purchase price.
By the way the comments above pretty much cover all that goes wrong with a Cerbera, check how much oil it uses and what oil its running. 1ltr of mobil 1 per 1k miles is around norm.(oil is very thin)
Paul
Why would anyone want to sell their Cerbs? What is there that you can buy which looks and performs better for the money? The only reason I can think of is that it is eating money in terms of repairs and running costs, in which case I wouldn't want to buy it particularly. I think I would always look at the seller's motives in selling as closely as possible....
A 'cheap' cerb doesnt really exist!!?
Mine is a 98 S 4.5 , I have paid for the following in 13 months - complete engine rebuild to full 2002 spec, new exhaust, new wheels (ok just the fitting and mods), new tryes, new starter,new battery, air con pipes, track rod end, service, uv joints on steering, boot leak repairs, mot, air con re-gas etc.... Not sure how much this little lot has cost me. If I was selling I would be happy that the car was perfect in almost every aspect and that the new owner shouldnt get any big bills as there is very little that isnt new. But ultimately you never know whats round the corner. If selling I would expect to get around £20K for the car mostly because of the security that such a solid car would offer a new owner. But I am sure there are cheaper ones around with lower mileages just itching to get a new owner to spend many thousands keeping them on the road.
Mine is a 98 S 4.5 , I have paid for the following in 13 months - complete engine rebuild to full 2002 spec, new exhaust, new wheels (ok just the fitting and mods), new tryes, new starter,new battery, air con pipes, track rod end, service, uv joints on steering, boot leak repairs, mot, air con re-gas etc.... Not sure how much this little lot has cost me. If I was selling I would be happy that the car was perfect in almost every aspect and that the new owner shouldnt get any big bills as there is very little that isnt new. But ultimately you never know whats round the corner. If selling I would expect to get around £20K for the car mostly because of the security that such a solid car would offer a new owner. But I am sure there are cheaper ones around with lower mileages just itching to get a new owner to spend many thousands keeping them on the road.
AllTorque said: Why would anyone want to sell their Cerbs? What is there that you can buy which looks and performs better for the money? The only reason I can think of is that it is eating money in terms of repairs and running costs, in which case I wouldn't want to buy it particularly. I think I would always look at the seller's motives in selling as closely as possible....
My [very reliable and well sorted one] is up for sale as I want a more serious track day tool! Yes, even through the Cerb is a serious tool for the road, there are quicker things on track.
WB
I agree entirely with gazzab, I don't own a Cerb (yet) but I would definately bear in mind the work that has been carried out in the last couple of years when looking at the price. As it happens I was considering buying a 5-6 year old in about a year (hence why I'm hanging around here) and in light of some of the horror stories I've heard a nice wodge of reciepts would be worth it's weight in gold
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