What should I look out for ... ?
Discussion
I am about to view my first Cerbera at the weekend, a 4.2 1997, and have been building up to this for years now. Now that I am finally able to purchase one, I have just realised that, despite my past research, there may be some real useful ideas anyone of you experts could have as to what to look out for? Any thoughts, advice, experiences (good and bad) would be REAL, REAL USEFUL so please do contribute - I'd be ever so grateful. Thanks in advance. Chris.
Ensure owner doesnt thrash from cold.
ensure is used regularly.
ensrue uprights and other mods have been done.
ensure car is well cared for.
ensure fsh.
ensure big pile of bills.
look at tyres, exhaust, dampers, chasssis (especially for crash repair)...
dont worry about bodywork repairs.
ensure it has aircon. ensure this works.
Ensure all lxs work.
Ensure engine is very quiet once 5 mins into warm up.
ensure it isnt driven fast (voer 3k revs) until oil pressure drops.
Ensure oil pressure looks good in terms of dropping as car warms, moves up under load and doesnt idel at 0.
ensure no smoking.
ensure is used regularly.
ensrue uprights and other mods have been done.
ensure car is well cared for.
ensure fsh.
ensure big pile of bills.
look at tyres, exhaust, dampers, chasssis (especially for crash repair)...
dont worry about bodywork repairs.
ensure it has aircon. ensure this works.
Ensure all lxs work.
Ensure engine is very quiet once 5 mins into warm up.
ensure it isnt driven fast (voer 3k revs) until oil pressure drops.
Ensure oil pressure looks good in terms of dropping as car warms, moves up under load and doesnt idel at 0.
ensure no smoking.
gazzab said: ensure 5 th is feeling healthy at standstill - as this is used to allow reverse to be selected it can be worn out.
What is being asked £'s wise for the car?
I've always wondered about this. I too use 5th before reverse as reverse has no syncro. But is it not wiser to use first instead? I'm less likely to use first whilst moving so not too bothered about it's syncro getting worn.
Dunno, really.
Thank you all for your excellent feedback, especially gazzab - thank you !!
They're asking £19,500 and it sounds like a nicely cared for one, but don't they all? I'm mechanically aware, but not specifically on Cerberas, so understand oil pressure monitoring, gear box tightness, etc. However, as this is my first Cerbie (or TVR for that matter), I want to be able to distinguish between "crap" and "character" ... and don't want to confuse one for the other ?!?
Probably worth mentioning that it's a "pre" mods version (97/98) yet has had the cams and clutch upgraded, plus has sports pipes.
I'm seeing it Sunday afternoon so will feedback outcome.
They're asking £19,500 and it sounds like a nicely cared for one, but don't they all? I'm mechanically aware, but not specifically on Cerberas, so understand oil pressure monitoring, gear box tightness, etc. However, as this is my first Cerbie (or TVR for that matter), I want to be able to distinguish between "crap" and "character" ... and don't want to confuse one for the other ?!?
Probably worth mentioning that it's a "pre" mods version (97/98) yet has had the cams and clutch upgraded, plus has sports pipes.
I'm seeing it Sunday afternoon so will feedback outcome.
Mine's cheaper and got all the goodies too
...for the benefit of anyone else that's reading, and wants a well sorted and fully updated [in mechanical terms] 97 car. ['99 factory engine rebuild so up-to-date block etc, with later cams, clutch etc]
Does no-one want to travel north of Watford for a Cerbera?
WB
>> Edited by williamball on Friday 28th March 16:10
...for the benefit of anyone else that's reading, and wants a well sorted and fully updated [in mechanical terms] 97 car. ['99 factory engine rebuild so up-to-date block etc, with later cams, clutch etc]
Does no-one want to travel north of Watford for a Cerbera?
WB
>> Edited by williamball on Friday 28th March 16:10
Look at and try as many as possible; you'll soon start to see the distinction.
cinman said:....I want to be able to distinguish between "crap" and "character" ... and don't want to confuse one for the other ?!?
Also try and get along to TVRCC club meets or PistonHeads gatherings and have a poke around the Cerberas there for comparison. We usually like nothing better than talking about and demonstrating our P&Js.
I asked the same question before I bought my '97 car over three years ago - couldn't get a straight answer out of anyone!
So far mine (along with lots of others) has had the front uprights changed for beefier ones - the old ones tended to crack, apparently. You can tell cos there's a little round sticker in the engine bay which says so. Apart from that, i'm not sure what mods people are talking about. You could have the early camshafts, or the later ones. Mine has the earlier which are a lot noisier in general, produce a peakier power curve (turbo-like kick) but apparently can lead to excessive wear somewhere in the noisy bit under the bonnet. But, mine has been fine (so far). Other mods could also be the later style clutch - the earlier one isn't available anymore and so usually you have to get the whole whatsit upgraded, unless of course you use someone like Joolz (shameless plug) to look after your car in which case he can faff with the old one and fix it for you without the expense. I've removed the detail here cos I simply don't know ..!
Anyone else know of any other mods to earlier cars? I heard a rumour that you could/should look for a dipstick at the front of the engine as opposed to the back, but this would indicate the newer style 4.5 engine block, so one hell of an upgrade! Of course, not necessarily a bad thing .. the later the better, I guess, eh William!
I'd say drive as many as you can - I drove 3 or so, and really should have driven more. Mine is a good one - good power, low maintenance, used every day, etc. But I think I stumbled on it more by luck than judgement! Previous owner is a good indication - went to see a Chimaera with a friend once; the battery was flat when we arrived and it was quite tatty. Also he didn't seem to know the first thing about the car- a sure sign that he's not really interested in its upkeep.
>> Edited by futie on Friday 28th March 22:42
So far mine (along with lots of others) has had the front uprights changed for beefier ones - the old ones tended to crack, apparently. You can tell cos there's a little round sticker in the engine bay which says so. Apart from that, i'm not sure what mods people are talking about. You could have the early camshafts, or the later ones. Mine has the earlier which are a lot noisier in general, produce a peakier power curve (turbo-like kick) but apparently can lead to excessive wear somewhere in the noisy bit under the bonnet. But, mine has been fine (so far). Other mods could also be the later style clutch - the earlier one isn't available anymore and so usually you have to get the whole whatsit upgraded, unless of course you use someone like Joolz (shameless plug) to look after your car in which case he can faff with the old one and fix it for you without the expense. I've removed the detail here cos I simply don't know ..!
Anyone else know of any other mods to earlier cars? I heard a rumour that you could/should look for a dipstick at the front of the engine as opposed to the back, but this would indicate the newer style 4.5 engine block, so one hell of an upgrade! Of course, not necessarily a bad thing .. the later the better, I guess, eh William!
I'd say drive as many as you can - I drove 3 or so, and really should have driven more. Mine is a good one - good power, low maintenance, used every day, etc. But I think I stumbled on it more by luck than judgement! Previous owner is a good indication - went to see a Chimaera with a friend once; the battery was flat when we arrived and it was quite tatty. Also he didn't seem to know the first thing about the car- a sure sign that he's not really interested in its upkeep.
>> Edited by futie on Friday 28th March 22:42
If you need an expert inspection try Rob Ingleby (www.findasportscar.co.uk). He's looking at a car for me next week and the good thing is he's willing to travel.
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