Up to £16,500 to spend on a Cerbie!
Discussion
Well theres two on AutoTrader.........
1997 TVR CERBERA 4.2 2+2 2dr Coupe
tvr cerbera 4.2 r reg full tvr service hist air con power stearing traker sports exhoust grey leather int tahitti metalic comelion paintwork car is on hpi hence daft price. 40000 miles. £14999
&
1997 TVR Cerbera, 1997, 56000 miles,
metallic red, grey leather, power steering, aircon, electric windows, 6 stack CD player, 4 brand new tyres, full Cristopher Neil SH, alloys, this car is a giveaway. £15,995
The 2nd one sounds the better deal, both have nothing to do with me
1997 TVR CERBERA 4.2 2+2 2dr Coupe
tvr cerbera 4.2 r reg full tvr service hist air con power stearing traker sports exhoust grey leather int tahitti metalic comelion paintwork car is on hpi hence daft price. 40000 miles. £14999
&
1997 TVR Cerbera, 1997, 56000 miles,
metallic red, grey leather, power steering, aircon, electric windows, 6 stack CD player, 4 brand new tyres, full Cristopher Neil SH, alloys, this car is a giveaway. £15,995
The 2nd one sounds the better deal, both have nothing to do with me
raceboy said: Well theres two on AutoTrader.........
1997 TVR CERBERA 4.2 2+2 2dr Coupe
tvr cerbera 4.2 r reg full tvr service hist air con power stearing traker sports exhoust grey leather int tahitti metalic comelion paintwork car is on hpi hence daft price. 40000 miles. £14999
&
1997 TVR Cerbera, 1997, 56000 miles,
metallic red, grey leather, power steering, aircon, electric windows, 6 stack CD player, 4 brand new tyres, full Cristopher Neil SH, alloys, this car is a giveaway. £15,995
The 2nd one sounds the better deal, both have nothing to do with me
Thanks Raceboy, but I'm looking for one with lower mileage and no accident damage.
raceboy said: Well theres two on AutoTrader.........
1997 TVR CERBERA 4.2 2+2 2dr Coupe
tvr cerbera 4.2 r reg full tvr service hist air con power stearing traker sports exhoust grey leather int tahitti metalic comelion paintwork car is on hpi hence daft price. 40000 miles. £14999
&
1997 TVR Cerbera, 1997, 56000 miles,
metallic red, grey leather, power steering, aircon, electric windows, 6 stack CD player, 4 brand new tyres, full Cristopher Neil SH, alloys, this car is a giveaway. £15,995
The 2nd one sounds the better deal, both have nothing to do with me
WOOF WOOF Grrrr
Chancer said:
simwimjim said: Chancer you won't get a low milage not damaged TVR Cerby for Under £16500 sorry, save your money to around 25k and you will get your dream car.
There out there! I've seen them but didn't have the cash at the time.
out there for a reason mate, take the advice from these guys, Cerbs cost an arm and scrotum to operate, buy one of these 'cheaper' examples and you could be in deep sh1t
. But then I woke up and realised what a bargain I had sitting on the drive and decided to keep it!IMHO I think 16.5K is not going to buy your dream car. There are Cerberas out there at this price, and thats for a reason.
Second thing is, they are not cheap to run - I would think long and hard if you are running on such a tight budget. Either save some more cash or look at the alternatives (Chimaera/Griffith?).
Happy hunting,
Tommo
>> Edited by tommomic on Monday 31st March 21:07
Second thing is, they are not cheap to run - I would think long and hard if you are running on such a tight budget. Either save some more cash or look at the alternatives (Chimaera/Griffith?).
Happy hunting,
Tommo
>> Edited by tommomic on Monday 31st March 21:07
chancer
I'd beg borrow or steal another £2.5K and go and see Paul Highfield's Blue 98 4.2 (Ad on here - car pictured next to burnt out wreck). I looked at it a couple of weeks ago and thought it very good (but don't take my opinion as gospel).
Didn't buy it in the end as I wanted a 4.5 and bought the AML Purple one also advertised here - great so far!
IMO, not worth taking a chance on anything cheaper than around £19K.
Good luck
Sean
I'd beg borrow or steal another £2.5K and go and see Paul Highfield's Blue 98 4.2 (Ad on here - car pictured next to burnt out wreck). I looked at it a couple of weeks ago and thought it very good (but don't take my opinion as gospel).
Didn't buy it in the end as I wanted a 4.5 and bought the AML Purple one also advertised here - great so far!
IMO, not worth taking a chance on anything cheaper than around £19K.
Good luck
Sean
tommomic said: IMHO I think 16.5K is not going to buy your dream car. There are Cerberas out there at this price, and thats for a reason.
Second thing is, they are not cheap to run - I would think long and hard if you are running on such a tight budget. Either save some more cash or look at the alternatives (Chimaera/Griffith?).
Happy hunting,
Tommo
>> Edited by tommomic on Monday 31st March 21:07
I'm in total agreement with Tommo, not wanting to shatter anyones dreams (but maybe saving you some financial nightmares) but it does frighten me when people quote low figures they have to spend to buy a Cerbie simply because it seems to indicate that very little is available for maintainance and running. This may not be so in your case and if not, happy hunting, otherwise....
Have you worked out how much the first year (12k miles in my case) will cost assuming nothing needs fixed (insurance, two services, petrol)? Then factor in a new set of boots all round, say one broken clutch, a bonnet/mirror respray for those stone chips and just for good measure a new set of disks and pads all round? Anyone got any estimates for this? I got rid of my 4.5 2 years ago so things may have changed since then, but at a guess.
Insurance: £1000
Servicing: £600 + £800
Tyres : £800
Clutch : £1000 (?)
Painting : £450
Brakes : £600 (complete guess)
Fuel : £2500 (18mpg)
That comes to the best part of £8k, even if nothing needs done it's still £5k which interestingly enough is exactly how much it cost me to run my 4.5 for a year.
What does everyone think? Am I way off the mark or just being realistic?
Neil
>> Edited by neilv on Wednesday 2nd April 09:50
>> Edited by neilv on Wednesday 2nd April 09:50
Do listen to people on the forum as the financial graveyard is full of people who thought they knew better and would 'have a go' at buying the bottom of the bracket 
...trust me - it WILL cost you money regardless 
but its a rewarding experience ! - these things have a habit of little bits and bobs needing doing...and a low mileage unmarked perfect cerbie is NOT going to be yours for $16.5k and if you think you have found one ask yourself and the owner some searching questions and always get it looked over by an independeant if its a private purchase 
....... and the costs are fairly accurate as I have seen listed - I had a very reliable 99 4.5 which only had a couple of niggles but still cost me a lot over 1 year ( Dealer services are same as the 355 ) .......you might be better waiting or trying to aquire a little more cash in my view......however I can understand that you just 'want ' one
....we've all been there.... but a little patience can make the relationship a far more rewarding one 
...good luck !! I get off my 
...trust me - it WILL cost you money regardless but its a rewarding experience ! - these things have a habit of little bits and bobs needing doing...and a low mileage unmarked perfect cerbie is NOT going to be yours for $16.5k and if you think you have found one ask yourself and the owner some searching questions and always get it looked over by an independeant if its a private purchase ....... and the costs are fairly accurate as I have seen listed - I had a very reliable 99 4.5 which only had a couple of niggles but still cost me a lot over 1 year ( Dealer services are same as the 355 ) .......you might be better waiting or trying to aquire a little more cash in my view......however I can understand that you just 'want ' one ....we've all been there.... but a little patience can make the relationship a far more rewarding one ...good luck !! I get off my
Chancer said: Okay Guys, I'll save up some more. But there's no harm in asking!
No offence meant - just wouldnt like anyone to be put off the joys of owning a Cerbera by either buying a cheap duffer, or not realising fully how much these beauties cost to run. Makes my partner look like a bargain!
It took a lot of time and effort to find my perfect motor, and it was far from the cheapest for its year.
In the end, you will get one - but hopefully with a little more understanding of what your taking on.
Cheers
Tommo
I would add that it is ultimately pot luck. doesnt matter what a mechanic says etc you could still end up with big bills.
I spent almost 8K in first yr or so on tyres, servicing, engine, clutch, exhaust, air con, fixes etc. ie excl fuel and insurance. So a cheap car could be cheap to run and a well sorted car could end up being expensive. I reckon you might get a good one for £16,500 if you bear in mind the market is cr@p, dealers are paying around 10K sometimes, people sometimes get desparate etc.. BUT I agree that chances are that a 20K is prob a better bet.
I spent almost 8K in first yr or so on tyres, servicing, engine, clutch, exhaust, air con, fixes etc. ie excl fuel and insurance. So a cheap car could be cheap to run and a well sorted car could end up being expensive. I reckon you might get a good one for £16,500 if you bear in mind the market is cr@p, dealers are paying around 10K sometimes, people sometimes get desparate etc.. BUT I agree that chances are that a 20K is prob a better bet.
gazzab said: I would add that it is ultimately pot luck. doesnt matter what a mechanic says etc you could still end up with big bills.
I spent almost 8K in first yr or so on tyres, servicing, engine, clutch, exhaust, air con, fixes etc. ie excl fuel and insurance. So a cheap car could be cheap to run and a well sorted car could end up being expensive. I reckon you might get a good one for £16,500 if you bear in mind the market is cr@p, dealers are paying around 10K sometimes, people sometimes get desparate etc.. BUT I agree that chances are that a 20K is prob a better bet.
Thank you Gazzab! That is exactly what I think. I would rather have a big bill on a £16k car than a £20k car.
I mostly agree with gazzab, but IMHO it is an odds play. Yes you can get big bills with a well maintained example but it is less likely. If something is cheap it is usually for a reason.
However don't be put off, if you look hard enough there are some sorted cheap ones, but I would be tempted to get a good one (a well known one on here is probably a good bet e.g. william ball's cerbie).
The main reason I say this is that if the cheap car is unreliable, then even if you get it fixed and still save money compared to a more expensive one, it will colour your ownership experience. You will always wonder if you will reach your destination etc etc.
It is this that prompted me to buy a slightly more expensive one (also well known as it is Flashers old car) and I am glad to say that it has been fine thus far. (touch wood)
Rob.
However don't be put off, if you look hard enough there are some sorted cheap ones, but I would be tempted to get a good one (a well known one on here is probably a good bet e.g. william ball's cerbie).
The main reason I say this is that if the cheap car is unreliable, then even if you get it fixed and still save money compared to a more expensive one, it will colour your ownership experience. You will always wonder if you will reach your destination etc etc.
It is this that prompted me to buy a slightly more expensive one (also well known as it is Flashers old car) and I am glad to say that it has been fine thus far. (touch wood)
Rob.
While I think it is generally well regarded that post 98 cars were slightly better built, there are a few positives to buying a good early one. Its likely that over the years most niggly problems have been sorted out along the way, just take time and go thru all the old receipts, to check whats been done/or not. Buying a later car will not necessarily protect you from purchasing a lemon which could still cost you tons, at least an earlier model may mean you can put some cash aside should big bills arrive.....
Good luck
Chris
Good luck
Chris
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