Couple of questions for owners/experts

[J_S_G]

Hi all,

Firstly, thanks to everyone in this group for being so helpful with all the posts by people planning on buying Cerberas. I've *almost* managed to get one without having to ask anything. But...

I'm taking a look at a 4.2 down near Bristol this weekend, and was firstly wondering if there are any helpful owners/experts in the area that would be willing to give me a hand checking it out as this'll be my first TVR. I've been quite well conditioned into accepting large bills from the Elise already, but would rather avoid them. Obviously, I'll pay for the help. It'd be nice to compare a "sorted" Cerbera to the one on sale, too.

Secondly, I'm up near Leeds - exactly an hour from any of Chrisopher Neil, Harrogate Horseless, and Joospeed. If I get this car, it'll need a set of 18" wheels, sports exhaust, and headlight conversion doing. Does anybody know which places will do all three of these, or if there are any other places to consider? I'd rather go independent for everything other than getting its service stamps. Also, I'm considering a set of Oz/BK/other wheels rather than the Tuscan spiders, as I'm guessing they're not as pricy.

Hope someone can help me out on this, as I'm totally useless at work at the moment; sitting grinning like an idiot & checking the classifieds every hour!

Thanks in advance!

[simonsparrow]

Is it at a dealers south of Bristol? (Green Cerbera)

[J_S_G]

Nah, it's in blue - they're not even picking it up until tomorrow. Thought I'd get in fast!

[markys]

Where about is it ?

[J_S_G]

Not sure exactly where at the moment, but the dealer's picking it up & taking it to their place in Bristol tomorrow afternoon.

[ro_butler]

Tuscan wheels are actually quite cheap. I got a set with toyo tyres for about £1200. Not sure how much OZ's are but they can't be much cheaper than that surely?

Having said that a different make of wheel would certainly be eye catching, just check out mlumb's car.

Rob.

[williamball]

J_S_G said:

If I get this car, it'll need a set of 18" wheels, sports exhaust, and headlight conversion doing.

So you must be buying a car without wheels, and with no exhaust and with no headlights then?

Unless you just want to sit and look at, it or pootle about town, you may be better advised to address the suspension and brakes...unless of course they've been done already.

WB

[gazzab]

Why not get indie stamps?
Get an indie to inspect?
Get an indie to sort all that stuff for you? they can organise for 18s, fit them (this requires work), they can sort and fit an exhaust and they can probably liaise with a bodyshop re the lights. sorted.
You are better off spending money on suspension first though!

[J_S_G]

williamball said:

So you must be buying a car without wheels, and with no exhaust and with no headlights then?

Yeah, but the engine and both the chassiss that it's welded together from are going for a bargain!

Seriously, though... I know what one looks like & sounds like (and so does the rest of the office since I've spent the last few days playing video clips at them), and what I'll need to do to make myself happy with that. I think I'll take a bit of time to get used to the performance & handling, and see what's wearing and needs replacing anyway, etc. before I decide on any "proper" upgrades. I certainly won't be pushing it too hard or taking it on a track for a while. Is the handling on the limit really that bad without upgrading the suspension? I'm not expecting anything like the Elise, but I'd hope it's fairly respectable!?

[J_S_G]

gazzab said:

Why not get indie stamps? Get an indie to inspect? Get an indie to sort all that stuff for you? they can organise for 18s, fit them (this requires work), they can sort and fit an exhaust and they can probably liaise with a bodyshop re the lights. sorted. You are better off spending money on suspension first though!

I'm debating all this at the moment. I'd rather get an indie to do all the work on it as I've had some approved places do shocking work on my cars in the past (like coming back with £ks of damage), I'm just a bit worried about the resale value. To be honest, the chances are that I'll go independent for everything, I'm just trying to prepare myself for the worst-case costs first!

OK, I'm starting to get the impression that noone rates the suspension... might have to skimp on the furry dice and cow-catcher front air dam to cover that now. Nuts.

[gazzab]

My advice is based on the consencus of opinion and therefore I would question your judgement if you didnt go indie for servicing on an older car and if you spent money on lights and exhaust before suspension. But each to their own.

[tommomic]

J_S_G

I was in the same boat as you last year when I bought my beast, drove all over the country looking at Cerberas only to find my beauty really close to home!

I got the same sort of responses when I was looking at updating my Cerbera - I wanted the light conversion and spiders. It takes time to get to now you car, and mechanically what you would like to do. However, the aesthetics are easy, all down to personal taste - I eventually got the light conversion (front and rear) done by Team Proactive in Birmingham - they would also be able to do the other things if you required (good set of guys). I got a bit sick off people telling me I should spend my money on this and that, its my f**kin hard earned cash!

Its taken me these months to get to know what I would like to do to modify the setup of the car. Just glad I took the time to learn what the standard setup is like, whether in the end you like it or not.

I've used main dealers for the service stamp (Harrogate HC and back home in Blackpool), and independants for any warranty/problems. I would use indies. for everything if only every potential purchaser was a clued up as PH members! Unfortunatly, still think a lot of potentially buyers want a full main dealer stamp.

Agree re. the alloys - the TVR ones are actually pretty inexpensive - its the rubber that adds up! See one of my previous threads for costs I was quoted (just dont go to a main dealer for this!).

Good luck with the hunt.

Cheers,
Tommo

[joelk]

Hi there,

I'm in Leeds (with a 4.5 Cerb Lightweight). TVR MADS sourced mine and have taken care of it when it needed it. I'd recommend them. James Birkby is on 07941 346 345. They're based in Skipton, but they always come over to collect in Leeds as needed. He also chucked in 18" for free with me (and 1 year warranty).

Tell im Joel told ya !

[J_S_G]

joelk said:

I'm in Leeds (with a 4.5 Cerb Lightweight).

Is yours really light blue (crystal topaz??), with a reg. plate "... JOE", or something similar? Saw a *very* nice one parked up near The Calls/Northern Light last week, and had a good walk round it.

Anyway, I'll give 'em a call and see what they can do for me; quite happy to drop it down to Joolz for the exhaust, wheels, etc. - the biggest problem I'm having is sorting out the headlights (without leaving the car at the other end of the country for 2 weeks).

Cheers!

[mlumb]

spend your money on what you like.ok if you blew all your cash on 'style' items and then needed some mechanical repairs you might be a bit gutted,but you could spend some and save some.

at the end of the day most people want there tvr to look good,yes they sound great and go well but if they were pig ugly would you buy one?
if you make it look like you want it to look then you will be happy and other little gremlins won't phase you too much,and as you say it will take alittle time to get used to the drive anyway.

ive just fitted nitrons to my car and agree that its a good upgrade,but i appreciate it mostly 'cos i had 12 months of driving on standard suspension.

enjoy your car when get it,however you choose to spend your cash.

mike.

[dannylt]

Come on - nothing wrong with first mod being noisy exhaust! The xenon lights are great for confident driving at night. As said, you'll appreciate the suspension mods all the more later!

danny