Looking to purchase a cerbera
Discussion
I'm looking to replace my TT190 Elise with a Cerbera as with a change in location, I'm doing rather less twisty country roads and a lot more motorway miles.
A second-hand Cerebra seems to be the match between performance (the supercharged Elise will, theoretically, do 0-60 in 4.5sec) and price £20-30k.
I've had a look at the pistonheads, TVR and the odd dealer website and I'd appreciate a little advice/information.
Models / face lifts
It seems that there are or were three models, the 4.5, the 4.2 and the 4.0 speed six. Is this correct?
Looking over the classifieds there is a lot of mention of the 450 lightweight. What are the main differences between this and the models above (I assume it is lighter!).
The headlights and seats of the car pictured seem to vary. Are the one piece or the seats with the separate headrests the standard? As most of the cars seem to have the single round headlights, I assume these are standard. Are the Tuscan style small lights an aftermarket addition?
This may be a holy war question but which engine/model would you personally recommend and why? Is there any real difference noticeable in sub 100mph road driving?
What extras would you look for? Hydratrack? Second car?
Price/Age/Known Issues
Having a look through the classifieds here, the following price bands seem to fit. Are they about right? Where would you recommend as the sweet spot? At what age/mileage do the main maintenance costs kick in (there seems to be a lot of talk about clutch system failure at 20-24,000 miles).
2002 - 38-41k
2001 - 28-36k
2000 - 29-32k
1999 - 22-27k
1998 - 19-23k
1997 - 15-22k
1996 - 18-20k
Other than the clutch issue above and the obvious issue of accident damage, are there any other issues I should be looking out for?
Thanks for you time
Alex
>>> Edited by Cantankerous on Thursday 3rd July 12:53
Yep 4.0 Six and 4.2 and 4.5 VEights.
The lights can be either an aftermarket add on or TVR fitted. If the car is late 99 and a 4.5 or 2000+ chances are they were TVR fitted. These themselves come in two flavours, the 2000/2001 cars have a bonded cover that contains the lights in the original wing hole and from 2002 they are full blended in.
The LW was a lightweight version of the 4.5 intoduced in 2000 with a lightweight bonnet and doors (maybe bootlid?). Theres also a LW RR which has a bit more power in addition to the 40kgs less.
As for seats from 2001 the Cerb got Tuscan seats
The other thing I have been told to look for is that the front uprights have been done...
The lights can be either an aftermarket add on or TVR fitted. If the car is late 99 and a 4.5 or 2000+ chances are they were TVR fitted. These themselves come in two flavours, the 2000/2001 cars have a bonded cover that contains the lights in the original wing hole and from 2002 they are full blended in.
The LW was a lightweight version of the 4.5 intoduced in 2000 with a lightweight bonnet and doors (maybe bootlid?). Theres also a LW RR which has a bit more power in addition to the 40kgs less.
As for seats from 2001 the Cerb got Tuscan seats
The other thing I have been told to look for is that the front uprights have been done...
Hi Cantankerous
I'll take on some of this.
You are correct with the three models, although the lightweight /
redrose was a recent addition.
The round lights were the original, but many have had the modification
to Tuscan lights ( I believe this costs about 1k to do )
Costs kick in from the off set with 6k and 12k service intervals,
with the being a major service.
Prices can swing dramatically, but you are close to the average
and clean cars can be bought from as little as 16k,
but you have to search hard and have it checked by a TVR expert.
Clutch and cams on older cars, while the engine on older speed six are
the main areas of concern, although a critical one would be
the recall on uprights from 1997 onward cars. This can be checked
with TVR if the car does not have a sticker on the VIN plate.
Basically there are great cars and not so great cars, so check them
out in depth before you buy.
Get a good one and you won't ever look back.
Hope that helps a little.
Regards
Graham
www.aauk.biz/Cerbera/index.htm
I'll take on some of this.
You are correct with the three models, although the lightweight /
redrose was a recent addition.
The round lights were the original, but many have had the modification
to Tuscan lights ( I believe this costs about 1k to do )
Costs kick in from the off set with 6k and 12k service intervals,
with the being a major service.
Prices can swing dramatically, but you are close to the average
and clean cars can be bought from as little as 16k,
but you have to search hard and have it checked by a TVR expert.
Clutch and cams on older cars, while the engine on older speed six are
the main areas of concern, although a critical one would be
the recall on uprights from 1997 onward cars. This can be checked
with TVR if the car does not have a sticker on the VIN plate.
Basically there are great cars and not so great cars, so check them
out in depth before you buy.
Get a good one and you won't ever look back.
Hope that helps a little.
Regards
Graham
www.aauk.biz/Cerbera/index.htm
Cantankerous said:
Models / face lifts
**There have been numerous changes over the years, too many to keep track of infact. The Lightweights of 2000? onwards were a big batch of changes. Identifyable mainly by the new lights front and rear and the Tuscan seats. 03' onwards featured further changes to suspension set ups amongst other little things.
It seems that there are or were three models, the 4.5, the 4.2 and the 4.0 speed six. Is this correct?
**up to 2002 yes, thats the lot. There is also now the Red Rose option for the 4.5 Cerbera (an extra 50bhp REAL). The 4.2 and 4.5 V8s are generally less smooth but provide that V8 soundtrack if thats your thing. The 4.0 S6 is smoother for a bit (look around the forums, esp Tuscan forums), not sure about the sound yet though.
Looking over the classifieds there is a lot of mention of the 450 lightweight. What are the main differences between this and the models above (I assume it is lighter!).
**A few changes to the cars looks/ interior. Not so sure on the lightweightness though. Have seen a few cars measured, they all seemed pretty consistant. Infact a PH'er with a 96 Cerb 4.2 (davidd/ddavid?) found his car to be lighter and pretty much what tvr say weight-wise.
The headlights and seats of the car pictured seem to vary. Are the one piece or the seats with the separate headrests the standard? As most of the cars seem to have the single round headlights, I assume these are standard. Are the Tuscan style small lights an aftermarket addition?
**Lightweight cars feature tuscan style seats and lights. Many older cars have been converted to this style through Zertec/TVRbodyshop/Team proactive to name a few companies. IMHO these look better than the TVR lightweight lights - infact, TVR copied Zertec for the lights.
This may be a holy war question but which engine/model would you personally recommend and why? Is there any real difference noticeable in sub 100mph road driving?
**No difference at all. The Red Rose is the only car of the varients that has any real consistant power advantage, so I guess that will be slightly quicker.
What extras would you look for? Hydratrack?
**Depends on your driving style
Second car?
**Depends on your mileage
Having a look through the classifieds here, the following price bands seem to fit. Are they about right? Where would you recommend as the sweet spot? At what age/mileage do the main maintenance costs kick in (there seems to be a lot of talk about clutch system failure at 20-24,000 miles).
2002 - 38-41k
2001 - 28-36k
2000 - 29-32k
1999 - 22-27k
1998 - 19-23k
1997 - 15-22k
1996 - 18-20k
**Seems about right. The newer cars are said to be built better, but the older cars will have had many of the niggles sorted by now. It is generally agreed that 97/98 was the time when the Cerberas build quality moved up a notch. To be fair cars vary so much an extremely early 96 car is just as likely to be good as a 2000 car. You need to see a few to get a feel for whats good or not, if possible taking an independant along to help you avoid the lemons.
Other than the clutch issue above and the obvious issue of accident damage, are there any other issues I should be looking out for?
**Accident damage isnt a problem as long as its been repaired properly. Alot of TVR's get into accidents when they fall into inexperienced hands (whos going to pick up on that then I wonder)
Clutches arent much of an issue, nor it seems are starter motors anymore?? It'll eat throttle pots though... There isnt much that goes wrong on them thats too costly - its just little niggling faults really.
Thanks for you time
Alex
**My pleasure, enjoy your Cerbera.
>> Edited by BCA on Thursday 3rd July 13:22
Thank you all very much for the helpful advice and information, It has given me a good start. Like the website Graham.
I just have two small questions, firstly, can you recommend a good independent who, for a small fee (or lots of beer) would be interested in looking over a prospective car should I find one.
Secondly, anyone in the Newbury or Reading area that would be willing to give me a quick spin in a Cerbera (as a passenger)? I’ll cover fuel costs and a beer or two (to take home).
Alex
I just have two small questions, firstly, can you recommend a good independent who, for a small fee (or lots of beer) would be interested in looking over a prospective car should I find one.
Secondly, anyone in the Newbury or Reading area that would be willing to give me a quick spin in a Cerbera (as a passenger)? I’ll cover fuel costs and a beer or two (to take home).
Alex
cantankerous said:
I just have two small questions, firstly, can you recommend a good independent who, for a small fee (or lots of beer) would be interested in looking over a prospective car should I find one.
Alex
Hi Alex
There are a few, I found my own car and then had
Rob Ingleby check it over (www.findasportscar.co.uk),
then once I had the car, I had TopCats give it a quick service.
(www.topcatsracing.com)
There are others who will also find you a car like
James Agger ( www.jamesagger.com ) to save you
the hunting.
These pages should be visited often for ANY question
Cerbera related.
Thanks for the kind words on the website, I only
started it this week and it's been great fun already.
Good luck!
Graham
www.aauk.biz/Cerbera/index.htm
Went through the same confusion myself before buying, and it's made more complicated since a fair few owners have had aftermarket headlamp and rear light upgrades, wheel changes and sometimes even seat changes.
I have a 2000 4.5 Lightweight, which you will see from my profile has the Tuscan seats, multi-light headlamps and 18" spiders. The Lightweight does indeed have (allegedly) lighter composite bonnet and boot. Not sure about doors, perhaps someone else can verify.
I think the late model Lightweight is the best looking Cerbera - but then I am clearly biased.
I have a 2000 4.5 Lightweight, which you will see from my profile has the Tuscan seats, multi-light headlamps and 18" spiders. The Lightweight does indeed have (allegedly) lighter composite bonnet and boot. Not sure about doors, perhaps someone else can verify.
I think the late model Lightweight is the best looking Cerbera - but then I am clearly biased.
Hi Alex,
One of the best independant TVR engineers for anything to do with the Cerbera has got to be Andy cloughlin at APM Automotive(01420 473931),just south of Guildford Surrey.
He will check out any prospective purchase for you and might possibly know of cars for sale in your price range. Give him a call!
Good luck,
Leszek
One of the best independant TVR engineers for anything to do with the Cerbera has got to be Andy cloughlin at APM Automotive(01420 473931),just south of Guildford Surrey.
He will check out any prospective purchase for you and might possibly know of cars for sale in your price range. Give him a call!
Good luck,
Leszek
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