Cerbera Purchase

[stc_bennett]

I am looking for advice on buying an early Cerbie. I have been reading around and am coming to a conclusion that it is going to vertually ompossible to buy a good clean car with no mechanical faults.

As all i am reading is horror stories of how much servicing costs, and the items that come up in servicing arnt servicable items like radiators, fuel lines, windscreen wiper motors.

I was considering a griff 4.3 BV but thats been ruled out case i will need 4 seats cause a baby is on the way.

Is there any pointers that you can advise so i can have trouble free motoring for a few months atleast. I am not worried over the cost of tyres or insurance its the service costs...

[MikeyT]

Sure there's going to be plenty of Cerbie owners who have more experience than I replying but it's the same as any high performance car – get the best condition, most sorted car (all the factory mods/recalls/upgrades etc) that you can – ideally a one-owner car if that's possible – you may have to pay more than your five/six owner examples but you should have piece of mind over those ones. Again, FULL dealer history is an absolute MUST.

Don't think you're gonna find your car quickly, but when you do, you'll love it I'm sure. Cerbera's are

Mike

[adamb]

No specific advice on finding one but they do exist. I have a Nov 97 4.5 and its fantastic, had very little trouble with it.

I bought it because it felt right to drive, felt the taughtest, fastest one I drove (have since found out it has and extra 50 odd BHP which might explain it) so my only advice would be drive a few before choosing

[stc_bennett]

I have been looking at a few, but none off them seem to stand out from each other as being a better car, but i have seen one for 17500 which looks a little tidier than the others i have seen, havnt had chance to drive this one yet (Next week).

The factory mods i am aware of are:- Fuel Lines Heat shieled between the fuel atnk and the exhaust, second cooling fan, Valve/Cam/Head work?? not to sure on this one though

I know for the money i spend i am not going to get a totally sorted car, but i will try my best. Please help cause if i dont purchase it before the summer my other half will force me to get an ALFA 156 V6.

[faisalkhan]

Have you heard of a mechanic named Julian Lane (Joolz)?

Cerbera owners (including me) swear by him. He knows the cars inside out and provides a service where he checks them out for you. He is in Harrogate, but is probably willing to travel, although he is a lot busier now as his reputation has spread. His contact info. is as follows:
0775.938.2957
email: [e-mail]
website: www.joospeed.net/


Even if you don't use him, I recommend you take any Cerbera to a qualified mechanic or dealer for a thorough evaluation before deciding. A few hundred quid might save you thousands in tears and frustration later.

Best of luck,
Faisal.

>> Edited by faisalkhan on Monday 18th February 03:53

[MikeyT]

No joolz is in Chesterfield now

[faisalkhan]

Doh, I knew that!

Yup, he's in Chesterfield now. Email and phone numbers are correct.

Faisal.

[paulk]

I have had a Cerbera for 18 months now and touch wood have had no major problems with the car. Its a 96 4.2 and had done 9K miles from new when I purchased it. It was from a dealer in the North East, and yes I did pay over the odds for it but did get a years warrenty etc and I feel I got a good deal.
Just make sure it has a full TVR service history and drive it.
I wish you the best of luck in your quest.

Paul

[pimplegoose]

It took us ages to find the right one - we had pictures and specs all over the floor, Flasher was a great help as we were continously phoning him up. We were looking at something for 17K but in the end went for an Jaguar Antigian Blue 4.2 which looks the business but also the same dealer (TMS) has looked after it since new. Can't wait 5 days to go... Flasher's drive going to look good with the tamora and the cerbera!!