Looking to buy a Cerbera

[podrick]

Hi, I'm looking at getting a Cerb, what do I need to look out for, what is just annoying and what should be not touched with a barge pole.
I looking around 1996/7 4.2

Thanks in advance

Podrick

[redeye]

have a look at the search site for buying a cerbera ,try and buy one with a pistonhead owner,
search there name for info on there car related questions?
ask around a tvr meets about that car .
low mileage is not a good or bad thing ,some service history is wanted but a owner that knows the car is more important ,check what they say against what they have posted ,Dont rush in these cars are the best fun you will have (on wheels) a bad one could empty your pocket faster than they drain the fuel tank
this is my opinion not law.

[Greeny]

Where are you from, meet up with some preferably long term owners for realistic but informed information/advice

[podrick]

Thanks for the comments,

I'm in somerset, are there any owners local to me

[ajp70]

If your anywhere near Bristol then get in contact with the Bristol TVRCC and go along to one of their meets on 3rd Sunday of each month. Someone will post you a link or contact number. Please.

[skoff]

Hi Podrick, I am in Somerset and have a '96 Cerbera 4.2

Happy to chat about the car and / or meet up if you want to take a look and go for a ride to get the feel for one.

[podrick]

Thanks for the offer Skoff,

I'm not too far from Bridgwater where are you roughly?

[Daston]

podrick said:

Thanks for the comments,

I'm in somerset, are there any owners local to me

Hi Podrick,

There are a fair few Tiv owners around in somerset. We meet at the haselbury mill (just between Crewkerne and Yeovil) on the 2nd sunday of the month. However none of our members have a Cerbra (although one of them did onwn one for a short time).

If you have any questions please let me know

[Gazzab]

I presume you are looking at the lower end of the price spectrum? This will mean you are probably looking at £10K cars.

Choose carefully as you will struggle to find one at that price that has had everything attended to and that will not require plenty of cash and hard work throw at it from time to time.

If you can afford at least £3K pa running costs (plus fuel, tyres, tax and ins) then go for it. If you have the time and skill to do much of the work yourself then you can save some dosh.

Look for a car with a decent chassis (ideally one thats inspected at a dealer on ramps), recent clutch, recent suspension, recent service, £4K or more of recent receipts, everything works, no paint required, interior well cared for etc etc

[skoff]

podrick said:

Thanks for the offer Skoff,

I'm not too far from Bridgwater where are you roughly?

I am in North Petherton, 5 mins from the motorway, and a couple of miles down the road from Bridgwater. Pretty close it seems. Drop me a PM.

[podrick]

Why would it cost 3K a year to run, surely they can't be that unreliable?

[Gazzab]

podrick said:

Why would it cost 3K a year to run, surely they can't be that unreliable?

You are buying a car that does almost 200 mph with race bred engine and ancillaries that was designed and built in a shed. Of course it will cost a packet to run.
I have never spent as little as 3k pa in my own 9 years of Cerb experience.
Buy a mondeo new and the depreciation will cost as much.

[Gazzab]

PS it isn't about reliability but the cost of parts and the time they take to fit plus the regularity of their replacement and the age of the cars.

[podrick]

I wouldn't expect mondeo running cost's but you can probably buy a lot of parts for 3 grand, not including tyres etc.
Not planning on doing 50,000 miles a year in it, got the boring car for that.
It's just going to be a toy instead of the megabusa.

[jammy_basturd]

podrick said:

Why would it cost 3K a year to run, surely they can't be that unreliable?

http://www.track-days.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=6&t=973349&mid=67671&nmt=3k%20running%20cost?

You can save a fair bit of money doing things yourself. I don't think I've spent £3k in one year yet, including upgrades.

[amazon]

podrick said:

surely they can't be that unreliable?

They're not. But you do have to look after them and love them .

[skoff]

You need to have your eyes open to the potential costs when buying a Cerb. I don't think I have hit 3k in one year yet, but I have come close.

I think most find the average to be less than that, but they can be relentless at throwing bills at you and it mounts up very quickly.

I don't want to put you off but we all love our cars and we want to make sure the diminishing number of them get properly looked after - that can be an expensive business. If you can't afford the occasional BIG bill then a Cerb could break your heart (via your wallet). Having said all that I reckon most owners don't have to spend 3k every year, but be under no illusion, some do.