chim or cerbera

[bobby boy]

hi this time last year i was looking into getting a cerbera but after alot of homework decided against it due the running costs,is it any cheaper to run a chim bearing in mind they estimate 3k a year to keep a cerb on the road and would i have problems using one as a day to day car i.e 4 miles work,shopping etc
thanks in advance
bob.

[nano2nd]

much cheaper i would wager unless your very lucky.

six months ago i was getting a cerbera, after doing lots of research i decided i didn't want to pay the potential costs of owning one. so bought a chim, which is better coz it aint got no roof

seriously if you buy a decent chim there no reason it should cost you anything other than consumables, servicing, petrol etc.

at least if the clutch goes it aint gonna cost you 3k like the cerbera and if your cam falls out you aint gotta rely on tvr to get you a new one 2 months later

obviously you could well buy a cerby that also costs you nothing "extra"

[shnozz]

people in the know, who have gone from RV8 engined Griffs/chims to either SP6 or AJP8 engined cerberas reckon the running costs are around double.

Remember, none of these cars can be run on a shoestring. My humble 4 litre V8 Chim has needed £2k spending on it in the last 4 weeks.

[shnozz]

and your 4 mile journies wont do any engine much good but I would say probably more likely to cause more damage to the AJP engine (ie a race car) than a sturdy old RV8...

[tommomic]

I had a Cerbera before my present Chimaera. The Cerbera was (and still is) for me THE TVR - I always wanted one since I first saw being 'tested' on the M55 in the mid-90s. However, the running costs over a year are something that should not be overlooked (see my profile). Its safe to say 3-4K for maintenance alone is common. Looking back over the time I had the car, I must be mad to still want another after spending so much in such a short period of time. However, pound to grin factor must outweigh most cars this side of 100K!

Having lived without a TVR for a few months, the cold turkey got too much and I had to take the plunge again (pending future house purchase). This time with a more realistic (expense wise) option - apart from the additions I've made to the car (roll bar/sports exhaust, etc), the actual maintenance pails into insignificance compared with the Cerbera. Also, the Chimaera is used everyday (something I did also with the Cerbera, but with mixed results), has never let me down, performed faultlessly covering many many miles to Le Mans and around France, and I didn’t even think about paying the extra for a warranty (as I did with the Cerbera) - just don’t see this as a potential financial burden the same as the Cerbera did at times.

I would be very very concerned - ie. would not even think about - using a Cerbera for only a 4 mile commute - these cars would let you know their disapproval where it hurts, the engine needs a full warming-rapid traveling-cooling cycle. The same could be said for the Chimaera - neither cars appreciate short stop start journeys….

That said, they are both completely different beasts - however much they may look similar. For me, the Chimaera is working well as a reliable tourer - more comfortable over long long journeys, fun (the roof comes off and I enjoy driving it more than the Cerbera, even w/o PAS) and is fast enough. The Cerbera was meant to be the 'family' option (needed a 2+2 at the time), but felt more like strapping yourself to the booster rocket of a Space Shuttle launch - nothing quiet like the ride, but your going to get burned sooner or later.....

Still would love one of each though (plus a Griffith/Tuscan/Sagaris & Typhon thank you!).

Cheers,
Tommomic

[jamesuk28]

They all cost a Fking fortune unless you are very lucky. I have spent £4000 on my Chim since last September but I acknowledge that mine is worst than most. Whatever you think it will cost you double it and your still nowhere near. My advice buy a BMW, I wish I had. Tvr ownership can be illustrated as below.




and so on and so on ..................


>> Edited by jamesuk28 on Wednesday 23 June 17:00

[shnozz]

even when its cost me an arm and leg or doesnt work I still cant see a way of getting the same automotive kicks without spending another £30k...

[bobby boy]

Got a bmw,problem is so as every other mutha fooka .

[verysideways]

a) do what i do - have a Chim for playing and a BMW for working.
I have the Autocar issue from 1995 when they tested a 4.0 Chim against a 328i cabriolet. I have both!

b) i love my chim, she's a peach.

c) the day someone puts a rover v8 into a Cerb i will buy one and do the same. Then i'll ditch the BMW.

VS


www.verysideways.com

[bobby boy]

Can`t afford both i have my 328i cab and the wife likes her 306 so i would have to get rid of the beemer,thats why i ask if i could use it as a every day car.

[verysideways]

If you can afford the servicing/fuel then get the Chim.

I know if i had to choose between the two it'd be the Chim i kept (but i do think i have a good one).

Can't say more than that can you?

VS

[phlap]

Bobby
Cant comment on the Cerb (which I love but have never owned) but have used a Chimaera 400 as a daily driver for 15 months with no problems whatsoever.
It has provided so much enjoyment, dropping the roof after a crappy day at work and heading home listening to that V8 .
Im lucky in that Ive got 10 miles over country roads and a secure office carpark and realise that this doesnt apply to everyone.

The chap I bought mine from changed to a Cerbie and is now looking at going back to a Chim.

[rogercot]

Hi Definutly get a chim ive got one and i love to speed down the road hear the rumble of the exhaust and have the wind in my hair.
But of course it is your own choise but i would go for the chim

[chris43]

Absolutely no contest!!
Go for a Chim!!!!!!!!!