What 4 seat super(-ish)car? - £20k
Discussion
Enjoy many hours of 
with the windows down just to enjoy the noise Looks lovely. I hope you manage to pass the next two weeks without exploding! 
that looks lovely and I love the raceline wheels too, James Agger is a great bloke and he took me out in a couple of Cerbera`s when I was looking to buy back in 2005.Cheers guys!
Not exploded yet but getting very close. These first 29 hours have dragged since we shook on the deal...... Only about 300 hours to go!
Just can't wait to get behind the wheel again. Still shocked at how special it felt compared to cars I've driven costing 20 or 30 times more. They are such an underrated car! How are they worth less than £20k? It's as fast as a Lamborghini Gallardo in a straight line but with that gorgeous interior and the fact it's 2 wheel drive and no driver aids feels so much moe engaging to drive.
Not exploded yet but getting very close. These first 29 hours have dragged since we shook on the deal...... Only about 300 hours to go!
Just can't wait to get behind the wheel again. Still shocked at how special it felt compared to cars I've driven costing 20 or 30 times more. They are such an underrated car! How are they worth less than £20k? It's as fast as a Lamborghini Gallardo in a straight line but with that gorgeous interior and the fact it's 2 wheel drive and no driver aids feels so much moe engaging to drive.
Guvernator said:
Congratulations on the purchase. You've made me want to go and have a look at one now!
Out of interest, what made you choose one with a speed six engine over a V8, aren't the 8 cylinder engined cars more reliable?
You tend to get a better condition car for the money if it has a Speed Six engine.Out of interest, what made you choose one with a speed six engine over a V8, aren't the 8 cylinder engined cars more reliable?
The Cerbera is synonymous with the AJP8 engine for many people, being the only road car to ever get the AJP8. As such AJP8s command a hefty premium over S6 engined cars all else equal.
The Speed Six got a slightly slower steering rack too. As new the suspension was slightly softer but as virtually none are on their original Bilsteins these days that's a moot point. The Speed Six Cerberas also got the Hydratrak LSD that was standard in the 4.5 V8s. The 4.2 V8s had a plate type LSD.
jamieduff1981 said:
You tend to get a better condition car for the money if it has a Speed Six engine.
The Cerbera is synonymous with the AJP8 engine for many people, being the only road car to ever get the AJP8. As such AJP8s command a hefty premium over S6 engined cars all else equal.
The Speed Six got a slightly slower steering rack too. As new the suspension was slightly softer but as virtually none are on their original Bilsteins these days that's a moot point. The Speed Six Cerberas also got the Hydratrak LSD that was standard in the 4.5 V8s. The 4.2 V8s had a plate type LSD.
Still think I'd go for the 4.5 V8 personally. All the speed six horror stories put me off. I assume the AJP8 is more reliable?The Cerbera is synonymous with the AJP8 engine for many people, being the only road car to ever get the AJP8. As such AJP8s command a hefty premium over S6 engined cars all else equal.
The Speed Six got a slightly slower steering rack too. As new the suspension was slightly softer but as virtually none are on their original Bilsteins these days that's a moot point. The Speed Six Cerberas also got the Hydratrak LSD that was standard in the 4.5 V8s. The 4.2 V8s had a plate type LSD.
Are the AJP8 only found in the older cars though?
Also what are the characters of the two engines like? I prefer a slight more manic and fizzy top end delivery in my sports cars. I'd guess the V8 is a bit lazier then the speed six?
Mine is a 4.5.
The Speed Six is slightly more top end bias.
The AJP8 is described by some as having a motorbike-like delivery. It's nothing like the Rover V8. It likes to rev and rewards revving.
It's probably half way between the low end grunt / runs out of puff delivery of the 5 litre Rover V8s and the slightly low end / frantic top end delivery of the Speed Six.
It loves to rev but if caught in the wrong gear it'll still pull well.
The 4.2 was the early engine. AJP8s were produced throughout Cerbera production. Later cars all had 4.5 swept volume. Those sold as 4.5s had 4.5 throttle bodies, injectors and intakes. Late cars sold as 4.2s had the original 4.2 throttle bodies, injectors and intakes on the 4.5 bottom end.
The early 4.2 clatter cams were aggressive engines.
The full-fat 4.5s are slightly harder to set up to drive smoothly at 30mph but are brutal under load.
Late 4.2s have a following because they combine the stronger 4.5 crankshaft with the slightly softer set up of the 4.2 intakes. They trade a little brutality for low speed driveability.
All the above can be thoroughly undermined by state of repair and who did the fuel and ignition mapping. Lots claim to be experts but only a few are certain not to make a mess of it.
Reliability wide they're much of a muchness. AJP8 inlet valve clearances tend to close up. Bottom ends are pretty good. It's quite common to get throttle imbalances, lambda issues and stuff but it doesn't grenade the engine or stop you from driving it - they just stutter a bit mid-range until fixed. A few have had head gasket replacements. It all sounds pretty bad but it was designed as a dry sump race engine for the Tuscan Challenge and got a wet sump for the Cerbera. It shows through the way it sounds, feels and delivers. The whole thing weighs 120kg dressed which is very light for a 4.5 litre V8. It revs to 7500rpm and has a razor sharp throttle response thanks to ITBs and a flywheel the size of a small dinner plate. For something so unique to sit behind and drive, they are reliable enough. If changing oil every 20k is more appealing then get something with another Chevrolet LS.
Personally I love my AJP8. I like the Speed Six a lot too though.
The Speed Six is slightly more top end bias.
The AJP8 is described by some as having a motorbike-like delivery. It's nothing like the Rover V8. It likes to rev and rewards revving.
It's probably half way between the low end grunt / runs out of puff delivery of the 5 litre Rover V8s and the slightly low end / frantic top end delivery of the Speed Six.
It loves to rev but if caught in the wrong gear it'll still pull well.
The 4.2 was the early engine. AJP8s were produced throughout Cerbera production. Later cars all had 4.5 swept volume. Those sold as 4.5s had 4.5 throttle bodies, injectors and intakes. Late cars sold as 4.2s had the original 4.2 throttle bodies, injectors and intakes on the 4.5 bottom end.
The early 4.2 clatter cams were aggressive engines.
The full-fat 4.5s are slightly harder to set up to drive smoothly at 30mph but are brutal under load.
Late 4.2s have a following because they combine the stronger 4.5 crankshaft with the slightly softer set up of the 4.2 intakes. They trade a little brutality for low speed driveability.
All the above can be thoroughly undermined by state of repair and who did the fuel and ignition mapping. Lots claim to be experts but only a few are certain not to make a mess of it.
Reliability wide they're much of a muchness. AJP8 inlet valve clearances tend to close up. Bottom ends are pretty good. It's quite common to get throttle imbalances, lambda issues and stuff but it doesn't grenade the engine or stop you from driving it - they just stutter a bit mid-range until fixed. A few have had head gasket replacements. It all sounds pretty bad but it was designed as a dry sump race engine for the Tuscan Challenge and got a wet sump for the Cerbera. It shows through the way it sounds, feels and delivers. The whole thing weighs 120kg dressed which is very light for a 4.5 litre V8. It revs to 7500rpm and has a razor sharp throttle response thanks to ITBs and a flywheel the size of a small dinner plate. For something so unique to sit behind and drive, they are reliable enough. If changing oil every 20k is more appealing then get something with another Chevrolet LS.
Personally I love my AJP8. I like the Speed Six a lot too though.
Edited by jamieduff1981 on Monday 1st June 14:22
Guvernator said:
Still think I'd go for the 4.5 V8 personally. All the speed six horror stories put me off. I assume the AJP8 is more reliable?
Are the AJP8 only found in the older cars though?
Also what are the characters of the two engines like? I prefer a slight more manic and fizzy top end delivery in my sports cars. I'd guess the V8 is a bit lazier then the speed six?
I drove both before buying a 4.5 and I actually thought the Speed Six engine was smoother and more willing to rev but wanted a V8 for my first TVR so settled on a 4.5, the Speed Six engine did have a very bad reputation to start with but most have been sorted now. Are the AJP8 only found in the older cars though?
Also what are the characters of the two engines like? I prefer a slight more manic and fizzy top end delivery in my sports cars. I'd guess the V8 is a bit lazier then the speed six?
The AJP8 is mostly known as being a solid engine but I keep toying with going back to a Cerbera maybe one day and I will go the Speed Six route if I do.
Guvernator said:
Congratulations on the purchase. You've made me want to go and have a look at one now!
Out of interest, what made you choose one with a speed six engine over a V8, aren't the 8 cylinder engined cars more reliable?
I chose the Speed Six because it's supposedly a more user friendly car if being used daily as a commuter. The V8's are more all out Supercars that have mental performance and stiffer suspension and quicker steering rack. Which is great for irregular use but would probably p**s me off every day.Out of interest, what made you choose one with a speed six engine over a V8, aren't the 8 cylinder engined cars more reliable?
The speed six is still an immensely fast car but softer..... Not that you could ever describe a TVR as a 'soft' car in any sense. And dare I say it's also that little bit more economical? Engine problems wise, if the speed six engine has had the correct updates then it should be fine reliability wise. They're cheaper to service than the AJP8 too.
speedtwelve said:
Hardly a 'supercar', but I went from a TVR to this: Rare, 400 bhp, V8 dragster soundtrack, Corvette C6 engine, Dodge Viper gearbox, Hydratrak LSD, two proper rear seats, 170+ mph, cupholders. £10-15k, reliable, and you won't see another on the road for months.
I agree with others that a Cerb's a good shout, you only live once!
I would have one if these but the only one I can see at the moment is: http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/v... which is a lot of the car for the price.I agree with others that a Cerb's a good shout, you only live once!
Currently have a BMW 540 which I picked up for only £2k but this would be a nice upgrade in power!
Snap 2 TVR's ...VXR8 ( Had to sell to fund new business)...and years later back with Ro. Serving cheap as your average diesel run around. Insurance cheap Vauxhall and just simple..you can actually get to stuff in the engine bay.
I would have loved a Cerbie but with Rover V8 or LS unit..just would be a constant worry with AJP and parts getting more difficult.
I would have loved a Cerbie but with Rover V8 or LS unit..just would be a constant worry with AJP and parts getting more difficult.
Edited by Carsoline on Sunday 7th June 00:11
Edited by Carsoline on Sunday 7th June 00:14
Mike22233
There have been a few other Monaro VXRs for sale recently. They do come up in the classifieds reasonably often, and the one you've listed is the second supercharged VXR I've seen for sale in the past month.
If I'm honest I'm not really missing my TVR. The Monaro has a bit more shove than my Chimaera had, but with comfort and toys. I should probably hand my PH Man Card in... Sorry....
There have been a few other Monaro VXRs for sale recently. They do come up in the classifieds reasonably often, and the one you've listed is the second supercharged VXR I've seen for sale in the past month.
If I'm honest I'm not really missing my TVR. The Monaro has a bit more shove than my Chimaera had, but with comfort and toys. I should probably hand my PH Man Card in... Sorry....
Well just to give a final update to the thread, I collected my under £20k super-ish-car. Except I can now honestly say its a Supercar, no 2 ways about it.
Sleak lines of a supercar - Check!
Stupid mental performance - Check (Its quicker than my F355!)
A true drivers car - Check
Rare - Check (less than 3000 made)
I love it! Its such an event to drive and feels so special inside with that swooping dash and tons of leather. It sounds glorious, more V12 rather than straight six. And its a car that I cant walk away from without looking back at it because its so pretty!
Thanks for all of the replies on here PHers. Was great to have the extra input and I'm so glad that I was corrected with my views on the Cerbera by a few.
Anyway, here she is at the Supercar Driver Pizza Night last week at the Cadeby Inn near Doncaster where she was appreciated by lots of other supercar owners and enthusiats!
Tucked up in her room!
Sleak lines of a supercar - Check!
Stupid mental performance - Check (Its quicker than my F355!)
A true drivers car - Check
Rare - Check (less than 3000 made)
I love it! Its such an event to drive and feels so special inside with that swooping dash and tons of leather. It sounds glorious, more V12 rather than straight six. And its a car that I cant walk away from without looking back at it because its so pretty!
Thanks for all of the replies on here PHers. Was great to have the extra input and I'm so glad that I was corrected with my views on the Cerbera by a few.
Anyway, here she is at the Supercar Driver Pizza Night last week at the Cadeby Inn near Doncaster where she was appreciated by lots of other supercar owners and enthusiats!
Tucked up in her room!
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff