RE: PH Heroes: TVR Cerbera
Discussion
8 years and 70k miles of smiles in our ownership (the Cerb was 10years old in November last year - having covered 74k miles) - Dad still isnt bored and it just seems to be getting quicker with age/ minor tweakage... still all the original engine/gearbox/diff etc too. Stunning car, see any of the Brighton Speed Trials for an example of how a tired old Cerb can still punch above its weight... comfortably quicker than an F430 in a straight line, almost worthy of scaring a Ferrari 599GTB in competition. 
Agree with Phils view on the Cerb, its a keeper.
edited to add:
Parts availability is arguably better, especially since owners have sussed out the origins of them and independants have developed things further.
Also - I should point out that whilst far from bulletproof, the Cerb is mechanically a very very strong car, I doubt many other exotics could take such useage as ours has had (competition car/daily drive) with such ease. These truly are a unique and amazing experience to own/drive/look at/hear - they're just incredible.
Agree with Phils view on the Cerb, its a keeper.
edited to add:
Parts availability is arguably better, especially since owners have sussed out the origins of them and independants have developed things further.
Also - I should point out that whilst far from bulletproof, the Cerb is mechanically a very very strong car, I doubt many other exotics could take such useage as ours has had (competition car/daily drive) with such ease. These truly are a unique and amazing experience to own/drive/look at/hear - they're just incredible.
Edited by BCA on Wednesday 6th February 19:11
i am not a fan of TVR what so ever,BUT what a wonderful car the cerbera is,had always loved the looks and sound of them,then a friend got a 96 4.2 in light met blue(and had 18" spider wheels fitted)with cream/blue interior and sports pipes.wow there just WICKID !!!.so what if they break every now and then,it just shows that your a real man who doesnt mind getting your hands dirty if you have one!!.
Superb article Phil. Just today I got my Cerb sorted, so, reading this just now means I'll enjoy my long awaited blatt tomorrow even more 
I told a mate of mine, in 1999, that I was going to buy a Griff, to which he said, "Have you seen the Cerbera"? "No, what's that", I said. "That's the car you should get", he replied. So, when I went for my Griff test drive and upon returning to the dealer, I asked about the Cerbera. I'd mentioned to the dealer that I wasn't too comfortable in the Griff, he said that if I wasn't suited to the Griff, I definitely won't like the Cerb. But I asked to have a Cerb drive, just to satisfy my curiosity. The 1st one I saw was at the back of the car-lot at The TVR Centre, I remember it was Rosso red with cream interior.
Once behind the wheel, I loved it but when I got it on the road and put my foot down
that was it, I had to have one, 9 months of searching later, I had my new baby.Nearly 8 years with the same car now and I still get the same buzz, or should that be bark?
PS, thanks to my mate for telling me about the Cerb
Its a funny beast the Cerbie... I always loved the noise and the interior but it was not until they redid the front lights that I personally realy fell in love with the looks (no offence to those with the original lights intended!).
I bought one on a whim in the end as it was a great price and although it has been far from cheap, that is mainly down to having to shove a new engine in it! Everything else has been 100% ok. I do get odd nigles like the lights would not turn off last week and I had a leek a few weeks back, but both seem to have self-cured!
More than any other car I have owned or driven, including a Griff, nothing quite feels like a Cerbie, the handling is decent, the power, noise and sense of occasion are unmatched and it being rather small is actually very easy to drive.
Its a long way from the most complete car I have ever driven but it reminds me of an ex-GF... I spent most of my time when she was not around wanting to get rid of her but then I'd see her, have a little ride and all would be forgiven!
I love the old school nature of it, the flaws, the OTT noise, the seemingly endless power delivery, the faults that self repair, so much good and so much bad. There is a lot about the Cerbie not too like but very little not to love to bits! Keep thinking about selling the old dear but then, as I only have one garage, what on earth would I replace her with? 6 months of looking and no closer to deciding what on earth would make a suitable replacement.
Its not a car you buy with your head generally speaking but its one of those things that you do because you just have to own one and much though she drives me nuts, I do love the old girl to bits!
I bought one on a whim in the end as it was a great price and although it has been far from cheap, that is mainly down to having to shove a new engine in it! Everything else has been 100% ok. I do get odd nigles like the lights would not turn off last week and I had a leek a few weeks back, but both seem to have self-cured!
More than any other car I have owned or driven, including a Griff, nothing quite feels like a Cerbie, the handling is decent, the power, noise and sense of occasion are unmatched and it being rather small is actually very easy to drive.
Its a long way from the most complete car I have ever driven but it reminds me of an ex-GF... I spent most of my time when she was not around wanting to get rid of her but then I'd see her, have a little ride and all would be forgiven!
I love the old school nature of it, the flaws, the OTT noise, the seemingly endless power delivery, the faults that self repair, so much good and so much bad. There is a lot about the Cerbie not too like but very little not to love to bits! Keep thinking about selling the old dear but then, as I only have one garage, what on earth would I replace her with? 6 months of looking and no closer to deciding what on earth would make a suitable replacement.
Its not a car you buy with your head generally speaking but its one of those things that you do because you just have to own one and much though she drives me nuts, I do love the old girl to bits!
jagdpanther said:
dinkel said:
logoman said:
if only i were shorter. I have no idea how Clarkson could say that "it's a comfortable beast if your tall".
Huh? I'm 1.86m and wedges and Cerbera's are about the only T-cars that I'm comfy in . . .I fear that should i get whiplash, the back of my skull would have a beefy radiused concave in it.
Edited by logoman on Thursday 7th February 10:46
logoman said:
jagdpanther said:
dinkel said:
logoman said:
if only i were shorter. I have no idea how Clarkson could say that "it's a comfortable beast if your tall".
Huh? I'm 1.86m and wedges and Cerbera's are about the only T-cars that I'm comfy in . . .I fear that should i get whiplash, the back of my skull would have a beefy radiused concave in it.
Edited by logoman on Thursday 7th February 10:46
Great article Phil, nearly brought a tear to my eye - it seems we have the same collection of back-issues as those are my favourite quotes from journos over the years as well. But my all time favourite quote comes at the end of a very frank on-line review: "Fate favours the brave. Good luck."
Its great to see the Cerb back in the spotlight, with a raft of recent articles (EVO - scary cars, PPC, Practical Classics etc) and on-line reviews. It is true, if you fall in love with a Cerb, very very little compares or can replace it.
Its great to see the Cerb back in the spotlight, with a raft of recent articles (EVO - scary cars, PPC, Practical Classics etc) and on-line reviews. It is true, if you fall in love with a Cerb, very very little compares or can replace it.
longbow said:
Great article Phil, nearly brought a tear to my eye - it seems we have the same collection of back-issues as those are my favourite quotes from journos over the years as well. But my all time favourite quote comes at the end of a very frank on-line review: "Fate favours the brave. Good luck."
Its great to see the Cerb back in the spotlight, with a raft of recent articles (EVO - scary cars, PPC, Practical Classics etc) and on-line reviews. It is true, if you fall in love with a Cerb, very very little compares or can replace it.
There is something about the Cerbera that no other car comes close to for me, it's some sort of emotional connection. Its great to see the Cerb back in the spotlight, with a raft of recent articles (EVO - scary cars, PPC, Practical Classics etc) and on-line reviews. It is true, if you fall in love with a Cerb, very very little compares or can replace it.
Last year I did a lap of Scotland in a handful of contemporary sports/supercars and the first car I drove when I got home was my 4.5. It felt more alert, urgent, connected and 'pure' somehow. ALIVE.
On an objective basis I know I'd be on a loser arguing a Cerbera to be a superior car to, say, a Gallardo. But nevertheless, if presented with one of the best driving roads in Scotland and a choice of keys to any other sports/supercar, I'd take the Cerbera every time - rain or shine. In the dry I fancy my chances against the lot of them in a Cerbera. In the rain I know I'd be quicker in the Gallardo but I also know I'd get out of the Cerbera completely wired and laughing. That level of buzz is priceless.
bosscerbera said:
longbow said:
Great article Phil, nearly brought a tear to my eye - it seems we have the same collection of back-issues as those are my favourite quotes from journos over the years as well. But my all time favourite quote comes at the end of a very frank on-line review: "Fate favours the brave. Good luck."
Its great to see the Cerb back in the spotlight, with a raft of recent articles (EVO - scary cars, PPC, Practical Classics etc) and on-line reviews. It is true, if you fall in love with a Cerb, very very little compares or can replace it.
There is something about the Cerbera that no other car comes close to for me, it's some sort of emotional connection. Its great to see the Cerb back in the spotlight, with a raft of recent articles (EVO - scary cars, PPC, Practical Classics etc) and on-line reviews. It is true, if you fall in love with a Cerb, very very little compares or can replace it.
Last year I did a lap of Scotland in a handful of contemporary sports/supercars and the first car I drove when I got home was my 4.5. It felt more alert, urgent, connected and 'pure' somehow. ALIVE.
On an objective basis I know I'd be on a loser arguing a Cerbera to be a superior car to, say, a Gallardo. But nevertheless, if presented with one of the best driving roads in Scotland and a choice of keys to any other sports/supercar, I'd take the Cerbera every time - rain or shine. In the dry I fancy my chances against the lot of them in a Cerbera. In the rain I know I'd be quicker in the Gallardo but I also know I'd get out of the Cerbera completely wired and laughing. That level of buzz is priceless.
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