Pickup my first Cerbera on Monday!

[pilchard8]

I pickup my new Cerbera on Monday. Its my first TVR and my emotions are all over the place! The excitement is killing me and dreaded journey home is making me nervous. Booked in with RT racing for an inspection straight away for peace of mind then off to Silverstone Sunday Service then stored away for winter, with the occasion run out if the weather is decent.

I bought it off a member off here, its a 4.5 in yellow. Looks like its been really looked after and lots of key upgrades have been done to keep it running spot on.

Did anyone feel the same with their first TVR?

[FUBAR]

Welcome to the club

My first TVR was a white 350i (a long time ago) and I didn't have time to get nervous as it was the first TVR Id been to see (in fact I hadn't heard of TVR until the weekend before when one pulled up next to me in a traffic jam!), first TVR Id test driven and despite having the cash on me I hadn't seriously considered buying the first one (as it went against all the advice). Still, drove it home that afternoon Since then I've agreed with the advice NEVER buy the first one, yet I bought the first Griff I went in, and I bought my Cerb over the phone after an exchange of 3 emails with the owner

[esso]

Congratulations,my 1st TVR was also a Cerb ,I had a baptism of fire driving it 160 miles home.I still have a Cerb 12 years later.You wont be disappointed,they are awesome cars but treat it with respect every time you drive it or it will bite you in the arse.

[mk1fan]

When I got my first TVR I was constantly worried at every rattle, knock, bang and other sound that could be considered 'not normal'. Was is something to worry about, was it terminal or was it just the car????

Was still the same with my second TVR until it actually broken down. Well, first it was running rough on the way home (Edinburgh to London) from buying it but it didn't breakdown. I fixed it using a services bought multi tool. It broke down two-weeks later at Cadwell Park. Got it fixed and made it back for the last hour or so on track.

Since then, I take the attitude 'if it breaks, I'll fix it.' I think it was more confidence that I would be able to deal with things if it broke down.

5 TVRs later and only one other breakdown while in Holland on the S-Club Tour this year. Fixed it and carried on.

[robsco]

So the Cerbera in question is (currently) mine, and I'm still not sure I'm doing the right thing. A T350T beckons. I know all about the tension Mark, it's a nerve wracking experience buying any used car regardless of value for fear of getting one's fingers burnt, even more so with a TVR. It's a properly sorted car though these days after having thousand upon thousand spent on it - I can barely even walk into the garage and look at the car now knowing that on Monday it won't be there anymore.

[TwinKam]

Absolutely! Bought my first TVR, also a Cerb, only this June. Drove it home 40 miles in awe and wonder. Took me a while before I gave it full beans (about 5 miles IIRC )
Still in awe. And wonder why I didn't buy one earlier.
But, as 'esso' said, they can bite hard... beware the damp road.
Welcome and enjoy!

[FUBAR]

robsco said:

A T350T beckons.

I keep having similar dirty thoughts as wife and daughter not fussed about going in the Cerb and Ive had 10 months of woe culminating in a full engine rebuild which will finally be over next week! Hoping I will fall back in love with the car, but still, a T car hmm

[billynobrakes]

FUBAR said:

I keep having similar dirty thoughts as wife and daughter not fussed about going in the Cerb and Ive had 10 months of woe culminating in a full engine rebuild which will finally be over next week! Hoping I will fall back in love with the car, but still, a T car hmm

no doubt you know I had my Cerb 17 years and loved it, now own a T350 slightly upgraded but love it not a T though as I personally don,t like the look

[PhilH42]

pilchard8 said:

I pickup my new Cerbera on Monday. Its my first TVR and my emotions are all over the place! The excitement is killing me and dreaded journey home is making me nervous. Booked in with RT racing for an inspection straight away for peace of mind then off to Silverstone Sunday Service then stored away for winter, with the occasion run out if the weather is decent.

I bought it off a member off here, its a 4.5 in yellow. Looks like its been really looked after and lots of key upgrades have been done to keep it running spot on.

Did anyone feel the same with their first TVR?

I bought my first Tvr (an S) in Lancs and had a 4 hour drive home....broke down at a roundabout a few miles down the road as it hunted like crazy, once I got the hang of keeping the revs up as I slowed I was ok , but I still loved it I sorted it all in the end and it was fine, likewise I bought my somewhat better Chim but have spent thousands getting it just right..its super reliable now.

So the Cerb is an awesome choice of motor...just look after it and spend money where its needed when its needed and upgrade the weak points when you can if they have not already been sorted.

I find Tvr's are reliable enough if you follow the above, if you expect them to run without doing anything or spending any money your in trouble.

If and when I decide to sell my Chim..its a cerb for me.

Have fun.

[Cerbhd]

Nice choice, also bought my Cerbera as first tvr, just remember under 3000 rpm they are a normal car ( unless you're parking) forget the odd noises and enjoy going through villages at 25-30 in second and watching people turn around. Just enjoy, that's why you bought it YOLO

[Cerbhd]

PS,
Join the TVRCC and go to a local meeting

[pilchard8]

Thanks for all the comments, hoping to get a few good weekends out of it while the weather is ok. The plan is if the inspection is ok and it doesnt need any major work, to take it to Joolz in Chesterfield (15mins from me) for a live remap then just maintain and go to as many shows/outings as possible. This will probably be my final fun car before life prioties so i want to make the most of it!

Ive signed up to TVRCC, member pack will hopefully be with me at the weekend.

I will post up a thread on readers rides when i have it.

[v8chimmy]

The South Yorkshire TVR club meeting is this Sunday from 12:30 at the Stockyard lorry park just off jnt 1 of the M18, you don't need to be a member to attend. Weather permitting there should be quite a few cars present just to whet your appetite further. Also a good source of knowledge for any car issues you may encounter.

[stickylabels]

Picked my first up just 3 weeks ago - havent stopped laughing yet!! I know what you mean re the nerves, I was overtaken quite a lot over the first few hours as I got to know it a little more.

As others are saying, it is a very flexible engine and can pull high gears from low down which in the wet/greasy roundabouts etc is handy.

I have decided that 5th is perfect for despatching dawdlers, 4th is for overtaking most of the world and 3rd is for showing off........😉

Agree about the wee noises here and there but again its something you tune in/out as required.

Enjoy!

Sticky

[pilchard8]

v8chimmy said:

The South Yorkshire TVR club meeting is this Sunday from 12:30 at the Stockyard lorry park just off jnt 1 of the M18, you don't need to be a member to attend. Weather permitting there should be quite a few cars present just to whet your appetite further. Also a good source of knowledge for any car issues you may encounter.

Im off to the Yorkshire Big Breakfast Meet in Malton on the same day in my mates Skyline, may pop down on the way back if I have time. Would be good to meet some fellow owners.

[ukkid35]

pilchard8 said:

The plan is if the inspection is ok and it doesn't need any major work, to take it to Joolz in Chesterfield (15mins from me) for a live remap then just maintain and go to as many shows/outings as possible. This will probably be my final fun car before life prioties so i want to make the most of it!

It seems quite likely from what I've seen that Robsco's car won't need major work, but on the other hand, a live remap is very different to getting the car dyno'd. The large number of runs will find any weak points in short order despite the regular cooldown breaks. Obviously you are very lucky having Joolz on your doorstep, but it's worth being as well prepared as possible. My car only suffered two mishaps during the process: the carpet in the boot was melted by the hateful sports tails, and the exhaust manifolds cracked - fortunately right at the end of the day. Didn't stop me doing a track day at Anglesey the following day though.

Make sure you fill the tank with whatever fuel you are going to use most often. Also, ask Joolz to fit his throttle return spring, it's much better than the original.

Maybe I'm stating the obvious to the past owner of a Twin Turbo Supra. Nevertheless, TVRs are not engineered in the same way as mass produced Japanese and German machinery.

[robsco]

FUBAR said:

robsco said:

A T350T beckons.

I keep having similar dirty thoughts as wife and daughter not fussed about going in the Cerb and Ive had 10 months of woe culminating in a full engine rebuild which will finally be over next week! Hoping I will fall back in love with the car, but still, a T car hmm

I'll keep you up to speed with my thoughts. It will be nice to get the roof panels off again, one thing about my old Tuscan that I particularly miss. A coupe was never going to be on the shopping list.

[Sagbrit]

Remember buying my first TVR, Chim 4 litre, from TVR Centre in 2006. Couldn't sleep the night before. Cant remember paying for it was all a blur I was so hyped. Cloudy day in February with drops of rain. The guys at the garage showed me how to take the roof off, stuck it in the boot and drove home 60 miles with massive grin! Plenty of stares on M25, probably because I had the roof down and it was freezin but I didn't care. I had achieved a life goal and I was ecstatic! Parked up at home, opened a beer, got a garden chair and sat and gawped.

[pilchard8]

Thanks for the advice, the map wont be til next year but i will speak to joolz about the ins and outs nearer the time.

Just got my member pack. Reading through the magazine, the community looks great with monthly meetings all over, I definitely will be attending these.

Im really excited its all just beginning to set in just hope the weather holds out for me on monday and i can get her safely home!!

[m60ddy]

pilchard8 said:

I pickup my new Cerbera on Monday. Its my first TVR and my emotions are all over the place! The excitement is killing me and dreaded journey home is making me nervous. Booked in with RT racing for an inspection straight away for peace of mind then off to Silverstone Sunday Service then stored away for winter, with the occasion run out if the weather is decent.

I bought it off a member off here, its a 4.5 in yellow. Looks like its been really looked after and lots of key upgrades have been done to keep it running spot on.

Did anyone feel the same with their first TVR?

I know very well your feelings as my first TVR was my Cerbera and 5 years down the line I still own her. As soon as you said your new car was a Yellow 4.5 I knew the car you have bought.

To help ease your mind I too bought my car from Rob, something he quickly regretted I believe. What I can confirm is that he is a perfectionist and his care for these cars is second to none. I truely hope your experience is the same as mine as I'm still very much enjoying her. Best advice is keep on top of maintenance and sort the little things quickly so they don't have chance to grow.

I saw Robs car at Chatsworth looking very smart. I think once you have driven it any distance this winter will feel a very long one with it in storage.

Enjoy and many happy smiles per mile.