Next car purchase
Discussion
As stated earlier my Cerb is great, I love it, but I'm with Matti- whilst you absolutely could, driving a Cerb as a daily really isn't a good idea or a lot of fun.
I used my Cerb as a daily for about 6 months last year during the summer whilst I experimented with not needing another car (my wife has the S6 estate for the kids and dogs). Driving in the sun is great fun, but the rest is a pain. Whilst the Cerb is reliable and likes being used, it doesn't really like short journeys so ended up going the long way to get everything warmed up properly which became a pain. Parking is hard work, going to the supermarket is hard work, getting in and out of it every day is hard work and it started to take the shine off it so I bought a Cooper S Works as a runaround.
I love my Cerb. It is one of the best cars I have ever owned, but it should be owned and use for what it really is - an amazing sports car for proper driving in the right conditions when the mood takes you. They are best as a second car.
If it is your first dip into TVRs or really powerful cars and will be your daily, I would really recommend waiting until you can get one as a second car you will love and enjoy.
I used my Cerb as a daily for about 6 months last year during the summer whilst I experimented with not needing another car (my wife has the S6 estate for the kids and dogs). Driving in the sun is great fun, but the rest is a pain. Whilst the Cerb is reliable and likes being used, it doesn't really like short journeys so ended up going the long way to get everything warmed up properly which became a pain. Parking is hard work, going to the supermarket is hard work, getting in and out of it every day is hard work and it started to take the shine off it so I bought a Cooper S Works as a runaround.
I love my Cerb. It is one of the best cars I have ever owned, but it should be owned and use for what it really is - an amazing sports car for proper driving in the right conditions when the mood takes you. They are best as a second car.
If it is your first dip into TVRs or really powerful cars and will be your daily, I would really recommend waiting until you can get one as a second car you will love and enjoy.
Edited by Outl4w on Friday 24th March 07:12
Outl4w said:
As stated earlier my Cerb is great, I love it, but I'm with Matti- whilst you absolutely could, driving a Cerb as a daily really isn't a good idea or a lot of fun.
I used my Cerb as a daily for about 6 months last year during the summer whilst I experimented with not needing another car (my wife has the S6 estate for the kids and dogs). Driving in the sun is great fun, but the rest is a pain. Whilst the Cerb is reliable and likes being used, it doesn't really like short journeys so ended up going the long way to get everything warmed up properly which became a pain. Parking is hard work, going to the supermarket is hard work, getting in and out of it every day is hard work and it started to take the shine off it so I bought a Cooper S Works as a runaround.
I love my Cerb. It is one of the best cars I have ever owned, but it should be owned and use for what it really is - an amazing sports car for proper driving in the right conditions when the mood takes you. They are best as a second car.
If it is your first dip into TVRs or really powerful cars and will be your daily, I would really recommend waiting until you can get one as a second car you will love and enjoy.
Good advice I shall look for something with slightly less power for a daily driver, and keep cerb for weekend trips I used my Cerb as a daily for about 6 months last year during the summer whilst I experimented with not needing another car (my wife has the S6 estate for the kids and dogs). Driving in the sun is great fun, but the rest is a pain. Whilst the Cerb is reliable and likes being used, it doesn't really like short journeys so ended up going the long way to get everything warmed up properly which became a pain. Parking is hard work, going to the supermarket is hard work, getting in and out of it every day is hard work and it started to take the shine off it so I bought a Cooper S Works as a runaround.
I love my Cerb. It is one of the best cars I have ever owned, but it should be owned and use for what it really is - an amazing sports car for proper driving in the right conditions when the mood takes you. They are best as a second car.
If it is your first dip into TVRs or really powerful cars and will be your daily, I would really recommend waiting until you can get one as a second car you will love and enjoy.
Edited by Outl4w on Friday 24th March 07:12
m4tti said:
nh92 said:
Lol I`ve never ended up in any ditch
From your profile you've never driven anything without any driver aids and 400bhp, hence the earlier reply. Had my 2000 Cerb 4.5 for 10 years. It really is not a daily driver unless you are particularly keen on being hot, cramped, uncomfortable and like 100% concentration on not ending up dead. It's pretty and fast as hell but a real heavy handful and can also provide some regular wallet rape.
I have maintained it with zero regard to cost, full RT Racing body off chassis refurb, suspension, engine, box, clutches x5 including slaves and masters plus flywheels galore and 3 bell housings, engine mounts, radiator, hoses, fuel pump, exhausts, wiper motors, drop links x 2 sets, alternator, starter, exhaust manifolds, window motors, diff and bushes, drive shafts, wheel bearings, wheel refurbs, calipers, disks, the usual handbrake problems etc etc etc etc. Probably £40k+ over 10 years plus purchase price and still it keeps dipping into my bank account. All this in 10k miles of pampered use and living in a dry warm garage.
Some will disagree and to each their own but you have been warned!
Still won't sell it though!
I have maintained it with zero regard to cost, full RT Racing body off chassis refurb, suspension, engine, box, clutches x5 including slaves and masters plus flywheels galore and 3 bell housings, engine mounts, radiator, hoses, fuel pump, exhausts, wiper motors, drop links x 2 sets, alternator, starter, exhaust manifolds, window motors, diff and bushes, drive shafts, wheel bearings, wheel refurbs, calipers, disks, the usual handbrake problems etc etc etc etc. Probably £40k+ over 10 years plus purchase price and still it keeps dipping into my bank account. All this in 10k miles of pampered use and living in a dry warm garage.
Some will disagree and to each their own but you have been warned!
Still won't sell it though!
nh92 said:
Lol I`ve never ended up in any ditch
My Cerbera cost more to maintain than any other car I've owned, including a Maserati 3200GT, many TVRs, a 996 Turbo etc. I drove it as a daily for 2 months and sold it to buy a t350c because I didn't think the Cerbera was tolerable as a daily.
Its also requires the most attention so not to end up in a ditch. For your requirements, and as a first sports car, it's not the right choice, IMHO. A 996 is also a money pit unless you know what you're buying and have read around the issues regarding IMS, RMS etc, not to mention the consumables (air con rads, radiators etc).
I guess your anticipated purchase cost is low 20s?
yajeed said:
My Cerbera cost more to maintain than any other car I've owned, including a Maserati 3200GT, many TVRs, a 996 Turbo etc.
I drove it as a daily for 2 months and sold it to buy a t350c because I didn't think the Cerbera was tolerable as a daily.
Its also requires the most attention so not to end up in a ditch. For your requirements, and as a first sports car, it's not the right choice, IMHO. A 996 is also a money pit unless you know what you're buying and have read around the issues regarding IMS, RMS etc, not to mention the consumables (air con rads, radiators etc).
I guess your anticipated purchase cost is low 20s?
Yes agreed perhaps something lower if that's the case, maybe a Griff or Chim I`ll seeI drove it as a daily for 2 months and sold it to buy a t350c because I didn't think the Cerbera was tolerable as a daily.
Its also requires the most attention so not to end up in a ditch. For your requirements, and as a first sports car, it's not the right choice, IMHO. A 996 is also a money pit unless you know what you're buying and have read around the issues regarding IMS, RMS etc, not to mention the consumables (air con rads, radiators etc).
I guess your anticipated purchase cost is low 20s?
Nh92: if you ask a Cerbera forum what they think of the Cerbera, chances are all will be positive but it might not be the car you want.
Set a budget, make a list of cars you would love to own, see how much they are to insure / run, narrow down the list - DRIVE THE CARS!! Take your time and go in with an open mind, don't decide before having driven a wide selection, decide on the car then drive some more.
I've rushed in to buying cars so many times - just trying to save you some time money and emotional turmoil!!
Set a budget, make a list of cars you would love to own, see how much they are to insure / run, narrow down the list - DRIVE THE CARS!! Take your time and go in with an open mind, don't decide before having driven a wide selection, decide on the car then drive some more.
I've rushed in to buying cars so many times - just trying to save you some time money and emotional turmoil!!
olliete said:
Nh92: if you ask a Cerbera forum what they think of the Cerbera, chances are all will be positive but it might not be the car you want.
Set a budget, make a list of cars you would love to own, see how much they are to insure / run, narrow down the list - DRIVE THE CARS!! Take your time and go in with an open mind, don't decide before having driven a wide selection, decide on the car then drive some more.
I've rushed in to buying cars so many times - just trying to save you some time money and emotional turmoil!!
Thanks yes its only really just started making sense for me to consider a Cerbera because of insurance, it`ll just be the high running costs, and drivability factor I need to look at, I have a varied list, just give myself time to decide and test a few first, Cerbera has always caught my attention but maybe not be what I like to drive who knows....Set a budget, make a list of cars you would love to own, see how much they are to insure / run, narrow down the list - DRIVE THE CARS!! Take your time and go in with an open mind, don't decide before having driven a wide selection, decide on the car then drive some more.
I've rushed in to buying cars so many times - just trying to save you some time money and emotional turmoil!!
Cheers
I might be slightly in the mad house here, but I drive my 4.2 as a daily.
I bought it as a knacker that had issues. Three years down the line and it is still a knacker with issues that hasn't got any worse (touches wood). It leaks like a sieve, goes through a lot of oil and runs amazing on some days, terrible on others depending on it's mood. During the winter, I've had to resort to a squeegie/ice scraper for the inside of the windscreen.
But I love it. And I think it loves me - but hates my wife. So it's called Christine.
Access and egress can be tight with the long doors and tight parking bays but I've never not been able to get in, once you're inside, it's really comfortable.
Reliability - I've had the gearbox 5th gear fail and the clutch fail. Both let me know in advance that they were going to do this so could plan around it.
Ongoing repairs/maintenance have been - Clutch slave while the gearbox was out, rebuilt the brakes and diff bushes and I've just sent my speedo/rev counter away for an overhaul.
Cosmetic - Changed the wheels and played with different interior paint for when I do an interior retrim.
I will forever be tinkering with it/repairing it but it's a 20 year old car that puts a smile on my face every time I press the accelerator. I think it's a forever car, mainly because I doubt anyone would want to buy it lol.
I bought it as a knacker that had issues. Three years down the line and it is still a knacker with issues that hasn't got any worse (touches wood). It leaks like a sieve, goes through a lot of oil and runs amazing on some days, terrible on others depending on it's mood. During the winter, I've had to resort to a squeegie/ice scraper for the inside of the windscreen.
But I love it. And I think it loves me - but hates my wife. So it's called Christine.
Access and egress can be tight with the long doors and tight parking bays but I've never not been able to get in, once you're inside, it's really comfortable.
Reliability - I've had the gearbox 5th gear fail and the clutch fail. Both let me know in advance that they were going to do this so could plan around it.
Ongoing repairs/maintenance have been - Clutch slave while the gearbox was out, rebuilt the brakes and diff bushes and I've just sent my speedo/rev counter away for an overhaul.
Cosmetic - Changed the wheels and played with different interior paint for when I do an interior retrim.
I will forever be tinkering with it/repairing it but it's a 20 year old car that puts a smile on my face every time I press the accelerator. I think it's a forever car, mainly because I doubt anyone would want to buy it lol.
I've had my cerb 11 years and would only use it as a daily driver if a) I was guaranteed good weather, long journeys and no traffic jams, or b) it was the last car on Earth. I think this is something you can only appreciate when you've owned and driven one, especially in adverse conditions. In the right circumstances it is truly awesome, but stuck in traffic in the rain it's not somewhere you want to be really. Heavy clutch (unless it's new), crap wipers, rubbish aircon, exhaust fumes, risk of stall unless you're careful pulling away, if you stall and the engine's baking hot there's a fair chance the start button will just give a click, or the solenoid gear won't engage with the flywheel, poor visibility/other drivers hovering in your blind spot, no radio reception, heavy steering at low speeds (PAS is not as assistive as most cars), worry about fans kicking in/overheating, ... these all conspire to make for a stressful experience in my.. experience
fatjon said:
Had my 2000 Cerb 4.5 for 10 years. It really is not a daily driver unless you are particularly keen on being hot, cramped, uncomfortable and like 100% concentration on not ending up dead. It's pretty and fast as hell but a real heavy handful and can also provide some regular wallet rape.
I have maintained it with zero regard to cost, full RT Racing body off chassis refurb, suspension, engine, box, clutches x5 including slaves and masters plus flywheels galore and 3 bell housings, engine mounts, radiator, hoses, fuel pump, exhausts, wiper motors, drop links x 2 sets, alternator, starter, exhaust manifolds, window motors, diff and bushes, drive shafts, wheel bearings, wheel refurbs, calipers, disks, the usual handbrake problems...
But other than that it's been no trouble at all though right?! I have maintained it with zero regard to cost, full RT Racing body off chassis refurb, suspension, engine, box, clutches x5 including slaves and masters plus flywheels galore and 3 bell housings, engine mounts, radiator, hoses, fuel pump, exhausts, wiper motors, drop links x 2 sets, alternator, starter, exhaust manifolds, window motors, diff and bushes, drive shafts, wheel bearings, wheel refurbs, calipers, disks, the usual handbrake problems...
Running costs would be the main warning I would offer for daily use. If you wanted to keep it tip top like most do given the sort of car it is you're into big numbers compared to the German rivals. £3k/yr for reasonable mileage over a period of time for maintenance only. You can easily do £10k in a winter if doing a few big jobs.
This isn't a scare story as they can run without much cost at all if everything has been sorted, but most want for at least something. And this is what becomes an issue I feel if you rely on it as an only car as you typically need to pay someone to fix what is usually an easy but labour intensive problem.
HTH
This isn't a scare story as they can run without much cost at all if everything has been sorted, but most want for at least something. And this is what becomes an issue I feel if you rely on it as an only car as you typically need to pay someone to fix what is usually an easy but labour intensive problem.
HTH
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