advice on buying (sorry to bore you owners)

[iaiin]

iaiin said:

SGirl said: GCerbera said: Fuel will cost more generally as Optimax is a good buy, so shop around ( paying 75.9 here ) The cheapest Optimax round here is 82.9!! But back on-topic.... I fit in the back of a Cerb, and I'm 5'3". If the kids (or the wife ) are shorter you shouldn't have any problems. Edited to add: The difference in performance between the Griff 500 and the Cerb 4.2 is very noticeable. The Griff is very quick, but the Cerb is even quicker. The Cerb's handling is better, and if you manage to fail to keep it shiny side up it has a roll cage. The Griff doesn't even have side impact protection... We replaced my Griff 500 and Tam Lin's Porsche 911 with a Cerb 4.2 a few months back due to the arrival of SBaby, and we haven't regretted it for a second. Well, I must admit I was really sorry at the time to see the Griff go, but the Cerb is absolutely fantastic, the best car we've ever had. And so far all it's cost us is the price of a baby seat and some pedal extenders, plus gallons and gallons of Optimax. >> Edited by SGirl on Monday 21st July 10:24

Thanks
Sounds very good & hope it all stays that way.
Most people say they love them & we do have another car as well to use, so it would not be everyday use.
Do you use it all the time,or as a fun week ender?

[GCerbera]

I use mine pretty much every day.

Even if I don't need to go somewhere....I do because
it makes me feel good.

Go create some weather...
Graham
TCR The Cerbera Register

www.TVR-Cerbera.com

[kstead]

think the bottom line is as said in other threads(cant remember where) £1000 pa service costs if you use an indi, tyres when you need them, same for pads discs and other consumables. Shocks and clutches are consumable depending on the previous owner/driving style. Im not expecting any major mech work at all but if the worst should happen i'v got a bit put aside, it'll sting though. Im OK working on the car myself for anything that doesn't need a stamp, which probably saves me a lot.
I think your worries about a £5k bill are unjustified, at least I hope they are, shop around for the day to day bits they will need and be prepared for the amount of time it takes to look after them properly and that means spending 8 hours driving 1 hour tinkering at least and i really think you'll be fine.
If I can help in any way etc.
I wish you luck

[beemer]

Hi Iaiin - Have looked at the three threads you've put up on this - here's my perspective.
I have a Cerb 4.5, bought earlier this year as have 2 kids and wanted something we could use as a family as well as for fun (track days, Le Mans, etc). My mum has a Chimaera (a 4.0), which I've just sold for her so drove it last night.
To be honest, the performance differential is huge - Cerbera is WAY quicker (and if you've had an R1, you'll want something decently quick for the buzz), Chimp much softer, a lazy tourer rather than an out and out sportscar. 450 and 500 Chimps quicker in my experience, but still nothing like the raw energy of the Cerbie - it's addictive!
Running costs aren't always going to be huge - pick your Cerbie well and it may not bite you financially. Treat the engine with respect when cold and it shouldn't need any rebuild work til 50K plus miles. Use a good independent (I use Andy McLoughlin). Having looked at my mum's Chim service records, there doesn't seem to be that much in it vs. my Cerb cost wise for 6K services, although the 12K will be more expensive on the Cerb.
Griffs are definitely future classics, so if you need a soft top and want to lessen the impact of depreciation, go for one of these - better looks, slightly more raw, especially a 500. Or a pre-cat 4.3, if you want to spend Cerb money on one and get the best sounding Rover-engined TVR of them all.
Sean

[SGirl]

iaiin said:

Thanks Sounds very good & hope it all stays that way. Most people say they love them & we do have another car as well to use, so it would not be everyday use. Do you use it all the time,or as a fun week ender?

We use ours as the mood takes us - Tam Lin commutes in it whenever he feels like it, but if we're travelling anywhere for any reason the car we take is usually dictated either by the weather (don't want numpty to ding it blaming "it was foggy" or "it was icy"...) or by what we need to take with us.

We did consider keeping the Griff and following with the baby in one of the other cars if we wanted to go anywhere as a family, but in the long run this would've turned out to be much more expensive than just buying a Cerb and accepting the higher servicing costs, etc. There are bad Cerbs out there, of course, but if you take your time and buy a good one your running costs shouldn't be OTT.

>> Edited by SGirl on Tuesday 22 July 10:13

[iaiin]

SGirl said:

iaiin said: Thanks Sounds very good & hope it all stays that way. Most people say they love them & we do have another car as well to use, so it would not be everyday use. Do you use it all the time,or as a fun week ender? We use ours as the mood takes us - Tam Lin commutes in it whenever he feels like it, but if we're travelling anywhere for any reason the car we take is usually dictated either by the weather (don't want numpty to ding it blaming "it was foggy" or "it was icy"...) or by what we need to take with us. We did consider keeping the Griff and following with the baby in one of the other cars if we wanted to go anywhere as a family, but in the long run this would've turned out to be much more expensive than just buying a Cerb and accepting the higher servicing costs, etc. There are bad Cerbs out there, of course, but if you take your time and buy a good one your running costs shouldn't be OTT. >> Edited by SGirl on Tuesday 22 July 10:13

Ok it sounds as if you were in same postion as me,glad that it is working out well for you.May be i should give it a bash.
only thing is a mate came round in cobra rep with 5.7 chevy in ,went well but wonder if they are load of expense & dont break?

[Julian64]

I have both a Cerbera and a 5.7 Chevy Cobra Rep. They couldn't be two more different cars. I can't choose between them so I keep both.

[Katanarog]

see you can get two six foot adults in back of cerbie in comfort!

[Tam Lin]

Julian64 said:

I have both a Cerbera and a 5.7 Chevy Cobra Rep. They couldn't be two more different cars. I can't choose between them so I keep both.

C'mon, let's have some more details, I'm intrigued. Which one do you choose to drive when, and why?

[jamesk]

iaiin has posted in half the forums on this board asking about loads of models.

If you are seriously considering a cobra replica as an alternative for a cerb then I really think you need to reconsider your priorities before choosing a shortlist

[ptkend]

SGirl said:

GCerbera said: Fuel will cost more generally as Optimax is a good buy, so shop around ( paying 75.9 here ) The cheapest Optimax round here is 82.9!! But back on-topic.... I fit in the back of a Cerb, and I'm 5'3". If the kids (or the wife ) are shorter you shouldn't have any problems. Edited to add: The difference in performance between the Griff 500 and the Cerb 4.2 is very noticeable. The Griff is very quick, but the Cerb is even quicker. The Cerb's handling is better, and if you manage to fail to keep it shiny side up it has a roll cage. The Griff doesn't even have side impact protection... We replaced my Griff 500 and Tam Lin's Porsche 911 with a Cerb 4.2 a few months back due to the arrival of SBaby, and we haven't regretted it for a second. Well, I must admit I was really sorry at the time to see the Griff go, but the Cerb is absolutely fantastic, the best car we've ever had. And so far all it's cost us is the price of a baby seat and some pedal extenders, plus gallons and gallons of Optimax. >> Edited by SGirl on Monday 21st July 10:24

[ptkend]

SGirl said:

GCerbera said: Fuel will cost more generally as Optimax is a good buy, so shop around ( paying 75.9 here ) The cheapest Optimax round here is 82.9!! But back on-topic.... I fit in the back of a Cerb, and I'm 5'3". If the kids (or the wife ) are shorter you shouldn't have any problems. Edited to add: The difference in performance between the Griff 500 and the Cerb 4.2 is very noticeable. The Griff is very quick, but the Cerb is even quicker. The Cerb's handling is better, and if you manage to fail to keep it shiny side up it has a roll cage. The Griff doesn't even have side impact protection... We replaced my Griff 500 and Tam Lin's Porsche 911 with a Cerb 4.2 a few months back due to the arrival of SBaby, and we haven't regretted it for a second. Well, I must admit I was really sorry at the time to see the Griff go, but the Cerb is absolutely fantastic, the best car we've ever had. And so far all it's cost us is the price of a baby seat and some pedal extenders, plus gallons and gallons of Optimax. >> Edited by SGirl on Monday 21st July 10:24

Question for SGirl, and anyone else who has a Cerbera and a baby. My wife is pregnant and as my current car is a 2-seater, I will have to sell it. I want a Cerbera, and believe it is perfectly feasible to transport 2 adults and a baby in one. Can anyone out there agree with me ?

[ptkend]

SGirl said:

GCerbera said: Fuel will cost more generally as Optimax is a good buy, so shop around ( paying 75.9 here ) The cheapest Optimax round here is 82.9!! But back on-topic.... I fit in the back of a Cerb, and I'm 5'3". If the kids (or the wife ) are shorter you shouldn't have any problems. Edited to add: The difference in performance between the Griff 500 and the Cerb 4.2 is very noticeable. The Griff is very quick, but the Cerb is even quicker. The Cerb's handling is better, and if you manage to fail to keep it shiny side up it has a roll cage. The Griff doesn't even have side impact protection... We replaced my Griff 500 and Tam Lin's Porsche 911 with a Cerb 4.2 a few months back due to the arrival of SBaby, and we haven't regretted it for a second. Well, I must admit I was really sorry at the time to see the Griff go, but the Cerb is absolutely fantastic, the best car we've ever had. And so far all it's cost us is the price of a baby seat and some pedal extenders, plus gallons and gallons of Optimax. >> Edited by SGirl on Monday 21st July 10:24

Question for SGirl, and anyone else who has a Cerbera and a baby. My wife is pregnant and as my current car is a 2-seater, I will have to sell it. I want a Cerbera, and believe it is perfectly feasible to transport 2 adults and a baby in one. Can anyone out there agree with me ?

[anewsome]

TVR do a child seat for the cerbera. I have one but have never used it so am not sure what age range it suits.

Speak to a dealer or the factory to get the details

[SGirl]

ptkend said:

Question for SGirl, and anyone else who has a Cerbera and a baby. My wife is pregnant and as my current car is a 2-seater, I will have to sell it. I want a Cerbera, and believe it is perfectly feasible to transport 2 adults and a baby in one. Can anyone out there agree with me ?

Yes, it's feasible - but there is one small point to consider. Group 0 (rearward-facing) baby seats don't fit in the rear of a Cerbie, so you have to put the baby in the front until he or she is old enough to sit in a Group 1 seat. This means that one adult has to sit in the back until the baby is able to hold up his/her head and sit unaided. I fit, just about, but Tam Lin can't sit comfortably in the back at all.

Other than that, it's perfect for two adults and one child!

[Julian64]

Same situation. Wife said I could buy any car as long as it had four seats. One leggy wife, one loud five year old, and one grubby two year old fit in nicely. Sorry Tam, just didn't know how to answer your previous question. Maybe I'll take a photo at the weekend and you can decide.

Julian

[iaiin]

jamesk said:

iaiin has posted in half the forums on this board asking about loads of models. If you are seriously considering a cobra replica as an alternative for a cerb then I really think you need to reconsider your priorities before choosing a shortlist

I already have a shortlist & because of my questions its getting shorter, I thought this is what a chat was for.
I started with Cerb,chimp,M5, & griff!
Now its down to cerb (shame everyone said you have to spend a fortune to maintain & dont drive to hard)
or the griff (reasonable to run,roof of but only 2 seats).
Both fast cars,which i like,nice noise,nice looks. now i will see what to spend my hard earned £18k on!!

[GCerbera]

iaiin said:

jamesk said: iaiin has posted in half the forums on this board asking about loads of models. If you are seriously considering a cobra replica as an alternative for a cerb then I really think you need to reconsider your priorities before choosing a shortlist Now its down to cerb (shame everyone said you have to spend a fortune to maintain & dont drive to hard)

Not everyone said that?

With any TVR you have to have funds available for
a)More frequent services which won't always bite and
b)In case you do have some misfortune.

There are plenty of threads saying how great the cars
are and that they are not costing a fortune.

At the end of the day, the best thing would be to
actually get out in the cars, that will more than
make your mind up.

Go create some weather...
Graham
TCR The Cerbera Register

www.TVR-Cerbera.com

[iaiin]

GCerbera said:

iaiin said: jamesk said: iaiin has posted in half the forums on this board asking about loads of models. If you are seriously considering a cobra replica as an alternative for a cerb then I really think you need to reconsider your priorities before choosing a shortlist Now its down to cerb (shame everyone said you have to spend a fortune to maintain & dont drive to hard) Not everyone said that? With any TVR you have to have funds available for a)More frequent services which won't always bite and b)In case you do have some misfortune. There are plenty of threads saying how great the cars are and that they are not costing a fortune. At the end of the day, the best thing would be to actually get out in the cars, that will more than make your mind up. Go create some weather... Graham TCR The Cerbera Register www.TVR-Cerbera.com

Sorry you were right not everyone,but about 70% seem to think they are expensive to run.I hope you are right because i think i have made my mind up to go for one! Just sorting funds out,wife prefers 4 seats (so i can take kids off her hands!)& i will be back on here asking if anyone knows of a good 4.2 for £18k for sale!
I have noticed back in question on forum by somebody else,TVR,s seem to be more expensive in things like PH & sprint compares to say Top maqrques or other papers!
I know we all want a careful owner but people seem to overprice in these areas which i find strange!

[GCerbera]

iaiin said:

[quote=GCerbera] [quote=iaiin] I think i have made my mind up to go for one! Just sorting funds out,wife prefers 4 seats (so i can take kids off her hands!)& i will be back on here asking if anyone knows of a good 4.2 for £18k for sale!

That's good to hear.

If it helps, one I looked at is still about for about 18k
and apart from needing a front end respray due to stone
chips, it's a great car. Contact me off list if interested.

One tip, I do recommend you take an independent
specialist to check any car over before you say
yes, I would also recommend you try one at a dealer
as well so you can drive it.

Many private owners won't let potential buyers drive
their cars, can't say I blame them either.

Good luck, I am sure you won't regret it.

Go create some weather...
Graham
TCR The Cerbera Register

www.TVR-Cerbera.com