Chimaera to Cerbera

[pistol]

I currently have a Chimaera 4.0 R Reg, and I'm now ready to try something a tad more brutal.

Looking at cars about £20K-23K, checked a few out and have just been to have a quick look at a Speed six Oyster Gold/magnolia T reg with 18500 miles on the clock, overall condition very good. Interior could do with tidying up a little ie leather coming away in places but all very clean. Had been part Exed against a BMW anybody's on here reg T918 JLD. As for the sound awesome ....

Overall looks fantastic.
Questions:

The engine is still the original, is this a good or bad thing for its year / mileage. Or is it more dependent on past history?

The carbon window uprights are flaking a little is this easy/cheap to tidy up or have repainted?

I can't wait to take it for a spin next week?

Any help would be greatly appreciated as I'm still fairly new to TVR's only had Chimaera 7 months.





>>> Edited by pistol on Thursday 2nd October 00:45

[RichardP]

I did the same thing 4 years ago and haven't regretted it although my wife says she misses the fact the roof doesn't come off. My response is that at 150+ I like to know that I'm inside a roll cage.

[davidd]

RichardP said:

I did the same thing 4 years ago and haven't regretted it although my wife says she misses the fact the roof doesn't come off. My response is that at 150+ I like to know that I'm inside a roll cage.

at 150+ I doubt she would hear you

[ocean1]

I went from a 95 4.0 Chimaera to a 99 S6 Cerbera. The performance difference is huge. My car has been 100% reliable after 5 months and 5000 miles, I use it everyday for everything. Its very refreshing to see a post from someone looking for a Cerbera that does not dismiss the S6. They are great cars, when I drove one after trying a couple of 4.2V8s I knew nothing else would do and hang their reputation. I think if the car your looking at has the original engine this probably is a good sign as contrary to popular belief not all S6 engines ever need rebuilding. Dont know about the carbon strips mine are OK. Best of luck to you.

Ocean1 (S6 supporters club)

[pistol]

Thanks for the comments,

Is there anything vital I need to be looking out for, it has the upright sticker thingy on the VIN plate.

I had the same problem with my wife she thought the Cerbera looks like an old mans car , but when she saw one up close and personal (car that is not old man) she soon changed her tune. do you find the two extra seats much use?

I wil also be using this as an everyday car and thats one reason why I'm keen on trying the Speed 6 apparantly a little smoother at slower speeds (not sure if this is the case though) and the sound seems to be slightly less rattly.

Ocean1 what mileage does yours currently have? and has this had a rebuild?

How do you find the servicing costs?

[darreni]

My 97 cerb (mendip blue one in classifieds) is having a full rebuild at the factory at the moment.
Speaking to Paul Giddings(engine build) was very revealing, he said the big end bearings were ed, crank bearings, crank itsself, & that generally the bottom end was very worn.
Now bear in mind i also had the cams replaced 800 miles ago because they were badly worn.
This engine has covered 52000 miles.
The factorys reply? - "Yeah engine wear like this would not be unexpected at this mileage" which would lead me to believe that most 30K plus engines will have fairly major internal wear.
Before anyone says "ahhh but it depends on how hard they've been driven" - they've ALL been driven very hard.
I personally would be very careful with any purchase, as the bits that will cost you serious money to sort are the ones that you have no way of inspecting (without recourse to a full engine strip)
Not trying to put you off, just make sure that you have your eyes wide open & don't be fooled by the noise & shiny paint - get an expert to check the engine, as a full rebuild can set you back 25%of the cars purchase price, I know!
Darren.

[shpub]

What prompted the engine rebuid?

[darreni]

A rattle that went from nothing to very loud over the space of around half a mile.
sounded like half a dozen golf balls being shaken in a biscuit tin!
this was the crank moving as the bearings let go & the resulting piston /valve get-together.
Oh well!
Darren

[kojak69]

That sounds like its going to be expensive Darren.

[darreni]

Had Paul Giddings on the phone this morning- £3k parts + £1k labour (on top of the top end rebuild 800 miles ago).
WH refusing to pay as they say the crank was starved of oil! causing the crank bearings to seize on the crank & snap it.
Fkkkers.
A box of swan vesta & a gallon of 4 star would be an acceptable solution for all at the moment, the mood i'm in.
The engine will have a total factory warranty for 6 months though, so some light at the end of the tunnel.
Hey, its only money, right?
Darren.

[gazzab]

Arent WH fab! And people want warranties!!!

[p7ulg]

I went the other way via a tuscan! Its along story, the type that involves cash.I have just recently changed my 400 Chimaera for a 500 and must admit I did look at another cerbera.My advice would be to go for the 500.The main reasoning being that the roof comes off and in my opinion thats what sports cars are all about.With the Chimaera you have a convertible and due to the construction of the hood almost a closed coupe when the roof is up.I enjoyed my cerbera but must admit I got bored with it fairly quickly.

[ocean1]

pistol said:

Thanks for the comments, Is there anything vital I need to be looking out for, it has the upright sticker thingy on the VIN plate. I had the same problem with my wife she thought the Cerbera looks like an old mans car , but when she saw one up close and personal (car that is not old man) she soon changed her tune. do you find the two extra seats much use? I wil also be using this as an everyday car and thats one reason why I'm keen on trying the Speed 6 apparantly a little smoother at slower speeds (not sure if this is the case though) and the sound seems to be slightly less rattly. Ocean1 what mileage does yours currently have? and has this had a rebuild? How do you find the servicing costs?

My car has 32000 miles on. The engine was updated in 2001 at 15000 miles due to a missfire problem, although I dont know the details of this as it was before I owned it. Since then there have been no engine problems.
Basic servicing costs are little more than for the Cerbera if you use a specialist, and not a main dealer. Look at Team Proactive and Offords for prices (around £300 for a 6K, 400 for a 12K). If it looks cared for and runs right then it probably is right. I also like to make an assessment of the previous owner.
This is a car you can use everyday. The ride is slightly softer than the V8 cars but is more than firm enough. The stearing is a bit lower geared at 2.5 turns against the V8 cars 2 turns this makes a big difference in drivability. In my opinion the engine sounds lovely at anything except tick over, the more you rev it the better it sounds. The torque delivery is also nice and progressive. I have carried 2 kids in the rear seats, but mostly I use them for shopping etc, but they are usable for short people if neccessary, especially behind the passenger seat. If I can help any further please ask.

Ocean1


>> Edited by ocean1 on Thursday 2nd October 15:34

[simwimjim]

Do you find the extra seats much uses? Yeah, if I was driving a hobbit or too.

Your pet cat would have a problem moving his legs in the back. I think they should have taken out the back seats and installed a dry ice machine, so I look even more menacing when I step out of this beast.

[pistol]

Thanks for that Ocean1 I have used Offord for my last service most impressed with service and price.

Hopefully I'm going back on Tuesday to take it for a drive and maybe make an offer. Last I spoke he offered me £16,500 and wouldn't budge on price of cerbie (£22,500 does this sound about right) but maybe with pound notes he may change his mind, there is also a 4.5 in Bristol I could be interested in, bit far to travel though, but could be worth it.
Doesn't look quite as good as the Speed 6 though.

[robp]

Alright pete! Interesting to see you are looking at swaping the Chim. Should be good, i'll be wanting a ride

Sorry I never got back to you about the mountain bike, it kind of took back place when I got the new car.

Happy hunting!

[pistol]

Aye up Rob,

How are you? I see you've changed you car, was the beast a little too much to handle?

Next time your in beeston you'll have to nip into the shop? I'll let you know how it goes with the cerbie and maybe we can go for a quick spin

[robp]

pistol said:

Aye up Rob, How are you? I see you've changed you car, was the beast a little too much to handle? Next time your in beeston you'll have to nip into the shop? I'll let you know how it goes with the cerbie and maybe we can go for a quick spin

Will have to take you up on that offer........when my car is fixed! Blew a hose last week and i'm trying to sort it now. At least the exhaust is still in one piece

[kevin63]

Try looking at V8 Cerbera's as i have a 2001 Speed Six and the engine has gone three times now and has had to go back to the factory for a minimum of one and a half months each time. Glad i have not had to pay for it as they have now put a new head on it.
I had a 4ltr chimera before witch was great but i have no regrets buying the Cerbie at all but just wish it was on the road more.