Cerbera reliability beyond a joke
Discussion
Ben
Thanks for the heads up. Just had a call from the dealer who said they have fixed the diff leak whilst it was out having the bushes replaced (partially blocked diff breather causing overpressure). As to the head water weep, it was there at the 18,000 mile service and they reckon its no worse. I've only had to put in about 1/2 pint of water/antifreeze mix in that time so it's difficult to know what to do. I'm waiting for the dealer to tell me if they are authorised to remove heads nowadays. As the whole of the gubbins on top of the engine is off and the cams out for re-shimming it ought to be relatively painless in wallet terms. Its the gearbox seal I'm most worried about - risk of oil on clutch etc.
Thanks for the heads up. Just had a call from the dealer who said they have fixed the diff leak whilst it was out having the bushes replaced (partially blocked diff breather causing overpressure). As to the head water weep, it was there at the 18,000 mile service and they reckon its no worse. I've only had to put in about 1/2 pint of water/antifreeze mix in that time so it's difficult to know what to do. I'm waiting for the dealer to tell me if they are authorised to remove heads nowadays. As the whole of the gubbins on top of the engine is off and the cams out for re-shimming it ought to be relatively painless in wallet terms. Its the gearbox seal I'm most worried about - risk of oil on clutch etc.
quote:
remember that it outperforms ANYTHING except a Mclaren f1 and that costs £500,000.
If that is really true, all the argument that has been going on about the Cerb's reliability is irrelevant:
you can't reasonably expect to have the fastest car in the world and pay less than ferrari money on maintenance.....
If the Cerb was "Porsche-reliable" it would certainly cost more than the double of its price....
Ben, in response to
QUESTION - WHY IS IT THAT A TVR'S PAINTWORK CAN BE MORE SHAGGED WITH STONECHIPS AFTER 6K MILES THAN A NORMAL CAR AFTER 100K ??
Three reasons:
1) The body is fibreglass which is much more rigid than steel and doesnt transmit or attenuate shock well. Thus, on an impact the entire impact shock is contained within the paint layer rather than dissipated through the steel body like a shock absorber.
2) TVR's paint process is at a low bake temperature compared to major manufacturers and low bake paint systems and resins don't seem to be as tolerant
3)Metallics, pearls, reds and yellows all have less chipping resistance. How many TVR's do you see that are one of the above.
Sorry for all this boring trivia but I used to work (many years ago) as a production manager at Ford and before that I was a paint specialist for them!
Hope that solves the riddle. The answer of course is to either buy a TVR in a boring colour (Allegro muddy brown perhaps?) or fit an american style car "bra" YUK!
QUESTION - WHY IS IT THAT A TVR'S PAINTWORK CAN BE MORE SHAGGED WITH STONECHIPS AFTER 6K MILES THAN A NORMAL CAR AFTER 100K ??
Three reasons:
1) The body is fibreglass which is much more rigid than steel and doesnt transmit or attenuate shock well. Thus, on an impact the entire impact shock is contained within the paint layer rather than dissipated through the steel body like a shock absorber.
2) TVR's paint process is at a low bake temperature compared to major manufacturers and low bake paint systems and resins don't seem to be as tolerant
3)Metallics, pearls, reds and yellows all have less chipping resistance. How many TVR's do you see that are one of the above.
Sorry for all this boring trivia but I used to work (many years ago) as a production manager at Ford and before that I was a paint specialist for them!
Hope that solves the riddle. The answer of course is to either buy a TVR in a boring colour (Allegro muddy brown perhaps?) or fit an american style car "bra" YUK!
IT DOES NOT MATTER WHAT I SAY HERE AS THIS IS A TVR CHATGROUP AND SO A LOAD OF SPOTTY 17 YEAR OLD FIAT DRIVERS AND'COMPUTER ENTHUSIASTS' WILL GET ALL HEATED IF A WORD OF CRITICISM IS SAID.
FRIGHTENED
Edited by bennno on Thursday 20th December 12:58
Edited by bennno on Thursday 20th December 12:59
Just a another silly question... It seems to me that the numerous problems listed in this thread have not been reported on other TVRs - I am mainly thinking about the Tuscan. I know the engine are completely different, but would think that bits like bushes, diff, wishbones, etc. would be used on different cars... Is this not the case? 
Roms
Antigua Blue Chimaera 450
MCC Smart Passion Grey with Bungee Red interior ;o)
Roms
Antigua Blue Chimaera 450
MCC Smart Passion Grey with Bungee Red interior ;o)
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remember that it outperforms ANYTHING except a Mclaren f1 and that costs £500,000.
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What about a 959, Xj220, F40, F50, 550, 360, 911 Turbo, diablo
what do you mean by outperform (0-60, 0-100, top speed??)
Ben
Ben,
I don't think your comments or indeed opinions are valid within the Cerbera forum, as it would appear that you have obviously not undergone the full TVR brainwashing program. Please refrain from posting further 'facts based' opinions until you have undergone the full Blackpool Brain Dump.
James.
Edited by jamesr on Wednesday 19th December 22:18
Edited by jamesr on Wednesday 19th December 22:20
remember that it outperforms ANYTHING except a Mclaren f1 and that costs £500,000.
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What about a 959, Xj220, F40, F50, 550, 360, 911 Turbo, diablo
what do you mean by outperform (0-60, 0-100, top speed??)
Ben
Ben,
I don't think your comments or indeed opinions are valid within the Cerbera forum, as it would appear that you have obviously not undergone the full TVR brainwashing program. Please refrain from posting further 'facts based' opinions until you have undergone the full Blackpool Brain Dump.
James.
Edited by jamesr on Wednesday 19th December 22:18
Edited by jamesr on Wednesday 19th December 22:20
lol James.
My mother's old Polo (metallic) suffered appalling stone chips, the guy from Chips Away said, basically, metallics chip, pearlescents are worse it's just how it is... See my comments about Armourfend on the thread about chipped door shuts for one way to minimise the damage. I'm not convinced fibreglass is relevant, my (solid) paint on the Elan didn't suffer badly and I haven't seen any Elise's with shagged paint.
My mother's old Polo (metallic) suffered appalling stone chips, the guy from Chips Away said, basically, metallics chip, pearlescents are worse it's just how it is... See my comments about Armourfend on the thread about chipped door shuts for one way to minimise the damage. I'm not convinced fibreglass is relevant, my (solid) paint on the Elan didn't suffer badly and I haven't seen any Elise's with shagged paint.
Not a criticsm but a simple question - if everyone hates them (Cerberas, speed 6 engines etc) - why do you still have one / had two / considering another?
If they are truely that bad - get rid of it. Seems strange to bitch and moan about it and still have the car. I know that you would loose money - you would on anything - but if it is that bad, loose the car and get something else....
So, why still have one then?
Cheers,
Paul
If they are truely that bad - get rid of it. Seems strange to bitch and moan about it and still have the car. I know that you would loose money - you would on anything - but if it is that bad, loose the car and get something else....
So, why still have one then?
Cheers,
Paul
here are my 2p:
Owning or driving a TVR or any other sportscar with a soul and character is like loving and paying for a supermodel,
you have to give her a hell of money and she still will have a lot of niggles, behave very strange etc
I personally think that you can compare TVR with Ferrari in the early 90's, beatutiful cars, but you need a lot of money to keep them running.
Christof*A HAPPY OWNER*
Owning or driving a TVR or any other sportscar with a soul and character is like loving and paying for a supermodel,
you have to give her a hell of money and she still will have a lot of niggles, behave very strange etc
I personally think that you can compare TVR with Ferrari in the early 90's, beatutiful cars, but you need a lot of money to keep them running.
Christof*A HAPPY OWNER*
"Owning or driving a TVR or any other sportscar with a soul and character is like loving and paying for a supermodel, you have to give her a hell of money and she still will have a lot of niggles, behave very strange etc"
you sound like Swiss Tony from the Fast show....
....and in common with this thread of conversation she will also play havoc with your karma every 28 days, with PMT (Predictable Mechanical Trouble)
Ben
you sound like Swiss Tony from the Fast show....
....and in common with this thread of conversation she will also play havoc with your karma every 28 days, with PMT (Predictable Mechanical Trouble)
Ben
I owned a Cerbera Speed Six for 5 months of which 3 months of it the engine was in Blackpool and Coventry, the doors jammed, the battery kept going flat, the rear shocks were changed twice, the front brakes were changed, the exhaust fell of twice, the wipers stopped working etc etc... All from a car with 6000 miles on the clock.
Now own a 996 with full GT3 kit lowered engine and exhaust upgraded and in real world terms is more than a match for most Tiv's starts every day and I have never been abused for driving it...
Love the TVR's but not the ownership of them....
Now own a 996 with full GT3 kit lowered engine and exhaust upgraded and in real world terms is more than a match for most Tiv's starts every day and I have never been abused for driving it...
Love the TVR's but not the ownership of them....
I'm disappointed, especially with you benno, after all you have owned FOUR TVR's to my knowledge, if they are shit why do you keep buying them??? please explain, I'm sure we would all love to know.
The point is NOT to pose but to enjoy the enthusiasm and general love and respect for a BRITISH sportscar manufacturer that sells a high performace car for HALF the money of a Porsche.
If I wanted a Porsche i would buy one. I don't, so f**k off and join the porsche website and stop slagging off our last little bit of Britishness.
benno, you are a good mate, you should know better, a TVR is for love, not for life...
as for a Diablo being quicker, I think not... I destroyed one last summer on the road to Bristol. and an XJ220.... Of course I see them every day.... Yawn...
The point is NOT to pose but to enjoy the enthusiasm and general love and respect for a BRITISH sportscar manufacturer that sells a high performace car for HALF the money of a Porsche.
If I wanted a Porsche i would buy one. I don't, so f**k off and join the porsche website and stop slagging off our last little bit of Britishness.
benno, you are a good mate, you should know better, a TVR is for love, not for life...
as for a Diablo being quicker, I think not... I destroyed one last summer on the road to Bristol. and an XJ220.... Of course I see them every day.... Yawn...
Sorry, but I haven't finished. A few points...
I owned a Cerbera and I KNOW they aren't reliable, but I KNEW that from day 1. so did you benno, but you bought TWO???
Why buy one, let alone TWO, when you have been informed of this??? Does it put people off owning a Ferrari?? NO it doesn't, people still want one even though they are unreliable and I have yet to see a website dedicated to slagging them off...
So, you bought a Porsche, good, they are great cars, quick, impressive, reliable. excellent. I am very happy for you both.
However, if you don't mind , I would like to be different and own a TVR.
So there, end of debate. You prefer a Porsche, fine. I don't have a problem with that. Leave us alone to enjoy being different.
I owned a Cerbera and I KNOW they aren't reliable, but I KNEW that from day 1. so did you benno, but you bought TWO???
Why buy one, let alone TWO, when you have been informed of this??? Does it put people off owning a Ferrari?? NO it doesn't, people still want one even though they are unreliable and I have yet to see a website dedicated to slagging them off...
So, you bought a Porsche, good, they are great cars, quick, impressive, reliable. excellent. I am very happy for you both.
However, if you don't mind , I would like to be different and own a TVR.
So there, end of debate. You prefer a Porsche, fine. I don't have a problem with that. Leave us alone to enjoy being different.
SO COME ON HAPPY OWNERS, WHERE ARE YOU ??? 
time to
Well well, the old tiv/pork is on again I see. (Sounds like my local pub argue), My Nova 1.2 is better than your ford XR2i. Pack it in kids, Mr McKen needs some positive/negative feedback from other cerb owners, but when you guys turn it into a slag match, nothing good is generated in the thread.
I am currently considering part-exchanging my chim 400 for a cerb 4.2, and threds like mr mcKen helps peps like me really know the truth about owning and running a cerb.
Mr McKen I do feel your pain, as I have learnt from personal experience that its not always the cars themselves that a crap, but the dealers/garages that produce shabby work.
I trick I found out when have a 5k job done on my chim (basically rebuilt the car running system), is to take your car to your dealer, don't argue when the tell you stupid prices/reason's for the faults, just agree, rebook for another day, then take your car to another specialist, get them to carry out the same inspection and compare the reasons and prices.
Some garages think because you can afford a tvr Cerb/tuscan, means you have got money falling out of your arse.
TVR should invest a bit more time in testing their cars (other manufactorers do!!), before they start collecting potential customer's hard earned cash.
I mean they should nouse customers who are forking out the best part of £40+, to act a test goats/drivers. Its absolutly wrong.
They must realise that the Chim/griff where great cars, that where not to unreliable (engine/drivetrain wise anyway), and a customer who is upgrading from any one of these will not be impressed by the horry stories that seem to be following the newer models at this moment.
Now I reacon the fact that I can't see myself paying 45K+ for any car at this moment in time means no new cerb for me, but I intend on picking a very early model 4.2.
After speaking to about 4 different franchised dealers (the actual mechanics that do the work), I found out that its better to buy a cerb that is more than 3 years old.
The reason for this is that most owners have sorted out the main problems through warranty or out of pocket to get the cars right only to be sucked in again by Quote "I must have that latest spec TIV" Unquote.
So peole like my have a better chance of picking up a fairly desent well looked after car for between 25K - 30K.
Flasher -- Great answers.
Ben -- Get a life !!!!!!!
Every car you have mentioned there is not exactly your run of the mill stuff (apart from the 911), I could say well hey the speed 12 Cerb would have it for lunch (But whats the point I have not seen a speed 12 on the road yet, nor most of those cars you have mentioned.
By the way my old boss drove a diablo, and I can tell you they cost an arm an a leg to run.
If I recall 2 rear tyres on his Diablo costs arond the £900 mark, so shut it a stop dreaming mate.....
Edited by bling on Thursday 20th December 04:33
Edited by bling on Thursday 20th December 04:34
I am currently considering part-exchanging my chim 400 for a cerb 4.2, and threds like mr mcKen helps peps like me really know the truth about owning and running a cerb.
Mr McKen I do feel your pain, as I have learnt from personal experience that its not always the cars themselves that a crap, but the dealers/garages that produce shabby work.
I trick I found out when have a 5k job done on my chim (basically rebuilt the car running system), is to take your car to your dealer, don't argue when the tell you stupid prices/reason's for the faults, just agree, rebook for another day, then take your car to another specialist, get them to carry out the same inspection and compare the reasons and prices.
Some garages think because you can afford a tvr Cerb/tuscan, means you have got money falling out of your arse.
TVR should invest a bit more time in testing their cars (other manufactorers do!!), before they start collecting potential customer's hard earned cash.
I mean they should nouse customers who are forking out the best part of £40+, to act a test goats/drivers. Its absolutly wrong.
They must realise that the Chim/griff where great cars, that where not to unreliable (engine/drivetrain wise anyway), and a customer who is upgrading from any one of these will not be impressed by the horry stories that seem to be following the newer models at this moment.
Now I reacon the fact that I can't see myself paying 45K+ for any car at this moment in time means no new cerb for me, but I intend on picking a very early model 4.2.
After speaking to about 4 different franchised dealers (the actual mechanics that do the work), I found out that its better to buy a cerb that is more than 3 years old.
The reason for this is that most owners have sorted out the main problems through warranty or out of pocket to get the cars right only to be sucked in again by Quote "I must have that latest spec TIV" Unquote.
So peole like my have a better chance of picking up a fairly desent well looked after car for between 25K - 30K.
Flasher -- Great answers.
Ben -- Get a life !!!!!!!
Every car you have mentioned there is not exactly your run of the mill stuff (apart from the 911), I could say well hey the speed 12 Cerb would have it for lunch (But whats the point I have not seen a speed 12 on the road yet, nor most of those cars you have mentioned.
By the way my old boss drove a diablo, and I can tell you they cost an arm an a leg to run.
If I recall 2 rear tyres on his Diablo costs arond the £900 mark, so shut it a stop dreaming mate.....
Edited by bling on Thursday 20th December 04:33
Edited by bling on Thursday 20th December 04:34
I have had two Cerberas. First one I got December 1999. Second one April 2001. Can't tell you the exact mileage, but I do use it daily, and do around 30-50 miles--a lot more on the weekends. What can I say...petrol is cheap here!
Both cars have been perfectly reliable. I worked on them myself. I live in the US, without factory or dealer support. I just rely on tips over the net and people's kindness/enthusiasm, and haven't had a problem.
Prior to the Cerbera, most I had ever done was change the oil in a car. So I had no experience. I could only do minor things and only had to do minor, fun things to either Cerbera. Mechanically, they were 100% fine on the major stuff.
The only problem I had was when I "lost the rear end" and rammed my first Cerbie into a hillside. But it *still* started up. And my mate and I walked away from that very serious crash, so I believe they are safe as well.
I love the car's looks. The performance is staggering. Practicality: big boot and rear seats for kids. I bought it because I could afford it (1/3 the cost of a Ferrari). I believe they are excellent value and would be willing to put up with a lot more mechanical problems before I threw in the towel.
The best Cerbera I have ever been in, incidentally, is Christof's. It has a tuned engine, and feels like a world superbike!
For me, the Cerbera is the best car in the world. Last weekend I packed my two doggies in the back, picnic in the boot, and other half and I went for a "quick drive" by the lake and ended up visiting relatives who live " very far away"--we were gone the whole day. What other awesome car could you do that in?
I have a lotus motorsport as well. It can carry a lot of speed into corners, but it just doesn't compare to the way the Cerbera rockets out of curves. I thought I would keep the Cerbera as a weekend grand tourer and drive the lotus everyday, but it's turned out to be Cerbera everyday, lotus for some track events and truly demonic, twisty road enjoyment, otherwise Cerbera for weekends as well. Thinking of selling the lotus. Poor bikes never get used--maybe once every other week. Thinking of selling them too. But you cannot part me from my Cerbie. Thanks TVR, it's exactly the car I want. I don't want it to be quieter or smoother.
I post regularly on a few lists, and don't want to post more because I am too busy enjoying the car(s). I do sympathize with those who had problems. No doubt they were as enthusiastic as I am and I wish they had been able to enjoy their Cerberas as much as I am enjoying mine. My problems are slightly different--I have to set aside a hefty sum each year to pay for lawyers so I can keep my license.
Edited by faisalkhan on Thursday 20th December 08:12
Edited by faisalkhan on Thursday 20th December 08:18
Both cars have been perfectly reliable. I worked on them myself. I live in the US, without factory or dealer support. I just rely on tips over the net and people's kindness/enthusiasm, and haven't had a problem.
Prior to the Cerbera, most I had ever done was change the oil in a car. So I had no experience. I could only do minor things and only had to do minor, fun things to either Cerbera. Mechanically, they were 100% fine on the major stuff.
The only problem I had was when I "lost the rear end" and rammed my first Cerbie into a hillside. But it *still* started up. And my mate and I walked away from that very serious crash, so I believe they are safe as well.
I love the car's looks. The performance is staggering. Practicality: big boot and rear seats for kids. I bought it because I could afford it (1/3 the cost of a Ferrari). I believe they are excellent value and would be willing to put up with a lot more mechanical problems before I threw in the towel.
The best Cerbera I have ever been in, incidentally, is Christof's. It has a tuned engine, and feels like a world superbike!
For me, the Cerbera is the best car in the world. Last weekend I packed my two doggies in the back, picnic in the boot, and other half and I went for a "quick drive" by the lake and ended up visiting relatives who live " very far away"--we were gone the whole day. What other awesome car could you do that in?
I have a lotus motorsport as well. It can carry a lot of speed into corners, but it just doesn't compare to the way the Cerbera rockets out of curves. I thought I would keep the Cerbera as a weekend grand tourer and drive the lotus everyday, but it's turned out to be Cerbera everyday, lotus for some track events and truly demonic, twisty road enjoyment, otherwise Cerbera for weekends as well. Thinking of selling the lotus. Poor bikes never get used--maybe once every other week. Thinking of selling them too. But you cannot part me from my Cerbie. Thanks TVR, it's exactly the car I want. I don't want it to be quieter or smoother.
I post regularly on a few lists, and don't want to post more because I am too busy enjoying the car(s). I do sympathize with those who had problems. No doubt they were as enthusiastic as I am and I wish they had been able to enjoy their Cerberas as much as I am enjoying mine. My problems are slightly different--I have to set aside a hefty sum each year to pay for lawyers so I can keep my license.
Edited by faisalkhan on Thursday 20th December 08:12
Edited by faisalkhan on Thursday 20th December 08:18
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