Cerbera as a GT
Discussion
Hi all!
After wanting a TVR for many years, I've finally got the resources to seriously start looking for one. I've been reading this forum for quite some time on the usual issues, such as engine rebuilds, chassis corrosion etc, what a great resource. I've also been to a few TVR club meeting to talk to a handful of owners.
One question I'd like to ask is whether you guys ever do long(er) trips in your Cerberas. I appreciate its a very high performance sports car, so in that sense it will be a different cruiser than my Jaguar xj8
however, given my love for road trips, it would be great to take the cerbera out for a weekends' tour etc. Given my central London location, that means one spends quite some time in a car getting somewhere
Happy to hear your experiences!
After wanting a TVR for many years, I've finally got the resources to seriously start looking for one. I've been reading this forum for quite some time on the usual issues, such as engine rebuilds, chassis corrosion etc, what a great resource. I've also been to a few TVR club meeting to talk to a handful of owners.
One question I'd like to ask is whether you guys ever do long(er) trips in your Cerberas. I appreciate its a very high performance sports car, so in that sense it will be a different cruiser than my Jaguar xj8
however, given my love for road trips, it would be great to take the cerbera out for a weekends' tour etc. Given my central London location, that means one spends quite some time in a car getting somewhereHappy to hear your experiences!
There may be a huge difference in between the Cerbs they are offered on the
market now.
We have a late unmodified 4.5 AJP Cerb sitting next to the XJR8.
The Cerb actually turned out being so good that the Jag is mostly sitting unused when there is choice to be made which one to use of the both.
The Jag is lovely and fast.
But the Cerb offers even more of it.
It is an event to drive and where ever it turns up.
In original form it is not to loud but still offers nice noice,
important being a TVR.
The AJP offers torque for relaxed cruising but also all the revs you want if you want let it explode. All without the need of a charger.
The Cerb proofed very well on long trips for us.
Sometimes I can not help thinking. "Is this really a TVR?"
If it turns out to perfect for you, there would always be a way to make the suspension harder or the exhaust louder.
Having automatic would certainly make the Jag the more prefered car for city traffic.
But if you have not owned a TVR yet, and wanting one, you really should get one asap.
Life is to short not to.
market now.
We have a late unmodified 4.5 AJP Cerb sitting next to the XJR8.
The Cerb actually turned out being so good that the Jag is mostly sitting unused when there is choice to be made which one to use of the both.
The Jag is lovely and fast.
But the Cerb offers even more of it.
It is an event to drive and where ever it turns up.
In original form it is not to loud but still offers nice noice,
important being a TVR.
The AJP offers torque for relaxed cruising but also all the revs you want if you want let it explode. All without the need of a charger.
The Cerb proofed very well on long trips for us.
Sometimes I can not help thinking. "Is this really a TVR?"
If it turns out to perfect for you, there would always be a way to make the suspension harder or the exhaust louder.
Having automatic would certainly make the Jag the more prefered car for city traffic.
But if you have not owned a TVR yet, and wanting one, you really should get one asap.
Life is to short not to.
Well I've done several European trips in my Cerb (4.5, decat with sports pipes) including one of around 3000 miles in eight days.
The longest journey I've done was around 730 miles, back from Carpentras to Essex. Got a puncture down there on my penultimate day which meant I ended up having to drive back in one go instead of over two days. Took about ten hours if I remember correctly, including a ninety minute wait for the Eurotunnel.
Never really had any issues, I've found the car quite confortable and not particularly tiresome to drive. The only caveats to that driving through Italy in 30+ temparatures wasn't fun as the aircon wasn't really upto the job. Driving roads like Stelvio are fun to begin with but after the millionth hairpin it gets a bit wearing.
The longest journey I've done was around 730 miles, back from Carpentras to Essex. Got a puncture down there on my penultimate day which meant I ended up having to drive back in one go instead of over two days. Took about ten hours if I remember correctly, including a ninety minute wait for the Eurotunnel.
Never really had any issues, I've found the car quite confortable and not particularly tiresome to drive. The only caveats to that driving through Italy in 30+ temparatures wasn't fun as the aircon wasn't really upto the job. Driving roads like Stelvio are fun to begin with but after the millionth hairpin it gets a bit wearing.
Have done lots of long journeys in mine, including a 3.2k, a 2.8k, 4x 1.6k and half a dozen 800m return trips. The Cerbera is a great GT car and can eat miles like no other (although the fuel cost is not insignificant). I think it's easier to do very long journeys in the cerb, compared with a "normal" car, as it keeps you interested the whole time. Didn't have any breakdowns either, despite some full-on driving during those trips. 
I just got my Cerb last year and the only thing that I regret is not having got it 10 years ago. This car is however a car that needs to be driven and not just a "sit back and relax" type of car. My car has a radio that I've never listened to since the car sounds so good. I'd say stop messing about and get one.
Had my '01 4.5 for 9 years. My first journey in it was picking it up from the sales point and driving 500 miles back to Luxembourg, where I live. It was August 20th, hotter than a French w
e's fanny and all I had to do was lower the windows to enjoy the superb drive.
The suspension is firm,the steering is accurate and (at 5'7") is the seond most comfortable car that I've ever driven.
I've done trips like Lux - Leeds -Lux in a weekend.
Lux - Monza plus Ttree of the Italian Lakes - Lux.
All without hassle and (almost) no incident.
It is also my daily driver.
60,000 miles in 9 years.
My final quote on my Profile says it all ....
"Release all your fears and doubts and live for once in your life."
e's fanny and all I had to do was lower the windows to enjoy the superb drive.The suspension is firm,the steering is accurate and (at 5'7") is the seond most comfortable car that I've ever driven.
I've done trips like Lux - Leeds -Lux in a weekend.
Lux - Monza plus Ttree of the Italian Lakes - Lux.
All without hassle and (almost) no incident.
It is also my daily driver.
60,000 miles in 9 years.
My final quote on my Profile says it all ....
"Release all your fears and doubts and live for once in your life."
It has a big boot, decent fuel tank and comfortable seats.
I haven't and probably wouldn't take mine anywhere long distance though, mostly because I have minimal ability to tolerate being at the wrong temperature and I turn catatonic after a dozen miles maintaining the same speed with a pedal. Cerberas lack cruise control which means I dread cruising with mine, and their cabin temperature control system is crap in what is otherwise a well thought-out car. Most people enjoy temperature sensations and many are happy just to be driving a car like that so most do seem to enjoy touring with Cerbs.
I haven't and probably wouldn't take mine anywhere long distance though, mostly because I have minimal ability to tolerate being at the wrong temperature and I turn catatonic after a dozen miles maintaining the same speed with a pedal. Cerberas lack cruise control which means I dread cruising with mine, and their cabin temperature control system is crap in what is otherwise a well thought-out car. Most people enjoy temperature sensations and many are happy just to be driving a car like that so most do seem to enjoy touring with Cerbs.
The Cerbera is a fantastic GT car. I've done trips around the UK, down to Le Mans, and over to Spa and it has everything you would want or need from a GT. Loads of space to carry stuff, very comfortable, great at high speed cruising, etc....
My only complaint really is in the pedals. Long travel throttle and it's spring rate can cause me some knee pain after several hours, and a rest to put your left foot of would be nice, but they really are small points.
Olly
My only complaint really is in the pedals. Long travel throttle and it's spring rate can cause me some knee pain after several hours, and a rest to put your left foot of would be nice, but they really are small points.
Olly
I found that long journeys without a cat & sports exhaust a bit wearing after a couple of hours. The seats are supportive & the high central tunnel a nice arm rest. Also the torque band is just right to pass a few cars in one go with just a small amount of pressure on the loud peddle at around 50+ as the car is so light. Mine had Nitron coil overs fitted which were very good, softer than a std 996 Carrera springs & imo, handled better, braking excellent but I did on occasion's find it a little unnerving when braking on a very bumpy B type road at speed as you were not always in contact with the road lol.
Most annoying thing for me were the god awful windscreen wipers, useless in very wet & windy conditions unless under 55mph, that may have just been on mine though.
As earlier, cabin temps are a bit stifling at times ,especially after an hours driving in heat, then into a traffic jams.
I could never resist looking back at it when leaving it parked & smiling, sad I know. had to sell mine due to health issue's
its a car you will definitely enjoy, sometimes frustrate (electrical)& miss.
Most annoying thing for me were the god awful windscreen wipers, useless in very wet & windy conditions unless under 55mph, that may have just been on mine though.
As earlier, cabin temps are a bit stifling at times ,especially after an hours driving in heat, then into a traffic jams.
I could never resist looking back at it when leaving it parked & smiling, sad I know. had to sell mine due to health issue's
its a car you will definitely enjoy, sometimes frustrate (electrical)& miss.
Edited by Gerradi on Wednesday 21st January 10:14
For clarity, my cats aren't in either and the carpets still get hot - I just think Cerbera cabin temperature control is very poor, fundamentally because of the two-fan system with unmixed outlets which means your feet can be burning whilst getting frostbite on your face and deafened by the whistling from the windscreen outlets.
I find mine very good on long drives (3hr +), the only downside to mine is having a shorter ratio box means higher revs at motorway speeds (more noise), but I can live with that.
The other issue (please tell me there is a fix), is that if the outside temperature is low, you get plenty of cold air through the bulkhead and frozen legs, feet, hands but a nice warm head, even with the heating on full blast.
The other issue (please tell me there is a fix), is that if the outside temperature is low, you get plenty of cold air through the bulkhead and frozen legs, feet, hands but a nice warm head, even with the heating on full blast.
thefrog said:
The other issue (please tell me there is a fix), is that if the outside temperature is low, you get plenty of cold air through the bulkhead and frozen legs, feet, hands but a nice warm head, even with the heating on full blast.
You need the tennis ball fix!Pop one in the hole below the drivers-side front indicator.
http://thumbsnap.com/T5kZxcEs
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