Cerb or a Maser?
Discussion
Never thought the question would arise, but have just been reading a thread or two and checking out the prices and realised a 3200GT is in range. I'm selling the Chimaera because of new addtion to the family, and therefore need some 'rear seats' for No.1 son.
Is a Maser a practical alternative to a 4.5 Cerbera? Must admit have always liked Maseratis.........hmmmmm
Is a Maser a practical alternative to a 4.5 Cerbera? Must admit have always liked Maseratis.........hmmmmm
)
Obviously I'm gonna post, and obviously I'm biased!
Seriously though, go drive them both, they are fairly different cars. The cerb is more of a racer, the 3200 is certainly a GT. The cerb is much more raw, and the speed is greater than the Maserati (not that you'll ever feel the Maser lacks power with 370bhp!) - but the Cerb is lighter. Also from a practical point of view its thoroughly drivable in atrocious conditions (very good traction control etc), has a decent sized boot. In addition the main advantage of a 3200 over a Cerb is truly usable back seats - you can get Mum / grandma in the back easily as well a child, adults in the back of cerberas are generally reduced to hunchback status...
If you're tracking it a lot, then the cerb is probably the better bet though, 3200 being heavier will wreck tyres
I'm not going to talk reliability per se as I know plenty of folks with prefectly good reliable Cerbs who use them hard. However, the 3200 does (in my opinion) feel much more solidly put together than any TVR I've been in, whether that equates to reliability I have no idea, but it makes the inside a stress free place to travel.
Best reason (I think) is the exclusivity - according to Maranellos there are <600 RHD 3200's on the road in this country. @ VW there were two, Cerbs are nice but they're so common(!) - and it's nice to be different don't you think?
Good luck in your search, if you need more info search the forum here (there are some pretty recent threads), and if you get stuck mail one of us owners....
no idea - one for the cerb board - more than 4000 griffs out there though, so I'd have thought around 1000 cerbs as an estimate?
More making the point that the marque is rare, rather than individual models, not knocking the cerb though, I love em! (Espec Jeremyc's lightweight in ice blue!)
More making the point that the marque is rare, rather than individual models, not knocking the cerb though, I love em! (Espec Jeremyc's lightweight in ice blue!)
From someone who has owned a Cerb and cars from the same stable as the Maser, I would get the Maser. IMO they are much better engineered and put together. Ultimately the Cerb will be faster but overall I think the Maser is a much better car. Take one out for a test drive, have a good look around it and I think you will agree.
Frostie
Frostie
Well I'm qualified to comment as I have owned both!
Very different cars and from my experience my favourite two cars I have owned so far. Cerb is awesome, rare and super fast. The Maser is a different animal really, it's much more of a Grand tourer like a Jag XK8 or an Aston Martin DB7 or indeed a Ferrari 456. The rear seats in the Maser are adult sized as I travelled 2 and half hours in the back last week and was plenty comfortable, I could'nt even get in the back of my Cerbera, the seats are for kids up to about 8 years old and thats it.
The Maser is bound to be more reliable over time, and cheaper to service as it only needs a service at 12500 mile intervals as opposed to 6K in the Cerb.
My advice as always is to drive both and make an educated decision based on which you like best and which one will annoy you the least in the pocket. We use the Maser every day and I would never do that in a Cerb.
That said I still think one day I will have another Cerb, it's my favourite TVR by miles. Its a tough decision but a nice problem to have!
Good Luck!!..
Very different cars and from my experience my favourite two cars I have owned so far. Cerb is awesome, rare and super fast. The Maser is a different animal really, it's much more of a Grand tourer like a Jag XK8 or an Aston Martin DB7 or indeed a Ferrari 456. The rear seats in the Maser are adult sized as I travelled 2 and half hours in the back last week and was plenty comfortable, I could'nt even get in the back of my Cerbera, the seats are for kids up to about 8 years old and thats it.
The Maser is bound to be more reliable over time, and cheaper to service as it only needs a service at 12500 mile intervals as opposed to 6K in the Cerb.
My advice as always is to drive both and make an educated decision based on which you like best and which one will annoy you the least in the pocket. We use the Maser every day and I would never do that in a Cerb.
That said I still think one day I will have another Cerb, it's my favourite TVR by miles. Its a tough decision but a nice problem to have!
Good Luck!!..
Thought this would provoke a response! I loved the Cerb I test drove (but I am a bit TVR biased!). But there's just something about the Maser. I'm going to have to try it. Does the Maser have less of a 'presence' on the road though? That's the poser in me coming out. It'll never be on a track, I just don't feel the need. But effortless (read worry free) journeys appeal as it will be used for weekends/holiday transport, not every day. Nice to be in the position to use it every day though!
flasher said:
Well I'm qualified to comment as I have owned both!
Very different cars and from my experience my favourite two cars I have owned so far. Cerb is awesome, rare and super fast. The Maser is a different animal really, it's much more of a Grand tourer like a Jag XK8 or an Aston Martin DB7 or indeed a Ferrari 456. The rear seats in the Maser are adult sized as I travelled 2 and half hours in the back last week and was plenty comfortable, I could'nt even get in the back of my Cerbera, the seats are for kids up to about 8 years old and thats it.
The Maser is bound to be more reliable over time, and cheaper to service as it only needs a service at 12500 mile intervals as opposed to 6K in the Cerb.
My advice as always is to drive both and make an educated decision based on which you like best and which one will annoy you the least in the pocket. We use the Maser every day and I would never do that in a Cerb.
That said I still think one day I will have another Cerb, it's my favourite TVR by miles. Its a tough decision but a nice problem to have!
Good Luck!!..
The Cerbera was your favourite TVR? I'm surprised to hear that! I thought the T350 was!
PS. I do like the Maserati but I would only go for one if they were a bit more raw like a Clubsport version...
I have had two Cerbera's (4.2,Speed Six). My current car is Maserati 3200GT Manual. Having lived with them for a few years (I have two young kids) I know what there like.
I Loved the cerbera's racecar quality, but in the end. Every bang, thud and creak made me feel the car was at it's limit. That every time i went out in it another problem would spoil the dive.
The Maser is so different. It's a solid GT. The kids love it, my three year old calls it a "has a party" which i think sums it up. I miss the Cerbera for the adrenaline rush. It had that on the edge driver control, but I am now a Maser convert.
If i was rich i would have a Cerbera (track days), Maser(General Razz Use/Pose 
) and my Mini(B Road mayhem 
). They all have there plus's and Minus's. I suppose 2 out of three ain't bad.
The Cerbera is a bit harsh on the kids. On the upside both cars can put them to sleep in seconds. All that Noise, Acceleration and high G turns
.
I Loved the cerbera's racecar quality, but in the end. Every bang, thud and creak made me feel the car was at it's limit. That every time i went out in it another problem would spoil the dive.
The Maser is so different. It's a solid GT. The kids love it, my three year old calls it a "has a party" which i think sums it up. I miss the Cerbera for the adrenaline rush. It had that on the edge driver control, but I am now a Maser convert.
If i was rich i would have a Cerbera (track days
), Maser(General Razz Use/Pose ) and my Mini(B Road mayhem ). They all have there plus's and Minus's. I suppose 2 out of three ain't bad. The Cerbera is a bit harsh on the kids. On the upside both cars can put them to sleep in seconds. All that Noise, Acceleration and high G turns
. I agree with Chris. I have a 1 year old and a 2 and a half year old. We can get the kids and their baby seats in the rear quite comfortably and even found a pram that fits in the boot (sad, I know). Its practical enough for days out, but not for long breaks.
I love them TVR's as well, but the Maser will be more reliable and who wants to break down with screaming kids in the back? I also looked at getting a Cerbera and while I know you can get bespoke baby seats made up, your average Britax car seat won't fit in if you're 2 up in the front..
I love them TVR's as well, but the Maser will be more reliable and who wants to break down with screaming kids in the back? I also looked at getting a Cerbera and while I know you can get bespoke baby seats made up, your average Britax car seat won't fit in if you're 2 up in the front..
yiw1393 said:
Thought this would provoke a response! I loved the Cerb I test drove (but I am a bit TVR biased!). But there's just something about the Maser. I'm going to have to try it. Does the Maser have less of a 'presence' on the road though? That's the poser in me coming out. It'll never be on a track, I just don't feel the need. But effortless (read worry free) journeys appeal as it will be used for weekends/holiday transport, not every day. Nice to be in the position to use it every day though!
The Maser doesnt have less road presence at all, just a different effect. Everyone admires it and I have noticed peoples reactions more than I thought I would.
I had wanted one for ages and I dont regret it, it is superb.
To answer an earlier point. My Cerbera was and still is my favourite TVR. The T350 was better in many respects, but not as comfortable and not as well built.
interesting. have been caught a couple of times now with TVR's in emergency situations. the lack of abs has real disadvantages when the sh#t hits the fan and i'm no cat with 9 lives. brakes are superb when all is predictable but wait until the unexpected happens. have been considering where to go next and it would appear that the maserati probably fits the bill insofar as they have a v8, decent room and a useable boot that can be used for more than a weekend. anyone have any other thoughts?
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