Which Cerbera?

[g8ape]

Hi Im very tempted towards a cerbera but am unsure which engine or year is considered more reliable, there is an 02 4.0 close to me that I may go view.
Is latter better? I have a pre cat Griff that I have worked on extensivly so Im TVR friendly, will the Cerbera be a shock or pleasure to run?
Any advise gratefully received

[C3BER]

Big fun and a complete different animal

[Obiwonkeyblokey]

Youll get a later six than the equivalent AJP8. people with sixes like them,Ive had both and always felt that the Cerb should be a V8. Lots of threads on here about what to look for. Buy on condition, not just age and mileage. Later 4.2s are similar in power to 4.5s. Youll here about red roses and GTs in the 4.5s as well.

Like any car, there are lovely ones ( mine! ) and there are some horrors so get an inspection done by somone who knows the cars well.

Best of Luck.

[Byker28i]

g8ape said:

Hi Im very tempted towards a cerbera but am unsure which engine or year is considered more reliable, there is an 02 4.0 close to me that I may go view.
Is latter better? I have a pre cat Griff that I have worked on extensivly so Im TVR friendly, will the Cerbera be a shock or pleasure to run?
Any advise gratefully received

The one in the better condition. Check the chassis carefully, especially in the corners of the outriggers. I don't think there are any unreliable from manufacture one left now. S6 engines are fine if looked after.

[g8ape]

Thanks for the replies!

Which Cerbera is the 'holy grail' and most likely to keep its value?
Which is the quickest/most powerful?
Ive read about facelift A pillars is a face lift better?
Is the 4.0 the baby engine?

Much obliged in advance, the PH search option is down currently...

[gerradiuk]

Steve you will have to drive a few really ,especially after driving your grif or come to that your l/cruiser(Lol).
I'm talking about torque compared to a Griff's low down pulling power!
Obviously they are not wet blankets but might seem a bit wimpish up to yours until you get going then they fly mid to high range revs can catch you out ...so never relax Lol.
have fun finding out though,there seems to be a few bargain's at the moment.

[Mr Cerbera]

In real terms I don't think there's a noticeable difference.

Buy from someone who knows his Cerb - Personal knowledge is better than docs IMO

Go to the TVRCC Surrey meet and try a few.

Drive a few to decide which type suits you, Sir.

( Having said that I bought mine from a garage but I think I used up all the TVRLP [Lucky Points] left in the Chest so Do as I Say, Not As I Do ! )

The best single bit of advice is - buy from an experienced PHer or take one with you when you go to see a possible purchas.

(I went to see one with a mate. It was advertised with full service history. The car was crap. Th docs were crap. He wanted 14K. I suggested the buyer offered 4K. We walked and the buyer bought a Chimp in the end. He's pleased as Punch now.)

Edited by Mr Cerbera on Friday 22 February 11:54

[natben]

I honestly wouldn't get to hung up on the engine size, buy the best condition Cerb with a bootfull of invoices for work done, In the best colour combination with the best chassi. I think the 4.5 is seen as the daddy but i don't think you would really notice any performance difference between 4.0,4.2 or 4.5 on everyday normal road use, however I think the 4.5 would gradually pull away on the track but not by much. Many Cerbs have had additional engine work to increase the bhp and torque figures and in the case of the 4.0 to sort reliability issues and also increase performance.
So go look at a few don't limit your search to engine size look for the overall package, you won't be dissapointed.

[jamieduff1981]

gerradiuk said:

Obviously they are not wet blankets but might seem a bit wimpish up to yours until you get going then they fly mid to high range revs can catch you out ...so never relax Lol.

This...

The car gives a hard push in the back from minimal revs compared to any normal car but it does grip and go. You could almost believe it was relatively safe but the V8 doesn't reach the plateau of it's torque curve until around 3500rpm so you can think you're cooking on gas suddenly the RPM will jump 500 and the arse end jinks a few inches sideways half way through a gear. It's incredibly fast though, and the low rotational inertia of the engine and drivetrain brings everything back into line the instant you feather the throttle. There should be none of this Corvette-spinning-across-central-reservation nonsense you see all over Youtube (although how much of that is the car and how much is just hamfisted/dull witted drivers is up for debate).

I haven't driven the S6 Cerb but do have a friend with a Tuscan S. The power delivery is a bit different but any of the Cerbera engines results in a car which is as fast as the proverbial fornication.

Edited by jamieduff1981 on Friday 22 February 13:44

[esso]

Buy a 4.5,they are the best........but I would say that because I have one.....!!!........oh....and make sure its a blue one because everyone knows they are the fastest.....

[Jhonno]

As long as it is a V8 is doesn't matter really...!

[C3BER]

Holy Grail.

True LW as there only a few out there and not the LW you see advertised because its the new shape.

Original Red Rose, known as special engine.

They are the ones that in years to come will be collector cars. But and it's a bloody big but...it will be years and I suggest you buy one on condition no matter what it is and drive it.

[g8ape]

Gerradiuk I dont recognise you from your ID?

Thanks everyone for the advise!!! am I correct in thinking the 4.0 6cyl engine may cost the most to rectify or do all of the engine types need upgrading? Ive read the adds from TVR Green (I think it was them) about their upgrades it doesnt seem a cheap job!!!

Can anyone recommend a good car needing a good home?

(Gerradiuk I dont recognise you from your ID?)

[Obiwonkeyblokey]

Whats your budget?

for 20k get a late 4.2 or 4.5

for 15k get a late six or really sorted AJP

for 10k get another 5k.

[scotty_d]

Dont change the griff if you want a quick car , nitrons and a turbo kit on it. I would have kept my chim if I could go back. Always better the devil you know. The cerb is great but a expensive hobby next to a chim ,griff. Just to through in a approach.

[g8ape]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2002-TVR-Cerbera-4-0-2-2...

Does anyone know the above car?

[coetzeeh]

g8ape said:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2002-TVR-Cerbera-4-0-2-2...

Does anyone know the above car?

The previous owner was Tomej on PH.

See this link!

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Edited by coetzeeh on Friday 22 February 18:16

[Robscim]

g8ape said:

Gerradiuk I dont recognise you from your ID?

Thanks everyone for the advise!!! am I correct in thinking the 4.0 6cyl engine may cost the most to rectify or do all of the engine types need upgrading? Ive read the adds from TVR Green (I think it was them) about their upgrades it doesnt seem a cheap job!!!

Can anyone recommend a good car needing a good home?

(Gerradiuk I dont recognise you from your ID?)

I have a mate who's selling his 4.5 as he's not been suing it. He's also currently on crutches!!

Its a very good example. He's had it for years and is gutted to be selling it!

PM me if you want details.

Rob

[PuffsBack]

g8ape said:

Hi Im very tempted towards a cerbera but am unsure which engine or year is considered more reliable, there is an 02 4.0 close to me that I may go view.
Is latter better? I have a pre cat Griff that I have worked on extensivly so Im TVR friendly, will the Cerbera be a shock or pleasure to run?
Any advise gratefully received

My S6 Cerbera has been a complete pleasure to run. Nothing to shock you coming from a Griff if your used to TVR idiosyncrasies. My Griff 500 cost about the same to run.

She has been in hibernation since November and I just started her for the first time in 3 months last weekend. Started first time and idled perfect with no sign of blue smoke so taking that as a good sign.

[ukkid35]

The RR cars have most power (assuming standard), but talk with a tuner such as Joolz to understand how that power was achieved.

People will tell you that it doesn't matter whether you buy a 4.0, 4.2 or 4.5, but a 4.5 owner is unlikely to agree, not least because they have paid a significant premium.

However the one thing that is definitely going to stop you getting an MOT and driving the car is chassis condition - but you're a TVR owner so you know that already.