Caterham vs. TVR (in particular the cerbie)
Discussion
I'm sure this topic has been done to death but i need some serious and pratical advice pls. Thanks in advance !!
I currently own a caterham 7 that produces 240bhp in a body weighing 520kgs. as you would expect, power is awesome as is the handerling. however, the car is only used on the road at the moment.
I have always wanted to own a tvr (in particular the 4.5ltr Cerbie). Are there handerling packages out there that will transform the rather 'on edge' nature of the cars handerling? The one thing i love about caterhams is they let you know exactly what they are doing. is this a possibility with a cerbie or am i mad?!
how much for a good/reliable 4.5ltr Cerbie? I know that the popular conception is that TVR's fall apart and are very unreliable but is this actually the case.? what is the reliability record of the cerbie??
has anyone on here made such a move? if so, what is your opinion??
one other thing. I'm 25 years old. my insurance on the caterham is very good (i think!) and is 500 for the year fully comp with 3000 miles. is it posssible to get a quote in this region on a cerbie at my age??
i very much look forward to your responses. Sorry for all the questions but i'm a bit lost !!
thanks.
mark.
I currently own a caterham 7 that produces 240bhp in a body weighing 520kgs. as you would expect, power is awesome as is the handerling. however, the car is only used on the road at the moment.
I have always wanted to own a tvr (in particular the 4.5ltr Cerbie). Are there handerling packages out there that will transform the rather 'on edge' nature of the cars handerling? The one thing i love about caterhams is they let you know exactly what they are doing. is this a possibility with a cerbie or am i mad?!
how much for a good/reliable 4.5ltr Cerbie? I know that the popular conception is that TVR's fall apart and are very unreliable but is this actually the case.? what is the reliability record of the cerbie??
has anyone on here made such a move? if so, what is your opinion??
one other thing. I'm 25 years old. my insurance on the caterham is very good (i think!) and is 500 for the year fully comp with 3000 miles. is it posssible to get a quote in this region on a cerbie at my age??
i very much look forward to your responses. Sorry for all the questions but i'm a bit lost !!
thanks.
mark.
Well I have both 
and I think you need to consider them as two very different vehicles: the Cerbera is a much heavier GT (in the truest sense of the word) focused car whereas the Caterham is much more at home on the track and/or in extreme handling situations. They are both very good, but at different things - don't try and make them something they're not (I'd rather pilot the Caterham on a race circuit, but would choose the Cerbera for a 500 mile cross-continent jaunt every time). 
There are improvements that can be made to the Cerbera handling: better quality dampers which allow the use of higher spring rates, and some messing with the anti-roll bars, but don't expect it to get to Caterham-like levels of grip, feedback or roadholding.
And sorry, but the insurance will likely be very steep for you.
and I think you need to consider them as two very different vehicles: the Cerbera is a much heavier GT (in the truest sense of the word) focused car whereas the Caterham is much more at home on the track and/or in extreme handling situations. They are both very good, but at different things - don't try and make them something they're not (I'd rather pilot the Caterham on a race circuit, but would choose the Cerbera for a 500 mile cross-continent jaunt every time). There are improvements that can be made to the Cerbera handling: better quality dampers which allow the use of higher spring rates, and some messing with the anti-roll bars, but don't expect it to get to Caterham-like levels of grip, feedback or roadholding.
And sorry, but the insurance will likely be very steep for you.
Why don't you just phone a couple of insurance companies for quotes using a ficticious Cerbera. That way you'll get to know exactly how much it'll cost you.
I've never had or been in a Caterham, but I would imagine they are two very different beasts. I love my Cerb and wouldn't be without her now
I've never had or been in a Caterham, but I would imagine they are two very different beasts. I love my Cerb and wouldn't be without her now
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