Oh! the choice! which one?
Discussion
Well I was recently looking at a lovely sunset yellow Chimera god dam how i wanted that car. every day i would check the website where the guy was selling it, just waiting for the money to clear. Then to my utter horror i noticed the other day it had gone. OH NO!!! sold to someone else. Although you may think this was the worst part, think again. This little eppisode got me looking around again for a new car to drool over while i wait. you see the major problem i have now is do i get a Cerbra or a Chimera. They are just so similar yet so different.
could anyone who has had both tell me which they prefer? and why.
do i care about 0-60 in 0.7 of a sec faster in the cerbra? not really as im alredy shitting myself thinking of getting behind the wheel and trying not to turn myself into a squishey mess. (I think one of the formentioned courses would be helpfull).
do i want the soft top? well i dont really want to get piss wet through, nor do i want some scummy swine slicing the roof to have a close look at how easly my ICE comes out, or just for fun (nice people). But oh the joy of utilising that day of sun we get a year to pop the top and roll away.
I dont need (nor really want) 2+2 after all its my car, if my m8ts want to go somewhere they can get the bus.
so what do you think should it be the Chim or the Cerb? Oh and another question... which bloody model?
cheers in advance.
john yates (S3TAY) im from sheffield 2 and im sure ive seen and deffinatly heared you around (woodseats maybe?)
could anyone who has had both tell me which they prefer? and why.
do i care about 0-60 in 0.7 of a sec faster in the cerbra? not really as im alredy shitting myself thinking of getting behind the wheel and trying not to turn myself into a squishey mess. (I think one of the formentioned courses would be helpfull).
do i want the soft top? well i dont really want to get piss wet through, nor do i want some scummy swine slicing the roof to have a close look at how easly my ICE comes out, or just for fun (nice people). But oh the joy of utilising that day of sun we get a year to pop the top and roll away.
I dont need (nor really want) 2+2 after all its my car, if my m8ts want to go somewhere they can get the bus.
so what do you think should it be the Chim or the Cerb? Oh and another question... which bloody model?
cheers in advance.
john yates (S3TAY) im from sheffield 2 and im sure ive seen and deffinatly heared you around (woodseats maybe?)
I would say start on the 4.0 Chimaera then. Not tooo powerful (still got more than enough grunt to play with) and the lid comes off for both sunny days of the year. Then after a few years move onto the Cerb if you can live without the soft top. If you don't need the extra two seats then why bother? All IMHO (and I am rather biased)
How much do you want to spend on the car, and then how much are you prepared to spend to maintain it? How much do you envisage using the car. Generally, a Cerbera will cost you more to keep on the road.
Ultimately, I think you should go down the Chimaera route with 4.0, 4.5 and 5.0 Rover V8s to choose from - they sound sooooo good. Of course, if you want something a little 'harder' and can live with a little less boot space - try a Griffith. You can't go wrong really - follow your heart!
Ultimately, I think you should go down the Chimaera route with 4.0, 4.5 and 5.0 Rover V8s to choose from - they sound sooooo good. Of course, if you want something a little 'harder' and can live with a little less boot space - try a Griffith. You can't go wrong really - follow your heart!
Just sold my Chim 400 because I need an extra seat now. Decided I still wanted a soft-top so went to the motorshow to see whats around. Bugger all that even comes close to giving the same feeling the Chim did (even when it was sitting on the drive!)
Decided I can live without the soft-top but can't live without the TVR so now I'm shopping around for a Cerbera. (Anyone up North selling?)
Decided I can live without the soft-top but can't live without the TVR so now I'm shopping around for a Cerbera. (Anyone up North selling?)
IMHO the Cerbera is totally different to the Chimera.
* Cerbera 4.2 - far quicker than a Rover V8 based Chimera and delivers the power in a totally different manner. Chimera V8 is a lot more flexible in traffic, and the AJP V8 in the Cerbera is not too keen on stop-start motoring. I do however commute in mine.
* Chimera provides a softer ride than the Cerbera, it maybe a better option for long distances. However journeys of over 250 miles in the Cerbera just seem to flash past.
* The 2+2 arrangement of the Cerbera is not really that at all. It's a squeeze even for a small person & isn't practical over any distance.Then again it was never designed to be a people carrier.
* Security on both cars is good;Cerbera with its hard top gets the vote here,it's not prone to the idiots who like to slash soft tops.
*Residual prices of both models are now pretty similar, exceptions are 4.5 and speed six Cerberas.
Back in '94 when we went to the Motor Show to look at the Chimera 500, were all set to order one...that is until we saw the Cerbera that made us rethink. We ordered one there and then and were never sorry about making that decision. Whilst we waited two years for delivery we drove a Chimera a few times and I'm glad we went for the Cerbera. For the sake of the loss of the convertible option it's been well worth it.
Six years on I've now been tempted to replace the Cerbera with a T350T! Hope this helps...
* Cerbera 4.2 - far quicker than a Rover V8 based Chimera and delivers the power in a totally different manner. Chimera V8 is a lot more flexible in traffic, and the AJP V8 in the Cerbera is not too keen on stop-start motoring. I do however commute in mine.
* Chimera provides a softer ride than the Cerbera, it maybe a better option for long distances. However journeys of over 250 miles in the Cerbera just seem to flash past.
* The 2+2 arrangement of the Cerbera is not really that at all. It's a squeeze even for a small person & isn't practical over any distance.Then again it was never designed to be a people carrier.
* Security on both cars is good;Cerbera with its hard top gets the vote here,it's not prone to the idiots who like to slash soft tops.
*Residual prices of both models are now pretty similar, exceptions are 4.5 and speed six Cerberas.
Back in '94 when we went to the Motor Show to look at the Chimera 500, were all set to order one...that is until we saw the Cerbera that made us rethink. We ordered one there and then and were never sorry about making that decision. Whilst we waited two years for delivery we drove a Chimera a few times and I'm glad we went for the Cerbera. For the sake of the loss of the convertible option it's been well worth it.
Six years on I've now been tempted to replace the Cerbera with a T350T! Hope this helps...
Had the same dilemma and whilst I love all TVR's I opted for a griff 500 instead of the chim (loads about) or cerb (very costly for a sorted one). Now i've got it it's exactly what I wanted - looks inside (a wee bit cerby) and out (aggressive) and rare with possibly better residuals than the chim. Then again the boots rubbish, and the chims probably a better day to day car IMHO. Apparently the PH'ers also seem to think you need a small mortgage for a cerb in emergencies so unless you are really flush the choice maight be between griff and chim. Actually I think I have confused myself 
- they are all great and I doubt you would regret any of them. Any one for a SEAC? 
- they are all great and I doubt you would regret any of them. Any one for a SEAC?
Gerrard said: Just sold my Chim 400 because I need an extra seat now. Decided I still wanted a soft-top so went to the motorshow to see whats around. Bugger all that even comes close to giving the same feeling the Chim did (even when it was sitting on the drive!)
Decided I can live without the soft-top but can't live without the TVR so now I'm shopping around for a Cerbera. (Anyone up North selling?)
Did you not see my thread on "priced to sell"?
A 98 4.2 Cerbera was sold to a numpty who did not like it for £14,500!!! Dealer took it back after a week and re sold it to a South East dealer the very next day. It will probably be on the market for at least £19,000 and that will still be a good price IMHO. But please remember - great cars but you may need very deep pockets if they go wrong on you.
SPS
well thanks to everyone for the replies so far. I think ill stop at a MAX limit of say 20 - 24k for one.(what sort of yearly maintnence are you guys getting)
I realy like the strong yellows.
But i still dont know. i love how the chim looks esp. the inlets in the bonnet. but the cerb just seems to grab me on its nose, more agressive and dominent looking, but then again i love the soft top.
But when the long awaited time comes ill be skipping gleefully down to as many meets and showrooms as i can get to make my final decission.
I realy like the strong yellows.
But i still dont know. i love how the chim looks esp. the inlets in the bonnet. but the cerb just seems to grab me on its nose, more agressive and dominent looking, but then again i love the soft top.
But when the long awaited time comes ill be skipping gleefully down to as many meets and showrooms as i can get to make my final decission.
Gassing Station | General TVR Stuff & Gossip | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff