Tucan v Cerbera which one?

[robbri]

After nearly 4 years with the chimaera i feel the need to try something different, i have thought hard and long and it has to be another tvr but which one i dont know? i have always loved the cerbera and the tuscan, i realise that either will be more expensive to run servicing ect but i have an itch that wont go away, i have spent a lot of money on my chimaera to get it up to its present condition full bodyoff chassis restoration and 4.6 engine with stage 3 heads and lots of other stuff its not perfect but its good, but i think the time for a change has come but which one should i choose? a little bit of guidance would not go amiss what are the pros and cons of both? i use my chimaera at weekends not as a daily commute your opinions would be welcome cheers rob.

sorry i meant tuscan v cerbera its late.

Edited by robbri on Friday 6th August 22:51

Edited by robbri on Friday 6th August 22:55

[Pursyluv]

I daren't answer this, oh go on a Cerbera 4.5 LW; when i'm not tired i might expand on my answer although i think there will be people on here with more to contribute than me

[robbri]

you can expand on your answer if you like whats it like owning a cerbera can you compare it to something else?

[Forthright MC]

Both are very different beasts in a number of ways, esp the AJP Cerbs compared to a S6!
Best idea would be to go and test drive a few examples of each and see what you prefer. Then buy the best example you can afford and just drive it

Edited by Forthright MC on Saturday 7th August 00:01

[robbri]

How are they different power delivery or reliability or both.

[amazon]

robbri said:

How are they different power delivery or reliability or both.

Both the above and more.

I have a Cerbera and a Chimaera. The Chimaera I've had for 11 years (well this one anyway). It's a 4L completely standard car. The Cerbera is a 4.2. I find it easy to justify keeping both because they are so different. Not just become the roof comes off one!

Chimaera is a great drive, feels like I could pull a wall down with it - the Cerbera feels like it its making a bid for freedom, every time I put my foot down.

I have found both to be reliable over many miles. (Chimaera 46K, Cerbera 35K miles with me). A Cerbera feels more 'flighty' but so quick and seemingly effortless to take off. At the same time, enormously stable and so very capable (way more than me)! I'm sure mine has saved me more than once!

I don't have much experience of Tuscans, but have driven a few - impression is that they are more skittish, less planted, but that could well be due to my inexperience with them.

In case it's not obvious, the answer I believe you are looking for, is the 'Cerbera' .

[Dave_M]

The answer is; whichever you fancy after trying some, bearing in mind each car is different let alone each model.

YKB has both and described the Tuscan as more chuckable but the Cerb is a rocket (and remember Tuscand are also very fast cars). He may provide you with better comments.

I have little experience with Tuscans, but the cerb is very fast indeed (any model). I would think relibility will come down to how well sorted the car is.

[Mike Blake]

Robert,
Nice Chimaera.
I have both, a 3.6 Tuscan Mk1 and a 4.5 Cerbera. They are quite different.
In simple terms, as you are used to a convertible you may prefer the Tuscan anyway. If you prefer the noise, then the Cerbie would fit the bill.
In terms of performance - on a public road you probably wouldn't really notice the difference in power.
The handing is likely to vary from car to car depending on shocks/set up/etc, although my Cerbie is less twitchy than the Tuscan, certainly a more relaxed drive as befits a GT.
Usual advice still holds true - check out whats around and buy the best condition model you can find - Tuscan or Cerbera you are unlikely to be dissappointed.
If you fancy trying both then PM me as I'm not too far away.
Hope this helps,
Mike

[Mr M]

I would think they'd both be fast enough on a public road and the majority of driving conditions in the UK. Do you need the extra seats at the back that the Cerb offers ? If not then I'd go for a two seater. Both lovely cars though.

[neal1980]

Mr M said:

Do you need the extra seats at the back that the Cerb offers ?

I often forget about the 2 extra seats, this to me would be a very hard decision when I want to add another alongside my Chimaera. But gotta say I think the Cerb with spiders and headlight conversion would sway me over..especially with the LS conversions avilable should the need for lunatic power arise... all IMO

[mikel003003]

would you go for the v8 or straght 6 cerb if you want the 6 and dont need the plus 2 seats i would go tuscan thats just me. hey what a lovely dilema. enjoy

[mikeinsheffield]

What a great dillema! The obvious answer would seem to be, if you can afford it, keep the Chim and buy a Cerb. Why? Well, it seems like you have spent time and money making the Chim "yours" in that it is in a condition with performance to suit your driving style. Also - you'll probably never get back what you spent on it, and may just regret selling it / miss it too much.

That means that you can keep the drop top TVR, and then supplement it with a Cerb!

I've driven a standard 4.0 Chim on a few occasions, most recently being Tuesday thrapping Roly's car arround Oulton Park! There is a world of difference between the "rover" V8 and the AJP V8 engines, let alone the S6 (in either the Tuscan or Cerb). The rover V8 is the US-Muscle-car rumble, great noise, lots of torque. The AJP V8 has a flat plane crank (bit like Ferrari V8s) which means it revs much harder and faster, and has a real howl at higher revs. Some people liken it to two superbike inline four engines strapped together (which as a biker I also agree with). The AJP was also only available in the Cerb - therefore this is an enticing and unique combination.

I initially wanted a Tuscan - and even got one inspected with a view to purchasing it; but the practicality of four seats won me over. I have a couple of young kids (now 3 and nearly 5) and I've now completed approx 9K miles in 18 months of owning the Cerb - many of them on "family outings" (any excuse to use the Cerb!).

The S6 Cerb in original spec was meant to be more of a GT sort of car, smaller 16" alloys, softer suspension etc - but by now you really want to be looking at a car with aftermarket suspension and lots where fitted with the 18" spiders....

So it must come down to which one your heart lusts after, and which you would prefer to drive and own. The "reliability issues" of the S6 engine are well documented on various PH threads - it would always be a good idea to get one that's had the rebuild work done. (I know of a S6 Cerb for sale if you are interested)

Drive a few, get a feel for the VERY different cars, then buy the one in best condition you can afford!

Enjoy!

[wanacoop]

What about a T350??

You lucky man, I wish I had your dilema!

[FactoryPilot]

I'd go Tuscan 2 if your budget allows.

The Cerbera is a bloody good car, I had the 4.5, but for me I always preferred the raw thrill of the Speed Six cars (as long as you get a healthy one). I also think that some of the Cerb's out there are getting a bit long in the tooth now, not all, just some......

I had both a Tuscan 1 and 2, and without doubt the Tuscan 2 was the better car.

As said above, what about a T350 or even a Tamora - grossly under-rated in my opinion. Generally in Speed Six terms, the later the car, the better.....

[Allandwf]

I've the same dilema. Recently sold my 4.2 Cerb, looking to replace with a 4.5, but still keep looking at the Tuscans in the ads.

[G20RG B]

Ive had both a Tuscan MK1 2001 and currently a Cerbera 2003 SP6,
I did love getting the roof of the tuscan and also leaving the roof on ,side windows down and the back window out. The Tuscan was a very raw twitchy drive and sometimes a bit scary at high speeds although I should have replaced the suspension which would have improved things I'm sure. Overall I loved it fantastic looks and goes like stink, I never had any issues with the speed six and really enjoyed it,,,OOhh but you must get Carbon Cans for it as it was just a bit tame with the standard cans on.

Now The Cerbera I would have bought a AJP or an SP6 but I found that I got a far newer car for my money going down the SP6 route it was either a 1998/99 AJP or a 2003 Speed Six with all the upgrades, i:e great chassis condition/tuscan seats and headlights etc etc and I personally think the newer the better and this is true of the SP6 engine unless a rebuild has been carried out. The Cerbera has been great and I have upgraded the suspension and this has improved the drive and overall feel but you know I really liked the Tuscan I kinda enjoyed fighting with it and I would have one again in a minute but at this time the back seats in the Cerb win as I can take my to young boys out with me which they love.

Either way you go you will have a cracking car on your hands....enjoy

[robbri]

Thanks for all the advice it is much appreciated, i think the best thing is to go out and drive a few, i wish i could justify running 2 tvrs the chimaera and cerbera would be great but not at the moment maybe in the future? i have looked in the classifieds on here and elswhere there are some lovely looking examples out there some tick all the boxes but are out of my price range and others tick all the boxes but i am not to sure on the colour combinations, i know i should just go on condition but i need to be 100% happy with the choice i make, i have made an enquiry about a tuscan waiting to here back monday but i have also seen what seems some good looking cerbs there is one that looks good but the colour puts me off, maybe i should not judge without seeing the car anyway the search begins.

[YKB]

I have a Tuscan Mk1 and a Cerb S6.

A Tuscan can be lively and a bit scary. But with good shocks (Nitrons) and a proper set up it is lively and great fun. Great for a blast down (dry!) country lanes.

My Cerb is more of GT car. Still on original shocks which seem fine. Feels very planted at speed. Great for long runs.

So, Tuscan = Powerful 2 seater convertible Sport Car.
Cerb = Powerful 2+2 Sports GT.

Good luck with your search.

[robbri]

i have been looking at the classifieds, here are a selection of cars that i have picked out what do you think?



http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/TVR-TUSCAN-Speed-6-/17052626...


http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1999-TVR-CERBERA-GREEN-/1705...

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1918848.htm

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1961405.htm

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1858925.htm

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1910263.htm

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1948801.htm

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1844333.htm

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1947586.htm

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1666931.htm

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1821185.htm

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1847331.htm

[peteA]

purple sp6 cerb is woral's car. Loved and looked after...he is gutted to be selling. You could do a lot worse, well worth a look if you decide on a cerb....which you should...