Is a Cerbera bigger inside than a Chimaera?
Is a Cerbera bigger inside than a Chimaera?
Author
Discussion

massivesi

Original Poster:

66 posts

170 months

Thursday 24th January 2013
quotequote all
I currently own a Chim, which is fantastic. However, i'm 6'9 and although its not uncomfortable i do have to shoehorn myself in and out!

Legroom is ok in the chim, its headroom really, is a cerb any better?

Also, how about reliability of AJPs compared with RV8s???

Thanks in advance.

Mark.

11,104 posts

300 months

Thursday 24th January 2013
quotequote all
Cerbera interior is bigger than the Chimaera - once you are in. Although getting in an out of it is not hard, it's more of a bend than the Chimaera.

I'll let the others debate the engine situation but both of mine have been equally reliable engine wise.

Jhonno

6,430 posts

165 months

Thursday 24th January 2013
quotequote all
With the roof down.. No.. biggrin

anonymous-user

78 months

Thursday 24th January 2013
quotequote all
Im 6'4 and don't have the driver seat all the way back I think, hair does brush the lining but I prefer the seat as upright as I can get it. Got a dodgy knee, but getting in and out is fine.

touching cloth

11,706 posts

263 months

Thursday 24th January 2013
quotequote all
Think you'll have to try for size, they seem to fit some tall folk and not others. I think the Chim probably edges it on head height as there is no lining to the roof section etc - at 6'9" gut feeling is you might struggle if I am honest frown

AJP is strong but RV8 probably a bit more so, also RV8 more plentiful and commonly known. Overall the Cerb will be a more costly car to run.

scotty_d

6,795 posts

218 months

Thursday 24th January 2013
quotequote all
I have let a few large guys sit in both my old chim and Cerb most find the Chim easier due to the doors length being smaller. Most of the chaps were quite wide as well as tall. Once in it's fine but it's just getting in and out. Head room is a little issue for me particularly if you want to do track days. there is no way you will fit in with a Lid on, I am 5,7 and it's very tight.

billy no brakes

2,675 posts

289 months

Thursday 24th January 2013
quotequote all
Don,t forget the Cerbera was designed by Peter Wheeler and he was a tall chap, and the Cerbera was driven none other than Jeremy Clarkson and he is no midget

jamieduff1981

8,092 posts

164 months

Thursday 24th January 2013
quotequote all
Depends on whether you're all legs or torso though.

massivesi

Original Poster:

66 posts

170 months

Thursday 24th January 2013
quotequote all
Thanks all, i think a cerb may have the upper hand as the back rest should tilt a little more than the chim.

The only way to know for sure is to get myself along to a regional meet and have a go at getting in & out.

Not had any issues with my RV8 (in the family a couple of weeks ago we had a Subaru, 2 Audis and a Rover off the road for repairs - only the TVR was running properly - smug face).

Just wanted to check general reliability for AJPs - cost isn't really the issue, more the inconvenience.

thanks for your help one & all.

gerradiuk

1,669 posts

219 months

Thursday 24th January 2013
quotequote all
Clarkson is not small & in the T/Gear vid he says it has plenty of headroom/Legroom etc.
If you've you've seen it then go to 1:09.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_b1X9Tl_qe4

amazon

3,704 posts

235 months

Thursday 24th January 2013
quotequote all
I'm 6'3" (girly), 36" leg and I can drive mine with a helmet on, but I do have to have the seat back slightly more reclined that I do for normal driving.

Any help? smile

Jhonno

6,430 posts

165 months

Thursday 24th January 2013
quotequote all
6'3" girl?! Fork..

6'4" fat bd rugby player.. Head is on the roof. Plenty of room side to side though. Don't think I could wear a helmet in mine.

Mags

1,196 posts

303 months

Friday 25th January 2013
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jamieduff1981 said:
Depends on whether you're all legs or torso though.
What he said
I'm all legs and have the seat all the way back. My problem is shoes, I'm size 12 and can't drive in certain shoes, I fitted Leven pedals but its still not ideal, I think the footwell space is less than a Chim/Griff?

Mark.

11,104 posts

300 months

Friday 25th January 2013
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Mags said:
I think the footwell space is less than a Chim/Griff?
I agree, I can drive the Chimaera in any shoes but struggle with certain ones in the Cerbera, as I can catch the edge of the brake pedal when using clutch or accelerator.
I've got the alloys pedals but not sure if that makes a difference.

RUSSELLM

6,002 posts

271 months

Friday 25th January 2013
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If you try one for size, don't forget to look at where the pedals are set.

I'd hazard a guess that most of us have them extended out, even the tall one's.

Seat back, pedals in, I reckon anyone will drive it easy enough. Still doesn't make getting out any easier IMO

scotty_d

6,795 posts

218 months

Friday 25th January 2013
quotequote all
massivesi said:
Also, how about reliability of AJPs compared with RV8s???

Thanks in advance.
Nothing in it. RV8's have there problems much the same as a hand full of AJP's

I did over 10k in my Chim and it never left me by the road side and much the same in the Cerb and it has never let me down with any major problems.

Both had niggles, Ht leads breaking down and a coil pack and some dodgy wires but nothing some good maintenance would keep on top off.

The AJP will need a bit more love and is a little more fragile than the rover, warming up is key and services are more in depth. From what i have read around 100k ish and it is starting to get tiered and could do with a re-fresh but for a race engine it is pretty solid.

Mine has 57k on it and still makes factory figures more or less in standard trim a rover v8 will never do that smile

Byker28i

85,475 posts

241 months

Saturday 26th January 2013
quotequote all
I'm 5'7 have the seat all the way forward.

Just to add some perspective biggrin

My 4.2 AJP was regularly making 342/343 (factory figures of 350) until it was 12/13 years old. Then I had it mapped

scotty_d

6,795 posts

218 months

Saturday 26th January 2013
quotequote all
Byker28i said:
I'm 5'7 have the seat all the way forward.

Just to add some perspective biggrin

My 4.2 AJP was regularly making 342/343 (factory figures of 350) until it was 12/13 years old. Then I had it mapped
Much like mine made 348bhp on it's last run with badly cracked manifolds and in much need of the valve clearances set up.

Can't wait for the re-map New 4.5 ACT stainless manifolds are being made and ceramic coated right now and i had the inlets ported and gas flowed by Agra last year. And HHC Tuned it up for me. Hoping to see a little gain after all this smile

FUBAR

17,065 posts

262 months

Saturday 26th January 2013
quotequote all
Byker28i said:
I'm 5'7 have the seat all the way forward.

Just to add some perspective biggrin
This thread makes it sound like you & I are living in a land of giants Dave hehe

billy no brakes

2,675 posts

289 months

Saturday 26th January 2013
quotequote all
FUBAR said:
This thread makes it sound like you & I are living in a land of giants Dave hehe
Hello You Down There , It Is Us Up Here I,am 6"2"