From Chim to Cerb
From Chim to Cerb
Author
Discussion

A900ss

Original Poster:

3,310 posts

176 months

Saturday 14th September 2013
quotequote all
Hi,

I have a Chim and sometime in the future (maybe a year, maybe 2) I know that I'd be interested in a Cerb.

Id just like to hear responses from people who have had both a Chim, mines a 450 and a Cerb. I'd like to understand the pro's and cons, how they drive differently, how the engine performs (top end, mid, etc). How much did you mss the soft top?

I'd probably only be looking at an AJP.

Thanks in advance. .

(PS I posted a similar request last night but it was removed. No idea why. I know somebody did reply to that post as I ave the notification but the post and reply have been deleted before I could read it).

anonymous-user

78 months

Saturday 14th September 2013
quotequote all
I had a Chim and looked at Cerbs but found them claustrophobic. I bought a Tuscan as I do want to have the roof off.

Gazzab

21,579 posts

306 months

Saturday 14th September 2013
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Had a chim back in 98 - 00 and then moved onto a cerbera. Thy don't compare at all.

kevin63

4,661 posts

277 months

Saturday 14th September 2013
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I had a Chim, loved it, was reliable and fairly cheap to run. I could never understand why they said the engine was a lazy V8 (4ltr) until I bought a Cerbera. The Cerbera was a pain to start off with as the engine blew 3 times (Speed Six) from new, but I was lucky in that the factory sorted it (sort of) each time, so didn't cost me anything. Each time I thought that's enough and I'll move on to something else, then a run out giving it a few beans and I just couldn't get rid. The Cerbera has more comfort but yet handles better than the Chim and has more power. The Cerbera sort of keeps your pocket half empty but bordering on emptying them. Parts cost more and aren't as readily avalible but you will get them.
12 years on I've still got mine an I still love it (sort of a love/hate relationship), yes I've thought about something else but I just think that why should I spend quite a bit of money on a new car that won't thrill as much as the Cerbera unless I spend a shed load of money.
You would be advised to have a second car for daily transport though.

Tanguero

4,535 posts

225 months

Saturday 14th September 2013
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chrisroe89

212 posts

155 months

Saturday 14th September 2013
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Tanguero said:
===Rover===


Cerbera



Haha

jatopack

168 posts

254 months

Sunday 15th September 2013
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I have a 5.3 Chimarea and a 4.2 Cerbera...... They are both fun cars - but the Cerbera is the one that gets used more.

Combination of reasons - more practical, more comfortable - and way way louder. Acceleration is about the same - top speed the Cerbera has it - but after 130mph it is all a mute point.

The Cerbera is slightly more comfortable to have sideways - but again not recommended for either.

If you are old - get the Chimarea - it is very much easier to get in and out of - but once in - the Cerbera is more comfortable.

In terms of operation the buttons and switches are more logical on the Chimarea - I am convinced a monkey did the switch-dash design on the Cerbera.


natben

2,748 posts

255 months

Sunday 15th September 2013
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Never ever seen a post saying

"Have a Cerbera want a Chimera"

Tells me everything , chimaera is good but Cerbers are Awesome.

Dave 500

7,713 posts

266 months

Sunday 15th September 2013
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natben said:
Never ever seen a post saying

"Have a Cerbera want a Chimaera"

Tells me everything , chimaera is good but Cerbers are Awesome.
That's because most people start TVR life with a Chimaera.

Both are good cars I wouldn't say one was any better than the other tbh they are just different.

I have both and have had for 6 years, I still can't decide which is the better car.

Edited by Dave 500 on Sunday 15th September 09:50

Gazzab

21,579 posts

306 months

Sunday 15th September 2013
quotequote all
Dave 500 said:
That's because most people start TVR life with a Chimaera.
Exactly. Chim was a stepping stone back in the day.

As you say they are very different. Chim is an Mgb on steroids. A Cerb is a classic Aston on even more steroids.

Skellz

392 posts

162 months

Sunday 15th September 2013
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Tanguero said:
===Rover===


Cerbera



Lol lol

Jhonno

6,430 posts

165 months

Sunday 15th September 2013
quotequote all
Tanguero said:
===Rover===


Cerbera



rofl

natben said:
Never ever seen a post saying

"Have a Cerbera want a Chimera"

Tells me everything , chimaera is good but Cerbers are Awesome.
Couldn't have put it better..

Gazzab said:
Exactly. Chim was a stepping stone back in the day.

As you say they are very different. Chim is an Mgb on steroids. A Cerb is a classic Aston on even more steroids.
cool Like that analogy..

Mark.

11,104 posts

300 months

Monday 16th September 2013
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What these guys said really. I didn't go from a Chimaera to a Cerbera but added a Cerbera and there is no comparison to be made between the 2.

Chimaera is a great car, I thought it was reasonably quick too, it's great fun to be in and pootle around with the V8 burble enjoying the sunshine.
The Cerbera though is another thing all together, such an event every time you go out. An involving drive that needs your constant attention and respect. Was chatting to a couple of ex-Cerb owners at the revival on Saturday and we all agreed that the Cerbera redefines fast no matter what you've driven before. One word of warning though, it's a pesky beast with a constant quiet whisper in your ear. "go on, you know you want to", "give me some beans", "you're not going to let him pass are you?", "do it again, put me in 3rd and stand on the loud pedal".
It's like one of those naughty kids at school that you can't help but like but usually ends up getting you in trouble.

Warwick67

418 posts

238 months

Monday 16th September 2013
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I did actually go from a Cerb to a Chimp because... it was complicated... Anyway, I really enjoyed the Chimp on a nice day, roof off (which is a right pain in the arse, doesn't fold properly and if the boots full you have to leave it behind), lovely sound but I really missed the experience of the Cerb. The Cerb is so quick and makes the most amazing noises, it does bring out the devil in you but you never stop smiling... I sold my Chimp and bought another Cerb....

Obiwonkeyblokey

5,400 posts

264 months

Tuesday 17th September 2013
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Warwick67 said:
I did actually go from a Cerb to a Chimp because... it was complicated... Anyway, I really enjoyed the Chimp on a nice day, roof off (which is a right pain in the arse, doesn't fold properly and if the boots full you have to leave it behind), lovely sound but I really missed the experience of the Cerb. The Cerb is so quick and makes the most amazing noises, it does bring out the devil in you but you never stop smiling... I sold my Chimp and bought another Cerb....
me too. griff, cerb,chimaera,cerb. ( various others in there as well)

Tang Soo Tim

506 posts

193 months

Tuesday 17th September 2013
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Just makes you wonder what it is about a Cerb that gets us ? I love my car, it was my dream to own one from many years ago. I have friends with T350's, Chim's and a Griff but they just never grabbed me the way a Cerb does !

Why do you buy an ice cream when you can have a Peperami smile