Shall I come back to the fold.......?
Discussion
My wife WANTS me to buy another cerb!
She also wants a newer car and wants me to sell the P1 (which neither of us like that much).
Shall I or shant I ?
When I sold the cerb I was a little peeved that it had cost me £13K in servicing and repairs over 2 yrs! The scars have now healed.
So we want to go from a 94 BMW 5 series touring and a P1 to either:
a) 98 911 996 plus a newer estate car (10 - 15K I guess eg Merc E class). About £40K total I guess.
or
b) An AMG E Class Merc estate plus a golf for the wife and kids and dog. About £35K I guess in total.
or
c) Circa 18K Cerb, plus keep the old estate as my everday car plus a Merc E class 10 -15K estate car.
So if I go for Cerb shall I try a Speed 6? Some interesting ones for sale - one at £20K ish with 3 rebuilds in a year or so. Then a £16K one with 41K miles. Hmmmm. Still not sure I can do that S6 thing!
Head v heart battles going on right now!
Think I might pop down to APM to oggle this week.
She also wants a newer car and wants me to sell the P1 (which neither of us like that much).
Shall I or shant I ?
When I sold the cerb I was a little peeved that it had cost me £13K in servicing and repairs over 2 yrs! The scars have now healed.
So we want to go from a 94 BMW 5 series touring and a P1 to either:
a) 98 911 996 plus a newer estate car (10 - 15K I guess eg Merc E class). About £40K total I guess.
or
b) An AMG E Class Merc estate plus a golf for the wife and kids and dog. About £35K I guess in total.
or
c) Circa 18K Cerb, plus keep the old estate as my everday car plus a Merc E class 10 -15K estate car.
So if I go for Cerb shall I try a Speed 6? Some interesting ones for sale - one at £20K ish with 3 rebuilds in a year or so. Then a £16K one with 41K miles. Hmmmm. Still not sure I can do that S6 thing!
Head v heart battles going on right now!
Think I might pop down to APM to oggle this week.
gazzab said:
My wife WANTS me to buy another cerb!
She also wants a newer car and wants me to sell the P1 (which neither of us like that much).
Shall I or shant I ?
When I sold the cerb I was a little peeved that it had cost me £13K in servicing and repairs over 2 yrs! The scars have now healed.
So we want to go from a 94 BMW 5 series touring and a P1 to either:
a) 98 911 996 plus a newer estate car (10 - 15K I guess eg Merc E class). About £40K total I guess.
or
b) An AMG E Class Merc estate plus a golf for the wife and kids and dog. About £35K I guess in total.
or
c) Circa 18K Cerb, plus keep the old estate as my everday car plus a Merc E class 10 -15K estate car.
So if I go for Cerb shall I try a Speed 6? Some interesting ones for sale - one at £20K ish with 3 rebuilds in a year or so. Then a £16K one with 41K miles. Hmmmm. Still not sure I can do that S6 thing!
Head v heart battles going on right now!
Think I might pop down to APM to oggle this week.
Get a Cerb (obviously
) but not a SP6, the AJP8 is the heart of the Cerbera and it's worth bearing in mind that Tuscan racers aside the Cerbera is the only car you can but with the AJP8 installed 
. Cerb's rock! The fact your Wife wants you to get one is a massive bonus
. Duncan
Hi Gary
Good to see you back in here. You know what, I think once you have a Cerbera,
with a few exceptions, the experience will remain with you as a fond memory
in your motoring history and of course, not all ownerships mean shelling out £££'s
In 18 months, my two cost me a total of around £4k including insurance,
(not including petrol)
I've been tempted by the speed six, they are going for crazy money now £12 - £16k
for some good ones, but I think the V8 is the real heart of the Cerbera (not knocking
the S6 at all by the way) and it will always be the focal point for potential owners.
Go for it Gary, use your knowledge and rejoin the fold.
Good to see you back in here. You know what, I think once you have a Cerbera,
with a few exceptions, the experience will remain with you as a fond memory
in your motoring history and of course, not all ownerships mean shelling out £££'s
In 18 months, my two cost me a total of around £4k including insurance,
(not including petrol)
I've been tempted by the speed six, they are going for crazy money now £12 - £16k
for some good ones, but I think the V8 is the real heart of the Cerbera (not knocking
the S6 at all by the way) and it will always be the focal point for potential owners.
Go for it Gary, use your knowledge and rejoin the fold.
I knew it would happen when I saw the P1 for sale...
AJP8 all the way, the S6 cars are cheap for a reason, its an engine with issues. I will stand by that until I am proved wrong.
Hell if even Al Melling reckons there are problems (which I heard he is looking into sorting at some point in future?/ looking if its economically viable at least) then I guess its best to steer clear for a bit.
AJP8 all the way, the S6 cars are cheap for a reason, its an engine with issues. I will stand by that until I am proved wrong.
Hell if even Al Melling reckons there are problems (which I heard he is looking into sorting at some point in future?/ looking if its economically viable at least) then I guess its best to steer clear for a bit.
Nothing wrong with speed 6's, if you get one with the problems sorted out... and at least you have plenty of support for the engine in her (get one with a warranty, which is also extendable too!)... and remember, at least the speed 6 engines are still going through research and improvements an still is in production, unlike the demise of the 8.... 
Speed 8's, great and all that, but, we're talking a piece of history now... do you want one and then hit a brick wall *IF* something went *UNFORGIVINGLY* bang?
I'd say, and this might sound funny coming from me, find a sorted tuscan...
If you like to live dangerously, a used Red Rose Cerbera lightweight will be a great treat...
Speed 8's, great and all that, but, we're talking a piece of history now... do you want one and then hit a brick wall *IF* something went *UNFORGIVINGLY* bang?
I'd say, and this might sound funny coming from me, find a sorted tuscan...
If you like to live dangerously, a used Red Rose Cerbera lightweight will be a great treat...
SXS said:
Speed 8's, great and all that, but, we're talking a piece of history now... do you want one and then hit a brick wall *IF* something went *UNFORGIVINGLY* bang?
Whilst not disagreeing with your Speed Six comments, I think the above comment is
a wide of reality.
There will always be people about to assist, Cerbera Gurus such as Joospeed are vastly
experienced and dedicated to the Speed 8.
The history remark, was my point exactly.
If you want a Cerbera (and why wouldn't any red blooded person?!
) the V8 typifies the car and the early development.
Sure TVR opted to head down Speed Six Street and nowt wrong with the speed six in
my books, but I think those history books will recall tales of the V8 Cerbera and...
for all the right reasons!
The Cerbera is dead, long live the Cerbera!
daggart said:Maybe so if you buy a dented tin...
Personally i would never go down the TVR route again,they just don't do what they say on the tin.
I know plenty like myself who spent a fraction that Gary did, he was unlucky.
Any manufacturer can roll out a duffer and this old debate is a large can of
worms that has been opened too many times already, so I'll leave it alone.
Whether Gary does return or not, it's nice to know he is even considering it.
That MUST say something good about Cerbera ownership?!
daggart said:
Gazzab!,i think the 13 grand in two year's should have been a lesson learnt.Personally i would never go down the TVR route again,they just don't do what they say on the tin.
My engineers have a brand new Ford aluminium-V8 twin turbo engine in stock which is pushing 1000bhp....
If you're interested, I can get a good price for you for the conversion... your car will be reliable as feck, and servicing will be peanuts....
Drop me a line, you will not be dissapointed!
Wheres all this "no more parts OMG the V8 is a risky thing" rubbish come from.
I see it more like; "OMG they are finally getting 400bhp out of these things" and is it me or are there a fair amount of over 50k'ers out there atm without a hint of engine trouble?? Hell Simonsparrow's proved that even a clatter cam car can shoot past 100,000 in a probably sideways fashion...
Long live the AJP8, now that TVR no longer sell them, hopefully other people will start to manufacture higher quality parts for cheaper prices. There are certainly enough independants out there devoted to keeping everyones pride and joys running brilliantly.
As for the V8/S6 argument, unless my dad is absolutely convinced that they are sorted, his next TVR will be a Cerbera V8 - or not a TVR at all.
The S6 has a design issue, the numbers prove it - you cant have a 40% failure rate for a bad batch of parts (and there were a fair few people who DIDNT add to that who could have upped the numbers considerably). The AJP8 however, is a fine engine that could do with a bit more development to make it more powerful and cleaner. Come on Smoleski, its a solid engine, develop it further!!!!
I see it more like; "OMG they are finally getting 400bhp out of these things" and is it me or are there a fair amount of over 50k'ers out there atm without a hint of engine trouble?? Hell Simonsparrow's proved that even a clatter cam car can shoot past 100,000 in a probably sideways fashion...
Long live the AJP8, now that TVR no longer sell them, hopefully other people will start to manufacture higher quality parts for cheaper prices. There are certainly enough independants out there devoted to keeping everyones pride and joys running brilliantly.
As for the V8/S6 argument, unless my dad is absolutely convinced that they are sorted, his next TVR will be a Cerbera V8 - or not a TVR at all.
The S6 has a design issue, the numbers prove it - you cant have a 40% failure rate for a bad batch of parts (and there were a fair few people who DIDNT add to that who could have upped the numbers considerably). The AJP8 however, is a fine engine that could do with a bit more development to make it more powerful and cleaner. Come on Smoleski, its a solid engine, develop it further!!!!
One mans crap can be another mans gold and all that... but the truth of the matter is, TVR are no longer into the AJPV8, they have other plans, but the old SOHC AJP-v8 has been kicked in the groin and thrown out the back door.
The Speed 6 engine is technically FAR SUPERIOR to the AJPv8, the things that go wrong are all due to cost cutting material choices and a few design choices (again to reduce costs)... MCD (the fathers of the design) can take your speed 6 engine, and rebuild it LIKE IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN in the first place.
Cost cutting is what its all about... the car is only as strong as its weakest link.
AJPv8 is old skool - all the way - totally amazing torque/hp delivery out of its size and SOHC arrangement.... but times have changed, people want smooth power delivery, people want cars that dont eat through clutches at the slightest slip they get...
James (aka JSG), moved from the Cerbera to the Tuscan, and has never looked back... The only thing that puts me off a Tuscan, is the idea of 'less' (cylinders)... thats the only reason to be fair, which sounds pathetic, especially when taking into consideration, the S's outperform the cerberas in all areas....
The AJP8 will live on, of course, but at the owners cost... we all know too well how often we use the words 'touch wood'... I suppose no matter what TVR you drive, they're all hand built pieces of work, and they all have their niggles, of course, theres always the off-chance someone has a diamond... but the scales dont suddenly fall in the other direction just because of the few... when based the majority its a different story...
Long live the speed 8 (a piece of history) and may the Speed 6 get better and let the V10 come out sooner rather than later (I just made the V10 bit up, hoping here!!!...
)
The Speed 6 engine is technically FAR SUPERIOR to the AJPv8, the things that go wrong are all due to cost cutting material choices and a few design choices (again to reduce costs)... MCD (the fathers of the design) can take your speed 6 engine, and rebuild it LIKE IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN in the first place.
Cost cutting is what its all about... the car is only as strong as its weakest link.
AJPv8 is old skool - all the way - totally amazing torque/hp delivery out of its size and SOHC arrangement.... but times have changed, people want smooth power delivery, people want cars that dont eat through clutches at the slightest slip they get...
James (aka JSG), moved from the Cerbera to the Tuscan, and has never looked back... The only thing that puts me off a Tuscan, is the idea of 'less' (cylinders)... thats the only reason to be fair, which sounds pathetic, especially when taking into consideration, the S's outperform the cerberas in all areas....
The AJP8 will live on, of course, but at the owners cost... we all know too well how often we use the words 'touch wood'... I suppose no matter what TVR you drive, they're all hand built pieces of work, and they all have their niggles, of course, theres always the off-chance someone has a diamond... but the scales dont suddenly fall in the other direction just because of the few... when based the majority its a different story...
Long live the speed 8 (a piece of history) and may the Speed 6 get better and let the V10 come out sooner rather than later (I just made the V10 bit up, hoping here!!!...
)
[quote=SXS ]
hehe, a James junior on the way? needs a four-seater????[/quote]
Nah, have a look over in the Tuscan forum, the grass isnt any greener than his old Cerb, atleast with that car it was off the road being upgraded in various ways.
Even allowing for the fact that the S6 is a more modern engine (I actually doubt that it is, have a theory on its origins - but still.)
Which would you prefer;
One that works well but TVR no longer care about it?
Or
One that has been proven to be a disaster that TVR still continue to produce, despite its inexcuseable failure rate? Sure you can still get parts and will probably be able to do so for a fair few years - but you'll bloody well need them.
Gimme an AJP8 Cerb anyday.
GCerbera said:
SXS said:
James (aka JSG), moved from the Cerbera to the Tuscan, and has never looked back...
Are you sure about that?...
hehe, a James junior on the way? needs a four-seater????
[/quote] Nah, have a look over in the Tuscan forum, the grass isnt any greener than his old Cerb, atleast with that car it was off the road being upgraded in various ways.
Even allowing for the fact that the S6 is a more modern engine (I actually doubt that it is, have a theory on its origins - but still.)
Which would you prefer;
One that works well but TVR no longer care about it?
Or
One that has been proven to be a disaster that TVR still continue to produce, despite its inexcuseable failure rate? Sure you can still get parts and will probably be able to do so for a fair few years - but you'll bloody well need them.
Gimme an AJP8 Cerb anyday.
Yeah, and what about Daggart? was he the only one?
you do know, half the owners who have serious problems with their Cerbies are not pistonheaders... have you seen the factory's V8 crates list over the past few years!....
I saw JSG's post... made me really upset... the guy loves his cars, he should not be going through that kind of crap... its pretty much hit or miss with TVR's in general, forget what model she is...
you do know, half the owners who have serious problems with their Cerbies are not pistonheaders... have you seen the factory's V8 crates list over the past few years!....
I saw JSG's post... made me really upset... the guy loves his cars, he should not be going through that kind of crap... its pretty much hit or miss with TVR's in general, forget what model she is...
SXS said:
Yeah, and what about Daggart? was he the only one?
you do know, half the owners who have serious problems with their Cerbies are not pistonheaders... have you seen the factory's V8 crates list over the past few years!....
I saw JSG's post... made me really upset... the guy loves his cars, he should not be going through that kind of crap... its pretty much hit or miss with TVR's in general, forget what model she is...
The majority of Cerbera V8 owners I know are enjoying thier cars. Ours has given us a good 4 years+ of sideways madness - in the process showing many many "exotica" how to do straight line speed/ hopefully with a little more practice, sheer pace (inc corners) on various sprints/ hillclimbs/ trackdays/ speed trails.
52,000miles of proper use without any real problems with the AJP8. Im quite confident it'll continue to power on for a long time to come...
Having done the whole factory tour thing a few times, I havent actually seen any kind of obvious AJP8's lying about needing work/ ready for replacement. S6's however, well - they no longer seem to accept cars, just engines - to be more efficient space wise.
I really dont want to get into this again because some people cant see sense/ understand that there is something wrong until it happens to then. At which point they usually post up a rant, and occaisionally sell up and change marque, usually for good. Infact, I'll save them the bother:
Yes, im 19.
No I havent driven an S6.
No I dont own one.
Yes I do know of several ex-owners.
No, they wont be buying a TVR again.
Yes I do believe the 3.6 is surviving better than the 4.0.
No, I wouldnt buy one personally.
Yes, as soon as they are as reliable as the AJP8 or atleast appear to be, I will have my name in the order books.
No, I cant afford one right now, but im willing to bet by the time I can, I'll probably end up getting a BMW M3 or a lovely Cerb (see point above.)
Yes, I am a pessimist by nature, but 4 years of "they are sorted now" has had its effect.
Cant believe they have killed off the Cerbera. >> Edited by BCA on Wednesday 29th December 01:06
Hmmmm, thought my ears were starting to burn...
I miss the Cerb. There, I said it! It was more my kind of car - a big(ish) GT (and surprisingly reliable). If the Tuscan had been as reliable as the Cerb from the start, it'd be a dead heat; a car that "fits" vs. an updated, drop-dead stunner with a removable roof. I love the character of the S6, too - it's a fantastic engine (when working), and delivers the power beautifully.
Having said that, 6 months of legal action with the previous owner and 5 months of it being off the road for engine/engine again/clutch/respray/etc. and I think it's fair to say that we have irreconcilable differences! Shame, as it'll have new engine, new clutch, new tyres, new springs + dampers, new respray, new exhaust, new electrics, new dashpod, new bodykit, etc. when/if it ever comes back... I honestly do trust the car now, but I think TVR really lost their way in the last 4 years, to the detriment of everyone that bought a new Tiv (and had to suffer out of warranty/off the road woes) in that period. Maybe they've sorted things out in Blackpool now. Maybe. But I feel sorry for any poor b*stard that buys a second hand one that's not been sorted.
Me, I'll be waving adios to TVR ownership when I've sorted out the Tusc's replacement (will be a while yet, though - need to extract some fun from it and find a small fortune). I won't even consider buying another Tiv for a long, long time. Not because of the faults, but because of the company's downright childish attitude towards customer service. As a hobby, sports cars should largely be enjoyable, not a continual battle - TVR have to realise that this is peoples disposable income; they don't HAVE to buy one. When my car
s up, I want a courtesy car, an apology, an explanation, and my car back on the drive with the warranty generally having covered it, all within a week or two AT MOST. If that happens, it can go wrong every month and I won't get upset. Two months worth of delays, lack of communication, buck-passing, no courtesy car, four figure bills, and so on for inherent defects is taking the p*ss. This is one customer that'll be voting with his feet. If Honda/Toyota started selling "Tivs" with the current build quality, etc. I'd have another in an instant, as I'd trust it to get sorted fairly painlessly.
Had an interesting moment over the weekend... Think I've traced the screwed speedo reading & iffy power delivery on the "runabout" to the diff bearings in the gearbox (reckon having 300BHP run through it for too long has shafted it) Picked up a spare gearbox off EBay for £50. Don't even know if it's what's actually wrong, but it's quicker & cheaper to replace it than to pull it apart to see. FIFTY QUID. Including everything. That's a real eye opener after a £1k invoice every time a mechanical niggle rears its head. If I'm expected to stick a zero on that every time something goes wrong - and this is a car that's lasted 75,000 miles with that 'box, with only 30-50BHP less than a Cerb - then I expect a damned sight more for my money!
Sorry, went off on one there. Only clicked "reply" to say that it's an individual choice... some people may get lucky on half a dozen cars in a row, and have no major issues. Others will move from one dog to another. If you are lucky, I doubt there's anything that'll provide the same fun as a Cerb (or Tusc) - though you probably know that after the P1! And on the S6/V8 argument, I'd be tempted to pick up a really cheap S6, and have it rebuilt to RR spec before I even took delivery of it. Or get one that's just been done. Bargain prices.
I miss the Cerb. There, I said it! It was more my kind of car - a big(ish) GT (and surprisingly reliable). If the Tuscan had been as reliable as the Cerb from the start, it'd be a dead heat; a car that "fits" vs. an updated, drop-dead stunner with a removable roof. I love the character of the S6, too - it's a fantastic engine (when working), and delivers the power beautifully.
Having said that, 6 months of legal action with the previous owner and 5 months of it being off the road for engine/engine again/clutch/respray/etc. and I think it's fair to say that we have irreconcilable differences! Shame, as it'll have new engine, new clutch, new tyres, new springs + dampers, new respray, new exhaust, new electrics, new dashpod, new bodykit, etc. when/if it ever comes back... I honestly do trust the car now, but I think TVR really lost their way in the last 4 years, to the detriment of everyone that bought a new Tiv (and had to suffer out of warranty/off the road woes) in that period. Maybe they've sorted things out in Blackpool now. Maybe. But I feel sorry for any poor b*stard that buys a second hand one that's not been sorted.
Me, I'll be waving adios to TVR ownership when I've sorted out the Tusc's replacement (will be a while yet, though - need to extract some fun from it and find a small fortune). I won't even consider buying another Tiv for a long, long time. Not because of the faults, but because of the company's downright childish attitude towards customer service. As a hobby, sports cars should largely be enjoyable, not a continual battle - TVR have to realise that this is peoples disposable income; they don't HAVE to buy one. When my car
s up, I want a courtesy car, an apology, an explanation, and my car back on the drive with the warranty generally having covered it, all within a week or two AT MOST. If that happens, it can go wrong every month and I won't get upset. Two months worth of delays, lack of communication, buck-passing, no courtesy car, four figure bills, and so on for inherent defects is taking the p*ss. This is one customer that'll be voting with his feet. If Honda/Toyota started selling "Tivs" with the current build quality, etc. I'd have another in an instant, as I'd trust it to get sorted fairly painlessly. Had an interesting moment over the weekend... Think I've traced the screwed speedo reading & iffy power delivery on the "runabout" to the diff bearings in the gearbox (reckon having 300BHP run through it for too long has shafted it
) Picked up a spare gearbox off EBay for £50. Don't even know if it's what's actually wrong, but it's quicker & cheaper to replace it than to pull it apart to see. FIFTY QUID. Including everything. That's a real eye opener after a £1k invoice every time a mechanical niggle rears its head. If I'm expected to stick a zero on that every time something goes wrong - and this is a car that's lasted 75,000 miles with that 'box, with only 30-50BHP less than a Cerb - then I expect a damned sight more for my money! Sorry, went off on one there. Only clicked "reply" to say that it's an individual choice... some people may get lucky on half a dozen cars in a row, and have no major issues. Others will move from one dog to another. If you are lucky, I doubt there's anything that'll provide the same fun as a Cerb (or Tusc) - though you probably know that after the P1! And on the S6/V8 argument, I'd be tempted to pick up a really cheap S6, and have it rebuilt to RR spec before I even took delivery of it. Or get one that's just been done. Bargain prices.
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