Cerbera Questions
Discussion
Ive only had 5 minutes behind the wheel on a long slow straight, and my driving experience is limited to 6 months in the V8S so I cant compare to other cars...
I Love the small interior and widescreen cinema scope visibility, but is it a challenge reversing, parking and tight roads/corners with curb, compared to other rides?
So, what of the power then? They are powerful, and I understand the principle of lift off oversteer which catches people unawares (might have saved my own bacon a few times in the V8S by not suddenly lifting off when the back started to go in the wet) is it safe to explore the full range on public roads on dry straights through the first few gears? After a few weeks of bedding in that is
The ride - I gather the standard setup is shite at best and nitrons should be near the top of my shopping list (right after the neons and super spoiler?
). Whats the drive like compared to an S? Do they tramline badly (18" spiders) and require massive amounts of concentration to keep in lane, on narrow roads and what of driving at night? In the S night drives are bad!!
Few more q's... where is the cigarette lighter? I trust there is one, surely?
Origin B2 owners: Will the B2 fit INTO the alcove up on the dash?
Is it possible to fit two bodies in the boot at the same time?
Would a 98 cerb have a windscreen which is a heated (i doubt it!) or ultraviolet(?) protected windscreen, anything preventing GPS signals from being received?
The hole in the back seats, is this for a sub or does it go straight through for skis, poles and rigor mortified ostritches?
Leaks - Ive heard people say 'all' TVR's leak
Would 98 cerbs on average leak less than 91 V8S's? Are there any/many owners here whose cars are also on the drive, and dont leak? 
I remember in years gone by reading about door seals, cant remember what I read though - do they need replacing over time?
Finally "And whats the best colour for a cerb? - All together now, its... ______ !!!!" 
I Love the small interior and widescreen cinema scope visibility, but is it a challenge reversing, parking and tight roads/corners with curb, compared to other rides?
So, what of the power then? They are powerful, and I understand the principle of lift off oversteer which catches people unawares (might have saved my own bacon a few times in the V8S by not suddenly lifting off when the back started to go in the wet) is it safe to explore the full range on public roads on dry straights through the first few gears? After a few weeks of bedding in that is
The ride - I gather the standard setup is shite at best and nitrons should be near the top of my shopping list (right after the neons and super spoiler?
). Whats the drive like compared to an S? Do they tramline badly (18" spiders) and require massive amounts of concentration to keep in lane, on narrow roads and what of driving at night? In the S night drives are bad!! Few more q's... where is the cigarette lighter? I trust there is one, surely?
Origin B2 owners: Will the B2 fit INTO the alcove up on the dash?
Is it possible to fit two bodies in the boot at the same time?
Would a 98 cerb have a windscreen which is a heated (i doubt it!) or ultraviolet(?) protected windscreen, anything preventing GPS signals from being received?
The hole in the back seats, is this for a sub or does it go straight through for skis, poles and rigor mortified ostritches?
Leaks - Ive heard people say 'all' TVR's leak
Would 98 cerbs on average leak less than 91 V8S's? Are there any/many owners here whose cars are also on the drive, and dont leak? I remember in years gone by reading about door seals, cant remember what I read though - do they need replacing over time? Finally "And whats the best colour for a cerb? - All together now, its... ______ !!!!"
Repeat after me - "Must get driving training, must get driving training" - mutter while asleep, repeat ad infinitum!
The gap between the rear seats is a "helmet hole" (not THAT sort!) and yes, is commonly used to mount a sub, though it needs to be removeable as the panel needs to come out to get access to the alarm boxes.
Heated screens were by and large an optional extra - if it didn't say it had one, it probably won't.
Cigarette lighter is usually by the ashtray
If you didn't find that, it's by the drivers knee in front of the gear stick on the lower, deeper section of the dash. Ideally placed for running a spur to another socket on the shelf you mentioned.
Going from a V8S to a Cerb will be a challenge - I went from a Chim400 and frankly it scared me silly for a ..... sorry, it still does scare me silly. With that much power to play with, lift-off oversteer is only the beginning of the problems - get ready for power oversteer..... see first point of my reply - it's THE only way to be safe(r).
Parking, reversing etc - you'll get used to it. I actually find it easier to place than my wife's Saab convertible. The rear view is positively panoramic compared to many soft-tops and sportscars. It'll take you a while to find your preferred driving position, but when you've got it, you'll find the car fits round you like a glove.
Exploring the limits on the open road..... erm..... how can I put this..... we call people who do that.....erm..... dead. DO NOT EVEN THINK ABOUT IT! Chances are, unless you're Per Ekklund or some such, your limits will expire long before the car, and you'll be repainting someones wall or hedge a new shade of yellow. If you want to explore the capabilities of the car, and your own, for goodness sake take it to a track. Please. Pretty please. The up side of that is you'll probably find that you're more comfortable on the road after taking to a track - if you can handle her at 130, then 30 suddenly becomes a whole lot more relaxed.
In the wet, she'll spin the wheels in ANY gear if provoked, and will want to hunt along the camber of the road - so if you're unaware of what's happening, it's hedge time. I have had her up to erm.... quite a lot, and that's without putting my foot flat down, or going above 5000rpm - she'll scare anyone even at low revs - keep the silliness for the summer, or the aforementioned track.
Leaks. Nah. In comparison to the V8s / Griffs / Chims, they're watertight. But remember that's not saying much! Mine lives on the drive, and touch wood, it's not soggy yet.
Hope that helps a bit Bob, sorry the replies are in no particular order. Good luck, be careful, and love her to bits.
PS - You know Chianti Starmist is the fastest colour!
The gap between the rear seats is a "helmet hole" (not THAT sort!) and yes, is commonly used to mount a sub, though it needs to be removeable as the panel needs to come out to get access to the alarm boxes.
Heated screens were by and large an optional extra - if it didn't say it had one, it probably won't.
Cigarette lighter is usually by the ashtray
If you didn't find that, it's by the drivers knee in front of the gear stick on the lower, deeper section of the dash. Ideally placed for running a spur to another socket on the shelf you mentioned. Going from a V8S to a Cerb will be a challenge - I went from a Chim400 and frankly it scared me silly for a ..... sorry, it still does scare me silly. With that much power to play with, lift-off oversteer is only the beginning of the problems - get ready for power oversteer..... see first point of my reply - it's THE only way to be safe(r).
Parking, reversing etc - you'll get used to it. I actually find it easier to place than my wife's Saab convertible. The rear view is positively panoramic compared to many soft-tops and sportscars. It'll take you a while to find your preferred driving position, but when you've got it, you'll find the car fits round you like a glove.
Exploring the limits on the open road..... erm..... how can I put this..... we call people who do that.....erm..... dead. DO NOT EVEN THINK ABOUT IT! Chances are, unless you're Per Ekklund or some such, your limits will expire long before the car, and you'll be repainting someones wall or hedge a new shade of yellow. If you want to explore the capabilities of the car, and your own, for goodness sake take it to a track. Please. Pretty please. The up side of that is you'll probably find that you're more comfortable on the road after taking to a track - if you can handle her at 130, then 30 suddenly becomes a whole lot more relaxed.
In the wet, she'll spin the wheels in ANY gear if provoked, and will want to hunt along the camber of the road - so if you're unaware of what's happening, it's hedge time. I have had her up to erm.... quite a lot, and that's without putting my foot flat down, or going above 5000rpm - she'll scare anyone even at low revs - keep the silliness for the summer, or the aforementioned track.
Leaks. Nah. In comparison to the V8s / Griffs / Chims, they're watertight. But remember that's not saying much! Mine lives on the drive, and touch wood, it's not soggy yet.
Hope that helps a bit Bob, sorry the replies are in no particular order. Good luck, be careful, and love her to bits.
PS - You know Chianti Starmist is the fastest colour!
In some kind of order:
Would save really testing the power till the roads are dry & sticky. I.e. a good few months yet. And even then, think about a track day or 3 first.
Standard setup is OK, as long as it's a good one. My Cerb with standard suspension (and 18s) tramlined less than my Tuscan with Nitrons out-of-the-box. Really depends on the car, though. It'd happily cruise up & down the motorway all night long at 130+ (and sometimes a fair bit higher) without wavering off the direction I had it pointed in once. Again, back to the "individual results may vary" caveat.
Cigarette lighter SHOULD be tucked away in front of the gear stick, near your left knee. Could be that it hasn't got one, mind. Mine didn't have an ash-tray - was simply just missing & the leather continued where it should have been.
Leaks - mine had none. At all. Not one. Never a damp footwell, or anything.
Best colour? Has to be some kind of shade of blue...
Would save really testing the power till the roads are dry & sticky. I.e. a good few months yet. And even then, think about a track day or 3 first.
Standard setup is OK, as long as it's a good one. My Cerb with standard suspension (and 18s) tramlined less than my Tuscan with Nitrons out-of-the-box. Really depends on the car, though. It'd happily cruise up & down the motorway all night long at 130+ (and sometimes a fair bit higher) without wavering off the direction I had it pointed in once. Again, back to the "individual results may vary" caveat.
Cigarette lighter SHOULD be tucked away in front of the gear stick, near your left knee. Could be that it hasn't got one, mind. Mine didn't have an ash-tray - was simply just missing & the leather continued where it should have been.
Leaks - mine had none. At all. Not one. Never a damp footwell, or anything.
Best colour? Has to be some kind of shade of blue...
redleicester said:Im taking those sentiments to bed with me (dead tired!). I recon there is plenty to be discussed before even thinking about the power availale! Cheers mate! You up for the saturday morning hoon?
Repeat after me - "Must get driving training, must get driving training" - mutter while asleep, repeat ad infinitum!
The gap between the rear seats is a "helmet hole" (not THAT sort!) and yes, is commonly used to mount a sub, though it needs to be removeable as the panel needs to come out to get access to the alarm boxes.
Heated screens were by and large an optional extra - if it didn't say it had one, it probably won't.
Cigarette lighter is usually by the ashtray
Going from a V8S to a Cerb will be a challenge - I went from a Chim400 and frankly it scared me silly for a ..... sorry, it still does scare me silly. With that much power to play with, lift-off oversteer is only the beginning of the problems - get ready for power oversteer..... see first point of my reply - it's THE only way to be safe(r).
Parking, reversing etc - you'll get used to it. I actually find it easier to place than my wife's Saab convertible. The rear view is positively panoramic compared to many soft-tops and sportscars. It'll take you a while to find your preferred driving position, but when you've got it, you'll find the car fits round you like a glove.
Exploring the limits on the open road..... erm..... how can I put this..... we call people who do that.....erm..... dead. DO NOT EVEN THINK ABOUT IT! Chances are, unless you're Per Ekklund or some such, your limits will expire long before the car, and you'll be repainting someones wall or hedge a new shade of yellow. If you want to explore the capabilities of the car, and your own, for goodness sake take it to a track. Please. Pretty please. The up side of that is you'll probably find that you're more comfortable on the road after taking to a track - if you can handle her at 130, then 30 suddenly becomes a whole lot more relaxed.
In the wet, she'll spin the wheels in ANY gear if provoked, and will want to hunt along the camber of the road - so if you're unaware of what's happening, it's hedge time. I have had her up to erm.... quite a lot, and that's without putting my foot flat down, or going above 5000rpm - she'll scare anyone even at low revs - keep the silliness for the summer, or the aforementioned track.
Leaks. Nah. In comparison to the V8s / Griffs / Chims, they're watertight. But remember that's not saying much! Mine lives on the drive, and touch wood, it's not soggy yet.
Hope that helps a bit Bob, sorry the replies are in no particular order. Good luck, be careful, and love her to bits.
PS - You know Chianti Starmist is the fastest colour!
Yellow with a purple inside that's what you want
They shouldn’t leak… If you find yours does leak have a look at my post on the most common problems sticky at the top.
We got ours in November, I thought I could drive fast RWD cars – scared the life out me! The thing to watch for is when your not pushing it, it can really catch you out this time of year, or any time if the roads were wet & have almost dried. The worst thing I found was on the motorway in 4th @ about 80 gently moving out in the outside lane only accelerating to keep up with the flow of the heavy traffic it snapped very side ways (on the hint of damp between lanes) – I caught it with no fish tail but it was so violent & unexpected I was almost knocked out by hitting my head on the roll cage as it snapped back in to line – not funny. What was funny was the way everyone suddenly gave me a very wide birth. Of course once you know it’s going to do that, it can be quite fun!
They shouldn’t leak… If you find yours does leak have a look at my post on the most common problems sticky at the top.
We got ours in November, I thought I could drive fast RWD cars – scared the life out me! The thing to watch for is when your not pushing it, it can really catch you out this time of year, or any time if the roads were wet & have almost dried. The worst thing I found was on the motorway in 4th @ about 80 gently moving out in the outside lane only accelerating to keep up with the flow of the heavy traffic it snapped very side ways (on the hint of damp between lanes) – I caught it with no fish tail but it was so violent & unexpected I was almost knocked out by hitting my head on the roll cage as it snapped back in to line – not funny. What was funny was the way everyone suddenly gave me a very wide birth. Of course once you know it’s going to do that, it can be quite fun!
UKBoB said:
Ive is it safe to explore the full range on public roads on dry straights through the first few gears? After a few weeks of bedding in that is
Perhaps on an empty motorway or dual-carriageway, but anywhere else would be lethal - 3rd gear takes you easily past the ton mark and the torque pick-up when getting to higher revs in astounding, you could easily spin tyres in the dry if you wanted to or were careless with the go pedal.
UKBoB said:
The ride - I gather the standard setup is shite at best and nitrons should be near the top of my shopping list (right after the neons and super spoiler?
Ride is much improved on a par and better than some hot hatches and super saloons, tramlining although noticeable is quite minimal, except under braking. They do require some attention to keep on the black stuff, but not as much as an S, as long as you pay attention to keeping all your actions smooth you won't have a problem.
UKBoB said:
and what of driving at night? In the S night drives are bad!!
Like a revalation compared to an older Tiv, you can suddenly see stuff further than 10 feet away from your face!
UKBoB said:
Few more q's... where is the cigarette lighter? I trust there is one, surely?
In the cubby right next to where you'll be mounting your B2
You may or may not have an ashtray close to it however (don't know if you smoke when driving?), mine was specced as none-smoking so goes without - bit of a shame as ash trays make a great place for coins.
UKBoB said:
Is it possible to fit two bodies in the boot at the same time?
Only if they're small or you dismember them first.
UKBoB said:
Would a 98 cerb have a windscreen which is a heated (i doubt it!)
Could do, RZD's does, but depends on how it was originally specced, mine doesn't alas, not that I've found it a problem.
UKBoB said:
or ultraviolet(?) protected windscreen, anything preventing GPS signals from being received?
Again, speak to Lake, he's got a heated screen IIRC and the b2.
UKBoB said:
The hole in the back seats, is this for a sub or does it go straight through for skis, poles and rigor mortified ostritches?
That's for your helmet, no not that one, a crash helmet!
UKBoB said:
Leaks - Ive heard people say 'all' TVR's leak
Mine lives in the garage, so is protected from day to day weather, but did leak once after hand washing, quite a dribble went down the door, and throught the seal at the front edge. I pushed the seal back in place and its been Ok since thankfully.
UKBoB said:
Finally "And whats the best colour for a cerb? - All together now, its... ______ !!!!"
Sorry to dissapoint you but...
Doh, left the reply unfinished overnight and now realised that I've pretty much repeated veryone else!
>> Edited by Tripps on Friday 21st January 08:31
As far as exploring the limits goes, I would agree with everyone else here - do it on a track !
If you've only had an S for a while you will find the Cerb hugely more powerful. I would say that you can go VERY fast in a Cerb, but still driving defensively. If start pushing it, sooner or later it'll bite you, and you'll find yourself sideways at 90mph.
I'd say you'll be starting to get comfortable when you have 20k tvr miles under your belt.
As far as standard set-up, I favour 17"s, but I have found my car to be awesome on the road, always feels very solid, doesn't step out of line with no warning, an absolute joy.
I'd say don't bother with Nitrons until your standard ones go (unless you're made of money) - your car will spend your money for you on its own !
If you've only had an S for a while you will find the Cerb hugely more powerful. I would say that you can go VERY fast in a Cerb, but still driving defensively. If start pushing it, sooner or later it'll bite you, and you'll find yourself sideways at 90mph.
I'd say you'll be starting to get comfortable when you have 20k tvr miles under your belt.
As far as standard set-up, I favour 17"s, but I have found my car to be awesome on the road, always feels very solid, doesn't step out of line with no warning, an absolute joy.
I'd say don't bother with Nitrons until your standard ones go (unless you're made of money) - your car will spend your money for you on its own !
Everyone else has good answers I'd just add be smooth with everything from steering to power and braking especially in the weather we're having lately. I came from a 4.0 Chim so the Cerb seemed slower but with better ride quality. Then I found all those horses hiding beyond 5500 rpm (best go looking for them when its dry). Be careful and enjoy!
The only colour to have
plug said:
purple
The only colour to have
malman said:I found that having moved from a V6 S, initially I was thinking "where are those 450 (TVR) horses?", but after a few weeks of using more right foot they suddenly announce themselves
I came from a 4.0 Chim so the Cerb seemed slower but with better ride quality. Then I found all those horses hiding beyond 5500 rpm (best go looking for them when its dry).
Rob,
Thought about one very useful titbit for you earlier while driving along (after giving myself the afternoon off to clean the car), they may tell you about it at DM, or heard it on PH , but I found it very disconcerting initially, so thought you ought to know...
Unlike the V8 in your S, designed for mass comsumption by numpty drivers, the AJP V8 requires full warming up before its happy.
The engine can sound like something is seriously wrong, but also the gearbox is sluggish and clumsy, they are racing, not comfort spec. so require a little extra TLC to get everthing running smoothly.
Ideally sit it on your drive a let it sit at idle, but if time (or your neighbours) are an issue, start your journey slowly, I keep below 2000 rpm, until the temp is 70 degress, then allow 2500 around 80 and 3000 at 90, once it passes over 90 then it generally feels warmed through.
After that they run like a dream, and start popping and banging very quickly you'll be glad to hear!
Have a great day tomorrow and try and sleep tonight if you can!
Thought about one very useful titbit for you earlier while driving along (after giving myself the afternoon off to clean the car
), they may tell you about it at DM, or heard it on PH , but I found it very disconcerting initially, so thought you ought to know... Unlike the V8 in your S, designed for mass comsumption by numpty drivers, the AJP V8 requires full warming up before its happy.
The engine can sound like something is seriously wrong, but also the gearbox is sluggish and clumsy, they are racing, not comfort spec. so require a little extra TLC to get everthing running smoothly.
Ideally sit it on your drive a let it sit at idle, but if time (or your neighbours) are an issue, start your journey slowly, I keep below 2000 rpm, until the temp is 70 degress, then allow 2500 around 80 and 3000 at 90, once it passes over 90 then it generally feels warmed through.
After that they run like a dream, and start popping and banging very quickly you'll be glad to hear!
Have a great day tomorrow and try and sleep tonight if you can!
Tripps said:
I keep below 2000 rpm, until the temp is 70 degress, then allow 2500 around 80 and 3000 at 90, once it passes over 90 then it generally feels warmed through.
Be wary though. It's been on here a few times but if that's water temp then oil temp is a good few mins/miles behind it.
My water temp gets up quite quick but through the winter it can take up to about 12 miles for my oil temp to get up depending on wether I get a clear run or stuck in traffic.
andy4200 said:
Be wary though. It's been on here a few times but if that's water temp then oil temp is a good few mins/miles behind it.
My water temp gets up quite quick but through the winter it can take up to about 12 miles for my oil temp to get up depending on wether I get a clear run or stuck in traffic.
I have to agree with andy here.... I don't rev above 3000 until water temp reaches 90, but still won't go over 4000 until my oil pressure visibly drops. Sits at 60 on startup, but after maybe 8-10 miles usually, pressure drops to about 55 at idle. That's my cue, then I give it some,
UKBoB said:
Im taking those sentiments to bed with me (dead tired!). I recon there is plenty to be discussed before even thinking about the power availale! Cheers mate! You up for the saturday morning hoon?
What saturday morning hoon? I suspect as you're down south somewhere, I'll be a long way away.... anyway, isn't it just for you Yellow nutters?!
Hopefully we'll catch up sometime soon at a TVRCC trackday.
BTW - took the car up to 7k rpm today for the first time - haven't risked it for 2500m and two months until I was confident of handling it. Oh god. I need new pants!
Still haven't got the change-up light lit though..... must try harder!Gassing Station | Cerbera | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff