Help want to be part of the elite Cerbera owners
Discussion
Hi i am looking into being a proude owner of the TVR Cerbera, but there are so many things to consider i dont know where to start can you please help me.
1: Which engine is best 4.2, 4.5 or speed six, which has the fewest problem and is most reliable.
2: What to look for in a cerbie, good things and bad.
I am 23 and had an insurance quote which i am happy with so thats the first BIG green tick.
Also this car would not be used as an every day car i do have a second car for that.
I would be glad if anyone can help me out in any way so that i can be as happy with my cerbie as you all are. I am aware of the some running costs and have already set aside some money in my budget for up keep of the car. This leves my budget for the car at around 16k can i get a good one for this , many thanks i look forward to you comments.
1: Which engine is best 4.2, 4.5 or speed six, which has the fewest problem and is most reliable.
2: What to look for in a cerbie, good things and bad.
I am 23 and had an insurance quote which i am happy with so thats the first BIG green tick.
Also this car would not be used as an every day car i do have a second car for that.
I would be glad if anyone can help me out in any way so that i can be as happy with my cerbie as you all are. I am aware of the some running costs and have already set aside some money in my budget for up keep of the car. This leves my budget for the car at around 16k can i get a good one for this , many thanks i look forward to you comments.
Buy the one you want, in the right condition at the right price.
You don't say what you've driven before, but any of them is going to scare you witless and punt you into a hedge if you're not careful. These aren't pretty, simple every-day normal cars. They're monsters. They'll eat your wallet, but they'll steal your heart too while you're at it.
There are multitudinous threads on this forum with advice for new/prospective owner,so have a search through, but the rule above still stands - many will say don't get a Sp6, others love them, 4.2 owners are content, 4.5s would have anything less. All three cars will do 0-100 in under ten seconds, so it's down to your style of driving and the noises you want to make while you're at it.
Also, be aware that none of these cars like sitting still - the advice posts all talk of £3k a year running costs, but these can quickly spiral, and when you're getting teen fuel economy, the costs can add up to terrifying amounts. So only taking her out on high days and holidays is the best way to falling out with your bank manager and your love of the car...
Finally, please please please forgive me for saying this (flamejacket on), but unless you've spent a few years working up the ladder of performance cars then the Cerbera will bite your arm off - it is named after the three-headed dog that guarded the entrance to Hades after all..... Driver training is the most important "upgrade" you'll ever put on one of these cars - do consider factoring it into the cost. Remember 350+hp, 1100kg and no ABS or traction control can make for a bit of a handful.
Then again if you've driven 80's Porsche turbos and Ferraris, had a sucession of such cars, then the Cerbera will be a great challenge to master, but one that you're more than capable of tackling.
Have a good hunt through the forum, and best of luck - look forward to hearing of your search for the right one for you! (and don't let them tell you yellow is the fastest colour....
)
You don't say what you've driven before, but any of them is going to scare you witless and punt you into a hedge if you're not careful. These aren't pretty, simple every-day normal cars. They're monsters. They'll eat your wallet, but they'll steal your heart too while you're at it.
There are multitudinous threads on this forum with advice for new/prospective owner,so have a search through, but the rule above still stands - many will say don't get a Sp6, others love them, 4.2 owners are content, 4.5s would have anything less. All three cars will do 0-100 in under ten seconds, so it's down to your style of driving and the noises you want to make while you're at it.
Also, be aware that none of these cars like sitting still - the advice posts all talk of £3k a year running costs, but these can quickly spiral, and when you're getting teen fuel economy, the costs can add up to terrifying amounts. So only taking her out on high days and holidays is the best way to falling out with your bank manager and your love of the car...
Finally, please please please forgive me for saying this (flamejacket on), but unless you've spent a few years working up the ladder of performance cars then the Cerbera will bite your arm off - it is named after the three-headed dog that guarded the entrance to Hades after all..... Driver training is the most important "upgrade" you'll ever put on one of these cars - do consider factoring it into the cost. Remember 350+hp, 1100kg and no ABS or traction control can make for a bit of a handful.
Then again if you've driven 80's Porsche turbos and Ferraris, had a sucession of such cars, then the Cerbera will be a great challenge to master, but one that you're more than capable of tackling.
Have a good hunt through the forum, and best of luck - look forward to hearing of your search for the right one for you! (and don't let them tell you yellow is the fastest colour....
) 
...//P//
r7oky said:
so come on then guys what engine ive been doing a bit of research and think the speed 6 is out as people seem to say the v8s sound better so which one 4.2 or 4.5. I do really hope i can get everything sorted and wil be able own a cerbie
Refer to the first reply - condition, condition, condition.
Go and drive a few - you'll soon find you either like one or other, or you can't tell the damned difference and just buy THAT one because it's pink. Or yellow. But hopefully it's a dark colour - 'cause they're quicker!
From what I gather, if your 4.2 goes bang in a BIG way, you may if unlucky need to buy a 4.5 as a replacement. In reality that is likely to buy you no more than piece of mind, as the odds of a good 4.2 going bang in a big way are slim and far less than a speed 6 going bang [flamesuit]which for the record according to owners are largely sorted and now to be taken seriously, the newer or rebuilt ones anyway [/suit]
re: 4.2 vs 4.5, from what I gather, you will not be able to tell the difference, unless you're a BTCC or similar. Its virtually the same thing.
4.5 is better for pub talk though and comes with a shiny 4.5 badge (Which if like me you will undoubtedly lick after purchasing ) Check the chassis and if possible get an inspection from Austec, who for £100ish will spend two hours going over the car with a fine tooth comb!
re: 4.2 vs 4.5, from what I gather, you will not be able to tell the difference, unless you're a BTCC or similar. Its virtually the same thing.
4.5 is better for pub talk though
and comes with a shiny 4.5 badge (Which if like me you will undoubtedly lick after purchasing ) Check the chassis and if possible get an inspection from Austec, who for £100ish will spend two hours going over the car with a fine tooth comb!
many thanks to you all all your help is very usefull, ive been given a firm insurance quote that im more than happy with for someone of my age 23, i think it will take me a few months to find the right one, but im sure its out there some where, keep the useful info coming.
I have herd you all mention adjusting throttle pots alot could someone plese just fill me in a bit more on how often they need doing and what cost etc....
I have herd you all mention adjusting throttle pots alot could someone plese just fill me in a bit more on how often they need doing and what cost etc....
I wouldn't worry too much about the throttle pots, some need adjusting now and again but most appear to be done just at servicing.
Some owners will adjust their own. I guess they would also be checked if the car is in for any work as it's quite easy to check when the computer is plugged in.
There are other things to be concerned about, read the sticky at the top
Some owners will adjust their own. I guess they would also be checked if the car is in for any work as it's quite easy to check when the computer is plugged in.
There are other things to be concerned about, read the sticky at the top
r7oky said:
the speed 6 is out as people seem to say the v8s sound better
Hmmmm. Wouldn't buy it based on that. Most people discount the S6 as early engines had a few issues. A few more because of the bragging rights, etc.
So, if you get an S6 that's had a recent rebuild to fix any problems, you won't notice the negligible difference in power. You will notice the difference in driveability around town, though. And you will also get a much, much newer car for you money.
Buying a Cerb at the 16k price-range is always a bit of a gamble. But if I had to pick, I'd rather take the risks on a 3 year newer car with a (recently) sorted S6.
Here I go again 
, marching into the fray. The V8s dont sound better just different, I much prefferred the roar of the S6 engine. Please dont expect Cerbie V8s to sound like Rover V8s, THEY DONT!, they are flat plane crank and dont rumble. I think they sound like chaved up Escorts, but thats just my opinion of course 
. Ps I might mave a fantastic S6 for sale at exactly your price.
, marching into the fray. The V8s dont sound better just different, I much prefferred the roar of the S6 engine. Please dont expect Cerbie V8s to sound like Rover V8s, THEY DONT!, they are flat plane crank and dont rumble. I think they sound like chaved up Escorts, but thats just my opinion of course . Ps I might mave a fantastic S6 for sale at exactly your price.Gassing Station | Cerbera | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff