Test the water or take the plunge?

[StefT]

Hi there

After many years wishing I could have a TVR I'm now about to take the plunge and buy one. I considered a 500 Chim but what I've wanted since seeing one at the motorshow in Brum is a Cerbera. I've read loads of reviews ranging from dog's breakfast to dog's b****x. Is there a huge difference between the 4.2 and the 4.5 regards performance and running costs? What should I pay particular attention to when viewing a Cerb (other than full history etc)? I've read lots of horror stories about bits falling off and parts failing too.

I want to keep the car indefinitely and use it mainly in good weather with occasional use for commuting (45 miles round trip)

I've e-mailed a couple of advertisers in the classifieds section but no reply yet (

Not really interested in a Six and prefer the growl of the V8s

[Duke Thrust]

I wanted a Cerb, but bought a Chim 500 first for that comfort factor - Chim lasted about 8 months, now I have a totally gorgeous Cerb.

Buy the one you want as you'll only regret it every time you see one.

Not much difference between 4.2 and 4.5, 4.5 has more potential for upgrades, others prefer the 'rawness' of the 4.2. You pays your money, you takes your choice.

Most important thing is condition. Don't dismiss the speed 6, great engine and loads of very good deals out there.

[gazzab]

What is your budget?
Buy private and save a bundle.
Buy a 'known' car that has been well looked after.
Allow for £3K pa running costs (servicing and repairs) plus fuel and ins and tax.

[StefT]

Not really thought about a budget! I suppose up to £20K for the right car. If there's not much between the two V8s I'm not that fussed on engine size and truth be told I'm never likely to drive the thing to anywhere near it's limits..I know mine and they're well below what the car was built for! The only mods I'm likely to make will be a sports exhaust and set of spiders if these aren't already fitted. Is ac standard on all models? What I know for definite is that I want a magnolia or cream interior, some of the reds and blacks that I've seen don't suit the car IMHO. Other than that, I'm happy to have a look at a few before making my mind up. I quite like the look of the purple prowler in the classifieds section although the missus seems to like the metallic blues.

[MegatronUK]

StefT said:

Not really thought about a budget! I suppose up to £20K for the right car. If there's not much between the two V8s I'm not that fussed on engine size and truth be told I'm never likely to drive the thing to anywhere near it's limits..I know mine and they're well below what the car was built for! The only mods I'm likely to make will be a sports exhaust and set of spiders if these aren't already fitted. Is ac standard on all models? What I know for definite is that I want a magnolia or cream interior, some of the reds and blacks that I've seen don't suit the car IMHO. Other than that, I'm happy to have a look at a few before making my mind up. I quite like the look of the purple prowler in the classifieds section although the missus seems to like the metallic blues.

Stef, I'm in exactly the same position right now. Decided I want a Cerb and have a budget of £19-20k. That should get a very good late pre-lightweight model (1999 or thereabouts) from a private seller, dealers will abviously be slightly older for the same price.

Yes, the prowler purple 4.5 has caught my eye too

[hbeck]

I took the "plunge" into TVR ownership back in Oct last year, and enjoy every moment in the Cerb. Drive as many as you can 4.2/ 4.5's, they can vary alot from one car to another.

Try to get along to a TVRCC monhtly met and I'm sure you will find many a, Cerb owner willing to take you out in their car . You will also gleam invaluable knowledge that will also help you choose a good one. Their not cheap to run, but IMO theres nothing out there for the money to touch a Cerb in breath taking performence, once you've test driven one theres no turning back!

[Captain Beaky]

StefT said:

I'm never likely to drive the thing to anywhere near it's limits..I know mine and they're well below what the car was built for!

Maybe put aside some money for training. You still might not get close to the car's limits on the road but you'll certainly get closer.

StefT said:

Is ac standard on all models?

No

StefT said:

the missus seems to like the metallic blues.

Quite right, they're the fastest.

[Rocket786]

Hi fella

I'm in the same boat. Had loads of BMW's but want a beast to basically show off and I cant think of much better than a cerb at the moment....I'm seeing a 6 tomorrow and I'll let u know how that went

[flashheart]

GO FOR IT.

I have had mine for over 3yrs now and yes things do go wrong. Something went wrong every w/e for the first 5 weekends and I have to admit that I almost sold it as a result; after that little episode I have not had any trouble. It costs a lot to maintain but doesn't every supercar? If you cannot spare £2-3000 per year on tyres/servicing/mods etc then do not bother buying one in the first place is the common thought. In my 3 yrs I have spent £5600 on stuff (see profile) but, if I am honest, I would not change a thing.

I spent ages trying to justify spending £25k on a car but some random chap I met in a bar summed it up perfectly. If you buy one and aim to keep it for a year, at the end of that year your money will still be there (give or take). You may have had to spend a few grand on stuff and of course general running costs but your money is still there and you can sell it. All you have had is one years expensive motoring. Believe you and me though it will be a year of fun! Unfortunately, you will no doubt be like the rest of us - once the bug has bitten.......

Buying a Cerb is like any other car really. The FTVRSH is a must, IMHO, but other than that there is little to check that you would not do on any car. You can contact the TVRCC and pay £30 (it was when I did it) and get a full history on the car if you phone them up or anopther route is to buy the car off one of the experts; James Agger springs to mind but I have no personal experience of this as I just went and looked at mine and bought it straight away. You will, of course, pay a premium for the service but it may give you piece of mind. There is no guarantee of course that the clutch will not go the week after you buy it! C'est la vie.

As for the V8 noise - I think you will be disappointed. The engine has a flat-plane crank and the way the cylinders are lit up, the exhaust note sounds more like a V4 rather than the classic burble of the older Rover-engined V8s. It is noisy damned though.

Buy one and be done with it. You will be smiling for years. After all how many Porsches/BMWs/Imprezas do you see on a daily basis? Apart from TVR meets I have only seen 2 other Cerberas on the road (cause they all in the garage being fixed aarf

Edited by flashheart on Sunday 18th June 07:28

[betty_swallocks]

for every bit of pleasure you will get a bit of pain
sometimes the pain outways the pleasure and sometimes the pleasure outways the pain
but one things for certain, if you dont buy one, you will never experience all that PLEASURE
trust me, its better than sex

[jensena]

Buy my 4.2 !! - Open to offers now cos my new(er) 4.5 is sat in the garage and I want to get it out and start playing with it, but cant afford to till this one goes :-(

[Ireland]

Hello all.

I'm new to this forum but I'm looking on at this topic with interest.

I'm searching for a Cerbera at the moment too so all the advise I can get will be helpful.

I do know what I'm letting myself in for with potential problems, etc but I'm not afraid and well capable to get my hands dirty.

As the car I buy will not be my main car (it'll end up being 3rd or maybe even 4th) should I be ok with a good condition, sorted '97 or '98 model or is it likely to give me loads of grief?


Thanks in advance.