Chimaera To Cerbera? When Hell Freezes Over!

[Flintstone]

So. 'er indoors says she thinks she should have a Fiestagolfrollerskate as her car and I should have the 'family' car (which at the moment is a BMW 318i Touring that only overtakes by appointment, in writing, with three weeks notice).

I've had Chimaeras for three years the current being a 500. Giving up the performance I'm used to is going to be very, very difficult. No. In fact I won't. I need to find a comparable replacement. Finding something with four seats that goes and handles like I'm used to is going to take some doing though. I've looked at XKRs, Monaros and a few others but none do it for me.

I chose the Chimaera for the V8 easy fixability and cheap(ish) parts, So if I try to convince myself that a Cerb will do the job do I stick with the V8? If I do will the extra two seats mean I have to give a little on performance? Will the AJP engine be less reliable? Does my bum look big in this? Questions, questions, questions.


PS. Does anyone fancy a weekend swop so we can see if we each want the other car?

PPS. Does anyone want to take the wife off my hands?

[BLUETHUNDER]

Engine wise it wont be less reliable,but the bills will be a lot bigger.

[Wilder]

But its also a lot faster

[TT Tim]

Yep, AJPV8 will be faster than a 5.0RV8, but the power delivery is totally different.

The rear seats are VERY small on the Cerb' neither the wife or I can fit in the back, but then we are lanky 6 footers, for under 10s they should be fine

Tim

Edited by TT Tim on Sunday 1st April 08:06

[Caduceus]

What they all said.

key component parts just as reliable, but the Cerb will need more fettling than the RV8 and will cost more.

Already my Cerb has cost more than BOTH previous RV8 TVRs I've had, put together.
And I'm STILL having problems. But in this case, its not the cars fault.

[betty_swallocks]

Flintstone said:

PPS. Does anyone want to take the wife off my hands?

Put up a pic and we'l have an auction

[Flintstone]

Not what I wanted to hear


I've not spent fortunes maintaining my Chimaeras but the 'twice as expensive' message is disappointing. I might have got away with the rear seats for a year or two before the children get bigger and then had to hunt something else down.

Looks like I need to get a better family wagon and keep the Chim.

Thanks folks.

[BLUETHUNDER]

I know its dissapointing.But im afraid the Chimaera is cheaper to keep on the road.Thats one thing i miss about my Chim and the noise.How about this.I replaced the clutch on my Chimaera with a new LR Hi Cap V8 heavy duty one for £195.Try doing that with a Cerb.

[Wilder]

True -if your even considering running a Cerb on a shoe string -then think again -you wont.

[bindit]

I've had a chimaera before and currently own a cerbera. My main reason for buying the cerb was i needed the rear seats... for our dog!! But there really is very little room and the couple of times kids have been in the back, it was a joke.

As someone said previously, the biggest thing i miss is that glorious RV8 sound soundtrack, instead, with the AJP, you get what sounds like two straight fours bolted together. But it does pull throughout the rev range and is a hoot to drive. I'm preparing for £3k bills this year.

Rob

[brooksie]

BLUETHUNDER said:

I replaced the clutch on my Chimaera with a new LR Hi Cap V8 heavy duty one for £195.Try doing that with a Cerb.

yes i paid 4 times that

I've owned the car about 10 weeks and spent a grand .. needs a service too now ...

it .. its only money