which to buy? best engine for reliability?

[sideways500]

Hi All,
This is my first post on the Cerbera boards. I used to have a Griffith 500, then got kids, so had a break from TVRs but am now considering a Cerbera. I've read some of the threads and driven some examples of each engine type in the past, but I have a few basic questions (sorry if they've been covered before, link please?)...

1. Are the AJP8s more reliable than SP6? I'm not expecting Porsche levels of reliability, but would like to go with the lowest risk engine design, if there is such a thing.
2. Is £15k a realistic budget for purchase and year one breakages (not including insurance and basic servicing etc)?
3. Does anybody regularly carry kids in the back? Is a weekend away realistic with a pair of under threes (luggage and seat size etc)

Thanks for your help.

[BCA]

Welcome, buy sensibly and yes to all three.

Any further questions?

[whatever]

sideways500 said:

3. Does anybody regularly carry kids in the back? Is a weekend away realistic with a pair of under threes (luggage and seat size etc)

We did the recent north Wales weekend trip 4-up (with a 2.5 & 4yo) and a boot full of luggage, and it was realistic. In fact, we were away 5 days so it was more than a weekend's worth of stuff. Kids enjoyed it, too.

Good luck with your purchase

[pcowen]

Go for it, we had a Chim before our little one came a long, now we have a 4.2 Cerb, we can all still go away in a TVR.

[central]

The speed6 engine has it`s own forum. Read into that what you will.

[ancol]

imho i would choose an ajp engined cerb, but no doubt some of the sp6 engine guys may disagree

[amazon]

I have a friend who has is just selling a 4.2 because he loves the Speed 6 so much....

[byker28i]

I can only tell you my experiences. I wanted a v8 - I think they sound so much better so I was after a 4.2 or 4.5, either would have done I just wanted a good one, which I got.

My budget was £15k, I've got a very good 1997 4.2 for that with money left over for servicing etc. I bought from a fellow PH member who was very knowledgeable and it was obvious he looked after his cars well.

I have a 9 year old son and a 17 year old daughter who's about 5 foot. She doesn't mind for short journeys ( an hour ish), but it might help that both myself and my wife are short.

Last October my wife and youngest went to the lakes, 4.5 hours journey and we only stopped on the way up because of a loo break. The car was very comfy, but then I've heard it was built as a grand tourer.

It has a cavernous boot which if it will take my wifes requirements for 5 days away then a family of 4 will easily travel for a fortnight Add to that I've usually got my camera and laptop.

In fact it's actually costing me a lot as now my wife fancies several weekends away in it!

In summary - do it, don't rush, pick a good one and enjoy.


Edit: Thinking about it - mine are old enough not to use booster seats/child seats etc. Anyone got any thoughts about two car seats in the back? I can't see any problems but you never know

Edited by byker28i on Friday 13th April 20:18

[sideways500]

Thanks for the responses so far. AJP8 sounds like the most likely solution for me. I'm in no rush to buy, so will start looking around. If anyone decides to sell, by all means pm me.

pcowen - do you use the TVR child seat, or some other design?

[whatever]

sideways500 said:

pcowen - do you use the TVR child seat, or some other design?

I can tell you that we use the Britax freeway, which fits nicely, especialy with the "floor hoop" mod to extend the seat base a little to provide a better footing.

Unfortunately I think it has been discontinued now, but you might find one s/h in the classifieds. Otherwise, I think the recaro one fits, but given the available space it's not a given that any seat will fit. Getting a booster seat to fit is something of a trial, too.

Either way, take the car along when you buy it, just to make sure it goes in. Also, we've found it's more or less got to go int the pax side - the seat there moves a little further forwards on the rails to accommodate the front-facing seat behind. Putting it behind the driver (and I have the seat all the way forwards) would not be ideal, as it'd mean straightening the seat rake too much for my liking.

hth.

(having said the freeway has been d/c'ed, babies'r'us seem to stock it, apparently)


eta: there're several threads on this in the archives, if you can find them

Edited by whatever on Friday 13th April 21:21