Discussion
Hi, have currently got my chimp 500 up for sale in the classifieds but am a little unsure what to change it for. I'm currently thinking a cerb although quite a few people have put me off saying it will financially ruin me!
I use my chim 4 days a week and cover 60 miles each journey and in 1 year it has never let me down. I have probably spent about £2000 in maintenace over this period but have been warned the cerb will cost me alot more. I'm looking to complete the same journey in the cerb throughout summer and winter as it will be my every day runner so how will it fair up to the cerb?
good move or bad move.
If good what cerb to go for?
If bad any good alternatives?
I use my chim 4 days a week and cover 60 miles each journey and in 1 year it has never let me down. I have probably spent about £2000 in maintenace over this period but have been warned the cerb will cost me alot more. I'm looking to complete the same journey in the cerb throughout summer and winter as it will be my every day runner so how will it fair up to the cerb?
good move or bad move.
If good what cerb to go for?
If bad any good alternatives?
I did the same thing and have not regretted it one bit, I went for a 4.5. I've only had it for 3 months but the only thing I've HAD to spend on was clutch - but I bought the car cheap knowing it needed doing anyway. I had to spend more on my chim in the first few months. I've done some other upgrades though. However, as in any sports cars if you buy a duffer you will end up paying for it. They are not cheap cars to run (as you will see through peoples profiles) but you also don't need to be a millionaire to own one. Best bet is to look up some local owners for a chat/drive, that's what I did.
the general consensus is 4.5 is the best from a tuning potential purpose nut there is not much in it real world terms from the 4.2 Im told. I just wanted the quickest thing possible and it jsut happens that a '99 4.5 turned up! Personally i'd stay away from a speed6 unless it's been rebuilt recently (or you get it dirt cheap). Many say that the 6 is easier to drive but at the end of the day a cerb is supposed to be hardcore in my view! There are loads of comparison threads just do a search. RE cars for 13k you wont have that much choice - will get either early car, one with loads of miles, a moody colour or one that needs work. I personally went for a newer car with 50odd thou miles but that needed some cosmetics/TLC. At the end of the day a more expensive car doesnt mean it wont need any work doing so beware. What helps is the guy I bought it from was desperate to sell for genuine financial reasons.
I went from a Chim 400 to a Cerb 4.5. They seem a bit more fragile but not that much more than my Chim so far comparing service costs and so on. Possibly more likely to need new bits though - clutch for example.
Difference in car is total though. Obviously the Cerb is a hard top & a 2+2 for one thing. Cerb performance in going, stopping and handling is in some other place above my old Chim. Much more screaming racecar than burbling rumbly sportscar. Power delivery & engine characteristics are completely different.
I really like it & as soon as I was on my first testdrive I knew I had to have one. But they're different cars entirely & you need to drive one to see.
Difference in car is total though. Obviously the Cerb is a hard top & a 2+2 for one thing. Cerb performance in going, stopping and handling is in some other place above my old Chim. Much more screaming racecar than burbling rumbly sportscar. Power delivery & engine characteristics are completely different.
I really like it & as soon as I was on my first testdrive I knew I had to have one. But they're different cars entirely & you need to drive one to see.
I went from Chim 4.0 to 4.2 Cerbera because my mileage has come right down, I'm not sure I would have gone for the Cerbera if I was doing the same number of miles. I did about 55K in 5 years in the Chim and never had an major problems. The cerbera is very different from the chim, but thats what I wanted, you must drive one to see what you think, only troublre is you'll them want one. I tried a Tuscan before the Cerbera, but it just didn't seem as exciting to drive.
Good look hunting and enjoy trying a few!
Good look hunting and enjoy trying a few!
Thanks for all of your response.
I'll be out this weekend to take a look at a couple although i may have to increase my budget it seems!
Re: miles
I will definitly be covering 10k a year if not more than, perhaps i should consider a second car? the thought of having a TVR on the drive not being used untill the weekend seems kind of pointless though!
if you've got it drive it.
I'll be out this weekend to take a look at a couple although i may have to increase my budget it seems!
Re: miles
I will definitly be covering 10k a year if not more than, perhaps i should consider a second car? the thought of having a TVR on the drive not being used untill the weekend seems kind of pointless though!
if you've got it drive it.
Warnster said:
Thanks for all of your response.
I'll be out this weekend to take a look at a couple although i may have to increase my budget it seems!
Re: miles
I will definitly be covering 10k a year if not more than, perhaps i should consider a second car? the thought of having a TVR on the drive not being used untill the weekend seems kind of pointless though!
if you've got it drive it.
I'll be out this weekend to take a look at a couple although i may have to increase my budget it seems!
Re: miles
I will definitly be covering 10k a year if not more than, perhaps i should consider a second car? the thought of having a TVR on the drive not being used untill the weekend seems kind of pointless though!
if you've got it drive it.
A second car is not a bad idea. Drive the cerb when the weather is good and not so dangerous. You can then play with the cerb without worrying if you get it finished or not!
I use mine as a daily drive, every day regardless of weather etc. not let me down yet and you just have you sensible head on - cold, damp road cold tyres - drive VERY carefully, sunny warm day drive carefully! 
just kidding, the car does about 15mpg round town, more on the longer drives and has just had an engine rebuild after 29k bigest factor is the HUUUUUUuuge grin every time i get in and start it up. Go for it fella....
just kidding, the car does about 15mpg round town, more on the longer drives and has just had an engine rebuild after 29k bigest factor is the HUUUUUUuuge grin every time i get in and start it up. Go for it fella....240 miles a week - so guessing 10-12K miles a year.
Servicing is £600+ on the 6k service £800+ on the 12K service. £1200 isn't unknown for the 12k service. Unless you're lucky and time it in the quiet periods when there are discounts to be had.
Mileage - I was getting 22mpg mixed driving over winter, this seems to have dropped to 18mpg, possibly as I've discovered Shell V-Power and the nice weather. I have had 27mpg on a long run at 95 units per hour
Servicing is £600+ on the 6k service £800+ on the 12K service. £1200 isn't unknown for the 12k service. Unless you're lucky and time it in the quiet periods when there are discounts to be had.
Mileage - I was getting 22mpg mixed driving over winter, this seems to have dropped to 18mpg, possibly as I've discovered Shell V-Power and the nice weather. I have had 27mpg on a long run at 95 units per hour
I went from a very well sorted Chimaera 500 to a 4.5 Red Rose Cerbera.
I thought the Chimaera was a warp drive vehicle, but the Cerb is in a different dimension - acceleration, handling, composure, braking and cornering.
Try one. It will set your trousers on fire.
My (admittedly fairly short term) experience is that they're not hugely more expensive to run.
Mine seems to like constant use which is probably true of all TVR's.
I thought the Chimaera was a warp drive vehicle, but the Cerb is in a different dimension - acceleration, handling, composure, braking and cornering.
Try one. It will set your trousers on fire.
My (admittedly fairly short term) experience is that they're not hugely more expensive to run.
Mine seems to like constant use which is probably true of all TVR's.
What they said. The Cerb is a fire breathing bundle of mentalness, but if you go for a test drive you WILL fall in love and you WILL want one. I do about 200miles a week and YES it has cost me a fortune as I deliberately bough a bottom-end one and have built her back up to her former glory, apart from that 16 to 18mpg is normal around town, get a few more on a run if you can find the willpower to keep the fun pedal up a bit and around the 80 - 90 lepton mark.
Chimaera - A gorgeous soft-top growling sports cruiser
Cerbera - A mental road going racecar
NUFF SAID
Anecdote - The name Cerbera is derived from "Cerberus", the mythical beastie said to guard the gates of Hades - Drive one, you'll find out why.
Edited by V8Cerbera on Saturday 21st April 12:13
I went from chim 4.0 to cerb 4.2 and they are like chalk and cheese. I've had to fork out for an engine rebuild during my time with the cerb after the timing chain let go but still would not have swapped this time for anything.
I find the cerb is more comfy for cruising than the chim but when you put your foot down it blows the chimaera into the weeds so best of both worlds really as long as you don't mind missing the soft top option.
I used to have the roof off all year unless it was raining but don't miss it that much. Now the drivers window is permanently open instead so you get the full v8 sound track
Go drive one though as they are very different.
As to running costs - you only live once, so do it now before they make them illegal.
I find the cerb is more comfy for cruising than the chim but when you put your foot down it blows the chimaera into the weeds so best of both worlds really as long as you don't mind missing the soft top option.
I used to have the roof off all year unless it was raining but don't miss it that much. Now the drivers window is permanently open instead so you get the full v8 sound track
Go drive one though as they are very different.
As to running costs - you only live once, so do it now before they make them illegal.
malman said:
I went from chim 4.0 to cerb 4.2 and they are like chalk and cheese. I've had to fork out for an engine rebuild during my time with the cerb after the timing chain let go but still would not have swapped this time for anything.
I find the cerb is more comfy for cruising than the chim but when you put your foot down it blows the chimaera into the weeds so best of both worlds really as long as you don't mind missing the soft top option.
I used to have the roof off all year unless it was raining but don't miss it that much. Now the drivers window is permanently open instead so you get the full v8 sound track
Go drive one though as they are very different.
As to running costs - you only live once, so do it now before they make them illegal.
I find the cerb is more comfy for cruising than the chim but when you put your foot down it blows the chimaera into the weeds so best of both worlds really as long as you don't mind missing the soft top option.
I used to have the roof off all year unless it was raining but don't miss it that much. Now the drivers window is permanently open instead so you get the full v8 sound track
Go drive one though as they are very different.
As to running costs - you only live once, so do it now before they make them illegal.
Well said that manhugepiece said:
the general consensus is 4.5 is the best from a tuning potential purpose nut there is not much in it real world terms from the 4.2 Im told. I just wanted the quickest thing possible and it jsut happens that a '99 4.5 turned up! Personally i'd stay away from a speed6 unless it's been rebuilt recently (or you get it dirt cheap). Many say that the 6 is easier to drive but at the end of the day a cerb is supposed to be hardcore in my view! There are loads of comparison threads just do a search. RE cars for 13k you wont have that much choice - will get either early car, one with loads of miles, a moody colour or one that needs work. I personally went for a newer car with 50odd thou miles but that needed some cosmetics/TLC. At the end of the day a more expensive car doesnt mean it wont need any work doing so beware. What helps is the guy I bought it from was desperate to sell for genuine financial reasons.
Mine's a 99 4.5 and needs attention. Currently appears to have a fuel problem. How do I (a) fix it and (b) make it the fastest?
I went from Chim 4.5 to Cerb 4.5 to Cerb 4.5.
I loved my Chim, bought as an ex-demo from Gatwick TVR back in Jan 98.
I thought it was fast until I got the Cerb !
The Chim is a great cruiser with trad brit sports car looks and the lovely Rover v8 warble. It is easy to live with.
The cerb is very different - much faster, handles much better, looks like a supercar, sounds like hell, but can be driven calmly and sedately.
After a Cerb I am not sure I could return to a Chim.
Funnily enough I have a Cerb for sale in the classifieds - The Aston MArtin coloured 4.5.
I loved my Chim, bought as an ex-demo from Gatwick TVR back in Jan 98.
I thought it was fast until I got the Cerb !
The Chim is a great cruiser with trad brit sports car looks and the lovely Rover v8 warble. It is easy to live with.
The cerb is very different - much faster, handles much better, looks like a supercar, sounds like hell, but can be driven calmly and sedately.
After a Cerb I am not sure I could return to a Chim.
Funnily enough I have a Cerb for sale in the classifieds - The Aston MArtin coloured 4.5.
copilot said:
hugepiece said:
the general consensus is 4.5 is the best from a tuning potential purpose nut there is not much in it real world terms from the 4.2 Im told. I just wanted the quickest thing possible and it jsut happens that a '99 4.5 turned up! Personally i'd stay away from a speed6 unless it's been rebuilt recently (or you get it dirt cheap). Many say that the 6 is easier to drive but at the end of the day a cerb is supposed to be hardcore in my view! There are loads of comparison threads just do a search. RE cars for 13k you wont have that much choice - will get either early car, one with loads of miles, a moody colour or one that needs work. I personally went for a newer car with 50odd thou miles but that needed some cosmetics/TLC. At the end of the day a more expensive car doesnt mean it wont need any work doing so beware. What helps is the guy I bought it from was desperate to sell for genuine financial reasons.
Mine's a 99 4.5 and needs attention. Currently appears to have a fuel problem. How do I (a) fix it and (b) make it the fastest?
What kind of fuel problem do you have? Maybe worth posting some more info under a new topic. Someone on here is bould to be able to help or at least point you in the right direction.
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