Discussion
Hi all
I'm currently looking for a new (second hand) car and I've always had a soft spot for the TVR. The Cerbera would be my weapon of choice but to be honest I'm a little scared!
I'm 30 and mostly have driven BMW. I'm currently in an accord type r
- long story, but I'm about to get rid after making some money in a business venture.
Anyway, the likely road was back to bmw but I really fancy something different but I'm not much use under the bonnet. I have a local trusted indy who would normally do all my work.
Can the Cerbera be used as an every day car, I only do about 8 to 9k miles a year and about half would be on the motorway at the weekend, during the week it's a case of driving to and from work. Would the TVR be suitable?
Budget wise I suppose after looking on PH the last few weeks I've enough for a decent one £12k-14k, insurance wouldn't be much of an issue.
Maybe the Cerbera is the one to go for but it's certainly the one I think is the most beautiful! I'm sure there are lots of things to look out for, as there is with any motor so I won't ask for specifics - that's what the search button is for
So, in a nut shell - am I mad looking at TVR if I have no mechanical experience, will I be able to use it as an everyday car and lastly will it cost be a fortune to service and run?
Thanks
Ciaran
I'm currently looking for a new (second hand) car and I've always had a soft spot for the TVR. The Cerbera would be my weapon of choice but to be honest I'm a little scared!
I'm 30 and mostly have driven BMW. I'm currently in an accord type r
- long story, but I'm about to get rid after making some money in a business venture.Anyway, the likely road was back to bmw but I really fancy something different but I'm not much use under the bonnet. I have a local trusted indy who would normally do all my work.
Can the Cerbera be used as an every day car, I only do about 8 to 9k miles a year and about half would be on the motorway at the weekend, during the week it's a case of driving to and from work. Would the TVR be suitable?
Budget wise I suppose after looking on PH the last few weeks I've enough for a decent one £12k-14k, insurance wouldn't be much of an issue.
Maybe the Cerbera is the one to go for but it's certainly the one I think is the most beautiful! I'm sure there are lots of things to look out for, as there is with any motor so I won't ask for specifics - that's what the search button is for
So, in a nut shell - am I mad looking at TVR if I have no mechanical experience, will I be able to use it as an everyday car and lastly will it cost be a fortune to service and run?
Thanks
Ciaran
Well without going into specifics - get one!
I had wanted a Cerb for years, and finally I said sod it I'm getting one.
Havn't regretted it. It will cost more than a BMW to run but not more than a Porsche 911 Turbo, a Ferrari, a Lambo etc but will be faster and more fun.
And can be used as a daily driver.
Just make sure you get a good one. Use the services of Rob Ingleby (www.findasportscar.co.uk) or James Agger etc; Make sure you get the car serviced regularly (any decent indy mecanic can do most things, or there are lots of people around the UK with TVr experience).
If you don't get one now, you'll always regret it!
Andy.
I had wanted a Cerb for years, and finally I said sod it I'm getting one.
Havn't regretted it. It will cost more than a BMW to run but not more than a Porsche 911 Turbo, a Ferrari, a Lambo etc but will be faster and more fun.
And can be used as a daily driver.
Just make sure you get a good one. Use the services of Rob Ingleby (www.findasportscar.co.uk) or James Agger etc; Make sure you get the car serviced regularly (any decent indy mecanic can do most things, or there are lots of people around the UK with TVr experience).
If you don't get one now, you'll always regret it!
Andy.
Ciaran said:
I have no mechanical experience
Ciaran
If you buy a Cerbera you soon will have!Ciaran
I used my Cerbera to get me to work, about 15k/pa. She never let me down. I really think they like being used, and if you do use them you get to know them very well indeed.
Look at lots of cars, have a few inspected and drive some. You will know the right one when you see it.
my honest opinion, even as a Cerb owner myself, you'd be better off getting a Griff (or a Chim if you're visually impaired 
) for a year. Prices are fairly stable and you shouldnt lose too much swapping to a Cerb a year on.
Many run Cerbs as daily cars. But it wont be cheap.
Break yourself in gently
) for a year. Prices are fairly stable and you shouldnt lose too much swapping to a Cerb a year on.Many run Cerbs as daily cars. But it wont be cheap.
Break yourself in gently
Hi Ciaran,
Do it.
I posted a similar thread here about six weeks ago and am coming close to 4,000 miles in 5 weeks - I can't stop driving it.
I've had a cople of niggles but none were biggies - read the threads here and sorted them in minutes; my mechanical skills total changing the tyre pressure and topping up oil & water.
My thread is here - http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?h=0... - you'll get the benefit from all the great advice I did and then come to the best decision you ever made. Eurobox? NO. Cerbera
I went for a 4.5 which gives you more options if you want to play with the performance later and insured it through A Plan who have a sticky on this forum - £15k budget should do and make sure you've got enough for the servicing.
Enjoy!!!
Do it.
I posted a similar thread here about six weeks ago and am coming close to 4,000 miles in 5 weeks - I can't stop driving it.
I've had a cople of niggles but none were biggies - read the threads here and sorted them in minutes; my mechanical skills total changing the tyre pressure and topping up oil & water.
My thread is here - http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?h=0... - you'll get the benefit from all the great advice I did and then come to the best decision you ever made. Eurobox? NO. Cerbera
I went for a 4.5 which gives you more options if you want to play with the performance later and insured it through A Plan who have a sticky on this forum - £15k budget should do and make sure you've got enough for the servicing.
Enjoy!!!
Sorry Chim owners!I had starting reading your topic last night Donny - very informative, I'll have a read through the various posts over the next few days. I honestly think the Cerbera is the nicest looking ove the three mentioned so it would be very hard to see past that.
I'm going to speak to my mechanic and see what experience he has of them, they are actually selling a Chimaera but it doesn't really float my boat.
I'm going to speak to my mechanic and see what experience he has of them, they are actually selling a Chimaera but it doesn't really float my boat.
Kerberos said:
I'd wanted a cerb for year's and finally got one about 3 weeks ago. The only regret, why I waited year's to take the plunge. 
Me too but bought mine last August. Used the services of both Rob Ingleby and James Agger and eventually bought from James. JA certainly has the contacts to find beautiful examples of whatever TVR you're looking for and put right the few little problems I had with it on his warranty (two new drop links)
I know that he's a used car salesman but top bloke nonetheless
i've had my cerb 5 yrs now. fantastic car, and really dont fancy anything else.its been reliable and can scare you every time you take it out. always come back with your heart pounding. i personaly would not use mine as an every day car. way to special for that. also, if your used to german cars you can just jump in and drive off from cold. you try that every morning in a cerb and you will soon have problems. you have to start the car, wait till the temp gauge reads some heat then crive below 3000 revs untill the oil has warmed up properly, usualy 4 or 5 miles. if your not prepared to do that each morning i would still by a cerb wiyhout a doubt, but would buy a cheapy for work. good luck. if you go for it the advice on here regarding rob i. and james a is spot on.
Personally speaking, if you have no interest in getting your hands dirty and at least learning the basic mechanical stuff then I wouldn't bother, unless 1.) it's your second car and 2.) you have enough money to shell out as and when needed.
There are loads of plus points as above, but in my opinion it's better the devil you know. The more I get involved with the car the more enjoyable it becomes. I like mending bits and tinkering here and there.
Only my own personal opinion.
MB
There are loads of plus points as above, but in my opinion it's better the devil you know. The more I get involved with the car the more enjoyable it becomes. I like mending bits and tinkering here and there.
Only my own personal opinion.
MB
It's not that I'm not interested in getting my hands dirty - I would love to, but I don't have the tools or the skills to do so. I would be worried that if I started something I'd never get round to finishing it.
To use the cerb as a second car would be the more obvious decision as during the week it wouldn't get the attention it would need. In saying that, I think it would be hard to drive off in the mornings seeing it in my mirror - regardless of how many miles I was going
To use the cerb as a second car would be the more obvious decision as during the week it wouldn't get the attention it would need. In saying that, I think it would be hard to drive off in the mornings seeing it in my mirror - regardless of how many miles I was going
Ciaran said:
It's not that I'm not interested in getting my hands dirty - I would love to, but I don't have the tools or the skills to do so. I would be worried that if I started something I'd never get round to finishing it.
To use the cerb as a second car would be the more obvious decision as during the week it wouldn't get the attention it would need. In saying that, I think it would be hard to drive off in the mornings seeing it in my mirror - regardless of how many miles I was going
In which case, you may as well go ahead and get one. For instance as a starter, if you wanted to up the idle of the car if it was stalling when cold all you need is 2 x 8mm spanners and 5 mins to post your question here on PH and you're away.To use the cerb as a second car would be the more obvious decision as during the week it wouldn't get the attention it would need. In saying that, I think it would be hard to drive off in the mornings seeing it in my mirror - regardless of how many miles I was going
Loads of things can be done on sunny afternoons. Post on here, nip down your local car/motor shop and then apply a bit of common sense and you can get going. It's very satisfying looking after such a fine beast and of course you save yourself a few quid and can bore everybody down the pub with your tales/yarns.
MB
Short time living - Long time dead!
Been waiting since I was 16 yrs old. 10 years on, I brought one 2 weeks ago.
I could spend all night trying to encourage you to own one.
If you get the itch, you got to scratch because it will never go away until you do!!
Question is....Do you realy have the itch?
Been waiting since I was 16 yrs old. 10 years on, I brought one 2 weeks ago.
I could spend all night trying to encourage you to own one.
If you get the itch, you got to scratch because it will never go away until you do!!
Question is....Do you realy have the itch?
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