Cerbera: running one as an everyday car?
Discussion
Hi guys,
I am thinking about getting back into cars, over the last 2 years I have been working in the music industry and have no time to do anything.
Previously I was involved in running the FTO owners club and I have owned a couple of Jap cars. I currently have a very tired MR2 turbo which is fantasticly fast (in a stright line) 1/4 mile in 13.1 at Santapod.
The Mr2 has been a great car because its been so reliable, I have not looked after it much and it gets used everyday to take my other half to work in the morning traffic.
The problem with the MR2 is its only a 2 seater and its getting old. I would like to move on to something faster (I have the speed bug) that I can use on the track but that I can use daily too and get 4 people in on rare occasions.
The Cerbera looks perfect from the point of view that it has 4 deats and goes like stink.
My question is would it be suitable for the work run in the morning which normally takes 20 minutes and is all driving in slow traffic.
Can I use it every day on this basis for mainly short trips with the odd 400 mile round trip to visit family in the north east.
My biggest worry is The MR2 has been so reliable am I going to get frustrated that a TVR constantly needs fixing? I am a reasonable mechnic and have a hydrolic lift in my garage but anything thats complicated would need a garage trip.
My other worry is I have heard these cars can be money pits and while I would make sure I had a decent amount in reserve for bills, it its a never ending drain on my finances I think I would get fed up quite quickly.
I am based in Tamworth near B'ham are there any good TVR specialists in this area?
Thanks in advance
Chris
I am thinking about getting back into cars, over the last 2 years I have been working in the music industry and have no time to do anything.
Previously I was involved in running the FTO owners club and I have owned a couple of Jap cars. I currently have a very tired MR2 turbo which is fantasticly fast (in a stright line) 1/4 mile in 13.1 at Santapod.
The Mr2 has been a great car because its been so reliable, I have not looked after it much and it gets used everyday to take my other half to work in the morning traffic.
The problem with the MR2 is its only a 2 seater and its getting old. I would like to move on to something faster (I have the speed bug) that I can use on the track but that I can use daily too and get 4 people in on rare occasions.
The Cerbera looks perfect from the point of view that it has 4 deats and goes like stink.
My question is would it be suitable for the work run in the morning which normally takes 20 minutes and is all driving in slow traffic.
Can I use it every day on this basis for mainly short trips with the odd 400 mile round trip to visit family in the north east.
My biggest worry is The MR2 has been so reliable am I going to get frustrated that a TVR constantly needs fixing? I am a reasonable mechnic and have a hydrolic lift in my garage but anything thats complicated would need a garage trip.
My other worry is I have heard these cars can be money pits and while I would make sure I had a decent amount in reserve for bills, it its a never ending drain on my finances I think I would get fed up quite quickly.
I am based in Tamworth near B'ham are there any good TVR specialists in this area?
Thanks in advance
Chris
Heh Chris, i only live 5/6 miles from Tamworth and will myself soon be on the lookout for a cerbera, i can tell you that there is a very well respected tvr specialist near us in Cov, www.tvrpower.co.uk, hope this helps!
Chris Lynch said:
I think I would get fed up quite quickly.
Highly likely!IMHO, the magic of owning a cerb would rapidly dwindle when used as you describe. It can be a slog to drive, heavy steering, clunky and the turning circle of small boat. Plus, as an everyday car, there is a higher probability of bigger bills and they can soon look scruffy.
Rob
Mine gets used daily for A 1.7 mile drive to work. At least with your 20 minute journey, the oil's had chance to get up to temperature.
My twelve year old car had 26k on it when I got it, after three & half years of daily starts and a further 19k it started getting very thirsty on oil. Bearing in mind that I'm sympathetic towards it, in not going over 2.5K revs until it heats up, I'm fairly confident the frequent cold starts didn't help it much.
My seven year old car is on 42K, but hasn't used a drop of oil in 3000 miles, but only time will tell if it goes the same way as the old one.
FWIW, A rebuild off Power is approx £3.5K with a two year warranty, 6k service is about £600, 12K with tappet adjustment is approx £1000.
I'm in Rowley Regis, but have a blast past Tamworth on my way to my sisters in Moira.
My twelve year old car had 26k on it when I got it, after three & half years of daily starts and a further 19k it started getting very thirsty on oil. Bearing in mind that I'm sympathetic towards it, in not going over 2.5K revs until it heats up, I'm fairly confident the frequent cold starts didn't help it much.
My seven year old car is on 42K, but hasn't used a drop of oil in 3000 miles, but only time will tell if it goes the same way as the old one.
FWIW, A rebuild off Power is approx £3.5K with a two year warranty, 6k service is about £600, 12K with tappet adjustment is approx £1000.
I'm in Rowley Regis, but have a blast past Tamworth on my way to my sisters in Moira.
Chris
I have used mine as a daily driver for 14 months now, and have totted up around 1,000 miles a month. So it's certainly do-able, but at times it can be a bit of a pain, depending on the journey. If your 20 minute commute involves back roads and twisties then you'll have a lot of fun but if it involves a lot of other stop-start traffic then beware the heavy clutch and the heavy fuel bill! It would probably be cheaper and less stressful to get a cheap runaround to complement the Cerbera, which is what I am currently looking at doing. The other downside is that you end up having a car that looks filthy and frankly there is a limit as to how many times you can be bothered to wash it. Fortunately my car colour is 'Road Dust Grey' anyway, so I can get away with it more than most!
Also, I find I am less inclined to drive as much now if short journeys are involved (who says TVRs aren't good for the environment) - it's on the longer runs that the Cerbera comes into its own. It simply eats the miles and it's probably the most comfortable driving position of any car I've ever had (aside from the acrobatics required to get in and out). So long as you pepper the everyday driving with a few epic high speed cruises to remind you of what the car is capable of, the negative journeys will be forgotten.
In terms of the four seats, I had cause over Christmas to take a second passenger. Even with the front seat fully forward there wasn't much leg room, but the main issue was the lack of headroom. So unless it's (i) a short trip or (ii) they're very small or (iii) pissed, then the back seats only really seem useful for storage.
I have used mine as a daily driver for 14 months now, and have totted up around 1,000 miles a month. So it's certainly do-able, but at times it can be a bit of a pain, depending on the journey. If your 20 minute commute involves back roads and twisties then you'll have a lot of fun but if it involves a lot of other stop-start traffic then beware the heavy clutch and the heavy fuel bill! It would probably be cheaper and less stressful to get a cheap runaround to complement the Cerbera, which is what I am currently looking at doing. The other downside is that you end up having a car that looks filthy and frankly there is a limit as to how many times you can be bothered to wash it. Fortunately my car colour is 'Road Dust Grey' anyway, so I can get away with it more than most!
Also, I find I am less inclined to drive as much now if short journeys are involved (who says TVRs aren't good for the environment) - it's on the longer runs that the Cerbera comes into its own. It simply eats the miles and it's probably the most comfortable driving position of any car I've ever had (aside from the acrobatics required to get in and out). So long as you pepper the everyday driving with a few epic high speed cruises to remind you of what the car is capable of, the negative journeys will be forgotten.
In terms of the four seats, I had cause over Christmas to take a second passenger. Even with the front seat fully forward there wasn't much leg room, but the main issue was the lack of headroom. So unless it's (i) a short trip or (ii) they're very small or (iii) pissed, then the back seats only really seem useful for storage.
Timmy2TARs said:
get a cheap runaround to complement the Cerbera, which is what I am currently looking at doing. The other downside is that you end up having a car that looks filthy and frankly there is a limit as to how many times you can be bothered to wash it. Fortunately my car colour is 'Road Dust Grey' anyway, so I can get away with it more than most!
I've recently bought A £300 old car off A customer at work, and for the first time in four years, I've had A week off the Cerb.
I'm not sure if it's the fact that the heater warms up quicker, the auto box, or the fact that I'm not worried about ramming people who try & cut me up
, but I'm enjoying using it Chris, drop me an email. I run a 4.2 Cerb AND a Rev 3 MR2 Turbo so I know exactly where you are coming from, and can give you some good advice on how the two compare. I love my Cerb, but I also love the mr2, as like you say, it is a great combination of looks, handling, reliability and performance, and in over 7 years it hasn't broken once! Speak soon....
Best time in the MR2 at Santa Pod was 12.95 @ 109, one and only run at the Pod in the Cerb was 12.4 @ 115.
Best time in the MR2 at Santa Pod was 12.95 @ 109, one and only run at the Pod in the Cerb was 12.4 @ 115.
Edited by longbow on Thursday 10th January 14:16
Aaaahhhh..... Forgot yours was in Fubes.
Mine's in aswell, but tis only 4.2, and I believe Dom at Power has a few bits lurking around for them.
I wont ask how much the rebuild is on the 4.5, I may end up driving this old Rover round for life if you tell me
I presume yours is a top end only aswell ? I'm not looking forward to the "running in" bit (if required).
I think I'll have a drive up to Scotland & back, and get it out the way in one weekend
Mine's in aswell, but tis only 4.2, and I believe Dom at Power has a few bits lurking around for them.
I wont ask how much the rebuild is on the 4.5, I may end up driving this old Rover round for life if you tell me
I presume yours is a top end only aswell ? I'm not looking forward to the "running in" bit (if required).
I think I'll have a drive up to Scotland & back, and get it out the way in one weekend
Chris Lynch said:
The Cerbera looks perfect from the point of view that it has 4 seats
I've seen pictures of four adults in one, but I don't class those rear seats as adult seats, especially for a long journey.IMO the rear drivers side is for under 7's & the rear passenger is for under 14's.
They also come in handy for a sports bag & suitcase if your going on holiday
After a disasterous year, am using car daily. This however is not to suggest it is a good idea. You need an element of dementia to own one in the first place so don't let common sense get in the way of your heart.
Your average Ferrari owner or someone of that ilk has more money than sense. Cerb owners generally are very competetive. That is to say that their money competes with their sense to see which can be blown to the wind the quickest.
Go for it, but make sure you have enough money to look after the car. It is a responsibility and burden of ownership.
Your average Ferrari owner or someone of that ilk has more money than sense. Cerb owners generally are very competetive. That is to say that their money competes with their sense to see which can be blown to the wind the quickest.
Go for it, but make sure you have enough money to look after the car. It is a responsibility and burden of ownership.
Been using mine (Cerbera 4.5) daily for a few months. I love it but I thank god that I can get in my Audi when I have a headache, hangover, screaming kids to get from one place to another.
Forget getting four people in it. The back seats are "just" big enough for my 7 year old. Not even as an "occasional" 4 seater would it be remotely useful. It's very loud, very heavy, incredibly thirsty around town, sod all visibility and you can't park it anywhere without getting 1. People lining up to take pictures of it in the day time (which is nice), 2. nasty little shits ling up to nick it or scratch it at night (which is not so nice).
All in all I would say you can run it as a day to day car but it will possibly spoil your enjoyment of it if you HAVE to drive it rather than WANT to drive it.
Alo what someone else said, you cant drive a Cerbera around covered in s$%t and 7 car washes a week is £91.00 a month, which gets bit much on top of the fuel and service bills these cars can run up.
Suppose what I'm saying is by all means drive it daily if you wish but for gods sake have a "normal" car for the days when you just dont want the excercise of driving a supercar to grannys with the kids spewing all over it while you pop aspirin to cure last nights session.
Jon
Forget getting four people in it. The back seats are "just" big enough for my 7 year old. Not even as an "occasional" 4 seater would it be remotely useful. It's very loud, very heavy, incredibly thirsty around town, sod all visibility and you can't park it anywhere without getting 1. People lining up to take pictures of it in the day time (which is nice), 2. nasty little shits ling up to nick it or scratch it at night (which is not so nice).
All in all I would say you can run it as a day to day car but it will possibly spoil your enjoyment of it if you HAVE to drive it rather than WANT to drive it.
Alo what someone else said, you cant drive a Cerbera around covered in s$%t and 7 car washes a week is £91.00 a month, which gets bit much on top of the fuel and service bills these cars can run up.
Suppose what I'm saying is by all means drive it daily if you wish but for gods sake have a "normal" car for the days when you just dont want the excercise of driving a supercar to grannys with the kids spewing all over it while you pop aspirin to cure last nights session.
Jon
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