Should I make the jump?!
Discussion
I bought an Exige S last October which I love but which is not ticking the box for a few reasons - the engine note is dull, it does not like slippery roads, it needs to be hammered around corners to feel special and I can't take more than one child out.
If I sell now I will lose a few grand so the next car would have to be kept for a good few years otherwise my life will not be worth living indoors! The most obvious replacement seems to be a 911 but I do not want to stretch to a 997 and the 996 does not float my boat. The other thought I have had is a Cerbera. I grew up loving the Griffith but in order to be able to use the car I do want a 2+2. I have been in a few Cerbera's in the past so know that the noise is just terrific and the look is the dogs danglies.
However, my garage can easily take the Exige which is about 1.7m wide incl the mirrors. How wide is the Cerbera with the mirrors pushed in?
How much should I realistically budget for maintenance. I like the look of the DreamMachines car on this site which is an 02. A few months ago, before I bought the Exige I was talking to them about the T350 and Cerberas and they estimated 100-150 pcm should be budgetted for maintenance. I know the answer is dependent upon the car but guidance for use in discussions with the wife would be useful.
Finally, the kids are 2 and 4. I assume there is no problem getting them in the back but how hard is it to get boosters that fit?
If I sell now I will lose a few grand so the next car would have to be kept for a good few years otherwise my life will not be worth living indoors! The most obvious replacement seems to be a 911 but I do not want to stretch to a 997 and the 996 does not float my boat. The other thought I have had is a Cerbera. I grew up loving the Griffith but in order to be able to use the car I do want a 2+2. I have been in a few Cerbera's in the past so know that the noise is just terrific and the look is the dogs danglies.
However, my garage can easily take the Exige which is about 1.7m wide incl the mirrors. How wide is the Cerbera with the mirrors pushed in?
How much should I realistically budget for maintenance. I like the look of the DreamMachines car on this site which is an 02. A few months ago, before I bought the Exige I was talking to them about the T350 and Cerberas and they estimated 100-150 pcm should be budgetted for maintenance. I know the answer is dependent upon the car but guidance for use in discussions with the wife would be useful.
Finally, the kids are 2 and 4. I assume there is no problem getting them in the back but how hard is it to get boosters that fit?
Search is your friend. 
The Cerb too doesn't really like the wet, 350+ through the rears with no TC other than your right foot can be hairy. I'm very pleased to see that we haven't had many written off this winter so far, with roundabout 'accidents'.
£100-150 seems a tad conservative. maybe for standard servicing yep. But depending on the age of the car you're looking at they're getting on and things are beginning to break and need replacing.
I've had the engine out of mine on more than one occasion and that's well over a grand a pop. The last bit of engine work I had was way over £2K, and that was a good price.
The Cerb' will not handle like an Exige, it's a lot longer for one and TVR didn't spend as much time, or have the expertise that Lotus do in that dept'.
Having said that, they can be made to handle, Nitrons, uprated springs and polybushes all help to tighten things up. Definatly things on your wish list if you're looking or factor in £1200-2000 to add.
Go drive some, it's the only way you'll know if it's for you. Go into potential purchase with eyes wide open and you may be pleasanly surpised to find that the Cerb' is the car you always wanted. I know I did.
BTW, I've had 2 Elise 111 so do have some history of lotus ownership.
Tim
PS: If I had the room I'd have another Mk1 Elise to keep the Cerb' company
The Cerb too doesn't really like the wet, 350+ through the rears with no TC other than your right foot can be hairy. I'm very pleased to see that we haven't had many written off this winter so far, with roundabout 'accidents'.
£100-150 seems a tad conservative. maybe for standard servicing yep. But depending on the age of the car you're looking at they're getting on and things are beginning to break and need replacing.
I've had the engine out of mine on more than one occasion and that's well over a grand a pop. The last bit of engine work I had was way over £2K, and that was a good price.
The Cerb' will not handle like an Exige, it's a lot longer for one and TVR didn't spend as much time, or have the expertise that Lotus do in that dept'.
Having said that, they can be made to handle, Nitrons, uprated springs and polybushes all help to tighten things up. Definatly things on your wish list if you're looking or factor in £1200-2000 to add.
Go drive some, it's the only way you'll know if it's for you. Go into potential purchase with eyes wide open and you may be pleasanly surpised to find that the Cerb' is the car you always wanted. I know I did.
BTW, I've had 2 Elise 111 so do have some history of lotus ownership.
Tim
PS: If I had the room I'd have another Mk1 Elise to keep the Cerb' company
Edited by TT Tim on Wednesday 27th February 09:32
I have a 4.5 cerbera, owned it for nearly 4 years. Have a single garage of which the car fits no problem and can get out once parked inside. It's a standard size garage and also have a beer fridge/freezer and chest freezer, car roof box suspended from ceiling etc etc.
Have two daughters age 9 & 6 years and they fit in the back seats of cerbera, although my 9 year old daughter is the size of a 13 year old it is becoming a bit of a sqeeze.
Just do it, if the wife lets you of course!!!
Have two daughters age 9 & 6 years and they fit in the back seats of cerbera, although my 9 year old daughter is the size of a 13 year old it is becoming a bit of a sqeeze.
Just do it, if the wife lets you of course!!!
Surprised to hear you are feeling a bit flat with the Exige. What are you using the car for? I.E. is it a daily driver, used on track, does it get much open road time or are you in traffic etc.
If you are looking for a daily driver, the Cerbera is questionable. Lots of threads on this already, and liable to end up with lucky owners battling the unlucky, and speed six owners being harangued by AJP8s.
Just make sure you do your research. Here is a great place to start.
If you are looking for a daily driver, the Cerbera is questionable. Lots of threads on this already, and liable to end up with lucky owners battling the unlucky, and speed six owners being harangued by AJP8s.
Just make sure you do your research. Here is a great place to start.
Buffoon said:
Surprised to hear you are feeling a bit flat with the Exige. What are you using the car for? I.E. is it a daily driver, used on track, does it get much open road time or are you in traffic etc.
If you are looking for a daily driver, the Cerbera is questionable. Lots of threads on this already, and liable to end up with lucky owners battling the unlucky, and speed six owners being harangued by AJP8s.
Just make sure you do your research. Here is a great place to start.
I only use the Exige at weekends and then only when I can get out by myself or with one of the girls - only once this year!!!!!!!! Absolutely love the Exige when I do get out but to get the thrills you have to use the car hard and I guess I am getting old but driving with a modicum of sense just does not test the car. I am really looking for something that I can use every weekend, including trips to my folks and the in laws. Still likely to be max 5k miles a year though.If you are looking for a daily driver, the Cerbera is questionable. Lots of threads on this already, and liable to end up with lucky owners battling the unlucky, and speed six owners being harangued by AJP8s.
Just make sure you do your research. Here is a great place to start.
pcowen said:
Blimey, thats original...orange instrument faces!dulcinea said:
Finally, the kids are 2 and 4. I assume there is no problem getting them in the back but how hard is it to get boosters that fit?
I took mine to Le-Mans last year (me in the front passenger seat with my leg in a pot) Brother driving, 17 year old son in the near side rear & camping gear/crutches in the offside rear.So, plenty of room, SO BUY IT!
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