upgrading from a chim
Discussion
hi all, as title says im on my second tvr(chim) but thinking of a cerb. im sure a few from here have gone down the same route and im after a few opinions. the reasons mainly are im after some more power,something that feels more planted at speed and doesnt leak quite as badly ie doesnt have to stay in the garage 24/7 equally im corncerned about the higher running costs and the thought of an engine rebuild would make my wallet faint on the spot! ive seen what looks like a nice cerb on classifieds from topcats whom i assume would not be selling a duff one and im very tempted for a trade in. opinions please?
I went from a Chim 400 to a Cerbera Sp6 and the cost did go up but not by too much, the Cerb is left out side in all weathers with no problems, when I first bought it the response of the engine was like coming from a quick car to a motor bike, I have got used to it now after 7 years and still love it to bits, I agree with the comments earlier that say if you are handy with spanners then it helps and saves money too. Don't buy with your heart, buy with your head, it will save you money latter.
Here's a well known Cerb with a recent rebuild -
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/414805.htm
Steve, you now owe me a tenner.
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/414805.htm
Steve, you now owe me a tenner.
had a look at that car but colour is not my cup of tea to be honest. im wondering if a cerb feels more modern than a chim. having gone from a s series to my current car there wasnt a massive difference in terms of driving so im wondering what i can expect from a cerb? being a hard top is it somewhat quieter at cruising speeds? guess i need to go out in one and see if it blows me away!
had a look at that car but colour is not my cup of tea to be honest. im wondering if a cerb feels more modern than a chim. having gone from a s series to my current car there wasnt a massive difference in terms of driving so im wondering what i can expect from a cerb? being a hard top is it somewhat quieter at cruising speeds? guess i need to go out in one and see if it blows me away!
I went from a Chim 450 to a Cerb, totally, totally different car. At first I hated the engine noise after the nice smooth RV8, the Cerb sounded like a clapped out Renault Diesel. I also thought it was slow, and was very dissapointed for the first week or so until I learnt how to drive it. You have to drive the Cerb, the Chim would pull hard in any gear, with the cerb you have to use the box a lot more.
I'd liken it to the difference between driving a fast Golf TDi (Diesel) and a Civic Type R, the Golf being the Chim, and the Civic the Cerb. The Civic needs to be driven hard, the diesel will pull and pull in any gear, but drive the Civic properly and it will run rings around the Golf.
The Cerbera costs loads more to run and needs a lot more TLC than the Chimaera, it is a lot more hard edged and intense - depends what you want.
I'd liken it to the difference between driving a fast Golf TDi (Diesel) and a Civic Type R, the Golf being the Chim, and the Civic the Cerb. The Civic needs to be driven hard, the diesel will pull and pull in any gear, but drive the Civic properly and it will run rings around the Golf.
The Cerbera costs loads more to run and needs a lot more TLC than the Chimaera, it is a lot more hard edged and intense - depends what you want.
when i say quieter i mean wind noise, i have no idea as to what they sound like from inside thats one of the bits im looking forward too! in terms of engine it would have to be the earlier v8 option which im assuming is a lot more revy than the old style i currently have. in terms of torque surely it will fill better than my 400??
funbobby said:
when i say quieter i mean wind noise, i have no idea as to what they sound like from inside thats one of the bits im looking forward too! in terms of engine it would have to be the earlier v8 option which im assuming is a lot more revy than the old style i currently have. in terms of torque surely it will fill better than my 400??
You still get wind noise,as the seals around the door are not that good.central said:
Here's a well known Cerb with a recent rebuild -
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/414805.htm
Steve, you now owe me a tenner.
Its a deal - thanks buddyhttp://www.pistonheads.com/sales/414805.htm
Steve, you now owe me a tenner.
I went from a Chim 400 to a Cerb 4.5.
Cerb is MUCH faster & revvy-er. Brakes are much better. Handles better. Feels like a newer car too. My Cerb is louder when you open it up, although if you just idly cruise along the motorway it is reasonably quiet (ie. you can have a conversation) - moreso than my old Chim. Costs wise its a bit more expensive for servicing and when things break.
Cerb is MUCH faster & revvy-er. Brakes are much better. Handles better. Feels like a newer car too. My Cerb is louder when you open it up, although if you just idly cruise along the motorway it is reasonably quiet (ie. you can have a conversation) - moreso than my old Chim. Costs wise its a bit more expensive for servicing and when things break.
BLUETHUNDER said:
funbobby said:
when i say quieter i mean wind noise, i have no idea as to what they sound like from inside thats one of the bits im looking forward too! in terms of engine it would have to be the earlier v8 option which im assuming is a lot more revy than the old style i currently have. in terms of torque surely it will fill better than my 400??
You still get wind noise,as the seals around the door are not that good.
apart from the obvious.Not driven a Chim but I think as JensenA says you have to learn how to get the most out of the AJPs. I don't think I am even after over a year of ownership. From my experience it's because you got to rev it (when warm) and that creates quite alot of engine noise - and I hate doing that to an engine, as I'm a bit of a woose, but you need to get it past 4k to get the power out - but it then it really goes bonkers and by that time you're in licence losing territory :-). It's still a fantastic car to country lane though. Great noise and handling (with Nitron shocks) driving through the gears to 60. It's also more of a rugged back to basics ride when you do get to higher speeds but it's got a racing pedigree so that's what you get - don't expect peace and quiet. You'll have alot of fun just looking at it when you've polished it !
Edited by Mr M on Saturday 12th April 20:58
I miss the chim for open top motoring, low-down grunt and simplicity, but the car lacked power and the brakes were poor. I get a totally different driving experience out of the cerb, much more focussed, but i do miss that lovely RV8 noise with the hood down 
I haven't had anything go wrong with mine after a year of ownership, but then i didn't with the chim or 350i either, so maybe TVR's aren't as unreliable as some people believe!
I haven't had anything go wrong with mine after a year of ownership, but then i didn't with the chim or 350i either, so maybe TVR's aren't as unreliable as some people believe!
Few things; wind noise - I haven't met a Cerbera driver who doesn't have the window open a couple of inches - always 
As testament to how different the two cars are - I have so far managed to justify keeping my Chimaera as well! That's not because the roof comes of, it's because they are so different to drive.
The Chimaera feels like it would pull a wall down in any gear, whereas the Cerbera feels like it would sooner get airborne and fly over it.
As for sound - well the Chimaera has that lovely burble which appears to offend no one and make everyone smile. The Cerbera (currently mine has a sports box and de-catted) has people grabbing their childrens hands and hiding in doorways, but watching with open admiration. All TVR's turn heads, but a Cerbera spins heads and toungues hang out
Not sure if I've actually answered any questions here, but just saw it as an opportunity to rave!
They're both great, but a Cerbera is very special.
Anyway, the suns out and I'm sitting here typing.......that's all wrong!
Good luck with your search
As testament to how different the two cars are - I have so far managed to justify keeping my Chimaera as well! That's not because the roof comes of, it's because they are so different to drive.
The Chimaera feels like it would pull a wall down in any gear, whereas the Cerbera feels like it would sooner get airborne and fly over it.
As for sound - well the Chimaera has that lovely burble which appears to offend no one and make everyone smile. The Cerbera (currently mine has a sports box and de-catted) has people grabbing their childrens hands and hiding in doorways, but watching with open admiration. All TVR's turn heads, but a Cerbera spins heads and toungues hang out
Not sure if I've actually answered any questions here, but just saw it as an opportunity to rave!
They're both great, but a Cerbera is very special.
Anyway, the suns out and I'm sitting here typing.......that's all wrong!
Good luck with your search
funbobby said:
had a look at that car but colour is not my cup of tea to be honest. im wondering if a cerb feels more modern than a chim. having gone from a s series to my current car there wasnt a massive difference in terms of driving so im wondering what i can expect from a cerb? being a hard top is it somewhat quieter at cruising speeds? guess i need to go out in one and see if it blows me away!
Hi Rob - I have just noticed you're in Herts - me too. I'll take you a blast if you like - give me a shout. I can't show you the real prowess of a Cerbera cos' I don't drive fast, but I can certainly give you a taste of the spirit of the car! funbobby said:
that sounds good amazon any excuse to go out in a tvr.i guess the problem is im used to the power of a 400 now which i knew would happen but i didnt like the characteristics of the 500 so its def a case of needing to try a cerb or 10!
Cool. Well, if you're around next Sunday, how popping over to the Herts and Beds Meet and we can go for a blast. Can you wait that long? Gassing Station | Cerbera | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff