Buying Guides Cerebera 4.5 v8
Discussion
Hello Peeps.
Shortly im going to be in the market for a new car. I have around £10,000 to spend, and am looking for something with ALOT of power. I have a window cleaning business, so I have a day to day van that I use all week, so I don’t necessarily need to have something which is 100% reliable. In fact a little bit unreliability sounds like loads of tinkering time fun!
I have been looking at very tidy BMW m3's. 300 zx twin turbos, pulsars, cosworths, but to be honest they don’t seem to be 'MENTAL' enough for me.
I was chatting to my brother, he has a Supra, my dad has a 350z, my mum a late primera GT, my mate carl an M3. So naturally i do not want jap, or german. Cosworths are ok, but just not fast or mental enough. I asked my brother what other cars are there, that aint jap, or german, or highly stressed dangenam dustbins?
He suggested a TVR. Of course!!! I thought I never even thought about a TVR. So here I am considering plumping for one of these blackpool nukes.
I am particularly interested in the Cerebra 4.5 v8 with the 420 bhp, the dash is ugly and I like it and the sound......of course that’s why you get a TVR. So I just want to know what to look out for, what known problems they have, and what can I expect for my money.
oh and sorry about my spelling. lol
Shortly im going to be in the market for a new car. I have around £10,000 to spend, and am looking for something with ALOT of power. I have a window cleaning business, so I have a day to day van that I use all week, so I don’t necessarily need to have something which is 100% reliable. In fact a little bit unreliability sounds like loads of tinkering time fun!
I have been looking at very tidy BMW m3's. 300 zx twin turbos, pulsars, cosworths, but to be honest they don’t seem to be 'MENTAL' enough for me.
I was chatting to my brother, he has a Supra, my dad has a 350z, my mum a late primera GT, my mate carl an M3. So naturally i do not want jap, or german. Cosworths are ok, but just not fast or mental enough. I asked my brother what other cars are there, that aint jap, or german, or highly stressed dangenam dustbins?
He suggested a TVR. Of course!!! I thought I never even thought about a TVR. So here I am considering plumping for one of these blackpool nukes.
I am particularly interested in the Cerebra 4.5 v8 with the 420 bhp, the dash is ugly and I like it and the sound......of course that’s why you get a TVR. So I just want to know what to look out for, what known problems they have, and what can I expect for my money.
oh and sorry about my spelling. lol
Edited by mashhead on Saturday 24th May 12:03
£10K?
The Cerb' is NOT the car for you.
Get a 300zx that's been 'played with', enjoy it for a few years, save a few quid and then get a Cerb'. The Nissan although not as 'raw' as the TVR can be made to go very, very quickly!
How about a 500 Chim' they're more towards your price range and the RV8 is bullet proof, or nearly.
I'm not meaning to be rude, but you do need to be handy with spanners or have deep pockets to keep a Cerb' in top condition.
As the prices drop I'm sure we will find more and more cars hitting the market that have been run and abused for a year and then sold when the owner realises that they are a huge money pit. Mine was a good example, previous owner was an idiot, as a consequence it's taken a long time to sort a lot of problems that a short time of neglect had generated.
Try to run a Cerb' on a shoestring and it'll be an experience you'll wish you never had!
Tim
The Cerb' is NOT the car for you.
Get a 300zx that's been 'played with', enjoy it for a few years, save a few quid and then get a Cerb'. The Nissan although not as 'raw' as the TVR can be made to go very, very quickly!
How about a 500 Chim' they're more towards your price range and the RV8 is bullet proof, or nearly.
I'm not meaning to be rude, but you do need to be handy with spanners or have deep pockets to keep a Cerb' in top condition.
As the prices drop I'm sure we will find more and more cars hitting the market that have been run and abused for a year and then sold when the owner realises that they are a huge money pit. Mine was a good example, previous owner was an idiot, as a consequence it's taken a long time to sort a lot of problems that a short time of neglect had generated.
Try to run a Cerb' on a shoestring and it'll be an experience you'll wish you never had!
Tim
Hi Mash, welcome to the best forum on PH
4.5 gets 350-365 bhp before it is breathed on, then up to 400-420
Find another £4-5k and you're sorted for a year of driving excitement
mashhead said:
I have around £10,000 to spend
This isn't going to be enough for a Cerbie - £12-15k + £3k a year for servicingmashhead said:
blackpool nukes
mashhead said:
Cerebra 4.5 v8 with the 420 bhp
We're all looking for that car 4.5 gets 350-365 bhp before it is breathed on, then up to 400-420mashhead said:
the dash is ugly
Does 'ugly' in this instance mean 'cool'? If not you may be in the wrong place to air that sentimentFind another £4-5k and you're sorted for a year of driving excitement
I'll be honest mate, 10k isn't all that much to spend on a cerbera, at least not when you're looking for a 4.5. You may well find one at that price, but it could end up costing you a lot more in the long run. I would reckon that you would get a much better 4.2 for that money, and as a few of the people on here that have owned both will tell you, there really isn't anything between them other than pub bragging rights. Indeed TVR are famous for over estimating the bhp output of the 4.5's, which without a bit of fettling are often less powerful than a standard 4.2, whitch do tend to put out more or less what they are meant to.
In terms of a buying guide, its not all that dissimilar to looking for any other car- buy on condition and look for lots of receipts. Obviously a FSH is essential, but it need not be all TVR, as there are some excellent indi's out there.
Also, don't be put off by a car thats done a few miles, in fact it can be a good thing. These cars are at their best when they are used often, and so a 10 year old car thats done 15k may not be a good ting after all.
Weak spots... well clutches are probably the main thing that go on these cars, so look for one thats been changed recently, including a change of the slave cylinder too. Starter motors are also quite a common failure, but to be honest, the OEM Tilton motors seem to last a lot longer than most of the replacement items around. A lot of the smaller stuff that wears out like ball joints etc are actually sourced from other cars (often ford), so can be replaced quite inexpensively.
Be prepared to deal with lots of annoying little problems with electrics too- everything is controlled by little black boxes made by TVR themselves, and they just wont last like major manufactuere stuff.
In terms of a buying guide, its not all that dissimilar to looking for any other car- buy on condition and look for lots of receipts. Obviously a FSH is essential, but it need not be all TVR, as there are some excellent indi's out there.
Also, don't be put off by a car thats done a few miles, in fact it can be a good thing. These cars are at their best when they are used often, and so a 10 year old car thats done 15k may not be a good ting after all.
Weak spots... well clutches are probably the main thing that go on these cars, so look for one thats been changed recently, including a change of the slave cylinder too. Starter motors are also quite a common failure, but to be honest, the OEM Tilton motors seem to last a lot longer than most of the replacement items around. A lot of the smaller stuff that wears out like ball joints etc are actually sourced from other cars (often ford), so can be replaced quite inexpensively.
Be prepared to deal with lots of annoying little problems with electrics too- everything is controlled by little black boxes made by TVR themselves, and they just wont last like major manufactuere stuff.
TT Tim said:
£10K?
The Cerb' is NOT the car for you.
Get a 300zx that's been 'played with', enjoy it for a few years, save a few quid and then get a Cerb'. The Nissan although not as 'raw' as the TVR can be made to go very, very quickly!
How about a 500 Chim' they're more towards your price range and the RV8 is bullet proof, or nearly.
I'm not meaning to be rude, but you do need to be handy with spanners or have deep pockets to keep a Cerb' in top condition.
As the prices drop I'm sure we will find more and more cars hitting the market that have been run and abused for a year and then sold when the owner realises that they are a huge money pit. Mine was a good example, previous owner was an idiot, as a consequence it's taken a long time to sort a lot of problems that a short time of neglect had generated.
Try to run a Cerb' on a shoestring and it'll be an experience you'll wish you never had!
Tim
Wow thanks for your imput chaps. I am a competent home mechanic, I currently own a rather throublesome saab 900 turbo, where i have replaced the head gasket, done some valve work and general home mechanics. I enjoy doing that. But 185 bhp is a bit weedy really, it was nice to start with but you quickly get used to it. The Cerb' is NOT the car for you.
Get a 300zx that's been 'played with', enjoy it for a few years, save a few quid and then get a Cerb'. The Nissan although not as 'raw' as the TVR can be made to go very, very quickly!
How about a 500 Chim' they're more towards your price range and the RV8 is bullet proof, or nearly.
I'm not meaning to be rude, but you do need to be handy with spanners or have deep pockets to keep a Cerb' in top condition.
As the prices drop I'm sure we will find more and more cars hitting the market that have been run and abused for a year and then sold when the owner realises that they are a huge money pit. Mine was a good example, previous owner was an idiot, as a consequence it's taken a long time to sort a lot of problems that a short time of neglect had generated.
Try to run a Cerb' on a shoestring and it'll be an experience you'll wish you never had!
Tim
So maybe a Chim then? only thing is they are softops, and softops just dont handle like hard top cars.
DonnyMac said:
Hi Mash, welcome to the best forum on PH
4.5 gets 350-365 bhp before it is breathed on, then up to 400-420
Find another £4-5k and you're sorted for a year of driving excitement
Ugly dash= cool. Fed up with run of the mill styling...mashhead said:
I have around £10,000 to spend
This isn't going to be enough for a Cerbie - £12-15k + £3k a year for servicingmashhead said:
blackpool nukes
mashhead said:
Cerebra 4.5 v8 with the 420 bhp
We're all looking for that car 4.5 gets 350-365 bhp before it is breathed on, then up to 400-420mashhead said:
the dash is ugly
Does 'ugly' in this instance mean 'cool'? If not you may be in the wrong place to air that sentimentFind another £4-5k and you're sorted for a year of driving excitement
There's a couple of lovely Chims at Offords Marc. 4 Ltrs. V8. 7.995 and 11.995. http://www.offord.com/carsales.html. Or there is a 4.2 Cerb at Sebring 12.995. which I've seen in the flesh and is very nice. http://www.sebringinternational.co.uk/pre-owned_tv...
mashhead said:
So maybe a Chim then? only thing is they are softops, and softops just dont handle like hard top cars.
A Chimaera or Griffith can be made to handle very well.Just got to ask someone like Matt Oakley or, and I hate to say this, Andy Race.
There's not a lot to choose between the stiffness of A Cerb' and a RV8 powered rag top.
I've had both.
Tim
Mr M said:
There's a couple of lovely Chims at Offords Marc. 4 Ltrs. V8. 7.995 and 11.995. http://www.offord.com/carsales.html. Or there is a 4.2 Cerb at Sebring 12.995. which I've seen in the flesh and is very nice. http://www.sebringinternational.co.uk/pre-owned_tv...
You know i probbably can go a couple of gand more than £10k, but I would really WANT the car to do that. the 4.2 and 4.5, there isnt much innit then? And what about the speed 6?
TT Tim said:
mashhead said:
So maybe a Chim then? only thing is they are softops, and softops just dont handle like hard top cars.
A Chimaera or Griffith can be made to handle very well.Just got to ask someone like Matt Oakley or, and I hate to say this, Andy Race.
There's not a lot to choose between the stiffness of A Cerb' and a RV8 powered rag top.
I've had both.
Tim
I know that its been mentioned already that serving is expensive, but i wont be doing more than 4000 miles a year in it, and i am used to paying out on old cars. My 900 turbo has cost me nearly £2000 in repairs this year, and I enjoy tinkering so.....
i will have to have a look at some in the flesh. maybe a 4.2 or a speed six?
If your going to buy a cerb then you might aswell get an AJP, so that throws the sp6 out
Dont think there should be that much diffence in price between a good 4.2 and a good 4.5 of the same year. It all comes down to how each car looks and feels. As said above theres not much difference between the 4.2-4.5's but eh 4.5 are easier to squeeze some extra horses out if you feel the need!!
Best having a wee read thru the forum and find common faults/desirable mod's etc then go look at lots of cars
Dont think there should be that much diffence in price between a good 4.2 and a good 4.5 of the same year. It all comes down to how each car looks and feels. As said above theres not much difference between the 4.2-4.5's but eh 4.5 are easier to squeeze some extra horses out if you feel the need!!
Best having a wee read thru the forum and find common faults/desirable mod's etc then go look at lots of cars
Ballsy said:
If your going to buy a cerb then you might aswell get an AJP, so that throws the sp6 out
Dont think there should be that much diffence in price between a good 4.2 and a good 4.5 of the same year. It all comes down to how each car looks and feels. As said above theres not much difference between the 4.2-4.5's but eh 4.5 are easier to squeeze some extra horses out if you feel the need!!
Best having a wee read thru the forum and find common faults/desirable mod's etc then go look at lots of cars
sorry for my ignorance but whats an AJPDont think there should be that much diffence in price between a good 4.2 and a good 4.5 of the same year. It all comes down to how each car looks and feels. As said above theres not much difference between the 4.2-4.5's but eh 4.5 are easier to squeeze some extra horses out if you feel the need!!
Best having a wee read thru the forum and find common faults/desirable mod's etc then go look at lots of cars
mashhead said:
I know that its been mentioned already that serving is expensive, but i wont be doing more than 4000 miles a year in it, and i am used to paying out on old cars. My 900 turbo has cost me nearly £2000 in repairs this year, and I enjoy tinkering so.....
mashhead said:
Wow thanks for your imput chaps. I am a competent home mechanic, I currently own a rather throublesome saab 900 turbo, where i have replaced the head gasket, done some valve work and general home mechanics.
I own two 900 turbos (a shed with a half cage, and a proper one of which only the steering rack and front wishbones are still the originals - it's got a bit more than 185 bhp too ) and a Chimaera. The Saabs I am confident to work on, in fact I've pulled and re-installed the drivetrain on the proper one myself at home, twice. The shed took three people (one pro, one apprentice and an amateur (myself) a morning and half and afternoon to get from an empty shell to a working, road worthy car. The Chim landed me with a bill containing 66 hours for engine removel, re-installation (after a rebuild that was performed elsewhere) with a few bits and bobs. They're not especially hard cars to work on, but a lot more critical due to the GRP body (if your cooling system isn't 110% right, expect trouble, for instance) and its level of bespokeness with lots of variations between cars so new parts won't always 'drop in' like they do on mass produced cars. The Cerbera is about ten steps up from the Chimaera to maintain due to it being more complex and consisting of more TVR-specific parts/systems. They're not cars to run on a shoestring by a home mechanic IMO - especially not £10K ones. Unless you endeavour to strip and rebuild one prior to putting it on the road that is - always wished I'd done that at some point with the proper 900T as it would have saved me quite a bit of frustration down the road. 900T-R said:
mashhead said:
I know that its been mentioned already that serving is expensive, but i wont be doing more than 4000 miles a year in it, and i am used to paying out on old cars. My 900 turbo has cost me nearly £2000 in repairs this year, and I enjoy tinkering so.....
mashhead said:
Wow thanks for your imput chaps. I am a competent home mechanic, I currently own a rather throublesome saab 900 turbo, where i have replaced the head gasket, done some valve work and general home mechanics.
I own two 900 turbos (a shed with a half cage, and a proper one of which only the steering rack and front wishbones are still the originals - it's got a bit more than 185 bhp too ) and a Chimaera. The Saabs I am confident to work on, in fact I've pulled and re-installed the drivetrain on the proper one myself at home, twice. The shed took three people (one pro, one apprentice and an amateur (myself) a morning and half and afternoon to get from an empty shell to a working, road worthy car. The Chim landed me with a bill containing 66 hours for engine removel, re-installation (after a rebuild that was performed elsewhere) with a few bits and bobs. They're not especially hard cars to work on, but a lot more critical due to the GRP body (if your cooling system isn't 110% right, expect trouble, for instance) and its level of bespokeness with lots of variations between cars so new parts won't always 'drop in' like they do on mass produced cars. The Cerbera is about ten steps up from the Chimaera to maintain due to it being more complex and consisting of more TVR-specific parts/systems. They're not cars to run on a shoestring by a home mechanic IMO - especially not £10K ones. Unless you endeavour to strip and rebuild one prior to putting it on the road that is - always wished I'd done that at some point with the proper 900T as it would have saved me quite a bit of frustration down the road. I am doing my research, and increasingly I am discovering that there seems to be a bit of snobbery going on this forum. You are all saying that I cant pick up a decent one for 10k, well I disagree, im pretty sure that I can find a lovely example for the money I am willing to spend, and whilst I am grateful for all your comments, its a car like any other car and its not price that dictates how good the car must be. It’s simply down to finding the right seller, at the price you want to pay...so please stop with the snobbery.
Here is a fairly good example for the money
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/511637.htm
and another:
tappets just been done, altough doesnt mention new cams, and the cam profile on these engines is very aggresive, so wear quickly...but not the end of the world. will ask about the cams
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/455635.htm
and there are loads others, plus the price of fuel is at an all time high, so i think 10 ish is more than enough.
Edited by mashhead on Monday 26th May 19:01
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