Annual Be Careful Out there thread.....

[Gazzab]

... OK I no longer own a cerb but every year there are a handful of cerbs written off between now and March time.
Be very very careful with the accelerator pedal in this weather. Greasy, wet roads with leaves, water and possibly diesel is a toxic mix that will catch out the best drivers (even in a straight line).
There seems to be something peculiar about cerberas that mean they are more susceptible to spins than other sports cars and TVRs.
I suspect it is the lowish weight, the longish wheel base, the way the engine hits the power bands and the rubbish diff. But nonetheless there are always a number of write offs.

[julian64]

I echo the statement, but I have to say, the

'I was driving in a completely straight line at normal cruise then WHOOOAAA!'

Either means there was something very wrong with the car or you just aren't getting a true story.

Tis very difficult to ask prying questions on these sort of threads especially after someones just binned their pride and joy and you are trying to be sympathetic. But labelling the Cerb as an unpredictable sudden hedge killer is just plain wrong IMHO.

Its a very progressive car at the limit because of its long wheelbase, and I have countless times lit up the rear wheels in icy, wet, and even bone dry conditions. (Obvious in safe areas) to provoke the car based on some of the horror stories here to find no sign of this behaviour.

I really don't understand it.

[TT Tim]

julian64 said:

I echo the statement, but I have to say, the

'I was driving in a completely straight line at normal cruise then WHOOOAAA!'

Either means there was something very wrong with the car or you just aren't getting a true story.

Tis very difficult to ask prying questions on these sort of threads especially after someones just binned their pride and joy and you are trying to be sympathetic. But labelling the Cerb as an unpredictable sudden hedge killer is just plain wrong IMHO.

Its a very progressive car at the limit because of its long wheelbase, and I have countless times lit up the rear wheels in icy, wet, and even bone dry conditions. (Obvious in safe areas) to provoke the car based on some of the horror stories here to find no sign of this behaviour.

I really don't understand it.

I've long thought this Julian, I've had many a 'moment' at full tilt on track, but there's always been warning that it was going to happen, however briefly! Watching Jes Firth piloting his Cerb' you'd think he was wrestling a snake in the car, just proves there are different ways of taming the Cerb'.

I think, and this isn't aimed at anyone in particular, that a lot of current Cerb' owners have been brought up on FWD cars, with 'driver aids' and as such a RWD 350+ bhp car is a very different beast and needs to be handled in a different manner. I learnt to drive in a Triumph Spitfire, a great car but with RWD and a transverse swing spring rear suspension it was 'hairy' at times, but with less that 70 bhp you'd need to be a loony to actually kill yourself, many lessons learnt and still applied to this day.

But as has been said. take care everyone.

I'll stick with my Rangie over the winter.

Tim

Edited by TT Tim on Monday 3rd November 16:58

[Ballsy]

julian64 said:

I echo the statement, but I have to say, the

'I was driving in a completely straight line at normal cruise then WHOOOAAA!'

Either means there was something very wrong with the car or you just aren't getting a true story.

Tis very difficult to ask prying questions on these sort of threads especially after someones just binned their pride and joy and you are trying to be sympathetic. But labelling the Cerb as an unpredictable sudden hedge killer is just plain wrong IMHO.

Its a very progressive car at the limit because of its long wheelbase, and I have countless times lit up the rear wheels in icy, wet, and even bone dry conditions. (Obvious in safe areas) to provoke the car based on some of the horror stories here to find no sign of this behaviour.

I really don't understand it.

I had mine out and done exactly the "I was driving in a completely straight line at normal cruise then WHOOOAAA!" last week, saying that it was the first time i had used the car in a few weeks, it was a dry day and was only going 30ish and the back end started going sideways. Think it comes from driving my diesel clio about day to day and having to plonk the foot down to get it to move lol!!

Dont like to hear of people loosing there pride and joy, altho as more people do then it should push the price of mine up a bit hehe

[RUSSELLM]

julian64 said:

Its a very progressive car at the limit because of its long wheelbase, and I have countless times lit up the rear wheels in icy, wet, and even bone dry conditions. (Obvious in safe areas) to provoke the car based on some of the horror stories here to find no sign of this behaviour.

I really don't understand it.

Does the rear of your car step out slightly to the side when you lose traction ?

[Mr.Cerbera]

Absolutely ANYTHING I say will tempt fate so I'll just quitely agree with all sentiments expressed so far.

but lets be honest, this is one of the best times of the year for some real fun eh ?Doh !

[kojak]

Mr.Cerbera said:

Absolutely ANYTHING I say will tempt fate so I'll just quitely agree with all sentiments expressed so far.

but lets be honest, this is one of the best times of the year for some real fun eh ?Doh !

Exactly. I was about to write a comment....but like you, decided not to.

[julian64]

RUSSELLM said:

julian64 said:

Its a very progressive car at the limit because of its long wheelbase, and I have countless times lit up the rear wheels in icy, wet, and even bone dry conditions. (Obvious in safe areas) to provoke the car based on some of the horror stories here to find no sign of this behaviour.

I really don't understand it.

Does the rear of your car step out slightly to the side when you lose traction ?

Not really. If I boot it the back jumps up and down a bit, vibration. If you let the vibration continue (obviously wheels slipping) if tends to snake at the back but fairly easily controllable. Even if I move the wheel to one side when its happening the slide out is slow.

The only snapping I can provoke is letting foot off when it is to one side and suddenly it'll regain traction and the car will jolt as it picks up.

But nowhere have I read anyone admit to letting off, and highsiding their car .

[RUSSELLM]

I'll guarantee they all happen like this...... One rear wheel loses grip, for instance, the rear Left...... The Left rear of the car steps out slightly, driver panics & turns the steering right in to the skid (which it isn't) & simultaneously comes off the throttle creating lift off oversteer that coupled with the front wheels now facing the same way that the oversteer 's going to throw them, sends them beyond the point of no return.

I know from my first month of ownership

[greenm]

I'll also gaurentee that pretty well 100% of all drivers will take there foot off as soon as a car goes into a slide and 90% will also slap on the brake? Its just auto for most and takes a lot of practise befor you do the right thing. All you guys out there who track a lot or race of course will know but even then on a busy or narrow road when the back starts to go and a hedge, centre rail, or god forbit another car is coming your way its hard to keep the wheels driving while you wait for it to hopefully come back to you? It really is worth practising in a private area or even pay and go to a skid pan. I use a mates grass field as its like driving on ice and its a great feeling when you go into a slide and keeping the power down bring the slide under control, beware of cows?? no really well worth it and you can do it all at real slow speed. take care.

[jammy_basturd]

Personally I don't think I've had enough experience of the Cerb in the wet, so at the risk of sounding like a chav, I think I'll be taking my Cerb to an industrial estate one night in the wet and gaining some ever so important experience! Don't get me wrong, I'm not one of those people who has been pampered by driver aids, one of my first cars was a classic Mini with 250bhp/tonne, that was fun, and another car was an Mk1 MR2, so similar to TT Tim. But a Cerb is so different to a lot of things out there, you're basically in a group with the early 911s, Cobras or high powered Westerfields to get the same level of driver aids (none), power, weight and CoG.

[BLUETHUNDER]

julian64 said:

I echo the statement, but I have to say, the

'I was driving in a completely straight line at normal cruise then WHOOOAAA!'

Either means there was something very wrong with the car or you just aren't getting a true story.

Tis very difficult to ask prying questions on these sort of threads especially after someones just binned their pride and joy and you are trying to be sympathetic. But labelling the Cerb as an unpredictable sudden hedge killer is just plain wrong IMHO.

Its a very progressive car at the limit because of its long wheelbase, and I have countless times lit up the rear wheels in icy, wet, and even bone dry conditions. (Obvious in safe areas) to provoke the car based on some of the horror stories here to find no sign of this behaviour.

I really don't understand it.

I have to agree with this.I have always thought this when people post up,that they were just driving along,and "suddenly the car just stepped out"It just doesnt happen if you are driving to the conditions of the road.

[jammy_basturd]

Painted lines on the road, diesel, smooth drain covers. Wouldn't take much to spin up one wheel.

[volospian]

I had a "straight line" moment in mine once. I hit a puddle that was deeper than I thought, and had neglected to change the crap tyres that came on the car. I drifted a little, but it wasn't terrible, just a little surprising and a tad hairy. It also reminded me... make sure youre tyres are in good condition!

I was on a straight, doing a standard 50mph or so. I can understand people getting caught out sometimes under such conditions, but I would agree that it's probably the surprise and "doing the wrong thing" when the car gets a little out of shape because of some spill/aquaplane/etc.

I aim for the puddles in the wifes car, woosh, especially if there are pedestrians (yeah, I'm a sod, lol)... don't think I'd try it in the cerb though, lol

[Ireland]

Folks, get your tracking checked.

I had mine done last Saturday week and it's transformed the cars handling on wet roads.

Obviously thrashing it over the last few months had managed to knock it out of line a bit.

I didn't notice much in the dry but in the wet it was a pig up to getting it tracked.

[chim500nj]

The state of the UK roads does not help either. Not wishing to get into a personal rant but have you driven some roads in and around Guildford recently. They are hazardous and downright dangerous in places. Patched up, pot holed, uneven surfaces, bad drainage all contribute to standing water and constantly undulating and changing surfaces which are a major factor in "brown trouser moments" for all motorists.

Apparently borough councils have departments funded to deal with claims from people after damage to their vehicles rather than keep the roads "fit for purpose".. I also cycle to and from work in all weathers and weaving to avoid buckling my tyres in Potholes or soaking my trousers in large puddles of water is not fun..

I also drove the Cerb back on Saturday evening down the A3 and it was not pleasnat in the driving rain and sheets of water.. safe to say it was 60 all the way..

I could go on but sorry bhing over..

Edited by chim500nj on Monday 3rd November 21:15

[Old Geezer]

chim500nj said:

The state of the UK roads does not help either. Not wishing to get into a personal rant but have you driven some roads in and around Guildford recently. They are hazardous and downright dangerous in places. Patched up, pot holed, uneven surfaces, bad drainage all contribute to standing water and constantly undulating and changing surfaces which are a major factor in "brown trouser moments" for all motorists.

Apparently borough councils have departments funded to deal with claims from people after damage to their vehicles rather than keep the roads "fit for purpose".. I also cycle to and from work in all weathers and weaving to avoid buckling my tyres in Potholes or soaking my trousers in large puddles of water is not fun..

I also drove the Cerb back on Saturday evening down the A3 and it was not pleasnat in the driving rain and sheets of water.. safe to say it was 60 all the way..

I could go on but sorry bhing over..

Edited by chim500nj on Monday 3rd November 21:15

I'm with you on this.

I also have to drive the "Surrey" road system and would like to propose it as the WORST County in Britain.
Surrey Highways Department should hang their heads in shame!

[Erich Stahler]

I'm always progressive with the power, never stab the gas pedal unless I deliberately want to get a lurid power slide going. Even at about 50 if you drop from forth to third and really mash the pedal you can often get a rear tyre to break traction, the thing is flippin light and very little weight over the back wheels.

In fact thinking about it the times i have had the back end move about have been when I hit the break pedal much to hard, one in heavy rain at over 50 on a dual carriage way and the other time braking too late into Paddock Hill at Brands.

Even on an Autumnal twisty road one should be able to enjoy a spirited drive in a Cerb by making the most of taught handling rather than the acceleration.

[Dirty Boy]

We all hear about the 'Must have been diesel' comments, well, I was thinking about this whilst biking in this morning.

As the roads were wet and the sun was shining (a bit) I can honestly say, that in the 3 miles that I cycled, I must have seen (actively looking) near on a dozen patches of diesel/petrol/oil at various points. It may seem like a long shot when you hear it, but the reality is that there are probably more lubricants on the road that you think.

I'd never bothered looking before, but today was a real eye opener. Be careful indeed.

[Storer]

How do others on here set their dampers.

My car tended to spin the wheels over ripples in the road as it was set too firm. Since I softened up the dampers it seems to get better traction (not that I use it much in the wet).

May be worth a look.