best cerbera for all round use?

[turfclubroad]

I am contemplating entering the Cerbera arena and am wondering what model would be best for me. First of all I am not a track day fan, nor will I go for top speed on a high way, I am much more into using my satnav to lead me through the country side. (Not only to bring me back home but also to look ahead and see whats beyond the next turn). I would also be using it for bringing kids to school when I so feel like it, the occasional supermarket trip etc. I have been told the speed six is really the more flexible and easier to drive (not only because of the engine but also damper setup etc) and that the V8's are really not that easy in stop and go traffic. Is there any truth in that? Also, how long does it generally take for s speed six and the V8's to warm up to the point that you can drive them in anger without damaging the internals? I am not ony thinking angine but also diff (I remeber having seen a post where it was mentioned the diff takes longer to warm up?).

Looking forward to the input.

Wiebe

[knight]

Used my 4.2 a few times in London and in traffic on the M25 and found it to be easy to live with

[alinton]

No, any of them are OK for normal use. I've owned a 4.2 and a 4.5 and have driven a S6, they're slightly different but none precl;udes normal day to day driving.

I'd drive mine every day if I didn't need to carry loads of stuff around.

A.

[Dave 500]

I use my 4.5 everyday in all weathers and its fine I would however check your kids fit in the back the seats are on the small side

[turfclubroad]

No worries about the kids, they are all sub 3 foot and a bit...... About searching for a car for sale, piston heads, autotrader, the sun local, are those the best places to visit? Or any less well known sites where cerbera's turn up? thx

Wiebe

[kirk2118]

TrackVRoad will find you one! www.trackvroad.com Always givern me good/honest advice.

[Dave 500]

You could try http://www.fernhurst-tvr.co.uk/ speak to Drew he's a top bloke.

[turfclubroad]

did some more web hunting, seems to me that of all TVR Models the % of cerbera's sold through dealers is is lower than for any other model. The Cerbera seems to be the model though which is only second to the chim in terms of how many are on the market..... I can think of a couple of reasons why this may be the case but only negative ones: Any thoughts?

Also, the youngest speed 6 is 2001: Is this because the speed six sales dropped in number in the last years, or are they so much better that owners hold on to them (or both) (come to think of it, I did not see that much young v8's either)?

Nice! I will have to try all three engines to narrow down my choice.... soundtrack wise that is. I understand that any of the three could have serious handling issues through simpel issues as tire choice?

thx Wiebe

[Byker28i]

turfclubroad said:

did some more web hunting, seems to me that of all TVR Models the % of cerbera's sold through dealers is is lower than for any other model. The Cerbera seems to be the model though which is only second to the chim in terms of how many are on the market..... I can think of a couple of reasons why this may be the case but only negative ones: Any thoughts?

Also, the youngest speed 6 is 2001: Is this because the speed six sales dropped in number in the last years, or are they so much better that owners hold on to them (or both) (come to think of it, I did not see that much young v8's either)?

Nice! I will have to try all three engines to narrow down my choice.... soundtrack wise that is. I understand that any of the three could have serious handling issues through simpel issues as tire choice?

thx Wiebe

Serious handling issues? Well - you've a car that's significantly lighter than a small engined Renault Clio/Ka etc with 350+ bhp. If you stamp your foot down with the car out of line on damp roads then it'll step out of line like any car. But stick these on the track and they are phenomenal. The only handling issues are usually driver related (either through suspension setup/tyre pressures/choices etc or driving behaviour).

At normal driving I find it very sure footed, but this does depend on tyre choice/weather. I use Eagle F1's which I find well suited for all round use, but tyre choices are a very personal thing

Seating, my daughter is 5 foot and just fits in the rear, my 10 year old is still fine, but then I'm a shortarse and have the drivers seat forward. I have fitted 4 adults in the car for a ten mile journey, but I doubt that was comfortable for them

For normal driving they are actually very pleasant. After about 3 hours of London Traffic the clutch can feel a little heavy but that's the only time I've ever noticed. The engine is extremely tractable and the long throttle movement makes it easy to drive at urban speeds. The kids of course will love you taking them to school in it. Just beware of school mums and their parking standards, which goes for supermarkets as well. Beware of the long doors, you may need two spaces in car parks to get in/out so you may find yourself parking at the far end of car parks.

The only issues seem to be it's low height and 4x4's sometimes not noticing, which is when a little blip on the throttle might be needed.

Boot size is brilliant and copes well for short holidays. We've been camping for the weekend in ours and fitted everything in and three of us have been away for a week in the lake district without any issues - and if you see how much my wife takes...

Hope this helps

[turfclubroad]

Which engine are you referring to the spped 6? The reason for asking is that you mentione the long throttle travel which I understood was on the the s6, that the V8's have much shorter throttle travel (and much quicker steering)

thx

Wiebe

[Allandwf]

Hi, I would seriously try one first, every day driving there is nothing between them, although the V8's have quicker/twitchier steering. I think coming from Porches to the raw/brutal nature of a Cerb will be a bit of a culture shock so try to get someone to take you out in one first.
They are superb taken in context , but as an everyday car just too raw for me, that said I'm keeping mine it's great .

[Byker28i]

turfclubroad said:

Which engine are you referring to the spped 6? The reason for asking is that you mentione the long throttle travel which I understood was on the the s6, that the V8's have much shorter throttle travel (and much quicker steering)

thx

Wiebe

I was talking about my 4.2. I've got about 3 times more travel than an evo - which to me now feels like an on/off throttle

[Full SP]

turfclubroad said:

...The Cerbera seems to be the model though which is only second to the chim in terms of how many are on the market..... I can think of a couple of reasons why this may be the case but only negative ones: Any thoughts?

TVRs tend to change hands quite often - many are bought to 'scratch an itch' and then the car is sold and they move onto something else. Cerberas tend to be a bit more high maintenance than other TVRs and if people buy not knowing this they certainly might choose to sell quickly, but, on balance, I suspect the main reason there are plenty of Cerberas for sale is because there were a lot made. Don't be put off, just make sure you buy a good one (and that opens up the next can of worms - although there are plenty of past threads though to help you identify "a good one").

Edited by Full SP on Sunday 14th December 13:41

[Allandwf]

Forgot to say mine is a 4.2 also. The long throttle travel was a way to try and contain the power. It's fine when you get used to it, you have to make an effort to floor it so I suppose it makes it a bit easier keep it on the road.

[baztvr]

Mine's a 4.2 and i love driving it in any weather, as it as been said about long pedal travel it really does allow more control over power delivery. with torquey engines where the pedal is equal to power output, against turbo motors where it varies as boost comes in and out. I have a daughter nearly four, she loves going in the back but I worry about the seatbelt anchor point for the pasenger front, it's right in line with her temple, I wrap a towel around it but thats ok when there is nobody in the front as it affects the motion of the front belt. I need to make some kind of panel to hide the sharp bits and cover it to match.

[Mr.Cerbera]

Mine's a 2001 4.5. When I was looking I was worried that Cerbs, in general, might have been too much of an animal and some of the one's I tested, whilst looking, certainly felt difficult to control. Since its purchase, mine has delivered everything I wanted. the suspension, steering and throttle response has been purrrfect for idling round town, spirited A & B road driving and balls-out track days.

As a Porsche man you may find them a bit 'creeky' and the pitiful steering lock can catch you out in multi-story car parks.

Apart from those points, as everyone will tell you, look around, try a few and your desires and intelligence will make your mind up for you.

My three Porsche-owning buddies loved driving the Cerb but won't consider changing marques - Just like me !

[C3BER]

Just buy a good one and the rest will take care of its self. I've driven at over 170 on a Sunday and taken the kids to school on a Monday. I know some will bounce around at slow speeds but to be honest I never have had this problem.

[eye121]

Hi

I drive mine every day; windows always down. Clutch not a problem and steering OK except for the useless turning circle. Runs cool. Long journeys are no problem and I have less backache getting out than in my 'normal' cars. Please buy a good one. I am only just getting to the end of a long backlog of maintenance and repairs after nearly two years and would do things differently now.

Get it inspected by an expert unless you buy from a very short list of dealers.

There's nothing that compares at 20 or 70mph for the money!

[turfclubroad]

So, just had my first test drive, in a 4.2..... In terms of all round driveability it actually surprised me how easy and docile it felt. Not quite that different in terms of how the power is delivered vs in a speed six (I tried Racing Greens bucket head as well), that is with placid town driving and semi enthousiastic dual carriage way driving. Granted I only ahd about 30 min's in each car and a full day of touring may change my viewpoints a bit, however the most important conclusion for me was that the v8 is certainly not to be counted out as a car for different choires. Having said that I was a bit disappointed with the v8 noise or rather the make up (4 cilinder without a belly) but I sterted a seperate thread about that.

I do have another question though: lots of you have commented that different cer's with same engines could feel more different than a couple of cerbs with different engines. Could you be more specific about WHAT feels different so I can look for it in following tests?

thx

Wiebe

[Buffoon]

Done it today already, but here is another shameless plug for Speed Sixes. The S6 engine is a little smoother and happier in traffic than the AJP8, and combined with the softer suspension / weight distribution produces fewer heart in mouth moments on winter roads. In my view it is the better every day use car. Slightly less thirsty too. Plug over.

As for storage and seating etc. I find the Cerb more comfortable to drive than almost any other car, but maybe I am built wonkey. I've had 2 kegs of beer in the boot and one on the Passenger seat, and I also take it fishing / camping. You'd be amazed what you can fit in if you do it with care. Can even squeeze the missus in if I drug her first