Cerbera 4.5 V8 or Lotus Esprit V8?
Discussion
Have just sold my Aston and am looking for a V8 weekend car (so no more than 3k miles a year). Shortlist is:
Cerbera 4.5 in black
Lotus Esprit V8
E39 M5
Jaguar XKR
Needs to be 10 years old for classic insurance so 1999 cars or earlier. Am used to spending a few k a year in running costs in place of depreciation. My heart says Cerbie though head is looking at the outrigger corrosion
and other typical TVR problems. XKR is the safe option though all autos and I like 
.
Any sage advice?
Budget up to £15k
Cerbera 4.5 in black
Lotus Esprit V8
E39 M5
Jaguar XKR
Needs to be 10 years old for classic insurance so 1999 cars or earlier. Am used to spending a few k a year in running costs in place of depreciation. My heart says Cerbie though head is looking at the outrigger corrosion
and other typical TVR problems. XKR is the safe option though all autos and I like .Any sage advice?
Budget up to £15k
Edited by stats007 on Tuesday 7th April 16:19
stats007 said:
Have just sold my Aston and am looking for a V8 weekend car (so no more than 3k miles a year). Shortlist is:
Cerbera 4.5 in black
Lotus Esprit V8
E39 M5
Jaguar XKR
Needs to be 10 years old for classic insurance so 1999 cars or earlier. Am used to spending a few k a year in running costs in place of depreciation. My heart says Cerbie though head is looking at the outrigger corrosion and other typical TVR problems. XKR is the safe option though all autos and I like .
Any sage advice?
Budget up to £15k
Just my opinion...Cerbera 4.5 in black
Lotus Esprit V8
E39 M5
Jaguar XKR
Needs to be 10 years old for classic insurance so 1999 cars or earlier. Am used to spending a few k a year in running costs in place of depreciation. My heart says Cerbie though head is looking at the outrigger corrosion
and other typical TVR problems. XKR is the safe option though all autos and I like .Any sage advice?
Budget up to £15k
Edited by stats007 on Tuesday 7th April 16:19
TVR's are great...Cerbs are brilliant - get one! at £15K you should get a really good 99 car...like you say - check the chassis! Buy on condition.
Esprit - havent had that much experience of lotus...would have thought they drive differently (mid engine) and handle better..? sweeter steering?
In terms of costs and reliability they must be similar...? Both unfairly maligned...? Not as bad as people (who havent owned them...) make out.
Drove a mates XKR...good fun, fast, comfortable...excellent GT but maybe not involving enough for weekend fun car...? probably more reliable?
BMW is the safe bet but in this company the dullest...? good though it is, cant see you itching to drive it at weekends...if you do choose an M5, don't you have to make sure they got the oil change at 1000 miles?
Depends what you want out of it...?
Have fun + hope you get something you are happy with!
Take care
Cheers Pete. A more than sensible and polite reply!
As for what I want out of it? Noise, style - something a little bit different that stands out - which is why the title of the thread just mentioned TVR & Lotus...
A question of whether head rules heart!
As for what I want out of it? Noise, style - something a little bit different that stands out - which is why the title of the thread just mentioned TVR & Lotus...
A question of whether head rules heart!
Edited by stats007 on Tuesday 7th April 16:45
stats007 said:
Cerbera 4.5 in black
Specifying what colour you want is the first mistake in Cerbera ownership, and besides, purple ones are the fastest 
Seriously though, ignore colour, buy on condition and condition alone, if it's a nice colour, then that's a bonus.
Obviously you won't get an auto.
The Cerbera is the fastest of the lot (the special edition twin turbo Esprit may get close? - but you won't get one for £15k)
The M5 will be the most inconspicuous and practical.
The Jaguar is an old man car. I'm sorry, but it is.
Budget up to £15k will get you a decent car, possibly you'd get one for less and be able to have some spare to 'fettle' it with.
Outriggers are a problem, but then that's why you buy on condition. I keep mine in a heated carpeted garage, so hopefully moisture is at a minimum to prolong the lifespan of the 'metal bits'.
My mother's boyfriend (sounds odd saying that) has a Jag, and whilst it's an eminently capable car, it's far too refined to be compared to the Cerbera, and wouldn't get a second glance when driving down a busy highstreet - the Cerbera will stop everyone.
RUSSELLM said:
Why have you got to have classic insurance ? My normal policy doesn't cost a lot, even with 'Commuting' added on.
Look out for the Nikasil issues with the Jag.
Good point, my insurance is only a smidge more than the Renault Megane family hack. Call Hagerty for a quote on one - you'll be surprised.Look out for the Nikasil issues with the Jag.
I can only comment on two. I have a Lotus Turbo Esprit 2.2ltr. I have to say for a small unit,it punches well above its weight. But this is not the issue here. What is,is the driving position. Its very cramped. Large sills make it harder to get in and out of easily,and a heavy clutch pedal(heavier than the cerb) adds to discomfort. I really can only last a couple of hours,then have had enough. The cerbera on the other hand is a more comfortable place. V8,s might have slightly more room. But not that much. Also inspect early V8 Lotus,s 96-97. There were some engine issues.
XKR,s offer a comfortable drive.With nice linear power from the V8.Not as cosseted as the previous two,and the handling and steering no where near as pin sharp as the other either. More GT,than out right sports cars. They do look nice with 20inch Detroit alloys on them. Again early V8,s had engine issues with the infamous nikasil problem. Also check it has had the upgraded timing tensioners fitted.
XKR,s offer a comfortable drive.With nice linear power from the V8.Not as cosseted as the previous two,and the handling and steering no where near as pin sharp as the other either. More GT,than out right sports cars. They do look nice with 20inch Detroit alloys on them. Again early V8,s had engine issues with the infamous nikasil problem. Also check it has had the upgraded timing tensioners fitted.
stats007 said:
Cheers Pete. A more than sensible and polite reply!
As for what I want out of it? Noise, style - something a little bit different that stands out - which is why the title of the thread just mentioned TVR & Lotus...
A question of whether head rules heart!
No problem - all good cars in their own way but if noise and style are the order of the day then its got to be the cerb or esprit.As for what I want out of it? Noise, style - something a little bit different that stands out - which is why the title of the thread just mentioned TVR & Lotus...
A question of whether head rules heart!
Edited by stats007 on Tuesday 7th April 16:45
difficult to choose - each have their pro's and con's! In my opinion its a cerb all the way but their will be lotus owners stating the opposite...
maybe be best to try a few or each and see if you prefer one or the other?
There was a great looking exprit V8 turbo in autocar classifieds recently for about £13 or £14K if memory serves?
But, having said all that, buy a cerb...
I tried an XK a while back and was disappointed with it. Too heavy and bloated with a cramped interior and not great handling.
Another even bigger disappointment was the Porsche 928 S4. It seems as though as soon as you get to over 30cwts with all the safety and comfort bits added to a car the fun seems to go out of the drive.
Can you handle there always being something that needs doing (read fixing) to your car (there always will be with a TVR)? If not buy the Jag or BMW.
Another even bigger disappointment was the Porsche 928 S4. It seems as though as soon as you get to over 30cwts with all the safety and comfort bits added to a car the fun seems to go out of the drive.
Can you handle there always being something that needs doing (read fixing) to your car (there always will be with a TVR)? If not buy the Jag or BMW.
Does it have to be 10 years old? Mine is a 2003 insured with Hagerty on 4k limited mileage classic insurance £359 garaged. If its gonna be a Cerb my advice is go see a lot, put colur aside and go for history and overall condition. I agree you can only compare the lotus, Jag is old man, BMW common as muck.
Totally agree with above just has to be a Cerb i came from a M3 fun car but nothing compared to my beast and yes dont worry about clssic insurance for a second car on limited mileage is cheap. Look and look hard for a well loved good history and lots already spent on it. You will never stop grinning it does to me what no other car as yet has, its totally addictive you just want to keep on driving.
stats007 said:
Have just sold my Aston and am looking for a V8 weekend car (so no more than 3k miles a year). Shortlist is:
Cerbera 4.5 in black
Lotus Esprit V8
E39 M5
Jaguar XKR
CerbCerbera 4.5 in black
Lotus Esprit V8
E39 M5
Jaguar XKR
M5
Lotus
Jag.
Thats the order I'd put them in, the Jag will be too similar to the Aston, the Lotus just doesnt appeal to me and the M5 is an absolutely mighty car, massively underrated. The Cerb is IMHO so far ahead of the shortlist in terms of your intended use it is laughable. Only one of the above is a true event to be in/drive/look at, and I suspect thats why you're in the Cerb forum.
Hi there, go with what your heart tells you. IMO you got to want a car for what it is and represents. If you want something based on best exhaust note, go with a Cerb. If you want pedigree, handling and want to enter the dark side of supercar ownership go for the flamboyant Esprit, reliability go for a German. In a race the Cerb will win against a std V8, but I bet a Sport 350 will give it a good run for its money. 
Runs and hides from the TVR mafia.........>> gone !
Make a list of the things you want from a car.
The earlier Esprit V8s did suffer liner failure which was sorted late 2000 with upgraded sealant. But don’t let that put you off. It wasnt huge numbers. These problems arguably happened from overheated engines. The key thing is to look after your cooling system and this will help. The upgraded interior was from 98 onwards which feels more functional and modern. The more powerful V8s had the recalibrated ECUs from 2002 and restyled front end ? and of course in the earlier Sport 350s from 98-2000 also. Buy the best sorted V8 you can afford that is fully stamped up. I don’t think you would get much for 15K pounds though - four wheels and a turbo perhaps
Happy hunting
Runs and hides from the TVR mafia.........>> gone !Make a list of the things you want from a car.
The earlier Esprit V8s did suffer liner failure which was sorted late 2000 with upgraded sealant. But don’t let that put you off. It wasnt huge numbers. These problems arguably happened from overheated engines. The key thing is to look after your cooling system and this will help. The upgraded interior was from 98 onwards which feels more functional and modern. The more powerful V8s had the recalibrated ECUs from 2002 and restyled front end ? and of course in the earlier Sport 350s from 98-2000 also. Buy the best sorted V8 you can afford that is fully stamped up. I don’t think you would get much for 15K pounds though - four wheels and a turbo perhaps
Happy hunting
Edited by Kylie on Wednesday 8th April 03:54
I'll recheck my insurance situation - Footman James require a TVR to be 10 years old. Added bonus of pre 2001 cars is lower RFL.
I think a decent post '98 V8 Esprit will be nearer £20k so the Cerbera is definitely the first choice. I ran one for a while and had the clutch slave cylinder go - the bonnet catches break, boot pop open and doors not unlock as well as starter issues...
I think a decent post '98 V8 Esprit will be nearer £20k so the Cerbera is definitely the first choice. I ran one for a while and had the clutch slave cylinder go - the bonnet catches break, boot pop open and doors not unlock as well as starter issues...
stats007 said:
I'll recheck my insurance situation - Footman James require a TVR to be 10 years old. Added bonus of pre 2001 cars is lower RFL.
My insurance on a 2002 (agreed value £22k) is just over £400, including 60 days euro cover with three named drivers (aged 28).Ignore the lower RFL issue, all TVRs are classed PLG which means they're not assessed on CO2. 12 months is £185 notes IIRC
Black one does look nice BTW.
Gassing Station | Cerbera | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff