Tell me good things about owning a TVR....
Discussion
Hi all, I guess this is the best place to start really. I'm in the process of hunting for a Cerbera 4.5, as the M3 has become tame and boring, and as far as I can tell nothing coems close to giving you as much bang for your bucks (as our friends across the pond would say) than a Cerbie.
However, a few people I have come across have pulled out the old worries about TVR reliability and maintenance costs - none of whom it has to be said have ever woned a TVR!!! I know these have been well documented and harped on about for years, but I need to speak to those in the know, who drive these cars to get a feel for the amount of truth in what I've heard.
I'm looking for a post 98 4.5 - as someone told me Honda had a hand in the electrics after this point - is he right?
I just want to go and buy a car, but need a reassuring cyber cuddle first...I'm not scared of spending a few pounds to keep the car in good nick, my last M3 service was over £2000 - but I don't want o be forking out cash every month.
Oh yeah....and the car won't be used EVERY day, probably 3 times a week though....
Any advice?
However, a few people I have come across have pulled out the old worries about TVR reliability and maintenance costs - none of whom it has to be said have ever woned a TVR!!! I know these have been well documented and harped on about for years, but I need to speak to those in the know, who drive these cars to get a feel for the amount of truth in what I've heard.
I'm looking for a post 98 4.5 - as someone told me Honda had a hand in the electrics after this point - is he right?
I just want to go and buy a car, but need a reassuring cyber cuddle first...I'm not scared of spending a few pounds to keep the car in good nick, my last M3 service was over £2000 - but I don't want o be forking out cash every month.
Oh yeah....and the car won't be used EVERY day, probably 3 times a week though....
Any advice?
2k for a service on an M3, what did you have done? We have so far owned a Chim, a Tuscan and a now a T350c, none of our services have cost anywhere near that amount.
I would just say, go into TVR ownership with your eyes wide open and be prepared for some niggles, if you don't have any then fair enough you have a sorted car, if you do and you are prepared for them it shouldn't be too big a shock if anything does happen.
If you are really keen on a Cerb I would say just go and buy one, if it really doesn't suit you can always sell it again, but if you don't go for it you may end up regretting it.
The huge
you get when driving it will more than make up for any problems. So here is your cyber hug
Good luck with whatever you decide and welcome to PH
Take a wander through the Cerb forum over the past few months and you should come up with some good advice, but in a nutshell.
Budget £3000 a year in maintenance.
Buy the best car you can afford.
Condition is king, mileage means nothing.
Get the car inspected by an expert, even if the history is perfect.
Follow that and you should be ok.
I bought my Cerb 3-4 months ago and I've already spent my 3 grand, so fingers crossed that's my lot for the year, but I didn't follow my own advice
Budget £3000 a year in maintenance.
Buy the best car you can afford.
Condition is king, mileage means nothing.
Get the car inspected by an expert, even if the history is perfect.
Follow that and you should be ok.
I bought my Cerb 3-4 months ago and I've already spent my 3 grand, so fingers crossed that's my lot for the year, but I didn't follow my own advice
I've had a trevor for 17 months and a total of zero things have gone wrong (apart form one electric mirror occasionally not working). I love it, there's nothing like it for the sound, the interior, the performance, the rarity, and the club-like atmosphere of owning one (other TVR drivers always give you a wave) and they get a much better reaction from people than porkers or ferraris - people in the street shouting "nice car mate!" and people on the motorway getting out of your way when they see you in their mirror, even without flashing them. It's also funny in London when it's parked up and Japanese and American tourists look around it and look inside as they've never seen one before. And other drivers who even in the rain open their windows as you drive past so they can hear the noise better - and then close them again. And you'll love being able to leave M3s for dead in a Cerbie!
Just Do It!
Just Do It!
Sounds like you are having exactly the same thoughts as i had about four months ago. In the end, i weighed everything up and i just went for it, getting myself a late 98 Cerb 4.5, and i have never looked back.
I use it two or three times a week as my second car, and there has been no major things wrong with it (save for a dodgy boot latch which was fixed in no time). Mine is'nt modified or twiddled with in any way, nor do i intend it to be. As for service/reliability and running costs, dont listen to all those scary stories about it costing a fortune. Yes, it will have its ups and downs, but i just got mine back from a full 12k service plus a few other bits doing to it, and all for just over £700. I had my Mazda MX6 in for a service last year and that cost nearly £600, so relatively speaking there aint that much difference!
As for the sheer driving pleasure - i could'nt recommend one more!
I use it two or three times a week as my second car, and there has been no major things wrong with it (save for a dodgy boot latch which was fixed in no time). Mine is'nt modified or twiddled with in any way, nor do i intend it to be. As for service/reliability and running costs, dont listen to all those scary stories about it costing a fortune. Yes, it will have its ups and downs, but i just got mine back from a full 12k service plus a few other bits doing to it, and all for just over £700. I had my Mazda MX6 in for a service last year and that cost nearly £600, so relatively speaking there aint that much difference!
As for the sheer driving pleasure - i could'nt recommend one more!
I haven't stopped grinning since i got my Chimmy, won't ever change to another brand. Mines been super reliable over 20 months with just a sump gasket to change & service costs that i didn't s**t myself over.
Usual golden rule of driving/looking at a few before you buy or do wot i did & buy the first one i saw, i know i know, they have that effect & as mrs fish says, don't like it sell it
Good luck
Usual golden rule of driving/looking at a few before you buy or do wot i did & buy the first one i saw, i know i know, they have that effect & as mrs fish says, don't like it sell it
Good luck
Just buy it and live with the consequences - stop relying on 'what everyone says'.
I've had TVRs since '96, both has daily transport and weekend toys. I don't CARE what people say or think, I don't tell them what to drive.
Would you ask someone else what house you should live in? What clothes you should wear? Have the balls to be different!
Ian
I've had TVRs since '96, both has daily transport and weekend toys. I don't CARE what people say or think, I don't tell them what to drive.
Would you ask someone else what house you should live in? What clothes you should wear? Have the balls to be different!
Ian
trooper1212 said:
Budget £3000 a year in maintenance.
Is it really that bad?
I've recently joined PH to learn more about TVRs as I fancy a Cerb. I'm looking to spend between £20-25k so I don't really wanna have to fork out another £3k per year just to keep it on the road
I don't expect Japanese reliability but I would like to be able to have a bit of faith in my car getting me to my destination without the aid of a AA truck.
jbonnett said:
Hi all, I guess this is the best place to start really. I'm in the process of hunting for a Cerbera 4.5, as the M3 has become tame and boring, and as far as I can tell nothing coems close to giving you as much bang for your bucks (as our friends across the pond would say) than a Cerbie.
However, a few people I have come across have pulled out the old worries about TVR reliability and maintenance costs - none of whom it has to be said have ever woned a TVR!!! I know these have been well documented and harped on about for years, but I need to speak to those in the know, who drive these cars to get a feel for the amount of truth in what I've heard.
I'm looking for a post 98 4.5 - as someone told me Honda had a hand in the electrics after this point - is he right?
I just want to go and buy a car, but need a reassuring cyber cuddle first...I'm not scared of spending a few pounds to keep the car in good nick, my last M3 service was over £2000 - but I don't want o be forking out cash every month.
Oh yeah....and the car won't be used EVERY day, probably 3 times a week though....
Any advice?
There is no car below £150000 with a blistering breakneck performance like Cerbera esp V8. What a means of transport!
Financially, it is a deal of sheer perpetual loss. Net >£3000 per year.
philz said:
Budget £3000 a year in maintenance.
Is it really that bad?
Not usually, but if you budget for that, then you won't have any problems.
I've spent that much in the past 3 months getting my car up to scratch, but then I bought it knowing it needed a bit of work. It turned out to be a bit more work than I expected.
If I hadn't budgeted for the possibility, I wouldn't still have the car, simple as that.
A number of Cerbs will run perfectly all year and not come close to that, a minor few will cost a lot more. The majority will be somewhere in the middle.
If you put aside the money, then you won't get stung and anything it doesn't cost is a bonus.
I'd agree with the £3,000 per year estimate, as that is about right for my first year, but that is with a reasonable degree of corrective surgery to start to bring the car up to an acceptable standard for me (eg. just about to do the silicon hose/stainless pipes switch). If it works out less, then be happy. Even at this price, or higher, it's still worth every penny IMHO. I would 100% agree with getting an expert who is local to you to check the car over, and brief them to price for:
1) work needed immediately & if possible get them to ckeck that all factory retrofits have been done
2) work that is likely to need doing in the near future (eg. when last clutch done, state of brake discs, etc.)
3) recommendations as to any improvements/upgrades
It can be well worth money spent and of course gives you bargaining power with the seller.
Go for it
1) work needed immediately & if possible get them to ckeck that all factory retrofits have been done
2) work that is likely to need doing in the near future (eg. when last clutch done, state of brake discs, etc.)
3) recommendations as to any improvements/upgrades
It can be well worth money spent and of course gives you bargaining power with the seller.
Go for it
Hi, I know what you are going through I went through it all in Oct 03, decided to go for it, 10days into ownership had gearbox failure, starter motor, flywheel, clutch..etc and a £3,000.00 bill. I don't think the first fortnight of ownership could have been more of a mix of emotions but at the end of the day I bit the bullet paid the bill and when you drive the car you forget about the bills. There is NOTHING that compares for power/£ the way I looked at it I paid £20k for my 98 4.5 plus the big bill so I ended up paying £23k for a car with brand new gearbox, clutch, flywheel, starter motor and all warrantied by the factory....you have to have broad shoulders but thats only to support an even broader grin!!
Nice one.
Exactly what I wanted to hear....I'm gonna buy a Cerbey. Oohh, just got a little tingle down my spine.
Mrs Fish - the service was new brakes, pads, tyres, handbrake, plus the £700 for the inspection 2 anyway...ridiculous really, just to keep that FBMWSH going.
You've all been fantastically helpful and given me the re-assurance I needed....he he he....I feel like a school kid again....
Am meant to be concentrating at work but it's just not happening now....ho hum.
So, I think I may have found a car....watch this space....thanks again people.
Exactly what I wanted to hear....I'm gonna buy a Cerbey. Oohh, just got a little tingle down my spine.
Mrs Fish - the service was new brakes, pads, tyres, handbrake, plus the £700 for the inspection 2 anyway...ridiculous really, just to keep that FBMWSH going.
You've all been fantastically helpful and given me the re-assurance I needed....he he he....I feel like a school kid again....
Am meant to be concentrating at work but it's just not happening now....ho hum.
So, I think I may have found a car....watch this space....thanks again people.
Personally I would get out in a car to see how you
get on with a Cerbera. They may look and sound stunning,
but there are things that make it a world away from an M3.
It will do exactly what you have read or may have seen and
is the ultimate British family sports car, but it has unique
elements in driving, care and understanding
If it is the car for you, try a few - DO NOT buy the first you see
(unless you are 100% sure of what you are buying! )
Also, have an independent expert look at any car before
you commit, better still... BUY from an expert!
Once you have a car, put around £250 a month aside
and you may or may not need it.
A good year will cost you £1200 and a bad anything up
to £5000. If you have a good year - you end up with a
nice holiday fund!
Be ready for the £200 a month fuel bill if you plan
to use the car daily with Optimax.
Use the car often, but ease her in gently each time.
Thrash her too soon and she will thrash your wallet.
I'm not going to say buy one, it may not be the car
you think it is, but if it is and you take note of what
I and others have said and you will never want
anything else.
Here is my 'learning curve' to open your eyes.
My first car was checked out on paper, with calls to service
suppliers and the factory, I also had an expert check it over
and I looked at a number of cars before buying.
Even after all that, my first 8 months cost me 4K
Now that does not mean I bought a bad car, more that I was
sold a car with appalling work done on it during the presale
checks, something we could not have foreseen.
As a result, 2.5k was spent to put right damage the sellers
had caused and 1.5k was spent by me on services and
up grades.
I used my car every day and after the original problems,
the car ran like a dream and had no signs of impending
wallet raiding.
I'd bought an entry level (96 4.2) so knew the potential for
clutch / cam problems, but by buying a later car, you
will by pass those, but you still must keep an eye on
cars with clutch problems, those that may have been
abused or those not maintained to the level they need.
Even after taking that initial big hit on the wallet like
BigBazza, I'd not own anything other than a Cerbera
hence now investing in what I plan to be my long term
Cerbera, an upgraded 98 4.5.
Hopefully reading PistonHeads has helped.
Yes it can be scary if you get it wrong, but get it right
and it will be a total dream.
Go create some weather...
It's a road legal Concorde!
Graham
TCR The Cerbera Register
www.TVR-Cerbera.com
get on with a Cerbera. They may look and sound stunning,
but there are things that make it a world away from an M3.
It will do exactly what you have read or may have seen and
is the ultimate British family sports car, but it has unique
elements in driving, care and understanding
If it is the car for you, try a few - DO NOT buy the first you see
(unless you are 100% sure of what you are buying! )
Also, have an independent expert look at any car before
you commit, better still... BUY from an expert!
Once you have a car, put around £250 a month aside
and you may or may not need it.
A good year will cost you £1200 and a bad anything up
to £5000. If you have a good year - you end up with a
nice holiday fund!
Be ready for the £200 a month fuel bill if you plan
to use the car daily with Optimax.
Use the car often, but ease her in gently each time.
Thrash her too soon and she will thrash your wallet.
I'm not going to say buy one, it may not be the car
you think it is, but if it is and you take note of what
I and others have said and you will never want
anything else.
Here is my 'learning curve' to open your eyes.
My first car was checked out on paper, with calls to service
suppliers and the factory, I also had an expert check it over
and I looked at a number of cars before buying.
Even after all that, my first 8 months cost me 4K
Now that does not mean I bought a bad car, more that I was
sold a car with appalling work done on it during the presale
checks, something we could not have foreseen.
As a result, 2.5k was spent to put right damage the sellers
had caused and 1.5k was spent by me on services and
up grades.
I used my car every day and after the original problems,
the car ran like a dream and had no signs of impending
wallet raiding.
I'd bought an entry level (96 4.2) so knew the potential for
clutch / cam problems, but by buying a later car, you
will by pass those, but you still must keep an eye on
cars with clutch problems, those that may have been
abused or those not maintained to the level they need.
Even after taking that initial big hit on the wallet like
BigBazza, I'd not own anything other than a Cerbera
hence now investing in what I plan to be my long term
Cerbera, an upgraded 98 4.5.
Hopefully reading PistonHeads has helped.
Yes it can be scary if you get it wrong, but get it right
and it will be a total dream.
Go create some weather...
It's a road legal Concorde!
Graham
TCR The Cerbera Register
www.TVR-Cerbera.com
Go for it. You will have soooooo much fun.
Had mine for 6 years this year. Only failed to arrive to where I was going twice in 58,000 miles and even then once it was just a fuse! Agree with previous posts. Budget for regular specialist service and it will reward you with reliability.
It wasn't until TVR rumoured the Typhon that I was tempted to change.
Had mine for 6 years this year. Only failed to arrive to where I was going twice in 58,000 miles and even then once it was just a fuse! Agree with previous posts. Budget for regular specialist service and it will reward you with reliability.
It wasn't until TVR rumoured the Typhon that I was tempted to change.
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