which Cerbera and what to look for?

[Chewitt]

dear Cerberites

having almost sold my lovely Tuscan I am tentatively starting to dig for Cerberas

so what one is best?

4.2, 4.5, S6 (watch the fur fly!!)

and any reasons why - by the way I love the S6 in my Tuscan

and what to spot when I'm looking. Having spent 2 years growing knowledgeable about Tuscans - I'm back at the bottom of the learning curve.

and......do you know of a good un for sale?

thanks

[Cooky]

greeny-silvery-blue ones are the fastest
HTH

[Chewitt]

good tip - coz Yellowish Tuscans are the fastest and best

[Cooky]

Chewitt said:

good tip - coz Yellowish Tuscans are the fastest and best

I wouldn't know, living with that constant misfire must have been a hell of a bind

anyway congrats on your choice of considering a proper TVR (Go for either a 4.2 or 4.5 AJP and consider history & condition as paramount)

[DanTVR]

Personally, I would go for an ajp engine, its what defines part of the cars character. All IMO of course! If you go for a 4.2 it will be far more raw than the speed 6 engine. Lumpier at lows revs and a bit more of a challenge to drive around town. The 4.5 is a bit more powerful with more potential for tuning and smoother/easier to drive. I test drove a few different Cerb's before falling in love with mine. The speed 6 engine is supposed to be the best to drive day to day. Most common problem with the cerb, is rust on the outriggers, especially behind the front wheels and around the exhaust manifolds.

I shouldn't think your learning curve will be that steep, as you already have experience of little electrical niggles and clutch issues which all post griff tvr's seem to share. The general rule is buy on condition. If the car in excellent condition with no expense spared on repairs/servicing then it should be a goodun. When I was looking for one I wanted to make sure it had been used often. I don't really like buying a car thats been sitting for long periods of time as they tend to develop little problems. I wouldn't completely disregard things like age or mileage, they just aren't as important as they are with a eurobox, but I'm sure you know that already

Hope this helps and good luck with your search!

Edited by DanTVR on Monday 8th February 20:38

[G20RG B]

I moved from a SP6 Tuscan(2001) to a Cerbera SP6(2003).
I think chassis and engine are the main things, as with most TVRs and the newer the better IMO. Check electrics and driveability and I,m sure having had one before you will know a good one when you see it. I haven't had any issues yet although I have changed break pads, droplinks and replaced headlights with HID Xenons which make a difference. I haven,t really been able to drive it to much because of the weather but looking forward to some trips around the west coast of Scotland and Chatsworth this year.
Good luck with your search and If you do go for an SP6 engine you won,t be dissapointed and it seems like the rebuilds being done by the specialists have solved any engine issues. And the AJPs aren't as reliable as some would have you believe but an excellent engine none the less.

George

[boss1uk]

iv had my AJP for a few months now, various electrical faults, just done clutch and slave cylinder,,,,
every time you put your foot to the floor you lose a strip of tyre, corners are taken with the rear taking a slightly wider line than the front...
Its fantastic. Love every minute of it

[Cooky]

boss1uk said:

iv had my AJP for a few months now, various electrical faults, just done clutch and slave cylinder,,,,
every time you put your foot to the floor you lose a strip of tyre, corners are taken with the rear taking a slightly wider line than the front...
Its fantastic. Love every minute of it

Good isn't it

[boss1uk]

OH YES !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[peteA]

G20RG B said:

I moved from a SP6 Tuscan(2001) to a Cerbera SP6(2003).
I think chassis and engine are the main things, as with most TVRs and the newer the better IMO. Check electrics and driveability and I,m sure having had one before you will know a good one when you see it. I haven't had any issues yet although I have changed break pads, droplinks and replaced headlights with HID Xenons which make a difference. I haven,t really been able to drive it to much because of the weather but looking forward to some trips around the west coast of Scotland and Chatsworth this year.
Good luck with your search and If you do go for an SP6 engine you won,t be dissapointed and it seems like the rebuilds being done by the specialists have solved any engine issues. And the AJPs aren't as reliable as some would have you believe but an excellent engine none the less.

George

Why is it that 'some' SP6 owners feel the need to knock the AJP? G2ORGB - have you had an AJP let you down?...do you have personal experience of this and are passing on your knowledge? If so fair enough...

I for one don't feel the need to knock the SP6 engine - we all know the issues and most know that a lot of the issues were resolved by TVR and since then by specialists. Most of us know the issues with the 'early' (96..97..?) 4.2 cranks but again its fair to say that this is no longer an issue?

Then again there are known problems with some porsche engines (oil seals?)...look at toyota for gods sake!

Can we not just agree that the engines have different characters? I have not owned a SP6 engined car but have been in a few and its a stunning engine...as are most/all TVR engines?

[peteA]

Chewitt said:

dear Cerberites

having almost sold my lovely Tuscan I am tentatively starting to dig for Cerberas

so what one is best?

4.2, 4.5, S6 (watch the fur fly!!)

and any reasons why - by the way I love the S6 in my Tuscan

and what to spot when I'm looking. Having spent 2 years growing knowledgeable about Tuscans - I'm back at the bottom of the learning curve.

and......do you know of a good un for sale?

thanks

All stunning and all quick - different characters and similar models could also feel significantly differenty (due to condition, spec, tuning, modifications, etc)...so best to drive as many as you can and buy the one you like most?

Perhaps pop along to your nearest TVR CC meeting to sample a few cars - most owners will be happy to chat to you about their cars.

After that its the usual - general condition, mileage (up to a point) and service history/receipts but especially the chassis and electrics - there are several threads on here that go into more detail - see the search facility.

Good luck finding a car - best locations are Pistonheads, TVR CC, Autotrader...?

[WorAl]

peteA said:

G20RG B said:

I moved from a SP6 Tuscan(2001) to a Cerbera SP6(2003).
I think chassis and engine are the main things, as with most TVRs and the newer the better IMO. Check electrics and driveability and I,m sure having had one before you will know a good one when you see it. I haven't had any issues yet although I have changed break pads, droplinks and replaced headlights with HID Xenons which make a difference. I haven,t really been able to drive it to much because of the weather but looking forward to some trips around the west coast of Scotland and Chatsworth this year.
Good luck with your search and If you do go for an SP6 engine you won,t be dissapointed and it seems like the rebuilds being done by the specialists have solved any engine issues. And the AJPs aren't as reliable as some would have you believe but an excellent engine none the less.

George

Why is it that 'some' SP6 owners feel the need to knock the AJP? G2ORGB - have you had an AJP let you down?...do you have personal experience of this and are passing on your knowledge? If so fair enough...

I for one don't feel the need to knock the SP6 engine - we all know the issues and most know that a lot of the issues were resolved by TVR and since then by specialists. Most of us know the issues with the 'early' (96..97..?) 4.2 cranks but again its fair to say that this is no longer an issue?

Then again there are known problems with some porsche engines (oil seals?)...look at toyota for gods sake!

Can we not just agree that the engines have different characters? I have not owned a SP6 engined car but have been in a few and its a stunning engine...as are most/all TVR engines?

He wasn't knocking the AJP its just that a lot of the Cerb owners seem to give the impression that they are bullet proof and they aren't.

I agree though that all TVR engines are superb, just find a later one or a rebuilt one and everything will be ok.

Oh OP forgot to mention, a Cerb is only a Cerb if it has an AJP apparently

[peteA]

WorAl said:

peteA said:

G20RG B said:

I moved from a SP6 Tuscan(2001) to a Cerbera SP6(2003).
I think chassis and engine are the main things, as with most TVRs and the newer the better IMO. Check electrics and driveability and I,m sure having had one before you will know a good one when you see it. I haven't had any issues yet although I have changed break pads, droplinks and replaced headlights with HID Xenons which make a difference. I haven,t really been able to drive it to much because of the weather but looking forward to some trips around the west coast of Scotland and Chatsworth this year.
Good luck with your search and If you do go for an SP6 engine you won,t be dissapointed and it seems like the rebuilds being done by the specialists have solved any engine issues. And the AJPs aren't as reliable as some would have you believe but an excellent engine none the less.

George

Why is it that 'some' SP6 owners feel the need to knock the AJP? G2ORGB - have you had an AJP let you down?...do you have personal experience of this and are passing on your knowledge? If so fair enough...

I for one don't feel the need to knock the SP6 engine - we all know the issues and most know that a lot of the issues were resolved by TVR and since then by specialists. Most of us know the issues with the 'early' (96..97..?) 4.2 cranks but again its fair to say that this is no longer an issue?

Then again there are known problems with some porsche engines (oil seals?)...look at toyota for gods sake!

Can we not just agree that the engines have different characters? I have not owned a SP6 engined car but have been in a few and its a stunning engine...as are most/all TVR engines?

He wasn't knocking the AJP its just that a lot of the Cerb owners seem to give the impression that they are bullet proof and they aren't.

I agree though that all TVR engines are superb, just find a later one or a rebuilt one and everything will be ok.

Oh OP forgot to mention, a Cerb is only a Cerb if it has an AJP apparently

OK

It just sounded like G2ORGB had experienced some 'abnormal' AJP disasters!

There arent many engines that are bullet proof...I guess maintenance and how its driven (from cold) will impact a lot on how reliable an engine will be and how long it will last? In that respect both the SP6 and AJP need more TLC than a RV8, LS6 or more modern engines...

A Cerbs a Cerb as it left the factory...4.0, 4.2, 4.5...SP6...AJP. Even with a LS engine its still a Cerb I guess...but thats another issue all together!

Your clutch still holding up Al? Now theres something on a standard Cerb most of will agree is relatively crap!

[WorAl]

peteA said:

Your clutch still holding up Al? Now theres something on a standard Cerb most of will agree is relatively crap!

Yep, complete ste

Yes, its still standing up very well thank you, has been left for about 6 weeks to dry out and when I went to use it again it was working perfectly well. Sent 900T-R a message about it as he seemed to be interested in one but he hasn't replied.

I need to organise a group buy though, not sure how many are needed.

[peteA]

WorAl said:

peteA said:

Your clutch still holding up Al? Now theres something on a standard Cerb most of will agree is relatively crap!

Yep, complete ste

Yes, its still standing up very well thank you, has been left for about 6 weeks to dry out and when I went to use it again it was working perfectly well. Sent 900T-R a message about it as he seemed to be interested in one but he hasn't replied.

I need to organise a group buy though, not sure how many are needed.

Do you know if all the Cerb clutches are the same?....what about other TVR's?

There might be more interest in terms of volume that way?

[Chewitt]

OI

still wanting Cerbie tips!! lets not talk about clutches before I've even got one



please


edited for politeness!

Edited by Chewitt on Tuesday 9th February 17:24

[The Lukas]

Can I just say, your Tuscan looks absolutely fantastic. If I had the money, I'd certainly entertain it. The colour is like

[Cooky]

IMO a Cerbera is the sum of it's bits, and without an AJPv8 it is without a soul.

The S6's are a compromise in that the factory needed a cheap fix, Wheeler openly admitted that they never made a single penny profit on the Cerbera. This is not the only excuse for their (S6 cerbs) existence as the AJPv8s were also deemed too leery for some and a more sedate option was offered.

As for anything else with a transplanted engine, they may well look like and go quicker than the original, but not something I would consider.

[mikeinsheffield]

peteA said:

WorAl said:

peteA said:

Your clutch still holding up Al? Now theres something on a standard Cerb most of will agree is relatively crap!

Yep, complete ste

Yes, its still standing up very well thank you, has been left for about 6 weeks to dry out and when I went to use it again it was working perfectly well. Sent 900T-R a message about it as he seemed to be interested in one but he hasn't replied.

I need to organise a group buy though, not sure how many are needed.

Do you know if all the Cerb clutches are the same?....what about other TVR's?

There might be more interest in terms of volume that way?

Could always get the RaceProved upgraded clutch??

[JensenA]

If you are going from a Tuscan to a Cerbera, go for an AJP V8 engined one, you are already used to the S6, and it's the AJPV8 that makes the Cerbera what it is, it's the cars heart, it is unique and very special. The 4.2 and 4,5 are just as good as each other, both are blisterngly quick, but they have to be 'driven', I think most people would agree that it takes a while to get it, then suddenly it all becomes clear why we all find them so addictive.
Buy on condition, not mileage, look for one that has been obviously well looked after, and suss the owner out - Has he had it a long time? Does he know what he is talking about? Is he an enthusiast? Has he looked after it and serviced it? Make sure he drives it sympathetically until it is warmend up. If you get taken for a test ride and he thrashes it from cold, walk away, he's probably been doing that all the time. They sound like a bag of nails when they are cold, but should soon musch smoother - but not refined - when warmed up.
Check under the car and pay careful attention to the outriggers, look under the manifolds as far as you can see and check the chassis rails.
Check all the switches work, windows, lights, alarm, steering wheel buttons etc. Go for a decent test drive even if your a passanger, get him to drive it pretty hard, brake hard, corner hard, and get a feel of the car. Listen for rattles, bangs, crashes which could be worn bushes.
They are an amzing car, and you will get a huge amount of help on everything on this forum.
Be prepared for little niggles all the time, they do need a lot of TLC, but they are not as fragile as people may think. If you buy one you will be hooked, they are very special.