SHOULD I BUY A SPEED 6 CERBERA?
Discussion
I have always liked the look and sound of a Cerbera, however I have always stayed clear of TVRs due to the reports of poor build, reliability etc. My urges are now getting the better of me but I do need a car that I can use every day (300 miles per week)and not have it breaking down etc. I have read that the Spped 6 is the more reliable of the models and has a softer ride for more frequent use as a GT. Does anyone have any advice, and is £32k for a 2001 spd 6 with 21k on the clock a little heavy?
This question must pop up at least once a month....firstly i would say DO NOT buy a TVR unless you are prepared to spend more money on them..not all cars need lots spent on them, but usually when some things do go wrong, its costly....and not all things are covered by a warranty.Its also advisable to have a second opinion from someone like Joolspeed if you find a car you like....do not judge the car just because you like the look of it....seek out as much info as possible...history, servicing, upgrades, and any new bits fitted previously...ie clutches etc....
As far as Speed 6 over a AJP...this question often opens up a can of worms as the peeps with SP6 say they are the best and those with AJP's will disagree.......Also do a search here as this has been asked many many times before......may the debate begin!
As far as Speed 6 over a AJP...this question often opens up a can of worms as the peeps with SP6 say they are the best and those with AJP's will disagree.......Also do a search here as this has been asked many many times before......may the debate begin!
satman said:
This question must pop up at least once a month....firstly i would say DO NOT buy a TVR unless you are prepared to spend more money on them..not all cars need lots spent on them, but usually when some things do go wrong, its costly....and not all things are covered by a warranty.Its also advisable to have a second opinion from someone like Joolspeed if you find a car you like....do not judge the car just because you like the look of it....seek out as much info as possible...history, servicing, upgrades, and any new bits fitted previously...ie clutches etc....
As far as Speed 6 over a AJP...this question often opens up a can of worms as the peeps with SP6 say they are the best and those with AJP's will disagree.......Also do a search here as this has been asked many many times before......may the debate begin!
Thats my short contribution to your question. I think Paddy has generally covered most things. DO A SEARCH. That way you'll find a lot of answers to your questions.
Most people 'in the know' say the Speed Six engine was not fully sorted until 2003. 
Prior to that there was the good, the bad and the ugly!
Plenty of advise on here as Paddy said.
Good luck and I hope you find the car for you.
Go create some weather...
Graham
TCR The Cerbera Register
www.TVR-Cerbera.com
Prior to that there was the good, the bad and the ugly!
Plenty of advise on here as Paddy said.
Good luck and I hope you find the car for you.
Go create some weather...
Graham
TCR The Cerbera Register
www.TVR-Cerbera.com
if you can find one -they are much rarer than blue deankelly said:
...but I do need a car that I can use every day (300 miles per week)and not have it breaking down etc.
15000 miles a year. That's a lot of servicing and tyres! Most of what is said about TVR and unreliability/build quality is b*ll*cks, but if you want something you can jump in to and whizz off to work in every day without thinking (check oil/water more often than you change your pants, make sure the engine's warm before you rev it or open it up, and be prepared to do a little light spannering occasionally), and that won't be like a roller skate when the snow comes, you probably need something else as well (or instead). I think even those who use their car as a daily driver keep something a little more modest for the days when massive power to weight is not really appropriate.
So yes, buy your dream car, and something else as well
rude girl said:
I think even those who use their car as a daily driver keep something a little more modest for the days when massive power to weight is not really appropriate.
I used to do, but got rid of it as the Cerb was so usable/reliable. I wouldn't do that if I was definitely going to do 300 miles per week + fun driving, though. That's going to be 20k PA by the time you're done = £2.5k PA on scheduled servicing alone. I'm averaging 1k miles per month at the mo, and it's fine. Wouldn't want to do many more, though.
Of course, my car's going, but that's for other reasons!
One thing - if you like the sound, then *any* TVR would probably do it - it's down to the sports exhaust/de-cat paired with a big engine as much as "TVR magic". The AJP/S6 "engines" themselves aren't great sounding (as much as I hate to admit it)... it's the pipes that make it.
Joolz looks after somebody's car that's in for its 6,000 mile service every few months, from what he was saying (and the fact it's in for service every time I'm up there!). Might be worth talking to him running one that you're putting a lot of miles on.
Jesus...
NO. and whoever told you the speed six is the most reliable cerbera is either a) lying or b) trying to sell you a speed six cerbera.....
By all means go for one, they are fantastic and for my money the best TVR ever (although not as good handling as the Tamora/T350) just be aware that it will cost you....so have a nice fund ready to run it.
NO. and whoever told you the speed six is the most reliable cerbera is either a) lying or b) trying to sell you a speed six cerbera.....
By all means go for one, they are fantastic and for my money the best TVR ever (although not as good handling as the Tamora/T350) just be aware that it will cost you....so have a nice fund ready to run it.
Yup .. i used to work on a cerbie V8 that had done 70 k and still going strong (if a little tatty around the edges) .. and i have a car that does 1k miles a WEKK!! .. every time it's in for serivce he books his next one there and then!! .. the car is very reliable, only had a clutch and steering rack leak other than routine servicing .. HOWEVER :
for every 70k cerbera and 1k per week cerbera there's the ones that have cost 5000 pounds in the first 6 months, the cars that leak no matter what you do to them, the cars that rattle and stall and generally act like satan himself built it ..
if you're even in the slightest doubt that a cerbie may not be the car for you, don't buy it!!
for every 70k cerbera and 1k per week cerbera there's the ones that have cost 5000 pounds in the first 6 months, the cars that leak no matter what you do to them, the cars that rattle and stall and generally act like satan himself built it ..
if you're even in the slightest doubt that a cerbie may not be the car for you, don't buy it!!
flasher said:
Jesus...
NO. and whoever told you the speed six is the most reliable cerbera is either a) lying or b) trying to sell you a speed six cerbera.....
By all means go for one, they are fantastic and for my money the best TVR ever (although not as good handling as the Tamora/T350) just be aware that it will cost you....so have a nice fund ready to run it.
Yeah, that was pretty much what I was trying to say, but I was having a tactful moment. No fear chaps, it's passed now.
Bombproof Reliability - Toyota
Beauty that makes your knees go weak, acceleration that turns your stomach, and (when you get it right) handling that overwhelms you with joy - TVR
Of course, I have both lol
Thanks for all the advice, I am well prepared to get my hands dirty and pay for the regular servicing and I can use another car if necessary. It was more a question of have I been advised right ie the speed 6 being the best for high usage or would I be better of with a 4.2 or 4.5 and would you stay clear of a cerb with an engine rebuild?
deankelly said:As I mentioned before, if it has a 2003 or later engine, you should be fine with a Speed Six and indeed,
It was more a question of have I been advised right ie the speed 6 being the best for high usage or would I be better of with a 4.2 or 4.5 and would you stay clear of a cerb with an engine rebuild?
it was built with the softer ride, ease of use in mind etc.
There are plenty of us here that use the 4.2 / 4.5 for everyday use and while, later cars
(generally 1998 and after) need less attention if cared for.
It will come down to personal choice like anything, try all three and see what
'fits' your needs best.
Usual advice though.
1) Never buy the first you see unless you are 110% sure it is sound.
2) Have the car checked by an independent professional.
3) Hold back money (£200 a month is a good guide) for any potential problems / servicing.
4) If you do have a Speed Six pre 2003, make sure it has a warranty that covers
the engine or you could lose up to £6k.
I hope that helps and if you need anyone to source you a car, give the spec to
James Agger and he will sort you out as he has many other here.
Go create some weather...
Graham
TCR The Cerbera Register
www.TVR-Cerbera.com
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