Help required - Test Driving Cerbera tomorrow
Discussion
Hi, newbie here. I've been looking to buy a 4.5 Cerbera for a couple of months now. I've arranged a test drive in one tomorrow afternoon. It's currently in HL Gorners in Ashton-In-Makerfield for £26950 (23000 miles). It was in their Warrington branch for a couple of months for £28,450.
My problems are:
1) I've never driven one before and am concerned about the jump from my MX6 (0-60 in 7.5 secs) when I first set off! Anyone any advice about how to cope with the big jump!
2) Bearing in mind the 'problems' that seem prevalent on Cerberas, what questions in particular should I be asking?
Also, do any of you know any of the history of this car and whether it sounds like value for money. Any thoughts would be greatfully received.
Thanks
Braddy
My problems are:
1) I've never driven one before and am concerned about the jump from my MX6 (0-60 in 7.5 secs) when I first set off! Anyone any advice about how to cope with the big jump!
2) Bearing in mind the 'problems' that seem prevalent on Cerberas, what questions in particular should I be asking?
Also, do any of you know any of the history of this car and whether it sounds like value for money. Any thoughts would be greatfully received.
Thanks
Braddy
Hi Braddy
A quick reply as I am about to head out.
Have a read of this thread - it should answer some of your questions.
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=91938&f=6&h=0
I'll add more later.
Good luck!
Graham
TCR The Cerbera Register
www.TVR-Cerbera.com
A quick reply as I am about to head out.
Have a read of this thread - it should answer some of your questions.
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=91938&f=6&h=0
I'll add more later.
Good luck!
Graham
TCR The Cerbera Register
www.TVR-Cerbera.com
Hope you enjoy the test drive...
Don't worry too much about the power, it'll only go as fast as your right foot is heavy. They aren't some mystical machine that requires the skills of Senna to drive (contrary to what some will tell you)
You need to check for FSH either from a reputable independant or main dealer, things like upright recalls complete if applicable, it may sound a little rattley when cold but should be quiet once warm.
Above all if you have doubts get someone to check it out for you. Rob Ingelby does this for a fee and it may be worth giving someone like Joospeed a call see if he can check it over...
Just enjoy it tomorrow - that's the main thing!
Cheers
DC
Don't worry too much about the power, it'll only go as fast as your right foot is heavy. They aren't some mystical machine that requires the skills of Senna to drive (contrary to what some will tell you)
You need to check for FSH either from a reputable independant or main dealer, things like upright recalls complete if applicable, it may sound a little rattley when cold but should be quiet once warm.
Above all if you have doubts get someone to check it out for you. Rob Ingelby does this for a fee and it may be worth giving someone like Joospeed a call see if he can check it over...
Just enjoy it tomorrow - that's the main thing!
Cheers
DC
hi there - had the same concerns when i took mine on a test drive with James Agger - was really worried i would not know how to control it but they do drive easily as long as you control your right foot.
Bottom line is treat it with masses of respect - be confident but not stupid. If you want to boot it on your test drive don't floor it - apply the power gradually - don't put on too much power going round a bend, it will bite you very hard if you don't know what you are doing and you get it wrong - it has much much more power going thru the rear end than you can imagine and that means you have to drive them very differently. You do not want to become a statistic. I've had mine for about 5 months now and still haven't really had it to anything like its capabitity - bottom line is that it is a much better car than i am a driver but in due course with a Ride Drive course, ( if i remember correctly if you go onto the Ride Drive website they have an advice section on how to handle them and important things to remember), and some track fun i will be able to learn more about the car. In the meantime it is a dream - after a new clutch it is so much easier to drive around London traffic when i have to - the old clutch so heavy that stop start traffic was a nightmare and it was turning my left leg into steroidal.
If it is wet when you take it for a test be very careful and the same applies double when you own it because the temptation will be to take it for granted - don't. Shortly after i got mine i was showing off to a friend and floored it on a wet road, flipped out the back end and was very lucky i didn't damage the car, or worse, someone on a bike. Did something similar on another occasion one more time and then said to myself stop being a prat.
With a car like this you don't need to show off, you will learn how to handle it in time and i am sure that the experts on the site will be happy to advise you as you go on how to get the maximum safe enjoyment out of the car. When i can actually get some free time at a weekend i'm looking forward to meeting up with some of them in my area - Sarf West London/Middx. As i drove up to my office just before posting this 4 kids stood to attention and saluted as i went past - definitely the car, not me that's for sure, but it shows the kind of affection and respect people have for them. They really are something special.
Hope you have fun tomorrow.
Bottom line is treat it with masses of respect - be confident but not stupid. If you want to boot it on your test drive don't floor it - apply the power gradually - don't put on too much power going round a bend, it will bite you very hard if you don't know what you are doing and you get it wrong - it has much much more power going thru the rear end than you can imagine and that means you have to drive them very differently. You do not want to become a statistic. I've had mine for about 5 months now and still haven't really had it to anything like its capabitity - bottom line is that it is a much better car than i am a driver but in due course with a Ride Drive course, ( if i remember correctly if you go onto the Ride Drive website they have an advice section on how to handle them and important things to remember), and some track fun i will be able to learn more about the car. In the meantime it is a dream - after a new clutch it is so much easier to drive around London traffic when i have to - the old clutch so heavy that stop start traffic was a nightmare and it was turning my left leg into steroidal.
If it is wet when you take it for a test be very careful and the same applies double when you own it because the temptation will be to take it for granted - don't. Shortly after i got mine i was showing off to a friend and floored it on a wet road, flipped out the back end and was very lucky i didn't damage the car, or worse, someone on a bike. Did something similar on another occasion one more time and then said to myself stop being a prat.
With a car like this you don't need to show off, you will learn how to handle it in time and i am sure that the experts on the site will be happy to advise you as you go on how to get the maximum safe enjoyment out of the car. When i can actually get some free time at a weekend i'm looking forward to meeting up with some of them in my area - Sarf West London/Middx. As i drove up to my office just before posting this 4 kids stood to attention and saluted as i went past - definitely the car, not me that's for sure, but it shows the kind of affection and respect people have for them. They really are something special.
Hope you have fun tomorrow.
I know how you must be feeling because i stepped up from an MX6 to the Cerbera only six months ago.
On the test drive i dare say (and recommend)you wont be thrashing it. I took it easy and basically tried to get a feel for the car. I bought it! and on the way home (with my Dad following in the MX6)i did play around a tad and could'nt help the widely reported grin forming on my face. I must say that it was'nt so much the starting from standstill which felt hugely different from the MX6 (afterall the MX6 is no slouch), it is what happens afterwards in gears 2 upwards - the power and torque is unreal and must be respected
Have fun and good luck(and keep the MX6 if you can - it is my regular car and i love it to bits!)
On the test drive i dare say (and recommend)you wont be thrashing it. I took it easy and basically tried to get a feel for the car. I bought it! and on the way home (with my Dad following in the MX6)i did play around a tad and could'nt help the widely reported grin forming on my face. I must say that it was'nt so much the starting from standstill which felt hugely different from the MX6 (afterall the MX6 is no slouch), it is what happens afterwards in gears 2 upwards - the power and torque is unreal and must be respected
Have fun and good luck(and keep the MX6 if you can - it is my regular car and i love it to bits!)
Thanks for the advise. Hopefully it'll be alright. I'm sure it's the nature of most people but everyone who posts comments about Cerberas says 'they are amazing, but...'. It's the 'but' that i'm worried about. I don't mind that it will cost me x per year, I've budgeted for that, it's just wondering whenever i start a journey if I'll finish it at the prefered destination or just part way :-).
braddy said:Follow the advice here and there shouldn't be many "but..." times to worry about.
Thanks for the advise. Hopefully it'll be alright. I'm sure it's the nature of most people but everyone who posts comments about Cerberas says 'they are amazing, but...'. It's the 'but' that i'm worried about.
Have a good day tomorrow.
My other problem is that if it's as good a drive as I think I'll end up buying ot tomorrow! Are the warrenties that come with second hand cerberas from main dealers worth the paper they are written on? and is there and independant in the N/West who would look at the car to see if it's value for money? I'm happy to pay for the peace of mind!
Test drive by all means. But try not to jump in and buy it. Drive a few more, from other dealers too! Trust me on this one! Even if you're buying from a dealer, maybe its worth paying an hours fee to an indie to pop out and give the car a quick once over. Warranty covers up to a certain point and price, the rest hits your bank balance.
Oh and keep some gas flowing when changing gears in the low end, try not to stall her! A little repetitive throttle when changing usually helps, all depends on the car really, and watch out of the mysterious handbrake not working, use foot brake as much as possible! Good luck.
Oh and keep some gas flowing when changing gears in the low end, try not to stall her! A little repetitive throttle when changing usually helps, all depends on the car really, and watch out of the mysterious handbrake not working, use foot brake as much as possible! Good luck.
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