Anyone gone from Cerbera to V8 Vantage?
Discussion
Mags said:
I've been daydreaming about switching from a 4.5 Cerbera to a V8 Vantage in the future, maybe not until next year and haven't driven one yet or done anymore than have a quick flick through Youtube and the classifieds. Anyone done this and care to share their thoughts and experience?
I didn't do it in one jump, but have made this move.I look back on both with similar memories: in their day, both looked the dogs - real head turners. Both sounded fantastic. The Cerbera was way quicker than the vantage in all respects (depreciation aside) and much more likely to bring out the hooligan in me.
Build quality I would say actually better for the Cerbera and paint much better without a doubt.
The vantage is a bit fur coat & no knickers - appearance apart it didn't really do it for me. The cost of anything is eye watering without reason given the parts bin raiding that took place.
Most people who bought a new Cerbera did so because they like driving. I think a lot of people who bought a new Vantage had/have a different agenda, some of which doesn't even need petrol.
Frankly, the cars are chalk and cheese but at least satisfy the itch by driving one now - you're more likely then to go off daydreaming about something else !
Blimey, that certainly wasn't what I was expecting!
If the build quality is worse than a TVR I'm amazed they sold any at all.
I think my biggest concern is the additional weight and impact this has on performance. I didn't want to start off by pointing out the Cerb is quicker than an Vantage but on paper it looks like the vantage carries almost 500kg extra and isn't very different in bhp and possibly less torque.
I don't particularly want to part with the Cerb but the missus hates it and will avoid going in it all costs. This means it not getting used as much as it should which is not a major problem but prior to the Cerb I had a Griffith 500 and we used that all the time.
I'm never going to find anything as visceral as the Cerb within my reach but sometimes it would be nice for it to be less of an event to drive if that makes sense.
I need to drive a vantage and see what it's like, I think I'll enjoy it but will miss the bonkers acceleration the Cerb gives.
Ideally is have both but unless my numbers come up that's a pipe dream.
If the build quality is worse than a TVR I'm amazed they sold any at all.
I think my biggest concern is the additional weight and impact this has on performance. I didn't want to start off by pointing out the Cerb is quicker than an Vantage but on paper it looks like the vantage carries almost 500kg extra and isn't very different in bhp and possibly less torque.
I don't particularly want to part with the Cerb but the missus hates it and will avoid going in it all costs. This means it not getting used as much as it should which is not a major problem but prior to the Cerb I had a Griffith 500 and we used that all the time.
I'm never going to find anything as visceral as the Cerb within my reach but sometimes it would be nice for it to be less of an event to drive if that makes sense.
I need to drive a vantage and see what it's like, I think I'll enjoy it but will miss the bonkers acceleration the Cerb gives.
Ideally is have both but unless my numbers come up that's a pipe dream.
I'd agree with the performance comments made so far. I went from a Noble M12-3 to a V8V 4.3 and the performance of the V8V was enough of a problem for me that I only kept it 18 months.
There were plenty of other advantages with the AM compared to a Noble of course (like a boot ! or heated things, or windows that work with a button, and stereo that does not sound like it's been played though an old sock, and modern lights, and sat-nav and so on).
There were plenty of other advantages with the AM compared to a Noble of course (like a boot ! or heated things, or windows that work with a button, and stereo that does not sound like it's been played though an old sock, and modern lights, and sat-nav and so on).
I had a T350 before my V12, the main thing I noticed was the noise difference, partly because I was pretty much sat on the exhaust pipe in the Tiv, it was loud! I have made the Aston louder though.
The go-kart like feel of the Tiv is also different, the Aston feels very planted but the Tiv really felt like you were sat on the floor when driving!
But with regards to build quality, there is no comparison. The Tiv felt a bit like a home brewed DIY project. Having said that I did love my T350.
I'm not sure a V8 would give you enough grunt compared to the Cerb, but worth a test drive for sure...
Tiv's seem more mental, ferocious and feel like they'll bite your head off, the Aston feels more refined, still insanely quick but definitely feels safer and far more luxurious.
I will prob buy another Tiv one day though, once I have enough garage space to accommodate it
The go-kart like feel of the Tiv is also different, the Aston feels very planted but the Tiv really felt like you were sat on the floor when driving!
But with regards to build quality, there is no comparison. The Tiv felt a bit like a home brewed DIY project. Having said that I did love my T350.
I'm not sure a V8 would give you enough grunt compared to the Cerb, but worth a test drive for sure...
Tiv's seem more mental, ferocious and feel like they'll bite your head off, the Aston feels more refined, still insanely quick but definitely feels safer and far more luxurious.
I will prob buy another Tiv one day though, once I have enough garage space to accommodate it
Never had a cerb but had a Chim, a Tamora, a Tuscan SP6, a race Wedge and still got a Tuscan Challenge Car that I race at the weekends. Chopped the Tuscan road car, which I had from new ( 9 years ), in for a MY08 DB9.
I was torn between the V8V and the DB9 so test drove both of them back to back. I really couldn't get on with the V8V as it felt too slow. The DB9 however felt every bit as quick as the Tuscan, although not quite as responsive. The ride, build quality, and sense of occasion is on a much superior level than the TVrs I have had.
I am really enjoying the Aston and once you get used to the fuel consumption
its a real pleasure to drive. I'm hooked
Try a DB9 and see what you think.
Dave
I was torn between the V8V and the DB9 so test drove both of them back to back. I really couldn't get on with the V8V as it felt too slow. The DB9 however felt every bit as quick as the Tuscan, although not quite as responsive. The ride, build quality, and sense of occasion is on a much superior level than the TVrs I have had.
I am really enjoying the Aston and once you get used to the fuel consumption
its a real pleasure to drive. I'm hooked Try a DB9 and see what you think.
Dave
Edited by NTEL on Wednesday 11th June 21:09
I came from a TVR too (4.3 T350C). My thoughts
- Vantage is slower, which was to be expected, feels much more of a GT car than a sports car to me
- Exhaust doesn't pop as much, which I used to love
- Vantage feels more stable at high speed
- Build quality is in a different league on the Aston
- You can use the Vantage everyday if you wish and it won't rot underneath
- Most surprisingly the Vantage has been cheaper to run although the increase in road tax does annoy me
- The Mrs loves the Aston whereas she was not keen on the Tiv at all
- Hatch on the Vantage is actually useful, you can get a fair bit in, one of the reasons I choose it over the DB9 bizarrely.
- Vantage is slower, which was to be expected, feels much more of a GT car than a sports car to me
- Exhaust doesn't pop as much, which I used to love
- Vantage feels more stable at high speed
- Build quality is in a different league on the Aston
- You can use the Vantage everyday if you wish and it won't rot underneath
- Most surprisingly the Vantage has been cheaper to run although the increase in road tax does annoy me
- The Mrs loves the Aston whereas she was not keen on the Tiv at all
- Hatch on the Vantage is actually useful, you can get a fair bit in, one of the reasons I choose it over the DB9 bizarrely.
DangerMonkey said:
I came from a TVR too (4.3 T350C). My thoughts
- Vantage is slower, which was to be expected, feels much more of a GT car than a sports car to me
- Exhaust doesn't pop as much, which I used to love
- Vantage feels more stable at high speed
- Build quality is in a different league on the Aston
- You can use the Vantage everyday if you wish and it won't rot underneath
- Most surprisingly the Vantage has been cheaper to run although the increase in road tax does annoy me
- The Mrs loves the Aston whereas she was not keen on the Tiv at all
- Hatch on the Vantage is actually useful, you can get a fair bit in, one of the reasons I choose it over the DB9 bizarrely.
Almost the same experience - need to add- Vantage is slower, which was to be expected, feels much more of a GT car than a sports car to me
- Exhaust doesn't pop as much, which I used to love
- Vantage feels more stable at high speed
- Build quality is in a different league on the Aston
- You can use the Vantage everyday if you wish and it won't rot underneath
- Most surprisingly the Vantage has been cheaper to run although the increase in road tax does annoy me
- The Mrs loves the Aston whereas she was not keen on the Tiv at all
- Hatch on the Vantage is actually useful, you can get a fair bit in, one of the reasons I choose it over the DB9 bizarrely.
- The Mrs prefers the Aston to the TVR (still have both), she'll drive any of them
- The Aston boot is considerably smaller than the T350 boot
- Running costs (in Germany) are about the same, the Aston fuel consumption is much higher though
I went from an S6 Cerb to a V12V. The build quality of the Aston is completely different and significantly better.
The V12V is now gone and I'm onto a Virage, which gave me more of the Aston 'feel' I was looking for. The Cerb still remains. I bought it in 2006 and have no intention selling it, as I haven't found anything that comes close with the look, lack of driver aids and overall craziness...
The V12V is now gone and I'm onto a Virage, which gave me more of the Aston 'feel' I was looking for. The Cerb still remains. I bought it in 2006 and have no intention selling it, as I haven't found anything that comes close with the look, lack of driver aids and overall craziness...
Agree totally with DM.
I have had all models of Caterham and a couple of Tivs (Griff 500 most recent) and now a V8V.
I'm still in 2 minds - it is more a GT than a 'real' sports car, but IMO the suspension is not compliant enough to qualify as a proper GT.
The build quality isn't perfect, but is worlds away from the joke that is TVR elecrics. Anyone who says different hasn't looked under the dash or tried to troubleshoot a TVR ventilation system!
After any recent TVR you will find it a bit tame - the low-mid torque is pants for a 4+ litre V8. However, if you are prepared to keep it over 5k, then it will sing along quite nicely.
The driver 'aids' keep it nice and safe. You never worry when the rear end will next try to overtake the front!
It is much too heavy, though. The extruded/bonded underbody is a great design, but then they added massively heavy cradles at the front and rear to hold the mechanicals, instead of bolting them direct to the frame (a la Lotus).
They could have saved a couple of hundred Kg without much effort, but maybe that would have made the plug-and-play builds a bit more complicated. As they are 'hand-built', that should have been no problem.
I'd love to try a V12V, but I know that if I do, then life will be incomplete if I don't upgrade, and I can't justify the extra to SWMBO...
I have had all models of Caterham and a couple of Tivs (Griff 500 most recent) and now a V8V.
I'm still in 2 minds - it is more a GT than a 'real' sports car, but IMO the suspension is not compliant enough to qualify as a proper GT.
The build quality isn't perfect, but is worlds away from the joke that is TVR elecrics. Anyone who says different hasn't looked under the dash or tried to troubleshoot a TVR ventilation system!
After any recent TVR you will find it a bit tame - the low-mid torque is pants for a 4+ litre V8. However, if you are prepared to keep it over 5k, then it will sing along quite nicely.
The driver 'aids' keep it nice and safe. You never worry when the rear end will next try to overtake the front!
It is much too heavy, though. The extruded/bonded underbody is a great design, but then they added massively heavy cradles at the front and rear to hold the mechanicals, instead of bolting them direct to the frame (a la Lotus).
They could have saved a couple of hundred Kg without much effort, but maybe that would have made the plug-and-play builds a bit more complicated. As they are 'hand-built', that should have been no problem.
I'd love to try a V12V, but I know that if I do, then life will be incomplete if I don't upgrade, and I can't justify the extra to SWMBO...
You'd have to have the very best TVR and the very worst Aston to put TVR build quality ahead. I have what I believe to be good examples of both and the Aston is leagues ahead.
But then so it should be - it weights at least 50% more, and the new price was probably 100% more. Possible even more.
Point to point speed wise there will be little in it IMO. and a TVR will require a more skilled driver to extract the best from it.
A TVR is the more exciting, but sometimes too much so.
Looks and sounds are very comparable (well, a Griff and a V8V are in terms of prettiness)..
Ultimately, as mentioned early on in the thread, they are very different cars. And quite complementary (if you want a Cerb, get a V8R to keep it company).
I agree with Simon too. The V8V is way too heavy. But then most modern cars are.
But then so it should be - it weights at least 50% more, and the new price was probably 100% more. Possible even more.
Point to point speed wise there will be little in it IMO. and a TVR will require a more skilled driver to extract the best from it.
A TVR is the more exciting, but sometimes too much so.
Looks and sounds are very comparable (well, a Griff and a V8V are in terms of prettiness)..
Ultimately, as mentioned early on in the thread, they are very different cars. And quite complementary (if you want a Cerb, get a V8R to keep it company
).I agree with Simon too. The V8V is way too heavy. But then most modern cars are.
I came from a Tamora to a Vantage Roadster found it too soft after the Tamora (and very wide on the road) so after a year swapped it for a N420 as it had firmer suspension with lightweight seats.
Quite a few people on this forum take a new Vantage and upgrade the suspension and exhaust system to achieve a more responsive set up. Maybe that’s what I needed to do as well but after three years sold it back to the dealer.
If TVR were still making cars I would still have one, and had been trawling the TVR forum recently but for now just scratching the Porsche itch as ordered a GTS Boxster.
No regrets with the AM (apart from depreciation), good luck with your decision.
Quite a few people on this forum take a new Vantage and upgrade the suspension and exhaust system to achieve a more responsive set up. Maybe that’s what I needed to do as well but after three years sold it back to the dealer.
If TVR were still making cars I would still have one, and had been trawling the TVR forum recently but for now just scratching the Porsche itch as ordered a GTS Boxster.
No regrets with the AM (apart from depreciation), good luck with your decision.
I had a Tuscan S in-between the Cerb and the V8V therefore, some of the pure exhilarating experiences of the Cerb may have been diluted in my memory. However, they are still such fond fond memories …
The V8V (4.3) looked fantastic. Never got tired of admiring, washing, waxing …. Always a pleasure. Sounds were great. Driving - it was a great place to sit. Felt class through and through. However, performance was a long way off the Cerb. (and the Tuscan) in terms of raw acceleration. The beautiful V8 noise was never matched by the performance.
However, the first time that I accelerated in the V12V … it felt like being in a proper quick car again. Delivering everything that is wonderful wonderful wonderful about the Vantage with the final element of performance sweetly addressed. If you cannot have both, the Vantage boot and rear shelf gives you enough space to be practical for ferrying around stuff.
In terms of passion – loved my Tivs. Love my Astons. They tick all the right boxes and make ownership an absolute pleasure.
Do It.
The V8V (4.3) looked fantastic. Never got tired of admiring, washing, waxing …. Always a pleasure. Sounds were great. Driving - it was a great place to sit. Felt class through and through. However, performance was a long way off the Cerb. (and the Tuscan) in terms of raw acceleration. The beautiful V8 noise was never matched by the performance.
However, the first time that I accelerated in the V12V … it felt like being in a proper quick car again. Delivering everything that is wonderful wonderful wonderful about the Vantage with the final element of performance sweetly addressed. If you cannot have both, the Vantage boot and rear shelf gives you enough space to be practical for ferrying around stuff.
In terms of passion – loved my Tivs. Love my Astons. They tick all the right boxes and make ownership an absolute pleasure.
Do It.
Thanks for all the replies guys. Good to see some shared TVR/Aston ownership as well.
I'll get my test drive sorted out but I'm starting to think that I will like the V8V for what it is but trying to compare it to a Cerb is clearly a mistake. If I take the missus along it will be fatal as if she really wants one I can see it happening.
I think a V8V will be great for what I'm looking for (GT car that doesn't want to rip your head off and sh*t down your neck all the time) but loosing the Cerb may be too much to give up, those Sunday morning runs or runs without the wife are heavenly. I'd love to keep both but its not realistic unless I can interest anyone in a reasonably healthy kidney?
The DB9 and V12's I think are out of my price budget. I'm probably looking at 35 ish, maybe 40 at a push. I'm guessing there are threads on here about running costs aside from fuel? The Cerb can be expensive to run, roughly 3k pa including service and parts (last year I had to replace the entire exhaust as 2k for the parts and the 12k service is 1k, ouch)
I'll get my test drive sorted out but I'm starting to think that I will like the V8V for what it is but trying to compare it to a Cerb is clearly a mistake. If I take the missus along it will be fatal as if she really wants one I can see it happening.
I think a V8V will be great for what I'm looking for (GT car that doesn't want to rip your head off and sh*t down your neck all the time) but loosing the Cerb may be too much to give up, those Sunday morning runs or runs without the wife are heavenly. I'd love to keep both but its not realistic unless I can interest anyone in a reasonably healthy kidney?
The DB9 and V12's I think are out of my price budget. I'm probably looking at 35 ish, maybe 40 at a push. I'm guessing there are threads on here about running costs aside from fuel? The Cerb can be expensive to run, roughly 3k pa including service and parts (last year I had to replace the entire exhaust as 2k for the parts and the 12k service is 1k, ouch)
V8 Animal said:
Must be the most shocking quote I have read on this forum.
I stand by it though - in 12 months ownership with the TVR, one service so away for a day and that was it.In 12 months with a V8R, about five weeks off the road - clutch self destructed, corroded mirror mounts changed, 2 door latches changed, 2 lambda sensors changed, water ingress located & cured, reversing aid control changed, new font wing fitted (paint blisters), dash leather panels detached from the base, one service.
Anecdotally, I was lucky with the TVR and unlucky with the Aston, but bottom line, the build quality on my Aston was poor and on most, the paint is (or was) a disgrace as evidenced by many, many threads on this forum about paint blisters & corrosion due to bad prep and or materials
Edited by drmw on Friday 13th June 10:51
Edited by drmw on Friday 13th June 11:24
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