Cerbera Vs Chimaera..........

[DamoTVR]

Right Guys/Gals

First I'm sorry if this has been posted before and if it has (I have searched) could you dig out the topic and I'll get this one closed.

I have a ‘99 Chimaera 500 and I love it to bits and I (touch wood) have had no problems and I drive it every day. One a short journey to work and a very very extensive one home .

I have however seen a Cerbera for sale locally and I have to say I like it, I like it a lot.

I was wondering how they compare performance, road holding, stability at speed and would I really be able to use the extra power? Servicing/problems in £k over the Chimaera? And which is the best version one to get?

I do realise that the later questions would be better addressed to the Cerbie threads but I wanted an unbiased (yeah right in the Chimaera thread ) opinion from Chimaera drivers that have experienced Cerbies.

Cheers



Or should I just look at a Tuscan

[richb]

Well the obvious answer is to go out on a test drive, but then you will discover what you already know and that is that the Cerbera is quicker! So of course you will hanker for the Cerbera, except that the roof doesn't come off so you'll start thinking about a Tuscan. And there you are that's the answer get a Tuscan! Rich..

[simpo one]

How important to you are roof-off mode and sound?

[jeremyc]

I can give you my views having changed from a Chimaera 500 to a Cerbera 4.5LW.

Performance: different in nature - not such a 'lazy', torquey feel as the Chimaera, but rather a higher revving race engine type delivery (no surprise there then ). Cerbera is blisteringly quick, probably most noticable in the inexorable acceleration at 100mph+ (private test track allowing, of course ). Can you use the extra performance? Overtaking becomes a cinch, and then there's always continental Europe and track days.

Road Holding: a stiffer, more planted feel to the Cerbera, less roll but with the obvious downside of a harder ride and greater tendancy to tramline. Much has been written in these pages about suspension upgrades which may or may not be an improvement for you over the standard setup.

Stability at speed: very. I feel much more confident in the Cerbera "making progress" than I did even at lesser speeds in the Chimaera.

Servicing: same intervals as the Chimaera but likely to be more expensive. Parts cost more, and tappets have to be done every 12K mile which add significant labour costs. Don't try and run one on a shoestring budget - it'll end in tears.

Which to get: 4.5 AJP V8, of course. You went for the ultimate Chimaera, got to do the same with the Cerbera, haven't you?

So, boulevard cruiser with the wind in your hair or hardcore racer with supercar performance?

[JonRB]

Or you could, if finances allow, run both. Then you have the best of both worlds.

[DamoTVR]

No the Chimaera would have to go I'm affaid.

I am also finding there is not many places willing to give a test drive, until I'm sure that I would like to buy their car.

[richb]

What, you roll up in a 5ltr Chimaera and they won't let you test drive a Cerbera - do these dealers want to sell their cars or what - it's astonishing really!

[DamoTVR]

That’s right both of the garages/specialists I have been in the area (South West) with Yellow Cerbies. Haven't been interested in selling these cars. I am however still very undecided and I feel that I might have been regarded incorrectly by the sales people as a time waster.

At the moment I wouldn't be looking for anything else but a 4.5.

[whitey]

I had a 98 Chimaera 500 from new and test drove a Cerbera 3 times in summer 99 but could not be persuaded to order one due to no removable roof. Mind you, each time I arrived and left the dealers with the roof down on a hot day ! So no comparison. I eventually went for a Tuscan RR at the motorshow(with no test drive!) simply because of it's looks, performance AND the roof comes off...which I love to bits, but still miss that V8 torque and noise...

Cheers
Whitey

PS. No test drive ? Tell them to stick it.

[robkola]

All I can really add is that I use the Chimaera and have the top down all the time (except in rain) and it feels like fast fun all the time . . The first time I was strapped into a Cerbera 4.2 though . . . I felt like I was about to visit a different planet . . and I did! Feels so much better for Exocet style cruising . . . it's a different beast. You must try a few out though as they have more variations than a Chimaera (4.2 Speed6, Lightweights and Red Rose Monsters). Sounds like you were looking at ONE second hand model though!

[DamoTVR]

No not just one. It was just a local one that I had a look at, now I can't stop thinking about changing mine. I've got the Cerb bug! I will look around and won't buy one with out driving it. Just looking for as many opinions as I can get before going any further.

I'm going to decide whether to change on a nice hot beach with a beer.

[simpo one]

'PS. No test drive ? Tell them to stick it.'

Hear Hear. Would they spend circa £40,000 of their own money on something without trying it? Me thinkee not.

[kenyon]

I am currently in the exact same situation except I have tested the 4.2 & the S6. The S6 was significantly more responsive and felt quicker. There has been some debate on the cerbie pages about the V8s not delivering the power quoted by TVR whereas the S6 clearly does. Before you decide check out the members cars section. It is frightening how expensive cerbies are to run.

Good to hear you chimp has been reliable and is probably the one I will go for although if a reliable cerbie existed I would have it today!

[simond001]

I ran a 4.0 Chimp alongside a 4.2 Cerb for 2 yeras. The Cerb was used by far the most, even on the hottest sunniest days.

There is no match for the performance. I am however now looking to swap the Cerb for a 5.0 Chimp, (just to confuse things!)

So decision as always is, follow your dream, and if you arent happy, dream again!