Comparing a XKR 4.0 to a TVR Cerbera
Discussion
I have been researching on here for a weekend car that can give me a sense of occasion when I use it.
More or less decided on getting a Cerbera as I was impressed when I took it out and am fairly confident that I understand the issues in connection with owning and running one. Reliabilty I feel can be ironed out with the careful purchase of a maintained car.
Has anyone here had any experience of both of these cars and in particular with the following:
running costs, services etc
niggles
driving experience
Any views would be appreciated.
More or less decided on getting a Cerbera as I was impressed when I took it out and am fairly confident that I understand the issues in connection with owning and running one. Reliabilty I feel can be ironed out with the careful purchase of a maintained car.
Has anyone here had any experience of both of these cars and in particular with the following:
running costs, services etc
niggles
driving experience
Any views would be appreciated.
I've had 3 TVRs including one of the last ~400bhp Tuscan II S's. I now have an 'ordinary' 4.2 XK
The Tuscan only had a couple of (non TVR sourced) issues in the 13,000 miles put on it, so to my mind was reliable. The Jag in 5 months of ownership and 5000 miles driving has never put a foot wrong. The last service I had on the Tuscan cost a smidge under £1000 without the cost of parts, I've yet to get the Jag serviced but I expect it to be a whole lot less than that.
Driving experience-wise, the XK has been delightful to drive and has shown itself to be a true GT on some of the sweeping A-roads we have, it just seems to go round corners so competently and unfussedly - but it's no pointy 'racer' as the Tuscan was. The V8 sounds glorious when given some welly but is utterly different to the Tuscan's straight-6 howl as the revs climbed to 7000 followed by WWIII on the overrun. But there again the cabin of the XK is quieter, more relaxed and more comfortable.
Driven 'normally', mpg has been around the same although I can get upto 30mpg from the Jag on my 50 mile each way commute quite easily.
However, the Tuscan is a car I had to have and was the right car at the time, but I've moved on (and grown older) and now the XK is the right car, right now. I get in it and it works, all the time , every time, just as I expect it to and that's what I want. They are very different cars and only you will know which suits you now when you come to try them out.
Every one should have a TVR just for the experience but don't presume "Reliabilty I feel can be ironed out with the careful purchase of a maintained car." - be prepared for some hefty bills, not only becuase of potential breakages but also because of all the upgrades you will want to put on to it (yes you will, you know you will) - I spent half as much again as the purchase price of my first Chimaera 'improving' it - and the back pipes and cans for the Tuscan from Racing Green cost £1100 for example. Good TVR's ain't cheap, but they are very rewarding.
The Tuscan only had a couple of (non TVR sourced) issues in the 13,000 miles put on it, so to my mind was reliable. The Jag in 5 months of ownership and 5000 miles driving has never put a foot wrong. The last service I had on the Tuscan cost a smidge under £1000 without the cost of parts, I've yet to get the Jag serviced but I expect it to be a whole lot less than that.
Driving experience-wise, the XK has been delightful to drive and has shown itself to be a true GT on some of the sweeping A-roads we have, it just seems to go round corners so competently and unfussedly - but it's no pointy 'racer' as the Tuscan was. The V8 sounds glorious when given some welly but is utterly different to the Tuscan's straight-6 howl as the revs climbed to 7000 followed by WWIII on the overrun. But there again the cabin of the XK is quieter, more relaxed and more comfortable.
Driven 'normally', mpg has been around the same although I can get upto 30mpg from the Jag on my 50 mile each way commute quite easily.
However, the Tuscan is a car I had to have and was the right car at the time, but I've moved on (and grown older) and now the XK is the right car, right now. I get in it and it works, all the time , every time, just as I expect it to and that's what I want. They are very different cars and only you will know which suits you now when you come to try them out.
Every one should have a TVR just for the experience but don't presume "Reliabilty I feel can be ironed out with the careful purchase of a maintained car." - be prepared for some hefty bills, not only becuase of potential breakages but also because of all the upgrades you will want to put on to it (yes you will, you know you will) - I spent half as much again as the purchase price of my first Chimaera 'improving' it - and the back pipes and cans for the Tuscan from Racing Green cost £1100 for example. Good TVR's ain't cheap, but they are very rewarding.
Edited by Ubernoober on Wednesday 24th August 13:36
whilst I haven't driven a cebera I had a chim for 7 years before a baby and the sensible part of me switched to an xkr. They are both very different cars, the TVR was a weekend toy and the jag is used every day. The XK is a very accomplished GT, quick, comfortable and effortless. However it is not as satisfying to drive quickly as the TVR was. There is something very satisfying about using heal and toe to match revs on downshifts and stringing together a series of bends.
If you are looking at any TVR pay particular attention to the chassis. A body of is a big bill! Even the chim with the RV8 cost more to service than the jag.
I think the choice should come down to how you plan on using it. If you are really going to drive it hard, maybe do some track days the it has to be the TVR. If you want to waft around briskly at the weekend in something a bit different with an auto box that means getting stuck in traffic isn't such a pain then it has to be the jag possibly even the convertible if it is for weekend use.
If you are looking at any TVR pay particular attention to the chassis. A body of is a big bill! Even the chim with the RV8 cost more to service than the jag.
I think the choice should come down to how you plan on using it. If you are really going to drive it hard, maybe do some track days the it has to be the TVR. If you want to waft around briskly at the weekend in something a bit different with an auto box that means getting stuck in traffic isn't such a pain then it has to be the jag possibly even the convertible if it is for weekend use.
I have a Griffith 500 and an XKR, but I have driven a couple of Cerbs in various states of tune.
The Jag is brilliant for munching miles in comfort on the motorway, and it's tolerably quick on A & good B roads too. It's a nice place to be, ideal for floating round the place in luxury while being discreetly quiet but it's not special - it's not an "event" to drive it, but it is an excellent car.
The Cerb is less comfortable, but still manages to be a good consumer of distances. What it does have is an incredible sense of occasion every time you hit the start button. It's loud, uncivilised, incredibly quick (with the right mods
) and the ones I drove hardly tried to kill me at all.
I think you've made your mind up on the Cerb. I would say go for it - you only live once, and there's plenty of time to grow up and have a Jag. (I only have mine because I already have a TVR and grew up too much to have an Impreza )
The Jag is brilliant for munching miles in comfort on the motorway, and it's tolerably quick on A & good B roads too. It's a nice place to be, ideal for floating round the place in luxury while being discreetly quiet but it's not special - it's not an "event" to drive it, but it is an excellent car.
The Cerb is less comfortable, but still manages to be a good consumer of distances. What it does have is an incredible sense of occasion every time you hit the start button. It's loud, uncivilised, incredibly quick (with the right mods
) and the ones I drove hardly tried to kill me at all.I think you've made your mind up on the Cerb. I would say go for it - you only live once, and there's plenty of time to grow up and have a Jag. (I only have mine because I already have a TVR and grew up too much to have an Impreza
) I really wish I could say that I have, as I find myself wondering if I am up to it. Will it be too brutal, too uncivilised?
Part of me gets unbelievably excited when I think of the prospect of the TVR, a boyhood dream, but the other part wonders if I need my creature comforts.
Yet there is not one person who has bought a Cerb who regrets it on here, even with the gripes and niggles, and so many say they are keepers.
I do have two other cars, one a TDV8 Range Rover Vogue SE which is dripping in luxury and tech, and this, the weekend car is supposed to be the exception, the occasion. I know the XKR is fast and awsome, its just that lounge interior that doesnt look right.
I will be over to the UK later this year wher I hope to drive both and make up my mind, but in the meantime jus find myself getting worked up about it.
Part of me gets unbelievably excited when I think of the prospect of the TVR, a boyhood dream, but the other part wonders if I need my creature comforts.
Yet there is not one person who has bought a Cerb who regrets it on here, even with the gripes and niggles, and so many say they are keepers.
I do have two other cars, one a TDV8 Range Rover Vogue SE which is dripping in luxury and tech, and this, the weekend car is supposed to be the exception, the occasion. I know the XKR is fast and awsome, its just that lounge interior that doesnt look right.
I will be over to the UK later this year wher I hope to drive both and make up my mind, but in the meantime jus find myself getting worked up about it.
In February I replaced my Chimaera with an XKR cab.
I have a little family and was not using the TVR.
We do enjoy the XKR as a family, but the room in the back is nominal.
But overal, I regret selling my TVR and will probably start looking for a Cerbera next year.
Don't get me wrong, the XKR is a brilliant machine, seriously quick and beautifully crafted.
But I miss the sense of occasion that I felt just walking into the garage, let alone turning the key and going for a blast.
The TVR is a conversation piece, a head turner, as well as a great drive.
The XKR gets the odd admiring glance, but Is hardly something I feel privelaged to own.
As an every day car the XKR would win hands down.
As a weekend toy, little comes close to the TVR experience.
I have a little family and was not using the TVR.
We do enjoy the XKR as a family, but the room in the back is nominal.
But overal, I regret selling my TVR and will probably start looking for a Cerbera next year.
Don't get me wrong, the XKR is a brilliant machine, seriously quick and beautifully crafted.
But I miss the sense of occasion that I felt just walking into the garage, let alone turning the key and going for a blast.
The TVR is a conversation piece, a head turner, as well as a great drive.
The XKR gets the odd admiring glance, but Is hardly something I feel privelaged to own.
As an every day car the XKR would win hands down.
As a weekend toy, little comes close to the TVR experience.
I posted something very similar to this dilemna at the beginning of the year.
My last 3 cars have been Jags, XF's to be precise and I've loved them. In my mind the natural progression was to go for an XK, but then I was reminded of TVR. As a few have already said the XKR is the sensible fun car, but the TVR is the true car that you want. Everyone loves TVRs regardless of their age or background. The social side of TVR is also astounding, having joined the club and been to a few meets as well as following the posts in the TVR topic, I have been well and truely "TreVoR'd".
So I have decided that I will have a TVR now and if I tire of it in the next couple of years, I'll come back to Jag, the best part being, as long as I look after the TVR, I'll get most of my money back when it comes to selling it on. Definitely not the case with the XK!
My last 3 cars have been Jags, XF's to be precise and I've loved them. In my mind the natural progression was to go for an XK, but then I was reminded of TVR. As a few have already said the XKR is the sensible fun car, but the TVR is the true car that you want. Everyone loves TVRs regardless of their age or background. The social side of TVR is also astounding, having joined the club and been to a few meets as well as following the posts in the TVR topic, I have been well and truely "TreVoR'd".
So I have decided that I will have a TVR now and if I tire of it in the next couple of years, I'll come back to Jag, the best part being, as long as I look after the TVR, I'll get most of my money back when it comes to selling it on. Definitely not the case with the XK!
As the OP already has other cars and this will be a weekend car go for the TVR the sense of occaision will be greater and it will feel more special. In a TVR you will feel more connected to the road, with better feedback through the steering and your backside. In the jag the feeling is a little numb by comparison. I find the steering a little slow and an auto box just isn't the same. I have just got in from a spirited drive across Derbyshire and whilst it was enjoyable in the XK, it would have been better in a TVR!
When buying a car that isn't the everyday drive you don't need to compromise. My ag gets used everyday and for that it is a great piece of engineering, but by being comfortable, luxurious and able to deal with the everyday traffic it looses out on some of the fun aspects.
When buying a car that isn't the everyday drive you don't need to compromise. My ag gets used everyday and for that it is a great piece of engineering, but by being comfortable, luxurious and able to deal with the everyday traffic it looses out on some of the fun aspects.
I've had TVR's (3 of them) and an XKR. I loved both for completely different reasons however as much as I would love another TVR the cost of running them was quite scarey - I've never dared to work out how much I blew in total. My Griff used to set me back about £1k every 6 months or so for a service and the odd issue corrected, my Jag about £300 a year! The Cerb will cost more than the Griff no doubt about it.
Definately try a TVR but do so with a slush fund tucked away somewhere, they may be relatively cheap to buy these days but running one is another matter entirely. Few cars will put such a smile on your face though!
Definately try a TVR but do so with a slush fund tucked away somewhere, they may be relatively cheap to buy these days but running one is another matter entirely. Few cars will put such a smile on your face though!
I have had ten Jaguars and seven TVRs over the years and have loved both marques with a passion but from reading your post and other comments made by the contributors to this thread, you need to scratch the Cerbera itch if only to tick that box and then move on.
You don't want to sit by the fireside in your dotage and regret not having gone through the pleaseure and pain of one of these truly intoxicating cars.
Regards all.
You don't want to sit by the fireside in your dotage and regret not having gone through the pleaseure and pain of one of these truly intoxicating cars.
Regards all.
ParanoidAndroid said:
as much as I would love another TVR the cost of running them was quite scarey - I've never dared to work out how much I blew in total. My Griff used to set me back about £1k every 6 months or so for a service and the odd issue corrected, my Jag about £300 a year!
My experience is the opposite - the Griff passes every MOT and costs £80-300/yr for checkover/service as required, but my S-Types fail the MOT every time and invariably need a piece of suspension that costs £400 + labour to fit.But the point is - you can't rationalise buying a TVR. If you try you will never have one because they aren't rational. Therefore you just have to buy one...
Simpo Two said:
My experience is the opposite - the Griff passes every MOT and costs £80-300/yr for checkover/service as required, but my S-Types fail the MOT every time and invariably need a piece of suspension that costs £400 + labour to fit.
But the point is - you can't rationalise buying a TVR. If you try you will never have one because they aren't rational. Therefore you just have to buy one...
But the point is - you can't rationalise buying a TVR. If you try you will never have one because they aren't rational. Therefore you just have to buy one...
agree, it's something you need to get out of the system. Still not sure I have as I keep looking back at them.Forgot to add I had mine when there was such thing as a TVR main dealer so was probably paying over the odds for everything. Sure there are some very good specialists about these days keeping the cars going at more reasonable prices.
Toffer said:
I have owned both car marques and never went out in the Jag for fun...it was lovely to drive and like the TVR completely reliable.
Thirteen years later and I still own the TVR and a MB S Class...the driving references still apply...enough said!
Which Jag did you have Toffer ?Thirteen years later and I still own the TVR and a MB S Class...the driving references still apply...enough said!
Simpo Two said:
ParanoidAndroid said:
as much as I would love another TVR the cost of running them was quite scarey - I've never dared to work out how much I blew in total. My Griff used to set me back about £1k every 6 months or so for a service and the odd issue corrected, my Jag about £300 a year!
My experience is the opposite - the Griff passes every MOT and costs £80-300/yr for checkover/service as required, but my S-Types fail the MOT every time and invariably need a piece of suspension that costs £400 + labour to fit...
My XKR has cost me more this year, than my TVR did in nine years, although I am sure the Cerbera will be a bit more of a money pit.
Only car. XKR
Weekend toy. TVR... Any TVR period
It was brought home to me when the XKR was in for some work and the garage lent me a 1.2 Clio.
I had more fun driving the Clio back to the garage than I did driving the jag back home.
Don't get me wrong, I love my recently acquired XFR (okay, not quite the comparison you asked for, but not a million miles away either): it's insanely fast, comfortable, has a great stereo, is a technological tour-de-force &c.... but walking out of the front door to go anywhere or nowhere in particular I would always take a TVR, unless I had 2+ passengers or a mass of luggage or I was faced with a wall of horizontal rain. Get the Cerbera - nothing comes close.
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