RE: TVR Cerbera 4.0 | The Brave Pill
Discussion
This one has been for sale for a while, something doesn’t add up with it.
If I was buying a Speed Six Cerbie, it would probably be a later one with a Str8Six rebuild and more miles under its belt.
A 2002 one in Crystal Topaz, with a more modern contrast interior- in the region of 70k miles would be about right to evidence it’s working well
If I was buying a Speed Six Cerbie, it would probably be a later one with a Str8Six rebuild and more miles under its belt.
A 2002 one in Crystal Topaz, with a more modern contrast interior- in the region of 70k miles would be about right to evidence it’s working well
The whole point of these cars is the speed 6 or the flat plane AJP 8.
They are so unique.
When people who say they'd swap one out for a yank v8 are really missing the point of these.
A modern LS v8 or similar may be more powerful but its not the same thing.
I've had yank v8s, my brother has a supercharged new Camaro. They are extremely powerful but lazy revving.
My 4.5 revs like a superbike.
If/when it ever goes bang, I'll definitely have it rebuilt.
They are so unique.
When people who say they'd swap one out for a yank v8 are really missing the point of these.
A modern LS v8 or similar may be more powerful but its not the same thing.
I've had yank v8s, my brother has a supercharged new Camaro. They are extremely powerful but lazy revving.
My 4.5 revs like a superbike.
If/when it ever goes bang, I'll definitely have it rebuilt.
CharlieAlphaMike said:
19,000 miles? That interior (especially the steering wheel) looks like it's done 190,000 miles 
Indeed, specialist down the road from me had a couple of these parked up for ages and the interiors were well worn. Having owned a couple of nice wedges I'd say the Cerbera is the bravest of them all to take on.BigChiefmuffinAgain said:
Bought a new one in1997. A 4.2. Had an intense love/hate relationship with it but gave up after a year and 11,000 miles when the warranty ran out.
There's lots that can go wrong on these cars. Funnily enough, didn't have any problems with the engine but still wracked up something like £10k in (warranty funded) bills. In 12 months was back to HR Owen 7 times and some things like the a/c still didn't work ( and, as others have said, this car needs a/c - it gets really hot in there...). The heat combined with the glue smell is not great....
Every drive was an event, mainly as you didn't know if you would make it to your destination. Lovely when it worked and, imho, one of the finest designs, inside and out, ever.
In theory cars that have lasted this long may have had all the problems sorted but you do have to be truly brave. I sort of got the impression that Peter Wheeler didn't intend them to last this long....
A mate of mine ran a Griff at the same time. Had endless problems with, amongst other things, the diff. Engineers from Girling or wherever were endlessly taking it off, fiddling about with it, trying different shims etc etcThere's lots that can go wrong on these cars. Funnily enough, didn't have any problems with the engine but still wracked up something like £10k in (warranty funded) bills. In 12 months was back to HR Owen 7 times and some things like the a/c still didn't work ( and, as others have said, this car needs a/c - it gets really hot in there...). The heat combined with the glue smell is not great....
Every drive was an event, mainly as you didn't know if you would make it to your destination. Lovely when it worked and, imho, one of the finest designs, inside and out, ever.
In theory cars that have lasted this long may have had all the problems sorted but you do have to be truly brave. I sort of got the impression that Peter Wheeler didn't intend them to last this long....
He described as driving some kind of rolling R&D project.
It always amuses me when a TVR pops up on Pistonheads or other forums. They always seem to generate an almost pathological loathing from some, tales of both woe and wonder from actual owners who speak from experience and not opinion.
I had a Chim, and after 3 years, 30k, Nurburgring, Italian GP, Stelvio Pass, NC500 (before it was invented), no breakdowns but a few faults and funnies rectified during servicing, I wanted to p/ex for a Sp6 Cerbie. Test drove a couple and loved them.
Sprogs and houses meant it never happened, and 20 years later a BRZ hasn't stopped the hankering for the right Sp6. Will I? An Evora or F Type makes more sense for another European tour.
However, that 4.0 engine, was and probably still is the most visceral driving experience I've ever had. I've driven big supercharged yank v8s, turbo nutter jap things and refined Porkers, nothing comes close.
Just my "IMHO"
I had a Chim, and after 3 years, 30k, Nurburgring, Italian GP, Stelvio Pass, NC500 (before it was invented), no breakdowns but a few faults and funnies rectified during servicing, I wanted to p/ex for a Sp6 Cerbie. Test drove a couple and loved them.
Sprogs and houses meant it never happened, and 20 years later a BRZ hasn't stopped the hankering for the right Sp6. Will I? An Evora or F Type makes more sense for another European tour.
However, that 4.0 engine, was and probably still is the most visceral driving experience I've ever had. I've driven big supercharged yank v8s, turbo nutter jap things and refined Porkers, nothing comes close.
Just my "IMHO"
I've never fancied these and the risk of trouble far outweighs the pleasure of ownership. I did own a Chimaera for 15 months and it proved to be very reliable, a couple of niggles but no breakdowns. I serviced it in Belgium at a very reputable place (I saw an EB110 and Zonda that day) and for a very reasonable £250 at the time. No aircon, I would be dripping on a warm day.
Definitely a brave pill. I absolutely loved my Cerbera V8 4.5 that I had for 6 years(warts and all). I actually preferred the Speed 6 engine when I test drove both though, and the 6 cylinder engine felt more free revving and smoother to me.
They are such an event to drive and I absolutely love the interior for sure. I'd love another if I could pluck enough courage up again.
They are such an event to drive and I absolutely love the interior for sure. I'd love another if I could pluck enough courage up again.
Different TVRs have different personalities. In general, I always hoped that they would become better engineered. I listened politely when UK acquaintances would say this or that model is comparable to Corvette.
Now back the other side of the Pond... For just 10 percent more than the price, above, one can have a C6 Corvette with all the mod cons, bullet-proof LS3, ten years younger, one owner, CarFax background check, no accidents, and less than 50,000 miles on the odometer.
If I would be one of those fortunate few with a sort of aluminium-skinned commercial structure that serves as garage for my many cars -- of course I would include there a choice selection from TVR. As a run-of-the-mill bloke attempting to fit a bit of motoring fun into an otherwise middle class existence, I'll have to settle for what might be called an internet relationship.
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