RE: TVR Cerbera 4.0 | The Brave Pill
Discussion
Great BP. I’ve always been tempted and was close to buying one on the cheap. I’ve had some scary cars in the past and still have some now but I just don’t like the fact it could stop working at any moment and you could easily spend what you paid for it on looking after it within a few years.
I had a Chimera back in the day and it never let me down and I had it for over 10 years. Started as my main road car and then became a TVR championship runner. Even then I drove it to the circuits and then drove it home with no issues.
I would encourage anyone to own a TVR once, to say you’ve experienced the thrill of low production British sports car doesn’t get any better.
I had a Chimera back in the day and it never let me down and I had it for over 10 years. Started as my main road car and then became a TVR championship runner. Even then I drove it to the circuits and then drove it home with no issues.
I would encourage anyone to own a TVR once, to say you’ve experienced the thrill of low production British sports car doesn’t get any better.
Didn’t know it had a handbrake.... 
I will never forget my Atlantis halcyon 4.2
Fernhurst exhaus meant it could set car alarms off wenn you parked close ( but also meant you had to be at work on time ow everybody would know), the interior is timeless
I drove it to Italy and back no problem and managed close to 190 on a German motorway (gps) my first proper performance car
Sadly lost it on the way back from London thunder and still miss it occasionally
To say with clarkson
You cannot call yourself a petrolhead unless you owned a tvr ( and I would have never found pistonheads)
I will never forget my Atlantis halcyon 4.2
Fernhurst exhaus meant it could set car alarms off wenn you parked close ( but also meant you had to be at work on time ow everybody would know), the interior is timeless
I drove it to Italy and back no problem and managed close to 190 on a German motorway (gps) my first proper performance car
Sadly lost it on the way back from London thunder and still miss it occasionally
To say with clarkson
You cannot call yourself a petrolhead unless you owned a tvr ( and I would have never found pistonheads)
A wonderful BP.
4 years ownership was enough for me though as I did everything myself. I bought a 4.5 V8 with with 98,000+ miles on the clock and it was EVERYTHING everybody has said so far. It never actually left me stranded but I crawled home a few times. On the other hand it is the only car I have ever owned that I just went out for a drive for the sake of it!! Any excuse would do!
The interior was magic and was supremely comfy.
The exterior always made me look twice and so did everybody else.
However, the mechanicals/ electrics/ management had to be constantly adjusted and messed with - I never got it truly 100% right as there was always something wrong with it even after attending to it virtually every weekend (I kid you not). I have never replaced as many items on a car EVER.
I learnt loads and knew the car inside out but in the end enough is enough.
Do I miss it - you bet I do. BUT....... I do not miss the annoyance of the constant "spannering" and checking/ refilling fluids etc. I still wonder if the often considered LS swap would have been worth it but a mates LS3 converted Tamora constantly gave him issues also.
I cannot find anything else that compares after selling it without spending a fortune. To get a similar straight line driving thrill Im just about to purchase and upgrade/ modify a Falcon XR6 turbo (4.0 litre Barra turbo) - crap to look at but amazing "bang for the buck" when modded i.e. 10 sec 1/4s are easily achievable for a reliable road car that can be used everyday.
Good luck to whoever buys this gorgeous car - it is an event to drive it that Im not sure many cars can replicate.
My 10c.
4 years ownership was enough for me though as I did everything myself. I bought a 4.5 V8 with with 98,000+ miles on the clock and it was EVERYTHING everybody has said so far. It never actually left me stranded but I crawled home a few times. On the other hand it is the only car I have ever owned that I just went out for a drive for the sake of it!! Any excuse would do!
The interior was magic and was supremely comfy.
The exterior always made me look twice and so did everybody else.
However, the mechanicals/ electrics/ management had to be constantly adjusted and messed with - I never got it truly 100% right as there was always something wrong with it even after attending to it virtually every weekend (I kid you not). I have never replaced as many items on a car EVER.
I learnt loads and knew the car inside out but in the end enough is enough.
Do I miss it - you bet I do. BUT....... I do not miss the annoyance of the constant "spannering" and checking/ refilling fluids etc. I still wonder if the often considered LS swap would have been worth it but a mates LS3 converted Tamora constantly gave him issues also.
I cannot find anything else that compares after selling it without spending a fortune. To get a similar straight line driving thrill Im just about to purchase and upgrade/ modify a Falcon XR6 turbo (4.0 litre Barra turbo) - crap to look at but amazing "bang for the buck" when modded i.e. 10 sec 1/4s are easily achievable for a reliable road car that can be used everyday.
Good luck to whoever buys this gorgeous car - it is an event to drive it that Im not sure many cars can replicate.
My 10c.
I love the idea of the Cerbera. It looks great, a really coherent and dramatic shape that reflects a contempt for convention or mealy-mouthed compromise. The engines both sound rather special, and are set well back correctly behind the front wheels for that front-mid-engined layout. And it's not too big, and rarest of all, it's light - I can't think of another car of 1200kgs with such a good engine.
And yet, there remains the well-aired question marks over how well-engineered TVRs of that era were, in terms of engine longevity, build quality, suspension geometry, chassis stiffness etc; part of which is reflected in their reputation. But still.. that engine, those looks, the balance.
I think it's perhaps one of those cars that might work if one (a) had plenty of money for maintenance and (b) lived near a really good skilled, trustworthy specialist. The problems don't sound unfixable, but if you have to navigate a murky realm of 'specialists', some of whose ambitions exceed their abilities, and trek hours back and forth to get one thing after another fixed, well, it starts to sound a lot like rotary ownership.
I've had several TVR's and loved them all.
Mostly reliable but by far the most problematic was my Cerbera.
I still loved it for that 4.2 flat plain crank V8. What a monster.
My current TVR is this Tuscan Convertible.
The 2005/2006 Speed six engines were greatly improved.
Mine is at ca 86k at the moment with many summer trips to Spain under its belt.
Reliability, It can happen to the best.
This was taken in southern France on the way to Spain, surrounded by poorly cars.
Mostly reliable but by far the most problematic was my Cerbera.
I still loved it for that 4.2 flat plain crank V8. What a monster.
My current TVR is this Tuscan Convertible.
The 2005/2006 Speed six engines were greatly improved.
Mine is at ca 86k at the moment with many summer trips to Spain under its belt.
Reliability, It can happen to the best.
This was taken in southern France on the way to Spain, surrounded by poorly cars.
I went to see this exact vehicle when looking to buy my Cerbera in January. They didn't have the vehicle at the dealership, I had a look round anyway but the none of the cars were in great condition...
I picked up my 4.2 Cerbera for £15,000 with 75,000 miles on it from a specialist just over a month ago. Have used it daily doing 50 miles a day commuting, absolutely no issues. Previous owner had it since 2002 and there is full service history.
I went to view some that had done a quarter of the mileage as mine and were in nowhere near as good condition. £5,000 more than I paid too.
Goes to show not to dismiss a high mileage one... As long as it's been well looked after...
I picked up my 4.2 Cerbera for £15,000 with 75,000 miles on it from a specialist just over a month ago. Have used it daily doing 50 miles a day commuting, absolutely no issues. Previous owner had it since 2002 and there is full service history.
I went to view some that had done a quarter of the mileage as mine and were in nowhere near as good condition. £5,000 more than I paid too.
Goes to show not to dismiss a high mileage one... As long as it's been well looked after...
If ever I was to have a TVR, the Cerbera would be the one, but it would have to have a V8. I remember, in the mid-90s, Clarkson did a VHS where he raced a load of these sorts of cars. I can't remember what was in it apart from an Aston Vantage, but there were a few other things, and the Cerbera lunched the lot of them.
There is something extremely appealing about them.
There is something extremely appealing about them.
shavermcspud said:
Just seen who the seller is, long barge pole springs to mind, very local to me and a bad reputation.
Lots of non recorded damaged cars, salvage auction, and clocked miles.
Stay very far away
Just came on here to say the same, this dealer has always got very suspect stock! A lot of it never seems to shift for months either, it's always seemed very fishy to me.Lots of non recorded damaged cars, salvage auction, and clocked miles.
Stay very far away
Been reading this thread with interest - some of the comments are stereotypical TVR comments which i guess to some extent are well earned!...but...
I've had a Chimera 4.0, Cerbera 4.2, Griff 500 and a Tamora so hopefully can comment re ownership. They are great cars and the owners really enthusiastic and a good bunch. I'd say my Cerb was the most memorable of the TVR's I've owned and over a couple of years ownership i never had any issues with it.
The comments above about buying on condition are very true, especially now that these are cars all getting on a bit. The video where the Cerb leaves all of the established supercars behind is fun but its generally accepted that the press car had been breathed upon somewhat! Still a quick car in standard tune mind.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XGATSb54YEQ
What TVR achieved with the Cerbera is incredible and if its your thing and you get a chance to own one, do it!
I've had a Chimera 4.0, Cerbera 4.2, Griff 500 and a Tamora so hopefully can comment re ownership. They are great cars and the owners really enthusiastic and a good bunch. I'd say my Cerb was the most memorable of the TVR's I've owned and over a couple of years ownership i never had any issues with it.
The comments above about buying on condition are very true, especially now that these are cars all getting on a bit. The video where the Cerb leaves all of the established supercars behind is fun but its generally accepted that the press car had been breathed upon somewhat! Still a quick car in standard tune mind.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XGATSb54YEQ
What TVR achieved with the Cerbera is incredible and if its your thing and you get a chance to own one, do it!
An £18k Cerbera with an (assumed) un-rebuilt Speed-six engine- I can only hope whoever buys this writes some kind of blog about their experience 
Back in 2016 I finally brought a TVR after 10 years of putting it off. My financial ambitions (and bravery) would not stretch as far as a cheap Cerbera, so I figured I'd play it safe and buy a 'cheaper to maintain' Chimaera instead, with the trusty RV8 engine...
Just coming up to 4 years, 10,000 miles, and almost £8,000 (EIGHT THOUSAND POUNDS) expenditure in my ownership- and it's almost spot on- granted the £7k worth of bills incurred in two years by the previous owner has undoubtedly helped in this endeavour
What I am trying to say is I have a pretty high tolerance for throwing good (automotive) money after bad, and even I wouldn't be going near that Cerb
Anyway must dash, MOT is booked in for next Tuesday and there is overtime to be worked!
TVRs are like the girl your parents & friends warned you about.
Back in 2016 I finally brought a TVR after 10 years of putting it off. My financial ambitions (and bravery) would not stretch as far as a cheap Cerbera, so I figured I'd play it safe and buy a 'cheaper to maintain' Chimaera instead, with the trusty RV8 engine...
Just coming up to 4 years, 10,000 miles, and almost £8,000 (EIGHT THOUSAND POUNDS) expenditure in my ownership- and it's almost spot on- granted the £7k worth of bills incurred in two years by the previous owner has undoubtedly helped in this endeavour
What I am trying to say is I have a pretty high tolerance for throwing good (automotive) money after bad, and even I wouldn't be going near that Cerb
Anyway must dash, MOT is booked in for next Tuesday and there is overtime to be worked!
TVRs are like the girl your parents & friends warned you about.
Brave pill indeed I have to agree, but in my (perhaps slightly biased) opinion...
IF:
- you can find one that has been well looked after and preferably improved in terms of reliability with some of the well-known fixes.
- you accept this is pretty much a race car (chassis is stiff considering the low weight, but not as stiff as some admittedly).
- you are willing and able to keep up with maintenance.
Then you will find these Cerberas are simply epic to drive. Mine (v8) is a long held dream realised and was purchased from a fastidious previous owner who improved the standard car in many ways. Suitably tinkered with it is an amazing experience every time I drive it and an effective antidote to the plethora of boring humdrum cars on the roads.
Active car club of enthusiasts (and in these forums) too and what an event to drive. They get under your skin - just so connected to the road. I recall getting back into my Honda Prelude (sold but made SOTW!) and thinking something was wrong with the suspension. Felt like a barge in comparison.
R.e. the “revs like a bike” comment... it feels like it has very little inertia. My father in law who has raced bikes made exactly that comment to me about mine.
Here’s a few at a (no noise limit) track day organised by the TVRCC. My first track day...
IF:
- you can find one that has been well looked after and preferably improved in terms of reliability with some of the well-known fixes.
- you accept this is pretty much a race car (chassis is stiff considering the low weight, but not as stiff as some admittedly).
- you are willing and able to keep up with maintenance.
Then you will find these Cerberas are simply epic to drive. Mine (v8) is a long held dream realised and was purchased from a fastidious previous owner who improved the standard car in many ways. Suitably tinkered with it is an amazing experience every time I drive it and an effective antidote to the plethora of boring humdrum cars on the roads.
Active car club of enthusiasts (and in these forums) too and what an event to drive. They get under your skin - just so connected to the road. I recall getting back into my Honda Prelude (sold but made SOTW!) and thinking something was wrong with the suspension. Felt like a barge in comparison.
R.e. the “revs like a bike” comment... it feels like it has very little inertia. My father in law who has raced bikes made exactly that comment to me about mine.
Here’s a few at a (no noise limit) track day organised by the TVRCC. My first track day...
I’ll let someone else comment in the speed 6’s but mine needed a rebuild due to the well-known early chocolate crank (when it was a 4.2 - no longer). It then had an issue related to a squashed seal when put back together (higher than red-rose compression ratio probably meant it rose its head earlier than otherwise would have happened).
Just to add that I think you have to see the maintenance required on these in light of their performance. I do wonder what cash has been spent on the other cars in that Clarkson video...
https://youtu.be/boH0B7Dn3xc
Or for example on a modern equivalent - like a McLaren...
But of course the Cerberas are cheaper to purchase, hence many falsely believe cheaper to maintain (and I don’t just mean oil services). Considering the design budget I think they did a pretty good job, of course borrowing heavily from early 90’s F1 engine tech from the heads-down. I’m sure there is a video where Peter Wheeler says the two are pretty much identical in fact.
Just to add that I think you have to see the maintenance required on these in light of their performance. I do wonder what cash has been spent on the other cars in that Clarkson video...
https://youtu.be/boH0B7Dn3xc
Or for example on a modern equivalent - like a McLaren...
But of course the Cerberas are cheaper to purchase, hence many falsely believe cheaper to maintain (and I don’t just mean oil services). Considering the design budget I think they did a pretty good job, of course borrowing heavily from early 90’s F1 engine tech from the heads-down. I’m sure there is a video where Peter Wheeler says the two are pretty much identical in fact.
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