New to TVR and need 4 seats.

[FastEdd11e]

Good day all.

We have decided to increase our emissions and look for a 2+2/small rear seat, weekend car.

After watching Harry Metcalf in the blue Red Rose Cerbera I was surprised TVR made a 4 seater. Leave alone one which was vaguely practical.

School me in the world of Cerbera. I'm not worried about age but would buy on condition and provenance. I guess as there are relatively few of these beasts knocking around that would be the safest option.

We're not worried about power as it's the experience and drivability which prevail. Neither myself or wife want to be scared witless every time we squeeze the loud pedal.

Budget? Well, I've not seen anything which would make one's eyes water. The perfect weekend car is either a Ferrari 456 or FF, neither of which are yet in budget.

I'm not a mechanic so am hapless in matters away from fuel and screen wash.

Tips and wisdom is greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

[Oldwolf]

If you're no mechanical genius (I'm with you there!) Is there a local specialist? Talk to them, you'll find that a great help.
I bought from a dealer because I wasn't confident to buy privately.

You mention that you don't want to be scared witless.... Remember that TVR don't fit safety aids, worth driving one to see how you feel.

Big ticket items to watch for as I'm sure you'll know are engine and chassis and maybe electrics.
I think budget £2k a year maintenance if you're paying for it.

Hope you enjoy, they are awesome cars and there is a lot of support here and folks are friendly.

[CerbWill]

Whereabouts in the country are you? I'd recommend getting to a TVRCC gathering with, ideally, both V8 and S6 Cerbs present and chatting to owners.

In general terms a lot of bks is talked about TVRs, probably because people want to believe anyone who survives a trip to the shops in one is a driving god. Grip is good and with the long pedal travel and firm brakes you know when you're being an idiot and inviting front wheel lockups or losing traction at the back.

[FastEdd11e]

Thanks.

I'm not a really fast driver. My daily is a Prodrive WRX wagon. I've had it for 5 years and know how it performs at my limits.

Spirited is the best way to describe my driving. It's more about enjoying the experience without spinning like a top.

A specialist does make most sense.

[DuncanM]

One of the best things about the Cerbera, is that it's an incredibly easy car to drive slowly/boringly. You have to make a real conscious decision to drive one quickly, due to the long throttle travel.

I love this about the car, almost two cars in one

[FarmyardPants]

and if you want to enjoy the experience and just driving it to be 'an event', the Cerbera is right up there. As said you don't have to rag it to enjoy, just burbling around is fun. But avoid traffic jams as they are less entertaining .

[FastEdd11e]

The last two posts does sum up how I enjoy my Prodrive Scooby.
Burble along and then get it on boost and fly.

I think this car may be a serious contender. I will go along to a TVR meet to try the back seats and see what gives.

Thanks

[ridds]

What do you want the +2, back seats for?

[Byker28i]

DuncanM said:

One of the best things about the Cerbera, is that it's an incredibly easy car to drive slowly/boringly. You have to make a real conscious decision to drive one quickly, due to the long throttle travel.

I love this about the car, almost two cars in one

Ditto, really easy car to just drive around, we used to often do Europe trips, heading to Le Mans next week. I can get 26-27mpg on a run with my heavy right foot if I'm gentle, or around 22-24mpg around town.
Back seats are small, good for kids up until about 10-11. The boot is huge...as are the doors, they open wide.

Whereabouts are you. Might be good to find a local owner you can look over everything

[DuncanM]

Byker28i said:

Ditto, really easy car to just drive around, we used to often do Europe trips, heading to Le Mans next week. I can get 26-27mpg on a run with my heavy right foot if I'm gentle, or around 22-24mpg around town.
Back seats are small, good for kids up until about 10-11. The boot is huge...as are the doors, they open wide.

Whereabouts are you. Might be good to find a local owner you can look over everything

Spot on in everything you say, I remember getting 25~ on a run. They really are fantastic cars, tis why I shall never sell mine (owned since 2004)

[FastEdd11e]

ridds said:

What do you want the +2, back seats for?

Our 9 year old son.

[Mr Cerbera]

Hi Eddie,

Good place to start your search. I have owned my Cerb for 17 years and it would not have been possible without the intellectual and moral support of the contributors to this thread.

Slightly worried though that you are looking for a Cerb.

I would not class a Cerb as a Weekender - Many will disagree
BUT
I am fairly sure that those peeps will agree that, in order to keep them reliable, these babies need to be used frequently.

There must be dozens of 'interesting' vehicles out there (Morgan +8 ?) which will give you that visceral feel that you're looking for but be far less taxing on your time and wallet.

They should be serviced at 6 and 12K miles so that will have to be taken into account.
If it's a good service point then you will be lucky to walk away with a bill less than £1,500.

If that hasn't put you off then there's a Cerb History Guide here and the Wiki at the top of this Forum is an invaluable, practical guide for an owner.

Best o' Luck whatever your decision.


PJ

[geordiepingu]

Make sure your passenger actually fits in the back first. There's a story of me, a 5'5 bloke having to lie across the back seats of a Cerbera to keep the door from falling off while my friend was limping it back to my workshop

[ridds]

FastEdd11e said:

ridds said:

What do you want the +2, back seats for?

Our 9 year old son.

IMHO and I'm sure others will say otherwise but I would look for something a little more robust for transporting kids.

Very little in the way of protection for them. Seat belt mounts are hazard for head injury.

• Awaits calls of being a fairy...

[TwinKam]

Fairy.
My son was was a regular pillion on my m/c from about that age... no seat belts, no air bags, no roll cages... in fact just like the cars we were transported in as kids back in the 60s and 70s. Hands up who's still here.
Awaits calls of 'child abuser' now...

Edited by TwinKam on Monday 27th June 13:58

[ridds]

[DuncanM]

TwinKam said:

Fairy.
My son was was a regular pillion on my m/c from about that age... no seat belts, no air bags, no roll cages... in fact just like the cars we were transported in as kids back in the 60s and 70s. Hands up who's still here.
Awaits calls of 'child abuser' now...

Edited by TwinKam on Monday 27th June 13:58

7 up in a Renault 21 Savanna, brother and I wedged in the boot between the luggage

We thought we had the best seats!

[TwinKam]

HA Viva, I recall being sat on a cushion on the transmission tunnel, so I had a cracking view. It was perfectly safe as the front seats didn't have belts either, so my parents would have taken out the windscreen long before I reached it...

Edit. Thinking about it, my father wouldn't have got past the rigid one-piece steering column...

Edited by TwinKam on Monday 27th June 16:21

[Byker28i]

geordiepingu said:

Make sure your passenger actually fits in the back first. There's a story of me, a 5'5 bloke having to lie across the back seats of a Cerbera to keep the door from falling off while my friend was limping it back to my workshop

I've had 4 adults in mine. The back two were uncomfortable but it was for a shortish journey of a few miles... It helps I have little legs and the seat right forward

[Byker28i]

DuncanM said:

TwinKam said:

Fairy.
My son was was a regular pillion on my m/c from about that age... no seat belts, no air bags, no roll cages... in fact just like the cars we were transported in as kids back in the 60s and 70s. Hands up who's still here.
Awaits calls of 'child abuser' now...

Edited by TwinKam on Monday 27th June 13:58

7 up in a Renault 21 Savanna, brother and I wedged in the boot between the luggage

We thought we had the best seats!

Me and my sister went to school in mums triumph herald sitting on the back with feet on the bench seat. Dad thought that unsafe so bought a simca van that one of us sat unrestrained in the back...

On the Cerbera, I didn't have issues with our kids in the back and the seat belt bolts, but then years ago they weren't on kiddy seats or boosters, just in the seats. I know some have put additional padding around this area