Decisions, decisions.......HELP!

Decisions, decisions.......HELP!

Author
Discussion

darrent

Original Poster:

630 posts

260 months

Monday 23rd September 2002
quotequote all
Ladies and Gents,

I'm suffering a crisis - I'm in the middle of trying to buy a 4.5 Cerbera but need some help.

1. I'm worried that my girlfriend who currently drives a tin can won't be able to handle the car - any comments? (Not because she's female before I get comments!!)

2. I've been offered a warranty by the (non-TVR) dealer - it's a RAC warranty - any good or avoid like the plague?

Help me become a Cerbie owner!!

Cheers

smifffy

1,992 posts

267 months

Monday 23rd September 2002
quotequote all
Hmm, perhaps one of the cerbie owners can answer this more effectively, but when i had my Griff my wife found the clutch to be too heavy for any sustained driving. A quick blast to the shops was fine, but that's as far as she really liked to take it.

The speed was neevr really an issue, as she's firmly of the "it only goes as fast as you tell it to" school. When I test drove a cerby the only issue I had was the "digital" nature of the clutch. It was quite a pussycat at low rpm too.

I'd be a little cautious of taking your wife out for a massive zoooooom session before she's got used to it. Perhaps (shock, horror) let her drive it mostly for the first few days before you scare the pants out of her and any other passenger? Maybe that's just my wife... but I think my other half would react better if she could just take the time getting to know the car without having had the "this car can go sooo fast" bit?

waddler

77 posts

262 months

Monday 23rd September 2002
quotequote all
My girlfriend loves driving mine but not if you have to combat heavy traffic on a daily basis. The car can be hard work in stop start conditions due to heavy clutch/sensitive throttle.

Also i'd get her used to the 3 mile turning circle before attempting parking in busy car parks.

Can't give you any advice on the warranty but i'd bet it is not very good.

Scruff400

3,757 posts

262 months

Monday 23rd September 2002
quotequote all
quote:

1. I'm worried that my girlfriendwon't be able to handle the car - any comments?


What's she doing out of the kitchen?

d1bble

3,273 posts

264 months

Monday 23rd September 2002
quotequote all
quote:

quote:

1. I'm worried that my girlfriendwon't be able to handle the car - any comments?


What's she doing out of the kitchen?





gazzab

21,111 posts

283 months

Monday 23rd September 2002
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My wife used to drive my Chim all the time.
She hasnt yet driven my cerbera. She could do but I worry about the car being a little more extreme, delicate and harder to drive in some ways (Eg turning circle, starting buttons, warm up engine etc)

ro_butler

795 posts

272 months

Monday 23rd September 2002
quotequote all
Only you can really answer that.
The clutch and throttle are heavy compared to other cars but you soon get used to it, even in traffic.

If it gets a bit difficult then go down the gym .

Some of the girls I know are dying to have a go but others are frightened to death at the driving position, lack of visibility etc.

Get it anyway, she will love it

No idea about RAC warranties.

Rob.

joospeed

4,473 posts

279 months

Monday 23rd September 2002
quotequote all
there aren't many women driving cerbies, but I don't know why. maybe the car is a bit intimidating, but that's the same with anythign new and expensive and fast. go to a nice quiet road or private ground somewhere, get her in the driving seat and see what happens, hopefully she'll love it and you'll find it hard to get her behind a hoover ever again. I used to have a woman customer who had done 70k miles in her cerbie .

darrent

Original Poster:

630 posts

260 months

Monday 23rd September 2002
quotequote all
Thanks for the comments. I think she will get used to it from the sounds of it but still worried about that warranty. What's the "standard" TVR warranty that I should be looking for? Is it best to buy (if more expensive) the car from a main TVR dealer and get a better warranty? Also, if I buy private can I extend the existing warranty?

anonymous-user

55 months

Monday 23rd September 2002
quotequote all
The Cerbera V8's probably have the hardest ride of all TVR's.

They have very heavy clutch and if you're driving any distance then you can get a bit shaken up and knackered (well if you're a chick anyway )
Turning circle is crap as well and as said before they are not fun in car parks !

Power delivery is awesome, but you can drive them around slowly as well (if you can resist the temptation to floor it)

I'd like to say try a Speed Six out as it will be a bit more forgiving but I don't think I should recommend one after the record I've had with mine !

(I love it really ! )

Get one anyway...just tell the missus she looks really cool in it and buy her a matching handbag or something.

darrent

Original Poster:

630 posts

260 months

Monday 23rd September 2002
quotequote all
If the missus ever bumps into you guys your history with comments like these!!!!

She's not the handbag type (thank God!)

waddler

77 posts

262 months

Monday 23rd September 2002
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My '99T speed six is very easy to drive, has 2 year TVR spirit warranty, full TVR service history, 24K, a/c, antigua blue pearl, magnolia/prussian interior, hydrotrack,6cd, is absolutely immaculate with zero squeeks or rattles. Make me an offer as i'm looking for a newer 4.5 as i've come into a bit of dosh.

I won't let it go cheap though.



dannylt

1,906 posts

285 months

Monday 23rd September 2002
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Waddler- you only bought it in July didn't you - got bored quickly!

danny

darrent

Original Poster:

630 posts

260 months

Monday 23rd September 2002
quotequote all
Thanks for the kind offer Waddler but my bird will have to live with it - I'm holding out for a 4.5. Cheers

waddler

77 posts

262 months

Monday 23rd September 2002
quotequote all
No love it to bits but thought i could make a few quid on it and get a newer (and slightly faster) one.

Would be interesting to get into a 4.5 now after getting used to mine. When I bought it I realy didn't see much difference between them and went for the sp6 cos it was the best example I came across after looking for about 3 months.


dannylt

1,906 posts

285 months

Monday 23rd September 2002
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I'll be impressed if you make money on one! How about buying mine?

mudstud

249 posts

261 months

Monday 23rd September 2002
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Bought a 4.5 a month ago, wife took it out with my daughter as soon as I bought it. She found it OK, my daughter suggested dad should give mum some driving lessons! Car was worth every penny just for the comment! Good luck.

On the warranty - like all warranties they are there to make money for whoever sells them. In theory if you put your money in the bank (not shares!) in the fullness of time you will be money ahead! Policy has worked for me, it was a bit unnerving in the beginning when there was nothing in the bank!

>> Edited by mudstud on Monday 23 September 21:17

ro_butler

795 posts

272 months

Monday 23rd September 2002
quotequote all
quote:

I'll be impressed if you make money on one! How about buying mine?




Can't believe you'd ever sell yours with all the work you've had done to it

Can't imagine you would have much problem selling it if you ever tried though. Great car

Rob.

kevinday

11,670 posts

281 months

Tuesday 24th September 2002
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Scruff, maybe the bedroom is a long way from the kitchen

simond001

4,518 posts

278 months

Tuesday 24th September 2002
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My wife prefers the drive of the cerb to our old Chimaera. She finds it easier to drive. It is a 4.2, but im sure power aside it isnt much different to a 4.5