Got it and adjusting

[chris.g.wood]

Ok got my Cerbera after a few alarm and door adjustments.
Must admit I only finally bought the car after reading this forum. Taking the Pro's and Con's I decided to get the car that would cause problems in a theoretical 'hobby' point of view, but the thought of having a fantastic looking car with the power was too good to pass on (previsouly had a 220 TT and loved it, Wife car car jacked nasty sotry etc!)

Thanks everyone.

One question though, I'm having trouble getting the first gear pulling away quite right (don't want to wheel spin like a nutter each time). How long before this all 'clicks'

Again I thank all on this group for the response to peoples questions, they have prooved very useful.

Oh, and is there a full FAQ for the Cerbera?

Regards

CGW

[ocean1]

Hi Chris,
i presume you have a V8 car but its the same for all of us, just use your right foot and your brain as traction control these cars have a far greater power to weight ratio than normal cars, so just be carefull out there! If you do not ask, she will not give.

[RUSSELLM]

Took me the best part of a week to master not stalling the thing (being too carefull)
Never had that problem with my automatic metro !

[alans]

took me the best part of a month to be able to pull away everytime without the occasional stall. Just stick with it, it's worth it in the end.

Alan

[kojak69]

you'll get used 2 it. I used 2 stall it too.

[chris.g.wood]

RUSSELLM said:

Took me the best part of a week to master not stalling the thing (being too carefull) Never had that problem with my automatic metro !

I'm getting better, didn't stall once today, scared the hell of out myself a few times, but no stall.
Tomorrow is the big one, got to drive down to the golf club in front of lots of people on the course with road humps, not looking forward to that.

CGW

[suffolkfox]

Too me a few days of driving to get used to it early on in the summer, but when the weather changes you need to be aware that you will have to relearn. A junction I normally pull away from with no bother, first really cold & wet day and rear-end goes for a wander as the tyres lose grip, so take it easy. Far better to be cautious than ditch fodder.

[j_s_g]

chris.g.wood said:

I'm getting better, didn't stall once today, scared the hell of out myself a few times, but no stall. Tomorrow is the big one, got to drive down to the golf club in front of lots of people on the course with road humps, not looking forward to that.

Urgh. Speed bumps. Had plenty of trouble with those at times - when you hit one & causes your right foot to jolt a bit, making things worse, etc. Found the easiest thing to do on certain sets was just take it out of gear/take my right foot off the pedals completely. Better that than riding the clutch.

[kojak69]

Dont wind him up Jon.

[chris.g.wood]

DAGGART said:

What do you mean ocean?.You own the slowest car TVR now makes 0-100 in 10.2 and 170 mph lets hope Chris has bought a V8 so he can enjoy real performance!!!!!!.

lol, V8 it is.

CGW

[Cerby_Mike]

I'm glad to see I'm not the only one who had stalling probs at first !!! I've only driven the car for about 3-4 hours (it's my dad's) but I think I've got it mastered now. I found the trick is simply not to think about it. The second time I went out in it I stalled at a 'blind' roundabout because of some numpty coming round at silly speeds, and me being a little nervous driving my dad's new TVR!! A couple of cars behind, so I panicked a little and stalled again. Very uncool, especially in a car like a TVR.
I managed to stall about three more times before we got home because every time I stopped I really tried not too.

Anyway, you get used to it.

Mike

[chris.g.wood]

Cerby_Mike said:

I'm glad to see I'm not the only one who had stalling probs at first !!! <snipped> Mike

When I picked it up I stalled 19 times on the way back. Also nearly lost it coming off an Island (the steering wheel got a good work out) after filling the tank (carefully I might add).

However since my original post I've actually done very well, it seems to be coming together.

Now if I can just figure out how to get over the speed bumps at my golf course without bottoming it out on the first one I'll be chuffed.

Nothing like a scrape and 'ting' of the exhaust to fill you with fear!

CGW

[Cerby_Mike]

chris.g.wood said:

Now if I can just figure out how to get over the speed bumps at my golf course without bottoming it out on the first one I'll be chuffed. Nothing like a scrape and 'ting' of the exhaust to fill you with fear! CGW

Just go very slowly !! The tip earlier about knocking it out of gear and just going over slowly is a good one. We've got a couple of speed bumps near us, and if we can get over them OK (I'm 17+stone, and my dad isn't exactly a ballerina ) you should be fine on your own.

Mike

[ridds]

Cerbs actually have a belly plate along the length of the underside and so it's not the exhaust you're scraping

[andy4200]

ridds said:

Cerbs actually have a belly plate along the length of the underside and so it's not the exhaust you're scraping

You do scrape the back box though. Mine are nicely dented into the shape of the local bumps so it doesn't scrape much anymore.
Alternatively, get a hammer and pre dent them so you don't feel so bad when the speed bumps do it for you.

[chris.g.wood]

ridds said:

Cerbs actually have a belly plate along the length of the underside and so it's not the exhaust you're scraping

That's good, but coming off the end of a speed bump the exhausts themselves caught the top. Not heavily just enough to touch them and make a wierd ting.
The fishermen nearby who hadn't turned around for the exhaust noise turned around for the ting, which was quite funny!.
CGW

[munirrathore]

ocean1 said:

Hi Chris, i presume you have a V8 car but its the same for all of us, just use your right foot and your brain as traction control these cars have a far greater power to weight ratio than normal cars, so just be carefull out there! If you do not ask, she will not give.

Exactly. By the time you have finished the act of 'routine' overtaking in everyday life, it is already travelling at an easy 90mph - looks like 50mph and has catastrophic potential for an accident at that point - especially if you are periodically switching between TVR and a non TVR car! It feels like 50mph at any speed above 50.

Also in a frustrating (road rage) overtake with a normal car we would emerge and accelerate simultaneously while with Cerbera in dry or wet it is better to move out in the overtaking lane first and only then open up the engines so that the rear doesn't sway - can be very embarrasing! When it sways it holds itself in line demonstrating beautiful balance.

Cerbera is almost useless in the winter - all the usual expenditure and aging but no fun. Poor visibility, fog, gloom, short days, splash, inefficient de-misting, skids, wheel spin and a freezing cold gear stick. Though it souds even louder -perhaps heavy atmosphere.

[chris.g.wood]

munirrathore said:

Cerbera is almost useless in the winter - all the usual expenditure and aging but no fun. Poor visibility, fog, gloom, short days, splash, inefficient de-misting, skids, wheel spin and a freezing cold gear stick. Though it souds even louder -perhaps heavy atmosphere.

Your getting me all excited

Must admit, making sure the wheels are pointing in the right direction before accelerating at the moment.
Fooled me once with that, shame on me, but after the fourth time, i'm learning

CGW

[Flintstone]

:greenwithenvy: Stoppit, stoppit, stoppit!

It'll be at least a couple of months before I can sell my current car and start looking for my first TVR so stop teasing me will you? [/greenwithenvy]

[James45LW]

No fun in the winter - how about powerslides and donuts without losing too much tread!