HELP - First time TVR Buyer
Discussion
Hi
Just joined the forum tonight and wanted to ask for some advice.
Im looking into buying my first TVR, Now, I would love a cerb but dont know whether to go for a chim first then move to a cerb? Ive heard for the "TVR virgin" its better to start with a chim?
Part of me says be sensible, part of me says f**k it and going for a cerb!
Any advice would be appreciated
Thanks
Gareth
Ive on my 2nd chimaera now first was nothing but trouble(not all the cars fault mainly the garages) 2nd one Ive only had a few weeks but looking promising so far. Both times when looking I kept looking at cerbera's and would love one but just to many stories of 3k a year to keep it running! From what I can gather the cerbera seems a lot more of TVR's own parts were the chim is more mix and match of other makes meaning cheaper to get hold off parts. Plus you really want to get the roof off as often as possible and you cant do that with the cerb!
Gareth - Pop over to your nearest TVR dealers and have a look around - sit in some of the car.
The Cerbera is my all-time favourite TVR and I had my heart set on one for years but in the end I went for a Chim 500.
My reasons for this were:
When I first sat in a Cerb at the dealers, it felt very claustrophobic to me. The cabin is beautiful, but very tight - especially for the passenger side - Wifey wasn't happy. We much preferred sitting the Chim and Griff cabins, with the Tuscan/T350 being better still. At dealer prices though, the T cars were just out of budget.
The dealer explained that overall running costs are much cheaper on a RoverV8 car. The RV8 engines are very basic and the Cerb has more expensive brakes, tyres, engine tappet adjustment services, etc.
I really wanted to experience roof-off motoring - this is my first convertible
So, I got the Chim and a year later, I am still absolutely loving it!
Having said this, I may well end up in a Cerb at some point - I still love them!
If you have your heart set on a TVR, whichever one you chose will give you a buzz. Other performance cars will feel bland in comparison.
Just my 2p.
The Cerbera is my all-time favourite TVR and I had my heart set on one for years but in the end I went for a Chim 500.
My reasons for this were:
When I first sat in a Cerb at the dealers, it felt very claustrophobic to me. The cabin is beautiful, but very tight - especially for the passenger side - Wifey wasn't happy. We much preferred sitting the Chim and Griff cabins, with the Tuscan/T350 being better still. At dealer prices though, the T cars were just out of budget.
The dealer explained that overall running costs are much cheaper on a RoverV8 car. The RV8 engines are very basic and the Cerb has more expensive brakes, tyres, engine tappet adjustment services, etc.
I really wanted to experience roof-off motoring - this is my first convertible
So, I got the Chim and a year later, I am still absolutely loving it!
Having said this, I may well end up in a Cerb at some point - I still love them!
If you have your heart set on a TVR, whichever one you chose will give you a buzz. Other performance cars will feel bland in comparison.
Just my 2p.
TVRGareth said:
Now, I would love a cerb but dont know whether to go for a chim first then move to a cerb? Ive heard for the "TVR virgin" its better to start with a chim?
Welcome!!They are both bloody fast cars....
I think both cars are beautiful....
One has a V8 - the other (non - LS modded Cerbs) does not...
So you have speed, looks and sound....and they have all of those...
But it may be as simple as - "you want a top down car, or a non-top down car?"
Happy hunting...
Nosh.
Nosh.
Nosh said:
Welcome!!
They are both bloody fast cars....
I think both cars are beautiful....
One has a V8 - the other (non - LS modded Cerbs) does not...
So you have speed, looks and sound....and they have all of those...
But it may be as simple as - "you want a top down car, or a non-top down car?"
Happy hunting...
Nosh.
Nosh.
Erm, I though over half the Cerbs have a V8? Options are 4.2 V8, 4.5 V8 or 4.0 Speed6?They are both bloody fast cars....
I think both cars are beautiful....
One has a V8 - the other (non - LS modded Cerbs) does not...
So you have speed, looks and sound....and they have all of those...
But it may be as simple as - "you want a top down car, or a non-top down car?"
Happy hunting...
Nosh.
Nosh.
Chims are all Rover V8 4.0, 4.3, 4.5, 5.0?
Nosh said:
One has a V8 - the other (non - LS modded Cerbs) does not...
Eh??? The V8 part in the Cerbera's "AJPV8" engine should give you a clue here... I have no doubt that a Chim will be simpler, cheaper and potentially less trouble than a Cerb to run. As such, it's probably a good introduction to the marque and a quick and fine car to boot.
However, a wailing AJPV8 working hard in the front of a Cerb is a whole different ball game in terms of performance.
Chims are dead easy to drive.... So much torque you can almost stick it in 5th and pretend it's an auto. They are great touring cars ahenshen they go wrong (which mine did a few times only) they tend to be easy fixes of well known issues.
The cerb is a more demanding drive IMO - a lot more power and less torque. Though they handle better so there's pros and cons. In summary I'd say that while I could see the logic in suggesting a Chim first there's no compelling reason to do that.
Comes down to which one grabs you the most I'd say.
The cerb is a more demanding drive IMO - a lot more power and less torque. Though they handle better so there's pros and cons. In summary I'd say that while I could see the logic in suggesting a Chim first there's no compelling reason to do that.
Comes down to which one grabs you the most I'd say.
Cerbs do sound fantastic!
They are very rare too. I have been on several TVR Club runs now and I have only ever seen 1 or 2 Cerbs at them so far.
A Chim will probably give you an easier life though, with cheaper servicing and running costs (although it is a bit slower than it's big brother!). Which ever TVR you get - you will love it!
They are very rare too. I have been on several TVR Club runs now and I have only ever seen 1 or 2 Cerbs at them so far.
A Chim will probably give you an easier life though, with cheaper servicing and running costs (although it is a bit slower than it's big brother!). Which ever TVR you get - you will love it!
Although the 2 cars look quite similar, they couldn't be more different under the attractive skin!
The Chimaera uses a lot more donor parts and is therefore a lot cheaper to run. I budget about £500 a year to run my Chimaera, not including the obvious insurance/petrol etc..... and I'd say a Cerb is at least double.
Whichever you choose buy on condition and not age, they both suffer from the same chassis issues.
The Chimaera uses a lot more donor parts and is therefore a lot cheaper to run. I budget about £500 a year to run my Chimaera, not including the obvious insurance/petrol etc..... and I'd say a Cerb is at least double.
Whichever you choose buy on condition and not age, they both suffer from the same chassis issues.
It comes down to 2 things really (or at least it did when I bought my TVR many years back)
1. Hard top or soft top
2. Cerb normal running costs approx 3 x those of the Chimaera
I wanted a soft top so went for the chim. My running costs are around £1k a year including servicing, insurance and road tax.
I budget £500 a year for non service stuff e.g. last year rad had to be recored (£160) , this year the exhaust gaskets went (£200 IIRC)
1. Hard top or soft top
2. Cerb normal running costs approx 3 x those of the Chimaera
I wanted a soft top so went for the chim. My running costs are around £1k a year including servicing, insurance and road tax.
I budget £500 a year for non service stuff e.g. last year rad had to be recored (£160) , this year the exhaust gaskets went (£200 IIRC)
Tough call this. But as others have said, depends if you want roof down or not.
Chimaera is a superb drive, easy, fun, and quick. As someone said, loads of torque low down so cruising is easy. Cerbera is an event every time, you have to be much more alert as the space between you and the car in front vanishes at an alarming rate, it's more involved as a drive and although you can just pootle along it's really more happy when it's being 'driven'.
Running costs? Well I've got to say I've spent more on the Cerbera in the past 12 months than the Chimaera, but I've only had it 12 months and they are niggles I want sorting and they were done on the Chimaera years ago. Petrol/insurance are pretty much the same. Servicing more on the Cerb as we all know.
My advice is unless you are used to driving very high performance cars, get a good Chimaera and learn the TVR experience, then go for the Cerb.
To put it in to perspective, when I only had the Chimaera I thought it was bloody quick, now I have the Cerb too, we use to Chimaera to pootle about in, and have a relaxing drive, the Cerbera is for those days when you just want more
Chimaera is a superb drive, easy, fun, and quick. As someone said, loads of torque low down so cruising is easy. Cerbera is an event every time, you have to be much more alert as the space between you and the car in front vanishes at an alarming rate, it's more involved as a drive and although you can just pootle along it's really more happy when it's being 'driven'.
Running costs? Well I've got to say I've spent more on the Cerbera in the past 12 months than the Chimaera, but I've only had it 12 months and they are niggles I want sorting and they were done on the Chimaera years ago. Petrol/insurance are pretty much the same. Servicing more on the Cerb as we all know.
My advice is unless you are used to driving very high performance cars, get a good Chimaera and learn the TVR experience, then go for the Cerb.
To put it in to perspective, when I only had the Chimaera I thought it was bloody quick, now I have the Cerb too, we use to Chimaera to pootle about in, and have a relaxing drive, the Cerbera is for those days when you just want more
.Mark said:
Tough call this. But as others have said, depends if you want roof down or not.
Chimaera is a superb drive, easy, fun, and quick. As someone said, loads of torque low down so cruising is easy. Cerbera is an event every time, you have to be much more alert as the space between you and the car in front vanishes at an alarming rate, it's more involved as a drive and although you can just pootle along it's really more happy when it's being 'driven'.
Running costs? Well I've got to say I've spent more on the Cerbera in the past 12 months than the Chimaera, but I've only had it 12 months and they are niggles I want sorting and they were done on the Chimaera years ago. Petrol/insurance are pretty much the same. Servicing more on the Cerb as we all know.
My advice is unless you are used to driving very high performance cars, get a good Chimaera and learn the TVR experience, then go for the Cerb.
To put it in to perspective, when I only had the Chimaera I thought it was bloody quick, now I have the Cerb too, we use to Chimaera to pootle about in, and have a relaxing drive, the Cerbera is for those days when you just want more
Mark is right i owned a Chim for 3 years and now have a Cerb. Running cost wise the Cerb is worse on fuel but i think that is due to the way i drive it, it really want's to be pushed on all the time. Either way both are great cars but it's up to you if you want a roof or not. I do miss the soft top some times so may move on to a tuscan or Tamora next but the Cerb is a beast but the Chim did sound nicer (both have sports exhausts) Chimaera is a superb drive, easy, fun, and quick. As someone said, loads of torque low down so cruising is easy. Cerbera is an event every time, you have to be much more alert as the space between you and the car in front vanishes at an alarming rate, it's more involved as a drive and although you can just pootle along it's really more happy when it's being 'driven'.
Running costs? Well I've got to say I've spent more on the Cerbera in the past 12 months than the Chimaera, but I've only had it 12 months and they are niggles I want sorting and they were done on the Chimaera years ago. Petrol/insurance are pretty much the same. Servicing more on the Cerb as we all know.
My advice is unless you are used to driving very high performance cars, get a good Chimaera and learn the TVR experience, then go for the Cerb.
To put it in to perspective, when I only had the Chimaera I thought it was bloody quick, now I have the Cerb too, we use to Chimaera to pootle about in, and have a relaxing drive, the Cerbera is for those days when you just want more
Edited by scotty_d on Thursday 23 June 10:33
Thanks a lot for all the posts, really good advice. I forgot to mention that it will be using it as weekend car, I use a van during the week.
I do live in Edinburgh so we don't get too much sunshine up here so I'm not really bothered about having a soft top or not.
Thanks again for all your help folks
Gareth
I do live in Edinburgh so we don't get too much sunshine up here so I'm not really bothered about having a soft top or not.
Thanks again for all your help folks
Gareth
my 2p's worth is that for years and years i always fancied a cerb, but athough much quicker than a chim, i have learned that the cerb is very expensive to run compared to a chim and the chim rover v8 in my opinion sounds much nicer, also i recently found out that the cerb engines cos they are racing v8's with a flat plane crank (whatever that is lol) are really lumpy and rough until they warm up, in other words the more i learn, the more im pleased i bought the chim, but the chim's are slower, oh also the turning circle in the cerb apparently is rubbish, so if its a car you may use regularly that could be a prob in tight spaces and the chim is a convertable, the cerb isnt, hope this helps
Andy chimaera said:
my 2p's worth is that for years and years i always fancied a cerb, but athough much quicker than a chim, i have learned that the cerb is very expensive to run compared to a chim and the chim rover v8 in my opinion sounds much nicer, also i recently found out that the cerb engines cos they are racing v8's with a flat plane crank (whatever that is lol) are really lumpy and rough until they warm up, in other words the more i learn, the more im pleased i bought the chim, but the chim's are slower, oh also the turning circle in the cerb apparently is rubbish, so if its a car you may use regularly that could be a prob in tight spaces and the chim is a convertable, the cerb isnt, hope this helps
Kind of agree with that. Turning circle isn't great on a Cerb (unless the roads are damp where a full lock and a blip of the loud pedal helps), doors are very long so picking a parking space can be fun. I don't think I'd want one as a daily driver to be honest.As for expensive to run, well, more expensive to service as I said before, but both the Chimaera and Cerbera are on a par for spend on other items. As for being lumpy when cold, not so sure about that, mine purrs along at all temperatures.
TVRGareth said:
Thanks a lot for all the posts, really good advice. I forgot to mention that it will be using it as weekend car, I use a van during the week.
I do live in Edinburgh so we don't get too much sunshine up here so I'm not really bothered about having a soft top or not.
Thanks again for all your help folks
Gareth
There is a few for sale in Scotland at moment, more than usaual so might be a good tie to buy. You should go for it as you will regret it if you dont. I almost bought one a few months back but knackered my knee and got an automatic instead. The knee is a lot better now and kicking myself for not hanging on to the cash. Lol there is a strong possibility that my car will be on the classifieds soon so I can start looking at Chimaeras againI do live in Edinburgh so we don't get too much sunshine up here so I'm not really bothered about having a soft top or not.
Thanks again for all your help folks
Gareth
The Cerbs will always be faster, but of you really crave power go for the Chim500 or Griff500. These may still be a bit slower than the Cerb, but the performance gap is reduced a lot.
I actually favoured the Chim500 over a Griff500 because the Chim looks more like a Cerb! (Plus my chest isn't hairy enough to own a Griff and I didnt want the chunky gold neck-wear)
I actually favoured the Chim500 over a Griff500 because the Chim looks more like a Cerb! (Plus my chest isn't hairy enough to own a Griff and I didnt want the chunky gold neck-wear)
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