Chim to Cerbera, is it a step up?
Discussion
Hi all, I can't help thinking that now I have had everything renewed or replaced on my Chim, with the exception of carpets, which I will be doing in the next few weeks, she will probably never be worth as much as she is now.
Now I want to make it clear that I love this car like no other, but I can't help looking at Cerberas as a long wheelbase Chim with a roof on in the looks dept. Yes I love having a convertible, but I am not getting any younger & most of the journeys I make are 500 plus miles back home to Sheffield & back, & a fixed roof does make more sense in that respect.
Then there is the fact that in my opinion the Cerbs interior is the best I have ever seen on any car.
So I am asking, is a Cerb a totally different experience to a Chim, or as it has similar dna does it feel similar to drive?
In essence, is a Cerb MORE TVR than a Chim?
Now even saying this has made me feel more guilty than actually thinking it, but can anyone who has made the swap give me the benefit of their experiences please.
Oh, & I am talking specifically about the AJP Cerb.
Thanks,
Brook.
Now I want to make it clear that I love this car like no other, but I can't help looking at Cerberas as a long wheelbase Chim with a roof on in the looks dept. Yes I love having a convertible, but I am not getting any younger & most of the journeys I make are 500 plus miles back home to Sheffield & back, & a fixed roof does make more sense in that respect.
Then there is the fact that in my opinion the Cerbs interior is the best I have ever seen on any car.
So I am asking, is a Cerb a totally different experience to a Chim, or as it has similar dna does it feel similar to drive?
In essence, is a Cerb MORE TVR than a Chim?
Now even saying this has made me feel more guilty than actually thinking it, but can anyone who has made the swap give me the benefit of their experiences please.
Oh, & I am talking specifically about the AJP Cerb.
Thanks,
Brook.
I've driven every TVR from the RV8 Wedge, 1, 2, 3, 4 and V8 S, Chims, Griffs, Cerb and every road type with the Speed 6. The AJP8-engined Cerb was the only one I'd be very nervous about owning. That's not only for the health of my licence but my overall health as well. Sometimes you have to accept your limits.
If you can handle it then I'd say that it is the ultimate TVR: too much power with too little chassis. In other words, everything that a sports car should be.
I was driving my Chim in the middle lane of the M40 at spot of 70mph officer. An AJP8-engined Cerb pulled up beside me and when he pulled away after a brief conversation by hand signals he shot off into the distance, spinning his back wheels. It was tremendous. If you didn't want one after that then you should not be driving a TVR.
If you can handle it then I'd say that it is the ultimate TVR: too much power with too little chassis. In other words, everything that a sports car should be.
I was driving my Chim in the middle lane of the M40 at spot of 70mph officer. An AJP8-engined Cerb pulled up beside me and when he pulled away after a brief conversation by hand signals he shot off into the distance, spinning his back wheels. It was tremendous. If you didn't want one after that then you should not be driving a TVR.
Derek Smith said:
I was driving my Chim in the middle lane of the M40 at spot of 70mph officer. An AJP8-engined Cerb pulled up beside me and when he pulled away after a brief conversation by hand signals he shot off into the distance, spinning his back wheels.
Well that has just made me want one even more! Ive gone for Chim twice now and both times fancied a Cerb but been to scared of the bills. Plus I do like taking the roof off and having the wind blow across my bald head!
It's the only (road)car in the world with a pure race engine. The AJP have a complete different charactaristics to the other TVR engines. After 4 years ownership it's still amazing and really awesome to drive on public roads... and don't forget the very big grin on my face...
Good luck ;-)
Good luck ;-)
Edited by chris willy on Saturday 27th August 20:51
Used to have a Chim 400 now a cerb AJP 4.2
Miss my Chim in ways but the drive in the Cerb with the longer wheels base and power delivery is much nicer, Handiling of my Cerb is light years ahead of the chim. I did a track night and it handles spot on easy to catch if it steps out. Silly quick for the road is the only draw back.
It does not feel faster than the 400 but it is when you look at the speedo. you really have to work it to make it move and it eggs you on to do this. The chim can be in 5th and just plod along at any speed. The Cerb needs you to really drive it but when you do it's rapid.
Miss the roof off driving and i like the sound of the RV8 more but the pops and bangs are great in the Cerb.
I think the Cerb is much easier to drive than the Chim i feel at peace in it even in the wet. i used to hate the wet in the chim, But no fear at all in the Cerb the long throttle travel is great and the torque does not come in till higher up the rev range so you have to provoke it to make it step out. I had the Chim kick out on fairly light throttle in a straight line as the torque is always there.
Miss my Chim in ways but the drive in the Cerb with the longer wheels base and power delivery is much nicer, Handiling of my Cerb is light years ahead of the chim. I did a track night and it handles spot on easy to catch if it steps out. Silly quick for the road is the only draw back.
It does not feel faster than the 400 but it is when you look at the speedo. you really have to work it to make it move and it eggs you on to do this. The chim can be in 5th and just plod along at any speed. The Cerb needs you to really drive it but when you do it's rapid.
Miss the roof off driving and i like the sound of the RV8 more but the pops and bangs are great in the Cerb.
I think the Cerb is much easier to drive than the Chim i feel at peace in it even in the wet. i used to hate the wet in the chim, But no fear at all in the Cerb the long throttle travel is great and the torque does not come in till higher up the rev range so you have to provoke it to make it step out. I had the Chim kick out on fairly light throttle in a straight line as the torque is always there.
Edited by scotty_d on Saturday 27th August 21:23
Greeny said:
They are chalk and cheese, both great cars in different ways. Actually, not chalk and cheese, more like drink and drugs, both can be addictive, but one is certainly gonna kill you unless you can control the 'habit'. (I have both)
Is that the habit of drink and drug abuse?The Cerb was originally intended to have the 5.0 Rover V8.
The first time I saw a Cerb it was in the underground car park at work. I heard the rumble first of course and then it just appeared through the dark. Tremendous!
I went from chimp 450 to cerbera (3 cerbs so far).
The cerbera feels considerably faster and will try and kill you. Certainly in 380bhp + state of tune.
It's a race car for the road!
The chassis is much better on the cerbera but the power can overwhelm it. My red Rose peaked at 436 bhp and I can break traction at high speeds in a straight line ( should the road not be totally smooth).
It will hammer your wallet too!
The cerbera feels considerably faster and will try and kill you. Certainly in 380bhp + state of tune.
It's a race car for the road!
The chassis is much better on the cerbera but the power can overwhelm it. My red Rose peaked at 436 bhp and I can break traction at high speeds in a straight line ( should the road not be totally smooth).
It will hammer your wallet too!
I have both 
. Completely different cars in almost every way. I liken the Chimaera to a polo pony and the Cerbera a racehorse.
The Chimaera feels like it would pull several cars behind it such is the torque, the Cerbera feels like it is light and free from restraints and 'flies'.
The roof off is great to have, for me, not long distance or motorways. In the Cerbera I have the windows open most of the time (driver window a few inches open all the time - everyone does for some reason it just feels right), so it's breezy without the constant buffeting at speed.
There aer days when I'm definitely in the mood for the Chimaera, it is a great car.
I am in the mood for the Cerbera every day, it is a very special car.
If there is anyway you could manage to stable both, then it won't feel like a duplication! I have so far managed to keep both, I dread the day when I might have to choose between them.
Any help?
. Completely different cars in almost every way. I liken the Chimaera to a polo pony and the Cerbera a racehorse. The Chimaera feels like it would pull several cars behind it such is the torque, the Cerbera feels like it is light and free from restraints and 'flies'.
The roof off is great to have, for me, not long distance or motorways. In the Cerbera I have the windows open most of the time (driver window a few inches open all the time - everyone does for some reason it just feels right), so it's breezy without the constant buffeting at speed.
There aer days when I'm definitely in the mood for the Chimaera, it is a great car.
I am in the mood for the Cerbera every day, it is a very special car.
If there is anyway you could manage to stable both, then it won't feel like a duplication! I have so far managed to keep both, I dread the day when I might have to choose between them.
Any help?
cerb ian said:
i have seen many people saying cerbs cost alot to keep,but if you get a goodn they wont.had mine a while now and it runs sweet as a nut 60000 mile engine and its solid as a rock just lookafter it and it wil be fine i use automeadon and they r good
Yeah I have only averaged £6k or more pa for 7 years. You have been lucky or happy to live with niggles? Keep these opinions coming guys, & I thank you very much for them.
I never expected it to be an easy decision, & it is probably going to get progressively harder, but I think I need to drive one to find out for myself. I will also ask Richard at Dulfords, he knows my car inside out & knows what I like, I am sure he is familiar enough with Cerbs to give an informed opinion.
Without being blase or over confident, I am used to high powered cars, well up to 350bhp anyway, & used to rally a RS2000 way back, so I am not a complete numpty with powerful cars. One thing I am interested in is the view that a Cerb is an easier car to drive than a Chim, more relaxing when not pressing on. I do have problems with my health & have to be realistic, but that doesn't mean I can't have an exciting car, it is probably the one & only area of my life that I will resist compromise until the bitter end.
I never expected it to be an easy decision, & it is probably going to get progressively harder, but I think I need to drive one to find out for myself. I will also ask Richard at Dulfords, he knows my car inside out & knows what I like, I am sure he is familiar enough with Cerbs to give an informed opinion.
Without being blase or over confident, I am used to high powered cars, well up to 350bhp anyway, & used to rally a RS2000 way back, so I am not a complete numpty with powerful cars. One thing I am interested in is the view that a Cerb is an easier car to drive than a Chim, more relaxing when not pressing on. I do have problems with my health & have to be realistic, but that doesn't mean I can't have an exciting car, it is probably the one & only area of my life that I will resist compromise until the bitter end.
It's the only TVR i would consider owning again, as for being a more relaxing drive at slower speeds, imo, no, in slow moving traffic they can be a pain in the arse due to it having not much low down torque, having said that i did have mine chipped which cured that, they are fun though, to give you an idea from a rolling 60 start to 183 in less than a mile, not bad EH!
My Red Rose Cerbera is as easy to drive in town as it is flying around a track or going for max speed down a runway.
Cerberas do come in different styles and it's upto you to what style you want. The one thing I will say, get a good one!!!
On the Cerbera forum a few years ago we posted about the price of cars and who would buy them since they had dropped so much. The worry was they would be bought cheap and then not looked after because of the true cost of keeping them. Looking at the forum now and what we said has come true. Lots of new owners getting stung.
Cerberas do come in different styles and it's upto you to what style you want. The one thing I will say, get a good one!!!
On the Cerbera forum a few years ago we posted about the price of cars and who would buy them since they had dropped so much. The worry was they would be bought cheap and then not looked after because of the true cost of keeping them. Looking at the forum now and what we said has come true. Lots of new owners getting stung.
My Red Rose Cerbera is as easy to drive in town as it is flying around a track or going for max speed down a runway.
Cerberas do come in different styles and it's upto you to what style you want. The one thing I will say, get a good one!!!
On the Cerbera forum a few years ago we posted about the price of cars and who would buy them since they had dropped so much. The worry was they would be bought cheap and then not looked after because of the true cost of keeping them. Looking at the forum now and what we said has come true. Lots of new owners getting stung.
Cerberas do come in different styles and it's upto you to what style you want. The one thing I will say, get a good one!!!
On the Cerbera forum a few years ago we posted about the price of cars and who would buy them since they had dropped so much. The worry was they would be bought cheap and then not looked after because of the true cost of keeping them. Looking at the forum now and what we said has come true. Lots of new owners getting stung.
Gazzab said:
Yeah I have only averaged £6k or more pa for 7 years. You have been lucky or happy to live with niggles?
Wow 6k a year that is very high i have no niggles what so ever and i am well under a grand in maintenance costs. I don't think luck is evolved PM is what it's all about with TVR's don't let issues bit you in the bum.Saying that your car is in a high state of tune maybe this is why it is so much more to run and the fact you use Indy's and some do the work them self's I am 348bhp from my 4.2 and your about 100bhp more than that from yours could need higher maintenance.
Edited by scotty_d on Sunday 28th August 12:42
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