TVR to buy or not to buy!!!!
Discussion
I am a new member and i am inspired to buy a TVR Cebera 4.5 for its beauty and beast combination. I currently own an audi TT 225 chipped (270bhp,307lb) my issue is this. I was thinkin about a 2000-2001 TVR so i think these newer models are better, what is the reliability like alot of people say they are nothing but trouble - similar to a good lookin woman. what is their build quality like are their many squeeks and creeks!!!!!!!!! What is the servicing like ££££ best case? are they every day cars to and from work or just weekend fun? what is their performance like bhp? lb? does it really stick you in the seat!!
Please share your veiws as i think these questions are at the heart of everyone considering a TVR.
Please share your veiws as i think these questions are at the heart of everyone considering a TVR.
The best thig to do is a quick search through this forum.
Try words like
reliable and cerbera.
The upshot is that if you get a well sorted car and budget £3k per year plus fuel then you should be ok. They like to be driven everyday.
If you expect Audi levels of built quality and refinement then don't bother. If you are happy to put up with the odd niggle to own an utterly fantastic car then welcome to Cerbera.
Good luck
D
Try words like
reliable and cerbera.
The upshot is that if you get a well sorted car and budget £3k per year plus fuel then you should be ok. They like to be driven everyday.
If you expect Audi levels of built quality and refinement then don't bother. If you are happy to put up with the odd niggle to own an utterly fantastic car then welcome to Cerbera.
Good luck
D
I would have thought a good plan would be to visit a dealer or two and take a cerbera out for test drive, if you've not already done so. I am pretty sure the power, performance and drama will far exceed anything you can experience in a Audi TT (chipped or not). Once you have driven one or two you will have experienced what makes TVR owners so passionate about their cars! Rich...
RichB said:
I would have thought a good plan would be to visit a dealer or two and take a cerbera out for test drive, if you've not already done so. I am pretty sure the power, performance and drama will far exceed anything you can experience in a Audi TT (chipped or not). Once you have driven one or two you will have experienced what makes TVR owners so passionate about their cars! Rich...
Seconded.
I went through the same change having had a TTR 225 (unchipped though).
I had wanted a TVR before the TT but went for the Audi because I was worried about the TVR reliability issue. After 2 1/2 years with the Audi I got bored of it and there were also way too many on the road for my liking, it seemed like every man and his dog had some variant or another. I had also got a bit fed up looking at the interior.
I finally bit the bullet and bought a 1996 4.2 Cerbera. I decided bollox to any worries I had and just went for it.
After a year and 8000 miles all I have paid for 'unreliability issues' is the slave cylinder seals replaced and a broken hanbrake cable bracket. All my other expenses have been 'un'necessary upgrades/enhancements. Not too bad for an 8 year old car I think. I better go touch as much wood as possible now
I can also say that every time I open the garage door I get a smile on my face, when I start her up and get the roar from the decat and sports zorst
it turns into a grin, and the interior is loverly 
Try some out for size but even with the niggles and the odd rattles it's still much more pleasing than my TT ever was.
P.S. My insurance is also a good bit cheaper than the Audi ever was!!!!
I had wanted a TVR before the TT but went for the Audi because I was worried about the TVR reliability issue. After 2 1/2 years with the Audi I got bored of it and there were also way too many on the road for my liking, it seemed like every man and his dog had some variant or another. I had also got a bit fed up looking at the interior.
I finally bit the bullet and bought a 1996 4.2 Cerbera. I decided bollox to any worries I had and just went for it.
After a year and 8000 miles all I have paid for 'unreliability issues' is the slave cylinder seals replaced and a broken hanbrake cable bracket. All my other expenses have been 'un'necessary upgrades/enhancements. Not too bad for an 8 year old car I think. I better go touch as much wood as possible now
I can also say that every time I open the garage door I get a smile on my face, when I start her up and get the roar from the decat and sports zorst
it turns into a grin, and the interior is loverly Try some out for size but even with the niggles and the odd rattles it's still much more pleasing than my TT ever was.
P.S. My insurance is also a good bit cheaper than the Audi ever was!!!!
I have a 1998 4.5 which is a little earlier than you're talking of...
Reliability is fine it's just coming up to its 18K service and nothing has gone wrong to date. I'm expecting around a £600 to £800 bill from my independent for the service (though I'm secretly hoping for less!)
Performance is ballistic - this is my 5th TVR and it's certainly close to being the fastest if not the fastest. My first Tuscan comes closest, but then that ran like crap for the six months I had it.
The only problem I have with the car is I can't fit in with a helemt on because to take it out on the track would be fantastic.
It looks great it, sounds better and it goes like the clappers, what more could you wish for...
Advice would be to drive a few, they are all different some are quicker than others not withstanding any mods that have been made. 4.2 and 4.5 cars have the V8 and the 4.0 have the speed six. If you check other threads you can make your mind up which is either better or would suit your needs more. I think it's fair to say that the set up on a speed six is a little more forgiving than a V8 making it more of a GT than a sports car which is arguably what a Cerbera was supposed to be in the first place.
Anyway good luck in your search, find a good one and use it and you'll be fine.
Oh and just to stir the pot a bit 4.5's in blue are by far the best cars, they're faster, handle better and attract more women and hold their value better...
if you don't believe me search for blue the first rule of ownership on this forum
I'll get me coat
Cheers
DC
Reliability is fine it's just coming up to its 18K service and nothing has gone wrong to date. I'm expecting around a £600 to £800 bill from my independent for the service (though I'm secretly hoping for less!)
Performance is ballistic - this is my 5th TVR and it's certainly close to being the fastest if not the fastest. My first Tuscan comes closest, but then that ran like crap for the six months I had it.
The only problem I have with the car is I can't fit in with a helemt on because to take it out on the track would be fantastic.
It looks great it, sounds better and it goes like the clappers, what more could you wish for...
Advice would be to drive a few, they are all different some are quicker than others not withstanding any mods that have been made. 4.2 and 4.5 cars have the V8 and the 4.0 have the speed six. If you check other threads you can make your mind up which is either better or would suit your needs more. I think it's fair to say that the set up on a speed six is a little more forgiving than a V8 making it more of a GT than a sports car which is arguably what a Cerbera was supposed to be in the first place.
Anyway good luck in your search, find a good one and use it and you'll be fine.
Oh and just to stir the pot a bit 4.5's in blue are by far the best cars, they're faster, handle better and attract more women and hold their value better...
if you don't believe me search for blue the first rule of ownership on this forum
I'll get me coat
Cheers
DC
Ill agree with the blue thing.
Just on the clutch note. Took me 3-4 weeks to get into driving the thing well - mainly due to the clutch (very heavy as you noted). Ive had mine for 4 months now and just got it back from the garage after having the slave cylinder replaced (common issue from what I gather from other threads
). While they were doing it, I asked for a new clutch to go in. Its a later style clutch (2000 or 2002) which has made the car so much nicer to drive. Its much lighter (and hopefully will put less stress on the slave cylinder) and an absolute joy around town now.
Try a test drive in one of the later models, or see if theres one about that has a new later style clutch. Also see if when you test drive you can go through the high street of a busy village/town. A combination of the best looks, best performance, and admoration from passers by that Porche and fezza drivers dream of is a winning combination
. IMHO
Just on the clutch note. Took me 3-4 weeks to get into driving the thing well - mainly due to the clutch (very heavy as you noted). Ive had mine for 4 months now and just got it back from the garage after having the slave cylinder replaced (common issue from what I gather from other threads
). While they were doing it, I asked for a new clutch to go in. Its a later style clutch (2000 or 2002) which has made the car so much nicer to drive. Its much lighter (and hopefully will put less stress on the slave cylinder) and an absolute joy around town now. Try a test drive in one of the later models, or see if theres one about that has a new later style clutch. Also see if when you test drive you can go through the high street of a busy village/town. A combination of the best looks, best performance, and admoration from passers by that Porche and fezza drivers dream of is a winning combination
. IMHO 
Is anyone else interested about Daves wifes Eurobox? COZ I AM
Just to add my 2p worth, I love my 98 4.5 so much so that I can't really imagine driving another car. I have always been one to be looking for my next car as soon as I have bought the last one if you know what I mean?
With the Cerb its different, i'm just not interested in anything else and that is despite;
1) after 10 days of ownership I had a £3000 bill.
2) another 4 months and I had ANOTHER £3000 bill.
3) my business partner hates it, constant drain on our finances (Despite his Beemer depreciaiting more than I could spend on running any car!)
4) wakes my kids up if I get home late
5) wakes everyone up when I take her for her sunday morning exercise.
This is my ultimate car, I think if you are worried about running costs and maybe would struggle to afford it if something went seriously wrong then you need to have a think about an emergency fund. I would also reccomend AA parts and labour warranty £59 for the year and they cover all sorts, including MOT cover...its great!
Hope this gives you an insight into when things do go wrong without wanting to sound negative about my car.
Just to add my 2p worth, I love my 98 4.5 so much so that I can't really imagine driving another car. I have always been one to be looking for my next car as soon as I have bought the last one if you know what I mean?
With the Cerb its different, i'm just not interested in anything else and that is despite;
1) after 10 days of ownership I had a £3000 bill.
2) another 4 months and I had ANOTHER £3000 bill.
3) my business partner hates it, constant drain on our finances (Despite his Beemer depreciaiting more than I could spend on running any car!)
4) wakes my kids up if I get home late
5) wakes everyone up when I take her for her sunday morning exercise.
This is my ultimate car, I think if you are worried about running costs and maybe would struggle to afford it if something went seriously wrong then you need to have a think about an emergency fund. I would also reccomend AA parts and labour warranty £59 for the year and they cover all sorts, including MOT cover...its great!
Hope this gives you an insight into when things do go wrong without wanting to sound negative about my car.
Thanks for all the feed back it has really helped.
I know now that should I get a TVR then I will also buy a cheap run around and save my Super Car till the weekends and the odd cruise to work. I recon 25k for a good TVR 4.5 Cebera 2000 then 5k for another motor. In all honesty it may work out cheaper as an Astra Diesel (for example) will be very cheap running compared to the TT on a day2day basis. I must admit I do find my self saying get one with 12mnts warranty stress free of major costs, and it will be an experience something I can always say I had then after a year I can sell it and the Astra (if I feel so inclined) and look at getting a Porsche or somethin. I don’t think that’s a bad plan.
>> Edited by hang_man on Wednesday 30th June 12:05
I know now that should I get a TVR then I will also buy a cheap run around and save my Super Car till the weekends and the odd cruise to work. I recon 25k for a good TVR 4.5 Cebera 2000 then 5k for another motor. In all honesty it may work out cheaper as an Astra Diesel (for example) will be very cheap running compared to the TT on a day2day basis. I must admit I do find my self saying get one with 12mnts warranty stress free of major costs, and it will be an experience something I can always say I had then after a year I can sell it and the Astra (if I feel so inclined) and look at getting a Porsche or somethin. I don’t think that’s a bad plan.
>> Edited by hang_man on Wednesday 30th June 12:05
hang_man said:
Thanks for all the feed back it has really helped.
I know now that should I get a TVR then I will also buy a cheap run around and save my Super Car till the weekends and the odd cruise to work. I recon 25k for a good TVR 4.5 Cebera 2000 then 5k for another motor. In all honesty it may work out cheaper as an Astra Diesel (for example) will be very cheap running compared to the TT on a day2day basis. I must admit I do find my self saying get one with 12mnts warranty stress free of major costs, and it will be an experience something I can always say I had then after a year I can sell it and the Astra (if I feel so inclined) and look at getting a Porsche or somethin. I don’t think that’s a bad plan.
>> Edited by hang_man on Wednesday 30th June 12:05
Sounds like a good plan until the porker comment
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