Cerbera, Ferrari 348, or....?
Cerbera, Ferrari 348, or....?
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Discussion

Blown2CV

Original Poster:

31,662 posts

234 months

Wednesday 28th August 2013
quotequote all
Toying with the idea of a toy. I've owned a TVR before, and always wanted a Cerbera, but recently became aware that Ferrari 348 are in similar sort of range and not depreciating (if anything, appreciating). Budget is £25k or so. Is there anything else worth considering (not really a 911)? Thoughts on the shortlist as it stands? cheers

s3fella

10,524 posts

218 months

Wednesday 28th August 2013
quotequote all
348 s are pretty, but in all honesty, not the nicest things to drive. Similar vintage porches are far more pleasant to actually drive on UK Roads in my experience. Not sure on the tvr though.

Now, if you can stretch to 355 money, it's a different story, they drive far nicer.

But left field bet, how about an NSX. Buy a nice one, don't crash it, (some bits are scary money) and it'll go up in value. The original ones with odd size wheels drive beautifully on typical roads. Worth a thought....?

CampDavid

9,145 posts

229 months

Wednesday 28th August 2013
quotequote all
Driven a 348? I think they're probably a decent steer, through they were panned at launch.

993 911 would be where my cash would probably head

sparks_E39

12,738 posts

244 months

Wednesday 28th August 2013
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DB7 GT? I know the V12 Vantage can be had for well under your budget, but but the GT is the ultimate version.

DanielSan

20,109 posts

198 months

Wednesday 28th August 2013
quotequote all
Honda NSX? Reviews at the time had it down as a better car than the 348, and its appreciating at the moment also. £25k will get a very nice manual one.

Vladimir

6,917 posts

189 months

Wednesday 28th August 2013
quotequote all
Porsche - a nice 996 or even a leggy 997. 993s are too much these days.
Caterham - bit impractical, lots of fun
E46 M3 - £25k gets you a belter, you may just about get an E90 too.
Evo FQ360 (IV) - ballistic performance.

jamieboy

5,931 posts

260 months

Wednesday 28th August 2013
quotequote all
Blown2CV said:
Is there anything else worth considering (not really a 911)?
Alfa SZ.

s3fella

10,524 posts

218 months

Wednesday 28th August 2013
quotequote all
CampDavid said:
Driven a 348? I think they're probably a decent steer, through they were panned at launch.

993 911 would be where my cash would probably head
Yes, I've driven them a fair bit! The suspension is harsh, they tramline pretty badly and are just crude by comparison to similar vintage Porkers IMO.
They sound nice, look nice etc, it to drive they are a bit awkward and show their underpinnings.

The 355 was a massive leap, particularly with the trick suspension

Zoobeef

6,004 posts

189 months

Wednesday 28th August 2013
quotequote all
Noble?

J4CKO

47,058 posts

231 months

Wednesday 28th August 2013
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The best 944 Turbo you can find.

dudleybloke

20,553 posts

217 months

Wednesday 28th August 2013
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lotus carlton.

sjc

16,502 posts

301 months

Wednesday 28th August 2013
quotequote all
Noble,every day of the week,and twice on Sundays.
And that's from a 4 time TVR owner (including a Cerb).

cerb4.5lee

45,227 posts

211 months

Wednesday 28th August 2013
quotequote all
sjc said:
Noble,every day of the week,and twice on Sundays.
And that's from a 4 time TVR owner (including a Cerb).
I would seriously consider the Noble too, I would imagine it makes an awesome weekend toy.

twizellb

2,786 posts

243 months

Wednesday 28th August 2013
quotequote all
Have owned a Cerbera 4.5 but have never driven a 348,drove a 360 Modena though and it made my Cerb feel like a lorry.
I'm sure the Cerb had the legs on it though if thats any help.
All things considered, I'd probably get a really nice Cerbera, I'd hunt out a red rose.
It would be money in the bank.............. Only better.

cerb4.5lee

45,227 posts

211 months

Wednesday 28th August 2013
quotequote all
twizellb said:
All things considered, I'd probably get a really nice Cerbera, I'd hunt out a red rose.
It would be money in the bank.............. Only better.
Until the Cerb goes wrong then the money in the bank starts emptying very quickly!

havoc

33,504 posts

266 months

Wednesday 28th August 2013
quotequote all
Noble for performance, 993 for image, NSX for all-round-ness, Cerb for sense-of-occasion and the sheer blood-and-thunder of it. Oh, and the risk of wallet-shattering bills... wink

(348 - wouldn't touch one, except possibly for the Competizione)


Depends what you're after / what you've driven before and liked/disliked. Tell us more...

Junglehop

363 posts

219 months

Wednesday 28th August 2013
quotequote all
Esprit.. get a well loved one and you wont regret it

Tuvra

7,927 posts

256 months

Wednesday 28th August 2013
quotequote all
Corvette or Mustang?

Blown2CV

Original Poster:

31,662 posts

234 months

Wednesday 28th August 2013
quotequote all
shame to hear the 348 doesn't drive so well in some opinions, there seems to be a lot of supporters in the Ferrari forums! 355 money isn't that much more, but it's a critical bit i think, and just about everything is more expensive with those too. NSX never appealed, despite it's credentials and support. 993 i think would edge over budget, and not sure i'd consider any other type of 911 really. DB7 is a bit big and heavy (GT as it is) and scary repair bills even compared to the 348. Caterham is a bit raw for me i think, the missus would rule out ever going anywhere in it! Fast saloons like Evo, M3 i can see the appeal but not for me i think, they just don't feel special enough. Alfa SZ is marmite and i'm on the hate side unfortunately! Noble is an interesting idea! Esprit is a possible... always loved those too, but if we're ruling out the 348 based on how it drives, then is the Esprit much better? Not too keen on the vette or stang either, bit american...

Junglehop

363 posts

219 months

Wednesday 28th August 2013
quotequote all
http://www.evo.co.uk/carreviews/cargrouptests/2881...

Drive a few Esprits and see what you think...

The old S3/Turbo Esprit is more of a classic but it is one of the quintessential wedges! try a GT3 esprit, an S4s and a v8. they are all very different cars.

in general the later the car the more sorted although some have been very well looked after by enthusiasts... others not so!. Don't touch early V8 esprits, go for the later cars. couple of decent cars in the classifieds