Ex Griff owner considering Cerbera
Discussion
Im an ex Griff owner, sold it 4 years ago, bought a Cerb last weekend. Its the nutz. Feels better, looks better, is quicker, not a hair dressers convertible, lol. ;-)
I'd recommend a Cerb over a Grif thats for sure. Only thing is, Cerbs sound like they get more issues than other TVRs. In 3yrs/16k miles in my Grif, only the clutch went, and warranty paid half of that.
I'd recommend a Cerb over a Grif thats for sure. Only thing is, Cerbs sound like they get more issues than other TVRs. In 3yrs/16k miles in my Grif, only the clutch went, and warranty paid half of that.
I've done it - had two Griffs and then bought a Cerb at the back end of last year.
There's quite a few threads on this very subject - worth having a search for them.
There's no doubting that a Cerb has a lot more of a lot more going for it than a Griff. But there's a very real trade-off.
What you get is loads more power, loads more road presence, much more in terms of modern design (and I'm talking about the mechanics rather than aesthetics). The performance of a Cerb at the upper end of its rev range is astounding and the car feels unbeleivably good at warp speed. And you get a great noise - but a very different one to the Griff. And you might not like that. The V8s don't really sound like V8s - but it is not a noise that any sane person can ignore.
But the trade-off can be that the Cerb feels much more fragile. And when something breaks, it's going to cost you more than a Griff.
I never had a sense of concern about getting to my destination with either Griff. But so far I've suffered from the usual Cerb culprits with a starter motor stranding me, the front disks warping (rendering the car almost undriveable) and this week a failed clutch. Many owners endure these failures.
The way I see it is it's a bit like gambling. If you can afford to lose money then gambling is great fun. But if you can't afford to lose, then don't go out gambling in the first place. Get yourself a Cerb with a good history, a sheaf of paperwork etc from someone you can talk to about the car's past performance. Get a warranty and have some spare cash held back for emergencies and you'll not look back, not for a second.
Try to do it on a shoestring and there's a good chance you'll get bitten in the ass.
I think if you ask any Cerb owner who previsouly drove a Rover-engined TVR and they'll all tell you to go and get one. Just be prepared to handle the cost otherwise it may be a disappointing ride.
There's quite a few threads on this very subject - worth having a search for them.
There's no doubting that a Cerb has a lot more of a lot more going for it than a Griff. But there's a very real trade-off.
What you get is loads more power, loads more road presence, much more in terms of modern design (and I'm talking about the mechanics rather than aesthetics). The performance of a Cerb at the upper end of its rev range is astounding and the car feels unbeleivably good at warp speed. And you get a great noise - but a very different one to the Griff. And you might not like that. The V8s don't really sound like V8s - but it is not a noise that any sane person can ignore.
But the trade-off can be that the Cerb feels much more fragile. And when something breaks, it's going to cost you more than a Griff.
I never had a sense of concern about getting to my destination with either Griff. But so far I've suffered from the usual Cerb culprits with a starter motor stranding me, the front disks warping (rendering the car almost undriveable) and this week a failed clutch. Many owners endure these failures.
The way I see it is it's a bit like gambling. If you can afford to lose money then gambling is great fun. But if you can't afford to lose, then don't go out gambling in the first place. Get yourself a Cerb with a good history, a sheaf of paperwork etc from someone you can talk to about the car's past performance. Get a warranty and have some spare cash held back for emergencies and you'll not look back, not for a second.
Try to do it on a shoestring and there's a good chance you'll get bitten in the ass.
I think if you ask any Cerb owner who previsouly drove a Rover-engined TVR and they'll all tell you to go and get one. Just be prepared to handle the cost otherwise it may be a disappointing ride.
angusfaldo said:
I think if you ask any Cerb owner who previsouly drove a Rover-engined TVR and they'll all tell you to go and get one. Just be prepared to handle the cost otherwise it may be a disappointing ride.
My Cerb was sorted, and I hate to say it, but I preferred the Griff! It wasn't as quick and felt a lot older but the torque was great and as you said, it had far less inherent design faults.
Each to their own though!
I had a 4.2 Cerb and then a Griff followed swiftly by a 911 and now again a Cerb 4.5. Obviously liked the Cerb and of all the cars I've owned the Cerbs are the most admired. The reliability issues for me can only be justified by comparing cars with the same performance ie Ferrari Lambo etc and in the real world if these cars were used on such a regular basis as our cars they would prove the Cerb to be reasonably reliable for a hyper performance car. Back to the point I had more problems with my Griff than any car I ahve ever owned. But thats just your luck (or bad luck)
Steve
Steve
I had an early griff for 5 years and sold it last year to fund the cerb. Love both cars, never had any real probs with the griff, sad to see it go. Have only missed the roofless option on a couple of occassions (TBH, I used to get so sunburnt in the griff, I think the cerb's roof is a godsend). Cerb is much more of everything...speed/looks/handling/cost but wont be swapping back just right now.
Back to your original question...for £20k you should get a decent 4.5, a well sorted 4.2 (if you can live with having 'only' a 4.2
) or a later Speed 6 (if you're that brave).
As they say, buy on condition/prefered colour, not model. Many wisely advise to buy under your budget and leave a couple of grand in the kitty for 'unforeseen circumstances'
Back to your original question...for £20k you should get a decent 4.5, a well sorted 4.2 (if you can live with having 'only' a 4.2
) or a later Speed 6 (if you're that brave). As they say, buy on condition/prefered colour, not model. Many wisely advise to buy under your budget and leave a couple of grand in the kitty for 'unforeseen circumstances'
I had a M reg 500 Griff, nothing but problems and money spent keeping it on the road for 12 months. I also found I had to drink a can of Red Bull every time I drove it. 
Chopped it in for a 4.5 Cerb, which I have had for 2 1/2 yrs now. Best decission I could have made. Up until this year, there have only been average servicing costs, which carried out by an independant are in the same league as a TVR Garage costs on Griffs.
Hope that helps. (go for it - you know you should)
K1 CERB
Chopped it in for a 4.5 Cerb, which I have had for 2 1/2 yrs now. Best decission I could have made. Up until this year, there have only been average servicing costs, which carried out by an independant are in the same league as a TVR Garage costs on Griffs.
Hope that helps. (go for it - you know you should)
K1 CERB
The Rover V8 TVR's and the cerb are entirely different beasts to drive. I loved both, but the cerb is truly evil! 
re: cerbs, nothing beats rocketing past someone like a ballistic missile blaring 300db at 7k revs in second
before shifting to third and slowing to avoid breaking the national speed limit
The cerbies are stageringly quick, and IMHO the more racy evil sounding motorcycle reving engine brings a bigger grin. Im a tin top man myself, convertibles are for blondes, and the cerb is quiter inside too, with a better ride.
What struck me most pre-purchase was the way in which the cerbera left you feeling as if you'd been wrapped up into it, upon getting in. Passenger comments are usually "ooffff" (getting in) then "wow" (taking it in) then "sssshiiiiiiiiiiit" (giving it some)
Its just a more intense experience than the RV8's I feel. Which for me equals more fun. More style, the cerb even looks like its doing 100mph when its standing still
re: cerbs, nothing beats rocketing past someone like a ballistic missile blaring 300db at 7k revs in second
before shifting to third and slowing to avoid breaking the national speed limit The cerbies are stageringly quick, and IMHO the more racy evil sounding motorcycle reving engine brings a bigger grin. Im a tin top man myself, convertibles are for blondes, and the cerb is quiter inside too, with a better ride.
What struck me most pre-purchase was the way in which the cerbera left you feeling as if you'd been wrapped up into it, upon getting in. Passenger comments are usually "ooffff" (getting in) then "wow" (taking it in) then "sssshiiiiiiiiiiit" (giving it some)
Its just a more intense experience than the RV8's I feel. Which for me equals more fun. More style, the cerb even looks like its doing 100mph when its standing still
UKBob said:
re: cerbs, nothing beats rocketing past someone like a ballistic missile blaring 300db at 7k revs in second
)
You sure Rob? Sean tells me you've never had the car more then 4000rpm in 2nd gear :shrug:
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