Should I trade up for a Cerbie?
Discussion
I was at Fernhurst last week for some minor work, and they had a really nice "R" Starmist Blue 4.2 Cerbie sitting in the show room. 18 inch wheels and the headlight conversion.
I presently own a Chim 450, which I really love, and am not axious to get rid of. The idea of trading for that car has got me thinking.
Any advice out there? Are Cerbies reliable? I have only been a TVR owner for about 5 months, so I really haven't heard that much about them. The only bad thing I see up front is that the hood won't come down.
thirsty
I presently own a Chim 450, which I really love, and am not axious to get rid of. The idea of trading for that car has got me thinking.
Any advice out there? Are Cerbies reliable? I have only been a TVR owner for about 5 months, so I really haven't heard that much about them. The only bad thing I see up front is that the hood won't come down.
thirsty
You'll be losing the wind-in-the-hair, and also the famous noise, though some Cerbies are - umm - distinctive! I hear that the AJP8 is better sorted than the straight six.
But don't ask us - it's your loot, so what do *you* want?! If you don't know which way to jump yet, stay with the Chimaera until/if you know you want to change.
But don't ask us - it's your loot, so what do *you* want?! If you don't know which way to jump yet, stay with the Chimaera until/if you know you want to change.
I've owned 2 Chimaeras and an S2 over the last 5 years or so. Last October I bought a 98 4.5 Cerbie that had done 13000 miles. I sold the Cerbie in May this year. The Cerbie experience has put me off TVRs and I've now ordered a new Boxster S. I still love the TVR look, uniqueness and the exhaust noise, but I can no longer put up with having to visit my local TVR dealer every few weeks. I miss the straight line performance of the Cerbie, but the car's handling and braking performance left a lot to be desired.
During my brief Cerbie ownership it needed a new starter motor (they all go!), new clutch plate, new wheels (they were porous - another common problem), new brake pads all round and front brake disks (warped - again common). There were other minor problems too - like engine regularly stalling when slowing down for roundabouts (which caused a rear end shunt on one occasion). I sold the car back to the dealer that sold it to me - for about 9K less than I paid. I spoke to the new owner and he's already had lots of problems - breakdowns, new brake disks (again) and new cats.
I know that TVRs aren't mass produced like Boxsters etc, but in my experience you would have to be quite lucky to find a reliable Cerbie, and when they go wrong it's VERY expensive, even if you use an independent garage. Mine might have been a bad example - but from speaking to dealers and other owners there are lots like it. Contrast this with the later Rover V8 based TVRs, many of which are fairly well sorted, and relatively cheap to put right.
I'm not writing this just to slag off TVRs. I've loved driving them over the years but the Cerbie has put me off for a while. I don't regret buying the Cerbie - it's something that I had wanted to do for years, but if I hadn't done it then I'd probably still be happily driving my previous Chimaera, and wouldn't be going across to the dark side.
During my brief Cerbie ownership it needed a new starter motor (they all go!), new clutch plate, new wheels (they were porous - another common problem), new brake pads all round and front brake disks (warped - again common). There were other minor problems too - like engine regularly stalling when slowing down for roundabouts (which caused a rear end shunt on one occasion). I sold the car back to the dealer that sold it to me - for about 9K less than I paid. I spoke to the new owner and he's already had lots of problems - breakdowns, new brake disks (again) and new cats.
I know that TVRs aren't mass produced like Boxsters etc, but in my experience you would have to be quite lucky to find a reliable Cerbie, and when they go wrong it's VERY expensive, even if you use an independent garage. Mine might have been a bad example - but from speaking to dealers and other owners there are lots like it. Contrast this with the later Rover V8 based TVRs, many of which are fairly well sorted, and relatively cheap to put right.
I'm not writing this just to slag off TVRs. I've loved driving them over the years but the Cerbie has put me off for a while. I don't regret buying the Cerbie - it's something that I had wanted to do for years, but if I hadn't done it then I'd probably still be happily driving my previous Chimaera, and wouldn't be going across to the dark side.
There are good ones though.
Would agree that when they go wrong they cost a lot to sort but over the past 3 years of ownership I have only had one problem worth mentioning which cost circa £1000 to put right. Thats it (new tyes, one new set of pads, broken bonnet catch (I broke it) etc. but all of these are genuine wear and tear) Serving over 3 years has cost me 2 * £600 + 1 * £400 as a lot of the large serviec was covered in the costs of fixing the ECU problem I had.
No complaints what so ever, oh and mines a late 97 4.5. Its had all the mods done to it, not sure if thats made a difference or not but from personal experience I would say this 98 on stuff is crap. Get a good one, look at the history ( not just service records) and hope you get a good one.
Would agree that when they go wrong they cost a lot to sort but over the past 3 years of ownership I have only had one problem worth mentioning which cost circa £1000 to put right. Thats it (new tyes, one new set of pads, broken bonnet catch (I broke it) etc. but all of these are genuine wear and tear) Serving over 3 years has cost me 2 * £600 + 1 * £400 as a lot of the large serviec was covered in the costs of fixing the ECU problem I had.
No complaints what so ever, oh and mines a late 97 4.5. Its had all the mods done to it, not sure if thats made a difference or not but from personal experience I would say this 98 on stuff is crap. Get a good one, look at the history ( not just service records) and hope you get a good one.
We bought a late 97 4.2 Cerb last August. The car was driven 6.5 days a week for the first 3 months (did 6000 miles in the first 11 weeks of ownership !!!). There were some very minor problems (loose switches etc) which were fixed in the 1st week (car hadn't been used for 7 months before we bought it, so not really unexpected)...
Since then, financial reasons caused us to drastically cut back on using the car, so by the time 12 months came round, we've done just over 12,000 miles. The biggest problem was the slave cylinder failed after 11 months of ownership, but was covered by warranty, so not a problem. The only other problems we've had were one of the control box's for the headlights cooked it's self (again covered by warranty), and the handbrake cable snapped - but this can happen on any car, and was again covered by warranty.
I am a firm believer, that the more often the cars are used, the more reliable they are ! If your doing average/high miles, I would recommend you get someone like Joolz to service the car, as he will take more care, and bills will be at least 1/2 of a franchised dealer. Our car averages 18mpg for "spirited" driving on A/B roads, and goes up to about 24 if you throw in some motorway work, so it doesn’t have to cost the earth to run….
Go get your self a >97 4.2, and fit a sports exhaust.... You’ll still be smiling like a loony 12 months later !
Since then, financial reasons caused us to drastically cut back on using the car, so by the time 12 months came round, we've done just over 12,000 miles. The biggest problem was the slave cylinder failed after 11 months of ownership, but was covered by warranty, so not a problem. The only other problems we've had were one of the control box's for the headlights cooked it's self (again covered by warranty), and the handbrake cable snapped - but this can happen on any car, and was again covered by warranty.
I am a firm believer, that the more often the cars are used, the more reliable they are ! If your doing average/high miles, I would recommend you get someone like Joolz to service the car, as he will take more care, and bills will be at least 1/2 of a franchised dealer. Our car averages 18mpg for "spirited" driving on A/B roads, and goes up to about 24 if you throw in some motorway work, so it doesn’t have to cost the earth to run….
Go get your self a >97 4.2, and fit a sports exhaust.... You’ll still be smiling like a loony 12 months later !
Thirsty, have you driven a Cerb?
While there is more than a passing resemblance to the Chim the Cerb is completely different to drive.
I was toying with the idea of chopping the Griff in earlier this year and test-drove a 4.2 Cerbera. I think they look great and you can't deny the road presence, but... it left me a bit cold. Don't get me wrong it was bloody fast, but having got used to the Griff with the instant torque in any gear at any speed the Cerb just didn't do it for me. That and the increased running costs, mean I still have the Griff and I am more than happy with it.
I was told that a number of people who have traded up from Griffs or Chims go back to the Rover V8 engined cars.
I'd say if you try it and you like it go for it, but don't do it just cos you can.
Cheers Dan
While there is more than a passing resemblance to the Chim the Cerb is completely different to drive.
I was toying with the idea of chopping the Griff in earlier this year and test-drove a 4.2 Cerbera. I think they look great and you can't deny the road presence, but... it left me a bit cold. Don't get me wrong it was bloody fast, but having got used to the Griff with the instant torque in any gear at any speed the Cerb just didn't do it for me. That and the increased running costs, mean I still have the Griff and I am more than happy with it.
I was told that a number of people who have traded up from Griffs or Chims go back to the Rover V8 engined cars.
I'd say if you try it and you like it go for it, but don't do it just cos you can.
Cheers Dan
The Cerbera is a virtual race-car and should be approached as such from a maintenance standpoint (costs) but is great fun and the brake/handling issues can be resolved. Don't own one as an only car, garage it and stroke it regularly.
The V8 Rover engined cars are very fast sports cars which are generally cheaper to maintain albeit not as balls-out fast...and can be made to brake/handle better
I went from Cerbera to Griff - and found (for the moment) the TVR that suited me and what I wanted to do with it - as ever each to their own. If you have the Cerbera-niggle, you won't be happy until you've done it - just approach it with eyes wide open.
...I am very tempted (as a part owner with colleagues) to have an old 4.2 as a stripped out road-legal track-car though - but will want Joolz to lavish care and attention (and possibly a Corvette V8 engine) on it for the odd outings it would have.
The V8 Rover engined cars are very fast sports cars which are generally cheaper to maintain albeit not as balls-out fast...and can be made to brake/handle better
I went from Cerbera to Griff - and found (for the moment) the TVR that suited me and what I wanted to do with it - as ever each to their own. If you have the Cerbera-niggle, you won't be happy until you've done it - just approach it with eyes wide open.
...I am very tempted (as a part owner with colleagues) to have an old 4.2 as a stripped out road-legal track-car though - but will want Joolz to lavish care and attention (and possibly a Corvette V8 engine) on it for the odd outings it would have.
quote:
Go on do it! Driving a Cerb is like walking around with your flies undone,everybody looks.
You know it makes sense!
Worth getting a Cerbera alone - but probably one of the best explanations into the background why people get one of the fastest cars on the road.... laughed too...
Cheers,
Paul
Thanks everyone ! To be honest, I haven't driven one. I guess that would be the next step....
However, I stopped off at Hawthornes in Farnham today for a closer look. They had several Cerbies on the forecourt that looked pretty good. However, they also had several Tuscans and Tamoras....... !!
thirsty
However, I stopped off at Hawthornes in Farnham today for a closer look. They had several Cerbies on the forecourt that looked pretty good. However, they also had several Tuscans and Tamoras....... !!
thirsty
thristy - I have just done what you are contemplating, had a Chim 450 (you may of seen it at Fernhursts, a Rolex Blue one with Giff 500 wheels!). I have a Cerbera 4.5 and saw the one you're looking at on Wednesday. If you'd like to talk more mail me through my profile - I notice you live in the SE if your not to far away we could always meet for a chat.
Cheers
Paul
Cheers
Paul
wouldn't do it If I were you only and only if Running costs are not a Issue. Running a Cerbi is damed expensive compared with your current Chim, but not expensive compared with other super cars that also do 190 mph plus, 911 turbo, F40 etc. If you must get a cerbi get another TVR specailist to look it over for you don't take the garage's word for it this is a good un. Also you want to see shed loads of recipts the ideal car will have low miles full history from specailist like my self or a dealer and has had at least 2/3k spent on it in the past 18months and has had a recent engine build in this time also. Fabuolous car absolutly fantastic but very very high maintaince. If there is not endless cash to run it stick with the top motor you hace just Now. Shouldn't betlling you all this but if everyone had Cerbi's Jooles and i would be retired by 40!
Regards Noel V8
Regards Noel V8
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