Cerbera Commute.
Cerbera Commute.
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so called

Original Poster:

9,157 posts

231 months

Monday 16th April 2018
quotequote all
Well today was the first day of a few weeks of commuting in my Cerbera.
I've found a few things a little more challenging than previous, 'normal' car commuting.

1, Nowhere to hold my coffee. (I have a solution so we'll see how that works out).
2, Cant listen to Foxy and Emma on Signal Radio. (unless its really loud).
3, When I arrived, people at work asking me not to shout in the office. (and seem to be whispering back to me).
4, People wanting to race. (guy in the AM DB9). smile
5, Trying to quietly leave the village at 6:00am. (my wife called to say she could hear me for several minutes after I left). smile
6, I think I have a hole in the fuel tank. (blinkin ek).

I doesn't compare to my previous TVR commuters of Tuscans, Chimaera's and a Tasmin.
We drive down to Spain every summer in the Tuscan but I think that the Cerb., would be far more difficult.

7, The sound of thunder. cloud9


robsco

7,875 posts

198 months

Monday 16th April 2018
quotequote all
The T-cars are a far easier way of getting around. I'd find a Cerb tiresome to Europe and back I must say; and I probably wouldn't trust one to get me there and back either. For a blast out however, there's nothing to touch them.

Byker28i

82,764 posts

239 months

Monday 16th April 2018
quotequote all
I've driven around Europe in the cerbera, it's an excellent tourer, but then I have a 'quiet' exhaust system (compared to others)

One thing you didn't mention. How's the clutch? Commuting got much easier with the helix clutch which was significantly lighter than my original.

bobbins

1,412 posts

229 months

Monday 16th April 2018
quotequote all
Would loathe it as a daily commuter. Maybe less painful now the weather's better but wouldn't like the turning circle, clutch in jams, car parks and early starts/late finishes p*ssing the neighbours off. Also I find cars have a habit of feeling less special the more I use them.

I'm with Byker though - I reckon it's a grand grand tourer. I'd have no worries taking mine to Europe, even if there's nothing quiet about the exhaust.

FarmyardPants

4,285 posts

240 months

Monday 16th April 2018
quotequote all
It's in its element touring the continent. Commuting, not so much.

so called

Original Poster:

9,157 posts

231 months

Tuesday 17th April 2018
quotequote all
Return home yesterday evening was good until I reached the Stoke on Trent area with heavy traffic down to 5mph.
The clutch doesn't feel too heavy but I had an Op in January on my left knee so lets say I'm 'aware' of gear changes.
108 miles = 1/2 tank scratchchin
Last night I dropped off my Wife's Disc 4 for a service and it was soooo smooth and quiet. smile

Day 2 -
Made a bit too much noise getting off the drive this morning. Parked on the steepest part of my drive last night.
(Hand brake needs sorting).
A little more relaxed today but with the new Nitron's its set very firm.
I'm beginning to agree on the touring comments. A little softer on the suspension and it would make for a more relaxed experience.
Almost impossible to sip my coffee. That made it untouched all the way to the office this morning.
Its funny how other road users treat you.
I'm getting some who want to try and push you out of the way and then others who seem to think that they must make way for you. Its more noticeable than in my Tuscan.

Byker28i

82,764 posts

239 months

Tuesday 17th April 2018
quotequote all
bobbins said:
Would loathe it as a daily commuter. Maybe less painful now the weather's better but wouldn't like the turning circle, clutch in jams, car parks and early starts/late finishes p*ssing the neighbours off. Also I find cars have a habit of feeling less special the more I use them.

I'm with Byker though - I reckon it's a grand grand tourer. I'd have no worries taking mine to Europe, even if there's nothing quiet about the exhaust.
Car parks. Cons - everyone else is a tt, you have you park miles away and over two spaces so you can open the doors. It helps to leave a note explaining this.

Pros - whilst driving to said parking space, the game isn't to see how many car alarms the exhaust note sets off... biggrin

NuddyRap

220 posts

125 months

Tuesday 17th April 2018
quotequote all
I used mine daily for a few weeks when I was between cars driving across (and beyond) Birmingham and back.

I maintain to this day that the most impressive thing that car has done is to sit unflustered in a 3.5 hour jam creeping up through Soho Hill on a hot day in June. Despite all of the speed and noise, that's its crowning achievement.

The ball of my left foot didn't agree, and made several bids to merge with my ankle. Between the radio and the engine I was deaf. It moved in a cloud of its own exhaust haze, stank, and the aircon served only to turbocharge slightly cooled fumes directly to my face.

I didn't care though. I was living vicariously through the car, whose idling engine was doing a far better job than I ever could of saying:

"I'M REALLY MOTHERcensoredG ANGRY ABOUT THIS!!!!!"

Could have been the fumes, but the longer this stupid creeping forwards went on, the funnier I found it. Four and a half litres of absolute fury staking angrily, generating heat haze, being anti-social and inappropriate... Like using an entire fireworks display when saying "Look over there" would do.

Cost a fcensoredng fortune though.


In a past life it toured Europe quite a lot, and was also used daily for a more pleasant commute. The European tours would need me to save quite a lot of £ beforehand though, if I were to enjoy myself.

bobbins

1,412 posts

229 months

Tuesday 17th April 2018
quotequote all
So called: Hopefully you're familiar with the fuel gauge - bottom line, when it gets to half full, start planning the next stop. If you get to quarter full, it becomes a big gamble. As for other motorists, the angriest anyone's ever got with me was a bloke on a mobility scooter the other day. Generally it's disinterest, with the occasional thumbs-up/flash.

Byker: Yeah I forgot about parking. I got a ticket parking across two bays at the top of an empty multi-storey a couple of years ago. Appealed unsuccessfully.

Nuddyrap: You're right about the fumes. I always stink of them when I've been out - and so does everything else that's been in the car. Bought some spring onions once and lobbed them in the boot, then straight in the fridge when I got home. When I got them out to cook with the next day, I could still smell the fumes on them...

Edited by bobbins on Tuesday 17th April 17:55

so called

Original Poster:

9,157 posts

231 months

Wednesday 18th April 2018
quotequote all
[quote=bobbins]So called: Hopefully you're familiar with the fuel gauge - bottom line, when it gets to half full, start planning the next stop. If you get to quarter full, it becomes a big gamble. quote]

Interestingly, the first day took the tank down to a smidgen above half. The second day only went down to a quarter.
Nearing home, I filled up and it drank 49lt.

I did find the second day a little easier as I guess I'm getting used to the cars little ways.
UNFORTUNATELY, within a mile of home, the washer/wipers, full beam, indicators and something else packed up.

So today I'm in the Tuscan.


FarmyardPants

4,285 posts

240 months

Wednesday 18th April 2018
quotequote all
My fuel gauge seems to work ok. Don't think I've ever run out, but have had it on or near empty. What's the tank capacity? I wonder if a bigger tank could be fitted, that would definitely help with long journeys.

so called

Original Poster:

9,157 posts

231 months

Wednesday 18th April 2018
quotequote all
Its about 55lt (12 gallons) I think, same as my Tuscan.

gruffalo

8,075 posts

248 months

Wednesday 18th April 2018
quotequote all
so called said:
Its about 55lt (12 gallons) I think, same as my Tuscan.
I regularly get over 60 litres in mine, 250 miles on a tank with out a problem.

On Saturday I left home with the gauge reading between full and three quarters, 220 miles later I still had quarter of a tank left.

Very accurate gauge on my one.

Byker28i

82,764 posts

239 months

Thursday 19th April 2018
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Thought they were 65 litre tanks? I've put 62 litres in mine before, shell v power, that was a fortune

Jhonno

6,430 posts

163 months

Thursday 19th April 2018
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Have to say my gauge is accurate too.. I can run it down to just past "E" and then it needs fuel.

so called

Original Poster:

9,157 posts

231 months

Thursday 19th April 2018
quotequote all
Just to update, on the way home in the Tuscan yesterday evening I stopped for petrol near home.
As I did my best 'teapot' impersonation a chap came over to me and pointed out that one of my carbon back boxes had dropped.

When I checked, the weld where the pipe comes out of the lateral stainless silencer box had failed so I was luck that I still had the box hanging on.
Ian at Torque RVT stayed late to weld it back on for me. (Thanks Ian). beer

This week has turned rather expensive for car bits.
What with the Cerbera now waiting to go back to the garage and my Wifes Disco in for service, new tyres and brake pads all round, I'm thinking of taking the train.

Squirrelofwoe

3,233 posts

198 months

Thursday 19th April 2018
quotequote all
so called said:
Just to update, on the way home in the Tuscan yesterday evening I stopped for petrol near home.
As I did my best 'teapot' impersonation a chap came over to me and pointed out that one of my carbon back boxes had dropped.

When I checked, the weld where the pipe comes out of the lateral stainless silencer box had failed so I was luck that I still had the box hanging on.
Ian at Torque RVT stayed late to weld it back on for me. (Thanks Ian). beer

This week has turned rather expensive for car bits.
What with the Cerbera now waiting to go back to the garage and my Wifes Disco in for service, new tyres and brake pads all round, I'm thinking of taking the train.
I was reeeaaalllly hoping for you to say;

"So today I'm in the T350/Chimaera/Griffith etc" hehe

stickylabels

896 posts

114 months

Thursday 19th April 2018
quotequote all
gruffalo said:
I regularly get over 60 litres in mine, 250 miles on a tank with out a problem.

On Saturday I left home with the gauge reading between full and three quarters, 220 miles later I still had quarter of a tank left.

Very accurate gauge on my one.
Yup, me too. Have taken it right down to the lowest mark in the interests of science and
kept going without any fuel pump noise etc.

Sticky.

FarmyardPants

4,285 posts

240 months

Thursday 19th April 2018
quotequote all
so called said:
Just to update, on the way home in the Tuscan yesterday evening I stopped for petrol near home.
As I did my best 'teapot' impersonation a chap came over to me and pointed out that one of my carbon back boxes had dropped.

When I checked, the weld where the pipe comes out of the lateral stainless silencer box had failed so I was luck that I still had the box hanging on.
Ian at Torque RVT stayed late to weld it back on for me. (Thanks Ian). beer

This week has turned rather expensive for car bits.
What with the Cerbera now waiting to go back to the garage and my Wifes Disco in for service, new tyres and brake pads all round, I'm thinking of taking the train.
I've just stumped up for my 20th season ticket. I could've bought a new griff for the money I've spent on trains frown

stickylabels

896 posts

114 months

Thursday 19th April 2018
quotequote all
FarmyardPants said:
I've just stumped up for my 20th season ticket. I could've bought a new griff for the money I've spent on trains frown
.......don't forget (cough) APPRECIATION. No Goldcard ever did that.....'til you needed to buy another...

Sticky