Ifs, buts and maybes....
Discussion
Chaps, this isn't as a result of my cluth woes (see other thread) rather an ongoing discussion with SWMBO. Please don't flame me, I'm looking for reasoned advice and suggestions, not abuse. Those who know me well understand the depth of my loyalty to TVR, and if the worst should happen, know I'll be back for more!
So on to the dilemma - here's the current situation:
I have a 96 4.2 Cerb which I have upgraded with sports zorst, Nitrons, stereo and am now busy having a brand new clutch.
Wifey has a 2004 Saab 9-3 Convertible with every possible bell and whistle, and an automatic.
We both avoid driving each others cars - thankfully she finds the Cerb to intimidating, and likes her creature comforts, and for myself, the 9-3 is a worthy but very dull car - I consider myself more likely to wrap the 9-3 round a tree than the Cerb, mainly as I'll have fallen asleep from sheer boredom!
To add to the fun, we have a 4 month old monster, who currently lives in a rear-facing seat in the Saab.
My office is at home, so I don't commute every day, but drive the Cerb regularly (I've done 9000miles so far this year). Wifey is off work at the mo, but is intending to return in september. As a freelance consultant, she'll spend most of her time commuting to airports and stations, leaving her car sitting idle in an NCP.
However, the monster is getting bigger, we're currently scoping forward-facing chairs, and having thoughts about adding to the clan. Hence there are now mutterings around the house of such words as "estate".... "sensible car"....
Trouble is, we're both as pigheaded as each other, thus neither of us is willing to budge and sacrifice "our" car. Much as it pains me to admit it, the Cerb would be the logical one to ditch - only one of us can drive it, it costs the most to run and keep on the road. Alternatively, we could be ostentatious and have three cars - I say ostentatious as she's not prepared to sacrifice the performance and comfort of her 9-3, and neither would I like our family being driven around in a cardboard shopping trolley - it'd have to be something decent, well built, practical yet perky. (bit like the wife!)
To recap, three options:
1. Buy a third car - Saab 9-5 Aero estate or the like - solid, dependable, £5k high-miler to run into the ground.
2. Ditch the Cerb and get something that'll do both performance and practicality circa £16k - just remember when wifey has this car, I'm doomed to her damned cabrio.
3. Ditch both cars, and start over - two practical but fun cars.
What are your thoughts on these options? I figure with 3 cars, all of them can go on to limited mileage policies to reduce some of the insurance hit.
Car alternative suggestions for ideas 1 and 2? 9-5 Aero estates and cheap and solid, plus 230bhp is good (I had an Aero saloon for a while and loved it). For the sans-Cerb idea, the only cars I could come up with were BMW M5 (previous shape) or Audi RS6 (unaffordable!) - though I'm not sure I could bear to be seen dead in either.
Oh, suggestion (4) - ditch Cerb now, get high-miler estate to run over the winter, then see how finances are next summer with wify back at work - sneak an upgrade to newer Cerb or possibly Tusc S....
Right, I'm rambling now, so over to you, I hope you can help me work through this.
Thanks in advance, and forgive me!
(BTW, I have kept this thread in the Cerb forum, as you chaps know the foibles of Cerb ownership better than the General TVR bunch.)
>> Edited by redleicester on Friday 29th July 12:37
So on to the dilemma - here's the current situation:
I have a 96 4.2 Cerb which I have upgraded with sports zorst, Nitrons, stereo and am now busy having a brand new clutch.
Wifey has a 2004 Saab 9-3 Convertible with every possible bell and whistle, and an automatic.
We both avoid driving each others cars - thankfully she finds the Cerb to intimidating, and likes her creature comforts, and for myself, the 9-3 is a worthy but very dull car - I consider myself more likely to wrap the 9-3 round a tree than the Cerb, mainly as I'll have fallen asleep from sheer boredom!
To add to the fun, we have a 4 month old monster, who currently lives in a rear-facing seat in the Saab.
My office is at home, so I don't commute every day, but drive the Cerb regularly (I've done 9000miles so far this year). Wifey is off work at the mo, but is intending to return in september. As a freelance consultant, she'll spend most of her time commuting to airports and stations, leaving her car sitting idle in an NCP.
However, the monster is getting bigger, we're currently scoping forward-facing chairs, and having thoughts about adding to the clan. Hence there are now mutterings around the house of such words as "estate".... "sensible car"....
Trouble is, we're both as pigheaded as each other, thus neither of us is willing to budge and sacrifice "our" car. Much as it pains me to admit it, the Cerb would be the logical one to ditch - only one of us can drive it, it costs the most to run and keep on the road. Alternatively, we could be ostentatious and have three cars - I say ostentatious as she's not prepared to sacrifice the performance and comfort of her 9-3, and neither would I like our family being driven around in a cardboard shopping trolley - it'd have to be something decent, well built, practical yet perky. (bit like the wife!)
To recap, three options:
1. Buy a third car - Saab 9-5 Aero estate or the like - solid, dependable, £5k high-miler to run into the ground.
2. Ditch the Cerb and get something that'll do both performance and practicality circa £16k - just remember when wifey has this car, I'm doomed to her damned cabrio.
3. Ditch both cars, and start over - two practical but fun cars.
What are your thoughts on these options? I figure with 3 cars, all of them can go on to limited mileage policies to reduce some of the insurance hit.
Car alternative suggestions for ideas 1 and 2? 9-5 Aero estates and cheap and solid, plus 230bhp is good (I had an Aero saloon for a while and loved it). For the sans-Cerb idea, the only cars I could come up with were BMW M5 (previous shape) or Audi RS6 (unaffordable!) - though I'm not sure I could bear to be seen dead in either.
Oh, suggestion (4) - ditch Cerb now, get high-miler estate to run over the winter, then see how finances are next summer with wify back at work - sneak an upgrade to newer Cerb or possibly Tusc S....
Right, I'm rambling now, so over to you, I hope you can help me work through this.
Thanks in advance, and forgive me!
(BTW, I have kept this thread in the Cerb forum, as you chaps know the foibles of Cerb ownership better than the General TVR bunch.)
>> Edited by redleicester on Friday 29th July 12:37
Summers over now, I'd say if it makes sense to get rid, then so be it, come next summer - you never know....
At the end of day, life should be stress-free and you should be able to make decisions in a flash.
Whatever you decide, I know it'll be the BEST for you and your other half, and thats what counts!
At the end of day, life should be stress-free and you should be able to make decisions in a flash.
Whatever you decide, I know it'll be the BEST for you and your other half, and thats what counts!
Having seen the boot space in a Saab conv. - I'd say that was the least practicle car. If anything should go, it should be that one.
I know the dilema you face only too well, my kids are 8 and 12 and the 12yr old struggles to fit in the back. She hasn't said anything, but I know that she is uncomfortable. I'll have to change cars soon, so expect mine to be in the classifieds aswell.
I know that babies take a lot of luggage around with them, but remember, it's not forever. So, my suggestion:
If the Cerb is well sorted and your 100% happy with it, keep it and trade the Saab for a estate. However, if that doesn't go down well with SWMBO, sell them both and get an estate and another fun car which both you and your wife are happy to drive. The fun car is only going to be used for either your wife commuting or you playing, so that means 2 seaters are an option. Would she be happy with a Chim instead?
I know the dilema you face only too well, my kids are 8 and 12 and the 12yr old struggles to fit in the back. She hasn't said anything, but I know that she is uncomfortable. I'll have to change cars soon, so expect mine to be in the classifieds aswell.
I know that babies take a lot of luggage around with them, but remember, it's not forever. So, my suggestion:
If the Cerb is well sorted and your 100% happy with it, keep it and trade the Saab for a estate. However, if that doesn't go down well with SWMBO, sell them both and get an estate and another fun car which both you and your wife are happy to drive. The fun car is only going to be used for either your wife commuting or you playing, so that means 2 seaters are an option. Would she be happy with a Chim instead?
Difficult one this.
I too work from home running a small Graphic Design business, my wife works in London, but it looks like she will be packing it in soon and staying at home to work with me as she and i do the same thing - book design.
I too have a 5 month old son (Thomas), we had the very dilema that you do. After much discussion and soul searching we came to the conclusion...
... you're a long time dead!
So, we now have a Freelander TD4 for hacking about in, and tbh it's a pretty good car, it does exactly what it says on the tin, decent fuel economy, good driving position, effortless hrs at 80 on motorways. But it's definately not a petrolheads dream.
But, we got to keep our other toys, although I did make one concession - I swapped my Chim' 500 for a Cerb 4.2 so that when Thomas is old enough he can go in the child seat in the back. I also kept the 300zx as they are selling for rediculously small amounts of money that I couldn't bear to part with it.
I think the decision is one that you can only really make with your heart, the Cerb' never will or ever has been a pratical and sensible car, if you can afford to keep it then do so, but only you really know the answer to that one.
Tim
PS: Another factor to think about if you buy another car...
... something that I'm in teh process of sorting out - getting my front garden block paved to accomodate the 5 cars in my current collection, the cost of this? Around £12K <--- shocked? Not half as much as I was!!
>> Edited by TT Tim on Friday 29th July 14:27
I too work from home running a small Graphic Design business, my wife works in London, but it looks like she will be packing it in soon and staying at home to work with me as she and i do the same thing - book design.
I too have a 5 month old son (Thomas), we had the very dilema that you do. After much discussion and soul searching we came to the conclusion...
... you're a long time dead!
So, we now have a Freelander TD4 for hacking about in, and tbh it's a pretty good car, it does exactly what it says on the tin, decent fuel economy, good driving position, effortless hrs at 80 on motorways. But it's definately not a petrolheads dream.
But, we got to keep our other toys, although I did make one concession - I swapped my Chim' 500 for a Cerb 4.2 so that when Thomas is old enough he can go in the child seat in the back. I also kept the 300zx as they are selling for rediculously small amounts of money that I couldn't bear to part with it.
I think the decision is one that you can only really make with your heart, the Cerb' never will or ever has been a pratical and sensible car, if you can afford to keep it then do so, but only you really know the answer to that one.
Tim
PS: Another factor to think about if you buy another car...
... something that I'm in teh process of sorting out - getting my front garden block paved to accomodate the 5 cars in my current collection, the cost of this? Around £12K <--- shocked? Not half as much as I was!!
>> Edited by TT Tim on Friday 29th July 14:27
You can always get another cerb but not wife or child! Sacrifice for a short period of time shouldnt be a hardship with some of the alternatives on the market. I would have a look at a Subaru Forester turbo - best of all worlds as driveable every day but very useful tool when you wanna play. - This should be within your budget.
Buy another cerb when the monster can sit in the front.
Buy another cerb when the monster can sit in the front.
Good luck with the clutch. I've been in the same position as your good self with a saab 9-3 conv of the wifes and a Cerb which is most deffinately mine. The same argument ensued with almost the same points being put by both sides, but the results were most welcoming. The Saab was the vehicle which went, in exchange for a Range Rover, all singing all dancing, every extra under the sun. she loves it, loads of room, and i can still have some fun in it off road etc! Cerb for messing about on the road, Range Rover for the muddy stuff. Best of both worlds. See if she'll go for that.
redleicester said:Your £16K will get you a good RS2 to run around in.
For the sans-Cerb idea, the only cars I could come up with were BMW M5 (previous shape) or Audi RS6 (unaffordable!) - though I'm not sure I could bear to be seen dead in either.
Lots of fun, and plenty practical.
I realise I have fallen into the classic PH trap of recommending cars that I own....
jeremyc said:
For the sans-Cerb idea, the only cars I could come up with were BMW M5 (previous shape) or Audi RS6 (unaffordable!) - though I'm not sure I could bear to be seen dead in either.
Your £16K will get you a good RS2 to run around in.
Lots of fun, and plenty practical.
I realise I have fallen into the classic PH trap of recommending cars that I own....
I have to agree with jeremyc, i went from a cerb to an RS2, & they are fantastic. You won't take a hit come sale time either!
Well I've made some progress this evening, and it looks like option 3 is ahead at the mo - ditch both and start from scratch.
The bets are on a (sssshhhh don't tell anyone)... BMW X5 4.4 for wifey with every drug dealer accessory fitted...
For me? I'm deliberating a VX220 turbo. For no other reason than badge snobbery I'd prefer an Elise, but I suspect after the Cerb I'd miss the sheer power, even while I'd revel in the handling. Plus it should be rather more forgiving than the Cerb and the ABS etc gives me a little more peace of mind about the wife driving it....
Watch this space, all the goal posts will probably have shifted by the morning!
The bets are on a (sssshhhh don't tell anyone)... BMW X5 4.4 for wifey with every drug dealer accessory fitted...
For me? I'm deliberating a VX220 turbo. For no other reason than badge snobbery I'd prefer an Elise, but I suspect after the Cerb I'd miss the sheer power, even while I'd revel in the handling. Plus it should be rather more forgiving than the Cerb and the ABS etc gives me a little more peace of mind about the wife driving it....
Watch this space, all the goal posts will probably have shifted by the morning!
Option 3 followed by a 2000 M3 Convertible and a 2000 Volvo V70 2.3T5 (240bhp) should leave you with 7k.
Some decent estate's out there, 2001 Merc C32 (354bhp) @ 25K
2002 Audi A6 4.2 Quatro (300) @ 18K
2004 Impreza (261)15K
Too much choice
edited to add, there some tasty 380 brake Audi RS4's on Autotrader if you can talk the missus in to a 96 3 series rag top
>> Edited by RUSSELLM on Saturday 30th July 08:44
>> Edited by RUSSELLM on Saturday 30th July 08:45
Some decent estate's out there, 2001 Merc C32 (354bhp) @ 25K
2002 Audi A6 4.2 Quatro (300) @ 18K
2004 Impreza (261)15K
Too much choice
edited to add, there some tasty 380 brake Audi RS4's on Autotrader if you can talk the missus in to a 96 3 series rag top
>> Edited by RUSSELLM on Saturday 30th July 08:44
>> Edited by RUSSELLM on Saturday 30th July 08:45
I took option 1, although slightly different - got a £5k discovery as third car, got my ncb mirrored via Peart, so insurance is not too bad & I can leave it anywhere without worrying! OK it's not quick & does less to the gallon than the cerb, but at least I get to keep the cerb this way.
Was it your car I saw in the ramps @ Horizon this morning ? Mike said he was having a nightmare getting clutches.
Was it your car I saw in the ramps @ Horizon this morning ? Mike said he was having a nightmare getting clutches.
If it was the Chianti Cerbera that's sobbing and lonely, then yes it's mine! See the Clutch thread 
Looks like we're off to trawl the dealers today. Wifey is pretty set on her Bavarian Chelsea Tractor, so that's her dealt with. Trouble is that's set me on the road towards an M5. Wonderful cars, admittedly, but not exactly a TVR....
Looks like we're off to trawl the dealers today. Wifey is pretty set on her Bavarian Chelsea Tractor, so that's her dealt with. Trouble is that's set me on the road towards an M5. Wonderful cars, admittedly, but not exactly a TVR....
If you buy a VXT and throw about £1800 at it for a race cat, full stainless miltek and a remap and you are looking at something brisk, add a charge cooler and a more agressive map and you are looking at Cerb performance in a Lotus chassis.
They come up for sale regularly already modded and thats the cheapest way in. Mine was £18K at Stage 2 which is circa 240bhp and 250ft/lbs so not too bad really.
£150 a service every 12K, cheap parts, cheap tyres (though annoyingly sized) and a bloody good car on the whole.
He says, falling into the aforementioned recommending cars you own trap
PS If you're going to go lightweight though look at an Atom...
They come up for sale regularly already modded and thats the cheapest way in. Mine was £18K at Stage 2 which is circa 240bhp and 250ft/lbs so not too bad really.
£150 a service every 12K, cheap parts, cheap tyres (though annoyingly sized) and a bloody good car on the whole.
He says, falling into the aforementioned recommending cars you own trap
PS If you're going to go lightweight though look at an Atom...
bjwoods said:
Have you tried the 3.0 d Sport X5..
Not quite as quick as an 4.4, BUT LOTS of low down torqu make it hot hatch quick (ie 0-60 .5 sec diff to my seat Leon Cupra) and save yourself a wedge, on fuel, purchase price.
B
Er.... the 3.0Ds are about 3-4k more expensive secondhand as they hold their value better - that means wifey is going to have to do a hell of a lot of miles to recoup the difference.
Drove a 3.0D and 4.4 this morning - the V8 was smooth and lovely, and the diesel certainly pokey but the turbo lag was quite phenomenal - push to the floor, count to three and then she moves! Urk!
Apart from that, was generally impressed, although admittedly it's not my sort of car, but if wifey is happy then so much the better. We've struck out on the VX220 as impractical, so looks like we're heading dangerously close to TT or Boxster territory. Me no happy bunny
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