Soon to be new owner - questions

[KM2]

Sorry about this but as I new to the forum and each one has different rules of behaviour...

I posted this already in an older thread but it got no responses. In some forums established members get somewhat upset about new members opening up "unnecessary topics", in some they don't. Anyway, here it goes:

"I am a would be first owner as well. I plan to buy mine in around October / November, so there is plent of time to get informed and research.

Some basic questions:

- I would definitely prefer a 4.5. I know TVRs are not benign to drive and that is fine. I've got some driving experience (say 200k miles) and am perhaps above the average driver in skill but not a pro by a long shot. Is the 4.5 going to see me learning the inside of ditches intimately with sensible driving? Would a Speed 6 or 4.2 be a more sensible choice?
- Many of the TVRs run on Toyo rubber. I have little experience with the company but they do not seem to be mentioned in thetop quality bracket usually. Would alternate tyres make the car behave differently? Anyone with experience?
- 16 or 18 inch wheels? The look of the Spider alloys is great but I'd rather have a sensible coice. How do the larger wheels affect the handling? Curb friendliness is not an issue, I have not had trouble with those so far
- Is the Red Rose package sensible / essential and again, how does it affect handling? I do not need my car to be the fastest on the block, I want a fast, exciting transport, that I can use in rain / snow etc (when there is a need to do so).
- I know that build quality is not one of TVRs strong suits, which is fine. Still would you rather recommend one of the newer examples, since there have been steps in the right direction in this area? Or is an older one more likely to have been sorted out by now?
- AC is an absolute must
- Is it possible to fit a small child in the back or are the seats for show only? The question arises since within the next couple of years I might get to the point and do not want to switch cars immdiately.
- I guess it's fine as a daily driver, if needs be?
- Anyone ran it in winter in snowy conditions? It could well be that I'll live outside of the UK and have it, so it's a necessary question It would run on propper winter tyres.

My budget is not fixed right now but could stretch to 28.000 pounds, with the spread being from say 24-28k. Can I expect a reasonable example for that amount of money (say 4.5 with AC)?

Any help is much appreciated"

[SlvrCrb]

KM2 said:

Sorry about this but as I new to the forum and each one has different rules of behaviour... I posted this already in an older thread but it got no responses. In some forums established members get somewhat upset about new members opening up "unnecessary topics", in some they don't.

KM2, welcome to the Cerb forum

KM2 said:

Anyway, here it goes: "I am a would be first owner as well. I plan to buy mine in around October / November, so there is plent of time to get informed and research. Some basic questions: - I would definitely prefer a 4.5. I know TVRs are not benign to drive and that is fine. I've got some driving experience (say 200k miles) and am perhaps above the average driver in skill but not a pro by a long shot. Is the 4.5 going to see me learning the inside of ditches intimately with sensible driving? Would a Speed 6 or 4.2 be a more sensible choice?

tbh, below 100 there's not that much in it between all 3 engines, unless modded of course. 4.5's generally respond better to remapping and induction fettling than the 4.2. All 3 will put you in a ditch if you mess with the loud pedal at the wrong time

KM2 said:

- Many of the TVRs run on Toyo rubber. I have little experience with the company but they do not seem to be mentioned in thetop quality bracket usually. Would alternate tyres make the car behave differently? Anyone with experience?

Toyos heat up quick and are sticky in the dry. Different animal in the wet. Some swear by bridgestones , some swear at them. It's very much a persnal choice and whatever the cerb you buy comes with will be your first learning curve on tyre choice. imho, get the suspension set up properly first and then see how you respond to different tyres.

KM2 said:

- 16 or 18 inch wheels? The look of the Spider alloys is great but I'd rather have a sensible coice. How do the larger wheels affect the handling? Curb friendliness is not an issue, I have not had trouble with those so far

16 for ride, handling and tracking imho. 18's for er, well looking I spose

KM2 said:

- Is the Red Rose package sensible / essential and again, how does it affect handling? I do not need my car to be the fastest on the block, I want a fast, exciting transport, that I can use in rain / snow etc (when there is a need to do so).

again imho, extra rr money would be better spent on a remap and induction to start.

KM2 said:

- I know that build quality is not one of TVRs strong suits, which is fine. Still would you rather recommend one of the newer examples, since there have been steps in the right direction in this area? Or is an older one more likely to have been sorted out by now?

Buy on history, receipts and get an indie check to be sure. Older ones "tend" to be more sorted but mine is the exception to that rule..

KM2 said:

- AC is an absolute must

sorry. AC is not overly good in the cerb. and it adds weight. Better option is window down+right foot down.

KM2 said:

- Is it possible to fit a small child in the back or are the seats for show only? The question arises since within the next couple of years I might get to the point and do not want to switch cars immdiately.

Do a search for childrens seats there's been plenty on here about it. and you'll be ok with the 4 seats for your kids till they are about 8-9.

KM2 said:

- I guess it's fine as a daily driver, if needs be?

oh best daily driver there is

KM2 said:

- Anyone ran it in winter in snowy conditions? It could well be that I'll live outside of the UK and have it, so it's a necessary question It would run on propper winter tyres.

Yep and it's a riot Take it easy and it's a doddle.

KM2 said:

My budget is not fixed right now but could stretch to 28.000 pounds, with the spread being from say 24-28k. Can I expect a reasonable example for that amount of money (say 4.5 with AC)?

You;ll get a lot for you money. Shop around, check out the PH classifieds, get it inspected and try to buy with your head not your heart.

KM2 said:

Any help is much appreciated"

Owzat?

>> Edited by SlvrCrb on Saturday 27th May 15:45

[KM2]

KM2, welcome to the Cerb forum

Thanks

KM2 said:

- Many of the TVRs run on Toyo rubber. I have little experience with the company but they do not seem to be mentioned in thetop quality bracket usually. Would alternate tyres make the car behave differently? Anyone with experience?

Toyos heat up quick and are sticky in the dry. Different animal in the wet. Some swear by bridgestones , some swear at them. It's very much a persnal choice and whatever the cerb you buy comes with will be your first learning curve on tyre choice. imho, get the suspension set up properly first and then see how you respond to different tyres.

That seems sensible enough Anyone with experience of Dunlop and / or Yokohama tyres? I can get excellent deals on those, so it's worth asking


16 for ride, handling and tracking imho. 18's for er, well looking I spose

Won't the thicker sidewalls bend morei n corners on the 16 inch ones? :dunno: The unsprung weight is likely to be a bit lower, though.

again imho, extra rr money would be better spent on a remap and induction to start.

Any suspension upgrades that are a sensible improvement?

Buy on history, receipts and get an indie check to be sure. Older ones "tend" to be more sorted but mine is the exception to that rule..

Sorry for the silly question, but as English is not my native tongue, what exactly is an indie check? Getting it checked by a specialist? :dunno:

sorry. AC is not overly good in the cerb. and it adds weight. Better option is window down+right foot down.

I can accept the weight. You have to know that where I live average summer temperatures go over 35 degrees, so even if not overly good it is still essential.

Do a search for childrens seats there's been plenty on here about it. and you'll be ok with the 4 seats for your kids till they are about 8-9.

Great

[

KM2 said:

- Anyone ran it in winter in snowy conditions? It could well be that I'll live outside of the UK and have it, so it's a necessary question It would run on propper winter tyres.

Yep and it's a riot Take it easy and it's a doddle.

Meaning manageable?

Owzat?

Thank you a lot for the advice, it did answer the early questions I had I guess as the deadline approaches and I start looking at concrete machines, more questions will emerge. Btw. is AC a rare fit, then? Can it be retrofitted?

>> Edited by SlvrCrb on Saturday 27th May 15:45[/quote]

[JR]

SlvrCrb said:

KM2 said: 16 or 18 inch wheels? The look of the Spider alloys is great but I'd rather have a sensible coice. How do the larger wheels affect the handling? Curb friendliness is not an issue, I have not had trouble with those so far 16 for ride, handling and tracking imho. 18's for er, well looking I spose [quote=KM2]

As SlvrCrb said - www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=13&t=254615
Also note that 17s were fitted to many Cerberas.
Many TVR drivers seem to be happy with the Dunlop range www.dunloptyres.co.uk/ourTyres/car/searchResults/SPSportMaxx/

[KM2]

Thanks for that advice as well

As for Sport Maxx, we have them on all cars at home but they definitely make handling more alive even on the Volvo's. To the point that any speeds above 110 MPH become quite a challenge (in need of a lot more concentration than the previously fitted SP 9000s). But the car is more agile and handles better, at least in the dry.

Are there headlight converter kits for cars operating outside of the UK?



>> Edited by KM2 on Wednesday 31st May 18:24