New owner impressions
Discussion
Funny how you take headlights for granted until they cut out on the part of the M42 with no overhead lighting. That was Sunday night. I think my "main beam to get me home" idea won me few friends. Boy, they're powerful.
Well, I fixed the normal (dipped) lights today (loose relay in the fuseboard) and I've just returned from a very enjoyable night time blat. Roads are a little greasy in places so I was taking it easy but I'm starting to get the feel of the car now. I've had to reset my hand/eye sensitivity because of the very light power steering and the loooong throttle pedal. My last toy car was a Caterham. Very very different.
The brakes are magnificent. Despite being assisted they still require a decent push, but then they stop the car in face-stretching short distances. And these are NOT the upgrade race disks I've seen advertised. I suspect they would only be required for track use. I'm not going on track with this car.
I'm still finding pulling out of tight junctions requires a lot of concentration. The steering lock is woeful and you can't see the end of the car, partly because I'm a shortarse and partly because the end of the car is in the next county. That bonnet is loooong (like the throttle pedal). Actually the problem is seeing the nearside kerb. I'm worried about damaging the wheels and I am (so far) unable to judge where the kerb and front wheels are relative to each other so, over-compensating, I'm swinging wide and ending up in the middle of the road.
But my blat was late into the evening, so I was able to do this without encountering any on-coming traffic.
Oh, and it's very easy to induce a little slide when pulling out of junctions. I'm still a bit intimidated by the car so that was a heart-stopper. The clutch is very progressive but even with a decent Emerald map, the engine doesn't like very low revs and tends to stutter if you don't rev it a little. Problem is, you think you're revving it a little but the flywheel is so very light that you end up with more revs than you were expecting, you let a little too much clutch in, and weeeeee around you go.
I caught it, although I probably looked like a learner driver.
I actively sought out the dual carriageways around Redditch, and circled round to the M42 for a couple of junctions, just so I could open it up in a straight line and when I opened it up I was struck by how the car suddenly felt as light as a Se7en. The engine that caused such furious acceleration coupled with the light & fast steering, the hard but compliant ride, all added to the feeling you get from hard braking and you could be forgiven for believing the car is only 500Kgs.
I'm going to enjoy this car, but I already wonder whether I'll ever be able to feel "attached" to it like I did with the Se7en. That feeling you get from knowing a car so well that you can throw it into corners with the certain knowledge that you know how the car will behave and the certain knowledge that you will know what you need to do to wrestle it through the corner. The Caterham was a go-kart and left you in no doubt about where you were relative to every apex, it left you in no doubt about how the road surface would interact with your tyres and it left you in no doubt that you would be able to manage. I can't see my ever getting to that level of comfort with this car but I shall enjoy the experience of learning nonetheless. I'm already 10 times more comfortable with it than I was. I can jump in and go now, without the feeling that the interior is alien to me.
And I'm compensated for the lack of intimacy with the car many times over by that engine. Oh boy..!! What piece of art.
Well, I fixed the normal (dipped) lights today (loose relay in the fuseboard) and I've just returned from a very enjoyable night time blat. Roads are a little greasy in places so I was taking it easy but I'm starting to get the feel of the car now. I've had to reset my hand/eye sensitivity because of the very light power steering and the loooong throttle pedal. My last toy car was a Caterham. Very very different.
The brakes are magnificent. Despite being assisted they still require a decent push, but then they stop the car in face-stretching short distances. And these are NOT the upgrade race disks I've seen advertised. I suspect they would only be required for track use. I'm not going on track with this car.
I'm still finding pulling out of tight junctions requires a lot of concentration. The steering lock is woeful and you can't see the end of the car, partly because I'm a shortarse and partly because the end of the car is in the next county. That bonnet is loooong (like the throttle pedal). Actually the problem is seeing the nearside kerb. I'm worried about damaging the wheels and I am (so far) unable to judge where the kerb and front wheels are relative to each other so, over-compensating, I'm swinging wide and ending up in the middle of the road.
But my blat was late into the evening, so I was able to do this without encountering any on-coming traffic.
Oh, and it's very easy to induce a little slide when pulling out of junctions. I'm still a bit intimidated by the car so that was a heart-stopper. The clutch is very progressive but even with a decent Emerald map, the engine doesn't like very low revs and tends to stutter if you don't rev it a little. Problem is, you think you're revving it a little but the flywheel is so very light that you end up with more revs than you were expecting, you let a little too much clutch in, and weeeeee around you go.
I caught it, although I probably looked like a learner driver.
I actively sought out the dual carriageways around Redditch, and circled round to the M42 for a couple of junctions, just so I could open it up in a straight line and when I opened it up I was struck by how the car suddenly felt as light as a Se7en. The engine that caused such furious acceleration coupled with the light & fast steering, the hard but compliant ride, all added to the feeling you get from hard braking and you could be forgiven for believing the car is only 500Kgs.
I'm going to enjoy this car, but I already wonder whether I'll ever be able to feel "attached" to it like I did with the Se7en. That feeling you get from knowing a car so well that you can throw it into corners with the certain knowledge that you know how the car will behave and the certain knowledge that you will know what you need to do to wrestle it through the corner. The Caterham was a go-kart and left you in no doubt about where you were relative to every apex, it left you in no doubt about how the road surface would interact with your tyres and it left you in no doubt that you would be able to manage. I can't see my ever getting to that level of comfort with this car but I shall enjoy the experience of learning nonetheless. I'm already 10 times more comfortable with it than I was. I can jump in and go now, without the feeling that the interior is alien to me.
And I'm compensated for the lack of intimacy with the car many times over by that engine. Oh boy..!! What piece of art.
Edited by mars on Thursday 11th January 10:24
I still feel intimidated by the car 3 years in. I was pretty "attached" to the Scoob, but I'm nowhere near it with the Cerb. I'm not sure if it's inherent or down to mileage (I did almost 10 times the mileage in the Scoob as I have in the Cerb).
BTW (not sure if I asked this before) do you have the ECU softwate and service manual? If not I can send.
BTW (not sure if I asked this before) do you have the ECU softwate and service manual? If not I can send.
Mars
I know what you mean about the slightly dettached feeling...after 7 months of Cerb ownership, I am still way too afraid to explore the race car end of its ability. Probably because it's not safe to do on normal roads, where a mistake could end in other people getting hurt...or myself. It's way too scary in the wet, and until I get onto a track, I am not going to risk messing up the fiberglass.
I only ever got the confidence in my GT3 after a a few track days. It's the only way to truly understand a cars limits. So until then, I am happy to stay in learner land and big open highways. I thought I knew it well enough after a few months, then got a service and new exhaust put on and got wheel spin and slightly sideways in 3rd gear. Almost wet myself...there are always more surprises with this car.
My view is that it's still a very lively car right up to 5000rpm...anything after that is just a waste of fuel on big city streets anyway.
K
I know what you mean about the slightly dettached feeling...after 7 months of Cerb ownership, I am still way too afraid to explore the race car end of its ability. Probably because it's not safe to do on normal roads, where a mistake could end in other people getting hurt...or myself. It's way too scary in the wet, and until I get onto a track, I am not going to risk messing up the fiberglass.
I only ever got the confidence in my GT3 after a a few track days. It's the only way to truly understand a cars limits. So until then, I am happy to stay in learner land and big open highways. I thought I knew it well enough after a few months, then got a service and new exhaust put on and got wheel spin and slightly sideways in 3rd gear. Almost wet myself...there are always more surprises with this car.
My view is that it's still a very lively car right up to 5000rpm...anything after that is just a waste of fuel on big city streets anyway.
K
I might try and book one of those airfield days where you're encouraged to hoon it around a bit. I want to see what it feels like when it's sliding, but I don't think normal trackday organisers like you doing that.
That said, at the cost of tyres, I might just not bother and enjoy it as it is.
That said, at the cost of tyres, I might just not bother and enjoy it as it is.
Good post. I like your point about the brakes - the exact opposite to modern hot hatches.
After 3 and half years I still have a healthy fear of my cerb. Putting the power down, whilst remaining in full control remains a challenge for me.
I did a trackday, which was great fun, but there was no full-on hooning. I too am planning to do a hoontastic airfield day in 07. (and hopefully a trackday too)
After 3 and half years I still have a healthy fear of my cerb. Putting the power down, whilst remaining in full control remains a challenge for me.
I did a trackday, which was great fun, but there was no full-on hooning. I too am planning to do a hoontastic airfield day in 07. (and hopefully a trackday too)
Mars - I'm with you totally on your thoughts about the car. I've had it a week now and it seems to have taken over. When I'm not driving it I'm in the garage with it. When its locked away I find myself sat at my desk reading this forum. My god I've had wives who have had less of an impact on my life.
I do love the idea of an airfield hoon though. Sounds like fun
I do love the idea of an airfield hoon though. Sounds like fun
mxi933 said:
My god I've had wives who have had less of an impact on my life.
Brilliant 
That as to be one of the best things I've read in ages, and it's so right too. I sold the Caterham (partly) because it was an on-going project that had taken over my life but now the Cerb threatens to do the same. And I'm totally at ease with it too.
Edited by mars on Thursday 11th January 10:21
mars said:
I'm still finding pulling out of tight junctions requires a lot of concentration. The steering lock is woeful and you can't see the end of the car, partly because I'm a shortarse and partly because the end of the car is in the next county. That bonnet is loooong (like the throttle pedal).
I came from a Capri. It seems easy to me
Hi Mars
Glad you like the Cerb. I don't think you can ever become one with a Cerb. They excel in so many different areas that there's always a combination of things that presents new challenges. Personally I like this as you can't take anything for granted and it keeps you on your toes.
And now that you've owned one, you'll never drive anything better. If you ever sell it, very soon you'll wish you hadn't and you'll be after another. I know as I've owned the same Cerb twice with a 6 year gap in between!
Anyway, I've been getting daily reports of your progress from Andy at Tandberg (I work with him). Had to laugh about the lights
Welcome to the Elite!
Glad you like the Cerb. I don't think you can ever become one with a Cerb. They excel in so many different areas that there's always a combination of things that presents new challenges. Personally I like this as you can't take anything for granted and it keeps you on your toes.
And now that you've owned one, you'll never drive anything better. If you ever sell it, very soon you'll wish you hadn't and you'll be after another. I know as I've owned the same Cerb twice with a 6 year gap in between!
Anyway, I've been getting daily reports of your progress from Andy at Tandberg
(I work with him). Had to laugh about the lights Welcome to the Elite!
mars said:
I'm not going on track with this car.
I think you should. I had similar feeling about my Griffith, for a long time I wasn't too comfortable about the tail-happy handling. Then I attended a track day at Bedford Autodrome and learnt more in one day about the handling of my car than in the previous 3 years. I would say by all means go to an airfield and have a bit of fun but I believe that driving fast on a track, safely, concentrates the mind more than a massive expanse of tarmac. I bought this car to be a continent crosser really. I've had my fill of trackdays. Not that I didn't enjoy them because I did but nothing will be as fast as the Se7en so I don't want to try. I'm more interested in learning how the Cerb feels when you've exceeded the limit, which is something trackday orgs aren't keen to witness.
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