Changed my mind
Discussion
Hi all long time no post, hope all is ok with you all. Anyway to the point just had the car in for its annual service and MOT and came out with a bill of over double this years budget. My situation has changed and I am finding it really difficult to justify keeping my pride and joy. So after I picked the car up went to have it valued at a specialist buyer (still have no price) looking to cut my loses and move on. On the drive home around a 100 miles or so got stuck in a bit traffic so wound down the window to let the fumes out 
traffic clears opportunity to put foot down which was duly taken the noise is truly mind blowing when on song slows back down to normal speed and partner says I quote "F*&$ me it feels like I have been strapped to the wing of a World War II Bomber!" to which had me in hysterics.
Anyway nearer home in traffic again I see this strange light cluster making its way past the traffic and closing on my rear end. When it got behind me I realised it was a new Audi R8 so with a bit of duel carriage way coming up I thought why not, lets see if the old girl can hold her own. So after seeking permission from the rev limiter sitting in the passenger seat and getting a green light the road opened up... 3rd gear selected foot down and brace for the jump to light speed!!! Looks in mirror Audi still there Cerb passes the magic 4.5K revs insane speed kicks in Audi starting to fall back a bit massive smile emerges on my face then had to slow for traffic
pulls in lets Audi past to much appreciation waves from all and we go our separate ways.
The Audi in the flesh is a stunning piece of kit it really is and I am sure it would have been with me all the way if the road had been straight and clear.
Enough of this babble the upshot is that by hook or by crook I will do everything in my power to keep this car even if the service costs more than the cars worth. I bet the nice blond lady in the 76K Audi didn’t make a comment like the above
Paul
traffic clears opportunity to put foot down which was duly taken the noise is truly mind blowing when on song slows back down to normal speed and partner says I quote "F*&$ me it feels like I have been strapped to the wing of a World War II Bomber!" to which had me in hysterics.Anyway nearer home in traffic again I see this strange light cluster making its way past the traffic and closing on my rear end. When it got behind me I realised it was a new Audi R8 so with a bit of duel carriage way coming up I thought why not, lets see if the old girl can hold her own. So after seeking permission from the rev limiter sitting in the passenger seat and getting a green light the road opened up... 3rd gear selected foot down and brace for the jump to light speed!!! Looks in mirror Audi still there Cerb passes the magic 4.5K revs insane speed kicks in Audi starting to fall back a bit massive smile emerges on my face then had to slow for traffic
pulls in lets Audi past to much appreciation waves from all and we go our separate ways.The Audi in the flesh is a stunning piece of kit it really is and I am sure it would have been with me all the way if the road had been straight and clear.
Enough of this babble the upshot is that by hook or by crook I will do everything in my power to keep this car even if the service costs more than the cars worth. I bet the nice blond lady in the 76K Audi didn’t make a comment like the above
Paul
A good way of looking at Cerb ownership.
They're all going to need the body off to put the rotten chassis back together. Min £3k
They're all going to need the engine rebuilding £3k
They're all going to need a clutch £1k
They're all going to need a 12K service plus tappet adjustment £1k
They're all going to need some decent shocks £1K.
As long as you know all of the above, you'll never be disappointed with the car
They're all going to need the body off to put the rotten chassis back together. Min £3k
They're all going to need the engine rebuilding £3k
They're all going to need a clutch £1k
They're all going to need a 12K service plus tappet adjustment £1k
They're all going to need some decent shocks £1K.
As long as you know all of the above, you'll never be disappointed with the car
RUSSELLM said:
A good way of looking at Cerb ownership.
They're all going to need the body off to put the rotten chassis back together. Min £3k
They're all going to need the engine rebuilding £3k
They're all going to need a clutch £1k
They're all going to need a 12K service plus tappet adjustment £1k
They're all going to need some decent shocks £1K.
As long as you know all of the above, you'll never be disappointed with the car
You forgot about taking it to Joo at TCS for the Whirlwind They're all going to need the body off to put the rotten chassis back together. Min £3k
They're all going to need the engine rebuilding £3k
They're all going to need a clutch £1k
They're all going to need a 12K service plus tappet adjustment £1k
They're all going to need some decent shocks £1K.
As long as you know all of the above, you'll never be disappointed with the car
I'm one happy chappie nowPaulK said:
...by hook or by crook I will do everything in my power to keep this car even if the service costs more than the cars worth...
There never was and never will be anything like a Cerbera. I've had my 4.5 for nearly 10 years and it STILL has the ability to take my breath away. Whatever other cars may come and go, Cerbera disposal isn't remotely close to being on the radar let alone a prospect.
There's nowhere else to go. I've felt this way since close to the beginning of ownership, the entire automotive world (including TVR themselves) has failed to trump the Cerbera's unique range of abilities.
RUSSELLM said:
A good way of looking at Cerb ownership.
They're all going to need the body off to put the rotten chassis back together. Min £3k
They're all going to need the engine rebuilding £3k
They're all going to need a clutch £1k
They're all going to need a 12K service plus tappet adjustment £1k
They're all going to need some decent shocks £1K.
As long as you know all of the above, you'll never be disappointed with the car
All of the above been done except the chassis which is ok.They're all going to need the body off to put the rotten chassis back together. Min £3k
They're all going to need the engine rebuilding £3k
They're all going to need a clutch £1k
They're all going to need a 12K service plus tappet adjustment £1k
They're all going to need some decent shocks £1K.
As long as you know all of the above, you'll never be disappointed with the car
I really do find it hard to beleive that these cars are so fast, for gods sake its 11 years old and I have had it for 7 of them and it still takes my breath away over 4.5k revs. Mine is only a 4.2 so a sorted 4.5 must be mind blowing.
There is all sorts of expensive exotica out there now and I would really love an Aston V8 but it would just be to soft and easy to drive. I want to have an experience I like the drama the speed the noise.
Thanks for the comments I will keep this car whatever happens.
Paul
What i dont understand with the chassis is, regardless of renovation:-
How to stop the rot near the manifolds
How to stop the rot from the inside out.
Is there such a thing as a non renovated pre 2001/2 Cerb without some chassis probs (particularly the bits you cant see eg by the manifolds).
How to stop the rot near the manifolds
How to stop the rot from the inside out.
Is there such a thing as a non renovated pre 2001/2 Cerb without some chassis probs (particularly the bits you cant see eg by the manifolds).
PaulK said:
its 11 years old and I have had it for 7 of them and it still takes my breath away over 4.5k revs. Mine is only a 4.2 so a sorted 4.5 must be mind blowing.
There is all sorts of expensive exotica out there now and I would really love an Aston V8 but it would just be to soft and easy to drive. I want to have an experience I like the drama the speed the noise.
Thanks for the comments I will keep this car whatever happens.
Paul
The 4.2 seems to have all it's torque at the low down revs & feels very "manic" even dangerous There is all sorts of expensive exotica out there now and I would really love an Aston V8 but it would just be to soft and easy to drive. I want to have an experience I like the drama the speed the noise.
Thanks for the comments I will keep this car whatever happens.
Paul
(in an addictive way).The 4.5 seems a lot more refined on acceleration, but seems to keep giving you a kick up the arse all the way up to 7k revs.
For day to day driving, non motorway, I find the 4.2 much more fun
Gazzab said:
What i dont understand with the chassis is, regardless of renovation:-
How to stop the rot near the manifolds
How to stop the rot from the inside out.
Is there such a thing as a non renovated pre 2001/2 Cerb without some chassis probs (particularly the bits you cant see eg by the manifolds).
Mines a 99 and chassis is in very good condition...even Joos at TCS remarked how good mine looks...even around the manifold areas...guess there are good and bad ones out there.How to stop the rot near the manifolds
How to stop the rot from the inside out.
Is there such a thing as a non renovated pre 2001/2 Cerb without some chassis probs (particularly the bits you cant see eg by the manifolds).
This has been on my mind for quite some time now. The Cerb is coming up to a big un-economical repair (body-off) and if we were to think head over heart, for our use of the car a Noble would be better for alot of the time...
But then again, its quiet, has no boot, looks (imho) rubbish inside and out. For the hillclimb/sprint stuff though it'd be a decent enough step up... then theres elises/exiges, which are a slightly more attractive proposition if a little slow in a straight line/ a bit low for dad to get into (its a struggle for me and im a relatively fit 21yr old!)
This is the Cerbera problem.
Its straight line pace is something that nearly ten years later people are just about coming to terms with (Noble/GT3 are as quick, but open that up into a mile and I'd be suprised if thier shorter gearing doesnt start to work against them...) None of the cars mentioned above have such a delivery of that power either, none of them are quite as scary in the way they fire forwards - which in an increasingly heavily policed (in terms of cameras atleast) world - is really what counts. The Cerb always *feels* like its doing 200mph sideways with plumes of smoke and deep black lines left behind. The brakes are great, handling pretty good if sorted and for a ten year old car its just outrageously quick in the right hands... Infact, the need for the right hands is another appealing asset to the Cerberas charm, its a car you take YEARS to learn, its a constant challenge - which makes damn sure it can never be 100% predictable/ become boring.
Even forgetting about the way it performs, its a reasonably practical car for what it is. The boot is huge, the seats comfy, the rear seats acceptable for short journeys... hell its not even too bad on fuel compared to similar cars - and the tank is big enough to afford it a decent range (noble take note, another downside to the dynamically mighty M12's..)
All of the above though I reckon can be replicated/ is possible in other cars - I cant say which off the top of my head, but most of the bases are starting to be covered. Indeed an R8 seems like a bloody insanely good car... but the Cerberas best trick of all is something that is unrivalled:
The Cerbera is an absolute f'kin hooligan. I cannot think of another car that makes a noise anything close to a Cerb in a tunnel, nor can I think of anything that is so willing to indulge in various other acts of political incorrectness - from leaving elevens everywhere in almost any gear - to the occaisional "forgetting to change up" moment around bemused pedestrains jumping out of thier skin on crowded city pavements. Theres sooo many things this car does that makes people look in absolute disapprovement - its just hilarious.
Its just a loud, arrogant, show off, aggressive bastard of a car! Thats why we fcuking love it!!!!!!!
But then again, its quiet, has no boot, looks (imho) rubbish inside and out. For the hillclimb/sprint stuff though it'd be a decent enough step up... then theres elises/exiges, which are a slightly more attractive proposition if a little slow in a straight line/ a bit low for dad to get into (its a struggle for me and im a relatively fit 21yr old!)
This is the Cerbera problem.
Its straight line pace is something that nearly ten years later people are just about coming to terms with (Noble/GT3 are as quick, but open that up into a mile and I'd be suprised if thier shorter gearing doesnt start to work against them...) None of the cars mentioned above have such a delivery of that power either, none of them are quite as scary in the way they fire forwards - which in an increasingly heavily policed (in terms of cameras atleast) world - is really what counts. The Cerb always *feels* like its doing 200mph sideways with plumes of smoke and deep black lines left behind. The brakes are great, handling pretty good if sorted and for a ten year old car its just outrageously quick in the right hands... Infact, the need for the right hands is another appealing asset to the Cerberas charm, its a car you take YEARS to learn, its a constant challenge - which makes damn sure it can never be 100% predictable/ become boring.
Even forgetting about the way it performs, its a reasonably practical car for what it is. The boot is huge, the seats comfy, the rear seats acceptable for short journeys... hell its not even too bad on fuel compared to similar cars - and the tank is big enough to afford it a decent range (noble take note, another downside to the dynamically mighty M12's..)
All of the above though I reckon can be replicated/ is possible in other cars - I cant say which off the top of my head, but most of the bases are starting to be covered. Indeed an R8 seems like a bloody insanely good car... but the Cerberas best trick of all is something that is unrivalled:
The Cerbera is an absolute f'kin hooligan. I cannot think of another car that makes a noise anything close to a Cerb in a tunnel, nor can I think of anything that is so willing to indulge in various other acts of political incorrectness - from leaving elevens everywhere in almost any gear - to the occaisional "forgetting to change up" moment around bemused pedestrains jumping out of thier skin on crowded city pavements. Theres sooo many things this car does that makes people look in absolute disapprovement - its just hilarious.
Its just a loud, arrogant, show off, aggressive bastard of a car! Thats why we fcuking love it!!!!!!!
Gazzab said:
brummiewedge said:
They don't rot from the inside out. Reflective heat wrap.
I dont mean they only rot from the inside out. What I mean is - even if you treate the outside the metal on the inside will surely rot as well. this is the landrover way ! Gassing Station | Cerbera | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff