lotus esprit or cerbera
Discussion
Erm... probably not a good place to ask that question is you're looking for a completely non bias answer.
Anyway, being completley non-bias, BUY THE CERBERA!
Seriously though, in terms of reliability, I would take the Cerb (V8) any day over the Esprit. From what I've heard from a few esprit owners, the esprit seems to be a fairly underwhelming car when you finally get one, whereas the Cerb is always an occasion to drive.
Anyway, being completley non-bias, BUY THE CERBERA!
Seriously though, in terms of reliability, I would take the Cerb (V8) any day over the Esprit. From what I've heard from a few esprit owners, the esprit seems to be a fairly underwhelming car when you finally get one, whereas the Cerb is always an occasion to drive.
I'd suggest taking one on a test drive. However you'll never get the true feeling of why it's addictive until a) its warmed up and b) you're actually used to driving one. So whilst a test drive isn't long enough it's a good place to start so as to compare the two experiences.
Edited by Mr M on Sunday 1st June 01:45
I went through the same thoughts when I bought my first Cerb in 1997; Had a niggling sense that the Lotus would 'look' aged styling wise very quickly.
I'm now on my second Cerb and think it looks as special as when I set eyes on them for the first time, whereas the Lotus looks very aged to me now, IMHO etc etc.
The Cerbs bodywork is one that will be ageless (Cobra etc) and I don't have time to talk about the experience as I'm late for a 300 mile hoon today - very little gets me out of bed at this time of the morning.
Buy one, if you have the cash... buy two!
D.
I'm now on my second Cerb and think it looks as special as when I set eyes on them for the first time, whereas the Lotus looks very aged to me now, IMHO etc etc.
The Cerbs bodywork is one that will be ageless (Cobra etc) and I don't have time to talk about the experience as I'm late for a 300 mile hoon today - very little gets me out of bed at this time of the morning.
Buy one, if you have the cash... buy two!
D.
Most Cerb's would be faster than an Esprit I would imagine. I thought the later V8 (350 edition) Esprit's were much more reliable than the earlier ones and Cerbs generally seem to be the most expensive TVR to maintain. The Esprit's I'm sure had a galvanised chassis so no rust to worry about in theory.
Funny, an Esprit was on my shopping list too. I remember when I was about 18 a mate let me have a go in his Guigaro (sp?) Esprit Turbo....loads of turbo noises, very impressionable on a young lad who had never driven anything that fast...
...then I remembered same mate having his car off the road for best part of a year and it beace a complete money pit (yes, even more than the Cerb)
When I woke up I realised that a Cerb was the only choice
...then I remembered same mate having his car off the road for best part of a year and it beace a complete money pit (yes, even more than the Cerb)
When I woke up I realised that a Cerb was the only choice
I like the others went the same route, Had a shortlist of nineties Porsche 911, Lotus Esprit V8, & cerebera. Porkers went up in price, so would have to get an older one, so less value for money, didn't make the right noises anyway. So scrub that.Then a mate bought a Lotus V8 turbo for 22grand. Looked great. Silver with red hide interior. Then for the next 6 months spent between a grand to a grand and a half every month. there seemed to be always something wrong, so the money he earmarked for the latest 500 millennium kit & monster wheels got used for much needed repairs. "No problem I'll have good car in the end." But the repairs kept coming. and he kept paying. Another one of my mates in the fortunate position to have a new 911 derivative every year kept telling him. "sell it get a boxter, it not as quick, but it'll go all day everyday. L.O.T.U.S stands for Lots. Of. Trouble. Usually. Serious." and he was right.
mate has since sold the Lotus to guy from Scotland, who came down in torrential rain drove it Scotland, rang to say he'd reached safely without a hitch and he loved the car. (go figure) Think the furthest my mate drove it was Reddicth to junction 9 Ikea, he dare'nt go any further.
So given his experiences it was a simple choice CERBERA.
This car is proof of life. It has a very apt name. It snorts, It roars and boy does it kick. It is a beast, it is monster but its my monster and I love it, as does just about every other Cerb owner. I can think of no car wow or grin factor for this type of money. After riding motorbikes at stupidly ridiculous speeds, I though no car would hold my attention, I WAS WRONG.
Bought Subaru lightweight STi specd up for fun, just before I bought the cerb. Never did like the looks of the Subaru, but it's Jap and does exactly what it says on the tin great car. Then came Cerb, que the scary music. If Subaru was a Lion, the Cerbera was Tyranasaurus Rex on crack. NUFF SAID
p.s. This car comes with no girlie buttons & you'd better be able to drive and/or be prepared to take lessons. TRUST ME. YOU WILL BE REWARDED, TENFOLD
PAUL
mate has since sold the Lotus to guy from Scotland, who came down in torrential rain drove it Scotland, rang to say he'd reached safely without a hitch and he loved the car. (go figure) Think the furthest my mate drove it was Reddicth to junction 9 Ikea, he dare'nt go any further.
So given his experiences it was a simple choice CERBERA.
This car is proof of life. It has a very apt name. It snorts, It roars and boy does it kick. It is a beast, it is monster but its my monster and I love it, as does just about every other Cerb owner. I can think of no car wow or grin factor for this type of money. After riding motorbikes at stupidly ridiculous speeds, I though no car would hold my attention, I WAS WRONG.
Bought Subaru lightweight STi specd up for fun, just before I bought the cerb. Never did like the looks of the Subaru, but it's Jap and does exactly what it says on the tin great car. Then came Cerb, que the scary music. If Subaru was a Lion, the Cerbera was Tyranasaurus Rex on crack. NUFF SAID
p.s. This car comes with no girlie buttons & you'd better be able to drive and/or be prepared to take lessons. TRUST ME. YOU WILL BE REWARDED, TENFOLD
PAUL
FUBAR said:
Funny, an Esprit was on my shopping list too. I remember when I was about 18 a mate let me have a go in his Guigaro (sp?) Esprit Turbo....loads of turbo noises, very impressionable on a young lad who had never driven anything that fast...
...then I remembered same mate having his car off the road for best part of a year and it beace a complete money pit (yes, even more than the Cerb)
Exactly my experience. The Turbo cost an absolute fortune but was almost unmovable on the road. The Cerb (4.5) will move all over the place but will respond so beautifully to varied throttle application....then I remembered same mate having his car off the road for best part of a year and it beace a complete money pit (yes, even more than the Cerb)
Cerb(4.5): without a doubt !
as they say--the proof of the pudding is in the eating--so get somone to take you out in one.
I test drove the one i bought and almost had an accident in it within 20 mins.. thankfully it was the best lesson i ever learned and kept me on the road in one for the next year.
once you feel the whole TVR, sound, smell, power you will be hooked and you WILL buy one
I test drove the one i bought and almost had an accident in it within 20 mins.. thankfully it was the best lesson i ever learned and kept me on the road in one for the next year.
once you feel the whole TVR, sound, smell, power you will be hooked and you WILL buy one
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