Help - Family expansion - Cerbera???
Discussion
I have a 98 4.0L Chimaera which I absolutely adore. The car to me is faultless - almost.
In 3 months there will be an addition to the family and days out for the whole family in a TVR will be no more
So, the dearly beloved is trying to get me to trade the Chim in for a Cerb. I have no problem with the Cerb styling (Chim with a roof) but I love taking the top off the Chim in the summer!
Has anyone done this and regretted it? Loved it? Wished they'd done it years ago? Which model Cerb do I want? Will I need to remortgage to service it in comparison to the Chim?
I really don't know what to do, but the Cerb is making sense. By the way, we have an Alfa 156 for the day to day stuff, so you could say I don't NEED a Cerb!
In 3 months there will be an addition to the family and days out for the whole family in a TVR will be no more
So, the dearly beloved is trying to get me to trade the Chim in for a Cerb. I have no problem with the Cerb styling (Chim with a roof) but I love taking the top off the Chim in the summer!
Has anyone done this and regretted it? Loved it? Wished they'd done it years ago? Which model Cerb do I want? Will I need to remortgage to service it in comparison to the Chim?
I really don't know what to do, but the Cerb is making sense. By the way, we have an Alfa 156 for the day to day stuff, so you could say I don't NEED a Cerb!
Yes, we had a 5l Chimaera and changed to a Cerbera for exactly the same reason. We do really miss not having a convertible, but the Cerbera is great for family outings, but not brilliant for long drives the bigger the addition gets! It can also get quite hot in the back even with aircon. The passenger can feel quite squashed as the seat back is forward to allow room for the baby seat. Worth trying all the above out before you buy. Alas, we are now selling it as it is just not getting used enough.
Family outings in a TVR would be nice but unless you need it to seat all three of you, I'd keep the Chim (you do have a particularly nice one after all!).
How often are you likely to be in the car by yourself? It's quite often for me so keeping the Griff (even with 3 children) still makes perfect sense!
How often are you likely to be in the car by yourself? It's quite often for me so keeping the Griff (even with 3 children) still makes perfect sense!
If you can have something that isn't a TVR you can have 2+2 and four seater Cabrios. Obvious contenders are a BMW M3 Cabrio in the four seater bracket and a 996 C2 Cab/ C4 Cab.
That way you have a car that's fun, can take the roof off and junior can ride in the back....
Just a thought.
But the Cerb is a rocket ship. Let us know how you get on...
That way you have a car that's fun, can take the roof off and junior can ride in the back....
Just a thought.
But the Cerb is a rocket ship. Let us know how you get on...
We swapped the Griff and 911 for a Cerb when SBaby appeared. The situation wasn't ideal until he was able to sit up on his own, because Group 0 seats only fit in the front - luckily I'm not too tall to fit into the back! So you've got a few months to save up if you decide to make the switch.
Up to now, we have absolutely no regrets - quite the opposite. The Cerb is a complete rocket ship even compared with the Griff, and so far no big bills. Ultimately it's nicer to drive than the Griff and the lack of a removable roof is no problem.
Yep, glad we went for a Cerb.
Up to now, we have absolutely no regrets - quite the opposite. The Cerb is a complete rocket ship even compared with the Griff, and so far no big bills. Ultimately it's nicer to drive than the Griff and the lack of a removable roof is no problem.
Yep, glad we went for a Cerb.
It's got to be a TVR 
s1nrr said:
I went from a chimp to a cerb the only advise I would give is stay away from the earley S6 cerbs go for a 4.2 or 4.5 I had an S6 and wasnt very reliable and yes the clutch cost £1600... I have a Tuscan S at the moment.
Grrrr! Do yourself a favour and at least try an S6, you might find that you like it so much that you are prepared to risk possible engine problems. This is what happened with me. I changed from a 4.0 Chim, and in comparisom the Cerb is a rocket ship, and much better built and finished. PS my engine has given no trouble whatsoever and sounds the business, unlike the V8 cars which sound like Ford Fiestas (Ducks for Cover)
Regards Ocean1
Liked it, liked it a lot.
It was the last thing I thought of going to sleep last night, and the first thing this morning. Not in a 'must have' kind of way, but a 'do I want one?' kind of way. Apparently according to Louise this means that I will probably end up with a Cerb!
Me, on the other hand, needs more time. Richard at Peninsula wants me to have one for a day or so to see what it's like to live with. I don't have a problem with that
Nothing is going to happen until at least the new year though. Then I have to decide if it's a Cerb or a retrim to the hood on the Chim in navy blue
Edited to korect mi spellin
>> Edited by yiw1393 on Thursday 11th September 12:30
It was the last thing I thought of going to sleep last night, and the first thing this morning. Not in a 'must have' kind of way, but a 'do I want one?' kind of way. Apparently according to Louise this means that I will probably end up with a Cerb!
Me, on the other hand, needs more time. Richard at Peninsula wants me to have one for a day or so to see what it's like to live with. I don't have a problem with that
Nothing is going to happen until at least the new year though. Then I have to decide if it's a Cerb or a retrim to the hood on the Chim in navy blue
Edited to korect mi spellin
>> Edited by yiw1393 on Thursday 11th September 12:30
Hi
I also have a 156 (Sportwagon) as one of my day to day cars and bought an early 4.2 as the weekend car as I have two (9 & nearly 11) kids to haul around. I know there are specific (& v. expensive) car seats for babies in the Cerb but have no experience of them - keep an eye on the classified adds.
As to the comments on a crash with child on board, have a look at the comments made here www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=39335&f=6&h=0. Personally I am very happy with the car, and even with sports exhaust my daughter nods off quite happily in the back (sense of security
).
Running costs, yes they can be expensive, look for one that has been sorted by the previous owner and that has been regularly used, as those left sitting tend to sulk & daft things, usually electrical, go wrong. If you need to chat you are welcome to email me via my profile.
I also have a 156 (Sportwagon) as one of my day to day cars and bought an early 4.2 as the weekend car as I have two (9 & nearly 11) kids to haul around. I know there are specific (& v. expensive) car seats for babies in the Cerb but have no experience of them - keep an eye on the classified adds.
As to the comments on a crash with child on board, have a look at the comments made here www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=39335&f=6&h=0. Personally I am very happy with the car, and even with sports exhaust my daughter nods off quite happily in the back (sense of security
). Running costs, yes they can be expensive, look for one that has been sorted by the previous owner and that has been regularly used, as those left sitting tend to sulk & daft things, usually electrical, go wrong. If you need to chat you are welcome to email me via my profile.
Got rid of a V6 Clio for a Cerbera and since January this year have racked up some 4000 miles including the Alps back over the Easter weekend complete with the family, luggage
I too have a 156 but the cerbera gets used wherever possible and if I need an excuse I just ask my three year old as he always says "TVR cerbera daddy" if given the choice of cars.
On my experience alone - do it.
I too have a 156 but the cerbera gets used wherever possible and if I need an excuse I just ask my three year old as he always says "TVR cerbera daddy" if given the choice of cars.
On my experience alone - do it.
pottman said:
Got rid of a V6 Clio for a Cerbera and since January this year have racked up some 4000 miles including the Alps back over the Easter weekend complete with the family, luggage
I too have a 156 but the cerbera gets used wherever possible and if I need an excuse I just ask my three year old as he always says "TVR cerbera daddy" if given the choice of cars.
Nice to have some positive feedback: at times I fear PH is turning into a moan-zone.
Our 7 months old refuses to settle in the Volvo T5, but loves the Cerbie. Go figure.
Incidentally, we had a second-hand TVR baby seat fitted, but I would recommend looking around for other options: look up some of Beemer's posts on the topic.
Enjoy!
>> Edited by Tam Lin 'cause he gets confuzzed by computers on Friday 12th September 16:43
>> Edited by Tam Lin on Friday 12th September 16:46
Don't worry about safety. The damn thing's almost invincible. I've never heard of anyone crashing one and not walking away- including motorway crashes that would have buried a Volvo's occupants. It's probably as strong as a Defender if not stronger.
As for running costs, the general consensus is 2 grand/year + gas + insurance + speeding tickets.
I recommend the V8 as you most likely will not need a rebuild during the car's life.
As for running costs, the general consensus is 2 grand/year + gas + insurance + speeding tickets.
I recommend the V8 as you most likely will not need a rebuild during the car's life.
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