Arrrgghhh, unsure what to do!!

[Snake the Sniper]

Evening all. I am in need of some help and advice. I own a bike engined kit car, and have been looking at buying a new mini-GT type kit car that comes out early next year. However, I have always had a hankering for a TVR. Out of the new(er) range I like the Tamora, but since having had a good look at finances and so on, I think all of the newer cars are just out of my reach by the time I include yearly costs. I had always viewed the Cerbera as being way out of my price range, but having looked at it, this may not be so! Which is good. Only thing is, I really love my kit car, the mad dash to the 11K rpm red line and the way you're so involved with everything due to the lack of any silly electronics. I'm looking for a more GT biased car, and the Cerbera fits the bill nicely. Are there any on here who have done a similar move? How did you find the driving experience? Also, I'm a relatively big lad, at 6'3" and 15 stone, so how much space will there be in a Cerbera?
Oh, one final question, how much do the younger drivers, I'm only 25, pay for insurance? I'm not expecting it to be cheap, but just how raped am I going to be?

[dnb]

I think I was 26 when we bought the Griff. It wasn't too difficult to insure at a "reasonable" £650 or so, although that was a few years ago. A Cerbera would have been more to insure, so don't expect too much change from £1k.

You'll have very little trouble fitting in a Cerb. TVRs are designed for taller people.

I was lucky enough to borrow a friend's 4.5 Cerb once. You still get the mad dash to the redline, and a wonderfully linear power delivery. (ie a flat torque curve!) It's unrelenting all the way to 8k.

[Byker28i]

You've no problem fitting in a Cerbera. My cars previous owner was over 6 foot tall. It's us shorties who have trouble reaching the pedals.

Insurance, I couldn't say but why not give a few of the specialists a ring
Mannings 01491 578759
A one 01202 850122
Sunninghill 0870 7878017

[97octane]

Byker28i said:

You've no problem fitting in a Cerbera. My cars previous owner was over 6 foot tall. It's us shorties who have trouble reaching the pedals.

Insurance, I couldn't say but why not give a few of the specialists a ring
Mannings 01491 578759
A one 01202 850122
Sunninghill 0870 7878017

Sunninghill is now Jelf Insurance, and I get a very reasonable deal through them with Chaucer Insurance. Still very helpful and very TVR friendly. Limited mileage, track day cover etc

[dvpeace]

No one has mentioned the fact that the Cerbie is quite expensive to run.
I think the best advice is to get in one and have a test drive.

[MuffDaddy]

You'll already know that the purchase price isn't the best measure of the cost of a TVR. Some people get great cars and face reasonable running costs. I've bought my old car back and it hasn't been loved in the last 8 years. Therefore this years running costs are £5000 so far. Still 4 months left!

[Daston]

hi mate

insurance wont be too hard. I am 24 with 3 points and pay 1080 for a Tuscan fully comp with breakdown etc etc. I was quoted £780 on a Griff 500 so I would expect you will be quoted around the 700 - 800 mark at the most

[TimmyArt]

If you have a garage/car port, the cheapest insurance would be Hagerty I imagine. Im 26, quoted me £200 for a Chimaera. If you dont, I go with MSM

[grumbledoak]

By most accounts a Cerbie will cost you as much to run as a Tamora, a few hundred more or less on the insurance won't be material. You'd probably fit in either fine, too, as Peter wasn't small, though theres no harm in trying one for size. I'd try both and see which one you like the most.

HTH.

[Buffoon]

Big plus for the Cerb. I am am slightly larger than you and fit no problem. Your experience on kit cars will put you in good stead for Cerb ownership, because unless you are minted you will get your hands dirty.

Get to your local TVRCC meet for a look over and a ride.

[Snake the Sniper]

Cheers all, you've pretty much confirmed what I had thought so far. Servicing and looking after the car will be no problem as I'm quite used to having to pull my car apart just to check all the fluids and things before I go out for a drive! As some have said, whilst I know that price is only so much of an indicator of a car's history and general condition, I think I could put up with a slight fixer upper. Looks like I'll have make sure I get over to Sywell for this month's Northants meet and have a nose around the cerb that often turns up.