Thinking of moving to a Cerbie
Discussion
Dear all,
I currently drive a Chimaera but the start of a young family means that I need to go for something practical, so here we are.
Could I simply ask for advice regarding which Cerbie to go for? I would be driving it regularly and it would most likely clock up about 4000 miles pa. Budget would stretch to 15 or 16k, maybe more at a push.
Also, what are the more desirable upgrades, options, etc.?
I realise that everyone has their own P&J but no fighting please children. I know what would happen if I asked this on the Chim site!!
Many thanks,
Rich
I currently drive a Chimaera but the start of a young family means that I need to go for something practical, so here we are.
Could I simply ask for advice regarding which Cerbie to go for? I would be driving it regularly and it would most likely clock up about 4000 miles pa. Budget would stretch to 15 or 16k, maybe more at a push.
Also, what are the more desirable upgrades, options, etc.?
I realise that everyone has their own P&J but no fighting please children. I know what would happen if I asked this on the Chim site!!
Many thanks,
Rich
nothing to gain from the sale as i traded it in but my old cerb has gone on sale at sscc - its a stunner and is mint! If you are interested pm me and i can send you some more info.
All cerbs are stunning - personnaly i would rather have a v8 but there u go...you want a rebuild for sp6 then its down to the usual cerb bits...clutch, starter, etc but the main thing is the chassis as per other tivs.
Good luck - hope you find a good one!
All cerbs are stunning - personnaly i would rather have a v8 but there u go...you want a rebuild for sp6 then its down to the usual cerb bits...clutch, starter, etc but the main thing is the chassis as per other tivs.
Good luck - hope you find a good one!
Mr M said:
Having owned a 4.2 I wouldn't call it practical really. Just my opinion of course - others may differ. A speed six would probably be much easier on the nerves to drive on a regular basis though.
Agreed...sp6 are softer than the v8s but the 4.2 and 4.5s can be tractable and i never had any prpblems...? As for practicallity - they are strict 2 + 2s...not 4 seaters...small children only but that sounds like the scenario anyway? Best advice is to get out there and inspect + drive as many as you can.I bought a 2003 SP6 because I felt I got got a lot more value than buying a 2003 V8,
Basically I could get a 2003 SP6 for about 6-7k cheaper than the equivilant V8. BUT I could not afford a 2003 V8 and I had a choice of buying a 2003 SP6 or a 1999 V8. For me buying a newer car with a great chassis and newer styled headlights/wheels and seats sealed it.
I have no issues with the V8 apart from the fact a 2003 was out of my budget and as I had previously had a Tuscan SP6 4.0l I was comfortable with the SP6 engine and in my Tuscan and my Cerbera so far the engine has been faultless extremely smooth and ....FAST.
I did however upgrade the shocks on both the Tuscan and the Cerb which has improved the handling and sorted a few little niggles so I would be looking for one with Gaz/nitrons etc and If you can find one V8/SP6 with a recent rebuild then all the better.
Basically I could get a 2003 SP6 for about 6-7k cheaper than the equivilant V8. BUT I could not afford a 2003 V8 and I had a choice of buying a 2003 SP6 or a 1999 V8. For me buying a newer car with a great chassis and newer styled headlights/wheels and seats sealed it.
I have no issues with the V8 apart from the fact a 2003 was out of my budget and as I had previously had a Tuscan SP6 4.0l I was comfortable with the SP6 engine and in my Tuscan and my Cerbera so far the engine has been faultless extremely smooth and ....FAST.
I did however upgrade the shocks on both the Tuscan and the Cerb which has improved the handling and sorted a few little niggles so I would be looking for one with Gaz/nitrons etc and If you can find one V8/SP6 with a recent rebuild then all the better.
I use my 2002 4.2 mainly as a weekend car - last year did approx 7000 miles, and the AJP is fine for town traffic / pootling about with the whole family on board. It would be worth getting a remap by someone who knows what they are doing with a rolling road (I had mine done by Joo when he was at TCS, and then subsequently had the airflow balanced again at RaceProved) as the remap and airflow balance / throttle bodies synch (sorry guy's - I'm not as technical as some on here) really does make a difference to the low speed running / tractability.
Personally I am glad I've gone for the AJP V8 - and don't believe everything about the 4.5: they probably need an ECU remap at the least to get the quoted horsepower, and they benefit from the short induction kit if you want to get neat the quoted 420bhp in real life. My "4.2" kicks out 393bhp (although this is after some induction work and remapping, running new CATS but with sports backbox) - so not too far off a 4.5!
In terms of kids - look at other threads on here. I use the Recaro Start kiddie seat as it's very well constructed with separate metal chassis, not just the cheapo foam ones. It fits behind the passenger seat, but not the drivers (I am six feet tall so have the chair back too far); my other child is restrained using the Recaro Start Impact cushion sitting on the rear seat - this diverts the set belt away from the childs neck (use the search function on this forum to search further). The only thing to note is that if a small person is sat in the rear of the Cerb, the front seat belt mounting bolt is a bit of a liability at head height. "That TVR (lack of) design for you, sir". I am currently working to try and make a prototype to address this...
Hope this helps.
Personally I am glad I've gone for the AJP V8 - and don't believe everything about the 4.5: they probably need an ECU remap at the least to get the quoted horsepower, and they benefit from the short induction kit if you want to get neat the quoted 420bhp in real life. My "4.2" kicks out 393bhp (although this is after some induction work and remapping, running new CATS but with sports backbox) - so not too far off a 4.5!
In terms of kids - look at other threads on here. I use the Recaro Start kiddie seat as it's very well constructed with separate metal chassis, not just the cheapo foam ones. It fits behind the passenger seat, but not the drivers (I am six feet tall so have the chair back too far); my other child is restrained using the Recaro Start Impact cushion sitting on the rear seat - this diverts the set belt away from the childs neck (use the search function on this forum to search further). The only thing to note is that if a small person is sat in the rear of the Cerb, the front seat belt mounting bolt is a bit of a liability at head height. "That TVR (lack of) design for you, sir". I am currently working to try and make a prototype to address this...
Hope this helps.
Thanks folks, this is really helpful.
Although I want to be able to use it in traffic, could I realistically use the V8 in town?
I am torn between getting a V8 (in which case it would be a 4.5 of course) and fighting the bugger all the time, or getting the Straight 6 which I am told is fairly civilised. Can the V8 be mapped to be civilised in town?
Rich
Although I want to be able to use it in traffic, could I realistically use the V8 in town?
I am torn between getting a V8 (in which case it would be a 4.5 of course) and fighting the bugger all the time, or getting the Straight 6 which I am told is fairly civilised. Can the V8 be mapped to be civilised in town?
Rich
rickprice said:
Thanks folks, this is really helpful.
Although I want to be able to use it in traffic, could I realistically use the V8 in town?
I am torn between getting a V8 (in which case it would be a 4.5 of course) and fighting the bugger all the time, or getting the Straight 6 which I am told is fairly civilised. Can the V8 be mapped to be civilised in town?
Rich
Part Ex'd my 4.2 so am not biased - you would be foolish to pass on a mint 4.2 in the beleif that 'you need' a 4.5. On the road there would be very little difference between two standard cars...OK, maybe a bit if the 4.5 had been tuned (induction + Remap) but this would mainly show on the far side of 100!Although I want to be able to use it in traffic, could I realistically use the V8 in town?
I am torn between getting a V8 (in which case it would be a 4.5 of course) and fighting the bugger all the time, or getting the Straight 6 which I am told is fairly civilised. Can the V8 be mapped to be civilised in town?
Rich
I think you need to get out there and test drive some cars - you will be amazed at the difference between two apparently similar cars let alone different models!
Hope you get sorted as the Cerb is an amazing car.
Having gone from the 4.2 V8 to a speed six I'd say you'd be better off with a speed six personally. Not sure if the 4.0 S6 in the Cerb is ok on 95 Ron as is the 3.6 S6, but I've found the fuel consumption is pleasantly less than the 4.2, although I know I'm going to get a tirade of posts saying "we'll you shouldn't buy a TVR if you're worried about petrol" but think of the extra beers you could buy !. For me the 4.2 was great fun and a great sound though tiring on long drives.
In my 36 years of driving I've had the luck to drive quiet a few differnt types of vehicles and I am continually surprised by people on here who talk about 4 - 4.2 and 4.5 differences.
If you are lucky to find a good car I am sure it won't matter what its capacity. My '01 4.5 is a kitten to drive in town.
The extended travel of the throttle allows you complete control of its characteristics. If you push to the far end she'll transform into a tiger but you have SO MUCH information coming back from the car that you can Jekyl and Hide it all day long, everyday.
The only watchwords I can give are:
1) Several other contributors over the last five years have stated that the car is more reliable the more frequently it is used and I fully agree with that.
2) I would only recommend a Cerb if you have a garage in which you can park her. Inclement waether has a persistant habit of magnifying any littke niggles inyo persistant pains-in-the-bum.
There will always be owners who have had contradictory histories/stories so, as I say, that's just my experiences and knowledge.
As everyone has said, look at as many as possible. I presume you already go to Club meets so al you need to do is introduce yourself at other meets and the offers of try-outs will be longer than the throttle travel.
Good hunting
If you are lucky to find a good car I am sure it won't matter what its capacity. My '01 4.5 is a kitten to drive in town.
The extended travel of the throttle allows you complete control of its characteristics. If you push to the far end she'll transform into a tiger but you have SO MUCH information coming back from the car that you can Jekyl and Hide it all day long, everyday.
The only watchwords I can give are:
1) Several other contributors over the last five years have stated that the car is more reliable the more frequently it is used and I fully agree with that.
2) I would only recommend a Cerb if you have a garage in which you can park her. Inclement waether has a persistant habit of magnifying any littke niggles inyo persistant pains-in-the-bum.
There will always be owners who have had contradictory histories/stories so, as I say, that's just my experiences and knowledge.
As everyone has said, look at as many as possible. I presume you already go to Club meets so al you need to do is introduce yourself at other meets and the offers of try-outs will be longer than the throttle travel.
Good hunting
Hi Rich - you need to ask yourself what sort of driving you will mainly be doing in the car. I took your 4000 miles per year to indicate that it would be mainly used for pleasure, weekends, maybe other work when the weather is OK (e.g. some business trips / motorway miles etc).
If you are thinking of using it like that - then some town work / heavy traffic is OK, even in an AJP V8. I'd suggest getting the cooling chip mod that Joo installed on mine (fans kick in sooner and for shorter duration) and also if needed getting the balancing work done to make it smoother - but at the end of the day this isn't what it feels happiest doing - it really likes to be given it's head and more open and flowing roads where you can "make good progress". Bear in mind that it will do over 80mph in second gear, and over 110mph in 3rd....... (on a private road, track day or German autobahn etc etc).
The car will handle a commute - but TBH you really need to get the engine really warm before giving it the beans, this should take a min 5 - 10 miles, more in cold weather (as oil temp is more important than the water temp the guage reports) - therefore if your commute is a short one, then it's not ideal. However, there is plently of perceived wisdom that a TVR used regularly will fare better than one that is rarely used with low miles....
You also don't mention if this is your only car, or if you have the option of using another or even buying a "snotter" or "station car" - much better to have a £500 boring car for the sh!te winter weather, leaving in the station car park, using when the Cerb is (inevitably) in tge garage....
Also - if you limit the mileage some insurance policies are much cheaper - that saving alone could buy you your winter banger.....
Difference between V8 and S6 - look up all the other threads, however the main issues may be summarised as:
S6 engine - do your research and look up all the rebuild threads - ideally you want one with the work completed
Suspension - I think S6 had slightly softer suspension - however at this age most cars on original suspension will be needing or will benefit from new shocks - therefore new shocks would be due / desireable (I have ProTech on mine which I fitted)
Wheels - I think that the S6 originally came with 16" alloys, where the V8's generally tended to have 17" RT on earlier and 18" spiders on later (or 4.5?) - however lots of cars have been upgraded to 18" spiders or alternatives (e.g. SP12)
Therefore the main issue will be engine - I took a S6 for a test drive and found it made quite a linear power delivery, whereas the AJP V8 really starts to pick up at 4k then howls round to about 7k "rev beep" limiter with a huge top end rush.
Suggest that you try to take passenger rides with local owners, and also test drive a few first (try not to get "shiny car syndrome" and buy the first one, tho'!)
If you are thinking of using it like that - then some town work / heavy traffic is OK, even in an AJP V8. I'd suggest getting the cooling chip mod that Joo installed on mine (fans kick in sooner and for shorter duration) and also if needed getting the balancing work done to make it smoother - but at the end of the day this isn't what it feels happiest doing - it really likes to be given it's head and more open and flowing roads where you can "make good progress". Bear in mind that it will do over 80mph in second gear, and over 110mph in 3rd....... (on a private road, track day or German autobahn etc etc).
The car will handle a commute - but TBH you really need to get the engine really warm before giving it the beans, this should take a min 5 - 10 miles, more in cold weather (as oil temp is more important than the water temp the guage reports) - therefore if your commute is a short one, then it's not ideal. However, there is plently of perceived wisdom that a TVR used regularly will fare better than one that is rarely used with low miles....
You also don't mention if this is your only car, or if you have the option of using another or even buying a "snotter" or "station car" - much better to have a £500 boring car for the sh!te winter weather, leaving in the station car park, using when the Cerb is (inevitably) in tge garage....
Also - if you limit the mileage some insurance policies are much cheaper - that saving alone could buy you your winter banger.....
Difference between V8 and S6 - look up all the other threads, however the main issues may be summarised as:
S6 engine - do your research and look up all the rebuild threads - ideally you want one with the work completed
Suspension - I think S6 had slightly softer suspension - however at this age most cars on original suspension will be needing or will benefit from new shocks - therefore new shocks would be due / desireable (I have ProTech on mine which I fitted)
Wheels - I think that the S6 originally came with 16" alloys, where the V8's generally tended to have 17" RT on earlier and 18" spiders on later (or 4.5?) - however lots of cars have been upgraded to 18" spiders or alternatives (e.g. SP12)
Therefore the main issue will be engine - I took a S6 for a test drive and found it made quite a linear power delivery, whereas the AJP V8 really starts to pick up at 4k then howls round to about 7k "rev beep" limiter with a huge top end rush.
Suggest that you try to take passenger rides with local owners, and also test drive a few first (try not to get "shiny car syndrome" and buy the first one, tho'!)
Gassing Station | Cerbera | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff