Classic and Sportscar
Discussion
This month it features a writeup of the Cerbera as an "affordable" classic, with prices starting at early 20Ks and reasonable running costs (yeah, right).
After not buying this mag for years, I bought this edition for this article alone, and was rather disappointed. It's fairly short, the author clearly knows very little and there are factual errors.
In short, it's pants.
After not buying this mag for years, I bought this edition for this article alone, and was rather disappointed. It's fairly short, the author clearly knows very little and there are factual errors.
In short, it's pants.
Thanks for the heads up, although it sounds disappointing. 
I have about 20 original magazine with first reviews of the Cerbera in them and many have some
classic quotes in them, here's just one.
"Factory fresh on the morning of our test, the TVR (4.5) stormed down from Blackpool to kick
sand in the faces of the other three cars in the test" (Vantage, Viper, AC Cobra)
"Then, after a quick trackside session on the bullworker, it blew them into the kitty litter on
handling too"
I have about 20 original magazine with first reviews of the Cerbera in them and many have some
classic quotes in them, here's just one.
"Factory fresh on the morning of our test, the TVR (4.5) stormed down from Blackpool to kick
sand in the faces of the other three cars in the test" (Vantage, Viper, AC Cobra)
"Then, after a quick trackside session on the bullworker, it blew them into the kitty litter on
handling too"
Yep, what a load of rubbish! I've been a C&SC subscriber for years (even sold a car to one of the editorial team once - white 2002tii), so I too was looking forward to this.
Well, it just goes to show what tosh gets written by so-called "experts". First off, their contention is that the Speed Six Cerbera is definitely the pick of the bunch (questionable, yet arguable if a GT is what you're after), and then proceed NOT to mention once the significant issues with the early S6 engines (even though they contend that the fact that the "bulk of Cerberas built in 1999/2000 came with the S6 engine" is in some way a good thing).
Even the guy from David Gerald fails to mention it, talking instead about electrical niggles being the major reliability concern. The two owners (one of whom has a V8) also make little or no reference to the cost of running one of these cars.
Now I'm not one of these AJP owners who habitually knocks the S6 engine (even though my brother's 2003 T350c blew up catastrophically at Croft yesterday!!), but I do think that some acknowledgement of the issues, if only to make the point that most if not all will have been successfully rebuilt/upgraded by now, would do more good than harm.
It's the first time in years that I'm seriously tempted to drop them a line (bet I don't get the bottle of Veuve for letter of the week, mind!)
The worry is that articles like this encourage non-TVR folk to buy in to the marque under slightly false pretences, they then get hacked off when the cars cost them money, and the whole TVR-knocking cycle starts all over again.
Oh, well, time to head back in to the garage to see if I can persuade a new battery to fit....
Cheers
Sean
Well, it just goes to show what tosh gets written by so-called "experts". First off, their contention is that the Speed Six Cerbera is definitely the pick of the bunch (questionable, yet arguable if a GT is what you're after), and then proceed NOT to mention once the significant issues with the early S6 engines (even though they contend that the fact that the "bulk of Cerberas built in 1999/2000 came with the S6 engine" is in some way a good thing).
Even the guy from David Gerald fails to mention it, talking instead about electrical niggles being the major reliability concern. The two owners (one of whom has a V8) also make little or no reference to the cost of running one of these cars.
Now I'm not one of these AJP owners who habitually knocks the S6 engine (even though my brother's 2003 T350c blew up catastrophically at Croft yesterday!!), but I do think that some acknowledgement of the issues, if only to make the point that most if not all will have been successfully rebuilt/upgraded by now, would do more good than harm.
It's the first time in years that I'm seriously tempted to drop them a line (bet I don't get the bottle of Veuve for letter of the week, mind!)
The worry is that articles like this encourage non-TVR folk to buy in to the marque under slightly false pretences, they then get hacked off when the cars cost them money, and the whole TVR-knocking cycle starts all over again.
Oh, well, time to head back in to the garage to see if I can persuade a new battery to fit....
Cheers
Sean
I always think it's a shame that magazines don't do their research propery, the real truth is quite different as we all know .. and it's pretty much down to luck and good iwnership routine than saying any one model is better than another .. there's great cars and pants cars in all the TVR model line up, depends on so many factors.
On a pesonal note I think it's appaulling that the country's foremost cerbie expert (IMO!!) wasn't even contacted
On a pesonal note I think it's appaulling that the country's foremost cerbie expert (IMO!!) wasn't even contacted
I've had this argument with many magazine editors that do buying guides on TVRS.
The process is that it is usually a freelance that does it who then looks at some previous material that mentions TVR and then talks to someone who is either the nearest or closest to a good pub. They then put some stuff together but don't know enough to realise that are writing less than accurate material but it looks good and supports the general stereotypical thoughts of TVRs etc so it must be right. There is no or little fact checking done which also causes problems. When I have pointed out the errors, nothing has been done.
The process is that it is usually a freelance that does it who then looks at some previous material that mentions TVR and then talks to someone who is either the nearest or closest to a good pub. They then put some stuff together but don't know enough to realise that are writing less than accurate material but it looks good and supports the general stereotypical thoughts of TVRs etc so it must be right. There is no or little fact checking done which also causes problems. When I have pointed out the errors, nothing has been done.
If the mag writes a good article they are not pointing out the faults.If they write an article containing warts and all they are slagging the cars off.They can't win can they?
Personally I have never taken much notice of magazine's opinions on cars and prefer to make my own judgements.
Personally I have never taken much notice of magazine's opinions on cars and prefer to make my own judgements.
If the research is done correctly and the journalist is any good, it is possible to write a good article that stills puts the gotchas into perspective while still celebrating all that is good and why the overall experience is so much fun. It's the old glass half full or half empty syndrome.
Well I've just read the article and didn't really think it was that bad. Yes is doesn't mention nitty grittys and the allusion to low running costs is obviously a bit off. The fact that Cerbera's don't seem to exist before '99 also seems slightly askew.
However, I felt the article captured what the Cerbera is about. Practicality with free revving, licence losing, value per bhp fun!
As well all know it's a heart purchase not a head one and I thought the article was fairly emotive.
However, I felt the article captured what the Cerbera is about. Practicality with free revving, licence losing, value per bhp fun!
As well all know it's a heart purchase not a head one and I thought the article was fairly emotive.
GCerbera said:
my brother's 2003 T350c blew up catastrophically at Croft yesterday!!
Sean
Ouch, What happened Sean?
Well he's about as mechanically minded as I am, so tells me he was on about his eigth run of the day when water/steam started spewing out over the windscreen at the hairpin. He coasted in to the pits, and it appears the head gasket blew, and the head might be goosed too. Tony from HHC has taken it back to Hexham for investigation. Doesn't look good for Le Mans in 10 weeks time though!
cheers
sean
beemer said:
Well he's about as mechanically minded as I am, so tells me he was on about his eigth run of the day when water/steam started spewing out over the windscreen at the hairpin. He coasted in to the pits, and it appears the head gasket blew, and the head might be goosed too. Tony from HHC has taken it back to Hexham for investigation. Doesn't look good for Le Mans in 10 weeks time though!
cheers
sean
10 Weeks is that all? Happy Days
beemer said:Sorry to hear that. I assume it didn't have many miles on it?
Well he's about as mechanically minded as I am, so tells me he was on about his eigth run of the day when water/steam started spewing out over the windscreen at the hairpin. He coasted in to the pits, and it appears the head gasket blew, and the head might be goosed too. Tony from HHC has taken it back to Hexham for investigation. Doesn't look good for Le Mans in 10 weeks time though!
cheers
sean
Looks like you may have another passenger for Le Mans!
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