Why did You buy a Cerbera? And why do you still have it?
Discussion
I just thought it would be interesting (and also possibly very boring) to ask other owners their reasons for buying one.
Well for me it was the looks. They just looked wonderful, low and wide, mean and purposeful, outrageous but subtle, clean and uncluttered, menacing but beautiful. In all honesty I knew nothing about the AJP, in fact I assumed it was the same V8 that was fitted to the Chimaera and the Griff, and I remember my sense of disappointment when I went round to check out one on Autotrader, and the owner started it up, bloody hell it sounded like a bag of old spanners!
5 years on I still absolutely love the thing, even more than I did when I first got it. It isn't just the looks that make it special, it's the whole car. The only thing that has ever gone wrong is the clutch slave cylinder. It's been down to the South of France twice without anything going wrong, and I mean nothing going wrong, not even a blown light bulb. It's had a few little niggles, but nothing that has taken it off the road, and nothing that has cost more than a few pennies to fix. The engine is wonderful, I now love the unique sound it makes, especially the bang and pops on the overrun, and the sound it barks out when you press that deceptively long travel accelerator, and find yourself doing obscene speeds before you know what's happening. It is amazingly fast, has a wonderful interior, it's supremely comfortable on long distances, horrible to drive on a cold wet day in november when stuck in a traffic jam, but come a nice sunny day and a dry road it's one of the most enjoyable, fast and exciting cars I've ever driven. Every single drive is an occasion, it's a car that never fails to put a huge smile on my face, but very, very occasionally makes me hate and curse it.
Another big plus about Cerbera ownership is that I've also learnt more about car mechanics in 5 years of Cerbera ownership than I ever had before. Not because major things go wrong, but because there always seems to be something that you want to do to improve it, or to fix an annoying little niggle. It's an easy car to work on, everything is fixable, parts are cheap and readily available, and this Forum has to be the most informed, helpful and invaluable source of information there is.
What a wonderful Car.
Well for me it was the looks. They just looked wonderful, low and wide, mean and purposeful, outrageous but subtle, clean and uncluttered, menacing but beautiful. In all honesty I knew nothing about the AJP, in fact I assumed it was the same V8 that was fitted to the Chimaera and the Griff, and I remember my sense of disappointment when I went round to check out one on Autotrader, and the owner started it up, bloody hell it sounded like a bag of old spanners!
5 years on I still absolutely love the thing, even more than I did when I first got it. It isn't just the looks that make it special, it's the whole car. The only thing that has ever gone wrong is the clutch slave cylinder. It's been down to the South of France twice without anything going wrong, and I mean nothing going wrong, not even a blown light bulb. It's had a few little niggles, but nothing that has taken it off the road, and nothing that has cost more than a few pennies to fix. The engine is wonderful, I now love the unique sound it makes, especially the bang and pops on the overrun, and the sound it barks out when you press that deceptively long travel accelerator, and find yourself doing obscene speeds before you know what's happening. It is amazingly fast, has a wonderful interior, it's supremely comfortable on long distances, horrible to drive on a cold wet day in november when stuck in a traffic jam, but come a nice sunny day and a dry road it's one of the most enjoyable, fast and exciting cars I've ever driven. Every single drive is an occasion, it's a car that never fails to put a huge smile on my face, but very, very occasionally makes me hate and curse it.
Another big plus about Cerbera ownership is that I've also learnt more about car mechanics in 5 years of Cerbera ownership than I ever had before. Not because major things go wrong, but because there always seems to be something that you want to do to improve it, or to fix an annoying little niggle. It's an easy car to work on, everything is fixable, parts are cheap and readily available, and this Forum has to be the most informed, helpful and invaluable source of information there is.
What a wonderful Car.
Hi Chaps,
Same as you Jens, I didn’t have a clue what it was when I saw it, just knew it would be mine.
That was the first one.
Second one, was because I was such a dork in losing the first.
I don’t have the second now as I succumbed to circumstance and bought the Maserati, which may well lead to my third Cerb as it was the Maser Xmas do this weekend just gone, and after a few shandys I was asked how much I loved the Maser… er…
It’s, er, a nice car, not quite a TVR though, kind’a does what is says on the tin in a (watching strained expressions) really good way…yes…er… quite good in fact, mmm, nice – ever driven a Cerb? Shame.
Not sure I’ll be invited back to the Maser fan boy club again.
Time for Cerb #3?
Missing you all,
Donny
Same as you Jens, I didn’t have a clue what it was when I saw it, just knew it would be mine.
That was the first one.
Second one, was because I was such a dork in losing the first.
I don’t have the second now as I succumbed to circumstance and bought the Maserati, which may well lead to my third Cerb as it was the Maser Xmas do this weekend just gone, and after a few shandys I was asked how much I loved the Maser… er…
It’s, er, a nice car, not quite a TVR though, kind’a does what is says on the tin in a (watching strained expressions) really good way…yes…er… quite good in fact, mmm, nice – ever driven a Cerb? Shame.
Not sure I’ll be invited back to the Maser fan boy club again.
Time for Cerb #3?
Missing you all,
Donny
For me it was mostly the AJP, a low volume, British made engine with motorsport roots and an unusual (75 degree) configuration. Combined with the biblical performance and the fact that the car had (has) a reputation as being a bit of an animal and The Daddy amongst TVRs I had to have one. The looks were also influential, as much the interior as the exterior, plus the fact that they are straightforward and relatively simple to maintain.
Before the Cerb I changed my cars regularly, getting bored or just finding another itch I wanted to scratch. I resisted the Cerb itch for quite some time before succumbing and now, two years later, have no reason or desire to move on. In fact I'm more smitten that ever.
Before the Cerb I changed my cars regularly, getting bored or just finding another itch I wanted to scratch. I resisted the Cerb itch for quite some time before succumbing and now, two years later, have no reason or desire to move on. In fact I'm more smitten that ever.
Back when I had a Griff in the late nineties the dealership had an open day, really plugging the Cerbera, both the speed six and V8. I took both for a test drive with no intention to buy as it was too much and I'd just got the Griff. Well the Speed six was bloody great to drive and the interior, awesome with my future wife in the dickie seat and the sales guy in the passenger, it was mad and bad. But then I drove the V8! Immediately thought I will have one of these one day. Later Fernhurst lent me one while my griff was being serviced. I picked up my future wife from the station and she was gobsmacked (it was a yellow one folks) That day I asked her to marry me and secretly promised myself a Cerbera. 10 years later the itch became intolerable (no not the wife) and today after 4 years of delighted ownership I just wish it never rained and the council stopped salting the roads. Awesome car!
I bought my first one because the Griff only had two seats and I needed something a family car. I bought the current one because I was bored with my oil burning 3 series..
I'm torn at the moment, it is not the right car for me now and much as though it is wonderful/brilliant/amazing and all those other things I find my self constantly looking for something else..
Possibly not what you want to hear but hey ho
I'm torn at the moment, it is not the right car for me now and much as though it is wonderful/brilliant/amazing and all those other things I find my self constantly looking for something else..
Possibly not what you want to hear but hey ho
I still remember the day I first saw one, a friends neighbour had just got home from collecting his from the factory as I pulled up out side, that was 1998 and a 4.5.
Had a chat and a ride and was blown away with the performance, (I had just sold my 400SE as daughter number 1 was about to arrive and she who was bumpy at the time felt that a Range Rover would be more suitable for child and dog) I couldn't believe the difference, the noise the interior and the styling from out side, every thing aboit it, I was smitten.
Any way the bump is now 12 and her sister is nearly 10 and on my drive is a 98 4.5 Cerb and a Range Rover. Given the choice I take the Cerb out every time, I am still smitten and can not think of a car I want more than my Cerb.
I will spend money on making it as good as it can be while keeping her mainly original so the AJP stays but may get tweeked, the old style lights stay but get upgraded to HID so I can see at night and so on.
God I love my car!!!
Had a chat and a ride and was blown away with the performance, (I had just sold my 400SE as daughter number 1 was about to arrive and she who was bumpy at the time felt that a Range Rover would be more suitable for child and dog) I couldn't believe the difference, the noise the interior and the styling from out side, every thing aboit it, I was smitten.
Any way the bump is now 12 and her sister is nearly 10 and on my drive is a 98 4.5 Cerb and a Range Rover. Given the choice I take the Cerb out every time, I am still smitten and can not think of a car I want more than my Cerb.
I will spend money on making it as good as it can be while keeping her mainly original so the AJP stays but may get tweeked, the old style lights stay but get upgraded to HID so I can see at night and so on.
God I love my car!!!
1) Probably the closest thing I can imagine I will get to owning a supercar (for a long time to come at least due to getting married next year)
2) Probably one of the only cars for the money that nothing else on the road will touch in a straight line and looks the part as well. Unlike something like a Skyline, for example, which you can tune but will always have one of the most mundane interiors and uninspiring exteriors.
I've always wanted something a little special and ended up with something a lot special! I could talk about the Cerb all day long and not run out of things to say about it! It is genuinely like an animal and part of the family. To the point where you know what the drive is going to be like from the way it 'wakes up'. It'll either grumble lazily into life, or bark in protest that you had the audacity to press the starter button, as well as the times it'll start up with a burst of revs full of excitement for the drive ahead!
What a car.
Edit: just re-read that first line, and wanted to correct it to say the Cerbera IS a supercar! And I meant its probably the only time I will get for a long time to own one.
2) Probably one of the only cars for the money that nothing else on the road will touch in a straight line and looks the part as well. Unlike something like a Skyline, for example, which you can tune but will always have one of the most mundane interiors and uninspiring exteriors.
I've always wanted something a little special and ended up with something a lot special! I could talk about the Cerb all day long and not run out of things to say about it! It is genuinely like an animal and part of the family. To the point where you know what the drive is going to be like from the way it 'wakes up'. It'll either grumble lazily into life, or bark in protest that you had the audacity to press the starter button, as well as the times it'll start up with a burst of revs full of excitement for the drive ahead!
What a car.
Edit: just re-read that first line, and wanted to correct it to say the Cerbera IS a supercar! And I meant its probably the only time I will get for a long time to own one.
Edited by tejr on Tuesday 14th December 19:22
I was a cerb follower from the time they first went on sale, knew all about the engine/model variants, could nerdily identify each from a distance, read all the reviews and used it as a performance benchmark and something to aspire to. After more than a decade of this the time to buy was approaching and I'd been following the classifieds for a couple of years, so imagine my chagrin when my next door neighbour but one bought a 98 4.5, Rosso with RLs. The bar steward. Now he would think I was copying him, I thought. Luckily he moved away . Anyway once the mortgage was in remission and my existing car started having problems I started drip feeding the idea to the Mrs. The back seats helped with the WAF. Test drove an early car, loved the letterbox windscreen, sound and experience. Wasn't overly impressed with the performance, coming from turbos as I did, I kept waiting for something to kick in - and I buzzed it in 2nd gear. Maybe I forgot to dislocate my hip to use all the travel of the throttle pedal. Still, I was going to have one come what may, it didn't put me off. I knew it was a ten year old design and many a classic Ferrari would feel slow by modern standards, but that means nothing to a rose-tinted-Ray-Ban-wearing enthusiast. 
My reasons for buying were inter-related: I had always wanted one, coveted the performance, looks, what the car stood for as a low-volume giant-killing sportscar, rarity, the sound it made (the AJP sounds as good as anything at full chat). Can't imagine selling it, it's a 'til death do us part relationship - either I write it off or vice versa. Maybe in my dotage I'll be tempted by an Aston, when my reflexes can be measured with a calendar and arthritis dictates a touchtronic, dribble-controlled transmission. But not before
. Anyway once the mortgage was in remission and my existing car started having problems I started drip feeding the idea to the Mrs. The back seats helped with the WAF. Test drove an early car, loved the letterbox windscreen, sound and experience. Wasn't overly impressed with the performance, coming from turbos as I did, I kept waiting for something to kick in - and I buzzed it in 2nd gear. Maybe I forgot to dislocate my hip to use all the travel of the throttle pedal. Still, I was going to have one come what may, it didn't put me off. I knew it was a ten year old design and many a classic Ferrari would feel slow by modern standards, but that means nothing to a rose-tinted-Ray-Ban-wearing enthusiast. My reasons for buying were inter-related: I had always wanted one, coveted the performance, looks, what the car stood for as a low-volume giant-killing sportscar, rarity, the sound it made (the AJP sounds as good as anything at full chat). Can't imagine selling it, it's a 'til death do us part relationship - either I write it off or vice versa. Maybe in my dotage I'll be tempted by an Aston, when my reflexes can be measured with a calendar and arthritis dictates a touchtronic, dribble-controlled transmission. But not before
Edited by FarmyardPants on Tuesday 14th December 14:13
I bought Donnys back in the summer.
Ive always loved cerbs but never really been able to afford one.
I was looking for an early Camaro or Mustang (much to my wifes dismay, far too redneck for her),when i looked at the classifieds. Blimey, they were affordable !
Never buy the first one you see they say. But Donnys was such an up together sorted car in a nice colour that i did.
Probably done a couple thousand miles with not so much as a lightbulb (apart from getting the front resprayed and the wheels done a different colour, coz im a tart)!
Cant wait to get out in it in the spring
ps, Yeah, come back Donny
Ive always loved cerbs but never really been able to afford one.
I was looking for an early Camaro or Mustang (much to my wifes dismay, far too redneck for her),when i looked at the classifieds. Blimey, they were affordable !
Never buy the first one you see they say. But Donnys was such an up together sorted car in a nice colour that i did.
Probably done a couple thousand miles with not so much as a lightbulb (apart from getting the front resprayed and the wheels done a different colour, coz im a tart)!
Cant wait to get out in it in the spring
ps, Yeah, come back Donny
Edited by steviejasp on Tuesday 14th December 14:30
I was a young lad with aspirations of becoming a car designer when I first struck eyes on a Cerbera, it was at the British Motorshow at the NEC and I had fought my way through the madding crowd to reach the TVR stand. I remember the moment I sat in the drivers seat and was presented with what I've always considered to be one of the most ergonomically successful dial layouts ever designed. That was it, at that precise moment I said to myself as a 16 year old that I would one day have a Cerbera.
The Cerbera, for me was, and is the ultimate TVR. It's more refined as a design and a step on from the Griffith and Chimera, It's got character and style but without the laryness of later models, it is motoring theatre! It's not perfect and it never will be, but that's part of the experience. People will always tell me that it will break down, but that doesn't matter because if it does I can at least have a damn good go at getting it running again myself.
Two and a half weeks in to owning one and I love it more than ever. I may have reached my ambition of having my own car, but the adventure has just begun. Here's to the future.
Braaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaap, pop, pop, bang, braaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaap!
The Cerbera, for me was, and is the ultimate TVR. It's more refined as a design and a step on from the Griffith and Chimera, It's got character and style but without the laryness of later models, it is motoring theatre! It's not perfect and it never will be, but that's part of the experience. People will always tell me that it will break down, but that doesn't matter because if it does I can at least have a damn good go at getting it running again myself.
Two and a half weeks in to owning one and I love it more than ever. I may have reached my ambition of having my own car, but the adventure has just begun. Here's to the future.
Braaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaap, pop, pop, bang, braaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaap!
What to go for after I have finally run out of interest for Caterhams?
It has to be violently fast but with my young family, able to occasionally take the little ones too. I'm bored with open top motoring and if Caterham did a coupe, I might have elected for one. But any real car has a V8. Thing is, most V8s are a triumph of noise over ability. The AJP isn't though. And once you hear one you realise its hardcore growl beats the woofly sound of a crossplane V8 into a cocked hat.
I had a Cerbera and didn't use because of work, however I miss having one in the garage, so in the new year I will buy another.
It has to be violently fast but with my young family, able to occasionally take the little ones too. I'm bored with open top motoring and if Caterham did a coupe, I might have elected for one. But any real car has a V8. Thing is, most V8s are a triumph of noise over ability. The AJP isn't though. And once you hear one you realise its hardcore growl beats the woofly sound of a crossplane V8 into a cocked hat.
I had a Cerbera and didn't use because of work, however I miss having one in the garage, so in the new year I will buy another.
Great thread.
My first (
) cerb used to belong to a couple of people on here who, like me, probably really wish they had never sold it!
I have always been into cars growing up, i always looked up to my older brother with his mk2 escorts and the like. I then got a Playstation one and was introduced to TVR' on Gran Turismo
It wasnt until then to be honest that i really knew what they were. i remember seeing a few afterwards in the flesh and thinking oh yes 'it shall be mine'
As i got older, got a better job and the means to purchase a 'real' car there was no other option, my only choice was Cerb or Tuscan.....i picked the fastest one and never looked back..... Until SWMBO decided we were having more children and would be better off buying a bigger house....what are they like. Off went the cerb to help fund a deposit and cue a very grumpy me for a year or so. The time was filled in with the building of a track car, but thats another story.
Fast forward to now, It wasnt that i felt we were more financially stable/settled it was more....Im nearly 30 now and i bloody want another one! So, I decide its time to buy something to fill that gap in our empty looking double garage, this time there was no choice, my second 4.5 V8 beast.....Gotta love em
Big plans that will take a loooooong time with this one.
It was ticking over in the garage the other day and the wife comes through and says 'God i remember that smell' and smiles......dont we all!
My first (
) cerb used to belong to a couple of people on here who, like me, probably really wish they had never sold it!I have always been into cars growing up, i always looked up to my older brother with his mk2 escorts and the like. I then got a Playstation one and was introduced to TVR' on Gran Turismo
It wasnt until then to be honest that i really knew what they were. i remember seeing a few afterwards in the flesh and thinking oh yes 'it shall be mine'As i got older, got a better job and the means to purchase a 'real' car there was no other option, my only choice was Cerb or Tuscan.....i picked the fastest one and never looked back..... Until SWMBO decided we were having more children and would be better off buying a bigger house....what are they like. Off went the cerb to help fund a deposit and cue a very grumpy me for a year or so. The time was filled in with the building of a track car, but thats another story.
Fast forward to now, It wasnt that i felt we were more financially stable/settled it was more....Im nearly 30 now and i bloody want another one! So, I decide its time to buy something to fill that gap in our empty looking double garage, this time there was no choice, my second 4.5 V8 beast.....Gotta love em
Big plans that will take a loooooong time with this one.
It was ticking over in the garage the other day and the wife comes through and says 'God i remember that smell' and smiles......dont we all!
well i always fancied a tvr and nevr really thought i would end up with one but in the last month i put my escort cosworth up for sale and boby bingo i px my car for a cerb only thing is i have only used it once and it was amazzzzzzin cant wait til better weather and give it the beanz and give it a full detailed clean poss powder coating along with carbon goodies.
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