TVR Cerbera
05 November 2002, 09:16 AM
#2
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You will need to budget at least £3k a year running costs to cover repairs etc etc, obviously it will drink like a bitch and insurance wont be cheap - but at the end of the day who cares!!!
As has been said a few times on here, if your in a position where you can have one, regardless of the time period you have it for - GET IT!!!!, Ive never driven one but Ive never heard a bad word about them, most owners Ive met just give a rye smile and that says it all!!
Tyre shredding masses of Bhp and quicker to 60 that most exotica with looks and that noise!!!!......oh yes!!
Get one, get one, get one, get one, get one.
As has been said a few times on here, if your in a position where you can have one, regardless of the time period you have it for - GET IT!!!!, Ive never driven one but Ive never heard a bad word about them, most owners Ive met just give a rye smile and that says it all!!
Tyre shredding masses of Bhp and quicker to 60 that most exotica with looks and that noise!!!!......oh yes!!
Get one, get one, get one, get one, get one.
05 November 2002, 10:33 AM
#3
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If it's your everyday car and you do anywhere near average miles i personally wouldn't get one. I had a griff 500 and it was a money magnet. I always wanted one and had it for about 8 months. It cost me a lot more than 3k in bills in that time.
I definately wouldn't get another unless it was a weekend toy. Every time I went out in it I was scared I wouldn't get home. Ended up not enjoying the experience.
Can give examples of problems I had if you want them
cheers
Paul
I definately wouldn't get another unless it was a weekend toy. Every time I went out in it I was scared I wouldn't get home. Ended up not enjoying the experience.
Can give examples of problems I had if you want them
cheers
Paul
05 November 2002, 11:31 AM
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Cerbera's do have the TVR engine, so may be more reliable (before I start )
Crank shaft siezed
Cam lobe fell off
engine cooling fans blew every few weeks.
I had 5 speedo's (then gave up)
body cracked around drivers door catch.
Didn't keep the car in a garage (renting a flat !) When it rained I had a stream running down the cable duct under the drivers seat flowing front to back.
Door release catches worked sometimes.
Also my dealer was a robbing c*ck who would sell his own grandmother
If I can think of more I'll post
cheers
Paul
)Crank shaft siezed
Cam lobe fell off
engine cooling fans blew every few weeks.
I had 5 speedo's (then gave up)
body cracked around drivers door catch.
Didn't keep the car in a garage (renting a flat !) When it rained I had a stream running down the cable duct under the drivers seat flowing front to back.
Door release catches worked sometimes.
Also my dealer was a robbing c*ck who would sell his own grandmother
If I can think of more I'll post
cheers
Paul
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05 November 2002, 12:06 PM
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You may say that, after waiting for 3 hours for the AA for the fifth time I bet you'd change your mind.
Unreliability is expected. i think my list is rather extreme. I went into ownership expecting some problems. I got more than I expected.
You wouldn't buy a top of the range TV that had that many problems. Why should we be expected to puit up with it from a car?
And they aren't "that" good anyway Tom.
Nice in a straight line in the dry. Try and do any speed round a bend in the wet
Unreliability is expected. i think my list is rather extreme. I went into ownership expecting some problems. I got more than I expected.
You wouldn't buy a top of the range TV that had that many problems. Why should we be expected to puit up with it from a car?
And they aren't "that" good anyway Tom.
Nice in a straight line in the dry. Try and do any speed round a bend in the wet
05 November 2002, 12:16 PM
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I know about waiting in TVRs, I spent 2 hours in Picadilly Circus outside in a broken down Grif 500, it had 800 miles on the clock and was 3 weeks old. Overheated in traffic as the fan just tried to cope but gave up, a funny smell of fish and lots of steam later and the car was stranded - Saturday afternoon, tourists taking picutres, not a good day.
The car belonged to my old boss who was heartbroken and sold it a month later when the same thing happend, he got fed up of not being able to trust the car, he was scared to take it out of Richmond!
And I have to say that that car (when it worked) was THAT good, the acceleration and overall feel of the car was awesome, simply breathtaking!, we went sideways a fair few times and the noise is just unbeatable! As far as car memories go that is right up there with the 355 I was a passenger in, but the Grif had the roof off! (which is also an unbeliveably hard job, the panel only fits in the boot with mm's to spare!!)
I hear that the newer Cerbera are much more relaible, infact isnt that the case with the newer TVRs full stop?, Ive heard that the Tuscans suffer with reliability problems??
One thing that is a bit off putting was the build quality, the dash could be pushed by hand an entire inch backwards into the car, and the swtichgear felt ill-fitted, all the big chunky TVR chrome bits were fine but normal switched and general build was poor, there were even slight inconsistancies inthe paint on this Grif, and it was brand new!
All in all I think you have to be a true fan to run one, I would but only as a weekend toy, I couldnt put up with the sly remarks from Transit drivers as they go past you - broken down again!
Oh, and also, the interior of the Cerbera is awesome!!!
The car belonged to my old boss who was heartbroken and sold it a month later when the same thing happend, he got fed up of not being able to trust the car, he was scared to take it out of Richmond!
And I have to say that that car (when it worked) was THAT good, the acceleration and overall feel of the car was awesome, simply breathtaking!, we went sideways a fair few times and the noise is just unbeatable! As far as car memories go that is right up there with the 355 I was a passenger in, but the Grif had the roof off! (which is also an unbeliveably hard job, the panel only fits in the boot with mm's to spare!!)
I hear that the newer Cerbera are much more relaible, infact isnt that the case with the newer TVRs full stop?, Ive heard that the Tuscans suffer with reliability problems??
One thing that is a bit off putting was the build quality, the dash could be pushed by hand an entire inch backwards into the car, and the swtichgear felt ill-fitted, all the big chunky TVR chrome bits were fine but normal switched and general build was poor, there were even slight inconsistancies inthe paint on this Grif, and it was brand new!
All in all I think you have to be a true fan to run one, I would but only as a weekend toy, I couldnt put up with the sly remarks from Transit drivers as they go past you - broken down again!
Oh, and also, the interior of the Cerbera is awesome!!!
05 November 2002, 12:55 PM
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I agree with what you say Tom, but you are (as you say) describing a weekend toy, and I am describing my everyday experiences.
I'm an iT consultant (not rich by any means), wasn't married and didn't have a mortgage and the amount of money i was piling into the car made me dislike it even more.
Beleive it or not you get used to the straight line performance.
My grin went some months into ownership and it then became a chore.
Swapped it for a scoob and I've never looked back.
I wanted one soooo much and I bought one. I've been there and done it.
Got it out of my system. if you feel like that then buy one.
Just sharing my experiences so that others may learn how much it *could* cost to run a tiv.
I'm an iT consultant (not rich by any means), wasn't married and didn't have a mortgage and the amount of money i was piling into the car made me dislike it even more.
Beleive it or not you get used to the straight line performance.
My grin went some months into ownership and it then became a chore.
Swapped it for a scoob and I've never looked back.
I wanted one soooo much and I bought one. I've been there and done it.
Got it out of my system. if you feel like that then buy one.
Just sharing my experiences so that others may learn how much it *could* cost to run a tiv.
05 November 2002, 01:06 PM
#14
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Markys,
Try www.pistonhead.co.uk, and go to Gassing, a forum covering lots of chat about cars and has a TVR section.
I'm on my 4th TVR now, but have never owned a Cerebera. List was S3, 350i, Chimaera and now Griffith, with over 70K miles between them all.
Remember that each model of TVR has its own problems, for instance the Rover/TVR Power V8 can suffer from heating issues, where as the new AJP engines normally do not. Regular tappet adjustment on the Cerebera is a must, on others model it is rare until later mileage ... and on and on
As for unreliable it is possible, but i've only broken down once in my many years. I have however suffered various problems enroute but the car always got me home. My advice is to learn about the car in detail before you buy then in deeprr detail if you own it..
They are truly an awesome machine..
J
Cerebera is a must
Try www.pistonhead.co.uk, and go to Gassing, a forum covering lots of chat about cars and has a TVR section.
I'm on my 4th TVR now, but have never owned a Cerebera. List was S3, 350i, Chimaera and now Griffith, with over 70K miles between them all.
Remember that each model of TVR has its own problems, for instance the Rover/TVR Power V8 can suffer from heating issues, where as the new AJP engines normally do not. Regular tappet adjustment on the Cerebera is a must, on others model it is rare until later mileage ... and on and on
As for unreliable it is possible, but i've only broken down once in my many years. I have however suffered various problems enroute but the car always got me home. My advice is to learn about the car in detail before you buy then in deeprr detail if you own it..
They are truly an awesome machine..
J
Cerebera is a must
05 November 2002, 01:27 PM
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As I understand it (for the Rover V8 engined ones) TVR did a direct transplant of the wiring loom from Rover and it couldn't cope with a highly tuned tuned engine and next to no 'stationary' ventilation. They ran a double fan unit on the rad but used the standard wiring (designed to run one) which kept on blowing the fan relay/fuse and associated bits and pieces. This was the main root of the reliability issues. If the loom is upgraded to a higher ampage and the wiring to the fans is split to run as 2 fans (so you have a back up should one fail) most of the problems go. Still doesn't solve the bad build quality, leaks etc etc.
The newer cerberas and tuscans are an improvement in quality but as for that V8 burble......
The newer cerberas and tuscans are an improvement in quality but as for that V8 burble......
05 November 2002, 01:39 PM
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I know what your saying Medders, and I certainly know what its like piling money into a car week after week!
As you say though, its something we all have to get out of our systems!, expensive or not!!
As you say though, its something we all have to get out of our systems!, expensive or not!!
05 November 2002, 03:34 PM
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my mate has a newish cerb, it takes him half an hour to lock and un-lock the damned thing.
We watch him from the pub waving his remote around like basil fawlty
We watch him from the pub waving his remote around like basil fawlty
05 November 2002, 05:47 PM
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In my experience with a 4.5 cerb (2yrs 30,000miles) It hasnt been that unreliable and isnt too expensive (for a supercar) to run. Keep your eyes open and you should be fine. Its all about finding a decent one and getting a decent dealer to service it. We use Joolz (www.joospeed.co.uk) I recommend him to all, he has saved us vast sums of money and made Cerbera ownership extremely enjoyable.
See POC's thread on what next for more info.
What would scooby do - tell your mate to change the battery in his keyfob, or get it looked at. Get him in touch with joolz if he wants work on his car carried out properly.
For those who havent had a cerbera and who have only heard rumours and thier mates owners tales please dont bad mouth them until you try them. If you have any questions dont hesitate to ask. I appretiate there are a fair few utter dogs out there, but not every car is like that - Tom sounds like hes had a bad one.
The cerb wont corner like a scooby, its a powerful light rear wheel drive car. But it is a wild ride and a helluvalot of fun trying to learn to corner on or near the limit. Scoobies are lovely cars, Im by no means suggesting the cerbera is a better car all round, they are two different cars, both an absolute hoot in thier own way. After all, I wouldnt be on scoobynet if I didnt have any interest in them :-)
Enjoy your cars people.
See POC's thread on what next for more info.
What would scooby do - tell your mate to change the battery in his keyfob, or get it looked at. Get him in touch with joolz if he wants work on his car carried out properly.
For those who havent had a cerbera and who have only heard rumours and thier mates owners tales please dont bad mouth them until you try them. If you have any questions dont hesitate to ask. I appretiate there are a fair few utter dogs out there, but not every car is like that - Tom sounds like hes had a bad one.
The cerb wont corner like a scooby, its a powerful light rear wheel drive car. But it is a wild ride and a helluvalot of fun trying to learn to corner on or near the limit. Scoobies are lovely cars, Im by no means suggesting the cerbera is a better car all round, they are two different cars, both an absolute hoot in thier own way. After all, I wouldnt be on scoobynet if I didnt have any interest in them :-)
Enjoy your cars people.
06 November 2002, 09:00 AM
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Great value at the moment especially since all that depriciation has been taken by someone else.........................
Cerebera's as low as £19K
Tuscans down to £25K
Best advice from above is to get a good car to start with then form a relationship with a garage that knows their cars. I use SHG, however many people have song the praises of Joospeed.....
The Griff I picked up is 1996 P, with 11K miles and is immaculate, plus some decent mods to bring it back to near supercar touching performance.
J
Cerebera's as low as £19K
Tuscans down to £25K
Best advice from above is to get a good car to start with then form a relationship with a garage that knows their cars. I use SHG, however many people have song the praises of Joospeed.....
The Griff I picked up is 1996 P, with 11K miles and is immaculate, plus some decent mods to bring it back to near supercar touching performance.
J
) for as low as £16k.
12 November 2002, 10:05 AM
#29
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Oh come, come! Surely over egging the truth somewhat!? Still got my Griff. Done 80k miles, driven *everywhere* one or two incidents-- worst being front calliper clamped shut but was able to drive another 70 miles back to dealer. Disk was glowing reddish white ... nothing too serious. Still, it is what it is-- a highly affordable bag of fun with no PS2 type electric controls to beat out all the raw driving pleasures ... engine note, sideways on out onto a dual carriage way, slipping out of third at 115 mph, etc.
13 November 2002, 02:16 PM
#30
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Actually, the basics of each car remain the same:
Loud
Fast
Scary
No help from electrics
Manic laughter inducing slides
3rd gear wheel spin.
The AJP8 isnt quite as reliable as the Griffiths rover engine, but there are a few with 80k+ on now. TVR's on the whole are alot more reliable than thier reputation leads you to believe. As for stretched valves etc - thats the Speed six - the engine thats bringing the resale and reputation of TVR's down. Avoid a Speed six and you should be fine.
Loud
Fast
Scary
No help from electrics
Manic laughter inducing slides
3rd gear wheel spin.
The AJP8 isnt quite as reliable as the Griffiths rover engine, but there are a few with 80k+ on now. TVR's on the whole are alot more reliable than thier reputation leads you to believe. As for stretched valves etc - thats the Speed six - the engine thats bringing the resale and reputation of TVR's down. Avoid a Speed six and you should be fine.