Will I be dissapointed ?

[Jimmyarm]

So, I turn 30 in a couple of weeks and I feel the time has come when I feel properly a 'man' and a TVR needs to be in my life.

Be it 6 months or 6 years I want one. The noise, the smell, the badly fitting panels, the breakdowns (I'm a mechanic!) etc etc, however, I have never driven one.

My budget is Cerb/Chim area but I am a little aprehensive.

Fortunately my father has a bit of wedge (not that one) and I've been lucky enough to float around in his DB7 Vantage and XKR. Both are pretty serious pieces of kit with 420 ponies a piece roughly.

They are quick, nice and quick, I run out of skill far before they run out of puff !

The question is, will a Cerb/Chim be as fast as either of these two ?

I appreciate there will be a considerable amount of difference between handling/driving style etc but straight line day to day overtaking/slip road fun will it be as good as these or better ?

Convince me !

ETA: If anyone has a Chimaera or Cerbera in or near Winchester and wants to take me out I would be most grateful

[P400PLS]

That was spooky, I was about to say you really need some kind people to take you out for a drive,

logged in and the exact sentiment appeared on the end of your post !

You need to sit in the cars, feel the way they drive and whether that suits you.
Probably never going to be as refined as the cars you have mentioned but that's not why we own and drive them.

[Jimmyarm]

It's a bit of a childhood dream to own one of these and I never thought I would get to drive the Jag or the Aston but luckily enough I have.

3rd Gear overtaking in both is far too much fun

I guess I am a bit worried about 'meeting my hero'.

Refinement is not something I worry about, I have a R reg Fiesta with one Pirelli that cost me £200 as my daily runabout

[Zippee]

A 400 Chim would be about the same as the vantage, friend of mine had an anniversary model DB7 Vantage and it was a lovely car, but not a sports car. A cerb or 450/500 Chim would leave it for dead.
You don't say what model XKR your dad has but if the older one then the answer above applies. If the new one then a Cerb & 500 Chim would still say goodbye.

[Jimmyarm]

Zippee said:

A 400 Chim would be about the same as the vantage, friend of mine had an anniversary model DB7 Vantage and it was a lovely car, but not a sports car. A cerb or 450/500 Chim would leave it for dead.
You don't say what model XKR your dad has but if the older one then the answer above applies. If the new one then a Cerb & 500 Chim would still say goodbye.

It's a 2004 model XKR with a Mclaren sports exhaust

These two cars are kind of my mileposts as they are the 'fastest' things I have driven so far.

For what its worth, I would take the DB7 all day long. The XKR is the thinking mans choice but when you are on the loud pedal and going for it the Aston is astounding.

[.Mark]

Jimmyarm said:

ETA: If anyone has a Chimaera or Cerbera in or near Winchester and wants to take me out I would be most grateful

I've got a 4.0 Chimaera and a 4.5 Cerbera, if we can arrange a time convenient I'd gladly give you a back to back demo.

[RichB]

Depends what you are looking for but in terms of performance a Cerbera will impress beyeond both the Jag and the Aston. You mention badly fitting panels but I must confess I've not noticed that with my Griff and no Ford parts bin switch gear or fittings either. They are however totally different to the big GT/coupes, probably approaching half the weight and you'll notice that. Floor the loud pedal and they'll take off but because they are light the back will slide more easily. Some see that as bad handling but to be honest it's to be expected. Just go and drive one at a dealer and you'll soon find out if you like it.

Edited by RichB on Thursday 9th June 21:57

[DWix]

a few months ago I had a day playing with an E type, Scooby and Jag XK Black. Basically even my girly speed 6 cerb left the Jag wanting, and it wasn't even close

[RichB]

I think the fact is that people simply look at bhp figures and forget how light TVRs actually are, basically they weigh about a ton and most cars these days are at least a ton and a half.

[anonymous-user]

A well sorted Cerb will sort out an XKR, even a 510 BHP 2011 one, let alone a 2004 model with the old 4.4.

[andydw]

Unti a few weeks ago I was planning on buying an XKR. Always wanted a Jag since I was a boy, and one day I will probably get one, unless I jump straight to an Aston. But then I realised that the car I had wanted to own since my Chim was sold - a Cerbera - was ridiculously affordable, there was no debate. Once you've driven a TVR - any TVR - then nothing comes close. They are not refined, they rattle and they squeak and they are unforgiving if you get it wrong. They are also intoxicating, rewarding and exilherating in a way no Jag or Aston will ever be. When I'm old enough (I'm 48) I'll buy a Jag or Aston. Until then I'll have a Cerb.

TVR ownership is a totally different thing to Jag or Aston ownership.TVR drivers tend to be enthusiasts - they are fans of the marque and forgive the many foibles. Once you have owned one, you'll know why.

[Biggles101]

I had a Jag (kept it for 3 mths - didn't like it!) and 2 Range Rovers all of which beat my Griff hands down on comfort, luxury and "switch the brain off" relaxing driving. The Griff and all other TVR's I been in are sensory overload drives. I'm buzzing, enjoying the experience , grinning from ear to ear and can never see myself ever selling unless it's for another TVR! Drive them all, then decide, it's a very personal thing. The sound alone will sell it to you.
the point and squirt will blow you mind.

[RichB]

Biggles101 said:

... The Griff and all other TVR's I been in are sensory overload drives. I'm buzzing, enjoying the experience , grinning from ear to ear and can never see myself ever selling unless it's for another TVR! Drive them all, then decide, it's a very personal thing. The sound alone will sell it to you.
the point and squirt will blow you mind.

That's true. Three years ago I bought a classic Aston and rightly so I have been driving that a lot on tours and AMOC events. As a result I only did a few hundred miles in my Griff last year, there are only so many weekends and holidays. This spring I vowed to use the TVR more and it's exactly as you say, whenever I drive it wind up grining from ear to ear, I had a blast down to Goodwood on Sunday and it highlighted now much I love my Griff.

[P400PLS]

andydw said:

Once you've driven a TVR - any TVR - then nothing comes close. They are not refined, they rattle and they squeak and they are unforgiving if you get it wrong. They are also intoxicating, rewarding and exilherating........... Once you have owned one, you'll know why.

This man speaks a lot of sense. ( Apologies for selective quoting.)

[Bob the Planner]

.Mark said:

I've got a 4.0 Chimaera and a 4.5 Cerbera, if we can arrange a time convenient I'd gladly give you a back to back demo.

You are such a tart Mark - Get the man in the Cerb and unless he wants topless there is no contest. I'm still trying to find a way to get Chim into Aus !

Is there a S6 option (T car) that a someone could supply too ?

[domV8]

.Mark said:

I've got a 4.0 Chimaera and a 4.5 Cerbera, if we can arrange a time convenient I'd gladly give you a back to back demo.

I'm Bournemouth-based, with a modified 4.5 Chimaera.

Be pleased to sort something out if Mark can't - or if you wanted to test the 2 side-by-side...

Dom

[nrick]

With that money, you can't count out the FANTASTIC Tuscan - Waits for abuse-.......

[.Mark]

Bob the Planner said:

You are such a tart Mark

You know me so well mate

[RichB]

nrick said:

With that money, you can't count out the FANTASTIC Tuscan - Waits for abuse-.......

If the OP likes his dad's Jags and DB7s then a Cerbera is closer in feel with 2 occasional seats in the back.

[Zippee]

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