TVR - Am I insane?

[RhysH]

Hi All;


Firstly I want your help to identify if im insane or not.... Always a petrol head and over the last year I was lucky enough to be able to afford a "toy" car something I had not done since I was a mere single man with no family/wife commitments.....

Now I have a young family near 2 year old, a 5 year old along with accompanying wife who does not share passion for all things motorised lol (though does appreciate a nice car now).

I firstly thought 991 Carrera S but in my budget 27ish k. the ones were not really floating my boat. Then I thought M3 last of the V8 as (I was always a ford RS man owned many back years ago) I always want a M car and a V8 so two boxes ticked. I finally found a VERY good condition V8 competition pack are with sub 17k miles. I had to travel 300 miles to get it, but thats part of the fun right?

Now thats were the story should end!! However I love the M3 its a great car and I can get kids in the back for the massive 1 k miles I manage to do this year in it! However I have a nagging feeling after bored in the evening browsing the classifieds as we all do, wondering what if I part with the M3 and get a Cerbera V8! Something always loved especially from years ago when watching the Clarkson video when it first came out. Am I insane to even think about it? Especially as I have kids and supposed to be able to put them in it for odd occasion. but there is something about a British sports car with a V8...... Hmmm

What are your thoughts? Should I forget it as they will be unreliable money pits that are poorly built and forget about it? Or go and at least look at one?

[glow worm]

I hope you don't expect a sensible answer here , because we are all a little crazy that's why we own TVRs .. sometimes more than one .
Of course buy one .

[colin mee]

It doesn't sound like the M3 is being used that much as a family fun car anyway.life is to short to spend it saying "I wish I had"try the tvr if you don't like it sell it on.colin

[TJC46]

RhysH said:

Hi All;


Firstly I want your help to identify if i am insane or not.... ?

You are contemplating buying a TVR so yes, you are well on your way to insanity.

Thing is, it's a very special little club we are in as TVR owners, and if you go to the next step and drive one, then welcome to the

madhouse.........................because after driving one, you will buy one.

[Englishman]

Kids love TVR's and mine still do even though the last one has now past the 30 mark. The Cerb would be ideal for transporting your family and having the odd bit of fun on track.

If you buy a fully sorted one or get it into that condition yourself, it will be reliable as any other car in my experience. Problems can arise if not given TLC and kept in top condition though.

[Penelope Stopit]

Are you bothered about passenger safety?

[Granturadriver]

I can't read if this is the only family car you depend on, or if you have a second vehicle that all four of you can fit into.

In the first case, clearly: TVR. I do this for years now!

In the second case: you're really insane if you want to use a Cerbera as an everyday car.

[RhysH]

Penelope Stopit said:

Are you bothered about passenger safety?

Of course, but then the kids will not really go in the car unless somewhere local and to "appease" the wife to say look the kids can come too lol.


This is most defiantly a second car. You know when you get the feeling of not wanting something of the "norm".

Look most I assume the 4.5 V8 is the one to go for. What do people think these go for must be a very nice example?

[swisstoni]

I’ve had TVRs for years and they really get into your bloodstream.

However, with a young family and a Mrs who is not totally on board, I would think very very hard indeed about it.

[Monkeylegend]

swisstoni said:

I’ve had TVRs for years and they really get into your bloodstream.

However, with a young family and a Mrs who is not totally on board, I would think very very hard indeed about it.

Then do it

[RichB]

I've not had a Cerbera, so maybe shouldn't comment but a few points; I assume they need to be kept in a garage on a charger else the battery goes flat? Was the V8 the engine with the weak finger followers that could be replaced with aftermarket ones?

[Classic Chim]

Depends how deep your pockets are unless you buy a sorted example that is

Look up AJP V8 engine rebuilds or even the speed six, go from there. Don’t let it put you off as most run great for years.

Are you hands on etc. This can make a big difference to ownership Costs if you can maintain basic things yourself.
Buying guide with Tvr is buy the best example for the money and if ones slightly more expensive but clearly more spent on it ( engine ) buy that one every time unless you enjoy mechanics that is.

Chassis/ electrics all need to be very sound or your into more expensive repairs/ upgrades.
Find a car that’s used regularly and recently with an owner who had an open wallet some great cars out there if you take your time and drive a good few before committing,,,, if you drive a half decent one you’ll want to buy it,,,,, go to a dealer and sample many including Chimeara etc, just gives you a feel for what’s good out there before you still buy the first one you drive
Take your time
Best of luck and enjoy the search.

[cerb4.5lee]

I've had both a Cerbera 4.5 and a V8 M3. If you have a Cerbera itch then I would certainly say go for it considering your usage/mileage.

Pretty much nothing beats the noise and the sense of occasion that the Cerbera will give you for me. It won't be all plain sailing but you will enjoy and never forget the experience for sure.

[N7GTX]

Had 3 x M3s (luv em to bits as an all rounder) plus a Cerb 4.2 and a Chimaera 4 litre turbo. The sensible choice is the M3 but as you've come on here there's a voice in your head telling you to take the plunge. Heart v head? Hmm.....

Drive a Cerb and then come back and tell us where you bought it

[tejr]

Grass is always greener.

Now I have the cerbera I feel the m3 was so much more usable and practical. When I had the m3 I found the interior just like any old bmw and the v8 too muted (even with a mild exhaust mod).

The m3 is a DAMN hard car to beat in every department. It just lacked drama compared to a tvr.

BUT I do think long and hard before taking the kids out in the tvr. The beemer was covered in airbags and safety features. Whereas the Cerbera has poorly placed seat belt bolts right beside your head etc.

[Stu-nph26]

I was in the same position 12-18 months ago choosing between the e92 M3 or a Cerb. To cut a long story short I had a complete U turn and learnt to ride and bought a bike.

I still look at Cerbs the M3s are starting to age imo this is a beauty - https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...

[tejr]

Stu-nph26 said:

I was in the same position 12-18 months ago choosing between the e92 M3 or a Cerb. To cut a long story short I had a complete U turn and learnt to ride and bought a bike.

I still look at Cerbs the M3s are starting to age imo this is a beauty - https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...

I swear we are all cut from the same cloth.. After my m3 I started looking into my bike license! until a cerbera fell into my lap.!

[Stu-nph26]

tejr said:

I swear we are all cut from the same cloth.. After my m3 I started looking into my bike license! until a cerbera fell into my lap.!

Haha if you haven't tried a bike do. Mines only a 600cc but bloody hell it makes an M3 feel pedestrian

[RhysH]

Thank guys really do appreciate the feedback, especially hearing from people who had M3's also.


Agree the M3 is fantastic and all rationale thought would not have me looking..... lol. Think I need to go and see one and if actually like it.


When I used to have RS's I had a cosworth for a number of years and was quite handy on the spanners for basic things. However nowadays I would prefer to do basic things due to being much more time poor lol. However I do love to tinker lol. though days of replacing diffs/gearboxes I think are no past me.

[Stu-nph26]

There's some great advice in this thread mate from owners of both cars. The consensus was get the Cerb