Discussion
Hello all
I have posted this in the Tuscan section a while back but seeing as I am now looking at the Cerbera thought I would also post here.
Young drivers - hhe reason I mention it, I am 21 and come March/April will hopefully be the proud owner of a TVR (possibly cerbera)
I currently driver a Nissan 200sx S14a and previously owned a mk2 MR2 Rev5 so I have a decent amount of experience for my age regarding rear wheel drive cars. (Besides, they only go as fast as your right foot wishes anyway right? I dont drive like a typical stereo type at all).
Anyway, I currently live with the parents, and have been working for some time in a stable job so I have momey coming in and very little outgoings, which is partly why I want to do this now and not later on in life, as I know full well I could not afford this with a house etc.
In my current situation bills for extra 'needs' that these cars have should not be an issue.
Before it's mentioned by someone else, I have insurances quotes, although initailly quite high I have managed to get it down to £1,900 which I think is pretty good considering.
Posting again now for more views because my mother has just had a go at me saying 'why dont you get another MR2' - something smaller and cheaper that isnt going to use all my money in one go basically.
My reply... I want a TVR :P obviously.
Am I being stupid in going for such a car right now? Am I going to find costs tumbling out of control and regret? I'm going with the whole 'you only live once' thoery, so if this makes me smile why shouldnt I go ahead?
Any opinions would be appreciated
Thanks, Rob
I have posted this in the Tuscan section a while back but seeing as I am now looking at the Cerbera thought I would also post here.
Young drivers - hhe reason I mention it, I am 21 and come March/April will hopefully be the proud owner of a TVR (possibly cerbera)
I currently driver a Nissan 200sx S14a and previously owned a mk2 MR2 Rev5 so I have a decent amount of experience for my age regarding rear wheel drive cars. (Besides, they only go as fast as your right foot wishes anyway right? I dont drive like a typical stereo type at all).
Anyway, I currently live with the parents, and have been working for some time in a stable job so I have momey coming in and very little outgoings, which is partly why I want to do this now and not later on in life, as I know full well I could not afford this with a house etc.
In my current situation bills for extra 'needs' that these cars have should not be an issue.
Before it's mentioned by someone else, I have insurances quotes, although initailly quite high I have managed to get it down to £1,900 which I think is pretty good considering.
Posting again now for more views because my mother has just had a go at me saying 'why dont you get another MR2' - something smaller and cheaper that isnt going to use all my money in one go basically.
My reply... I want a TVR :P obviously.
Am I being stupid in going for such a car right now? Am I going to find costs tumbling out of control and regret? I'm going with the whole 'you only live once' thoery, so if this makes me smile why shouldnt I go ahead?
Any opinions would be appreciated
Thanks, Rob
HI rob
im in my early 40s now but had my first v8 when i was 18,like wise my mar and par said you should get something more sensible you will allways be puting your hand in your pocket.well they were right but i did not care because that was what i wanted,i had a good job yes i did take most of my wages but if you like cars and have no other commitments i think you should live a little or alot especially at your age. regards jon..........
im in my early 40s now but had my first v8 when i was 18,like wise my mar and par said you should get something more sensible you will allways be puting your hand in your pocket.well they were right but i did not care because that was what i wanted,i had a good job yes i did take most of my wages but if you like cars and have no other commitments i think you should live a little or alot especially at your age. regards jon..........
Hi mate there are a few cerb owners like myself who are in our early 20's 'itsayellow' is one of the others I think. I bought mine when I was 23.
I obviously dont know what your financial circumstances are but make sure you have enough money coming in to cover it if you have a big problem. I paid about what you did tog et it insured. I recommend doing the ride drive course asadrian flux give 25% discount for doing it and its well worth it to get used to the cars limits.
Have a good read of the forums on here and make sure you go into it with your eyes wide open.
Mark
I obviously dont know what your financial circumstances are but make sure you have enough money coming in to cover it if you have a big problem. I paid about what you did tog et it insured. I recommend doing the ride drive course asadrian flux give 25% discount for doing it and its well worth it to get used to the cars limits.
Have a good read of the forums on here and make sure you go into it with your eyes wide open.
Mark
hi rob
im with the others, live for now is what ive always done and its never done me any harm (and i have made it to a ripe old age of 36!)
my only advice would be to choose your car carefully if speed 6 engined, only had mine 6 months and it ate my sinking fund for an engine rebuild a lot quicker than i was hoping, these can be expensive (as mine was) so if i had my time again i would only have bought a rebuilt s6 engined car, but thats just IMOHO.
keep us posted
mark
im with the others, live for now is what ive always done and its never done me any harm (and i have made it to a ripe old age of 36!)
my only advice would be to choose your car carefully if speed 6 engined, only had mine 6 months and it ate my sinking fund for an engine rebuild a lot quicker than i was hoping, these can be expensive (as mine was) so if i had my time again i would only have bought a rebuilt s6 engined car, but thats just IMOHO.
keep us posted
mark
I was like you with being 21, at home, good job etc, etc. just after graduating. I bought a TR6 and basically modified the engine to race spec (200bhp). Not as quick as a Cerb, but then it didn't exactly handle like a Cerb either!
My mum used to give me grief about 'killing myself' in a quick car, and being more sensible, but it was great fun.
When I did buy a house at 23, I moved back to bikes as they were cheaper to buy and run.
Problems back then I found were.
a) Down the pub, people would make comment like "He's in dad's car" which really used to annoy me for some reason.
b) Everyone is waiting for you to crash so they can tell you they were right. Luckily I didn't. (although I did stack a lot of bikes!)
c) When I got banned for speeding (easily done if young and in a quick car or bike!), everyone did tell me so, and I became a complete insurance leper for 5 years. Where I could get quotes for anything halfway fun, they were upwards of £2500. My car and bike choices were basically dictated by insurance until I was 28!!
Overall, I don't regret any of it (well other than the speeding ban and a particularly bad bike accident) but looking back, I wouldn't have changed a thing. Go for it, if you can afford it!
My mum used to give me grief about 'killing myself' in a quick car, and being more sensible, but it was great fun.
When I did buy a house at 23, I moved back to bikes as they were cheaper to buy and run.
Problems back then I found were.
a) Down the pub, people would make comment like "He's in dad's car" which really used to annoy me for some reason.
b) Everyone is waiting for you to crash so they can tell you they were right. Luckily I didn't. (although I did stack a lot of bikes!)
c) When I got banned for speeding (easily done if young and in a quick car or bike!), everyone did tell me so, and I became a complete insurance leper for 5 years. Where I could get quotes for anything halfway fun, they were upwards of £2500. My car and bike choices were basically dictated by insurance until I was 28!!
Overall, I don't regret any of it (well other than the speeding ban and a particularly bad bike accident) but looking back, I wouldn't have changed a thing. Go for it, if you can afford it!
I'm in basically the EXACT same position. I'm on the brink of buying a Chim @ 21, will know in the next day or two whether i can get the one my hearts falling for in the coming fortnight or wait a few more months for it.
Either way! I can't tell you how many people from young/old, guys & girls have tried to talk me out of it. Everything from 20yr old girls telling me to save a deposit for a house to 66+ old gents & ladies who say it's not worth it right now. Even my boss has chipped in saying dont do it now.
But! I'm not planning on a house for a while, not till things are on a bit more of an even keel in the market. I'm comfy where I am, little outgoings despite running 2 cars at the mo. Seeing as i'm not in a hurry to get a place of my own despite the alure of property i figured id make myself comfy till that point and buy one of my dream cars. The thought of being able to drive one of the cars I've lusted after since i was young is something quite incredible and despite all the sensible advice given to me. i have to say with 100% confidence i want a tiv & want to do it now in my life rather than later.
I'm assuming you've given it a serious thought already? If not, give it some REAL thought. I've looked as far as the coming few years on how i'd like to do things if i go ahead and buy it. At the end of the day, it's worth it and seeing how many guys have said "i wish i could have driven that when i was around that age" makes it an even more compelling prospect.
I fell head over heels for a Chim @ Fernhursts & am doing everything in my power to make it happen for me (unfortunately my age works against me when it comes to the finance side of things). But if you're worried about it being a stupid idea, short answer is it aint. It's more than do-able. Even with my rather average income the potential running costs for a Chimaera seem more than bearable for such an experience each weekend. One thing i'd advise is maybe start from the lower end of the TVR spectrum, dont get me wrong, i would love a Cerb one day! Theres one down @ Fernies which i'd class as probably my dream Cerb but i honestly dont think i'm ready to handle a car as brutal & raw as they are. The Chimaera is different though, my point is, go take a test drive or two of a few. It's easy to say what you would like on looks alone but without the experience of sitting in it and driving one you can't ever be 100% about that car. I can say that from experience about that point too as i went along to see one car and ended up wanting to buy a different one 4k over my intended budget!
If you need any more advice, gimme a shout. Apologies for the essay meantime! :P
Either way! I can't tell you how many people from young/old, guys & girls have tried to talk me out of it. Everything from 20yr old girls telling me to save a deposit for a house to 66+ old gents & ladies who say it's not worth it right now. Even my boss has chipped in saying dont do it now.
But! I'm not planning on a house for a while, not till things are on a bit more of an even keel in the market. I'm comfy where I am, little outgoings despite running 2 cars at the mo. Seeing as i'm not in a hurry to get a place of my own despite the alure of property i figured id make myself comfy till that point and buy one of my dream cars. The thought of being able to drive one of the cars I've lusted after since i was young is something quite incredible and despite all the sensible advice given to me. i have to say with 100% confidence i want a tiv & want to do it now in my life rather than later.
I'm assuming you've given it a serious thought already? If not, give it some REAL thought. I've looked as far as the coming few years on how i'd like to do things if i go ahead and buy it. At the end of the day, it's worth it and seeing how many guys have said "i wish i could have driven that when i was around that age" makes it an even more compelling prospect.
I fell head over heels for a Chim @ Fernhursts & am doing everything in my power to make it happen for me (unfortunately my age works against me when it comes to the finance side of things). But if you're worried about it being a stupid idea, short answer is it aint. It's more than do-able. Even with my rather average income the potential running costs for a Chimaera seem more than bearable for such an experience each weekend. One thing i'd advise is maybe start from the lower end of the TVR spectrum, dont get me wrong, i would love a Cerb one day! Theres one down @ Fernies which i'd class as probably my dream Cerb but i honestly dont think i'm ready to handle a car as brutal & raw as they are. The Chimaera is different though, my point is, go take a test drive or two of a few. It's easy to say what you would like on looks alone but without the experience of sitting in it and driving one you can't ever be 100% about that car. I can say that from experience about that point too as i went along to see one car and ended up wanting to buy a different one 4k over my intended budget!
If you need any more advice, gimme a shout. Apologies for the essay meantime! :P
Hey Spawn
If you can afford to do it without any problems, then do it!
I know if I could've done it earlier I would've done
Im 26 now and currently rebuilding a Tasmin Racer for the track, but might put it on the road as a hardcore toy for when I need to punish myself
Go for it and you wont regret it
If you can afford to do it without any problems, then do it!
I know if I could've done it earlier I would've done
Im 26 now and currently rebuilding a Tasmin Racer for the track, but might put it on the road as a hardcore toy for when I need to punish myself
Go for it and you wont regret it
Bought my first when I was 22. Seems a long time ago as I'm now 35 but dont remember the insurance being too bad at the time. In fact my TVR's have always been the cheapest of my cars to insure.
However in hindsight despite the fun I had with the TVR(s) I half wish I'd bought a second property instead. I could have with the money they cost me to run. Even if I'd only kept the property a couple of years I'd have been seriously quids in.
Graham
However in hindsight despite the fun I had with the TVR(s) I half wish I'd bought a second property instead. I could have with the money they cost me to run. Even if I'd only kept the property a couple of years I'd have been seriously quids in.
Graham
I would say do it, but think very carefully about it first. I'm currently 22 and bought my 450 Chim the day after my 21st birthday, this is a great thing to have at such an age as it is just fantastic fun, but I would definitely think about you're future financial situation first. Specifically buying a house. Whilst you can afford to buy such a car at this age, it does mean that you won't be putting the several thousand pounds a year that you will spend on the car in a savings account and therefore you won't have the money to put up for a deposit when you decide you want to move out on your own (unless you get a very good job and can afford both of course!). I justified buying the Chim based on the fact that I got a mortgage and bought a flat when I was 20, so I don't now have to worry so much about housing as long as I keep enough to keep up the payments etc. With this covered, and the fact that I also have very little other outgoings like you means that I can afford to run the car, insure it, put petrol in it and tinker with it a fair bit which for me seems a fair price to pay for the fun it gives me back. At the end of the day its all about what your priorities are, but if you think you can afford it and still afford to live properly when you're not driving it then i'd say go for it as its one of those things that is just great to do when you're young. But don't go buying it to have a great laugh for two years and then find you have no money to buy a house etc! - Especially if its a Cerb you're looking at! I'm not adding one to my stable until I get a proper job and can properly afford the extra running/tuning costs associated with the beast!
I'm old, and possibly wise 
. You have two choices:
1 - buy a Corsa and put the cash into a pension plan. This will be invested in equities and will be worth about 20p a year when you get to 60. In the meantime, you will have to wear a cardigan and be unhappy.
2 - get a TVR and have an absolute blast. Worry about tomorrow when it comes. And use sunscreen and dance.
You know what you really want to do - go for it and live
. You have two choices: 1 - buy a Corsa and put the cash into a pension plan. This will be invested in equities and will be worth about 20p a year when you get to 60. In the meantime, you will have to wear a cardigan and be unhappy.
2 - get a TVR and have an absolute blast. Worry about tomorrow when it comes. And use sunscreen and dance.
You know what you really want to do - go for it and live
thenick said:
I would say do it, but think very carefully about it first. I'm currently 22 and bought my 450 Chim the day after my 21st birthday, this is a great thing to have at such an age as it is just fantastic fun, but I would definitely think about you're future financial situation first. Specifically buying a house. Whilst you can afford to buy such a car at this age, it does mean that you won't be putting the several thousand pounds a year that you will spend on the car in a savings account and therefore you won't have the money to put up for a deposit when you decide you want to move out on your own (unless you get a very good job and can afford both of course!). I justified buying the Chim based on the fact that I got a mortgage and bought a flat when I was 20, so I don't now have to worry so much about housing as long as I keep enough to keep up the payments etc. With this covered, and the fact that I also have very little other outgoings like you means that I can afford to run the car, insure it, put petrol in it and tinker with it a fair bit which for me seems a fair price to pay for the fun it gives me back. At the end of the day its all about what your priorities are, but if you think you can afford it and still afford to live properly when you're not driving it then i'd say go for it as its one of those things that is just great to do when you're young. But don't go buying it to have a great laugh for two years and then find you have no money to buy a house etc! - Especially if its a Cerb you're looking at! I'm not adding one to my stable until I get a proper job and can properly afford the extra running/tuning costs associated with the beast!
Very sensible post ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^I am not one to say people should or shouldn't do something, only you know what you can and can't afford. However, if running a Cerb will potentially mean that it delays your ability to get out of home/on the housing ladder etc then that is a hefty price to pay; it's not always about what you can and can't afford now on a day to day basis but what the opportunity cost of that expenditure could mean a few years down the line. As the poster above has done, a chim/griff is a theoretically safer entry point, lower entry cost (for chims at least) and almost certain much lower running costs. These things combined could put you an extra £10k in the bank over something like 3 years, an amount worth thinking about. So I'm not saying not a TVR, I'm more saying maybe not a Cerb (and I'm a Cerb owner!!) and effectively split your expendable cash between both car and still some savings.
Edited by touching cloth on Thursday 7th February 09:48
Regret the things you do not the things you dont. It will be expensive and at times frustrating and you will wonder sometimes if its worth it. But on the hot sunny day where you the car and the road gel and you are driving like you never thought you could. You will be so glad you went for it.
House before car - always!
When you have the house sorted then you can enjoy the cars with a guilt free conscious. Any TVR will bankrupt you unless you are on a significant wage. I used to budget around £500 a month for tyres, insurance and service. That is without paying for it and putting petrol in it! You can easily think about spending close to £1000 a month if you have a loan on the car along with the cost of petrol etc.
Now if you can afford that and get yourself a house then go for it - if not then save for the house. I know what it is like to desire 'that car' when you're 21 but believe me you'll be 30 before you know it and you really don't want to be without a house then!
Grumpy old man over and out.....
When you have the house sorted then you can enjoy the cars with a guilt free conscious. Any TVR will bankrupt you unless you are on a significant wage. I used to budget around £500 a month for tyres, insurance and service. That is without paying for it and putting petrol in it! You can easily think about spending close to £1000 a month if you have a loan on the car along with the cost of petrol etc.
Now if you can afford that and get yourself a house then go for it - if not then save for the house. I know what it is like to desire 'that car' when you're 21 but believe me you'll be 30 before you know it and you really don't want to be without a house then!
Grumpy old man over and out.....
rjben said:
House before car - always!
Boooo! Hissss! 
I am 23 and have just got my chimaera. Its worked great for me as I am loving runnning it as my daily drive.
It works for me and it could work for you... Don't just take my word for it though, every one is different, so put some good thought in to it and you will make the right descision!
As for insurance.
Try Hagerty
My quote for a V8S or a 400SE? £190pa. Ok, I'm fractionally older at 24, but still under the magic 25 and no NCB to make use of. My next closest quote was about £1.5k!
Definately get the car before the house! You have a place to live now. Houses are massively over priced currently and TVRs aren't. The end. Maybe when your 25 or 30 you could start thinking about stuff like that, but looking at your previous car list, you obviously have your priorities set right already.
Try HagertyMy quote for a V8S or a 400SE? £190pa. Ok, I'm fractionally older at 24, but still under the magic 25 and no NCB to make use of. My next closest quote was about £1.5k!
Definately get the car before the house! You have a place to live now. Houses are massively over priced currently and TVRs aren't. The end. Maybe when your 25 or 30 you could start thinking about stuff like that, but looking at your previous car list, you obviously have your priorities set right already.
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