First TVR...maybe a chim or maybe a cerb?
Discussion
Some cars are better than others. Could be hit with an expensive bill for a few ,000 in either car.
But in general I think the belief is the Chim is a good TVR to start with, and is a little less of a burden on the pocket than a Cerb.
Having driven both, they are very different cars. Have a look at both and see which you prefer..
But in general I think the belief is the Chim is a good TVR to start with, and is a little less of a burden on the pocket than a Cerb.
Having driven both, they are very different cars. Have a look at both and see which you prefer..
Totally different cars.
The Cerb may look like a tin top Chim but thats the only similarity.
In general a Chim will cost around £1000-£1500 a year in running costs (excluding insurance & fuel), a cerb will be at least double this.
The rover V8 in the Chim/Griff is easy to work on, accessible and easy to get parts for. The AJP8 is a lot more bespoke. Brakes for a Chim come in a box marked Ford and are therefore pretty cheap, a cerbs come marked AP acing.
Performance wise a Cerb will thrash the chim but you obviously can't take the lid off.
Chalk & cheese really, depends on budget, service budget, performance car experience etc.
I had the same dilema 3 1/2 years ago and opted for a Chim 400 (my first RWD sportcar so played safe) and apart from a couple of instances where I've wanted more power (450 or 500) I've not regretted it - end of the day on a summer evening lid off it's fantastic!
The Cerb may look like a tin top Chim but thats the only similarity.
In general a Chim will cost around £1000-£1500 a year in running costs (excluding insurance & fuel), a cerb will be at least double this.
The rover V8 in the Chim/Griff is easy to work on, accessible and easy to get parts for. The AJP8 is a lot more bespoke. Brakes for a Chim come in a box marked Ford and are therefore pretty cheap, a cerbs come marked AP acing.
Performance wise a Cerb will thrash the chim but you obviously can't take the lid off.
Chalk & cheese really, depends on budget, service budget, performance car experience etc.
I had the same dilema 3 1/2 years ago and opted for a Chim 400 (my first RWD sportcar so played safe) and apart from a couple of instances where I've wanted more power (450 or 500) I've not regretted it - end of the day on a summer evening lid off it's fantastic!
My experience has been that my 400 Chim has never cost anywhere near that much to look after (£300 this year - worst year was £1050). Speedwise the Chim is fine for MOST circumstances. Of course the Cerb will bury it but the places you can safely do that are getting less and less...pluss you can take the roof off and enjoy the countryside as it wizzes past...
Had a 2001 Audi S3 for about 18 months now, mapped up to 265 bhp and been sweet. Problem is its far too discrete looking for the power and not at all individual (unless you know what to look for). Its cost me £300 for a new ARB and £1500 for a new head after the cambelt went in the last 9 months...On top of servicing its put a fair dent in me wallet. Wasn't sure if you have these sorts of catastrophic failures on TVR's if they are maintained well...Is the bulk of costs of owning one just down to labour costs or can you maintain them pretty easy yourself?
How long is a piece of string, catastrophic failures can happen with TVR's and can be very expensive. The V8's are generally considered more reliable (Dont shoot me) and the Rover (buick) based units reasonably easy to service 9if not set up properly) the AJP 8 in the cerb requires (expensive) maintanance and unless you are very mechanically minded better lefdt to the speacialists, dont even attempt work onthe Speed 6 if you buy one.
Having said all of that all of my TVR's have been acceptable in terms of cost V8's and Speed 6's although I have been "lucky" with no catastrophic failure. Buy the best you can , keep it serviced, warm the engine propoerly, give it lots of oil to ndrink and you might be "lucky" too. One good thing servicing costs have come down recently and there are lots of good TVR independents to help you at a good price.............
Having said all of that all of my TVR's have been acceptable in terms of cost V8's and Speed 6's although I have been "lucky" with no catastrophic failure. Buy the best you can , keep it serviced, warm the engine propoerly, give it lots of oil to ndrink and you might be "lucky" too. One good thing servicing costs have come down recently and there are lots of good TVR independents to help you at a good price.............
kingkladze said:
On top of servicing its put a fair dent in me wallet. Wasn't sure if you have these sorts of catastrophic failures on TVR's if they are maintained well...Is the bulk of costs of owning one just down to labour costs or can you maintain them pretty easy yourself?
This is my cars service blog from my profile - details all my costs over my 3 1/2 years of ownership. http://pistonheads.co.uk/members/showServiceHistor...My car has never wanted for anything (I mean if it needs doing it gets done befoer becoming a bigger problem) and in the 30'000 miles I've covered in my ownership I've only broken down twice - once for a broken clutch & once for a 96pence 100amp fuse.
Only thing still to add to it is my 12k service I've just had done at £420 plus £55 for an MOT.
As long as they are correctly maintained and driven regularly they are very reliable and not too costly. It's finding the decent ones thats difficult. Mine now has 60'000 miles on the clock and is one of the most reliable cars I've ever owned!
Edited by Zippee on Friday 20th June 16:38
Cheers guys...its definately reassuring after picking up bits on other forums. I'm thinking that the chimaera is the one although the cerbera...I could die for. In todays financial climate, I just couldn't risk having to spend £3000+ on maintaining the car. Will keep you updated on my search...thanks again
kingkladze said:
Cheers guys...its definately reassuring after picking up bits on other forums. I'm thinking that the chimaera is the one although the cerbera...I could die for. In todays financial climate, I just couldn't risk having to spend £3000+ on maintaining the car. Will keep you updated on my search...thanks again
Off the cuff i think you're making the right decision. I love my Chim and have owned mine for 3 years without any major disasters.I love Cerbs too. I think the 'TVR Own' V8 is a true monster and for its power etc it seems pretty reliable too.
But it is a bespoke engine and IF (and i mean IF) something goes pop it could cost you a tidy penny and put you off TVR's completely.
Its all a law of averages and if you buy your Chim carefully i recon you'll be very happy with it and perhaps get an owners idea of TVR ownership before taking on a Cerby Monster
Good luck mate on whatever you buy and keep us posted on what you get!
If you own a Cerb you don’t care what the servicing costs are.
Reliability in the last 15,000 miles?
Only time I haven’t been able to set off immediately on a journey - had a burst fuel hose (couple of quid to fix).
£3k per year to keep in good condition though.
It’s difficult to find where you’d spend that £3k to get a bigger and longer lasting smile.
Cerbera, you know you want to.
ETA -
Look at the review of the ‘slow’ one –
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ASpdWtXmce4
And how the Cerb compares against the rest –
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=boH0B7Dn3xc
Reliability in the last 15,000 miles?
Only time I haven’t been able to set off immediately on a journey - had a burst fuel hose (couple of quid to fix).
£3k per year to keep in good condition though.
It’s difficult to find where you’d spend that £3k to get a bigger and longer lasting smile.
Cerbera, you know you want to.
ETA -
Look at the review of the ‘slow’ one –
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ASpdWtXmce4
And how the Cerb compares against the rest –
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=boH0B7Dn3xc
Edited by DonnyMac on Saturday 21st June 03:02
I've spent nearly £7k so far this year on my Cerb. New Cams, clutch, alternator, fuel lines, etc. but I knew most of that when I took it on (the cams were the only disspaointment/surprise, but I wasn't gobsmacked, just sort of thought "Damn, bad luck").
Having said that, fingers crossed, there's not much more to go wrong, and now I can get on with spending cash on the nice things like a re-trim and my choice of wheel, etc.
The costs would have been less than half that if it were a Chim because parts are considerably cheaper and I could have done most of it myself, but I just don't know enough to do things like a cam change on an AJPV8.
But I'd still rather the Cerb
Having said that, fingers crossed, there's not much more to go wrong, and now I can get on with spending cash on the nice things like a re-trim and my choice of wheel, etc.
The costs would have been less than half that if it were a Chim because parts are considerably cheaper and I could have done most of it myself, but I just don't know enough to do things like a cam change on an AJPV8.
But I'd still rather the Cerb
combine said:
Another alternative with a roof that comes off is a v8 wedge , possibly a 400se which has the later interior , sounds better than a cerb too ! Around £7k .
My first TVR was and still is currently a 350i.Costs..? To be honest not a lot.
Do all my own regular servicing and greasing etc.
Has past MOT first time every time since I've had her.
Fun ? I'd say
I have a Chimaera and a Cerbera - they are definately two different cars and each has it's merits. I love them both.
The only point I would add to everyone elses comments, is whichever TVR you choose, Drive It! I firmly believe this will keep your running costs/problems to a minimum. They truly love being driven.
Whichever you choose, I am sure you will have a ball. TVR people are pretty cool too!
The only point I would add to everyone elses comments, is whichever TVR you choose, Drive It! I firmly believe this will keep your running costs/problems to a minimum. They truly love being driven.
Whichever you choose, I am sure you will have a ball. TVR people are pretty cool too!
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