Cerbera AJP vs Speed 6 (Tuscan/T) cars
Discussion
I've been thinking about this for a long time:
As far as reliability/bank breaking is concerned, what kind of car in the long term would cost more to keep on the road in a fine order?
The popular opinion is the AJP is the stronger engine of the two. Yet the Cerbera does have a reputation of costing the earth annually, but the Speed Six cars tend not to cost as much even though an engine rebuild seem to be more common.
I understand the Cerb involves many electrics, possibly more so the Tuscan and T cars but is this the case? Do Cerbs cost more to service? Is clutch replacement needed more often?
Fact is I'd love to experience some of these glorious cars as I'm sure it will get more and more difficult as time goes on with the ever increasing amount of cars on the roads, the war on speed, global warming, petrol prices ect. Time to get amongst it or what
As far as reliability/bank breaking is concerned, what kind of car in the long term would cost more to keep on the road in a fine order?
The popular opinion is the AJP is the stronger engine of the two. Yet the Cerbera does have a reputation of costing the earth annually, but the Speed Six cars tend not to cost as much even though an engine rebuild seem to be more common.
I understand the Cerb involves many electrics, possibly more so the Tuscan and T cars but is this the case? Do Cerbs cost more to service? Is clutch replacement needed more often?
Fact is I'd love to experience some of these glorious cars as I'm sure it will get more and more difficult as time goes on with the ever increasing amount of cars on the roads, the war on speed, global warming, petrol prices ect. Time to get amongst it or what
Shabs said:
If I were choosing I would buy a T-Car, there are versions available of the S6 engine now that are, for me, reliable enough (the Power 4.3 with a 5 year warranty for instance).
Shabs
But how many Power engined cars are for sale? Shabs
A SP6 and an AJP aren't a million miles apart in terms of servicing, the tappets need checking on an AJP (unsure on a SP6) which could be where some disparity lies?
AJP issues are certainly not as common as SP6 ones, but that doesn't mean they're non existent.
Personally, unless I was putting £££s away for an engine rebuild, i'd go AJP.
However, I believe the sorted SP6 engines are a force to be reckoned with.
You cant really answer this - it depends on how well the car has been looked after!
I have owned both a 4.5 Cerby and 4.0 litre Tuscan. The Cerby never really gave me any issues, but i am a 'tinkerer' - i.e. i put a lot of things right before they caused problems and i rarely used a dealer.
The Tuscan on the other hand - i only drove 800 miles before i discovered the engine needed a rebuild. It has been driven hard in its previous life. The bill - well, im just glad im not paying all of it, upwards of £7.5k. That was clearly a dealer only job!
IF they have been well looked after - as my Cerby had - you dont need to worry, just keep a slush fund and enjoy...
I have owned both a 4.5 Cerby and 4.0 litre Tuscan. The Cerby never really gave me any issues, but i am a 'tinkerer' - i.e. i put a lot of things right before they caused problems and i rarely used a dealer.
The Tuscan on the other hand - i only drove 800 miles before i discovered the engine needed a rebuild. It has been driven hard in its previous life. The bill - well, im just glad im not paying all of it, upwards of £7.5k. That was clearly a dealer only job!
IF they have been well looked after - as my Cerby had - you dont need to worry, just keep a slush fund and enjoy...
Gonna get shot down in flames for this but...Always wanted a Cerb, and would have had one as a first Tiv if the salesman hadn't talked me out of it (probably wisely), so may be biased but... at what point do the accepted (AJPV8 race bred enigine) Cerb slush fund intervals coincide with the Speed6 (Choccie FFs , etc.)problems in financial terms? Can't help but think that over some years, there is no significant difference. Still want a Cerb 4.5, but would also love a Sag!
Edited by kslett on Tuesday 11th August 22:02
Admire you're courage. [for the post] As I'd asked this very same question when I first got on here some years back and was hung out to dry by some spotty 'oik and his 'mates' [babysitters]. Just 'cus' I hadn't read previous posts and don't sit glued to 'this' screen day in, day out. Prepare yourself for an onslaught, hope it doesn't happen and you get reasonable answers as you have.
I'll just watch from here.
It's good to talk.
Rant over.
I'll just watch from here.
It's good to talk.
Rant over.
macdeb said:
Admire you're courage. (for the post) As I'd asked this very same question when I first got on here some years back and was hung out to dry by some spotty 'oik and his 'mates' babysitters. Just 'cus' I hadn't read previous posts and don't sit glued to 'this' screen day in, day out. Prepare yourself for an onslaught, hope it doesn't happen and you get reasonable answers as you have.
I'll just watch from here.
It's good to talk.
Rant over.
I do look through posts but you can never have enough knowledge and information when it comes to TVRs. I'll just watch from here.
It's good to talk.
Rant over.
Edited by The Lukas on Tuesday 11th August 23:03
The Lukas said:
macdeb said:
Admire you're courage. (for the post) As I'd asked this very same question when I first got on here some years back and was hung out to dry by some spotty 'oik and his 'mates' babysitters. Just 'cus' I hadn't read previous posts and don't sit glued to 'this' screen day in, day out. Prepare yourself for an onslaught, hope it doesn't happen and you get reasonable answers as you have.
I'll just watch from here.
It's good to talk.
Rant over.
I do look through posts but you can never have enough knowledge and information when it comes to TVRs. I'll just watch from here.
It's good to talk.
Rant over.
Edited by The Lukas on Tuesday 11th August 23:03
kslett said:
Ha Ha Gazzab, I suspect you would guide me down the path I want you to...
Have I seen you before? Cheers for all the advice folks. Keep it coming. Maybe it's time I tested a few cars out of at least experienced them from the passenger seat; I have a 4.0 Tamora and was very impressed.
Robertjp said:
You cant really answer this - it depends on how well the car has been looked after!
IF they have been well looked after - as my Cerby had - you dont need to worry, just keep a slush fund and enjoy...
Actually not true. What is true is that if they haven't been looked after they are undoubtedly going to prove expensive but even looking after them with no expense spared and adhering to usual warm-up procedures etc. is no guarantee they won't go pop but don't go thinking finger followers are the only potential disaster area.IF they have been well looked after - as my Cerby had - you dont need to worry, just keep a slush fund and enjoy...
willtvr said:
Robertjp said:
You cant really answer this - it depends on how well the car has been looked after!
IF they have been well looked after - as my Cerby had - you dont need to worry, just keep a slush fund and enjoy...
Actually not true. What is true is that if they haven't been looked after they are undoubtedly going to prove expensive but even looking after them with no expense spared and adhering to usual warm-up procedures etc. is no guarantee they won't go pop but don't go thinking finger followers are the only potential disaster area.IF they have been well looked after - as my Cerby had - you dont need to worry, just keep a slush fund and enjoy...
Mine clearly has been looked after in the past and present however the valve guides have warn. Finger followers are perfectly fine though
Just be prepaired for any mishapswilltvr said:
Robertjp said:
You cant really answer this - it depends on how well the car has been looked after!
IF they have been well looked after - as my Cerby had - you dont need to worry, just keep a slush fund and enjoy...
Actually not true. What is true is that if they haven't been looked after they are undoubtedly going to prove expensive but even looking after them with no expense spared and adhering to usual warm-up procedures etc. is no guarantee they won't go pop but don't go thinking finger followers are the only potential disaster area.IF they have been well looked after - as my Cerby had - you dont need to worry, just keep a slush fund and enjoy...
I suppose comparing Cerby to Tuscan, the cerby will have more ongoing costs on average, Tuscan has the potential for one v v big one. That said, they Tuscans may become more expenseive to run as they become older - difficult to tell!
I guess given the above comments it would be fair to say that unless it has a warranted rebuild, be careful and be prepared for the worst (although many have never had an issue)
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