Cerb Speed 6 ownership
Discussion
As a newcomer to the forum, I am considering swapping my Porsche Boxster for a Cerb Speed 6 I have spotted in Autotrader.
Simple questions really:
1. Can they be used day to day for short trips to and from work (about 4 miles each way) without doing damamge and costing the earth?
2. Reliable - yes or no - i have searched and read loads of articles - so a simple yeah or neigh would be great.
3. What do i look for when buying a Cerb? What things are good to see in the history?
4. Am i going to be setting myself up for huge running and servcing costs?
5. Are they comfortable to drive when i am not ragging the @rse of it?
Thanks for your opinions and assitance.
Simple questions really:
1. Can they be used day to day for short trips to and from work (about 4 miles each way) without doing damamge and costing the earth?
2. Reliable - yes or no - i have searched and read loads of articles - so a simple yeah or neigh would be great.
3. What do i look for when buying a Cerb? What things are good to see in the history?
4. Am i going to be setting myself up for huge running and servcing costs?
5. Are they comfortable to drive when i am not ragging the @rse of it?
Thanks for your opinions and assitance.
Have a chat to this guy on the blower www.pistonheads.com/gassing/profile.asp?h=0&memberId=48965
and then speak to some other people who may have a different story to tell.
In summary: They're great cars and can be used every day. But you must warm them up very carefully and the engine will 99% definitely need a rebuild before 30,000 miles. A warranty is available to cover this.
For more Speed Six specific info look in the Tuscan and Tamora/T350 forums.
Personally, if I were buying a Cerbera I'd get a V8, but that doesn't mean the Speed Six is not as good. In fact its better in many ways, esp. for daily use.
In summary: They're great cars and can be used every day. But you must warm them up very carefully and the engine will 99% definitely need a rebuild before 30,000 miles. A warranty is available to cover this.
For more Speed Six specific info look in the Tuscan and Tamora/T350 forums.
Personally, if I were buying a Cerbera I'd get a V8, but that doesn't mean the Speed Six is not as good. In fact its better in many ways, esp. for daily use.
The V8 cerb is a money pit that does not deliver the goods. The S6 will do what it says on the tin, and even considering a rebuild very few year, will be a cheaper option to own. I have spoken to quite few peopole with £1 a mile repair and maintenance costs for V8s...
Should be fine for everyday use - but take note regarding comments on warming up.
Should be fine for everyday use - but take note regarding comments on warming up.
Hi boxstaman,
I've owned my S6 Cerb for over 2 yrs now and love it - I drove several V8 variants and just preferred the characteristics of the S6 engine - it's smoother, more progressive power delivery right across the rev range appeals to me and I believe it's real world just as quick as all but the super fettled V8s.
I've attempted to give you concise answers to your questions, please feel free to email me if you'd like to know anything else or just have a chat. Keep and open mind and don't be unduly swayed by the V8 mob - they're alright really
Happy hunting,
JT
[quote=boxstaman]
1. Can they be used day to day for short trips to and from work (about 4 miles each way) without doing damamge and costing the earth? Hmmm, yes they can but I'd say they benefit from proper use as she won't be properly warmed up after only 4 miles.
2. Reliable - Yep, never let me down in 2 yrs of ownership. My engine has been recently re-built and modified byt TVR Craft but I bought the car with that expectation.
3. What do i look for when buying a Cerb? What things are good to see in the history? Check out the Cerb forum where you'll find loads of helpful advice - it's very much a question of looking at plenty and buying the car that's right for you. Good service record (Indy often better than dealer), regular use and the right upgrades are key IMO.
4. Am i going to be setting myself up for huge running and servcing costs? It's all relative - high teens MPG, servicing will cost you c £550 for 6000m and closer to £1k for 12,000m services by the time everythings done right (the tappets on cyl 6 are a right git to get at!). The rule of thumb is £3k per year should cover most eventualities - if this is a problem I would advise against Cerb ownership (any variant) for peace of mind if nothing else!
5. Are they comfortable to drive when i am not ragging the @rse of it? Absolutely.
quote]
I've owned my S6 Cerb for over 2 yrs now and love it - I drove several V8 variants and just preferred the characteristics of the S6 engine - it's smoother, more progressive power delivery right across the rev range appeals to me and I believe it's real world just as quick as all but the super fettled V8s.
I've attempted to give you concise answers to your questions, please feel free to email me if you'd like to know anything else or just have a chat. Keep and open mind and don't be unduly swayed by the V8 mob - they're alright really
Happy hunting,
JT
[quote=boxstaman]
1. Can they be used day to day for short trips to and from work (about 4 miles each way) without doing damamge and costing the earth? Hmmm, yes they can but I'd say they benefit from proper use as she won't be properly warmed up after only 4 miles.
2. Reliable - Yep, never let me down in 2 yrs of ownership. My engine has been recently re-built and modified byt TVR Craft but I bought the car with that expectation.
3. What do i look for when buying a Cerb? What things are good to see in the history? Check out the Cerb forum where you'll find loads of helpful advice - it's very much a question of looking at plenty and buying the car that's right for you. Good service record (Indy often better than dealer), regular use and the right upgrades are key IMO.
4. Am i going to be setting myself up for huge running and servcing costs? It's all relative - high teens MPG, servicing will cost you c £550 for 6000m and closer to £1k for 12,000m services by the time everythings done right (the tappets on cyl 6 are a right git to get at!). The rule of thumb is £3k per year should cover most eventualities - if this is a problem I would advise against Cerb ownership (any variant) for peace of mind if nothing else!
5. Are they comfortable to drive when i am not ragging the @rse of it? Absolutely.
quote]
Thank you so much for all your helpful advice and also emails - its much appreciated.
Being 28, and not totally loaded with spare cash to chuck at my local TVR dealer, I am not sure that i can justify 3k a year running costs - i am being honest to myself rather than letting myself in for a stream of sleepless nights etc.
I am shocked to read of so many peoplke needing engine rebuilds - considering todays technology, i am suprised that TVR owners are prepared to sit and chuck £5k at a car with less that 30k on the clock and not even grumble?? Can u imagine if your VW, or your Audi did that?? There would be uproar and people would take the cars back and dump them on the forecourts, and quite rightly so - but as its a TVR, it appears that people do the British thing, and bend over and "take it like a man".
I adore TVR's and have done for years - i have driven a Chim and was gobsmacked at the whole package- TVR's look and sound gorgeous, but i really cant justify the amounts of money that appear to banded around for running costs and maintenance.
I think that until i get older, richer and wiser, I am going to have to stick to my Boxster.
Thanks again to everyone that has taken their time to help me make this decision.
Being 28, and not totally loaded with spare cash to chuck at my local TVR dealer, I am not sure that i can justify 3k a year running costs - i am being honest to myself rather than letting myself in for a stream of sleepless nights etc.
I am shocked to read of so many peoplke needing engine rebuilds - considering todays technology, i am suprised that TVR owners are prepared to sit and chuck £5k at a car with less that 30k on the clock and not even grumble?? Can u imagine if your VW, or your Audi did that?? There would be uproar and people would take the cars back and dump them on the forecourts, and quite rightly so - but as its a TVR, it appears that people do the British thing, and bend over and "take it like a man".
I adore TVR's and have done for years - i have driven a Chim and was gobsmacked at the whole package- TVR's look and sound gorgeous, but i really cant justify the amounts of money that appear to banded around for running costs and maintenance.
I think that until i get older, richer and wiser, I am going to have to stick to my Boxster.
Thanks again to everyone that has taken their time to help me make this decision.
TVRED said:
Dont be such a big girls blouse and get rid off the hairdressers car and buy a S6 there the best car you will ever own ... and as for the money you cant take it with you so blow on something you love
Before you make your mind up, post on the Cerbera forum too, there you will get even more bias answeres but they will at least be from the vast V8 majority.
Speed 6 Cerb, love it for all the reasons JT says, but he's been lucky.
Bought mine, a 2001 low miler, in June 2004. Since then I have had two services and lots of upgrades but;
- New slave clutch cylinder
- Broken boot lock cable
- 12v socket fell out - twice
- MIL light on apparent tuning problem
- Broken driver's seat
So far no engine rebuild, but I am awaiting the inevitable. However and though the V8 bods may disagree, I am happy to have a Speed 6 car as TVR are still making the six cylinder and others, TVR power, Austec and TVRCraft are tooled for repairs and rebuilds while I suspect getting AJP8 bits may become more & more difficult and expensive.
You pays your money and........you pays more money, DoH!
Bought mine, a 2001 low miler, in June 2004. Since then I have had two services and lots of upgrades but;
- New slave clutch cylinder
- Broken boot lock cable
- 12v socket fell out - twice
- MIL light on apparent tuning problem
- Broken driver's seat
So far no engine rebuild, but I am awaiting the inevitable. However and though the V8 bods may disagree, I am happy to have a Speed 6 car as TVR are still making the six cylinder and others, TVR power, Austec and TVRCraft are tooled for repairs and rebuilds while I suspect getting AJP8 bits may become more & more difficult and expensive.
You pays your money and........you pays more money, DoH!
I swapped my Porsche 964 for a Cerb Speed Six half a year ago, and am loving it.
Great looks, even better noise. It pops and bangs like a good 'un.
OK, I've had a new clutch (partly covered under warranty), and new Lambda sensor, but apart from that it's been great fun.
Oh yes, and a lot more practical than people think, with its large boot, 4-ish seats, etc.
Great looks, even better noise. It pops and bangs like a good 'un.
OK, I've had a new clutch (partly covered under warranty), and new Lambda sensor, but apart from that it's been great fun.
Oh yes, and a lot more practical than people think, with its large boot, 4-ish seats, etc.
Is that MIL light intermitant? My was a dodgy contact on the Oil pressure guage.
As for ownership cost - Jesus!
Everything - Engine rebuild, Clutch, Clutch Seals, Brake Master Cylinder, Radiator, Oil Sensor, Starter Motor, Coil springs and Shocks. About 13K in 2yrs.
A brillant car, sounds unbelievable and will easily blow away a Ferrari or hairdresser's porsche.
But it's going to cost a lot and if cash if not plentiful walk away and save. Once you've purchased your hooked on the noise and power - it's a drug dude.
As for ownership cost - Jesus!
Everything - Engine rebuild, Clutch, Clutch Seals, Brake Master Cylinder, Radiator, Oil Sensor, Starter Motor, Coil springs and Shocks. About 13K in 2yrs.
A brillant car, sounds unbelievable and will easily blow away a Ferrari or hairdresser's porsche.
But it's going to cost a lot and if cash if not plentiful walk away and save. Once you've purchased your hooked on the noise and power - it's a drug dude.
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