4.2, 4.5 or Speed 6?

4.2, 4.5 or Speed 6?

Author
Discussion

backtothefold

Original Poster:

2 posts

280 months

Tuesday 10th July 2001
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I had a Chimaera 450 for a couple of years prior to having to sell (due to the arrival of a much more demanding baby!). I''m now looking to rejoin the TVR world but with a Cerbera this time as I need the 4 seats. Are there any thoughts out there which is the best flavour to go for? I''ve read that the post 1998 ''R'' cars are the best spec to go for but I''m pondering over whether to go for 4.2, 4.5 or Speed 6. Any advice would be much appreciated.

mrtony

105 posts

289 months

Thursday 12th July 2001
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There was a good article on what to look for in a 4.2 in an earlier edition of EVO Mag, check the back issues section. Doesn't cover 4.5/S6 tho. I'm in a similar mind though I might just go for a chimp as I'd like to have the option to drop the roof. Anyone know a good TVR garage in the SE where they wont mind letting you have a decent test drive (say half a day) as opposed to once round the block?

paul west

11 posts

289 months

Sunday 15th July 2001
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Having tested all three before I brought one, I thought the difference in performance was hardly noticable but the Sp6 was a far smoother drive, and if you do a few miles, you will get 20-22 to the gallon compared to 14 with the V8

mrtony

105 posts

289 months

Monday 16th July 2001
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Paul, Where did you go for the test drives?

backtothefold

Original Poster:

2 posts

280 months

Monday 16th July 2001
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How does the exhaust note compare? I love the V8 sound that I got from the Chimaera and I assume the 4.5 has the same/similar sound but what about the Speed Six? Cheers, Andy

philshort

8,293 posts

284 months

Monday 16th July 2001
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I don't think the AJP V8 sounds much like the trusty Rover lump at all! More like a couple of big bikes running together - ZZR1100 is about the closest I think.

jpritchard

114 posts

289 months

Tuesday 17th July 2001
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backtothefold - Mine is a financial constraint at the moment but I am also pondering 4.2 vs 4.5. Seems most of these posts have not been about your question. I have a griff 500 and am considering swapping for a cerby (motorway miles should be quieter!) How different is the 4.5? I'm testing 4.2's at the moment - 1st test drive Thursday... 98 R reg 4.2 - I'll let you know...

GasBlaster

27,428 posts

286 months

Tuesday 17th July 2001
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Do let us know how the test drive went. How does the Cerby compare to the Griff? I drive a Griff at the mo but feel the need for more power!

mrtony

105 posts

289 months

Tuesday 17th July 2001
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Cheers GDW. Every word I hear about Fernhurst makes me believe that they might actually be a good dealer! (A rare thing in the auto industry...) Lots of people here seems to be having problems with the SP6 - is it worse than the 4.2/4.5 or is it just that its newer and therefore not had the 'settling in' period that the older engines have had?

Ozer

19 posts

280 months

Tuesday 17th July 2001
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I have now owned a Speed Six for 3 months having owner a Griff500 previously. The reason for the change was job related involving me doing more mileage and not having a garage at my weekday address. The Cerb is in a different league both performance and build quality. I have heard lots of stories about S6 being less reliable than the other cerbs. I have had lots of time in 4.2's and 4.5's (3 months in an early 4.2)and I believe the S6 to be every bit as quick in the "real world" with the benefit of a little extra refinement. However, I wouldn't fancy its chances on a track against the other models...(those tractor tyres will have to go)

mrtony

105 posts

289 months

Wednesday 18th July 2001
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Has the car had any problems in the 3 months you've had it though - back to dealers / factory at all for anything?

Ozer

19 posts

280 months

Wednesday 18th July 2001
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quote:
Has the car had any problems in the 3 months you've had it though - back to dealers / factory at all for anything?

Ozer

19 posts

280 months

Wednesday 18th July 2001
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quote:
Has the car had any problems in the 3 months you've had it though - back to dealers / factory at all for anything?
It conked out on the second day I had it which did not bode well, there was a problem with the ECU. But it was been running like clockwork ever since and I have done 4500 miles in the 3 months. Compared to Griff it has had far less problems. It almost feels like a "real" car!!

mrtony

105 posts

289 months

Wednesday 18th July 2001
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quote "I have done 4500 miles in the 3 months" now thats the kind of thing I wanted to hear! Only problem for now is finding a decent S6. Anything special to look out for beyond the standard Cerbera checklist (ie FSH/Crash damage/leaky doors/ wet feet etc ???

cerby

2,984 posts

290 months

Tuesday 24th July 2001
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If you look on another thread on the cerbera gassing station here,you will notice that the Cerbie speed sixes and the Tuscans are having terrible trouble with their engines!!Basically they are having often more than one trip back to Blackpool,some cars as many as 3 times so far.If I were you I wouldn`t buy a TVR at all!!!(Maybe one with a Rover V8 engine,much safer!)

jpritchard

114 posts

289 months

Monday 30th July 2001
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backtothefold - test drove the 4.2 - eventually. Needless to say because the garage selling it was not a tvr dealer the car had not been prepared! Even the battery was flat. ****e experience and will not be buying... Spoke to a 4.5 owner the other day though and will go to look at his car. Also spoke to a S6 owner and he recommends them for daily use - quieter and more comfortable... (probably out of my price range though. Keep you posted.

mrtony

105 posts

289 months

Monday 30th July 2001
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Hmmm this whole speed6 or not speed 6 thing is confusing the crap out of me. Seems an indeterminate number of spped 6 engines are causing trouble. So either a: The s6 engine is only good for a few thousand miles. b: some people are really unlucky. Not sure what the truth is here, my only question is where are the high milage speed6 owners - are there any out there yet. I'd be prepared to spend the extra cash for a more refined cabin / smoother engine, but if the engine is smooth but shortlived not much point really...

CERBY

2,984 posts

290 months

Monday 30th July 2001
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I think i,ve said enough about the speed six engine and its poor design but if you don,t believe me take a trip up to TVR Blackpool and see for yourself the 100+ Tuscans /Cerberas waiting to be fixed.Alot of people keeping mum about all this for some reason!.

veryplast

167 posts

285 months

Tuesday 31st July 2001
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quote:
Hmmm this whole speed6 or not speed 6 thing is confusing the crap out of me. Seems an indeterminate number of spped 6 engines are causing trouble. So either a: The s6 engine is only good for a few thousand miles. b: some people are really unlucky. Not sure what the truth is here, my only question is where are the high milage speed6 owners - are there any out there yet. I'd be prepared to spend the extra cash for a more refined cabin / smoother engine, but if the engine is smooth but shortlived not much point really...
here in belgium there is a cerbera speed 6 with 60000km.

CERBY

2,984 posts

290 months

Tuesday 31st July 2001
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Yeh! But its on its SIXTH engine rebuild!!or have they dropped a V8 Griff engine in it!