Most reliable - 4.2 or 4.5?
Discussion
I've managed to sell my Chim 400 and want something that I can get a 3-yr old in the back of. After going to the motorshow at weekend there are no other convertibles that provoke the same emotions as the TVR! 
So I've given up on the idea of a convertible and decided on a Cerbera - but which one? Spend £15k-£18k on a early 4.2 and keep a few thou for emergencies, or spend approx £21k on a early 4.5 and have no backup pot? Which is the most reliable engine? Is it good if it's advertised as having had "a recent engine rebuild"? The Chim didn't give me a single problem so I think I've been spoilt.
So I've given up on the idea of a convertible and decided on a Cerbera - but which one? Spend £15k-£18k on a early 4.2 and keep a few thou for emergencies, or spend approx £21k on a early 4.5 and have no backup pot? Which is the most reliable engine? Is it good if it's advertised as having had "a recent engine rebuild"? The Chim didn't give me a single problem so I think I've been spoilt.
I had exactly the same dilemma. I sold the Griff 500 and decided to spend as much as possible on a later car. Went for a 200MY reg 4.5 Cerb. No back-up pot though. Fingers crossed. I've noticed some postings tell you to leave three grand plus a year as a back up but i'm hoping that won't be necessary on a newer car. P.S check the PH classifieds. There seems to be some nice cars on there. Good luck hunting!!!!
to be honest i don't think you can tell either 4.2 or 4.5 it has to be the individual car that you look at they will probably all have some problems regardless it just depends what you are after? i looked at the 4.2 and the 4.5 before buying mine but to be honest there is very little if any noticable differance in the performance BUT i would always leave some cash in the sock draw for the serviceing and valves etc just to be on the safe side. Drive a few and ask the previous owner as many questions as possible .... a load of TVR recipts is a good indication he has had everything done that needed to be done, you could instead of trying to negotiate the price ask him to pay for a full service including valves and anything the dealer finds wrong/needs replacing on the car that way you will have a little piece of mind and if he know's there is anything that needs doing he may back down. Hope you find the right car and enjoy it.
Same advice as ever:
In general buy the newest car you can it is the most likely to be sorted BUT (there is always one) more important is the condition of the individual car.
'98 onwards had things like revised doorseals, the 4.2's had the 4.5 clutch etc...
By the way you can always tell if it is an early engined example because the dipstick is in the centre of the engine, on later models it is at the front.
Happy hunting.
In general buy the newest car you can it is the most likely to be sorted BUT (there is always one) more important is the condition of the individual car.
'98 onwards had things like revised doorseals, the 4.2's had the 4.5 clutch etc...
By the way you can always tell if it is an early engined example because the dipstick is in the centre of the engine, on later models it is at the front.
Happy hunting.
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