Discussion
Spend an hour trawling through, there are many discussion strings on this subject.
For the child seat - TVR do make one, it should match the interior and many second hand cars come with them. New they cost £450 (full leather) and come with fitting kit (not that simple to install, then they just throw in like any other car.
For the child seat - TVR do make one, it should match the interior and many second hand cars come with them. New they cost £450 (full leather) and come with fitting kit (not that simple to install, then they just throw in like any other car.
Don't know about the child seat, my kids are beyond that. I do know that my two eldest daughters can still fold themselves into the passenger side, one is 5'10" and the other 6'. Only a few complaints.
I find the Cerbera ok to live with. It is not my only car but I do use it as much as possible. It does the school run most days with no problems. The most tedious aspect is the warmup which everybody says is essential. It is fine to drive in traffic once you have mastered the rather digital clutch.
I have had some electrical niggles but nothing that I couldn't sort out either myself, or by calling my local independent for advice, the car has not let me down.
You have to remember that simple things like heating and ventilation are somewhat substandard in comparison to a mass produced vehicle. Servicing cost will be higher, for 12000 miles a year you should expect £800 -£1000, less if you can do some yourself.
I priced a new set of TOYO rear tyres last month, £79 each for 245 45 16. (i have a 4.2).
I expect 18 - 22 MPG with average driving which is quite respectible.
I have seen many threads where oil consumption in >1 litre per 1000 miles with mobil 1 at £12 per litre that can add up a bit. My car uses about 1 litre every 2000 - 3000 miles which is unusual I am told. Obviously I don't thrash it enough.
Insurance was OK for me, 39 with 6y NCB. I paid £450 with Sunninghill.
The only thing to be concerned about is the longevity of the engine, clutch and transmission, ooh that sounds bad. If it has been treated well then I think the AJP8 is quite strong but I know that there have been some expensive repairs reported, almost put me off changing my Chimaera, glad I took the plunge though.
I guess you just need to go in with your eyes open. If you can live with the TVR foibles and you buy a well looked after example then you should not expect too many problems. If you have a good mechanical and electrical aptitiude then you will solve most of the silly TVR type problems by yourself.
I would always advocate speaking to one of the independents, you may pay a little more but worth it.
Sorry this turned into a ramble, hope you find it useful.
I find the Cerbera ok to live with. It is not my only car but I do use it as much as possible. It does the school run most days with no problems. The most tedious aspect is the warmup which everybody says is essential. It is fine to drive in traffic once you have mastered the rather digital clutch.
I have had some electrical niggles but nothing that I couldn't sort out either myself, or by calling my local independent for advice, the car has not let me down.
You have to remember that simple things like heating and ventilation are somewhat substandard in comparison to a mass produced vehicle. Servicing cost will be higher, for 12000 miles a year you should expect £800 -£1000, less if you can do some yourself.
I priced a new set of TOYO rear tyres last month, £79 each for 245 45 16. (i have a 4.2).
I expect 18 - 22 MPG with average driving which is quite respectible.
I have seen many threads where oil consumption in >1 litre per 1000 miles with mobil 1 at £12 per litre that can add up a bit. My car uses about 1 litre every 2000 - 3000 miles which is unusual I am told. Obviously I don't thrash it enough.
Insurance was OK for me, 39 with 6y NCB. I paid £450 with Sunninghill.
The only thing to be concerned about is the longevity of the engine, clutch and transmission, ooh that sounds bad. If it has been treated well then I think the AJP8 is quite strong but I know that there have been some expensive repairs reported, almost put me off changing my Chimaera, glad I took the plunge though.
I guess you just need to go in with your eyes open. If you can live with the TVR foibles and you buy a well looked after example then you should not expect too many problems. If you have a good mechanical and electrical aptitiude then you will solve most of the silly TVR type problems by yourself.
I would always advocate speaking to one of the independents, you may pay a little more but worth it.
Sorry this turned into a ramble, hope you find it useful.
If you are worrying about petrol costs then I think you are going into this with the wrong idea !!! Forget the petrol costs for starters...people who buy diesels do so over fuel cost concerns....
Your choice on engine size but personally I'd go for the V8 not the speed six (IMHO)...not a lot of difference between a 4.2 and a 4.5 but the 4.5 is more refined and if you can stretch to a later model then do as they are more sorted...
Expect to pay between £600-£1000 for an annual service at a dealers (in the high end at a registered TVR dealer).... insurance is anyone's guess but around £1100 seems the average...
Then keep back at least £1500 for unforeseen problems and if you can by a warranty unless you fancy chancing it...there are a lot of threads on ther WHA warranty but I must admit for me that having spent £2k on warranties and saved over £6k I was quids in so to speak...(although the warranties are still pretty pants..my waranty now covers everything when there is a fault - excess labour or not...
)
Child seats are available and can be fitted in the back (and can be custom made by TVR too)...
It will be a good move from a Scooby but probably not as reliable....if you go into this with your eyes open and expect a few little niggles here and there you will enjoy this relationship....do not expect Jap efficiency but enjoy instead raw british unbridled power, design and noise.....
Here are some threads to look at....
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=19031&f=0&h=0&hw=
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=19915&f=0&h=0&hw=
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=18542&f=6&h=0
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=15911&f=6&h=0
>> Edited by basher on Tuesday 5th November 17:58
Your choice on engine size but personally I'd go for the V8 not the speed six (IMHO)...not a lot of difference between a 4.2 and a 4.5 but the 4.5 is more refined and if you can stretch to a later model then do as they are more sorted...
Expect to pay between £600-£1000 for an annual service at a dealers (in the high end at a registered TVR dealer).... insurance is anyone's guess but around £1100 seems the average...
Then keep back at least £1500 for unforeseen problems and if you can by a warranty unless you fancy chancing it...there are a lot of threads on ther WHA warranty but I must admit for me that having spent £2k on warranties and saved over £6k I was quids in so to speak...(although the warranties are still pretty pants..my waranty now covers everything when there is a fault - excess labour or not...
) Child seats are available and can be fitted in the back (and can be custom made by TVR too)...
It will be a good move from a Scooby but probably not as reliable....if you go into this with your eyes open and expect a few little niggles here and there you will enjoy this relationship....do not expect Jap efficiency but enjoy instead raw british unbridled power, design and noise.....
Here are some threads to look at....
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=19031&f=0&h=0&hw=
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=19915&f=0&h=0&hw=
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=18542&f=6&h=0
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=15911&f=6&h=0
>> Edited by basher on Tuesday 5th November 17:58
I think its a bargin as well really ..... well I have still got it haven't I ! 
I have been looking around and doing a bit of research and I would like to spend around £25k with 5K spare for emergencys. Would like a 4.5 with an intresting colour schem. Whats avaliable ?
Also is there anywhere that I can see the model changes eg a 99 has revised suspension to a 97
Also is there anywhere that I can see the model changes eg a 99 has revised suspension to a 97
All the standard cars have the same suspension (near enough). Only the dampers differ and even then only slightly. If the dampers are purple or green(?) in colour (assuming they are not 'road grime' colour 
)then these are the original units. The later units are black.
Speak to Joolz though as the standard suspension is crap and you will probably want to upgrade the dampers and springs to nitrons. Everyone on here raves about them and they can't all be wrong.
Rob.
)then these are the original units. The later units are black. Speak to Joolz though as the standard suspension is crap and you will probably want to upgrade the dampers and springs to nitrons. Everyone on here raves about them and they can't all be wrong.
Rob.
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