Best Cerb to Buy?

Best Cerb to Buy?

Author
Discussion

GasBlaster

Original Poster:

27,428 posts

286 months

Tuesday 10th December 2002
quotequote all
I am very tempted to upgrade from Griff500 to Cerb.

With engines - like breasts - bigger is often better, so is the 4.5 a better bet than the SP6 or 4.2? And is a Lightweight much better than a regular 4.5?

I would be interested to hear views on anyone who has made the transition.

What are servicing costs like vis a vis the Griff?

All opinions welcome!

Thanks

ro_butler

795 posts

278 months

Tuesday 10th December 2002
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A lot of people have strong opinions on this, and I guess most would say buy the 4.5.

I wouldn't argue with this but my advice would to be to decide between a 6 or a v8 and then go and find the best example you can. Judge each car individually.

The 6 is quite different to the 8's so drive both. I guess it is fairly similar to choosing a griff really (i.e. get the wrong one and it will be a nightmare).

Rob.

flasher

9,238 posts

291 months

Tuesday 10th December 2002
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I would go for the 4.2. You only have to read last months sprint magazine to find out that the 4.5 is deliberatley de-tuned by the factory.

When I bought mine (which I sold to Rob!!) I drove both the 4.5 and 4.2 and I thought the 4.2 was more "urgent" The 4.5 may well have a bigger top end , but when are you going to use it? Also the 4.2 sounds better with a sports exhaust and is slightly cheaper to buy. Do what I did, drive both and most importantly my advice would be to forget the engine size and find the best car with the best history and best colour combinations you can find, 300cc doesn't really make much difference, they are both supercars with awesome performance..

batman_robin

70 posts

286 months

Tuesday 10th December 2002
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I would say unless you are going to do 150+ all the time, the 4.2 would be as good as the 4.5 up to that point so the choice is yours.

Danny.

flasher

9,238 posts

291 months

Tuesday 10th December 2002
quotequote all
Add to that, I would avoid the Speed six unless it's been "sorted" or it's a very late one, then you shouldn't have any engine issues....The speed six is a brilliant engine when you get a "good-un" but buying a speed six engined car privatley is still risky as you want a warranty with one for sure..(just in case)

As for running costs, budget for £1000 a year and you won't be far out. A good 4.2 or 4.5 will only have, at worst clutch or brake disc warp issues. I would also advise you to buy from a dealer then these things should be covered by the warranty. Make sure you ask the right questions like "if the clutch goes is it covered??"
You should get a good deal on your Griff as there are very few around for sale at the moment and are holding their money better than Chim's.

>> Edited by flasher on Tuesday 10th December 21:57

chibbard

1,554 posts

267 months

Wednesday 11th December 2002
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GasBlaster, I know exactly what you are thinking as I made the exact same transition about six months ago. I had a reliable 1995 Griff 500 and have always loved Cerbs. I don’t know your reasons for changing to a Cerb but mine was the fact that I now have a daughter and the Cerb seemed to be the natural transition. I never drove a 4.2L Cerb so I cannot comment on a comparison between a 4.2L and 4.5L. I thought I would miss the “roof off” experience more than I have but as someone else mentioned in another thread, you only have to blink and you’ll miss the sunshine in this country.
I decided to go for a 2000MY 4.5L Cerb in Reflex Purple, latest headlamp arrangement, portland grey leather, Tuscan seats with air con etc. Also I found more headroom in a 2000MY with Tuscan style seats as oppsed to a 2000MY without Tuscan seats.
My advise is to go for as late a car that your money can buy rather than buying an earlier one and keeping money aside for repairs (why spend “spare” money on an older car). Managed to negotiate 15K for my Griff 500 with a mileage of 28K against a 37K Cerb with a mileage of 9K at a well known main dealer.
As for servicing and maintanance I do everything myself once the vehicle is out of warranty so I cannot help you there. I just could not bring myself to paying main dealer prices knowing that I am more than capable of doing the work myself. Absolutely no regrets so far.
Hope this helps.

Jonny TVR

4,541 posts

288 months

Wednesday 11th December 2002
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There is not much in the early 4.2 and the 4.5's. However the later 4.2's are slower due to the quiet cam. The 4.5's in my view and my mechanic (Shane Fearns who used to work for the TVR race team) are the best because they offer the same performance but are more refined (and can pass the MOT test alot easier!)

Mine is a 4.7 (one of only 2 made). It uses a bored out engine with 5 litre pistons and was used for press purposes and as a back up engine for the Tuscan race team.

christof

905 posts

291 months

Wednesday 11th December 2002
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Well just my 2 p :

If you can afford, buy a 4.5 LW Red Rose.

Very good performance, incredible throttle response and an awesome noise.

I have one, but she will go next weekend -(

Christof