Cerbera,as an every day car.
Discussion
Does any one use there cerbera as an every day car.Ive heard all the storys of unreliability,but there must be some one who drives there one every day and doesnt suffer any thing more serious than regular servicing. Ive had my chim for a year now,and its been totally reliable,there must be a cerbera out there with a good track record,i hope.
Bugger. No, I can't say that i've had nothing more than regular servicing. But I struggle to remember anything really serious which was costly. There are loads of threads on this subject (someone ought to post a definitive list of what-goes-wrong) but I reckon that mine has been maintained on approx. £1.5 per year, including servicing, but not including depreciation/insurance.
In the first couple of years, I went to main dealers and it wasn't uncommon for service bills to get over £1K, but now Joolz sorts the car for me, they are much MUCH cheaper, and dare I say it - I get much MUCH better service too!
But .. I think i've got a good one. And i'm prepared to put up with some of the niggles. For example, the clutch release bearing is quite noisy, but so what? The car will leak if left outside in the rain - so what? Front paintwork is really chipped badly, but it won't rust, and it still goes as fast! Etc, etc.
My advice would be to get one with as much history as you can see. You just can't tell which ones are screwed together better than others. And i'd get an early one, a couple of £K less than you can afford. Then you can just get everything sorted if (when?) it crops up!
In the first couple of years, I went to main dealers and it wasn't uncommon for service bills to get over £1K, but now Joolz sorts the car for me, they are much MUCH cheaper, and dare I say it - I get much MUCH better service too!
But .. I think i've got a good one. And i'm prepared to put up with some of the niggles. For example, the clutch release bearing is quite noisy, but so what? The car will leak if left outside in the rain - so what? Front paintwork is really chipped badly, but it won't rust, and it still goes as fast! Etc, etc.
My advice would be to get one with as much history as you can see. You just can't tell which ones are screwed together better than others. And i'd get an early one, a couple of £K less than you can afford. Then you can just get everything sorted if (when?) it crops up!
Go and do it ! I've been nipping around in a 99 reg, 4.5 cerbera - without (touch wood) any problems since I had it (for the past four months).
To be fair, it's perhaps not quite as easy to use for everyday use as some autos I've had for day2day, but you get the hang of it after a week or to.
I reckon the car performs better when it's warmed up a little and my journeys are often short. Just means that I make my excuses to take it for an extended senic route drive whenever possible.
Enjoy!
To be fair, it's perhaps not quite as easy to use for everyday use as some autos I've had for day2day, but you get the hang of it after a week or to.
I reckon the car performs better when it's warmed up a little and my journeys are often short. Just means that I make my excuses to take it for an extended senic route drive whenever possible.
Enjoy!
Yep - Dads Cerb 4.5, Used to accompany a Jag, but the jag was boring and not getting used, so that went 
He keeps the costs of everything, from fuel bills to full services. Will try and get a (brief) outline of the costs involved. He does about 10k a year on average and insists that the Cerbera is better off for it.
Certainly with independant servicing (joolz, superb) our car is running for considerably less than most of the cerberas on this site and on egroups.
As an everyday fun car, for trips to tescos/ the occaisional trackday/ sprint / B road blats and trips to Le Mans etc we honestly couldnt think of a better all rounder
Only regrets are not meeting joolz sooner and not getting a sports exhaust until recently
Main problems are small niggling things, nothing too worrying so far (in 25,000miles+) apart from a clutch issue, which was sorted along with a service and uprated shocks at the front - but still ended up cheaper than just a main dealer service.
Oh, and of course the biggest problem - what to replace it with????
He keeps the costs of everything, from fuel bills to full services. Will try and get a (brief) outline of the costs involved. He does about 10k a year on average and insists that the Cerbera is better off for it.
Certainly with independant servicing (joolz, superb) our car is running for considerably less than most of the cerberas on this site and on egroups.
As an everyday fun car, for trips to tescos/ the occaisional trackday/ sprint / B road blats and trips to Le Mans etc we honestly couldnt think of a better all rounder
Only regrets are not meeting joolz sooner and not getting a sports exhaust until recently
Main problems are small niggling things, nothing too worrying so far (in 25,000miles+) apart from a clutch issue, which was sorted along with a service and uprated shocks at the front - but still ended up cheaper than just a main dealer service.
Oh, and of course the biggest problem - what to replace it with????
I use mine every day, however you must plan/budget for the exceptions in life.
Snow and ice for example - Its just not worth the worry (and I don't mean my own driving skills - the roads are full of numpties who crash into roundabouts!).
The occaisional breakdown - my clutch went recently, and by the time the Warranty company got round to inspect the car to give the go-ahead for the repair, I was without it for 3 days - so £30 a day for a hire car.
I do not have a second car, but will nick the wifes and give her some taxi money if I really have to.
I reckon that the inconvenience of Cerbera ownership has not cost more than £150 in a year for me, so I just think of it as part of my 'running' costs.
Snow and ice for example - Its just not worth the worry (and I don't mean my own driving skills - the roads are full of numpties who crash into roundabouts!).
The occaisional breakdown - my clutch went recently, and by the time the Warranty company got round to inspect the car to give the go-ahead for the repair, I was without it for 3 days - so £30 a day for a hire car.
I do not have a second car, but will nick the wifes and give her some taxi money if I really have to.
I reckon that the inconvenience of Cerbera ownership has not cost more than £150 in a year for me, so I just think of it as part of my 'running' costs.
Used mine every day for the first 2 years, but I was racking up the miles so fast I guessed I'd never be able to sell it again, so stopped everyday use at about 32,000 miles. Done anouther 8,000 weekends use in the last year and a half. No problems as every day driver at all...except the cost. Servicing every 6K, low mpg, tyres, brakes etc. I ran an old Cinquecento as a daily driver for the last 1 1/2 years and it paid for its self - outright - in fuel saving alone. So, the moral is: perfectly practical and absolutely no problems...if you can afford it.
WB
WB
I've used my Cerbera every day for the last two years (when its not in Blackpool). Its only every left me stranded twice in two years, so not too bad really.
I'd agree with other comments on this thread, you'll keep your costs right down if you find a good independent. I unfortunately used a dealer for the first 18 months and the running costs were quite high - mostly because of the extortionate bills I got from TVR Dealers.
My profile is up to date with my costs - they look high but I do do 10,000 miles a year in the Cerbera.
I'd agree with other comments on this thread, you'll keep your costs right down if you find a good independent. I unfortunately used a dealer for the first 18 months and the running costs were quite high - mostly because of the extortionate bills I got from TVR Dealers.
My profile is up to date with my costs - they look high but I do do 10,000 miles a year in the Cerbera.
Use mine everyday/allweathers. 6 months in still spot on, still big grin.
Get used to lifting the bonnet at every chance to check levels etc.
Don't run to the dealer every time you get a niggle, post message here, as someone will have been there before you.
Stacks of threads on this subject ( including me asking the same questions as you last august!) & everyone wants to help you. Great site/community.
Darren.
Get used to lifting the bonnet at every chance to check levels etc.
Don't run to the dealer every time you get a niggle, post message here, as someone will have been there before you.
Stacks of threads on this subject ( including me asking the same questions as you last august!) & everyone wants to help you. Great site/community.
Darren.
This is beginning to sound very encoureging.what has put me off is,that apart from the stories ive heard here,i have two pals that recently binned there cerbs due to unreliability.One went on to a newish DB7 vantage the other an XK8.But even now they still miss the mind blowing performance of there cerbs.One had a 4.2 the other a 4.5.Whould it be best to go for an early 4.2 where all the problems will be sorted?
>> Edited by BLUETHUNDER on Tuesday 4th February 22:39
>> Edited by BLUETHUNDER on Tuesday 4th February 22:39
For everyday - the 4.5, the 4.2 is just a tad more raw, however I may be very slightly biased 
Cars vary so much its best to just set a budget and look at/drive as many as possible!! Also, pick out an ideal spec and wait for the right car to come along... unless of course you realise the right car isnt what you had previously thought!
We started off looking for a nice Griff 4.0 in Yellow for about 14k, lost the plot somewhere along the line and bought the Cerb!!! Never really looked back since.
Cars vary so much its best to just set a budget and look at/drive as many as possible!! Also, pick out an ideal spec and wait for the right car to come along... unless of course you realise the right car isnt what you had previously thought!
We started off looking for a nice Griff 4.0 in Yellow for about 14k, lost the plot somewhere along the line and bought the Cerb!!!
Never really looked back since.Nice to see such positive posts! With regards to buying early cars I also took the view that most things would be sorted. I have had a few niggles but the car starts first time and have been relying on it as everyday transport with no major problems so far (touchinglotsofwood). 4.2 vs 4.5 IMO v little difference, general condition and plenty of bills much more important! There are bargains to be had out there! 
Regards
Chris
Regards
Chris
I tested a number of 4.2, 4.5s and S6s before purchasing mine last november (spent nearly a year on the hunt for the right one). I personally couldnt see any real difference offered from the 4.5, and in the end bought a 4.2, saving myself 5K - it was a private sale and the previous owner had treated it very very well - confirmed by HHC and Team Proactive.
Its used almost every day (mix of train commute or drive depending on my mood) - never felt raw(?), as was previously mentioned - I think its all down to the individual car than simply dismissing S6 as 'unreliable' and 4.2s as 'raw'.
IMO a cerbera is a good everyday car, if treated with more respect and more TLC than your everyday load-lugger. Its no good just sat in the garage like a museum piece, that machinery loves to move! Just make sure you test all 3 models - I found some excellent examples but also a number I felt were either neglected or corners cut (usually sold through non-TVR dealers).
Good luck,
Tommo
Its used almost every day (mix of train commute or drive depending on my mood) - never felt raw(?), as was previously mentioned - I think its all down to the individual car than simply dismissing S6 as 'unreliable' and 4.2s as 'raw'.
IMO a cerbera is a good everyday car, if treated with more respect and more TLC than your everyday load-lugger. Its no good just sat in the garage like a museum piece, that machinery loves to move! Just make sure you test all 3 models - I found some excellent examples but also a number I felt were either neglected or corners cut (usually sold through non-TVR dealers).
Good luck,
Tommo
OK,so I must have the bad one.In less than 2000 miles I have had the following:-
locked out twice.
starter motor and ring gear.
5th gear gear shedding it's teeth.
rear suspension anti-roll bar links.
wipers packed up.
both front hubs replaced.
fuseable link in the main alt to battery lead.
This on a 1999 4.5 with 23,000 mile and f.s.h.
I do love it but for the first time in 19 years of driving I have joined the A.A.,I can say that I trust it at all but I've only had it 4 months and can't sell it yet untill I've used it a bit.
locked out twice.
starter motor and ring gear.
5th gear gear shedding it's teeth.
rear suspension anti-roll bar links.
wipers packed up.
both front hubs replaced.
fuseable link in the main alt to battery lead.
This on a 1999 4.5 with 23,000 mile and f.s.h.
I do love it but for the first time in 19 years of driving I have joined the A.A.,I can say that I trust it at all but I've only had it 4 months and can't sell it yet untill I've used it a bit.
Right, and out of your other issues :-
- Fuseable link; this always goes, replace every 6k
- Front hubs - standard recall as peter28 said
- 5th gear - that's the weak one on the T5, also common
- Wipers packing up - had they got tangled or jammed? Bad luck!
- Rear suspension arb links, again a common problem
The starter motor and ring gear is unfortunate though, that's definitely more rare. With the help of a good independent though, these problems shouldn't be too stressful. Hopefully you should have a good run for the next 12k miles now!
As for joining the AA (or whatever) - this has to be a must with *any* car. For the money, it's worth never having to worry about it. Get the best policy you can, then you won't be kicking yourself if stranded several hundred miles away.
danny
- Fuseable link; this always goes, replace every 6k
- Front hubs - standard recall as peter28 said
- 5th gear - that's the weak one on the T5, also common
- Wipers packing up - had they got tangled or jammed? Bad luck!
- Rear suspension arb links, again a common problem
The starter motor and ring gear is unfortunate though, that's definitely more rare. With the help of a good independent though, these problems shouldn't be too stressful. Hopefully you should have a good run for the next 12k miles now!
As for joining the AA (or whatever) - this has to be a must with *any* car. For the money, it's worth never having to worry about it. Get the best policy you can, then you won't be kicking yourself if stranded several hundred miles away.
danny
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