Fed up with boring cars!!!
Discussion
Hi all,
Firstly I'm not going to ask/bore you all with answers to the normal virgin Cerbera questions like 1. Reliability, 2. Running costs, 3. Model etc etc... I've read this excellent forum and done my research.
I'm fed up of boring "clone" like cars, if you know what I mean and want to put that smile back on my face. I have friends with Porsches and M3's etc and they are just all the same, not for me I say. I've driven Mercs more or less all my life and I’ve gone right off them. I have no commitments and don't care about mpg, running costs (to an extent, obviously) and want something that's fun and involves the driver.
I need a car that meets the following criteria;
1. Sports Car.
2. Power.
3. Looks.
4. Rarity.
5. Not costing the price of a 1 bed flat!!!
6. Etc Etc...
So, after perusing various literature at the weekend I thought to myself there can be no other car that can meet the above other than The CERBERA. I test drove one about a year ago and fell in love with it, in fact I was fascinated with it. I couldn't afford one then and was put off by people I knew who had them and told me about the reliability of them. But I don't care, that's the price you pay for such a gorgeous machine. Anyway, I suppose it's more of a hobby than an A > B car, isn't it??
I'm gonna test drive a couple more and buy one, whatever happens. So my questions are, if someone can help me;
1. I want to buy one from a reputable TVR dealer who's not gonna rip a TVR virgin off. Who are the best people to talk to? I'm based in North London and don't mind travelling if it's the right one. Does anyone know of a good one for sale? I'd rather not spend more than £27K. I'm sure that should be OK, I hope!! Not annoying S6 owners out there but I’d prefer a 4.2 or 4.5.
2. What do I need to do myself to ensure good care/running of the car? I.e. Warming Up, General Maintenance, Weekly Checks etc. Any tips really.
3. I'll be using the car in the evenings and weekends and generally doing around 150 > 200 miles a week in it, is this OK? When I'm not using it, is there anything I need to do to keep it tip top?
Hope someone can help/guide me and eventually put that smile on my face and enjoy a proper sports car.
Cheers,
Big T.
Firstly I'm not going to ask/bore you all with answers to the normal virgin Cerbera questions like 1. Reliability, 2. Running costs, 3. Model etc etc... I've read this excellent forum and done my research.
I'm fed up of boring "clone" like cars, if you know what I mean and want to put that smile back on my face. I have friends with Porsches and M3's etc and they are just all the same, not for me I say. I've driven Mercs more or less all my life and I’ve gone right off them. I have no commitments and don't care about mpg, running costs (to an extent, obviously) and want something that's fun and involves the driver.
I need a car that meets the following criteria;
1. Sports Car.
2. Power.
3. Looks.
4. Rarity.
5. Not costing the price of a 1 bed flat!!!
6. Etc Etc...
So, after perusing various literature at the weekend I thought to myself there can be no other car that can meet the above other than The CERBERA. I test drove one about a year ago and fell in love with it, in fact I was fascinated with it. I couldn't afford one then and was put off by people I knew who had them and told me about the reliability of them. But I don't care, that's the price you pay for such a gorgeous machine. Anyway, I suppose it's more of a hobby than an A > B car, isn't it??
I'm gonna test drive a couple more and buy one, whatever happens. So my questions are, if someone can help me;
1. I want to buy one from a reputable TVR dealer who's not gonna rip a TVR virgin off. Who are the best people to talk to? I'm based in North London and don't mind travelling if it's the right one. Does anyone know of a good one for sale? I'd rather not spend more than £27K. I'm sure that should be OK, I hope!! Not annoying S6 owners out there but I’d prefer a 4.2 or 4.5.
2. What do I need to do myself to ensure good care/running of the car? I.e. Warming Up, General Maintenance, Weekly Checks etc. Any tips really.
3. I'll be using the car in the evenings and weekends and generally doing around 150 > 200 miles a week in it, is this OK? When I'm not using it, is there anything I need to do to keep it tip top?
Hope someone can help/guide me and eventually put that smile on my face and enjoy a proper sports car.
Cheers,
Big T.
Hi all,
Firstly I'm not going to ask/bore you all with answers to the normal virgin Cerbera questions like 1. Reliability, 2. Running costs, 3. Model etc etc... I've read this excellent forum and done my research.
I'm fed up of boring "clone" like cars, if you know what I mean and want to put that smile back on my face. I have friends with Porsches and M3's etc and they are just all the same, not for me I say. I've driven Mercs more or less all my life and I’ve gone right off them. I have no commitments and don't care about mpg, running costs (to an extent, obviously) and want something that's fun and involves the driver.
I need a car that meets the following criteria;
1. Sports Car.
2. Power.
3. Looks.
4. Rarity.
5. Not costing the price of a 1 bed flat!!!
6. Etc Etc...
So, after perusing various literature at the weekend I thought to myself there can be no other car that can meet the above other than The CERBERA. I test drove one about a year ago and fell in love with it, in fact I was fascinated with it. I couldn't afford one then and was put off by people I knew who had them and told me about the reliability of them. But I don't care, that's the price you pay for such a gorgeous machine. Anyway, I suppose it's more of a hobby than an A > B car, isn't it??
I'm gonna test drive a couple more and buy one, whatever happens. So my questions are, if someone can help me;
1. I want to buy one from a reputable TVR dealer who's not gonna rip a TVR virgin off. Who are the best people to talk to? I'm based in North London and don't mind travelling if it's the right one. speak to
James Agger, Adrian Blyth or Rob Ingleby (do a search here)
Does anyone know of a good one for sale?
look at the classifieds here
I'd rather not spend more than £27K. I'm sure that should be OK, I hope!! Not annoying S6 owners out there but I’d prefer a 4.2 or 4.5.
as above late Cerbs are sorted, fast and sexy
2. What do I need to do myself to ensure good care/running of the car? I.e. Warming Up, General Maintenance, Weekly Checks etc. Any tips really.
as above again, these guys are enthusiasts and will take care of you. Just post pics once you've bought the beast
3. I'll be using the car in the evenings and weekends and generally doing around 150 > 200 miles a week in it, is this OK? When I'm not using it, is there anything I need to do to keep it tip top?
keep using it and it'll be fine
Hope someone can help/guide me and eventually put that smile on my face and enjoy a proper sports car.
welcome to a painful face
Cheers,
Big T.
Tips for running?
Well, one of the most important factors. In this weather it can take quite a long time to get the car up to a "nice" working temperature. Get used to the reading that you get on the Oil Pressure gauge (there is no Oil Temp gauge), and look for it to drop 5-10psi from its starting value. When it does (probably 5 minutes after the engine reachs running temp) she is ready to go.
Don't be tempted to leave the car sitting on the driveway to warm up - although the engine will be ready to go, the gearbox/diff will not have had its oil warmed up.
Weekly checks (or after a long run) are oil and water. Always worth checking under the car (garage floors are ideal for this) for leaks - but I guess that is obvious.
There are few gauges in a Cerbera, but once you get used to the running temperature of the car, and the oil pressure that you expect be wary of those values changing.
Other than that the car is a total hoot, and I am sure you will enjoy ownership.
Steve
Well, one of the most important factors. In this weather it can take quite a long time to get the car up to a "nice" working temperature. Get used to the reading that you get on the Oil Pressure gauge (there is no Oil Temp gauge), and look for it to drop 5-10psi from its starting value. When it does (probably 5 minutes after the engine reachs running temp) she is ready to go.
Don't be tempted to leave the car sitting on the driveway to warm up - although the engine will be ready to go, the gearbox/diff will not have had its oil warmed up.
Weekly checks (or after a long run) are oil and water. Always worth checking under the car (garage floors are ideal for this) for leaks - but I guess that is obvious.
There are few gauges in a Cerbera, but once you get used to the running temperature of the car, and the oil pressure that you expect be wary of those values changing.
Other than that the car is a total hoot, and I am sure you will enjoy ownership.
Steve
Many thanks for the info Steve.
All I need to do now is source one from somewhere.
Is yours a 4.2 or 4.5?
I was looking for exactly the same colour combination, looks gorgeous.
If I get one from a TVR dealer, do you know if I can ask for the warranty I prefer or do I have to accept what I'm given?
Tony.
All I need to do now is source one from somewhere.
Is yours a 4.2 or 4.5?
I was looking for exactly the same colour combination, looks gorgeous.
If I get one from a TVR dealer, do you know if I can ask for the warranty I prefer or do I have to accept what I'm given?
Tony.
On colour you'll have loads of choice but few and far between of the rare & different ones. Most common is Rosso Pearl or Starmist Blue both nice. Personal preference is Crimson Starmist and avoid white.
Warranty's - you'll probably get a 12 month warranty from a dealer but this can be renewed when it runs out (costs a few hundred pounds though but it is piece of mind).
Warranty's - you'll probably get a 12 month warranty from a dealer but this can be renewed when it runs out (costs a few hundred pounds though but it is piece of mind).
Don't rule out buying private - just need lots of time and patience, and dont buy the first one you see (obviously).
I tried all the models via a few dealers to see what model I liked (better than p**sing a private seller off), and then bought private when the right car came along. Originally I was looking upto £30k, but eventually found my baby for only £20k - with the money I saved got brownie points from the misses, money aside for the running costs and bills, and to update the spec. as I wanted it.
Warranty - I went direct to the company that underwrites the TVR Spirit one (Warranty Holdings), told them it was a renewal of an exisitng policy and saves myself £500 on what the dealer would have done - and also made bloody sure there was no upper limit per claim. Something the dealers forget to tell you....
As for warming up - plenty of good advise on PH. Just follow this, and make damn sure the person you buy it off has followed it too!
Oooh, and it will actually thank you for the mileage - car = road, not garage!
Just be prepared never to be NOT noticed on the roads!
Happy hunting,
Tommo
I tried all the models via a few dealers to see what model I liked (better than p**sing a private seller off), and then bought private when the right car came along. Originally I was looking upto £30k, but eventually found my baby for only £20k - with the money I saved got brownie points from the misses, money aside for the running costs and bills, and to update the spec. as I wanted it.
Warranty - I went direct to the company that underwrites the TVR Spirit one (Warranty Holdings), told them it was a renewal of an exisitng policy and saves myself £500 on what the dealer would have done - and also made bloody sure there was no upper limit per claim. Something the dealers forget to tell you....
As for warming up - plenty of good advise on PH. Just follow this, and make damn sure the person you buy it off has followed it too!
Oooh, and it will actually thank you for the mileage - car = road, not garage!
Just be prepared never to be NOT noticed on the roads!
Happy hunting,
Tommo
Cheers,
I would like to get one privately cos of the obvious cost savings and being able to get a later car but being a novice, I don't want to buy a wrong 'un and I want to have that extra peace of mind of being able contact the dealer if all goes wrong.
Was thinking on the same lines Tommo, I know I gotta get the feel for what's a good car and what's a bad one.
I would prefer the colours Black's, Blue's, Purple's, Silver's etc but with a lighter interior colour. Definately going for a 4.5, hopefully as late as I can.
Regarding warranties, this i would imagine is obviously down to individual experiences as much as what each company covers. I've seen comments on Warranty Holdings, Warranty Wise etc. But still not sure what one would be best.
T.
>> Edited by big t on Wednesday 26th February 18:25
I would like to get one privately cos of the obvious cost savings and being able to get a later car but being a novice, I don't want to buy a wrong 'un and I want to have that extra peace of mind of being able contact the dealer if all goes wrong.
Was thinking on the same lines Tommo, I know I gotta get the feel for what's a good car and what's a bad one.
I would prefer the colours Black's, Blue's, Purple's, Silver's etc but with a lighter interior colour. Definately going for a 4.5, hopefully as late as I can.
Regarding warranties, this i would imagine is obviously down to individual experiences as much as what each company covers. I've seen comments on Warranty Holdings, Warranty Wise etc. But still not sure what one would be best.
T.
>> Edited by big t on Wednesday 26th February 18:25
gazzab said: His is a 4.2 ie it is too old for 4.5 and has 4.2 wheels.
Isnt that the same colour and spec as the lady who wanted one to match her ski boot?
Gazzab is, of course, right. It is a 4.2, and an early one at that. It has the noisey (and marginally more powerful) cams of the early engines, and hence is very noisey, in a nutsandboltsinawashingmachine sort of way.
You soon get used to it though, and realise that it is far better then the car is working hard, and revving freely.
I agree about wanting a light coloured interior, particularly before the interior roll bar change was made. I found the interiors of the dark leathered cars quite claustrophobic when I drove them, so opted for a lighter interior. All IMHO of course (there are lots of owners who are more than happy with a dark interior).
It might not be as much of an issue for you, since I was sure that the 00/01 cars had the roll bar mod, which made the forward visibility better, and hence the claustrophic nature of the interior is reduced.
Best of luck finding a good example anyway.
I am sure that Joolz mentioned it to me. I thought the cams were noiser because of the profile, and this was due to them opening and closing the valves quicker (shape of the lobes).
If you open the valve faster and earlier, and close it later (and thus it would have to be) quicker, then the time available to get more air into the chamber is increased, meaning better and more efficient burning of more petrol (for the same capacity).
Or is this not the case?
If you open the valve faster and earlier, and close it later (and thus it would have to be) quicker, then the time available to get more air into the chamber is increased, meaning better and more efficient burning of more petrol (for the same capacity).
Or is this not the case?
Nope, is not the case- in fact, Joolz is the one saying so! The quieter cams have longer duration, though slightly decreased lifts, but most importantly, have valvetrain friendly onramps to take up the clearances more gently. BUT, the early engines had restrictive exhaust ports. I think Joolz said if you had the early cams, on a later block with exhaust, AND the later efficient back box you *might* get more power.
In reality, the 4.2's seem around 330bhp whatever.
danyn
In reality, the 4.2's seem around 330bhp whatever.
danyn
On the buying privately issue - why not ask the seller to subject his car to a check over at a specialist (no disrespect to the man from the AA but my guess is he wouldn't know how to open the bonnet). When I sold my Griff, the buyer got it checked out at Fernhurst and thus felt confident that he knew what he was buying. Someone like Joolz or Andy at APM would surely do this if their time was paid for? Obviously they are not psychic (are you?) but they could spot any real nasties or nasties waiting to happen.
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