Cerbie vs Maserati...

[mmertens]

I know this is heresy, what with this not being a British car topic (well half is), but the last - projected - bill for my beloved
4.5 Cerbie's 24000 miles service and some additional stuff is a bit
too much to invest in a 3 1/2-year old car (understatement of the
year - TVR Centre warned me "this is going to ruin your weekend!!"
and it did).
Thus I am now torn between a new LW Cerbie (or TVR Centre's demonstrator - which has more power???!!?? according to their sales guy) or the Mazzer 3200 GT (would need to be 2nd hand). (I was actually tempted to buy a Focus when I first heard the costs of the service...)

Any reasonable views here? whereas it hurts to think of a Cerbieless future, I do like the Mazzer as well and for me really the only option is a 2+2. So, how bad are they, construction & reliability-wise? Alternatively, how good is a 2000/2001 LW these days?

Thanks for any - reasonable - opinions.
Maarten

[Alistair H.]

Dont know anything about the Maserati apart from it would probably have just as bad servicing and deprecation costs as cerbie! - BUT like you I have a 4.5 Cerbie and would like to hear from someone who has upgraded to the LW 2000/1 model and thier views on if it is improved?

Al.

[Graham]

Cripes how big was the bill, what need ed fixing?

[christof]

I have one, a 4.5LW from march 2001.

Have owned 5 TVR's (2 Cerbies, 2 Griffs, 1 Tuscan) before and al I can say it is best TVR I've ever owned.

I highly recomment the 4.5LW.

If you want to see some pics and like to hear the engine, go to:

www.pikeynet.com go to "BrandsHatch section" and have a look at Christof's black machine...

Enjoy the piccies...

PS: my baby will be for sale next year, if you are interested.

Christof*feels a TuscanR coming*

Edited by christof on Tuesday 9th October 00:24

[apache]

love that machine...where did you get the diffuser done I really fancy one for my Griff, as you know they get a bit light at high speed and it seems a waste not to be able to exploit it. Is the lw that quicker than a normal 4.5. Saw excocet at Silverston and it looks really menacing. Are you convinced the S6 engines have had all the gremlins sorted

[christof]

Thanks. Conversion was done by a workshop here in Germany.

Don't think a LW is quicker, but my baby has got a special treatment from JR at the factory. Based on this I would think its definetely faster than the others.

Don't know if the S6 engine is sorted, but if I order a TuscanR, then I'm looking for delivery in 2003. Hopefully everything will be sorted till 2003!!!

Christof

Edited by christof on Tuesday 9th October 19:52

[mmertens]

I'm sure I'll regret it, but I bought TVR Centre's March 01 demonstrator today. 4.5 (what else?) with the works - close ratio 'box, specially treated engine, only about 3500 mile. Cost me not a little bit but at least it's spent on a new car. Briefly testdrove it (Michael Caine brought it round). I couldn't believe the difference with the old one. Such a smooth power delivery, such a sense of sorted-out-ness... It feels loads faster than my 98R one, I may well be wrong, but still. Also DAB radio (admittedly with slightly out-of-place beesting antenna), armourfend, heated frontscreen, 6 CD player, and what not - oh yes, a switch to switch between 97 and 95RON - hadn't seen that before. Can't wait until Friday, picking it up and taking it to the continent then... and maybe even to Germany! (I live near Eindhoven, Christof, if that rings a bell).

[PetrolTed]

That's my kind of impulse buy!

[christof]

Fantastic!!! I have also the modified engine and its worth every penny. The nice silver button is a special for the tuned engine, different fuelmap settings I think, but not sure...

What colour (inside/Outside) ???

Would be great to meet up.

I live in Siegen, its 100 km from Cologne on the A45.

Cheers,

Christof*looking forward to meet another TVRfanatic...*

[mmertens]

Thanks Christof! It's silver, black inside. I'd fancied a bit more of an exotic color, but hey, it was available, run-in, cheaper than new... I'm a sucker for instant gratification. As for meeting up - I see it's a 2-hr drive from me to Siegen (on shell geostar - with 250 km/h on the autobahn maybe slightly quicker :-) ) . As I am on holiday next week (I am normally in the UK during the week) I'll see whether I can fit something in (what with wive & kids & other obligations & such). You reckon we could meet half-way or so?
Maarten

[holbrooknr]

what sort of power increase do you get with the factory modded engine?

[mmertens]

Have to admit I am not sure... It feels much faster. I was told that the factory mods get it really up to the quoted 420HP, whereas that figure is maybe slightly optimistic for "regular" ones. Christof, any idea?

[holbrooknr]

what do the mods consist of then, and can they be retro fitted?.

Nick
PS Thanx for the answers

[christof]

Maarten,

no problem to meet up half way, just keep in touch with me...

There is no retrofit for the conversion.

Christof

[holbrooknr]

not even retrofitted at the factory then christof?

What exactly are these mods?

Edited by holbrooknr on Thursday 11th October 00:12