Should i buy a Cerbera

[jamiesteak]

Im thinking of taking the plunge and buying a TVR - i have loved them since 1992 when i saw my first griff....

Now im wondering whether to get a Chimaera for around £12k or a Cerbera for around £17k....

Im worried about running costs and reliability. Help!!

[MikeyT]

quote:
Now im wondering whether to get a Chimaera for around £12k or a Cerbera for around £17k....

If you're going in at the cheaper end of either car's market, pick the Chim unless you're a TVR mechanic of course ...

I've read on this site that Cerbera's can cost you an arm and a leg if you get a wrong 'un (or sometimes even a good 'un). Think they have to be serviced at the franchised dealer – not just a specialist. But I'll stand corrected (as the man said in the orthopaedic shoes) if I'm wrong.

They are the dogs gonads though. (To me, even standing still!)

TVR owner one day soon

[PetrolTed]

There are specialists who are familiar with Cerberas, a couple who could boast more so than some dealers.

Even a good Cerbie costs an arm and a leg to maintain. It's a supercar, you can't run one on the cheap.

[Fraser]

But it is worth every penny.....Griff's are fantastic fun but they always feel on the edge (IMO) Chim's are great but there are SO many of them around, but they feel a little less likely to bite you in the arse if you make a minor mistake with your right foot....Cerbie's just seem to be the right balance of ridiculous power, fine chassis and awesome brakes (even though they bloody squeak all the time )TVR's are like clothes...different styles suit different people....if you want it large and exhilarating all the time but alas no wind in your hair, then buy a Cerbie now....cos sooner is better than later...

[jpritchard]

Jamiesteak - My first tiv was a Griff 4.0 - the best thing I ever did!! My advice having owned 4 very different TVRs would be go for the Griff. My reasoning behind not recommending a Chimp is that there are so many of them and whilst you can get a bargain you would have difficulty moving it on... there are fewer Griffs so if you get a looked after one you should move it on no probs (my experience anyway).

For what it's worth I now have a Cerby 4.5 and chose the 4.5 over the 4.2 and S6 because it stands out big time in all areas(IMHO!!). I also use this everyday (my only car!) - my point here is that a lot of (so called) experts say the S6 is better for everyday and the 4.5 is more difficult - I don't think so!!

Take this analagy to the Griff vs Chimp debate. If you want a stonking V8 TVR for less than £20k go for the Griff because you will not notice the difference every day!! The Griff is a great car and I will probably have another one at some point in the future. Also they needn't cost an arm and a leg if you can find a smaller specialist service center. If you want to talk offline you can call me and I'll tell you my experiences of TVR ownership so far... (I'll email you my number if interested).

Note to everyone else - this is all 'in my own opinion and experience'.

[kenyon]

It is good to hear someone try to put ownership into perspective. I had a 390 for 7 years and loved it. However I sold it due to the need for more seats. The horror stories relating to cerbies put me off and I ended up buying a 911. The 911 is reliable, used every day, done 120,000 miles at 30 to the gallon BUT it hasn't got what it takes to be a proper sports car. So I am now researching the viability of using a cerbera every day. If you have any experience or tips to share I would really like to hear from you.

quote:
Jamiesteak - My first tiv was a Griff 4.0 - the best thing I ever did!! My advice having owned 4 very different TVRs would be go for the Griff. My reasoning behind not recommending a Chimp is that there are so many of them and whilst you can get a bargain you would have difficulty moving it on... there are fewer Griffs so if you get a looked after one you should move it on no probs (my experience anyway).

For what it's worth I now have a Cerby 4.5 and chose the 4.5 over the 4.2 and S6 because it stands out big time in all areas(IMHO!!). I also use this everyday (my only car!) - my point here is that a lot of (so called) experts say the S6 is better for everyday and the 4.5 is more difficult - I don't think so!!

Take this analagy to the Griff vs Chimp debate. If you want a stonking V8 TVR for less than £20k go for the Griff because you will not notice the difference every day!! The Griff is a great car and I will probably have another one at some point in the future. Also they needn't cost an arm and a leg if you can find a smaller specialist service center. If you want to talk offline you can call me and I'll tell you my experiences of TVR ownership so far... (I'll email you my number if interested).

Note to everyone else - this is all 'in my own opinion and experience'.

[steveab]

Jamie,

I was really in the market for a Cerbera when I bought my Chim 450. For an extra 5k I could have bought a sorted Imperial blue 4.2. But the sad thing that put me off was my sensible side. Having not owned anything really powerfull before, I opt'd for the Chim 450. I wouldn't say I've regretted it, because I love my Chim 450. But I can seem myself getting shot of it within 2 years for a Cerby 4.5 (I'm a V8 man, albeit AJP).

Tough decision, but depends on a great deal of parameters. Another thing that put me off was the servicing costs, since my Chim is generally a weekend car. I couldn't justify that kind of money for it to sit in the garage. I'm hoping to find a job where I work locally hence drive, then, by god, I will be at the dealers in a flash!!

Steve