Credit where it's due.

[zx10ben]

I spent yesterday afternoon at Fernhurst being toured by Drew and have to say "what a fantastic experience"!

I needed some TVR education, having been to a few meets and TAG 11, I had a lot of questions with regards to models, facelifts and techy things.

Met up with Drew at lunchtime and left 4 hours later, with a head full of TVR knowledge, but possibly more undecided than ever!

With a budget of around £20K I had set myself well and truely on a Tuscan 1. He took me out in a Chim 500 and although I'm not immediately drawn to the looks of the Chim, that sound......... Its also a lovely cabin to sit in, plenty of pull and did I mention the sound?.......
We then went out in a Tucan and dare I say, I was a tad disappointed with the cabin, it didn't help that it hadn't been prepped yet and the previous owner had smoked cigars in it! But even so, I loved the light steering and the sound on this was deafening from the cabin (roof off) different to the V8 obviously, but still intoxicating.

We then went into the workshop and I was shown around the underside of the cars, shown what these "outriggers" were that everyone talks about and various other bits and pieces.

Now I know that Fernhursts are quite possibly the most expensive of the dealerships, but I can sort of see why. I was pleasantly suprised that there was no hard sell, at no time was I pushed towards something or made to feel rushed and at the end of my visit we shook hands and I left with no feeling of guilt for taking up his time (4hrs of it!)

Problem is, now I'm a bit torn.
That Chimera 500 was fantastic Don't know the exact colours, but Navy exterior with Navy/Cream interior. The Tuscan was....Well it was a Tuscan so would look amazing in any colour! Then as I was leaving, there was a beautiful Grey 4.2 Cerb in for service and god don't Cerbs look awesome in the flesh! Drew was of the opinion that the Cerb was possibly one of the best handling TVRs, which surprised me as I was under the impression that the Sag was at the forefront of the handling game, anyone shed their opinions on that?

So needless to say, I WILL be getting something with the three lettered badge on the front, just need to think about what I'm really after.

p.s. I'm not looking to buy just yet, probably in the next couple of months. (I posted something in the Tuscan thread at the beginning of the year and was offered 5 cars within a week! )

[Stevie Mojo]

A Chim is always a good start.

[Byker28i]

The thing you've always got to ask yourself, do you want a cerbera, or one of the slower TVR's

[Alexdaredevilz]

Byker28i said:

The thing you've always got to ask yourself, do you want a cerbera, or one of the slower TVR's

Give it a couple of months and we will see whos is slowest?

[Big Al.]

Fernhursts eh? Great bunch of Guys you little lurkers

I started with a Chim 400 from fernies had that for a few years then went on to a Tuscan Mk1 again purchased from them. Both cars were immaculately turned out and well prepped.

Always felt they were there to help and advise when problems arose even on vacation in France.

So just get one and you'll wish you'd got it sooner. OH

Good luck with the hunt!

[Robertjp]

Chim and Tuscan are different types of car, ones more of a laid back, classic styled GT, the other is a bit more of an 'in your face' sports car.

Tuscan is much like the Cerb in my opinion, but not quite so hardcore, less intimidating and can be made to handle as well as any other Tiv with some effort...but certainly not out of the box!

You really need to drive them yourself. I found the Chim too laid back for my liking, have owned a Cerb and it was fabulous, but a bit older in the tooth and too intense to drive when you're not in the right mood.

Tuscan is the best of all world IMO (but i am biased) it will cruise happily or be a complete hoon, depending on your mood! Roof off / roof on capability too. Oh, and its every bit as quick as my Cerby, if not quicker off the line.

[truck71]

Another positive vote for Fernies here, I had exactly the same treatment from Drew which helped in my decision to buy a TVR rather than, dare I say it, a Porsche. Didn't buy one from him (despite driving 3 I think) in the end because my requirements didn't quite match the stock he had at the time, however would be my first call come the time to swap. Good outfit and always up for a chat if you drop in. Good grub in the pub should you stop in Haslemere? on the way through.

[Moycie]

zx10ben said:

I spent yesterday afternoon at Fernhurst being toured by Drew and have to say "what a fantastic experience"!

+1 vote for Fernhurst - the whole team are great
I dealt with Drew each visit, but met the team, Graham and Simon too. Like yourself, I spent considerable time with Drew. I only "popped in" to decide what to do, but left with my mind made up. Turns out I was back within the month...

For me, it had to be a V8. Interestingly, I set out to buy a Chimaera 500. Drove it, and it was nice. I still had an itch for a Griffith though, so picked a 500 from the showroom. Drove it, and it was awesome. Something about it was "right", I just liked everything about it so much more. I've owned it about 2 months now. It's also in blue, the fastest colour

Ultimately, I think all TVR's are great. The mid-late 90's Wheeler years are what I grew up with though, so personally the Griffith, Chimaera and Cerbera are the ones I relate to most. Each to their own though. Which ever one you get, you'll have a huge grin on your face each time the engine fires up!

[Diablos-666]

He thought the cerb was the best handling of all TVR's? I haven't driven one but it pretty much goes against everyone i've spoken to who has actually owned a cerb.

I love the Cerb but i prefer smaller cars, and these are hard to drive around town.

It sounds like you had a great day out and it sounds like you will be joining the "club" pretty sharpish.

[mr sagman]

Although the Cerbs can be made to handle very well, I think the general consensus is that out the box the Tamora and Sag are the best handling of the TVR range closely followed by the T350.

[.Mark]

mr sagman said:

Although the Cerbs can be made to handle very well, I think the general consensus is that out the box the Tamora and Sag are the best handling of the TVR range closely followed by the T350.

Exactly, depends if the cars are out of the box standard or fettled. I've had extended drives in the Cerbera and Chimaera (Obviously) and also Tuscan Mk1 and Tamora, out of the bunch I feel by far 'safest' in the Cerb.

Having said that, the Cerb has Nitrons, the Chimaera AVO and as far as I know the Tuscan and Tamora were standard. In second place I'd put the Tamora, 3rd Tuscan and last the Chimaera.


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