what TVR to buy???
Discussion
Hi all,
I have never owned a sports car, (currently own a Range rover classic and a highly modified suzuki jeep) but I now feel its time to get one. I want a TVR but not sure whether I want a Chimera or Cerbera.
Please can I have some opinons on which is the better car. Its not going to be a daily driver, just some fun on the weekends.
Thanks in advance.
I have never owned a sports car, (currently own a Range rover classic and a highly modified suzuki jeep) but I now feel its time to get one. I want a TVR but not sure whether I want a Chimera or Cerbera.
Please can I have some opinons on which is the better car. Its not going to be a daily driver, just some fun on the weekends.
Thanks in advance.
I bought my first TVR over 2 years ago and was choosing between the same two models. I've always thought that the Cerb was the best looking and still do to be honest but decided to go for a Chim to get me started. Its been a fantastic car ever since but eventually you do start wanting more power so I'm now saving for a Cerb 4.5.
markh1 said:
Are they really as unreliable as everyone says?
Only people with unreliable ones or people who haven't got one say they're unreliable. I've got a Chimaera 450 that's been reliable over the past 4 years apart from one throttle cable breakage and one flat-battery - the latter problem being entirely of my own making. I can't think of any other car that I have owned being as reliable as my TVR. I was undecided about Cerbera or Chimaera and because I bought in the spring I ended up buying the Chimaera. I have never regretted that decision - and the top is off more than on) but I always get drawn to Cerbera's when I vist Racing Green's showroom so I thin at some stage I will have to satisfy my lust.
Agree with hut - I spent a lot on mine in the first year of ownership, having worn parts replaced etc. It's cost me nothing but fuel and insurance this year
From speaking to a number of Cerb owners, I do understand that the Cerb's are more expensive to service etc (which is what I meant when I said they cost more to run - I wasn't commenting on reliability
)
From speaking to a number of Cerb owners, I do understand that the Cerb's are more expensive to service etc (which is what I meant when I said they cost more to run - I wasn't commenting on reliability
)
I graduated from S3c, to Chimaera to Tuscan and now Cerbera. If you have never owned a sports car (esp. rear wheel drive, no traction control no ABS) I would strongly suggest starting with a Chimaera 400 (4.Ol) and doing some car control training day. These are different beasts and need max. respect even below 250bhp.
PS The guys are right about the Cerb expenses!
PS The guys are right about the Cerb expenses!
Personally i love both, however, I do beleive one of teh key features of a sports car is firstly for it to be different to an 'ordinary' car ie to provide a different experience and that means in my view in addition to power and handling driving being exposed to the elements 'wind in the hair etc' is a huge feature - hence my choice.
I think a soft top defines a sports car. I've owned soft-tops for 10 plus years and went for 4 months without (during teh winter) and had to get another due to withdrawal symptoms. I dislike the pose element but roof down in summer/winter in south of france or wales midday or midnight is hugely addictive.
I think a soft top defines a sports car. I've owned soft-tops for 10 plus years and went for 4 months without (during teh winter) and had to get another due to withdrawal symptoms. I dislike the pose element but roof down in summer/winter in south of france or wales midday or midnight is hugely addictive.
I dunno about Chims and Cerbs, but as for reliability and top down driving in general......
My Tamora, in London with me this week, is fabulous - because it's a soft top. Personal opinion only, but I also always associate sports cars with topless driving. Total blast in spring, summer, late at night - even in London this SUnday just gone as 05:45 driving past nightclubs in the London Brdige area.
Again, different beast, but in the 12k miles that I've put on my Tam since April I've so far had no problems. I do get it serviced when it should, I did run it in properly, and I do warm it up properly. And the returns for this are miles and miles of smiles.
I know mine is very different to the models that you are looking at, but IMHO as long as you get one with a good history and treat it well you won't regret it. Also IMHO you just can't beat a soft-top car - especially if it's a TVR.
My Tamora, in London with me this week, is fabulous - because it's a soft top. Personal opinion only, but I also always associate sports cars with topless driving. Total blast in spring, summer, late at night - even in London this SUnday just gone as 05:45 driving past nightclubs in the London Brdige area.
Again, different beast, but in the 12k miles that I've put on my Tam since April I've so far had no problems. I do get it serviced when it should, I did run it in properly, and I do warm it up properly. And the returns for this are miles and miles of smiles.
I know mine is very different to the models that you are looking at, but IMHO as long as you get one with a good history and treat it well you won't regret it. Also IMHO you just can't beat a soft-top car - especially if it's a TVR.
markh1 said:
Hi all,
I have never owned a sports car, (currently own a Range rover classic and a highly modified suzuki jeep) but I now feel its time to get one. I want a TVR but not sure whether I want a Chimera or Cerbera.
Please can I have some opinons on which is the better car. Its not going to be a daily driver, just some fun on the weekends.
Thanks in advance.
Cerbera 4.2 v8 not a six and after 97I have never owned a sports car, (currently own a Range rover classic and a highly modified suzuki jeep) but I now feel its time to get one. I want a TVR but not sure whether I want a Chimera or Cerbera.
Please can I have some opinons on which is the better car. Its not going to be a daily driver, just some fun on the weekends.
Thanks in advance.
t40ora said:
sen 18 said:
Second that one.
Hey Chris, have you driven a standard Tamora? How much different is the Red Rose? If/when I need engine work maybe a similar conversion would be worth thinking about?
I had an early Tamora I really liked it & the only reason I sold was that it didn't have air con & was unbearably hot.
I now have a Red Rose with air con & am even more pleased with that. It seems a much smoother , responsive car, the Tuscan s brakes are good. Mine is a factory Red Rose so has the total pack not just the engine mod. I am told that is the best . Big bore factory exhaust sounds good too. If you are at the rally tomorrow look out for me & we can have a chat. Mystic black - reg SEN 18
Sadly I can't be at the rally. I run training courses so can't just dip out one day like 'normal' people. Bloody nuisance, as I'd already committed to this week.
If it ever came to doing it, I'd consider exhaust, brakes and shockers but as it's my first TVR and driving extremely well I'll only go this route if it needs a rebuild. Sounds like you can tell the difference?
Hopefully before 36k miles as it'll be under warranty which will reduce the cost a bit!
If it ever came to doing it, I'd consider exhaust, brakes and shockers but as it's my first TVR and driving extremely well I'll only go this route if it needs a rebuild. Sounds like you can tell the difference?
Hopefully before 36k miles as it'll be under warranty which will reduce the cost a bit!
If you have never had a sportscar before I would have thought a chimaera 400/450 would be a good place to start. I went out looking for a 450 but could not find a decent one, bought a really nice 400 instead and have never regretted it. A 450 owner will tell you they are faster than a 400, a 400 owner will say a good 400 is better than an average 450. Drive a few and decide for yourself.
If you want more go then the Chimaera/Griff 500 is the next level up.
I know a few people who have gone from Rover cars to cerbs and found them to be a lot more expensive to run - they may have been unlucky though.
The most important thing is getting a decent one of whichever model you decide on. You are better off spending more on a good car than thinking you have saved money getting a 'cheaper' one.
If you want more go then the Chimaera/Griff 500 is the next level up.
I know a few people who have gone from Rover cars to cerbs and found them to be a lot more expensive to run - they may have been unlucky though.
The most important thing is getting a decent one of whichever model you decide on. You are better off spending more on a good car than thinking you have saved money getting a 'cheaper' one.
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