tvr cerbera 4.5

[mr.oogieboogie]

hello has anyone on here owned a tvr cerbera 4.5 ltr, if so ups and downs of owning one

[peter_england99]

Hi Peter,

Never owned a Cerbera, but have always liked the look and sound of them. It might be an idea to go to the Cerbera forum on Pistonheads.com to ask more detailed questions.

Regards,

Peter.

[red vtec]

I was told by my mechanic that they are ok engine wise as its the old Rover unit? so pretty much bullet proof. But TVR's in general are worse than our cars for reputation, especially electrics. I would think most problems would be sorted by now. A properly looked after one is a real beast.

[Advantage]

It's not a Rover lump in a Cerbie, but a TVR designed AJPV8 engine which fortunately seems to be one of the more reliable aspects of the car.

I'd agree with the suggestion of having a look over on PH, it started out as a TVR forum, after all!

[matk]

I've never had one, but everything I've ever read about them has always spoken about problems with the rust protection on the chassis.

[redshift]

I've never had one, but everything I've ever read about them has always spoken about problems with the rust protection on the chassis.

You need to get a very thorough inspection of the chassis, especially the outriggers at the front. They can be cut out and replaced but its a real pain.

4,5 Cerbera is the AJP V8 which is pretty reliable provided its never been abused from cold. They can sound a bit ropey but thats the flat-plane crack effect (bit like V8 Esprits).

Dont even think about a Speed 6 Cerbera unless its very cheap and you've got a spare 6,500 UKP available for the eventual engine rebuild.

James Agger is acknowledged by many to be the man to talk to for sourcing and inspecting a car.

Other than that, it is a seriously brutal car and driving one in the wet will probably make a christian out of you...

[mangel]

Not owned but driven a couple.........bejesus they are fast in a straight line!!

[Setras]

My brother-in-law has one and he loves it...

[mr.oogieboogie]

thanks for the replies and info, will be looking at taking one or two out in the next week or two for test drives

[neil e]

Electrics,electrics,electrics,

My mate had a 4.5 Cerbie for about a year. Did not do many miles.

Three problems he had were. Doors work on buttons under the mirrors.These had various niggles i.e. you couldnt get in or out sometimes.

Wipers would come on whenever they liked.

Indicators would still be working after being cancelled.

Minor things but very frustrating.

Camshaft broke on the motorway-engine rebuild. This problem is a bit like the V8 liners in our cars, some break some dont.

Engine was under warrenty but the replacement under pants were not!!

Try the cerbera registar if its still going they were very helpful at the time. Some owners owned their cars for years used them every day and never had a problem. Not rare to see ones with 60K miles on plus and fine.

I keep looking at them as well but cant afford to buy and run one as well as the v8gt.Plus would want another garage.

All I know is I would never ever tire of that noise.

Buy the latest model you can afford and if funds allow go for the Red Rose.

Good luck.

Neil

Edited May 22, 2009 by neil 12ne

[rens914]

hey boogieman

i have the tuscan now and have wet my pants a few times already

i'm a good driver but these things really go

i'm putting it on sticky tyres allready (without is a no go) and new adjustable dampers

it's really another piece of cake (yust what i was looking for)

the esprit was to nice a drive

rens

[mr.oogieboogie]

glad youre enjoying it rens, try not to tie around a tree

[USAndretti42]

Pardon me if you have answered this elsewhere but are you planning to sell the Esprit, Peter?

[mr.oogieboogie]

hello Trevor, to be honest i'm not sure yet, going to get the exhaust manifold off a week on sunday, and sort that out as i have found a guy who says he can repair them (been reccomended by a friend the guy use to work on aircrafts, also found a couple of posts about him repairing wheels), and after looking around on the net it seems that cast is repairable. so i will see how good his work is. when i was looking around for a car the cerbera insurance was

[Daniel]

Sell the S4, get an Esprit V8.

[Gasman GT3]

Every year on the annual pilgrimage to Le Mans we play the "how many broken down TVR's can you spot" game. I's usually in double figures.

[rens914]

Don't talk the jeremy clarckson talk

and

i have seen a lot of problems with esprit's too (every day on this site)

ecu problems, manifold problems, gas tank problems

not to mention

week brakes, CC waterpump etc

and an esprit is hard to work on

beltchanges etc

every car has it's own problem

said that

my SE was fun to drive

but have been working on the car far more than driving it

rens

[Eddie 4.2]

Hi Mate

I had a 4.2 creb for over 4years and never had a prob with it,did use it every day done loads of miles in her and never broke down lol.did do all my own servicing cheap as chips to run.if you are looking stay well clear or a speed 6 bag of poo.mates got a speed 6 and on his 5th engine re build = fukd lol.

my old one and done paint job meself

Great car in the dry lol

Eddie