Are 4 ltr Chimaeras fast ????

[monty_python]

I'm looking to buy a 4.5 liter chimp with dark blue or black paint , cream (or similar) leather interior with power steering for about £15k.
Am i dreaming ???

I'm after a 4.5 because i heard that the 4 ltr ones arent all that quick ... is this nonsense ?? If so give comparisons , examples , what other cars you've dusted in your chimps etc ...

Cheers in advance,

Tony.

[gemini]

Lets not get into "what have you dusted" please - just look up the speed /accel figures for a 4 ltr
Ive had one and recently been out in a friends - theyre quick - bloody quick.
Off course it does depend on what youre used to -
Try one at the local dealer - just take your wallet - cause youll want one

[monty_python]

gemini said:
Of course it does depend on what youre used to

A 1 ltr Vauxhall Corsa...

[Dannyboyo]

Yep, they're quick! The only people that say they slow are people who own 4.5 or 5.0 models. And thats only because they get to 60mph about a quarter of a second faster.

The 4.0 Chimaera is still a car that gets from 0-60mph in less than 5 seconds, and can do 155-160mph. Generally the only other cars that will give you a good run in a straight line race are bigger TVRs and cars that cost 5 times as much as a TVR!!

[ahonen]

I thought the 4-litre was great; not Griff 500 fast, I grant you, but I could very happily live with one. It's the torque that's most impressive, which makes it a great flexible (and usable) road car. Didn't respond too well to being really revved, though, if I remember, which suits me fine.

[pbrettle]

In comparison with other fast sports cars, they are in a different league. As mentioned above, 60 in 5 and 100 in about 12 is damn impressive. You need some serious Jap-turbo-nutter-mental stuff to get those figures and Boxsters are slow in comparison. Dont get me wrong, 911's and Fezzas are in those numbers, but cost a whole lot more so bangs-for-pounds they are pretty much unbeatable.

One other thing to consider is that the power is low down in the rev range - so it is easier to drive swiftly and you get some damn impressive in gear accel figures. Again, faster than a 99% of other cars, but because it is there and accessible then you tend to get away quicker.....

[mad jock]

I bought mine last year, and initial impressions are that it is bloody quick, and will keep you happy for some time. Eventually, you may feel that you can handle more power, and while true, it's not really that necessary, as the 4.0 litre will comfortably "deal" with most other cars on the road.
As others have said, do you really need to shave that extra half second off you're 0-60 time? Does fuel consumption matter?
Look at it this way. If you get the quickest one now, you will have nothing to aspire to.

[monty_python]

Thanks for all your input , I'll get a 4ltr one and maybe something faster next year.

I've found a verry nice looking chim for sale , it's 1997 p reg, 40000 miles , excellent condition , it's dark blue (avus blue) with magnolia hide. has a cd changer , somùething called an optimate charger and it's not too far from where i go.
£13,950 , so i've got a grand left over for a winter car too.

thx again for your opinions.

Tony

[JonRB]

It depends on what you want and where you're coming from.

When I went looking for a fun car I was looking for a quantum leap forward in acceleration from my Corrado VR6. I test drove a Caterham 1.8 VVC and found it didn't give me what I wanted. I then test drove a Chimaera 400 and, whilst swift, I didn't feel that it was fast enough for me. I then test drove a Chimaera 500 and bought it on the spot.

If you are coming from a Corsa then I'd recommend the 400. To be honest, the 500 is a bit of an animal and demands a great deal of respect and more than a little fear. It's taken 18 months for the latter to diminish.
I would certainly not recommend jumping straight into a 500 unless you have some prior experience.

I'll just counter Dannyboyo before I sign off:

Dannyboyo said:The only people that say they slow are people who own 4.5 or 5.0 models. And thats only because they get to 60mph about a quarter of a second faster.

On the contrary, the only people who say that there is little difference are Chimaera 400 drivers who a) have not driven a 500, b) are in denial or c) are trying to convince themselves that they made the right decision in buying a 400 when they secretly know they should have spent the extra cash to get a 450 or a 500.

>> Edited by JonRB on Sunday 23 March 17:01

[anonymous-user]

When I bouught mine I could have either gone for a facelifted 400 or a pre facelift 500 for the same money.

I would rather have the facelifted 400 with aircon, full leather, pas etc, over an older 500.

I prefer the wheels on the 400 and 450's aswell, the 500 wheels suit the Griff better IMHO.

Besides where on the public roads can you use a 500 to its full potential??

Lee.

[JonRB]

Supraman said:Besides where on the public roads can you use a 500 to its full potential??

Any place where I have a short straight. But it's true that you have to back off far sooner to keep hold of your license.

In all seriousness, I have as much fun in the Corrado and the Elan as I do in in the Chimaera 500, which proves you can have big fun at lower speeds. But that shove in the back from some serious grunt is quite addictive (although only something you'd want to do in the dry) and makes the 500 a brutal overtaking machine.

[monty_python]

I'll go for the four litre , i fear I'll kill my self in a 5 litre...

maybe after a year or so i'll upgrade to a 450 or 500...

As long as it looks as good and sounds good (i'll have a sports exhaust fitted and a full de-cat)and goes round roundabouts sideways it's good enough for me... ;-)

Thanks again guys ,

tony.

PS : if you have any comments , please post ! !

[Breadline Racing]

pbrettle said: In comparison with other fast sports cars, they are in a different league. As mentioned above, 60 in 5 and 100 in about 12 is damn impressive. You need some serious Jap-turbo-nutter-mental stuff to get those figures and Boxsters are slow in comparison. Dont get me wrong, 911's and Fezzas are in those numbers, but cost a whole lot more so bangs-for-pounds they are pretty much unbeatable.

You can go this fast for an awful lot less than £15000! and the only thing missing from the want list is the sound! For around £5000, you can get similar performance from the good old Serria Cosworth, and its got 5 seats! 1000's of bank robbers can't all be wrong un's!

[monty_python]

Breadline Racing said:

pbrettle said: In comparison with other fast sports cars, they are in a different league. As mentioned above, 60 in 5 and 100 in about 12 is damn impressive. You need some serious Jap-turbo-nutter-mental stuff to get those figures and Boxsters are slow in comparison. Dont get me wrong, 911's and Fezzas are in those numbers, but cost a whole lot more so bangs-for-pounds they are pretty much unbeatable.

You can go this fast for an awful lot less than £15000! and the only thing missing from the want list is the sound! For around £5000, you can get similar performance from the good old Serria Cosworth, and its got 5 seats! 1000's of bank robbers can't all be wrong un's!

Yes but it's a FORD SIERRA.
What's the better pick up line "wanna go for a ride in my tvr ??" or "Wanna go for a ride in my hotted up sierra ??" ?
I know the max plonkas prefer the latter line but that explains it all really ...

Tony

[dannyboyo]

JonRB said:

I'll just counter Dannyboyo before I sign off:

Dannyboyo said:The only people that say they slow are people who own 4.5 or 5.0 models. And thats only because they get to 60mph about a quarter of a second faster.

On the contrary, the only people who say that there is little difference are Chimaera 400 drivers who a) have not driven a 500, b) are in denial or c) are trying to convince themselves that they made the right decision in buying a 400 when they secretly know they should have spent the extra cash to get a 450 or a 500.

Sort of agree, but just looked at your profile and you did pay an extra £13000 for your Chimaera than I did for mine, just to reach 60 in a fraction of a second faster, 100 in 1.5 sec faster and enjoy a really sh*tty mpg figure!!

[BCA]

monty_python said:[/iPS : if you have any comments , please post ! !

---

Arent you 17/ have only just learned to drive???

I thought I was pushing my luck with a french warmish hatch!!

Edited to add: if that is the case then I assure you a 4ltr chim is more than enough for an inexperienced driver.


>> Edited by BCA on Sunday 23 March 21:21