The 500, the best model?
Discussion
I was in a similar position this time last month - in the end I went for the 500 - have never owned any other TVR's so can't compare as well as some guys on this site, but did lots of test driving and really think it was worth the extra to get the 500. I love it. You'll drive around with a permanent grin.
I recently sold an S2 I had owned and enjoyed for 6 years to buy a 500. I had always wondered if 6 cylinders is this good, what must 8 be like? I thought it would be the same if I'd gone for a 4 litre V8 this time - after a few weeks of ownership I would be left thinking this is really great but the 5 litre must be awesome...
Go for a 500 and a pair of brown trousers. Believe me you will not regret it!!!
Go for a 500 and a pair of brown trousers. Believe me you will not regret it!!!
I have a 450 and every passenger when I boot it in second makes an audible wooof noise and invariably says afterwards that its the same feeling you get on a rollercoaster.
The 40bhp difference in power between the 450 and the 500 is all down low in the rev range giving even more punch to its already mohammed ali-esque torque curve. I've not driven or been in one but I imagine its quite spectacular...
The trade I have heard you make is that the 500 is a little less driveable in start stop traffic, I find the 450 fine in London in daily traffic so the 500 could feasibly be quite bearable but its all down to personal taste.
All in all its down to what you are planning to use the car for, the 450 is a bit silly and the 500 must be plain stupid. So I'd say if its a daily driver probably the 450 wins and if its a toy the 500 would suit best. I am sure however that whichever one you go for you will be extremely pleased.
Enjoy.
Matt.
The 40bhp difference in power between the 450 and the 500 is all down low in the rev range giving even more punch to its already mohammed ali-esque torque curve. I've not driven or been in one but I imagine its quite spectacular...
The trade I have heard you make is that the 500 is a little less driveable in start stop traffic, I find the 450 fine in London in daily traffic so the 500 could feasibly be quite bearable but its all down to personal taste.
All in all its down to what you are planning to use the car for, the 450 is a bit silly and the 500 must be plain stupid. So I'd say if its a daily driver probably the 450 wins and if its a toy the 500 would suit best. I am sure however that whichever one you go for you will be extremely pleased.
Enjoy.
Matt.
quote:
the 450 is a bit silly and the 500 must be plain stupid.
After a while how 'silly' you are is just relative. After 4 years the 500 performance became just normal to me whereas others thought it 'plain stupid'. But it did take 4 years... Now I'm moving to something just 'plain stupid'.
>> Edited by barter on Thursday 23 May 18:18
The running cost should be the same for all models regardless of the engine size, same for insurance as well. As it's not going to cost you more apart from the initial purchase price, go for the 500. If you just want to pootle about around town, get the 400 as it's slightly more economical, if you want FUN!!!, get the 500.
Normally, I'd suggest newbies go for the 400, but as your not a TVR newbie and used to RWD - get the 500, you know it makes sense.......
Normally, I'd suggest newbies go for the 400, but as your not a TVR newbie and used to RWD - get the 500, you know it makes sense.......
Mines a 4.0HC and while I think I should maybe have hung on and saved a bit to get a 5.0, the 4 will satisfy most TVR fans like me. 5.0 was just over my top budget so wasn't really an option – and I'd have rather got a good 4 than an OK 5 if you get my drift.
Now the Cerbera, that's another kettle of fish ...
Now the Cerbera, that's another kettle of fish ...
That's exactly what I did, I had my S3c for 5 summers, sold in August and spent the whole of the Autumn and Winter looking for the perfect 500 Chimaera. I now have it - a 1996 with 30,000 miles FTVRSH, new MOT bought middle of March for £14,750 (private sale). I got a 3000 mile limited mileage insurance policy and have done 1300 miles in 6 weeks, whoops 
As for people not driving them in the rain, I have found it to be fine, no leaks no scares and I have driven from Milton Keynes to London in torrential rain and over the last two days back from work on the A12 flood plain. I would really consider selling my "everyday car" and using the money to up the insurance mileage and keep it on the road all year. However, I am not going to in case I get used to 5 litres, 340 bhp and 4.1 to 60mph and where's the fun in that?!?
I 'KING LOVE IT SO MUCH THAT IT HURTS ME TO GARAGE IT!!!
As for people not driving them in the rain, I have found it to be fine, no leaks no scares and I have driven from Milton Keynes to London in torrential rain and over the last two days back from work on the A12 flood plain. I would really consider selling my "everyday car" and using the money to up the insurance mileage and keep it on the road all year. However, I am not going to in case I get used to 5 litres, 340 bhp and 4.1 to 60mph and where's the fun in that?!?
I 'KING LOVE IT SO MUCH THAT IT HURTS ME TO GARAGE IT!!!
I have to say being the pround owner of a 98 4.5 Litre puppy its nice and I burn pretty much everything(Again this I find is down to driver ability not car as most people don't know how to push it to the limits). However I'm now getting bored after 9 months of having this car, any suggestions!
quote:
I have to say being the pround owner of a 98 4.5 Litre puppy its nice and I burn pretty much everything(Again this I find is down to driver ability not car as most people don't know how to push it to the limits). However I'm now getting bored after 9 months of having this car, any suggestions!
Go & visit that nice Mr Mark Adams & get him to make it faster (took me a year & half to get to that stage, so I'm obviously a bit slower than you)
Craig
quote:
I have to say being the pround owner of a 98 4.5 Litre puppy its nice and I burn pretty much everything(Again this I find is down to driver ability not car as most people don't know how to push it to the limits). However I'm now getting bored after 9 months of having this car, any suggestions!
Hmmm, first people call it a chimp, now it's a puppy. Are you guys going soft?
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