4.5 as an everyday car
Discussion
I run a '99 450 everyday. And whilst I've only had it 3 months and 2000 miles, I've had no real problems, except face ache from the permanent grin 
.
We considered a TT (and a Z3 for that matter), but after driving the Chim there is only one clear winner
Go for it and enjoy.
>> Edited by cmdar on Monday 8th July 16:06
. We considered a TT (and a Z3 for that matter), but after driving the Chim there is only one clear winner
Go for it and enjoy.
>> Edited by cmdar on Monday 8th July 16:06
I drive a 2001 450 4 miles to work and back everyday (commited petrolhead hating both bikes and the public (transport)) plus weekend fun.
Done 6500 miles in just over 8 months and am still completely in love with it.
Tried the TT, a Boxster, the SLK and the Alfa GTV6 and the TVR just demolishes the lot of them.
Do it, you know you want to, otherwise you wouldnt be on here asking us!
Matt.
Done 6500 miles in just over 8 months and am still completely in love with it.
Tried the TT, a Boxster, the SLK and the Alfa GTV6 and the TVR just demolishes the lot of them.
Do it, you know you want to, otherwise you wouldnt be on here asking us!
Matt.
Just bought a 400 for the commuting run myself. Read the advice, they know what they are talking about, gave me all the right Q's to ask when buying (nearly bought a dog !). Only been doing it a week, but apart from neighbours that are not too happy about the new alarm call at 5.30, then it's great.
Mine takes about 9 miles to get above 70C but after that the grin is as wide as a wide thing !
>> Edited by jacksdad on Monday 8th July 16:17
Mine takes about 9 miles to get above 70C but after that the grin is as wide as a wide thing !
>> Edited by jacksdad on Monday 8th July 16:17
Mr.Tony,
Back to 1999 but...whilst my Cerby was being built the nice dealership lent me a brand new Chimera 4.5 and it was sensational. Miles more reliable than the subsequent motor (leaks in footwells apart but easily sorted!) and as others have said an absolute hoot. Al fresco punting of the highest order and who can ever tire of the wondrous woofle from within?
And fast too; I mean properly, seriously, Yehaargh! sort of fast! Fun, fun, fun and no lairy probs for the uninitiated (unless you think you're Tron). Big boot too so you can travel nicely and many owners I've spoken to marvel about seeing 160+ whilst canonballing through Europe. An utterly wonderful car, gorgeous, and silly value. Buy or die. (Tamora too, perhaps, but I've zero experience.)
Back to 1999 but...whilst my Cerby was being built the nice dealership lent me a brand new Chimera 4.5 and it was sensational. Miles more reliable than the subsequent motor (leaks in footwells apart but easily sorted!) and as others have said an absolute hoot. Al fresco punting of the highest order and who can ever tire of the wondrous woofle from within?
And fast too; I mean properly, seriously, Yehaargh! sort of fast! Fun, fun, fun and no lairy probs for the uninitiated (unless you think you're Tron). Big boot too so you can travel nicely and many owners I've spoken to marvel about seeing 160+ whilst canonballing through Europe. An utterly wonderful car, gorgeous, and silly value. Buy or die. (Tamora too, perhaps, but I've zero experience.)
quote:
Anyone out there runnning a 4.5 as an everyday car all year round
This has been a question on my mind since I hired a Griffith for the day a couple of weeks ago
. There are only two scenarios I can think of where I might not want to drive one...
Do the windscreen wipers actually work when the heavens open?
What do you guys do when its snowing and the gritting lorries are spraying rocks at everything moving down the motorway at more than 20mph?
Steve
quote:
Do the windscreen wipers actually work when the heavens open?
Not really, just use some RainX on the windscreen and you don't really need the wipers.
quote:
What do you guys do when its snowing and the gritting lorries are spraying rocks at everything moving down the motorway at more than 20mph?
Cry, usually.
quote:
quote:
Do the windscreen wipers actually work when the heavens open?
Not really, just use some RainX on the windscreen and you don't really need the wipers.quote:
What do you guys do when its snowing and the gritting lorries are spraying rocks at everything moving down the motorway at more than 20mph?
Cry, usually.
Or sometimes just laugh away to yourself, how much fun are these cars in the snow!!!!!!!
I mean really, why would you want to go above 20mph when you can happily slide any way you want at about 15!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Well, as a lone dissenting voice....
I ran a Griff 500 every day for 9 months and it cost me an absolute fortune. Everything that could have gone wrong on it, did. Complete engine rebuild (after 20k miles), front suspension collapsed, air con, radiator, the list was endless.
I suspect I got a 'Friday' car although it had FSH etc. Luck of the draw, or maybe just my luck with cars (sour grapes at the mo)
I ran a Griff 500 every day for 9 months and it cost me an absolute fortune. Everything that could have gone wrong on it, did. Complete engine rebuild (after 20k miles), front suspension collapsed, air con, radiator, the list was endless.
I suspect I got a 'Friday' car although it had FSH etc. Luck of the draw, or maybe just my luck with cars (sour grapes at the mo)
I have to admit my voice to the 'go for it' lobby. I used my 99 4.0 Chimaera every day for a few months and found it OK, though the clutch can be hard work if you're short and in very heavy traffic (I live just off the A6, one of the busiest roads in Britain) but then I realised that if that bothered me I should be driving a Maxza MX-5 or maybe a a Tigra. 
By the way, anyone else getting 140 miles from a tank or is it just me?
roadsweeper.
By the way, anyone else getting 140 miles from a tank or is it just me?
roadsweeper.
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