Standard 500 or modded 450?

[chris1972]

I'm at a crossroads.

I've narrowed it down to two vehicles. Both leave me with no budget.

I would like your opinions on whether to go for a modified 450 Chim (cam, megaquirt etc) or a standard 500 Chim. On a rolling road, the 450 turns out more BHP. Both have good service history. The 500 had a partial engine rebuild a couple of years back and the 450 has had new head (ported & polished), cam etc... pretty much the same. The 450 is better cosmetically than the 500. Both have been well maintained.

Your opinions please!

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

Just make sure you get the one with the best chassis.

[Sardonicus]

It would be the 450 personally i dont like the way TVR made the 500 capacity.

[dbv8]

450

[citizen smith]

Chris 1972,

For pure ease of insurance costs and possible future restrictions (due to mods), I would buy the 5.0 litre. In the future, once the Griffs have all gone sky high in price, the 5.0 litre Chim will take over the most WANTED mantle.

But which ever one you buy will be fun.

[SILICONEKID340HP]

Its not that modified nothing to radiical .Its still on the standard ECU and dizzy ,its mapped by Mark Adams (Tornado chip)It will drive spot on far better than the factory chip if Marks had his mitts on the car ..


I know Intrax cost a fortune (cheaper one`s £1500) .new engine rebuild , mapping alone would cost up to 1k.


If the chassis is good , it has a decent service history and you like the car i would offer him £10750 cash , he should whip your hand off .

My car is more moded than this car ,the insurance costs me just over £300 .

Edited by SILICONEKID340HP on Monday 26th November 19:40

[pearly]

2 sMoKiN bArReLs said:

Just make sure you get the one with the best chassis.

+1, but if equal condition, 450.

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

Sardonicus said:

It would be the 450 personally i dont like the way TVR made the 500 capacity.

It would be the 450 personally i dont like the way TVR made the 500 capacity.

It would be the 450 personally i dont like the way TVR made the 500 capacity.

Don't you like the way TVR made the 500 capacity?

[Chilliman]

450. 500 if you're looking to keep it boggo for future values. My 500 isn't boggo, but it's effing quick. If I was buying again, personally I'd go for the modded 450. All depends on what you want.. For me, I wanted something that's quicker than yer average Porsche, Aston, Fezza, and the occasional Lambo... up to a hundred that is.... and I've got it wasn't cheap, but nothing worth having is

Whichever you get, I wish you lots of high speed fun

Chilli

[Sardonicus]

2 sMoKiN bArReLs said:

Sardonicus said:

It would be the 450 personally i dont like the way TVR made the 500 capacity.

It would be the 450 personally i dont like the way TVR made the 500 capacity.

It would be the 450 personally i dont like the way TVR made the 500 capacity.

Don't you like the way TVR made the 500 capacity?

poxy smart phone --

Edited by Sardonicus on Monday 26th November 19:58

[Robert Lees]

I have a mildly modded 450 ( mark Adams chip, plenum spacer, act trumpets, act induction kit, no engine work) and was easily able to stay in touch with standard 500 . So performance wise prob not much in it. Re-sale and value 500 will always be more desirable. I suspect the mark Adams 450 will be a " nicer" drive.
Running costs \ maintenance will be the same, who cares about 1-2 mpg when your average is 18 anyway!

Actually now I think, mine is modified quite a lot!, gas gold suspension, mod wise cooling, boot entry, stainless dash, iPod,braided hoses, silicone hoses, Tuscan seats, roll bar, clear indicators, alpine subwoofer... Should I have told the insurance

Either car U will love, happy shopping!

[StarmistBlue400]

Even though the 450 is modified and could be as nice to drive as the 500 there is always something nice about owning the top model in the range.

TBH the 400 is so nice you probably can't go wrong with a good 450 or 500 but after you have driven a few cars I think you will know which one feels right so base your choice on that.

[v8 racing]

one thing i have learnt about tvr owners, is they like to put there own individuality on there cars, performance-looks-handling-etc... so really go for the best overall package as the chances are in your ownership you will be changing it to how you want it!

[Podie]

The one in the best condition.

[pwd95]

Won't be much in it performance wise, just buy on condition if i were you.
As a side note my 400 revs far more freely to 6k rpm than my old 500 Griff. The 500 was out of puff by 5k (probably a worn cam in there). The 400 is a lot less scary mid range, you can floor it off the apex without it trying to kill you. (did Pembrey in Sept)

Deffo getting too old if I'm happy with a 400.

Still say green ones are the best.

[SILICONEKID340HP]

pwd95 said:

Won't be much in it performance wise, just buy on condition if i were you.
As a side note my 400 revs far more freely to 6k rpm than my old 500 Griff. The 500 was out of puff by 5k (probably a worn cam in there). The 400 is a lot less scary mid range, you can floor it off the apex without it trying to kill you. (did Pembrey in Sept)

Deffo getting too old if I'm happy with a 400.

Still say green ones are the best.

Got to say i drove Ole Vix`s car .It was superb around town ,30mph in fith,very smooth and i have to admit it was pure pleasure.

But when i put my foot down it felt like it was running on 7 but at the same time it did reach sixty in around 5 seconds which is still fast.

Mine is just a different animal ,miles apart.

Edited by SILICONEKID340HP on Monday 26th November 21:08

[pwd95]

SILICONEKID340HP said:

Got to say i drove Ole Vix`s car .It was superb around town ,30mph in fith,very smooth and i have to admit it was pure pleasure.

But when i put my foot down it felt like it was running on 7 but at the same time it did reach sixty in around 5 seconds which is still fast.

Mine is just a different animal ,miles apart.

Edited by SILICONEKID340HP on Monday 26th November 21:08

A well set up 500 really is quite awesome I'll give you that.

You should do a swap with mine Daz, especially as your head gaskets are on the way out.



ETA

Edited by Big Al. on Monday 26th November 22:14

[SILICONEKID340HP]

pwd95 said:

SILICONEKID340HP said:

Got to say i drove Ole Vix`s car .It was superb around town ,30mph in fith,very smooth and i have to admit it was pure pleasure.

But when i put my foot down it felt like it was running on 7 but at the same time it did reach sixty in around 5 seconds which is still fast.

Mine is just a different animal ,miles apart.

Edited by SILICONEKID340HP on Monday 26th November 21:08

A well set up 500 really is quite awesome I'll give you that.

You should do a swap with mine Daz, especially as your head gaskets are on the way out.

Thats not very nice ! my heads are worth more than your whole engine

[chris1972]

Back at the hotel now and very disappointed that you haven't made my mind up for me!!! I'll arrange to go and see the 450 when I get back to Blighty tomorrow. 500 is from a reputable dealer and the 450 a reputable owner... Doh!

[Sardonicus]

SILICONEKID340HP said:

pwd95 said:

SILICONEKID340HP said:

Got to say i drove Ole Vix`s car .It was superb around town ,30mph in fith,very smooth and i have to admit it was pure pleasure.

But when i put my foot down it felt like it was running on 7 but at the same time it did reach sixty in around 5 seconds which is still fast.

Mine is just a different animal ,miles apart.

Edited by SILICONEKID340HP on Monday 26th November 21:08

A well set up 500 really is quite awesome I'll give you that.

You should do a swap with mine Daz, especially as your head gaskets are on the way out.

Thats not very nice ! my heads are worth more than your whole engine

Shame your head is not worth as much as he's engine