Decided to take the plunge...
Discussion
Hi all
Ive finally decided to take the step into TVRs.
The S2000 rice cooker is going, spent the afternoon at Fernhurst TVR, they're trying to pursuade me into a rather nice chim 5.0, obviously the 5.0 are more expensive than the 4.0... i guess due to the fact there are less of them.
my question, go for a cheaper 4.0 and maybe want to change to a 5.0 later, or just go for the 5.0?
is engine size the only difference, and then the question of PAS...
Ive finally decided to take the step into TVRs.
The S2000 rice cooker is going, spent the afternoon at Fernhurst TVR, they're trying to pursuade me into a rather nice chim 5.0, obviously the 5.0 are more expensive than the 4.0... i guess due to the fact there are less of them.
my question, go for a cheaper 4.0 and maybe want to change to a 5.0 later, or just go for the 5.0?
is engine size the only difference, and then the question of PAS...
sprockett2103 said:
Hi all
Ive finally decided to take the step into TVRs.
The S2000 rice cooker is going, spent the afternoon at Fernhurst TVR, they're trying to pursuade me into a rather nice chim 5.0, obviously the 5.0 are more expensive than the 4.0... i guess due to the fact there are less of them.
my question, go for a cheaper 4.0 and maybe want to change to a 5.0 later, or just go for the 5.0?
is engine size the only difference, and then the question of PAS...
My budget wouldn't allow for a 5.0 but I've been thrilled with my 4.0 It's really quick when you open it right up! I don't think I'd need it any quicker for what I use it for - personally. But then I'm not hooning it everywhere, nor am I competing in it. Ive finally decided to take the step into TVRs.
The S2000 rice cooker is going, spent the afternoon at Fernhurst TVR, they're trying to pursuade me into a rather nice chim 5.0, obviously the 5.0 are more expensive than the 4.0... i guess due to the fact there are less of them.
my question, go for a cheaper 4.0 and maybe want to change to a 5.0 later, or just go for the 5.0?
is engine size the only difference, and then the question of PAS...
I went for power steering, I didn't want to be heaving the front wheels around under that big V8 when I parallel park. Others say it's not an issue for them though.
You'll get 2 types of answer here.
The guys like us that have 4.0/4.5 and the guys that have 5.0's
Us lot will tell you there is no real difference in real life day to day driving, those with the big willy's will tell you that the 5.0 is a gazzillion times faster than the poor relation.
Depends on your needs and what you intend to do. When we got the Chimaera it's main use was as a daily driver and we felt that the 4.0 was probably better suited to that than the 5.0
In my opinion you should probably not worry too much about engine size they are all pretty quick, but should buy on condition first and then colour choice if available and worry about the engine size later.
As for PAS - we've lived without it for 12 years and it's been fine. As long as the wheels are moving when you try to turn the wheel there is not an issue with weight.
The guys like us that have 4.0/4.5 and the guys that have 5.0's
Us lot will tell you there is no real difference in real life day to day driving, those with the big willy's will tell you that the 5.0 is a gazzillion times faster than the poor relation.
Depends on your needs and what you intend to do. When we got the Chimaera it's main use was as a daily driver and we felt that the 4.0 was probably better suited to that than the 5.0
In my opinion you should probably not worry too much about engine size they are all pretty quick, but should buy on condition first and then colour choice if available and worry about the engine size later.
As for PAS - we've lived without it for 12 years and it's been fine. As long as the wheels are moving when you try to turn the wheel there is not an issue with weight.
I was in your position last year. In fact, it was between a heavily modded 4.5 and a standard 5.0. I purchased the 5.0.
I think a lot depends on what you expect from a car. All models are quick, but I've always had remapped 3.0 diesels in the past as my daily driver and they produce masses of torque. It was this that persuaded me to get the 5.0 as it has good torque and gave a similar feeling (albeit a lot quicker and louder).
As Fernies are offering a 2yr warranty, I would stretch to get the 5.0. You may find because there are so few of them left, they will hold their value a little more. Drive them both back to back and see what you think. Either way, they are all great cars.
Edited to say, there's one on there with a gold 500 badge on the back. The badge itself must be worth the asking price!!!
I think a lot depends on what you expect from a car. All models are quick, but I've always had remapped 3.0 diesels in the past as my daily driver and they produce masses of torque. It was this that persuaded me to get the 5.0 as it has good torque and gave a similar feeling (albeit a lot quicker and louder).
As Fernies are offering a 2yr warranty, I would stretch to get the 5.0. You may find because there are so few of them left, they will hold their value a little more. Drive them both back to back and see what you think. Either way, they are all great cars.
Edited to say, there's one on there with a gold 500 badge on the back. The badge itself must be worth the asking price!!!
Edited by chris1972 on Wednesday 3rd April 16:10
sprockett2103 said:
Hi all
Ive finally decided to take the step into TVRs.
The S2000 rice cooker is going, spent the afternoon at Fernhurst TVR, they're trying to pursuade me into a rather nice chim 5.0, obviously the 5.0 are more expensive than the 4.0... i guess due to the fact there are less of them.
my question, go for a cheaper 4.0 and maybe want to change to a 5.0 later, or just go for the 5.0?
is engine size the only difference, and then the question of PAS...
It comes across as if you spent the afternoon looking through the window at Fernhurst..did you not test drive any??Ive finally decided to take the step into TVRs.
The S2000 rice cooker is going, spent the afternoon at Fernhurst TVR, they're trying to pursuade me into a rather nice chim 5.0, obviously the 5.0 are more expensive than the 4.0... i guess due to the fact there are less of them.
my question, go for a cheaper 4.0 and maybe want to change to a 5.0 later, or just go for the 5.0?
is engine size the only difference, and then the question of PAS...
If you are set on buying from them make sure you take a 400/450 out and a 500 before you make a choice.
A decent 400 might drive better than a naff 500. TBH the more you drive the better, you will know when you find the right one.
I drove the 500 that Chris brought. It was sounded amazing but it was the first one I tried so I was a little nervous plus it was raining
In many ways I wish I had tried a few others before driving a 500 just so I could compare it properly. There are plenty about so drive as many as you can.
I would add that it depends on what you are used too as well. Ive just sold a 3.5 V6 Auto with 272bhp so the Chimaera didnt feel that fast in a straight line. I replaced it with a shed (MG ZT 2.5 190bhp) so when I drive the TVR it feels much quicker than it used to because my daily drive is a lot slower.
But, at the end of the day they are all about having fun and they will all put a smile on your face
A decent 400 might drive better than a naff 500. TBH the more you drive the better, you will know when you find the right one.
I drove the 500 that Chris brought. It was sounded amazing but it was the first one I tried so I was a little nervous plus it was raining
In many ways I wish I had tried a few others before driving a 500 just so I could compare it properly. There are plenty about so drive as many as you can. I would add that it depends on what you are used too as well. Ive just sold a 3.5 V6 Auto with 272bhp so the Chimaera didnt feel that fast in a straight line. I replaced it with a shed (MG ZT 2.5 190bhp) so when I drive the TVR it feels much quicker than it used to because my daily drive is a lot slower.
But, at the end of the day they are all about having fun and they will all put a smile on your face
Edited by StarmistBlue400 on Wednesday 3rd April 16:28
I,ve had a 400 for 2 yrs now and yes occasionaly i want a bit more go.....but i believe the 500 has a very flat torque curve and that leads to problems catching people out at low speeds and ends up in a visit to a hedge/wall if not careful. When they go you dont get much chance to catch them.
I too bought a 500 and of course I would support my decision all day long, however, as has been said, it depends on your driving habits and what you want from it.
In the real world there isn't that much difference, they are all nice cars.
My decision was made on the fact that if I bought a 400/450, I would always be thinking "I should have gone for a 500"
In the real world there isn't that much difference, they are all nice cars.
My decision was made on the fact that if I bought a 400/450, I would always be thinking "I should have gone for a 500"
I bought a 4ltr soon got used to the speed, they are not that quick, if your not into modifying the I'd go 5 Ltr, but a 4.5 is a very good base for upgrading, personally I'd buy a very well looked after 4.5 which has had a rebuild with top hat liners if you can find one then if you get bored with the speed bang a turbo on it.
Andav469 said:
My decision was made on the fact that if I bought a 400/450, I would always be thinking "I should have gone for a 500"
That's a very good point, I love my 400 and wouldn't say I regret the decision to buy it at all, but I do sometimes wonder "what if a good 500 had come along".TBH the performance of my 400 is more than adequate, it feels plenty fast enough for real world use and it's all about the noise and sensation anyway LOL
If you can afford a 500 and it's the same "quality" as a 400 you can afford too then it's worth a BIT of a premium, otherwise keep the spare cash and use it for fuel!
Andav469 said:
My decision was made on the fact that if I bought a 400/450, I would always be thinking "I should have gone for a 500"
That's a very good point, I love my 400 and wouldn't say I regret the decision to buy it at all, but I do sometimes wonder "what if a good 500 had come along".TBH the performance of my 400 is more than adequate, it feels plenty fast enough for real world use and it's all about the noise and sensation anyway LOL
If you can afford a 500 and it's the same "quality" as a 400 you can afford too then it's worth a BIT of a premium, otherwise keep the spare cash and use it for fuel!
Discopotatoes said:
I bought a 4ltr soon got used to the speed, they are not that quick, if your not into modifying the I'd go 5 Ltr, but a 4.5 is a very good base for upgrading, personally I'd buy a very well looked after 4.5 which has had a rebuild with top hat liners if you can find one then if you get bored with the speed bang a turbo on it.
All depends on what you expect/want from your car... Are you wanting a car that will give you lots of fun, open top motoring, great sountrack, and good performance, but accept that a diesel beemer estate driven by a woman with 2.2 kids in the back will blow you away, or do you want all of the above less the embarassement factor
Chilliman said:
All depends on what you expect/want from your car... Are you wanting a car that will give you lots of fun, open top motoring, great sountrack, and good performance, but accept that a diesel beemer estate driven by a woman with 2.2 kids in the back will blow you away, or do you want all of the above less the embarassement factor
Had a little encounter with a new M3 the other evening. Pushing at some points, until we got much higher in the numbers. Given the price difference in the cars, I can't complain. By the time we got caught in a que of traffic at the roundabout I had a group of cheering blokes pull up to the left of me asking me to rev the Chim. The M3 looked a little insignificant by comparison.Can't wait to sort the induction and cats out. Should be even better then!
Whatever you get, if you like speed you will get used to it and want more, the best engines are the ones which are cross bolted, they are strongest. Everyone has their favourite and it's up to you to decide. I've had my 4litre 10 years and did get bored with the performance I have to say so I modified it.
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