450SE or 450SEAC what would you have?
450SE or 450SEAC what would you have?
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Mr Tank

Original Poster:

5,799 posts

305 months

Thursday 9th May 2013
quotequote all
Hi

I know this question has been asked before but this last weekend gave me the opportunity to try and see if a person who has never driven a wedge before could tell the difference between them. Not just they way the look but they way they handel etc.

So I gave the keys to my friend Gordon to see if he could tell the difference!

He has his own 450Chim and a Tuscan so he had some experance of driving a TVR but it was his first in a wedge!

Gordon also works for the Mercedes F1 as a system analyser so he also has a little background with automotove system and handling etc.

Well he drove the 450SE first for the 30-35 mile trip to Rushden on some pretty good driving roads (For around here) and then the next trip he took the SEAC!

When we arrived at Rushden I asked the question and I got a simple answer "Chalk and Chesse"

He liked the SE it was a great car it went well with a raw feel compared with his Chim and Tuscan. But the SEAC was in a different class of its own. Faster, brakes felt better, steering much sharper, and the road holding was far superior! Then there was the exhust note. the SE was loud but again the SEAC was even better!
I then asked the question was it worth £6 to £8K more he said it was price less, give him the SEAC any day and would I trade in his Tuscan and Chim for it!

OK thats just one mans opinion but I agree what do you lot think?

Andy

Edited by Mr Tank on Thursday 9th May 22:23

wejer

13 posts

172 months

Thursday 9th May 2013
quotequote all
450SE for me. Am I the only soul alive who doesn't like the sharky-tooth looking front end of the SEAC (or that barking mad tea-tray thingy)? I imagine I am now banned from this forum...

Mr Tank

Original Poster:

5,799 posts

305 months

Thursday 9th May 2013
quotequote all
Simon

Off course not thats why I asked the question.

What I didn't ask Gordon was his thoughts on the looks as thats a personel thing!

I like them both looks wise!

Andy

slippery

14,093 posts

269 months

Thursday 9th May 2013
quotequote all
420 SEAC for me please. smile

Mr Tank

Original Poster:

5,799 posts

305 months

Thursday 9th May 2013
quotequote all
slippery said:
420 SEAC for me please. smile
Now thats an answer I was not expecting!

Why the 420SEAC compared with the 450SEAC?

Andy

wejer

13 posts

172 months

Thursday 9th May 2013
quotequote all
True, you don't have to look at it when you're driving it. Reckon I'll have to drive the SEAC to find out. Now when am I passing your place...

Mr Tank

Original Poster:

5,799 posts

305 months

Thursday 9th May 2013
quotequote all
wejer said:
True, you don't have to look at it when you're driving it. Reckon I'll have to drive the SEAC to find out. Now when am I passing your place...
Simon

If you have the correct insurance I am more than happy for a ltd number to give it a try.

We may even let some have a go at the fest to see if we can get a better number of people to have the experance etc so a better conclusion can be reached!

Andy

pjac67

2,040 posts

282 months

Thursday 9th May 2013
quotequote all
450 SEAC all day long !!

Although that is a completely unqualified statement as I've never driven one !

Mr Tank

Original Poster:

5,799 posts

305 months

Thursday 9th May 2013
quotequote all
Hi Paul

The opportunaty there at the fest to give it a try if you have got good insurance cover!

Andy

slippery

14,093 posts

269 months

Thursday 9th May 2013
quotequote all
Mr Tank said:
Now thats an answer I was not expecting!

Why the 420SEAC compared with the 450SEAC?

Andy
Just sentimental reasons I guess. A red 420 SEAC was the car I lusted after as a teenage lad. I used to love reading the road test reports in those days. Sorry if you were expecting a logical answer. smile

Mr Tank

Original Poster:

5,799 posts

305 months

Thursday 9th May 2013
quotequote all
slippery said:
Mr Tank said:
Now thats an answer I was not expecting!

Why the 420SEAC compared with the 450SEAC?

Andy
Just sentimental reasons I guess. A red 420 SEAC was the car I lusted after as a teenage lad. I used to love reading the road test reports in those days. Sorry if you were expecting a logical answer. smile
No I can completley understand!

Thats the beauty of TVRs they are not the same and its down to personely choice.

I also tried this experiment on my Nephew (In law) on Friday with num 1 and my 350SE just to see, and he prefered num 1 as it felt more in touch with the road!

The defferance between powered and not powered steering?

Andy

ElvisWedgely

2,715 posts

195 months

Thursday 9th May 2013
quotequote all
OK. Here,s my opinion. I have owned a 450SE and driven a 420SEAC that use to belong to my brother in law (when the SEAC was a year old and relatively new) on several occasions. I can tell you now, the 450SE is a tame car in comparison. I can safely say the SEAC was, and still is, the fastest, and the loudest road car I have ever driven, and I have driven a few powerful cars in my time. The SEAC is raw. It's loud, obscenely powerful, without any driving aids. It's a real drivers car. I need say no more as to what I prefer. As for the looks? Well, it's a matter of taste. You either love it, or hate it and I love it.

Tony. TCB.

pjac67

2,040 posts

282 months

Thursday 9th May 2013
quotequote all
Mr Tank said:
Hi Paul

The opportunaty there at the fest to give it a try if you have got good insurance cover!

Andy
Wow thanks Andy ! That's reason enough to come - I'll still be in my Wedge at this rate as well....

I'll be ringing Henderson Taylor in the morning....

Yatesy350i

1,035 posts

166 months

Friday 10th May 2013
quotequote all
On looks alone I prefer the 450se. But the front of the SEAC is stunning just not 100% on the rear spoiler? However that wouldn't stop me owning one if I can afford it some time I the future. The red car currently for sale looks stunning. And I can't wait to get a look at Mr T's sky blue one at the Fest.

As for driving the biggest I've managed is a 400se but I can only imagine they get better as they get bigger? I find my 350i pretty loud compared to everything else I've owned. So can only imagine you must be grinning like a maniac when you press the loud pedal on an SEACbiggrin

There was a silver one at Chatsworth but I didn't get to hear it running:-(

Danny Hoffman

1,617 posts

292 months

Friday 10th May 2013
quotequote all
I've never driven either but unless it was my only/everyday car it would have to be a SEAC every time (420 or 450 - not bothered)

GV

2,366 posts

254 months

Friday 10th May 2013
quotequote all
I think you just like to show off your collection of Wedges....!

jeff5

7 posts

161 months

Friday 10th May 2013
quotequote all
Hi
I haven't driven a 450se but i have driven a seac which is a very special car.I have also driven the Yellow Racer extensively on track and that really is special.
Jeff.

slippery

14,093 posts

269 months

Friday 10th May 2013
quotequote all
What sort of money do fully sorted SEACs change hands for?

ElvisWedgely

2,715 posts

195 months

Friday 10th May 2013
quotequote all
slippery said:
What sort of money do fully sorted SEACs change hands for?
25 ish ?

Tony. TCB.


slippery

14,093 posts

269 months

Friday 10th May 2013
quotequote all
ElvisWedgely said:
slippery said:
What sort of money do fully sorted SEACs change hands for?
25 ish ?

Tony. TCB.
cry