The big 4.0 vs 5.0 handling debate.
Discussion
O.K. folks, this might take some time but please bear with me and any input is most welcome.
I used to have a 43k 1995 400 Chimaera to which I fitted AVOs with standard springs, polybushed the front end and added 17" alloys with Avon ZZ3s.
I changed this back in the summer for a 49k 1998 Chimaera 500HC to which I swapped the 17" wheels onto, I could nail the 400 anywhere and it made a very quick point to point vehicle.
The 500 is a superb car although I am concerned as to whether it is suited to my driving style and road conditions.
Living down in Devon a lot of my driving is uphill-downdale with ever-changing surface and camber, hence a lot of on/off power with a smidge of left foot braking.
I am not banging the throttle like I did on the 400 as anyone with a 500 will know you have more of a tendancy just to tense the muscle in your shin to try and get the power down.
Primarily I had been getting a bit of understeer, like driving on marbles when going in to bends (Shnozz will verify this) and I put this down to the Avons having worn into the other car (PAS so a bit edge worn) so I junked them in favour of a new set of Toyos. This has improved the car greatly.
This is all well and good but I am still spending a lot more time looking through the sidewindows on the twisties and the car lights up over mini yumps all the time, I like this but sometimes you can come over a crest in a drift and the back is on the wrong side of the white line, one day this is going to end in tears!
With this in mind should I start spending money on the suspension to reduce the roll and weight movement or should I try a 450?
Comments or experiences would be most appreciated!
Corin
>>> Edited by Corin Denton on Friday 17th December 10:41
Corin Denton said:
The 500 is a superb car although I am concerned as to whether it is suited to my driving style and road conditions.
Funny you should mention this. A friend of mine popped round last night in his Tuscan (a courtesy car while he awaits delivery of a Sagaris!) and we got chatting about the Chimaera 400 vs 500 and he said, having driven both, he much preferred the way the 400 handled.
cosmoschick said:
The 500 is a superb car although I am concerned as to whether it is suited to my driving style and road conditions.
Funny you should mention this. A friend of mine popped round last night in his Tuscan (a courtesy car while he awaits delivery of a Sagaris!) and we got chatting about the Chimaera 400 vs 500 and he said, having driven both, he much preferred the way the 400 handled.
Five years ago, when we returned the importer's demo 400 after a road test (in one piece), the PR man told us that under no condition they would lend a 500 to journalists anymore - none of them lasted a year before they were totalled. Nuff said.
OK OK, if you argue the point it's because car hacks can't drive - you might be right
Corin, I'm yet to drive your wee beastie, must get together in the NY.
My 4.0 was very 'chuckable' once you got used to it - after a few months of ownership. The Cerb is different, and to be honest I'm not yet it's master.
I drove a 450 from Peninsula the other day and was surprised at the torque available over the 4.0, it would spin really easily, I can imagine the 500 is worse/better again!
The roads in our part of the world are certainly different to anywhere else, I could drive the Chim from Redruth to Falmouth with no discomfort to me or the car at about 40/50 in traffic. The Cerb is a totally different animal, popping and snarling it's way in second, no, third, no, second, no, third gears (get the picture?) and it's not comfortable - the car or me.
As I said, not having driven your car I would think it's virtually undriveable in the current wet/greasy conditions with the torque - give the Toyo's a bit of time to bed in though, and they do improve a fair bit - but bloody hell do they wear down quick!
My 4.0 was very 'chuckable' once you got used to it - after a few months of ownership. The Cerb is different, and to be honest I'm not yet it's master.
I drove a 450 from Peninsula the other day and was surprised at the torque available over the 4.0, it would spin really easily, I can imagine the 500 is worse/better again!
The roads in our part of the world are certainly different to anywhere else, I could drive the Chim from Redruth to Falmouth with no discomfort to me or the car at about 40/50 in traffic. The Cerb is a totally different animal, popping and snarling it's way in second, no, third, no, second, no, third gears (get the picture?) and it's not comfortable - the car or me.
As I said, not having driven your car I would think it's virtually undriveable in the current wet/greasy conditions with the torque - give the Toyo's a bit of time to bed in though, and they do improve a fair bit - but bloody hell do they wear down quick!
Corin,
It is probably worth taking a look at the suspension geometry, the extra torque of the 500 will try to twist the rear suspension more than the 400. The critical angles of toe in/out and camber will affect how easily/sharply the rear end let's go. More Camber will make it more twitchy as will to much toe out as the tyres will pick up on the surface changes of the orad. Also if your runnning different size wheels and tyres than standard it will need setting up to suit them.
The other thing that will affect this is how much weight you keep in the boot. I had about 50kg of Stereo in the boot of my 400 and it handled much better as a result, I've now taken it out and it's far more lively.
Hope this helps,
Paul
It is probably worth taking a look at the suspension geometry, the extra torque of the 500 will try to twist the rear suspension more than the 400. The critical angles of toe in/out and camber will affect how easily/sharply the rear end let's go. More Camber will make it more twitchy as will to much toe out as the tyres will pick up on the surface changes of the orad. Also if your runnning different size wheels and tyres than standard it will need setting up to suit them.
The other thing that will affect this is how much weight you keep in the boot. I had about 50kg of Stereo in the boot of my 400 and it handled much better as a result, I've now taken it out and it's far more lively.
Hope this helps,
Paul
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