4.2 or 4.5

[s,one]

I know it's an old chestnut but what should I go for. I've done a search but really I didn't come to a conclusion.Question is ,is the premium worth it,I've seen one or two low mile very clean 4.2's advertised which look v tempting.I probably could afford more but I've seen a couple of 4.2's around the 25k mark and as I say I am drawn, or would you hang on or spend a bit more on a 4.5?.
Cheers

Steve

[DuncanM]

It is a point worth making that in the past Julian of Joospeed has quoted the 4.2 to be the best Cerbera (in standard guise I assume).

I have a 4.2 and love it .

There was a recent rolling road and 4.2's made near identical and in some cases better figures than the 4.5's unless they had an ecu upgrade.

As is usual people will recommend buying on condition which is what you should do but certainly don't discount the 4.2 as it is a truly great car .



Duncan

[tvr-fan]

I have a 4.2 engine that has been upgraded to a 4.5 by TVR im wondering what sort of rolling road performance i would get from it ?? does anyone know of any other 4.2 to 4.5 conversions ?? id be very interested in any feedback on that one.

[mark.rowe]

I went for the 4.2, drive wise I can't complain, the power is great and i've never come accross anything yet to have beaten me.

The only thing with the 4.2 is that you always have the 2nd best feeling when looking at 4.5's.
Ant the 4.5's stats are a lot better bragging material when propped up against a bar! Even if in real life there isn't really that much in it when dyno'd.

I've never driven a 4.5 so can't really comment on the difference in performance, but most say its not really noticable until 100+mph.

[Tam Lin]

mark.rowe said:

I went for the 4.2, drive wise I can't complain, the power is great and i've never come accross anything yet to have beaten me.

I too am pretty pleased with a "mere" 4.2, especially after its suspension has been nitronified by Joospeed (TM), but
1) 4.2s, whilst giving pretty equal power to stock 4.5s also can't be chipped to give more as easily

2) The idea of big brakes on the rear and weight up front seems a bit perverse

3) *most* 4.5s, being later than most 4.2s, have numerous detail improvements (clutch, no silly 16" wheels etc) which can be fitted to a 4.2, but come as standard on a 4.5

[s,one]

i'm thinking something like an 01 car. I had a 97 4.2 previously apart from a slave cylinder failure it was ok. But I have never to this day driven the 4.5. On the sensible side (if there is such a thing when buying a cerb)I'm thinking buy a later lower mile 4.2 but I have to admit a hankering for a 4.5, even though I know real world I will never exploit the full potential of either.

Steve

[Byff]

Owned both, can't tell the difference.

Engine on a 4.5 looks prettier with the purple horns, but on mine, they kept falling off.

I can't wait for the CREAM, run a 4.2 and a 4.5 up the runway, see what the real difference is.

[joospeed]

My advice has always been to go for the 4.2 ..

they're much nicer to drive as the throttle has a better action, you save 2-3k over the same age 4.5 and you get to spend that on proper upgrades to make it a faster car than a std 4.5 would ever be.

If you're after serious engine power though you have to go for the 4.5 .. the 4.2 needs more serious mods to extract anything like lightly modded 4.5 power levels.

[flashheart]

4.5 is the way ahead - but I have a small penis.