Should I get a third..... 450 or 400?

[nig-gtv]

I'm contemplating buying another Chim, having sold my last one a couple of months ago. However, both of mine have been 400s, and to be honest I'd started to find them a bit slow after I'd got used to the noise and driving style. I haven't driven a 450 yet, but has anyone else owned both? Is the difference very noticeable?

Edited by nig-gtv on Thursday 20th December 23:34

[Ribol]

Driven a few of each. Obviously any 450 owner will tell you they are much better than a 400, and a 400 owner will say there isn't a lot in it.
The truth is a 500 is in a different league to the other two and the debate between 400 v 450 depends more on the actual cars you drive than the cc written on the V5.

All IMO before everyone gets their handbags out

[TVR keith]

I have a 2000 450 and a mate has a 99 400.
having driven his one there is quite a difference.
The 400 is not as easy to drive at low speed in traffic getting quite jerky at low revs, may be just his car but I have read similar comments. Mine is happy to go along on tickover unless I am stuck in very slow traffic for quite a time when it gets a bit bad tempered and needs a few revs to clear it.
I found that it was much easier to drive the 400 hard, lots of throttle and high revs as it doesn't have so much power. With mine the power is much increased and driving hard requires much more care.
Having said that they are both beautiful cars and I could be happy (I think) with a 400. Only when driving the two back to back is the power difference noticeable, the 400 is not lacking in power and goes like stink! it's just that mine is faster and has a useful amount more torque.
I think that if you have had 400's before and were happy and don't go out in a 450 to compare you have no problem.
PS Never driven a 500 but before he got the 400 my mate drove all three and said the 500 was terrifying!
All depends how brave or mad you are I suppose.

[Podie]

The difference between a 400 and a 450 is more noticeable than that of a 450 to a 500 - but even then you notice the extra torque (assuming all cars are standard).

My old 450 was so much smoother to drive than the 500 we have now, but then the 500 has the extra kick in the back.

My advice would be to drive a few 450's and 500's and buy the best you can afford.

[spend]

Weren't you interested in that silver 500 down here? At the right price switching the interior trim can't be that hard, hell even Baretti recoloured his leather (carpets looked ok to me).

I'm sure somebody down here would give it a quick once over, to save you a wasted trip, if you ask (tell us where it is first tho).

Dave

[Jasandjules]

If you want faster than the 4 then a 5 certainly is.....

Why not drive a couple of 4.5s and 5.0s and see for yourself if they are worth it..

[3doorPete]

My brother -in -law has a 400 that I sourced for him. Mine is a 450. I personally find there is quite a lot of difference. I also drove all except a 4.3 when buying mine. 500 is obviously the quickest, but I personally wanted a 450 for reliability and drivability reasons.

Quicker than the 400 without the potential reliability issues of a 500. Reliability is relative with TVR's anyway, but this was my thinking when buying.

[nikman]

nig-gtv said:

I'm contemplating buying another Chim, having sold my last one a couple of months ago. However, both of mine have been 400s, and to be honest I'd started to find them a bit slow after I'd got used to the noise and driving style. I haven't driven a 450 yet, but has anyone else owned both? Is the difference very noticeable?

Edited by nig-gtv on Thursday 20th December 23:34

Speed/torque/acceleration is entirely relative to what you are used to. There are 500 owners finding them "a bit slow" like you were finding your 400. It's ONLY because that's what they've become used to. (Hence superchargers and turbo developments - it's all to get you up to a new level from what you are acclimitised to.)

As another poster said, if you were happy with your 400's then get another without first trying a 450!! Of course there's a difference between the three (given you're comparing all standard cars operating within their designed perameters).

Seems to me there were lots more 400's bought new so they should present the widest choice of specifications/conditions used. In the end of course buy the car that has the best all round condition. Nick.

[nig-gtv]

spend said:

Weren't you interested in that silver 500 down here? At the right price switching the interior trim can't be that hard, hell even Baretti recoloured his leather (carpets looked ok to me).

I'm sure somebody down here would give it a quick once over, to save you a wasted trip, if you ask (tell us where it is first tho).

Dave

Yep, I was... but it would have been at the ebay price, not the inflated dealer price! Thanks for the group offer though!

Edited by nig-gtv on Saturday 22 December 16:24

[Barreti]

spend said:

Weren't you interested in that silver 500 down here? At the right price switching the interior trim can't be that hard, hell even Baretti recoloured his leather (carpets looked ok to me).

I'm sure somebody down here would give it a quick once over, to save you a wasted trip, if you ask (tell us where it is first tho).

Dave

Oi you, what do you mean even you chimpola

[spend]

Freudian slip maybe? I meant to write 'Baretti even'

Dave

[Overhere]

When I was looking for mine I was at Fennies, I was set on a 450, this guy cam in and he wanted to look at all of the 500's, we were standing around so I struck up a conversation telling him all the people I'd spoken to advised the 450, not as lumpy in traffic but has more power than the 400.

He looked at me and said "once you go 500, you'll never go back". he had had a 500 before.

I love my 450, but now that I've had it for a couple years I think a 500 would have been a good option ;-)