Another 500cc – big or little difference?

[MikeyT]

While I'm very happy with my N reg 4.0HC, there's an R reg 4.5 in Halcyon Atlantis at a garage near me - tempted to turn up in mine and then take it out for a spin to see if the difference is worth the extra dosh I'd have to find ... any views out there.

Will I be overwhelmed or underwhelmed - no doubt there's PHers out there who have had both ...

I'v read on here the 4.5 is more 'tractable/driveable?' My 4.0 was pretty tractable/driveable last time I drove it I think ...

R321 BUK from memory - anyone know of it - it says FSH but I saw the car round the back of the 'garage' and it seemed to have some sort of stickers on the screen so think it may be an auction job?

:soundsabitdodgybutyouneverknow:

[Paul]

I can report that the extra 500cc from moving from my Yam RD125 to a Suzuki GS650 was well worth the upgrade

I'll get me coat.

[Paul]

On a more serious note, my 450 was much more 'sorted' than either the 4L Chim or Griff I had before it - both in terms of performance and build. However, given the variance in cars (which I'm sure you experienced when looking for your 4L) I'm not sure if that was down to the difference in engine size or just variability in a handbuilt product. Now that you're familiar with the characteristics of your current car, I suspect 15 minutes of testdriving the 450 would answer your query.

[funinthesun]

yes....


and another 1000cc is even better.....

[Bassfiend]

The very question I'm trying to work out too!

400's are extremely common and therefore make an attractive purchasing option due to the cost - the 450's and 500's tend to attract significantly higher prices (and should maintain that higher price at resell time) but ultimately I'm just trying to find out which I'd be happy playing in!

Phil

[gixxer1000]

MikeyT said:

While I'm very happy with my N reg 4.0HC, there's an R reg 4.5 in Halcyon Atlantis at a garage near me - tempted to turn up in mine and then take it out for a spin to see if the difference is worth the extra dosh I'd have to find ... any views out there.

I had an M-reg 4.0 Chim for about 3 years then decided to buy a brand new one. Figured that 4.0 was plenty, so wasn't really looking for more, but then test drove a 450. It feels noticibly quicker without a doubt. There was no way I was ordering a 4.0 after that.

Now moved onto a 4.5 Cerbera for mostly the same reasons (but that's another story ).

[drum4it2]

Paul said:

I can report that the extra 500cc from moving from my Yam RD125 to a Suzuki GS650 was well worth the upgrade I'll get me coat.

excellent - lol

can I ask if anyone knows what the difference in performance is between a 4.0 and a 4.0HC? And is the 4.0HC therefore closer to a 4.5? If you see what I'm getting at....

[MikeyT]

Paul said:

I can report that the extra 500cc from moving from my Yam RD125 to a Suzuki GS650 was well worth the upgrade I'll get me coat.

Paul said:

I suspect 15 minutes of testdriving the 450 would answer your query.

Dilemma over ... its bloody gone!

Now I'll never know ...

[rmurray73]

The 4.0HC has 275 horses and the 450 has 285, not much difference. I own a 450 and am very pleased with the performance but must admit can't help wondering what the 500 is like.
I can't comment on the 4.0 or 4.0HC for comparison as have never driven either.
I was advised however that the 450 is the best all rounder and that the 4.0HC is now harder to obtain bits for as that particular engine has been discontinued - don't take that as 100% though as it's third hand info.

Forgot to mention, the 4.0 has 240 bhp and the 5.0 has 340bhp....... maybe I should get out more

>> Edited by rmurray73 on Friday 11th July 16:29

[Paul]

MikeyT said:

Dilemma over ... its bloody gone! Now I'll never know ...

I'm sure there'll be another one along to lure you in the future. As they say, "I can avoid anything. Except temptation"

[apache]

yeah but another'll come along to tempt ya, I tried several 4.5s and was impressed, jumped into a 500 and was in awe, there was a big difference

[P555]

Give a Chim 500 a go, did the drive from Worcester to Southampton the other day, fantastic fun though a little red.......

[Bassfiend]

As a little adjunct to this I drove an S plate Chimera 450 that Fernies have in last Saturday - it has 16,800 miles on the clock so very low mileage and it does have a sports exhaust but from what I gather the difference there is more "audio" than power in relation to the normal exhausts.

Now, *THAT* car seemed to be a shitload quicker than the previous 450 that I took out from there...

Seems a very nice car (but then again at £22.5k it wants to be) - wifey's already said "No" because it's over our budget so I guess the search continues but that was a *REALLY* nice feeling 450.

Phil

[MikeyT]

Game over now folks as I've decided I'm going to sell the Chimaera ...



Can't believe I actually typed that but it's true ...

Something's calling from across the pond ...

www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=37570&f=23&h=0

This is one hell of a sad day now I've decided and it's npot going t be an easy thing to do. I looked long and hard for the car I wanted, and I've really enjoyed owning it - but I don't get to drive it that often plus having the kids it would be nice if we could all go out together in it.

We were thinking about the coast last weekend, couldn't go in the bloody Chim could we ... and no, I can't afford a Cerbera

This is all gonna take a while to sink in ...

Any takers?

[.Mark]

Bloody Hell Mikey I remember all those threads back in the dim and distant past about your decisions and search and the joy when you finally got it!! What a tough decision to have to make!!!
To save me reading the huge thread which yank tank are you going to buy there seem to be plenty of pictures.

And by the way - a fiver says you are back in a TVR within 5 years

[MikeyT]

.Mark said:

To save me reading the huge thread which yank tank are you going to buy there seem to be plenty of pictures.

Hi Mark,

Well, I quite fancy a fastback Mustang this time - I sold a 67 coupe to get the Chim.

65 or 66 model is the one to get too. Just working out the possibilities A car that costs £6200 ($10,000) will cost £3k to import what with the shippin, taxes and the VAT etc. Mad!!

So may end up getting one over here - but a quick look on ebay.com doesn't half make me think ...

They've still got 'em by the bucketload over there of course ...

.Mark said:

And by the way - a fiver says you are back in a TVR within 5 years

You're probably right!

I still love the Chim but what with its light use (all the family can't go out in it together), it deserves better and it's probably for the best ...

>> Edited by MikeyT on Wednesday 16th July 00:23

[.Mark]

I always fancied a Mustang Mach1 or '57 Chevvy Belair. Wife is none too sold on American cars so it'll never happen

[chimhunter]

I took that puppy out for a drive as well. I think I fell in love with that sound, especially the pops and bangs on the over run. Unfortunately as you say it's a 22.5K car which is rather steep (plus the windscreen has started to delaminate). I'll just have to find a cheaper one and fit a sports exhaust to that. And the wheel upgrade. And the headlight conversion. And....

Bassfiend said:

As a little adjunct to this I drove an S plate Chimera 450 that Fernies have in last Saturday - it has 16,800 miles on the clock so very low mileage and it does have a sports exhaust but from what I gather the difference there is more "audio" than power in relation to the normal exhausts. Now, *THAT* car seemed to be a shitload quicker than the previous 450 that I took out from there... Seems a very nice car (but then again at £22.5k it wants to be) - wifey's already said "No" because it's over our budget so I guess the search continues but that was a *REALLY* nice feeling 450. Phil

[Bassfiend]

LOL - Well I was down there with the father in law (he's just turned 70) and he hadn't been out in one.

Hoofed it in 2nd and 3rd and all I could hear from him was a rather strangled "F******ck mmmmmmeeeeeeeee!!!"

When I backed off to hear that lovely popping and banging he just looked over and said "Hmmm ... I'd say you *DON'T* need the 5 litre..."

£22.5k though is a lot of money... :-(

Phil

[jellison]

Why Bugger about get the one with every thing one it!
500....