Comments on: 550 Spyder by Chamonix Review

By: dirt2 cdk

dirt2 cdk — Sat, 02 Jul 2011 17:15:26 +0000

Hi! I know this is kind of off topic but I was wondering if you knew where I could locate a captcha plugin for my comment form? I’m using the same blog platform as yours and I’m having trouble finding one? Thanks a lot!

By: leiam

leiam — Tue, 24 May 2011 00:17:31 +0000

Fique sabendo que a empresa chamonix cars, tão aclamada não registrava seus funcionarios perante a lei trabalhista brasileira, Levando-a assim a um caos onde a inadimplência gerou multas governamentais das quais trouxeram-na a esse fim.Essa é a verdadeira versão de sua falência

By: Peter

Peter — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 23:12:25 +0000

Engine choice seems perfect for an updated/retro 50′s Porsche – I don’t get that some people here knock it. What could be more appropriate than a 4 cylinder non-turbo boxer engine? This thing ticks all the boxes for me… 50′s Porsche looks – 10/10, Subaru quality and reliability in a Porsche-inspired engine layout – 10/10. A WRX engine would probably hotrod it too much. More power and you probably need fat tyres, enlarge the wheelarches, ruining the whole reason you want one of these. It’s already plenty fast, why make it into a frantic little buzzbomb?

Much kudos too to the designers for providing a soft top for such a simple old car structure that actually doesn’t leak – sounds simple but 99% of other cars with manual little soft tops leak like colanders… which really starts to matter when it’s needed. Call it a detail but it does point to a high quality level for a low volume car in this bracket.

By: Simon

Simon — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 10:09:06 +0000

I Drove this car in SYD last year, it differs from the original yet still maintains the ethos in this current time.
My cirtisisim at the time came from unfortunate yet nessessary changes including head restraints, mirrors, dummy gas cap and subaru euro 4 emmsion comliant engine. Unfortunate departures from the original car yet nessessary to meet current design rules. Dont get me wrong these items actually enhance the car however, i would prefer “replica” rather than “reproduction”.

Damn this modern era of red tape and tree hugging.

That said i would still buy one if they updated possibly the only part left from the original car (i know, a contradiction of philosophy) – the steering. If the steering gets a rack, ill snap one up for sure.

By: Dave Stephenson

Dave Stephenson — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 01:33:49 +0000

List price in America is only 35,000.00, although this may seem expensive, a Cobra Replica commonly fetches 70,000.00 now. Chamonix builds aprox 10 cars a month. I own 1 of two registered in Minnesota. Talk about exclusive! The fit and finish rival anything in production.

It is not the fastest, with all the tech toys but just how fast can one drive before you fry the clutch or loose your license. This car will more than out perform most typical cars on the road but will not rival real performance vehicles. However comming around a exit ramp at legal freeway speeds is, well quite amazing. The spyder will pull amazing Gs with little tiny skiny tires that cost 75.00 each, retail. Replace the tires on your Vett for that! The engine is no fuss no muss easy to fix and dependable, just drive and enjoy.

It puts a Smile on my face even before I hear the exhaust. It puts even a bigger smile on my face when I’m on the road with it.

NO BOOM BOOM SOUND! NO AIR CONDITIONING, NO TOP, NO HEAT! But when you see it in the garage or in a parking lot after a long day at the office, life just seems to be better, even in the rain.

The Spyder is not for everyone, which makes it even better as you just dont see these in eveyones garage. The history behind the design lets me take a part of automotive history every time its driven.

What could be better?

By: cdc

cdc — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 13:04:24 +0000

does iy make the same engine sound of a vw or a subaru boxer engine?

you know

doofdoofdoofdoofdoofdoofdoof…………….

By: dodge

dodge — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 09:49:31 +0000

I drove the 550 when the boys brought it to Melbourne and I haven’t stopped telling people about it. Owning this car isn’t really about an objective appraisal of its performance vs competitors. Or whether it needs a turbo or a performance chip. Its quick enough, its nimble enough. Its grin factor lies elsewhere.
Owning this car is for those that want the pride of ownership you get everytime you look at the 550. Its motoring history. Its a work of art. It transports the owner to the golden era of light weight European sports cars. It doesn’t sit in a conversation with a Shelby Cobra. Although it would share a garage with the AC Ace.
Congrats boys for bringing a dream like this within the reach of mere mortals like us.

By: Ken

Ken — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 06:01:55 +0000

I have been enjoying articles about this car for 18 + months. Your review is the best yet. I have driven in some fine cars that allow you to feel ‘cocooned’ in comfort and safety but leave you divorced from the road and world around. This car looks the ‘real deal’ but with the mechanical reliability for regular use that would not come with the older cars. I would want it for weekends touring with a partner, so the space for two and a toothbrush would be all that is needed. All I need now is for the kids to finish school.

By: FRUGAL--ONE

FRUGAL--ONE — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 23:49:53 +0000

[Your comment is awaiting moderation….I THINK NOT!]

Does the engine and stero go doofdoofdoof in tune?

Wayyyyyyyyyyyy over the odds, for mine i rather a modern and vastly superior Elfin Type 5

Would destroy this as a sports car.

Be ok for $30k, $60k+ they are on drugs

Cheers

F-0

By: Wheelnut

Wheelnut — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 00:16:11 +0000

If it uses a Subaru Impreza Engine… Why don’t they then offer one that uses the Subaru AWD System as well?