450 or 451

[b2fortwo]

I see reference to these two, what's the difference between them?

[JPaul]

450 is the "older" generation, no more in production. 451 is the one Penske imports in the USA, in production since 2007.
Visual hints:
450 has three sided rear hatch, six taillights, vertical door handles
451 has a single pane rear hatch, four taillights, horizontal door handles.

[chieftmc]

Originally Posted by JPaul

....
Visual hints:
450 has three sided rear hatch, six taillights, vertical door handles....

Don't forget those "peanut" headlights

[mdfortwoguy]

Originally Posted by chieftmc

Don't forget those "peanut" headlights

Not on all of them though - earlier 450s have almond shaped headlamps and a (IMO) very nice looking schnozz.

[donnyonee]

450 is shorter, and head lamps are close to impossible to replace bulbs

[24-42]

Originally Posted by donnyonee

450 is shorter, and head lamps are close to impossible to replace bulbs

Only impossible if you can't get to a Kragen, Auto Zone, Pepboys, etc, etc.

"Peanut headlights" are "Projector headlights". Great lights, I have them

Let's not post what we do not know to be a fact.

Looking for ways to knock the other model casts a very poor light on the person posting.

I own a 450, my choice. I have NEVER knocked the 451, that is somebody elses choice and I respect that.

Donald LaFavor

[idahosmart]

Note: The convertible 450 models have 4 rear lights, the coupe 450 has 6.

Tom

[belkin666]

the 450 is cuter, more loveable, has the original turbocharged mercedes benz engine [instead of mitsubishi] w/ six speed trans, and it gets better gas milage.

[superstevie]

Originally Posted by belkin666

the 450 is cuter, more loveable, has the original turbocharged mercedes benz engine [instead of mitsubishi] w/ six speed trans, and it gets better gas milage.

But has an engine that will need rebuilding every 50-60k a gearbox* that makes the 451 'box feel smooth, a very hard and bouncy ride, and a cheaper feeling interior. However, I loved my old 450 I used to have, fantastic little car! The styling looks better, inside and out, it was far more tunable and has more character. But I wouldnt go back from my 451.

*geek alert - the old gearbox is only 3 speeds, with an over drive to create 4th 5th & 6th. One of the reasons it is ridiculously slow to change from 4th to 3rd!

[pmolink]

I feel that it is important to be totally objective in comparisons such as this and only to use metrics which can be numerically substantiated.

Based upon my objective analysis, I have determined that the 451 is "1" better than the 450. That works out to 0.22% better.