Lotus or VX220

[Potatoes]

AshVX220 said:

When you do your next track day try and get pax laps in each if possible and go from there. For your budget you could get a VX that has already been SC'd and had other track focussed Mods done.

This is strong advice.

I'd concur and get to a Lotus on Track trackday and pax in some Elise S2's and VX220's. VX220's at trackdays are a little harder to come by (especially SC'd VX's) so it's worth keeping an eye on the Trackday sub forum on VX220.org.uk or the line-up on the TDO's websites.

The small performance differences between a VX and a similar Elise/Exige were negated by the price difference. My decision was dictated by the fact I was able to get much more car for the same money going down the VX route.

To throw some balance into my post I'll say that I do love the look of the Elise.

[Altrezia]

mozzerS said:

+1
Nice video too.
Is this you? Photo

Edit: I can't get the photo to load here and the link goes to the album but Yellow #47 ?

Yes, that's me.

48k said:

That video shows a good example of how underpowered the S1 Elise can be on the 'wrong' circuit for it. It's only the Elise's advantages in the corners and under braking which allowed it to catch up with a Ford Focus - and that in itself took almost a whole lap - it just doesn't have the power. I did Silverstone and Spa in my S1 and whilst it's great to have ticked those boxes, neither are circuits which play to the cars strengths.

I agree, but I was still having a lot of fun, and surely that's what trackdays are about? If laptimes are your thing, you should be racing/climbing.

That focus is a PH'ers tweaked toy, and goes well /racerexcuses

Edited by Altrezia on Wednesday 27th April 12:11

[Altrezia]

james_gt3rs said:

Nice! A VX220 2.2 lap for comparison.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KJp2h1tqXEQ

VERY similar laptime, according to the timestamps.

[Shnozz]

At £15k you are in the lower powered bracket of Elises/Exiges. Yes, I agree the you don't need masses of power unless you want to "win" TD's, but I'd be either wanting a VX220 with a bit more power than the Elises around that price point.

Personally for a track only car at that budget I'd be looked at ex-grads Caterham. At least then if you bin it you can bolt off/bolt on any of the parts easier than a clam replacement. Get one with wet weather gear et voila. Elise/VX makes for a great track car that you can drive to the circuit but if its circuit only I would be minded to stick with something that touch more track orientated - albeit I appreciate its not far off what you have and the issues you want to counter.

[Shnozz]

I can't help but think after a bike engined Indy anything below 150bhp (or even below 200bhp) is going to feel very pedestrian indeed.

[AshVX220]

shnozz makes a very good point actually about the cost of replacing broken bits of body work if you have an off. The clams on VX's are very expensive as are the lights. I have my car insured for track days through MORIS. But I'm well aware that if I have a bad "off" she's likely to be written off. Mine's only worth about £7k, and if I do each clamshell I'm easily looking at half the value to repair before I even consider anything else that could have broken. I imagine it's a very similar story with an Elise too.

[james_gt3rs]

S1 clams are significantly cheaper than VX220 and S2 I think, so an S1 makes a better track car (lighter too, smaller wheels so possibly cheaper tyres)

[48k]

Altrezia said:

I agree, but I was still having a lot of fun, and surely that's what trackdays are about? If laptimes are your thing, you should be racing/climbing.

Couldn't agree more. But I don't think the OP's "thing" was laptimes, he was wanting something with lively performance like his current track toy.

[chutley]

AshVX220 said:

shnozz makes a very good point actually about the cost of replacing broken bits of body work if you have an off. The clams on VX's are very expensive as are the lights. I have my car insured for track days through MORIS. But I'm well aware that if I have a bad "off" she's likely to be written off. Mine's only worth about £7k, and if I do each clamshell I'm easily looking at half the value to repair before I even consider anything else that could have broken. I imagine it's a very similar story with an Elise too.

Some very informative answers on here, thanks to all those who took the time to respond.

I am going to try and get a couple of passenger rides to test the water - as one pointed out, the BEC MK Indy is very quick and I might not get the performance I want at the money I can afford.

Also good point above from schnozz.... I am a novice track day driver and my desire to go fast does not match my current skills and ability. That will improve, but in the meantime it is a good point that damage on these cars - particularly to the expensive clam shells - will be so much more expensive to repair than a locost. Like as not I think I have a crash or two in me, so a Lotus/VX220 might be better further down the line. Or maybe I just go for a race prepared car. Food for thought.

I'm at a car Limits day next week, and another at Blyton in the Summer. More skill will help with wet driving, and maybe I'll investigate a removable screen for MK. Thanks again all.

[Potatoes]

If you're interested in the cost of bodywork then Jon at http://www.lotushardtops.com/ is your man, his website shows the price list of clams on the S1, S2 and VX220.

I know there are likely to be VX220's at the Blyton park trackdays (there's always one there!).

[AshVX220]

If you do go the Elise/VX route, just get track insurance it's not much when you consider the cost of the day as a whole (fuel, vehicle/tyre/brake wear and the event itself).

If you want other options, if I ever got a purely dedicated track car, I'd probably go for an MR2 (Mk2), because I've always had a soft spot for them. Or for a bit more money how about an S2000?

As they're metal, any small dents you may get can just be banged out if it's a car you don't particularly have any major affection for.

[MR2_SC]

For the budget you can get a lot more car for your money with a vx. A supercharged vx with track mods is well in budget and is lighter and more powerful than even the latest elise sc club racer... Whilst also having the same basic chassis.

I've only been on one lotus track day so far and still run cheap federal tyres.. Here's a comparison to the exige/elises:

https://youtu.be/vVng_N_c7IM

And here it is compared to some Caterham and elise club racer...

https://youtu.be/5FJqBRjYbUk

My car is not a dedicated track car and doubles as a 2nd car, weekend toy etc.

[Potatoes]

MR2_SC said:

For the budget you can get a lot more car for your money with a vx. A supercharged vx with track mods is well in budget and is lighter and more powerful than even the latest elise sc club racer... Whilst also having the same basic chassis.

I've only been on one lotus track day so far and still run cheap federal tyres.. Here's a comparison to the exige/elises:

https://youtu.be/vVng_N_c7IM

And here it is compared to some Caterham and elise club racer...

https://youtu.be/5FJqBRjYbUk

My car is not a dedicated track car and doubles as a 2nd car, weekend toy etc.

Love the video Vimes

[Shnozz]

Seen this OP?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/LOTUS-ELISE-S1-1998-in-T...

[Motorsport_is_Expensive]

I've just bought an N/A VX. Had the Turbo some years back, too.

I remember the N/A was always considered the poor mans Turbo, and I was probably just as guilty of that thinking, but I've had the N/A for five days now and it is in now way a lesser car. Far stiffer, and sharper. Not as powerful but just as quick (I'm not interested in drag racing for comparison).

I've only been in an Elise (S1 with a Civic 2.0 in the back and Nitron suspension) once and that was a brilliant drive (on a track, too), and made my old Tubby feel very bouncy by comparison. But I don't think the N/A would feel quite as much the let down after the tuned S1. Might not keep up, but it'll still feel just as good to drive. But then again, it all depends on the driver, too.

[Shnozz]

fesuvious said:

A VX220 turbo will give plenty of power, and braking ability for @ your budget.

Mines the silver turbo up with Jon Seal. I bought it purely for track fun during the off season and had it fettled ready.

Plus it's been remapped.

It is brilliant. Light, fast, and due to the slightly longer wheelbase ever so slightly more forgiving than an Elise.

Whichever you pick will be fun in extremes. I gave some very serious cars a very hard time. C)220bhp in a car that light is very very quick.

They're awesome.

Mines only up for sale due to me ordering an Evora. However, if my 355 sells first the VX is that good I'd have it back and keep for a track toy. (I race so a track toy is a luxury I don't really need).

Hard top is a good idea if you are offered one.

Why don't you just do a deal with Jon on the Evora he has in stock too

[GFWilliams]

I owned an NA VX220 and never really gelled with it. It was understeery then if you provoked it into oversteer it was snappy and lacked power to power into any slides unless in the wet. Changing to wider and stickier tyres actually made it worse and just highlighted how underpowered it is.

If I had £15k to spend and was going on track at all I'd be looking at an ex race Caterham, the handling balance is so much sweeter and it'd be a lot faster on track.

Then again, I'm the kind of driver that likes a car moving about under them the whole time, if you like driving smoothly I guess a VX220 would be okay

[MR2_SC]

With a supercharger and the right setup they can be made quite playful.

https://youtu.be/czbSc95Ybyo

Having said that, it it was for (dry) track days only and I had the space for a tow car, trailer and track car, my money would go on an ex race Caterham too.

[Potatoes]

VX220 SC

HTH

[GFWilliams]

MR2_SC said:

With a supercharger and the right setup they can be made quite playful.

https://youtu.be/czbSc95Ybyo

Having said that, it it was for (dry) track days only and I had the space for a tow car, trailer and track car, my money would go on an ex race Caterham too.

That actually looks quite fun!