RE: PH Buying Guide: Vauxhall VX220
Discussion
wooooody said:
If I was tracking my car regularly, I'd be making sure I or someone else was checking these sort of things. 10.9 will go with a bang, I know it's a factory SB, but can see the downsides.
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10.9's won't fail, the reason the 8.8's fail is because you can't get enough preload into them. if there is a high enough preload then the way a joint works it shouldn't fail http://www.boltscience.com/pages/basics1.htm.
A few years back a yellow VX220 pulled out of a petrol garage near where I live onto a local A road and the driver put his foot down, smugly at the time I was on my motorbike a Honda Hornet 600 although not fast by out right superbike abilitys is by no means slow, I thought I'd follow suit and show him what real speed is ....... I never caught him!!
I can only speak for the straight line speed and factor out my poor skills on a bike but its a wide straight A-road and I was amazed how quick VX220 was and the fact that a memeber on here said he has seen them for 6k for that money and a car you can just turn the key and go I doubt you can buy a car that will be that much fun for the money.
I envy both owners the Elise and the VX220 arguments to one side which one is the better car lets be honest I bet the owners of both get out of their cars with massive smiles everytime they take them out!!
I can only speak for the straight line speed and factor out my poor skills on a bike but its a wide straight A-road and I was amazed how quick VX220 was and the fact that a memeber on here said he has seen them for 6k for that money and a car you can just turn the key and go I doubt you can buy a car that will be that much fun for the money.
I envy both owners the Elise and the VX220 arguments to one side which one is the better car lets be honest I bet the owners of both get out of their cars with massive smiles everytime they take them out!!
They are huge fun for both ends of the motoring spectrum. Whether pottering around B-roads enjoying the Lotus steering feel and supple ride, or on track, especially with the Turbo or perhaps even better the lighter NA when equipped with the (relatively) cheap supercharger kit for an instantly responsive 250 or 300bhp as I had fitted by Courtenay Sport.
Though a simple interior, much more practical than a Seven especially in cold and wet, but as quick with the right tyres and setup, and the mid-engined cornering balance is arguably even more adjustable when I tried it back-to-back on track against an R400.
I won't be selling mine, as no alternative lightweight covers so many bases that well for anywhere near the money. An Exige S would also be lovely, but not at double the price, and it would need tuning up a little more....
Though a simple interior, much more practical than a Seven especially in cold and wet, but as quick with the right tyres and setup, and the mid-engined cornering balance is arguably even more adjustable when I tried it back-to-back on track against an R400.
I won't be selling mine, as no alternative lightweight covers so many bases that well for anywhere near the money. An Exige S would also be lovely, but not at double the price, and it would need tuning up a little more....
markiii said:
if as the badging, interior and paint scheme indicate that red car is a VXR, they could have picked one which actually had the proper VXR wheels on it
It's actually Vauxhall's own VXR (from the Heritage centre), they took the Speedlines/A048's off at the beginning of the year so the car could do a run down to the South of France & for some reason haven't put them back on.kambites said:
I've never heard that before, but maybe pedestrian impact regs? Is there less clearance between the front clam and the radiator on the S1/VX220 than the S2?
IIRC it was something to do with the height and profile of the nose on the Elise. If the original version ran into you it'd break your ankles then run you over, whereas an S2 will bounce you off the bonnet.Although to be frank 'staying the hell out of its way' would probably be better advice.
Great buyers guide, hopefully this will get more people thinking about buying a VX220 and raise the prices - they're far too cheap!!!
I've been running 16/17 for the past 4 years of VX ownership and can pretty much choose any tyres I like.
Currently running Federal RS-Rs which are epic just about everywhere, Oulton Park included
I've been running 16/17 for the past 4 years of VX ownership and can pretty much choose any tyres I like.
Currently running Federal RS-Rs which are epic just about everywhere, Oulton Park included
I had a VXT for about 2.5 yrs just over 2.5 yrs ago, 56 plate in Coral blue, replaced a 911.
It was a fantastic and could cover ground at a great rate of knots
Chassis was excellent, I really liked that car and was a lot of fun
One reason I got rid was seeing how long some of my fellow VX owners were waiting for parts after minor bumps. I didn't want to be in that situation and I also fancied a change to something else.
The VX will always be one of my favourite cars I've owned
It was a fantastic and could cover ground at a great rate of knots
Chassis was excellent, I really liked that car and was a lot of fun One reason I got rid was seeing how long some of my fellow VX owners were waiting for parts after minor bumps. I didn't want to be in that situation and I also fancied a change to something else.
The VX will always be one of my favourite cars I've owned
tail slide said:
An Exige S would also be lovely, but not at double the price, and it would need tuning up a little more....
I drove my own ExigeS back to back with a mates slightly tuned VX220turbo that he had just bought. I paid £28k for mine... he paid £7k (cat D, had some clam damage earlier in its life and was repaired) Honestly? his felt a little 'baggier' and was not as new as mine but to drive there wasnt that much in it. CERTAINLY not £21k's worth!!!!!!!!
amazing value for money! made my Exige feel very overpriced!
I see after all these years the VX220 / Elise rivalry still hasn't changed lol
I remember telling an Elise owner "VX220 owners polish the car, Elise owners just polish the badge" he was not impressed.
Both Great cars, Test drove both then bought the VX, owned a 2.2 for 3 years or so and loved it, took mine round Europe and down to Portugal never missed a beat.
The owners forum was one of the best you could be a part of, and had lots of genuine people on it, not the "armchair experts" you seem to have on some sites now.
It's a real shame no manufacturer has done something quiet the same since, just really more cooperate clones, and Vauxhall diluted the VX brand by releasing such sheds as the Meriva and the Zaffy
I used to take great delight in when told it was "almost an Elise" by telling people at least the VX had a Lotus engine in it (AFAIK the 2.2 Ecototec L850 unit was developed by lotus where as the K series was developed by......) i'll stand corrected if not right but did get that from a Lotus factory chap.
I remember telling an Elise owner "VX220 owners polish the car, Elise owners just polish the badge" he was not impressed.
Both Great cars, Test drove both then bought the VX, owned a 2.2 for 3 years or so and loved it, took mine round Europe and down to Portugal never missed a beat.
The owners forum was one of the best you could be a part of, and had lots of genuine people on it, not the "armchair experts" you seem to have on some sites now.
It's a real shame no manufacturer has done something quiet the same since, just really more cooperate clones, and Vauxhall diluted the VX brand by releasing such sheds as the Meriva and the Zaffy
I used to take great delight in when told it was "almost an Elise" by telling people at least the VX had a Lotus engine in it (AFAIK the 2.2 Ecototec L850 unit was developed by lotus where as the K series was developed by......) i'll stand corrected if not right but did get that from a Lotus factory chap.
Blanchie said:
erm guys.....that VXR in the picture is maybe not a VXR, those are 2.2 wheels painted black, VXR's had speedlines (16 front 17 back)
If it is where be those lovely wheels gone?
Deffo a VXR Blanchie, it is the one in the Heritage collection at Luton. The Speedlines were taken off some time ago for some reason and not put back on yet. If it is where be those lovely wheels gone?
Edited by Blanchie on Thursday 6th September 13:40
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